Shattered Pretend

A blitz poem, a poetic form created by Robert Keim, uses repetition over short phrases to create a stream of thought. This poem is an adaptation of that; a blitz poem has a title of three words (first word of the third line joined by a preposition to the first word of the fourty-seventh line). 'Shattered Pretend' does not meet the three-word-title criteria. However, it is still meant to be read as a blitz poem - rapidly with hardly a pause for breath.

Shattered Pretend


shattered dream
shattered bone
bone dry like a well in drought
bone splint as if taping pieces forms a whole
whole family
whole mess
mess that I abhor
mess I’m afraid of
of loss
of this
this fractured mayhem
this total abandonment of control
control yourself with a lack of tears
control what you can and never get upset
upset laundry
upset stomach
stomach the loss
stomach the sickness
sickness that pervades
sickness that will destroy
destroy, rape, splinter
destroy me
me but what can I do?
me the minor
minor key
minor mistake
mistake my meaning
mistaken identity
identity theft
identity crisis
crisis of faith
crisis and chaos
chaos amongst order
chaos that comprises reality
reality is when you don’t wake up from the nightmare
reality is the realization that you’re stuck
stuck in the desert
stuck with nothing left to do
do nothing
do and be done
done with the day
done with trying
trying to fix things
trying to make everything work
work on things over my jurisdiction
work and play
play doctor and imagine fixing things
play pretend
pretend...
things...

Dragons

What is it about the secret nature of writing that transforms an author into a dragon?

He closely hoards his cache of jewels, cradling them, warming them with his own body. All who know the ways of dragons know he has piles of treasures and trinkets, yet few have ever seen the magnificent wonder. Of those who have, fewer still have wandered away again to tell the tale. For this creature takes not visitors - instead, he flies low over the outlying lands. A sudden flash, a darting swoop - another treasure for his hoard; a maide who will polish the gems and lighten the endless days. He will protect her as a precious ruby - and even allow her to venture again to her home, to speak of the awe-filled cavern in which she dwells. But to take a diadem is to seek punishment. Steal, borrow, lend, depict - all are equally forbidden in the dragon's lair. For the dragon enjoys his reputed fame, wishes not to destroy it in its physical manifestation.

Perhaps one day, the dragon will have a change of heart. Allowing his companion to share his wealth, or speak of it freely, will be easier. Sunlight will pierce through the cave, illuminating those wondrous treasures. Perhaps.

Until that time, this dragon will continue to track each trifle, guard every gem, and keep my visitors scant. Writing awakens the dragon in me - when you are pulled into the cave, you will be captive. But to be captivated...you must make your choice.

Stories Retold

We've all grown up with fairy-tales. What I've found out, though, is that the stories I grew up loving can have a dark side indeed. Read through the original Snow White, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid...you'll find it just a tad different than what you're used to. Y'know - bloodthirsty step-mothers, mysterious pregnancies, and endings that are definitely not "Happily Ever After". While the tales have been cleaned up and altered over time, there's no denying that they offer amazing possibility. Retellings - when done right - can be some of the most incredible literary works in the world.