The 2000's

[millenniumminds]

blog post 10

Tried something new with my revised poem! Gratitude for this course and everything I’ve learned regarding poetry & creative writing !

[millenniumminds]

Blog Post#9

As we approach the final Tumblr submissions for this course. I would like to take a moment and express gratitude to my peers throughout this creative writing journey. Together, we have navigated challenges and explored the depths of creative writing. I truly value the feedback you all have provided on my poems. Helping me enhance my writing skills and discover new styles and themes. My overall experience has been fascinating to witness growth. Having no prior experience with poetry to feeling confident enough to create and submit pieces to literary journals and magazines.

Before this assignment, I was unaware that poets could actually receive compensation for their submissions. While passion is important. To me, this signifies the start of a rewarding artistic journey into higher levels of artistry like: music, dance, film, painting and more. I have chosen two poetry journals for my submissions: Frontier Poetry and Palette Poetry, which are both founded by filmmaker and artist Joshua Roark. My decision is influenced by research and their open and light themes of poetry.

This course has opened my mind to the world and experience of creative writing in various avenues.

[millenniumminds]

Blog Post #8

Initially, I began forming themes typically around life, containers and confidence. However, this poem easily took a left turn and formed itself by identifying with theme's of love and tragedy. Writing a Shakespearean sonnet piece consisted of particular guidelines: following a 14 line structure and ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, & GG (rhyme scheme). Although this piece is different from other poems; the rhyme scheme rules were heavily respected. Moreover, by simply rhyming, I allowed myself to venture off, trust my instincts and convey a turn creating a story of hopeless romantic.

Personally, a sonnet seems much like a musical piece. The lines move vigorously through our ears and create a frequency of sound and rhythm. Unlike the sonnet, the haiku poem is simple yet effective. Writing this poem opened my mind to the world of possibilities in poetry. Interesting how 3 sentences have the power to measure into a 14 line sonnet. Words are powerful and should be treated like so. The most challenging aspect of writing a haiku poem is respecting the 5-7-5 syllable guideline. Considering the power of a condensed poem being able to convey a message by using less words. Removing ourselves from the poem and creating a space for our message to flow (creatively) is the technique to drafting any and every poem.

[millenniumminds]

Blog Post #7 List Poem

Curating the list poem for my doing was challenging in various aspects. As we were taught earlier in this semester, that poems are not supposed to have one meaning or make total sense. This week reflected my personal life as I am: navigating completing graduate school, starting a new business and chaotic task driven thoughts that are haunting me. Beyond our fears are clarity and strength. This poem is titled The Unknown.Just Do It!; hence the duality mentioned throughout. Regardless of what's behind the door, we must have faith that things will work for our greater good. Within this poem is a list curated towards my short term goals and fearing the unknown. In a way the list allowed me to navigate these challenging thoughts in my personal life. By creating this poem, I am able to reference my tasks as well as have a clear vision for pending tasks in my personal and career life. Overall, list poems are viewed as an organizing method of thinking. Similar to a To Do List.

[millenniumminds]

[millenniumminds]

#6 Blog Post (Persona Poem)

Intriguing is the word I will like to begin this post with. Interesting to note that every poem we have submitted thus far is elevating. Initially, this poem took a while to grasp the concept of being possessed by this character in regard to speaking from her POV. The techniques in creating persona poems are hidden in one's possession. Imagining myself as Dr.Pamela and the pain she endured on her journey was something short of amazing. Feeling her pain, power & joy inflicted pleasure upon me. Persona Poems are supposed to allow one to be consumed by something or someone else. Such separation of self makes it almost easier to draft a poem without the need of perfectionism. Almost as if this entity is taken over the mind of the poet. Therefore, allowing the writer to trust the deliverance of the words and message.This is what makes a Persona Poem worth while. Overall, I enjoyed creating this poem as I am a plant mom and extremely resonated with this character growing up. Personally, I adore this figure strong feminist capacity and her love for plants vs humans.

[millenniumminds]

Blog Post#5 Music & Rhythm

Rhythm is the pattern in which humans apply to one’s everyday life routines. This habitual pattern creates routines where individuals feel safe & comfort from predictability. In the midst of feeling comfort, individuals believe in their everyday habits to relieve them of anxiety (from not being in control). Rhythm is unique and every poem has its own rhythmic flow (Huey & Kaneko, 111). Therefore, rhythm aligns like a heartbeat to a poem. The flow of the blood pumping to the heart and throughout the body describes the flow in which a poem executes the flow of words. Moreover, depending on the activity the heart pumps blood faster, increasing one's heart rate. Rhymes dictate how fast or slow readers get through one's lines (Huey & Kaneko,111).

Historically speaking, poems were spoken before written. This makes sense as to understanding artists like Erica Badu,Tupac Shakur and a list of others; known for creating poetic pieces in their songs. Though poems are not songs (Huey & Kaneko, 90). Songs are meant to move listeners through musical instruments and sound. While poems are meant to move readers through (written) diction,imagery, metaphor and all other written literary devices. Music is often direct while poems are unconventional thought pieces that shifts readers perspectives; providing unlimited meanings.

Huey, Amorak, and W. Todd Kaneko. Poetry: A Writer's Guide and Anthology. 2nd ed., Bloomsbury Academic, 2024.

[millenniumminds]

BP#4 Image & Metaphor

Poetry is merely about the different aspects of the world that should be explored & not understood. In addition to doing so; image & metaphor are the highways around the planet of poetry. Imagery creates meaning through imagination highlighting one's ability to create a visual world upon the words in the poem. Whereas metaphors balance between original and new subjects ; further emphasizing one's imagination. In David Kirby "Teacher of The Year" poem he makes references using metaphors comparing dogs to Alexander Hamilton, Romeo & Juliet, Jayne Mansfield and more. Image and metaphors are used to shape and develop a proper poem. Hence, poems are supposed to be complex and concrete. Such aspects can be referenced using imagery which is highlighted in the text as the building blocks of all essential writings(p,69). While metaphors expand & give clarity to a poem using tenor and vehicle (p,84). As we progress on this journey of poetry; I expect to use these devices to better shape and give my poems complex meaning and clarity.

Huey, Amorak, and W. Todd Kaneko. Poetry: A Writer's Guide and Anthology. 2nd ed., Bloomsbury Academic, 2024.

[millenniumminds]

Blog Post 3: Word Sub Poem

The above illustration is the exact replication of myself during the process of the writing substitution poem. Upon highlighting and dissecting poems, I begin using similar words that shift the theme and style of the poems. It is very interesting learning the impact that diction has on poetry. In facet shifting the diction of a poem; further changes the language and structure. For instance, substituting a word like “flying” to “fluttering”creates a feeling of sensation that something is hovering, irregular or rapid. While flying entails imagery of an object in constant motion above the ground. At best I am learning that language, syntax, diction, punctuation and line-breaks are the starter kits of poetry 101.

As mentioned in the text, syntax is merely about the organization of a sentence considering the sentence will require a :command, statement, questions or emphatic statements (p.120). Although we are taught in the past that sentences are supposed to have complete thought and meaning. Syntax adheres to the placement in which a sentence is facilitated.

Poetry is merely unconventional and challenges the norms of proper literature through punctuation, line-breaks, syntax and diction. Unlike formal literary writings, poetry “free’s you from following those conventions” (p.103). These grammatical conventions consists of devices such as commas, periods, capitalizing and more. By upholding the rules of proper grammar. However, punctuation should be invisible in regard to poetry (p.103). As well as being an essential component of the syntax of a poem (p.103).

In addition, line-breaks are unconventional grammatical conventions merely seen in poetry and lyrics. The line is the fundamental unit of a poem (p.76). It is the context in which poems are created. Moreover, lines are unconventional hence they disrupt the normal syntax and rhythm of a sentence. Lines isolate words therefore, constraining the reader to focus on the meaning, emphasis, imagery and language.

Huey, Amorak, and W. Todd Kaneko. Poetry: A Writer’s Guide and Anthology. 2nd ed., Bloomsbury Academic, 2024.

[millenniumminds]

BP#2 An Introduction to Poetry

As mentioned in the previous blog post. I am an artists in content creating and the beauty industry.Being an artist who represents unique qualities and characteristics; I am therefore often misunderstood. Most people tend to have misconceptions of my work due to the consumption of illustration for various art avenues.

As we have delved into the meaning of poetry; I have successfully connected being misunderstood to feeling recognized by the poetry community. Chapter 1 of the text entails the overall meaning of a poem is communication and connecting with the text.Hence poets do not always present information in the clearness of manner (Huey & Kaneko). Instead, poetry includes vast meanings. As readers accept the understanding of a poem; it is possible for readers to possess various perspectives and personal interest that connects the reader to the poet. While this is great and highly accepted in the poetry community. Such distinction is required to acknowledge the power of poetry and comprehend its vast meanings. In more words, not everyone is meant to write and interpret poetry. Only the skilled and disruptive poets who challenges singular meaning will evoke raw feelings that connects the reader to the page.

To be a Poet is to be an artist that develops admiration for the hidden beauty of the Universe. Poets are inspired by life itself; be it smell, taste, or imagery. These individuals have a certain talent in alignment with discipline, fearlessness and knowledge. Talented poets force their readers to see the world through their eyes. By embracing doubt and trusting in the power of the writing process instead of making excuses that prompts “writers block” . Established above, every person is not capable of acknowledging and drafting poetry. This is also true with talent. Every person does not have the skillful trait of talent to be a great writer. For example, talent is as simple as having the ability to sit and write for a long period of time. This talented skill is known as Sitzfleisch; requiring the ability to sit and write through uncomfortable circumstances (like writers block, boredom, etc). Poets are gifts to the world, through their writings they are able to create and influence vast perceptions of words and feelings. Creating a new world of understanding in literature and writing.

[millenniumminds]

BP#1 Introduction

Greetings Peers, "millenniumminds" here a student enrolled in Dr.Bryd's English course this semester. Amongst being a student I am a creator and small business owner. My creations consist of online everyday vlogs on social media platforms like Youtube, TikTok and Instagram. I enjoy creating content as it pours into my creative expression side. Another way I am constantly pouring into my art is through my small business. I am a nail technician and press on nail artist. Being an artist is how I will connect with poetry this semester.

Upon reading the text I discovered many things about poetry. Poetry is a form of art that should express more than one meaning. Though, oftentimes meaning comes second it is not the primary reason for the poem itself. In the past I have struggled with understanding poems and their meanings. In fact, upon taking African American literature last semester I read a few poems from authors like : Claude McKay (If we must die) and James Weldon Johnson (Brothers). As well as poems from my favorite rapper Tupac Shakur, who used his lyrics to lead an entire generation into African American consciousness. Moreover, I am excited this semester to learn more about poetry and how I can use this skill as I further my education and career. I look forward to reading your blogs soon. Thanks!