Tag: writing

~Writing Poetry

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Haibun, Poetry1 Comment 
I have my dictionary, a thesaurus and a laptop filled with billions of pieces of information at my fingertips. There’s a staggering number of words, and combinations of words, hidden in my keyboard. Like scrabble pieces spread out on the table, all I need to do is lay them down in the right order, at the right time, and with the right flow to create the right image. Aah, this should be easy.
writing is easy
getting your words to make sense 
is the hardest part

~I’m No Poet~

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Free Verse, Poetry1 Comment


I know the best
poetry is
suppose to live in
broken love,
death, regret,
and fear of facing
another tomorrow.
Those things
that drag emotion
across the heart,
or stab
you in the brain,
with
pain and
sorrow.

But has there ever been a poet
that’s not known
such tragedy,
has no knowledge of heartbreak,
been hurt or wronged
because he didn’t fit a mold.
Whose stomach
is always full,
never had to
sleep in the cold.
One that has loved
without regret
never had to beg
or borrow.

Call me a
presenter of possibilities
mediator of metaphor
encourager of exaggerations
implementor of imagination
or facilitator of fakery
but
I am no poet

Been Gone Too Long

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Uncategorized1 Comment

One might assume, that my extended absence could be taken as a sign of a wonderful vacation. Perhaps a global adventure across continents or a trek of solitude high upon a mountain path. Maybe a quiet dip into the foamy waves of an exotic ocean or even an inspirational sabbatical to a Tibetan monastery.

For those with a more pessimistic mindset and are always looking for some doom and gloom, perhaps something with a little more drama. Like being incarcerated for some nefarious crime or better yet, on my death bed doing battle with the Devil for my eternal soul.

I am quite sad to report that the answer is NO to the first paragraph but very happy to give a resounding NO to the second.

In truth I have been happily crawling around in the tilled soil of my back yard in an attempt to call myself a gardener. Though my plants would most assuredly disagree, the wonderful crop of weeds and crab grass are singing my praises. However, I did manage to collect enough tomatoes, peppers, onions and green beans to satisfy my ego and to give me enough inspiration to attempt it all again next year.

I must admit that I had lost interest in pen and paper. But the nostalgia of visiting with family and friends over this past holiday season, combined with spending these last few days in my recliner with TV remote in hand binge watching “The Waltons”, has sparked my inspiration once again.

With a brand-new year ready to begin, my first official resolution—one among many—is to return to the blogging world. So, I want to say thank you in advance to what I hope will become a great friendship.

~ Am I Original…

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Poetry, Tercet1 Comment

As I sit here and pen this rhyme
I wonder if there may come a time
someone else might have the same words to say

As we sit under the same moon
and write tales about a lover’s swoon
will we tell it in the very same way

There are only so many words
to use as nouns, adjectives and verbs
coincidence dictates it might be so

Cause I have read so many bards
that the chances might not be that hard
I could do it and never really know

After all there’s been many times
I’ve struggled to find a way to rhyme
the word horse with anything but ‘of course’

I guess I could make up a word
one nobody else has ever heard
like the evil stallion who bucked and ‘snorsed’

I don’t know why I worry so
there’s probably no one else you know
with a mind quite as twisted and depraved

So if you ever think for sure
you have read these exact words before
know that I didn’t mean to misbehave

~ Another Rule to Break…

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Poetry, Rhyming3 Comments

Well the experts say
in your poetry
don’t use a cliché
to tell your story

bleeding hearts of men
the tail of a dog
clucking like old hens
croaking like a frog

a bright twinkling star
the light of the moon
runs like a new car
humming of a tune

she’s the cat’s meow
the chug of a train
a slow drifting cloud
the patter of rain

even this rhyme scheme
of ABAB
has no place it seems
in your poetry

so maybe what’s wrong
with this world today
we all go along
with what experts say

cause with no cliché
just what can I do
no ‘Happy Birthday’
or an ‘I Love You’

so my word to you
forget what they say
if it works for you
do it anyway