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Category Archives: Poetry
Federico García Lorca, Little Viennese Waltz
In Vienna there are ten girlsa shoulder on which death sobsand a forest of stuffed doves.There is a fragment of morningin the museum of ice flowers.There is a room with a thousand windows.¡Ay, ay, ay, ay!Take this waltz with its … Continue reading
A Romanian sentence
Electronic dog that barks when someone walks by –in a white Sprinter van with Bucureşti license platesparked along the shore of Lago Maggiore. – James Steerforth (© 2021) Based on true events. Has the form of an American sentence but … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Creative writing, Enigma, Life, Poetry, Writing
Tagged American sentence, Bucharest, Bucureşti, electronic dog, poem, Poetry, prose poem, Romania
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The WTF poem
“WTF – I wonder how that is pronounced…” “Not that easy to say, it being Proto-Srpko-Pannonian. Not at all what you would guess from the spelling. Probably sounded like hwiss, the final f generally being mute for all we know.” … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Fun, Nonsense, Poetry, Writing
Tagged extinct languages, humor, linguistics, old languages, Poetry, WTF
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De profundis
I always have moments of insight of enormous profundity, and they frequently occur in very ordinary places, like a supermarket, doctor’s office, parking lot. Yes, particularly in parking lots. – James Steerforth (© 2015) It’s National Poetry Month, and today’s … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Creative writing, Enigma, Fun, Happy poem, Life, Literature, Nonsense, Poetry, Writing
Tagged insights, napowrimo, ordinary places, Poetry, profundity
1 Comment
How I became a junkie
I bought a ticket for the Nova Express, a ticket that later exploded, leaving me with neither ticket nor ride. A little later I had a naked lunch and was arrested for it. Much more junk happened to me, more … Continue reading
Dear sensible reader,
have you come across poetry that is gratuitous and show-offy? That is camouflaging, experimental to a kind of insane degree? The difficulty of which really ignores the possibility of having a sensible reader? I have. Or have I? I’ve quite … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Creative writing, Enigma, Fun, Literature, Nonsense, Poetry, Rant, Writing
Tagged Billy Collins, difficult, difficulty, Literature, Poetry, Poets, reader, sensible, sensible reader, T. S. Eliot, Waste Land, Writing
3 Comments
Sunday morning
For S. A tidal sound wave of the Italian airforce flying formations woke us at eight forty-five today The office is as messy as usual, its effect on my writing and other parameters yet to be examined as to creative … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Creative writing, India, Life, Literature, Poetry, Time, Writing
Tagged chaos, Italy, Rome, Sunday
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The phantom of love
I cling to that soft murmur, the murmur in my heart, reverberation of your words I cling to your decision taken I cling to your words They say what’s in your heart That’s what you say I cling to that … Continue reading
Burnt Norton
One of those old British mobikes found by the cops in a ditch in Talloula County, 12 miles from Eliot Burnt beyond recognition, license plate removed, ID filed off Shall probably remain a mystery forever – James Steerforth (© 2012) … Continue reading
Posted in Creative writing, Enigma, Literature, Poetry, Writing
Tagged Burnt Norton, Levertov, Rilke, T. S. Eliot, Talloula
1 Comment
What to do with this pale pink mimosa
Don’t flag her down – she might just – no, she certainly will! – wilt and turn completely passive. – James Steerforth (© 2011) Written for 3WW using flag, might and passive, giving certain painfully sensitive people an Emily Dickinsonesque … Continue reading
Posted in Creative writing, Enigma, Flowers, Fun, Life, Literature, Poetry, Writing
Tagged 3WW, Emily Dickinson
2 Comments
Rhyming rote
Now if I had anything to quote I’d give it an honest vote. But on that very same note I’d also tote its antidote and jump from any boat for air with the slightest mote. – Felix Morgenstern (© 2011) … Continue reading
A flocked tapestry
When we were young, we’d all flock to church. That was in our Wladiwostok days, when flocking was such fun. The whole flock would be gathered around the pastor and then drink. It was a like a huge cloud when … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Creative writing, Fun, Life, Literature, Nonsense, Poetry, Writing
Tagged John Ashbery
11 Comments
Pictures at an exhibition
Dutch or too much? Perhaps one of the pictures at the exhibition… My dear friend, We went to the exhibition, the big exhibition that is here in town, the big exhibition, I’m sure you’ve heard of it. You’re surely curious … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Bland observations, Creative writing, Fun, Life, Nonsense, Poetry, Writing
Tagged Gertrude Stein, My Fair Lady, Raymond Queneau
2 Comments
Words for Julia
You can’t go back because life is pushing you ahead like an unending howl. You’ll feel caged, you’ll feel lost and alone, perhaps wishing you’d never been born. But always remember what I wrote one day thinking of you as … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Literature, Love, Lyrics, Music, Poetry, Translation, Writing
Tagged José Agustín Goytisolo, Paco Ibáñez, Words for Julia
8 Comments
Ruminations about current trends in love I
L’amour ne peut plus voyager Il a perdu son messager – Georges Moustaki Is there less love now than there used to be? Perhaps the messengers have indeed died off, as in chemical reactions where two need to react but … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Enigma, Life, Love, Lyrics, Music, Poetry, Writing
Tagged Sunday Scribblings
7 Comments
They call me the breeze
That there breath of air you calls a breeze – it ain’t nothin’ but a mellow tickle … – James ‘Kuntry Mode’ Steerforth Written upon inspiration by breeze, mellow and tickle from 3WW. And now, by the one and only … Continue reading
A gripe
I am angry – let it be known to the small circle of my readers. I am currently not grateful for the abundance I have, be it food, work, money or frustration. I call this little poem a gripe. That’s … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Creative writing, Life, Literature, Poetry, Writing
3 Comments
Haikuode to Greek Goddesses
Those ancient ladies – alabaster skin, fair hair – and wingèd – beware! – James Steerforth (© 2011) Written for Haiku My Heart at Recuerda Mi Corazón and creating the new haikuode form while at it. Inspired by the painting* … Continue reading
Posted in Haiku, Literature, Nonsense, Poetry, Stellar poetry, Writing
3 Comments
Laurence and Laura
(meant for each other and yet …) When did they meet? It was as if by magic and naturally gratuitous – and then soon gone in a hustle of work. It proved to be hell, love reduced to chances to … Continue reading
Posted in Bland observations, Creative writing, Enigma, Life, Literature, Love, Poetry, Sweet dreams and nightmares, Writing
Tagged Cafe Writing, magic
2 Comments
Aisha
As if I didn’t exist at all She passed by me Without a glance, Queen of Sheba I said, Aisha, take it, it’s all yours Take it all – the pearls, the jewelry The gold around your neck The fruits, … Continue reading
Steer Forth! 