RamblingVerses Newsletter – Episode IV – December 2008
Welcome to the fourth Story Institute newsletter…No time for wasting…let’s rambling on through the storylines…
Evoke the Holiday Angel…
With each new holiday, a new memory is created. The old ones do not just disappear. They simply blend together making new memories that grow to be more impactful on our lives. We live through each new event as if it is an expected occurrence. Think about why the holidays are celebrated. Think about the intensity each family member adds to the time together. Think about the connections you miss due to random memory lapses or holiday induced emotive moments.
When you write about the holiday season, focus on the familiar and make it fantastic. Remember your missing uncle who joined a religion where he doesn’t recognize any holidays. Remember your great, great grandmother who only spoke Lithuanian the last 20 years of her 100+ life. Remember the spirit is out there somewhere. Try to connect with it before your story starts. Stay connected with it as the moves you through your own Christmas Carol through past, present, and future. Ride the chilling breeze as it rest on the soft, fluffy wet stuff that clings to the earth and the snow people who inhabit it.
Find your memory, or make a new one. This month, recognize the unique stories that have grown from the season and write…Enjoy…
Simplified Celebration Connections…
Irish Proverb
A turkey never voted for an early Christmas
Benjamin Franklin
A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
William Shakespeare
At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled mirth; But like of each thing that in season grows.
Shared Verses…
This edition, we are beginning a new section where we feature a poem or so from our poetry contests.
Enjoy the poems before the contest ends or submit your own for this contest:
Deadline: January 15th…
http://www.storyinstitute.com/poetry-contest-submission/
Cole Ridge Poem
© 2008 – Joy Sheppard
Blythe gale, Peasants to hail, Why canst thou fling free? Soar over the churning sea in wild ecstasy? Must you always salt my soars? Bitter struggle tasted by scores Inflicted by you, the curses rebound Upon the shipwrecked Sound Enslaving master and taskman alike Oh, wild spirit, why not burst the dike And fly home? To roam Frree
http://www.storyinstitute.com/2008/11/01/poem-cole-ridge-poem-by-joy-sheppard/
Ship of Gold – Winner Fall/Winter 2008 Story Institute Poetry Contest © 2008 – Jill Eisnaugle
My heart is the captain for a ship of gold Our mission is something special to behold Together, my boat and I span the high seas We ride through the turmoil with the greatest ease Clear skies form to greet us and welcome our cause There’s no hesitation found to bring us pause So onward we go, though the dawn turns to night Our destination firmly fixed in our sight.
Alas, we’ve seen struggles through which some would fail But, my ship and I are destined to prevail No rock ‘neath the surface or force from a wave Could make us believe our course is not to save My ship and I know what we can and can’t take Such trust and assurance leaves calm in its wake When the stars appear, come the moon’s brilliant glow Toward our final port call, my ship and I go.
My heart is the captain for a ship of gold Yet, found in the cargo, there’s something quite old A masterpiece which has lived through tests of time A gift for the ages, still well in its prime Some call it a blessing, reserved for a few Yet, when we dock portside, I’ll give it to you The “gold” in my cargo is love, evermore My dear, I will see you when I reach the shore.
To read more of Jill’s work, please visit: www.authorsden.com/jillaeisnaugle
http://www.storyinstitute.com/2008/09/20/poetry-contest-winner-announcement-2008-fall-contest/
For a more meaningful reflection on the season, John Milton shares well-chosen words reflecting on the nativity and its inspirational aspects…
If you do not believe the content, read it as a verse first, searching for the muse…
Read carefully, and re-read it. We all miss something the first time…
On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity
By: John Milton
This is the month, and this the happy morn Wherein the Son of Heav’n’s eternal King, Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born, Our great redemption from above did bring; For so the holy sages once did sing, That he our deadly forfeit should release, And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
II That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable, And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty, Wherewith he wont at Heav’n’s high council-table, To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, He laid aside, and here with us to be, Forsook the courts of everlasting day, And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay.
III Say Heav’nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein Afford a present to the Infant God? Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, To welcome him to this his new abode, Now while the heav’n, by the Sun’s team untrod, Hath took no print of the approaching light, And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?
IV See how from far upon the eastern road The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet: O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet, And join thy voice unto the angel quire, From out his secret altar touched with hallowed fire.
Life in a Spark…
(Short Story idea for your holiday season)
You’ve seen adventures that begin in a snow globe. How about one that is ignited by the spark of a flame and moves with each new candle lit. With certain flames, we are afforded the opportunity to join the residents of this randomized world. For the people within the spark, the light in one candle can represent years or decades.
Is there night in this world? What are they people like? Who do they represent? Can you find the flame anywhere? Or, is stored in a secluded area and only available to a select few? Where do you find an exit? Do you try? Or, do you enjoy the centuries within?
Decide on the path. Decide on the transportation route. Decide on the stories within. Decide on the path you follow and the path you lead. Decide on the story, and write. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…
Clouded Resources – Write Now
Here are some of the many resources on the web for evoking the muse within…Good luck…
Christmas Poems – Holiday Poetry for Christmas –
http://classiclit.about.com/od/christmaspoempoetry/Christmas_Poems_Holiday_Poetry_for_Christmas.htm
Traditional Christmas Stories & Poems –
http://www.christmas-poems.com/
Kaboose – Christmas Stories –
http://holidays.kaboose.com/christmas/stories/xmas-stories.html
All Things Christmas –
http://www.allthingschristmas.com/stories.htm
Visit us at Story Institute for other ideas and writing prompts…http://www.storyinstitute.com/
To take RamblingVerser with you or read it offline, download the PDF version here:
ramblingverses-episode-4-december-2008