A few of you have commented that 'although' a piece I posted is fiction, the character and-or situation seem real. I can't tell you how much it thrills me to hear this. Literary and mainstream fiction should make us feel that we know the characters and that the things that happen to them, if not actual fact, are entirely believable. To me, great fiction teaches us more about the human condition -- and ourselves -- than nonfiction. I am not saying that I am capable of creating great fiction, only that it is one of my goals. Let me qualify that. If I am ever able to write g o o d fiction, I will be happy. When someone implies that a fiction piece of mine is 'really true ' or that they can tell that the protagonist or some other character is really me, it makes me believe that if I live long enough, I just may reach my goal. Thanks to all of you for all of your comments. S u p p o r t. To those of you who feel that my stories and poems are all about me, all I can say is, W O W. Maybe I really d o understand others at times. Maybe I can come up with characters who come
alive--? Sure as hell am going to try!!
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PS: Sorry about the gloomy tone lately. I'll try to wait 'til I have written a new piece that is cheerful before posting again.
B l e s s i n g s!!
'Pea'
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At Home with Shadows
Afraid of sleep, the woman aims bent and thin
bones around shadows she knows to be tables
and chairs in the light of day. She is aware
that her prowls are meant to chase away things
can't be chased away. Helps, though. Helps
to meander, slippered and thoughtless, to the living
room, switch on cable and watch talking heads
pretend they know it all. 'Times she watches
Cops. The things people do! The things
they say! Makes you laugh until you cry!
Want to know how good you got it, catch
the news. Hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes,
earthquakes, devils posing as human
doing beyond terrible things to children.
Wives hurt husbands, husbands hurt wives.
So-called reality parades without shame.
Switch channels!! Comics help best
when honest. Truth funny, why is that?
Time to prowl some more. Wander into
the kitchen and microwave tea to a boil.
Only two Oreos. Stale, of course. Bad
for you, say. Eat them and the cheddar
with all the fat. Scarf down crackers
made of salt and cholesterol. Love those
trans-fats. Whatever the devil they are.
Get you through the night, Sinatra said.
Died, right? Been a long time? Blue
Eyes right. So many dead, so many out
of it, your turn coming. The woman stops
herself from thinking fast. Prowls back
to bed, mumbles a few prayers, tells herself
Go to sleep. Five minutes later, she's up.
Slips into the slides she uses as slippers,
limps to the bathroom, pees, wipes, gets up.
Then she makes a mistake. She looks
in the mirror. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
The woman aims bent and thin bones
around shadows, wanting
and not to prowl.
(c) Phyllis Jean Green, 2008 -- A l l Rights Reserved
Powerful. It's like there is a silence around you that is temporarily punctured by cable. REstless and anxious through the night. I eat ice cream at times like these. Great write. Liz
Wow! This is powerfully done, especially so after reading your introductory remarks. I am one of those individuals who feels I have learned a lot from reading fiction. And I would agree that the characters must be real...but, hey, once in awhile, I also enjoy some female performing crazy stunts, like a local PI may get into...
Yesterday, a female telephone repair technician came to fix my phone. She thought I would be surprised...but really wasn't...female characters are doing anything and everything...and so shall women, and men!
Myself, when I find myself in shadows...I escape into a good fiction novel! LOL
A well written piece that brings out the heartfelt emotions in a new enlightened way. "At Home with Shadows" is an excellent piece that many can relate to....
This piece is both powerful and passionate. It reaches in and grabs the reader's attention from the start and like a compassionate voyeur allows you to walk in her shoes which plod through the reality of life. Well done
hugs
Fee
PS Never wait till you are in any type of mood to write, write what you feel when you feel it. Hugs
This was great! You have described the frail woman so well. I'm also very happy that you have reminded everyone that what you are writing is of fiction, and that it isn't necessary the "you" that you are talking about in your work.
Phyllis, there's no need to apologise for 'gloomy tone' it's often what's meaningful and worthwhile, as this new poem is..."the woman aims bent and thin bones" is very fine indeed, down to the skeletal, the core of things. Love it!
John
Concur with Bonnie, below: write whenever your Muse tells you to, whatever she wants you to. You reach in and squeeze the heart with emotion, making the poem believable. That is the mark of a true artiste. And you, my dear, are at the top of the game. Well done.
Oh, don't wait until only the bright things to write about, this was so touching written with extreme honesty and caring for all those who suffer. We need to hear this too so write my girl about anything or about nothing. For some hard things are what we need to hear. Great write, Love, Bonnie
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Sheila
Wishing you well..
Sam
Yesterday, a female telephone repair technician came to fix my phone. She thought I would be surprised...but really wasn't...female characters are doing anything and everything...and so shall women, and men!
Myself, when I find myself in shadows...I escape into a good fiction novel! LOL
in your magic pen. -gene.
Be always safe,
Karen
hugs
Fee
PS Never wait till you are in any type of mood to write, write what you feel when you feel it. Hugs
This was great! You have described the frail woman so well. I'm also very happy that you have reminded everyone that what you are writing is of fiction, and that it isn't necessary the "you" that you are talking about in your work.
Wonderful imagination and creativity!!!
Sandie Angel :o)
John
Leland
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.