[stylist] A Strange Little Poem

[The Raven]

Hi Bill,

My other two languages are Russian and Hebrew, in the order of 
proficiency.  Hope your computer program works out for you. It is 
believed the more languages you already know, the easier it is to learn 
others. In my experience, it is especially true if the languages belong 
to different groups, then it is easier to learn many more.

I got to read the Bible in Hebrew and Aramaic, took me a while to be 
ready. On a school bus I would be memorizing different Aramaic proverbs, 
to gain a good sense of vocabulary, until eventually it grew to my 
satisfaction.

I have the same approach as you to poetry. I simply do what feels right 
for the sake of beauty when I write my own. The forms could be 
stimulating sometimes but at other times, they feel more restrictive, 
like they would interrupt my flow. So I prefer to analyze the forms of 
others when they are interesting, but never limit myself to any.  After 
all, the form is only an expression of the idea, when the idea itself is 
the one that matters most, at least that's what I think.

On 3/10/2015 2:22 PM, Bill Outman via stylist wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>> .
>>
>
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