Holidays

So, it's been a while since I've made a post, and it'll be a little longer due to the holiday and subsequently busy weekend, so I leave you with three of my latest works. The first is an explanation of how I feel the concept of poetry works, while the second and third pieces are a commentary on life and death, as well as telling the story of someone I once knew while respecting their anonymity. Enjoy.

"Poetry"
Poetry isn't made, it isn't forced, and it isn't controlled.
Poetry is born.
Born from emotion, born from life, born from commotion, born from strife.
Poetry is power. Raw, untamed, invulnerable.
Poetry is life.
Poetry is death.
Poetry is joy.
Poetry is pain.
Poetry is in the words that we speak, or the songs that we sing.
Poetry can be found in the air that we breathe, or in the shining of the sea.
Poetry is in you.
Poetry is in me.

"Life"
Life, an endless mystery,
yet filled with utter misery.
We live, laugh, love, and cry,
until it is our time to die.
Life is trials and tribulation,
be it in ourselves, or those of relation.
We live, laugh, love, and sigh,
until our time has come, you and I.

"Death"
A mother stares on at a box as she begins to cry.
Why, oh why, did her son have to die?
She remembers his childhood, filled with days at the park,
but the entire world has suddenly become dark.
She remembers his smiles,
and helping him through his trials.
Now all she sees is his death,
brought on by his final escape from Meth.

"Shade"

Ice Prevails

Today's post happens to be another haiku I had written after finding the inspiration through observing my class-mate's hairstyles freezing instantly in the dry air this morning.

"Ice"
Wet locks, containing traces of the shower.
Arid, freezing wind, chilling all it contacts into solid spikes.
Faces of horror as hairstyles are ruined.
Winter has struck harder in this sleepy town.
This cold weather is bringing me down.

"Shade"

Religion

Yes, I seriously have an opinion on religion as well. I was reading a few articles online and on social websites, and couldn't help but to notice how many people were arguing through comments and posts on secular views and stereotypes for each particular sect of a religion. Personally, I don't believe in anything that they're arguing over, but does that make me any less human than them? Even if they believe I'm condemned to Hell, does this really mean that my life after death will truly be suffering? I'm going to quote someone that not many may agree with, but when I look at it in a certain context, it makes perfect sense. In the words of the Honorable Chairman Mao Tse Tung, "Religion is the opiate of the masses, a poison so to speak." Opinions will be stated, wars will be fought, and not one thing will change because of that. It's the human condition, and it's unfortunately become a rather pointed element of religion as a result. People are products of their upbringing, but when they're spoon-fed  intolerance, it only results in more hatred spreading, and more battles being fought over differences. In this day and age, intolerance has run rampant for far too long. In ancient Rome, Christianity was outlawed. Judaism was technically outlawed in the sense that they were generally given death sentences under Nazi rule. Hell, it was even taboo to be Muslim in the United States in recent years. I may not believe in a single god or afterlife, but I do believe that we need to stop looking at the differences with each other and begin to co-exist.
"Shade"

The Meltdown

After observing a large snowfall, and then watching it become washed away by the rain, one can't help but feel that it's slightly depressing. Today's post is a haiku I had written about the snow.

"Snowflakes"
Clear crystals, spiraling and dancing.
Washing our small world in crunchy, crispy, white cold.
Unfortunately, rain falls consistently, sporadically, and intensely.
Winter in Juneau is inspiring.
If you like being depressed.

"Shade"

                                                           
                                                                                                       
                from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalem/407509600/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Remember

I wrote this poem because I wanted to make one final send off to a recently passed teacher who had inspired me to finally place some thought and effort into my writing, and who had given the gift of inspiration to her students.

I remember.

I remember the countless arguments,
verbal exchanges, and challenges.

I remember the endless support,
compassion, and drive to move forward.

I remember the gut-busting laughter,
inspiring smiles, and complete confidence.

I remember you.

"Shade"

Late Night Thoughts

Have you ever been stuck wide awake at night, thinking about the smaller details in life and how they fit into the big picture? Have you ever simply sat there contemplating the universe? With my post today, I am going to explore one common thought and explanations for it, as well as my own thoughts on the subject. The first most common thought is, "Are we truly alone in the universe," and roughly fifty percent of the people you ask will argue that there is, and the other half will argue that there isn't. Now, when you contemplate it yourself, it seems like there is, and that there isn't at the same time. Why? Maybe it's because we're not really alone, or maybe it's because we feel the need that we're not alone. That being said, we start searching, sometimes hopelessly, for an answer even if it's an irrational or illogical explanation. When I think about where we fit in the universe, I choose a less conventional explanation, but it seems sound enough to satisfy the need for knowledge when it occurs. I try not to think of it in the terms of extraterrestrial life, or anything remotely similar, but I feel that we are more interconnected than we think. Deja vu is the phenomenon of recognizing a person, place, or event, without ever having experienced it prior, but knowing how to deal with said event. Maybe it isn't extraterrestrial life that we should be looking for, but rather the moments where we feel connected more as a singular being with others. It just might be something to think about.
"Shade"

The End of Day by Day

So, this happens to be day one of blogging, and I don't have much to post at the moment, other than this simple greeting, and a welcome into the world as I see it through my writings. Welcome, enjoy the ride, and please do share your thoughts with me.

Thank you,
"Shade"