Writer. Feminist. Historian. Person.
an abundant yield for all
freedom’s promise broken
they hail words once unspoken
cheering as we fall
in the face of shameless cruelty
a promise made each night
not to yield the endless fight
as we march for liberty
Thanks for the prompts: YIELD and PROMISE
When I saw the word ZEPHYR, I immediately began to chant:
Oh zephyr winds that blow on high
Lift me now so I can fly
Andrea Transforms into Mighty Isis
If you were in a kid in the mid-1970s United States, then you may remember the brief reign of Mighty Isis. Andrea Thompson was a teacher who (after finding a magic amulet) could transform into Mighty Isis whenever someone needed a rescue. She was (in my humble opinion) the best part of the live-action Saturday morning show, The Shazam/Isis Power Hour (1975-77). Along with the Jaime Sommers / Bionic Woman (1976-78) and Diana Prince / Wonder Woman (1975-79), the mid-1970s gave little girls a set of heroes they could admire and perhaps emulate—assuming they had access to special powers of course. It was a mixed message for sure! (It also was an early Marvel / DC Comic rivalry!)
But I’m glad these independent women (because even without their “superpowers” they were independent women) helped shape my belief in possibilities. It was only a few years prior that our two favorite women with superpowers, Samantha Stephens / Bewitched (1964-72) and Jeanie / I Dream of Jeanie (1965-70) spent all their time hiding their true selves to appease their husband/master’s egos. Only their “wicked” dark-haired cousin / sister got to have any real fun!
So here’s a short verse in honor of some of those 1970s women on TV (including the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Julia of course!!) that helped me believe in my own superpowers!
zephyr winds inspire
as they shatter the ceiling
elevating all
Plus, here’s Isis offering some words of wisdom that (sadly) a lot of people still need to hear!
And finally thanks to RDP for the great prompt word!
what if magic is the true key
not illogical or absurd
but the spell that sets us all free
what if magic is the true key
where you and I awoke as we
ideas shared with a secret word
not illogical or absurd
what if magic is the true key
Inspired by many things including the RDP prompt (ABSURD) and the call to visualize joy, for which I chose the Seasons of Enchantment card. It brought to mind my happy place: a magical world where joy abounds.
Plus, I’m still having fun with the Triolet, which is an 8-line poem where lines repeat in a beautiful rhythm:
Lines 1, 4, and 7 are the same, and lines 2 and 8 are also repeated.
The rhyme scheme looks like this: ABaAabAB (uppercase = repeated lines).
If you’d like to make it a little trickier, try writing each line with 8 syllables (iambic tetrameter, the classic French style) — or challenge yourself with 10 syllables per line (the English version). I chose the 8-syllable version tonight.
under the night sky I waver
as moonbeams penetrate my shroud
baring that fateful palaver
under the night sky I waver
wishing I had once been braver
but the die was cast as I bowed
under the night sky I waver
as moonbeams penetrate my shroud
Today, Reena asks us to consider: THE MASKS WE FORGOT TO REMOVE
Let your protagonist (fictional or real) explore the following aspects.
The RD Prompt (WAVER) seemed to fit into my thoughts as I played around with the idea of the consequences of decisions contrary to your true self. At least I think that may be what I was going for. It took its own course-as words sometimes do.
Plus, I’m clearly obsessed with the Triolet this week.
A Triolet is an 8-line poem where lines repeat in a beautiful rhythm:
Lines 1, 4, and 7 are the same, and lines 2 and 8 are also repeated.
The rhyme scheme looks like this: ABaAabAB (uppercase = repeated lines).
If you’d like to make it a little trickier, try writing each line with 8 syllables (iambic tetrameter, the classic French style) — or challenge yourself with 10 syllables per line (the English version). [I did 8-syllables today.]
crazy love consumes
undone by your sublime text
heart eclipses mind
the moment permeates all
and the center cannot hold
Thanks to Reena and RDP for their inspiration. The words nutty, sublime text, and eclipse led to me this ode to crazy modern love, with a shout out to William Butler Yeats (and Joan Didion).
Tina Stewart Brakebill 