forum Ask me about Languages, Growing up in multiple cultures, writing poetry and nursing (though I'm still learning about that myself ;-P )

Started August 09, 2018 by @cue-nervous-humming

tune

Hello to you who stumbled into this mess of a post for information on any of the stuff mentioned in the title. To start off, a small disclaimer: I'm still studying to become a nurse, so some questions will be beyond my capabilities of answering at this point. But I'll do my best. Also, due to strict Data Protection Laws, I'm legally not allowed to give away any company secrets or delve in detail into a single patient's case.

About all the other stuff: Having grown up inbetween the country where my parents worked and my actual passport country, I came into contact with multiple cultures and have many friends who've done the same. That explains my love and fascination with languages, so if you have any questions in that direction I'm more than happy to answer. About poetry, I am aware this is more of a worldbuilding site for games and stories, but musical traditions in cultures or riddles are technically poetry so….

Hi! could it be, an internet soulmate? I alwas thought that was only possible in fiction ;-P
No, but seriously, that's so cool that we share so much of our likes and dislikes, and even have similar backgrounds.

To be honest I like older poetry; there are few contemporary poets that I like. Maybe because I'm more of a straightforward sort of person and get frustrated when a poem seems to have no point. But that's just a personal preference/impression and I'm open to being proved wrong ;-P.
I like older poems because they often use rhythm and structure in unique ways, or work cleverly within pre-existing rules in an entirely new way. Beautiful or jarring imagery catches me no matter what, and any poem that makes me rethink my world view easily joins my favorites.

Some favorites (at this point) include: Fallen Birdman, The Highwayman, most things by Emily Dickinson, The Raven, Composed upon Westminster Bridge and many many more I can't think of right now.
Oh, I also really like poetry slams and spoken word poetry. And some song lyrics do still get to me. Like "Kill our Way to Heaven", "Nobody can hear you", "DNA" (Lia Marie Johnson), "Icarus II"… the list goes on

What sort of poetry do you like/write?

Hi! could it be, an internet soulmate? I alwas thought that was only possible in fiction ;-P

Maybe! A kindred spirit, the way Anne of Green Gables puts it. :)

To be honest I like older poetry; there are few contemporary poets that I like. Maybe because I'm more of a straightforward sort of person and get frustrated when a poem seems to have no point. But that's just a personal preference/impression and I'm open to being proved wrong ;-P.
I like older poems because they often use rhythm and structure in unique ways, or work cleverly within pre-existing rules in an entirely new way. Beautiful or jarring imagery catches me no matter what, and any poem that makes me rethink my world view easily joins my favorites.

What sort of poetry do you like/write?

Same, I honestly couldn't name many contemporary poets, though I have seen some more recent poems that I liked (I can't remember their names though). I really like poems that tell a story and use rhyme and rhythm effectively and in creative ways. I'm a big fan of ballads (I don't necessarily like the story of the Highwayman, but I love its use of language and imagery) and many songs from musicals, because they often have more substance than a lot of the pop stuff that's out there nowadays. I also like a lot of books aimed at children that are written in verse, like Dr Seuss's works.

When it comes to writing poetry, I love riddles (although it's tricky to get the right balance so that the answer's not obvious until you get it) and a set of stanzas that tell an engaging story. I also have a folder of half-finished songs/prophecies from different cultures in my fantasy world.

Do you like to write poetry?

Same, I honestly couldn't name many contemporary poets, though I have seen some more recent poems that I liked (I can't remember their names though). I really like poems that tell a story and use rhyme and rhythm effectively and in creative ways. I'm a big fan of ballads (I don't necessarily like the story of the Highwayman, but I love its use of language and imagery) and many songs from musicals, because they often have more substance than a lot of the pop stuff that's out there nowadays. I also like a lot of books aimed at children that are written in verse, like Dr Seuss's works.

I like the Highwayman more for its imageryas well, but especially because of how the poem uses rhythm. The actual story is a bit bleak to be honest. I really wasn't very intersted in musicals until this year, but then one of my friends went to one, I got introduced to some lyrics and songs later, and then Hamilton happened. What makes musicals all the more awesome is that the music can tell the story/add to the emotions/set an entire mood alongside the lyrics which make the poetry all the more meaningful. Then again, I don't know enough about music to grasp all the sub-layers auf brilliancy, so I guess I can't say I understand what's happening but I appreciate it nonetheless.
If you like verse aimed at children, have you read some of Shel Silverstein's poems?

When it comes to writing poetry, I love riddles (although it's tricky to get the right balance so that the answer's not obvious until you get it) and a set of stanzas that tell an engaging story. I also have a folder of half-finished songs/prophecies from different cultures in my fantasy world.

Riddles are hard - to understand, but especially to write. I'm very impressed :-)
And I find it so cool that you write songs for your fantasy cultures! That takes J.R.R.Tolkien levels dedication. Do you plan to ever throw some of them into the flow of the story? Or are they more for private enjoyment?

Do you like to write poetry?

Yes I do :-) It's a really good way to process the things I see/notice in the world around me, but also a cool way of sharing thoughts/bringing them closer to people in interesting ways. Though writing poetry that tells an engaging story has alway been a bit beyond my capabilities, so props to you for that ;-)

How did you get into writing poetry?

I like the Highwayman more for its imagery as well, but especially because of how the poem uses rhythm.

Thinking of good use of rhythm, I was looking for a poem I studied back in school which I can't seem to find but another one by the same author is The Drover's Sweetheart. It's by Henry Lawson, and I just love the last two stanzas.

If you like verse aimed at children, have you read some of Shel Silverstein's poems?

Oh yes, I nearly mentioned him in my last post! I love his work; it’s hilarious. Some of his poems are a bit morbid but one of my friends introduced me to his work and every time I read "Ladies First" I hear Pamela Purse's voice the way my friend read it, high-pitched and screeching, and it makes me laugh.

And I find it so cool that you write songs for your fantasy cultures! That takes J.R.R.Tolkien levels dedication. Do you plan to ever throw some of them into the flow of the story? Or are they more for private enjoyment?

Thank you! They’re mostly for private enjoyment right now, although I did throw two riddles, two lullabies and a prophecy into my last work now that I come to think of it… I would love to put some more in future work. My problem I find is that my writing style when it comes to prose is often quite lighthearted and in comparison my poetry can seem very dark. I have what’s meant to be a passionate, mournful winter song about bringing back the sun through the playing of music but every time I consider it for posting on my (even more lighthearted) blog, it just seems too sad.

Yes I do :-) It's a really good way to process the things I see/notice in the world around me, but also a cool way of sharing thoughts/bringing them closer to people in interesting ways.

I agree. :) Do you often share the poetry you write, or is it more for yourself? (Also, since you're here on Notebook, is there a story or a world that you're working on as well?)

How did you get into writing poetry?

Well, Tolkien is definitely to blame for my love of riddles! I remember writing little rhyming things as part of school work way back in grade 1, but I think my love of poetry most likely comes from my parents. Nearly every birthday card I've gotten from them has a short (and sometimes quite long) poem written by my dad about the celebration and stuff relating to how old I was at that point. He's very talented. :)

I've also always loved singing, so I think the first poetry I wrote for my own enjoyment would have been some kind of song lyrics.

Thinking of good use of rhythm, I was looking for a poem I studied back in school which I can't seem to find but another one by the same author is The Drover's Sweetheart. It's by Henry Lawson, and I just love the last two stanzas.

That is beautiful :-) Thanks for enriching my evening with that link.

Oh yes, I nearly mentioned him in my last post! I love his work; it’s hilarious. Some of his poems are a bit morbid but one of my friends introduced me to his work and every time I read "Ladies First" I hear Pamela Purse's voice the way my friend read it, high-pitched and screeching, and it makes me laugh.

Even imagining that makes the poem 10x as hilarious! One of my friends had a little song for the "Boa Constrictor" which slowly got louder with every stanza, making the ending even more dramatic ;-)

Thank you! They’re mostly for private enjoyment right now, although I did throw two riddles, two lullabies and a prophecy into my last work now that I come to think of it… I would love to put some more in future work. My problem I find is that my writing style when it comes to prose is often quite lighthearted and in comparison my poetry can seem very dark. I have what’s meant to be a passionate, mournful winter song about bringing back the sun through the playing of music but every time I consider it for posting on my (even more lighthearted) blog, it just seems too sad.

It's funny how poetry can bring out an entirely different side of us. I notice it in my writng as well, the tendency to adopt voices I'd never usually consider using. But something being dark doesn't necessarily detract from its beauty or validity.
Personally, I'd love to see that winter song :-)

I agree. :) Do you often share the poetry you write, or is it more for yourself? (Also, since you're here on Notebook, is there a story or a world that you're working on as well?)

I usually share my poetry with my close friends, sometimes my family. I've made some (rather half-hearted) attempts at trying contests or submitting some to see if the were good enough to get published, but they haven't been up to scratch so far.
At the moment I'm involved in the planning and beginnings of a story collaboration with someone, but there hasn't been much to show of it so far. It's been a bit complicated finding time on both ends. And other than that, I have a story I've been planning to write for a couple of years now but never got to. I was hoping to be able to collect my thoughts a little bit using the site to finally get off to a solid start…
If I'm being honest story writing is not my forte, but hopefully that will change with practice ;-)

Well, Tolkien is definitely to blame for my love of riddles! I remember writing little rhyming things as part of school work way back in grade 1, but I think my love of poetry most likely comes from my parents. Nearly every birthday card I've gotten from them has a short (and sometimes quite long) poem written by my dad about the celebration and stuff relating to how old I was at that point. He's very talented. :)

I've also always loved singing, so I think the first poetry I wrote for my own enjoyment would have been some kind of song lyrics.

Your parents are cool :-)