[stylist] A Strange Little Poem

[Bill Outman]

Hi, Ishamael.  

I was going through some older emails and found this message from you.  

I must say you write pretty well for someone who has English as your thired
language.  What are your first two?  

I am barely bilingual, a native English speaker who knows a bit of Spanish,
enough to understand some things but am not really fluent.  

I am hoping to improve in this life area soon.  I have on order a Bible
study program for my computer that, among other things, will allow me to
install versions in multiple languages.  The program is called Sword
Searcher, and I read a good report on its usability with Jaws.  So we'll see
if it lives up to its billing.  



I have played around with different types of writing and have come up with a
couple decent poems myself.  I do what comes naturally and refine it to the
best of my ability as I learn by doing and listening to feedback.  If
someone says that fits a particular form, that's fine.  

William H. "Bill" Outman 
Secretary, Greater Daytona Beach Chapter 
National Federation of the Blind of Florida 


-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ishamael
Moridin via stylist
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 3:21 AM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] A Strange Little Poem

Thank you guys, appreciate all the welcomes. I did want to share a small bit
of poetry with you that has a strange back story in my eyes. For a while it
was an effort to write it out and somewhat embarrassing to try and publish
it anywhere, or even read it in our local poetry group. 
Although the right kind of rhyme and the philosophical concept came to me at
once, the application of choice was less desirable.  Having English as my
third language, I am normally very happy whenever I come up with any bit of
poetry and proudly stand behind my work. This case was a little different
though.

For some odd reason unknown to me, the Muse forced a very inconvenient form
to express itself. Even though I am not religiously minded, all the verses
had to use Biblical parallels. I don't mind that kind of poetry used by
others of course, but I did not like that kind of strange inspiration coming
out of...me. It seemed to have challenged the standards I expected of
myself. Fortunately by then I already knew that for me resisting various
sources of inspiration could have unexpected results in other areas where I
express myself creatively. My philosophy is this: block one venue of
creativity and others may be blocked too, embrace the flow of creativity and
it accompanies you everywhere.

So not wishing to deny the Muse, I finally chose this forum with encouraging
members to write it down. Not that I ever had any doubt that it was all
about me coming to terms with an uncomfortable self expression, but it still
is somehow easier to do it here where I didn't have the courage previously.
And now, without further ado, here goes the piece in question.


The Taskmaster

A harsh taskmaster Laban is
He never agrees to my pleas,
"By our contract you will abide,
 From responsibility you will not hide"
If I had but a restful day,
I would continue toiling away,

But of the sheep I grow weary,
With every moment sad and dreary,
It's not the bargain I regret,
Over the fairness do I fret,

The man expects of me too much,
And I will not allow such,
No longer will I work,
Nor can we amiably talk,
Frankly, Laban is a jerk.

With my plan Rachel should agree,
Even Leah's objections I don't foresee,
I will prevail, he will see,
A shame that Laban is the same as me.

 From the inside to enslave me he seeks, Of arrogance and false beliefs he
reeks, What should be done, How to do it well, With need to control he may
swell.

I recognize that wretched part,
That stings as painfully as a dart,
And chains of slavery reject,
 From myself Myself protect.


On 2/18/2015 7:42 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter wrote:
> Ishamael
>
> Hello and welcome. A jack of all trades, I see, smile. I think many of 
> us are like that. Look  forward to seeing more of you on Stylist.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Ishamael Moridin via stylist
> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 9:08 PM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [stylist] Another New Member Saying Hello
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> This is Ishamael, Sem's husband, finally saying hello. Meant to 
> introduce myself a while ago, but immersed in the fascinating chess 
> tournament with the Blind Federation, I somehow kept forgetting:) I 
> write non fiction, from mythological and philosophical articles to 
> food and movie reviews but various fictional settings in horror and
fantasy are also dear to my heart.
> Occasionally certain themes seem to inspire me towards free form 
> poetry as well. Anyway, just wanted to say 'hi.'
>
> Ishamael
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://writers.nfb.org/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter%40gma
> il.com
>
> .
>


_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://writers.nfb.org/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/woutman%40earthlink.net


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com