[stylist] New poem--Cane of Cchulhu

Wed Jul 22 19:21:02 UTC 2015

Yes, yes and yes. hmmm, it is funny though... Someone from Nebraska is
touting the merits of what is essentially structured discovery? haha  Just
kidding.
Hey, do you see Jeff Altman or Merry Noel? If so, tell them I said, "Hi."
Eve

 President, National Federation of the Blind Northern Arizona
President, National Federation of the Blind Writers' Division
Committee Chair, Arizona Association of Guide Dog Users
Affiliate Member, National Federation of the Blind Legislative Committee
Affiliate Member, National Federation of the Blind Membership Committee
Member, Slate & Style Editing Team

"You do not need to have vision to see the stars."

On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 11:49 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist <
stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Eve,
>
> Agree, even with prose, I hate to just press insert and down arrow and read
> all at once. I prefer to take my time and read line-by-line with poetry, or
> para-by-para, or even sentence-by-sentence with prose. Works so much better
> for me.
>
> I've noticed a change in attitudes about varying levels of blindness within
> the Federation and blindness community in general. A decade ago, it was
> still a hot-button issue, always debating what blindness skills should be
> used regardless of vision, what a "blind" person should look and act like,
> etc. But nowadays, the waters seem a bit calmer. I think many realized
> dissension from within only tears down. So much more is accomplished when
> we
> embrace differences.
>
> Not to say the Federation does not promote and even push for nonvisual
> skills. In my experience, nine times out of ten, blind people can benefit
> from some nonvisual training and skills, but blind people are doing all
> sorts of things in many different ways, with many different methods, and as
> we always maintain, the end goal is independence and success-- living the
> life you want-- so how you get there, and what means you use, ultimately
> are
> up to the individual.
>
> To stick to current discussions, make love, not war, smile.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of EvaMarie
> Sanchez via stylist
> Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 1:27 PM
> To: Writers' Division Mailing List
> Cc: EvaMarie Sanchez
> Subject: Re: [stylist] New poem--Cane of Cchulhu
>
> Sometimes that split between the levels of blindness is still present. I
> think it is much better than in past though.
> And just a note, I read with JAWS, so I do not know if the visual
> appearance
> makes a difference. With JAWS I had experienced the increasing speed as I
> arrowed down, which I always do with poetry. I hate just letting it read
> and
> having the lines run together, in poetry at least. Well, keep it up.
> Eve
>
>  President, National Federation of the Blind Northern Arizona President,
> National Federation of the Blind Writers' Division Committee Chair, Arizona
> Association of Guide Dog Users Affiliate Member, National Federation of the
> Blind Legislative Committee Affiliate Member, National Federation of the
> Blind Membership Committee Member, Slate & Style Editing Team
>
> "You do not need to have vision to see the stars."
>
> On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 10:47 AM, Jacobson, Shawn D via stylist <
> stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> > Bridgit
> >
> > I totally agree with your point on reader's interpretation; it is
> > heartening that folk took the time to ponder this poem.  Sometimes I
> > feel like I'm writing into a black hole; I did not get that sense with
> this poem.
> >
> > Shawn
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
> > Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 1:44 PM
> > To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
> > Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> > Subject: Re: [stylist] New poem--Cane of Cchulhu
> >
> > Shawn,
> >
> > I think this poem has a lot of promise, definitely continue working on
> it.
> > The metaphor works really well, and it has strong images.
> >
> > Readers often take their individual perspective and interpret a story
> > or poem in a way different from other readers or even the author. But
> > this is something special, and ultimately, it's a good thing to have
> > readers pondering your writing enough to consider alternative
> > interpretations. It means it resonates with them on some level.
> >
> > Good luck with it.
> >
> > Bridgit
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> > Jacobson, Shawn D via stylist
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 12:14 PM
> > To: Writers' Division Mailing List
> > Cc: Jacobson, Shawn D
> > Subject: Re: [stylist] New poem--Cane of Cchulhu
> >
> > My thinks to all who read and commented on my latest poem.  I am
> > gratified to have had such a good reception for my work.
> >
> > Formwise, the first stanza is a haiku as is the last.  In the middle
> > are several four-line stanzas that I tried to keep approximately the
> > same length.  So I guess this is either a haibon or a free verse mess
> > depending on your take on such things.  It looks like line length is
> > something I will have do deal with in the refining process.
> >
> > You have inspired me to work more on this and send it out to a wider
> > audience.  This is going to be a challenge since there is just so much
> > in the mix.  There are the elder Gods (who are normal within their own
> > medium and probably see us as eldritch).  There is the whole area in
> > which high partials, like me, feel neither fully sighted or fully
> > blind (there used to be tension in the NFB between the two groups).
> > There is the whole idea that alternative techniques (a cane being a
> > good example) can allow us to function in a world not made for us.
> > There is the further idea that these techniques may be a bridge by
> > which beings can function across realms of existence.  And then there
> > is the idea that we may live in a world also populated with spiritual
> > beings not like us that we do not properly perceive.
> >
> > I didn't explicitly get into the mortality thing.  I do find it
> > interesting how readers take what we write and run with it to a
> > variety of unlikely places.
> >
> > As for brining Azizof into the mix, as Bill suggests, I think that
> > would be cool.  I just have to figure out how it is done.
> >
> > Anyway, once again thanks and good reading.
> >
> > Shawn
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
> > Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 10:21 AM
> > To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
> > Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> > Subject: Re: [stylist] New poem--Cane of Cchulhu
> >
> > The words themselves resonate and have power. That I do not contest.
> > In fact, this is one of Shawn's best poems, in my opinion, grin. But
> > in terms of structure and format, for me, the change in line length
> > was a bit disconcerting, jarring. But I will also say that if I could
> > read this poem with just the naked eye, I may feel differently. It may
> > be hearing it as opposed to reading it in print or Braille makes a
> > difference. As an editor, reading material can also make a difference
> > because you tend to read everything analytically first, recognizing
> > the  potential and creativity but also noting the mechanical side of
> > the writing at the same time. And I feel it's an interesting creative
> > choice with the line length. But over-all, I really like the poem.
> > Very strong metaphor that is consistent throughout.
> >
> > Bridgit
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> > EvaMarie Sanchez via stylist
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 10:33 PM
> > To: Writers' Division Mailing List
> > Cc: EvaMarie Sanchez
> > Subject: Re: [stylist] New poem--Cane of Cchulhu
> >
> > Okay so that is it. The line length did not bother me, because there
> > seemed to be an increase of energy going on.  It built from the meek
> > little lines to the all powerful long lines. And then it stopped.
> > That is where I felt lost, but is that not how our lives seem to be?
> > We start as meek little babes and grow, hopefully, into powerful
> > adults. And then suddenly we die.
> > Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like it.
> > Eve
> >
> >  President, National Federation of the Blind Northern Arizona
> > President, National Federation of the Blind Writers' Division
> > Committee Chair, Arizona Association of Guide Dog Users Affiliate
> > Member, National Federation of the Blind Legislative Committee
> > Affiliate Member, National Federation of the Blind Membership
> > Committee Member, Slate & Style Editing Team
> >
> > "You do not need to have vision to see the stars."
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 6:53 PM, Barbara HAMMEL via stylist <
> > stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > > That bothered me, too. They were short lines and then for no rhyme
> > > or reason they grew twice as long. It made me stop and have to
> > > gather myself back into the poem when I noticed it.
> > > Barbara
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPhone
> > >
> > > > On Jul 21, 2015, at 14:36, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
> > > > <
> > > stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Shawn,
> > > >
> > > > Interesting poem. I like the metaphor you have going. Curious,
> > > > what type
> > > of
> > > > poem is this? The line length changes towards end, wondering about
> > > format.
> > > >
> > > > Bridgit
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> > > > Jacobson, Shawn D via stylist
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 1:52 PM
> > > > To: Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)
> > > > Cc: Jacobson, Shawn D
> > > > Subject: [stylist] New poem--Cane of Cchulhu
> > > >
> > > > OK
> > > >
> > > > I got tired of being blocked, so decided to scribble down a poem
> > > > for what it's worth.
> > > >
> > > > And here it is.
> > > >
> > > > Shawn
> > > >
> > > > Cane of Cchulhu
> > > >
> > > > Surely elder gods
> > > > who dwell in deepest darkness
> > > > do not walk by sight
> > > >
> > > > Cchulhu it is said
> > > > lives in utter darkness
> > > > in stygian caves or lightless voids in realms beyond the ken of
> > > > man.
> > > >
> > > > And so what would this creature know of light to it as alien as is
> > > blindness
> > > > to those who see and trust in sight alone happy in their normal
> > > > suppositions.
> > > >
> > > > So should Cchulhu walk our mundane ground what then could help to
> > > navigate
> > > > our ways a cane perhaps to help him on his way through the
> > > > intricacies of the lands we take for granted.
> > > >
> > > > And what then of this soul,
> > > > nether living in sight or blindness surrounded by a mighty unseen
> > > > host by Gods and monsters alien to my nature.
> > > >
> > > > Then should I seek Cchulhu's cane.
> > > > So as to walk with barrowed confidence, the ways of light and
> > > > darkness all of the worlds in which I dwell.
> > > >
> > > > I do not walk by sight
> > > > for I to live in darkness
> > > > in need of guidance.
> > > >
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