ForumsArt, Music, and WritingThe Words and Workings of Wolf

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wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Here is a thread dedicated to my work as a writer. This thread will mostly be filled with my poems which vary in theme but I try to fashion myself after my favourite poet T.S Eliot, who I believed captured human nature in his words. I aspire to do the same. Please feel free wo citique and review my work. However, simply saying "I like it" is not good enough, as a writer I must grow and develop so I beg you readers to give me a reason as to why or why not you liked the poem. To start off I shall provide you with one of my personal favourties.

These Are The Boring Bits

Call life what you will,
A joke,
A curse,
A gift,
An adventure.
Take from it what you will,
Joy,
Sorrow,
Love,
Hate.
Lose yourself in it
Find your purpose
Or,
Find nothing at all.

A man asked, "What is the meaning of life?"
A woman told him, "Whatever you make it to be."
A child asked, "Is god real?"
A parent told them, "Only you can decide."

Personal opinion is what we use to guide us,
The opinions of others are what lose us.
We can never be certain
That we are certain of anything
Because of change,
And because things stay the same.
What makes sense one day,
Will confuse us another,
And so it goes on.
People tell others to:
Get in line,
Grow up,
Get our lives straight,
Who told these people these things?
And why tell us the things that broke them?

Is it human nature to be unhappy?

Two men sit on a bench,
In a park,
Under a tree.
They talk about family and friends
They talk about work and dreams.
One man says, "It is a waste of time to dream,"
The other says, "Yes, but to have dreams is not."
Dreams are what the world is made of
Bad dreams,
Good dreams,
Lost dreams.

Hope is never far off,
As the old die,
The young are born,
The young grow,
They become old,
The old die.
But while they are young,
They change the world.
Some for the better,
Others for the worse.

Inspiration is a dream.

The only inspiration in life is life:
What to do?
How to do it?
Can we change the world?
How to change the world?
Is there purpose?
Are we real?
Or a figment of imagination?
All questions do not need answers.

Call life what you will,
These are the boring bits.

  • 634 Replies
wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Most poems have titles unless they're spurred without thought, and numbering things is just too tedious of a process. Those without titles I suggest you merely quote a line or two.

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Any ideas for breaking out of severe writer's block?

EmperorPalpatine
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EmperorPalpatine
9,447 posts
Jester

Listen to good music without words (old-world classical/symphonic usually works well) and what it makes you think of, then write about what you thought of. Some people are good at making up fake lyrics to classical songs as they listen to them.

For example, I'm currently listening to the Peer Gynt Suite (that one they use on commercials a lot that gets louder and faster as the song progresses). I'll make up some spontaneous lyrics right now:

What have we in store today?
There's the mail: bills to pay.
I wish for some time alone so that I can relax,
But I know that time is cash,
And the clock dosen't stop,
So I keep on working at this boring office job...

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Failure

The taste of failure runs bitter in my mouth. A taste I have come to know all too well. A taste that fills my senses even when I should experience the joy of success. No matter, I do not succeed. For, even in the midst of such illusions, I undoubtably fail. Forever striving to accomplish my boundless ambition, but what is ambition without the confidence to fuel it?

To have ambition is to have dreams. That would imply that ambition is the state of sleeping while awake. We only dream while we sleep. That would be understandable then, as to why we can be blinded by ambitions. One does not see with the eyes closed. This, of course, is nothing but failed metaphisical speculation. Something to reassure me that I am someway supperior. I find that ironic. The words, cloudy, I fail now to even write about my failings. Perhaps my ambition has failed me, or perhaps it was something more. Something essential.

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

So Long and Farewell

Dear Readers,

I believe it is time for me to put this thread behind me. Indeed, I believe it is time I leave the Armor Games community. I intend to make this my final post, and thus, my final work on this site. And, in doing so, I wish to impart to you and understanding of who I am, as a person. And I hope, at least one of you many unknown readers takes some understanding in what I hope to achieve.

You have, no doubt, seen in my writing a kind of desperation, a grief born of loss and all the tragedy I see within the world. And, hopefully, you have seen the small gems of hope I have hidden in many of these dark and twisted words.

Mine is a soul scarred by self doubt and hatred. I've known too many betrayals at the hands of friends to sit comfortably with the idea of trust, but such is my nature, that I am not one prone to the hatred of those who wronged me. Contradictions, I find, define me. I will forgive everyone, except myself, because I have spent far too long bearing the brunt of responsibility for what others have done. That, is not to say I bear no responsibiltiy. There are many mistakes that I have made, but everyone makes mistakes. We are, afterall, human.

So, within me resides a kindness, a compassion, in stark contrast to my open cynical views. A compassion for everyone but myself. Yet, it is strange how we can come to terms with the ailling of a soul. So very strange. I have, in part, come to terms with myself. I cannot say I have fully forgiven myself, but I believe I have found a bit more peace than what I once had.

So, dearest readers, so long and farewell. I will leave you with a simple poem, but perhaps, like so much in this world, appearances deceive.

Stand with me upon this shoreline.
Look not at the ruins which frame us behind.
There is nothing of value there;
Nothing of vaulue, naught but ghosts.

Stand with me upon this shoreline.
Let us watch the sun dip over horizon's edge.
Brief moments until the stars peak out;
Shyly, oh so very shyly.

Stand with me upon this shoreline.
Let us find a treasure in these restless waves.
A glimmer of truth and a nugget of hope.
Under the watchful moon; caring gaze of a mother.

Stand alone upon this shoreline. Stand here.
Watch me walk into this ocean, to find my soul.
Do not weep, no, do not weep for me.
I go to find a life I have never known.

Dear friend,
My dearest friend.
So long, and fare you well.

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

These words are senseless.
They are lost to the tears
I so shamelessly weep.
This return...
Expectation, of triumph,
Gone. Here, I stand
Before you a man
Bowed to his own burden.
What have I done?
What have I done?

zakyman
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zakyman
1,631 posts
Peasant

I have to commend you on the poem above your last entry. I am not easily moved to tears, however, that could only be described as beautiful. I sincerely think that that is your best work so far.


Welcome back wolf. Welcome back.

EmperorPalpatine
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EmperorPalpatine
9,447 posts
Jester

A short poem as a follow-up to your "stand with me upon the shoreline" now that you've returned:

You walk back to the shore;
Things didn't go as planned:
"The ocean was a bore,
I'd rather be on land!"

welcome back!

zakyman
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zakyman
1,631 posts
Peasant

For some reason, your "stand with me" poem reminded me about the end of the Lord of The Rings trilogy

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

The Writer

Bloodshot eyes stared into a glaring white screen. Words scrawled across it, flickering into senseless blurs and the page scrolled down.

Cam leaned back in his chair, tipping it back slightly, then a little more. Testing the balance, adjusting it so as not to fall forward, or back. Perfect. Months sitting in the chair, day after day had perfected his technique. But that was about the only thing he had perfected. The story had gone no where. All the build up, and all the preparation, five years of work.

A brief spasm of frustration.

His concentration broke. Falling backwards, arms waving, Cam crashed into the hardwood floor of his office. Head and back aching he rolled to his feet, and set the chair up. Hunching over the back of it, he glared at the screen. He reached for the mouse, and closed the window. The desktop showed a picture of him and a pretty blonde woman. His expression softened, briefly, letting the memory fill him. He closed his eyes and sighed. Turning away from the computer he left the room, shutting the door, leaving the room in darkness with only the glow of the screen lighting it.

Jane studdied Cam over the rims of her glasses. The man was a wreck. His jacket hung loosely off his narrow shoulders and his hair hung in his face in a simlar fashion. He looked as if he hadn't shaved in about a week either. Sitting here watching him stare out the window broke her heart. She rememebered a time when Cam had been so full of life, always the center of attention; not because he was desperate, or arrogant, but because he had such a charisma you couldn't help but notice him. His laughing green eyes seemed to capture everything, and everyone. And in them, there was no judgement. But now...now that Cam was gone, and possibly long dead. In his place resided a morose broken man who didn't know how to fix himself. It was a pity, if she could give him what he wanted, she would, but she couldn't. What Cam wanted was something more of a fantasy than anything.

She was watching him again. She always did. He stared out the window to think, and to give her time to study him. Cam knew what she saw. She saw what he saw. His exhaustion, his heartbreak, how he was broken. She always assumed she knew him, that she knew precisely what he wanted. Cam knew otherwise. How could she know? If she knew what he wanted, why wouldn't she give it to him? They'd been friends for so long why stop there? Was it so wrong for her to let him have a piece of happiness? Someone to hold again, to shower with love and adoration. She knew he was broken, so why not help him put himself together? Because his thoughts whispered, [/i]you know it is only a dream[i]. Indeed...only a dream. He stared out the window a moment more before turning back to her, he smiled.

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Now, I think that bit of story is a much worthier return than that sad sap of a poem!

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Cam eased the door open. Stepping inside the dimly lit house he paused for a moment as his cat, Minx, came padding up to him, entwining around his legs. He absently scratched her back before stepping over her into the house proper.

Back pressing the door shut. A shuddering breath as it shut tight.

Mrow!

He looked down. Minx was sitting in the gloom, lambent eyes staring up at him. His face scrunched in internal agony. Another breath. Sighing he moved down the narrow hall into the kitchen. The floor was a sickly red colour, sticky. Minx padded up behind him.

A hand on his shoulder, and then a voice, "Honey? Cameron?"

Cam awoke gasping for breath. There was a weight on his chest. Minx. He nudged the cat until she was off. Rising from the bed he crossed the bedroom. Eyes squeezed tightly shut, blocking out the room. Blocking out the memories. He never looked at any part of the room except for the ceiling. Hadn't changed the sheets since her death. Hadn't changed anything. The only reason he slept in the room, and in the bed was because it brought dreams. Often times they were of the good times. And others, like now, they were twisted fantasties that he couldn't explain.

Crossing the threshold he opened his eyes. He walked down the stairs and into the bathroom. Switching on the light he blinked owlishly for a few moments, adjusting to the sudden, harsh, assault to his senses. Looking into the mirror he noticed his auburn hair had grown to his shoulders, his beard was an unruly tangle of copper wire, his faded green eyes were completely bloodshot. Cam looked at this visage not recognizing the man he had become, and not caring. He saw, but didn't see. When was the last time he had bothered with such mundane tasks as trimming back his beard or cutting his hair? He couldn't remember.

Flicking off the light he moved blindly toward the living room. Reaching it he turned on the track lights, using the dimmer to adjust them so as to cast the room in a soft glow. He moved toward the mantlepiece where her picture sat.

Her sapphire eyes glittering in perpetual happiness forever more, her face caught in the dying glow of the late summer sun, smiling her full, wide smile, teeth flashing brilliantly white; standing at the edge of the dock with nothing but a two piece on. One of the last sunsets of her life.

Holding the picture to his chest he began crying. Chest hitching he whispered, "I love you Kat."

"I love you Katherine...I'm sorry."

Cam sat there unitl the sun rose.

MoonFairy
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MoonFairy
3,390 posts
Shepherd

Considering I haven't seen your work, or you, in ages, I think this is a great comeback! I want you to tell me out-rightly what it is about, but I'm pretty sure you won't... > >
I will be watching, Wolf. When I get the chance.
*steps back into shadows*

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Lost in You

[i]Inspired by: Three Days Grace, Lost in You

You're the newest image of an older face.
A love I cannot erase.
There's a place where your can fit
If only I knew your thoughts on it.

You're something I've seen before
But this time a suburban man is at my door.
Asking questions, that I can't speak
And you make me numb, and weak.

It's irrelevant when you think clearly
Because you're what I want, so dearly.
It's the best of me!
Or can't you see?

Are you blind like them?
Am I ignored again? Or do you see?
So post-modernist, a broken family
And I can see.

A shift in tone, so much relevance
And now you speak, of elegance,
Of blasphemy and tortured souls we see.
And we will meet, all by the sea.

I'm lost in you. It's what I do.
And even if you have no clue
I will pass on by, and hope for other days
Where we do not meet, this parting of ways.

wolf1991
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wolf1991
3,440 posts
Farmer

Considering I haven't seen your work, or you, in ages, I think this is a great comeback! I want you to tell me out-rightly what it is about, but I'm pretty sure you won't... > >
I will be watching, Wolf. When I get the chance


I've decided to be nice to you all. Especially Moon. The story is about the writer, Cam, struggling with his life after the death of his wife. His wife died in a car crash, while he was driving.
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