DS Devereaux on Sep 18, 2014 wrote:

Ahoy, mateys! I see you've been enjoying my poetry recently. A wonderful pirate...er, poet...by the name of George Ella Lyon created a poem called "Where I'm From". It's taught in many schools as a 'frame poem', or one where you fill in the blanks. Here I have written my own, with my own parts in italics.
-

I am from knives,
from The Black Spot and day-old Yum.
I am from the minnows heading towards the nets
(Tiny, silver
they wriggled out of my hands.)
I am from the flickering lightposts,
the murk of Marleybonian industry
so different from the evergreens
of the home that wasn't mine to begin with.
I am from peg-legs and eyepatches,
from bears, wolves and Devereaux.
I am from the read-for-days and steal-for-lives.
From Faster than that! and Choose your weapon.
-
I am from An unexpected visitor
Ship captain by your walk, your posture screams pirate
and some more words that I've tried to forget
I'm from swashbuckler and clockwork loathing
Pet snacks and yum-n-ade
From the way my dad sharpened his swords
before battle
the way my friend ducks for cover when the fuse is lit.
In my pocket I keep gears
Creaking as they grind
Reminding me of battles won and lost
Both of which to ponder upon.
I am from these seconds between strikes

Into the sky without another word
Walking in Darkness before the threat surfaces.
-
Give it a try for yourself! You can get the hang of what should be where by what I wrote and looking at the original poem. When you've created one for yourself, post it here for the Spiral to see!

I am from pink, spring sunrise,
from bamboo groves and green tea.
I am from prison bars in a metal belly
( cold, noisy, bitter
copper on my tongue)
I am from "What is it now?" and
"Is that all?"
Good friends at my side who speak their mind.

I am from smashy, stabby,shooty, staffy, & SLASH!
I am from Port to me! and Help!
from Group Plunder and farming that has no end.
I am from skies without end,
Bells and whistles
and callouses on my hands.

I am from tragedy triumph trumpet calls
and whip cracks and the sound of steel to Steele
My life was an empty skyway
no compass or stars,
Guide me back to where I'm from.

( whew! Thanks D. S. Devereaux for dragging me out of my comfort zone! )

DS Devereaux on Sep 18, 2014 wrote:

Ahoy, mateys! I see you've been enjoying my poetry recently. A wonderful pirate...er, poet...by the name of George Ella Lyon created a poem called "Where I'm From". It's taught in many schools as a 'frame poem', or one where you fill in the blanks. Here I have written my own, with my own parts in italics.
-

I am from knives,
from The Black Spot and day-old Yum.
I am from the minnows heading towards the nets
(Tiny, silver
they wriggled out of my hands.)
I am from the flickering lightposts,
the murk of Marleybonian industry
so different from the evergreens
of the home that wasn't mine to begin with.
I am from peg-legs and eyepatches,
from bears, wolves and Devereaux.
I am from the read-for-days and steal-for-lives.
From Faster than that! and Choose your weapon.
-
I am from An unexpected visitor
Ship captain by your walk, your posture screams pirate
and some more words that I've tried to forget
I'm from swashbuckler and clockwork loathing
Pet snacks and yum-n-ade
From the way my dad sharpened his swords
before battle
the way my friend ducks for cover when the fuse is lit.
In my pocket I keep gears
Creaking as they grind
Reminding me of battles won and lost
Both of which to ponder upon.
I am from these seconds between strikes

Into the sky without another word
Walking in Darkness before the threat surfaces.
-
Give it a try for yourself! You can get the hang of what should be where by what I wrote and looking at the original poem. When you've created one for yourself, post it here for the Spiral to see!

Hello Ms. Devereaux!

Amazing poem and creation (and you too Esperanza!) I absolutely loved both of them. I have an offering but it doesn't follow your "Where I'm From" format completely. Sorry, but I suppose that is just the piratical rebel in me. But upon reading your wonderful offerings it got this ol' lump on my head in the mood for a poem, that shares a likeness to your format....just a bit rhymier (ooh, nice word)-- I guess the Dr. Seuss in me, just won't be stilled! I apologize for not sticking to the format and may try another attempt where I am more abiding.

I am from laughter,
Hatched from a Not so Great White, toothy grin.
Scurrying from curls, unfurled-
Danglin' down a cheese lovin' chin.
(A chuckle, a giggle
or smile that can't keep quiet)
A "Hardy...har...har",
rooted out while watching
A Buccaneer Guinea Pig riot!
I am from puns,
more deadly than a storm churned tide,
Whipped up from how full-of-bull it is
for a bull to claim an equine for a bride!
-
I am from "Oh no he just didn't!"
and from "Mr. Mew.....touché!"
Cleverly crafted, quick and cunning wit...
A thrilling ride
in an amusement park of word play.
I'm from Easter eggs
and sheer pop culture joy
And a cuddly critter
with a "mouse on a pole" toy.
I'm from a dunderhead Eagle
who's beak can't produce Marleybone
A son of a God no-less,
but no lantern lit at home.
-
Into my brain the silly pleasure is unleashed
An ear-to-ear grin, a cargo hold of endorphins released!

anecorbie on Sep 23, 2014 wrote:

I love your puns, never change that!

Thank you Esperanza and you have my word that, good or bad, the puns are here to stay!

Melody Fisher on Sep 23, 2014 wrote:

I love the poetry. This is my attempt. The pirate I'm writing about is from Mooshu, so I decided to change the format of the poem to a renga. The subject is the same though.

Cherry blossoms grow
amid fertile green mountains
and ancient temples

Boats skimming along the sky
darting into the windlanes

A swirling vortex
an expanse between the skies
and a whole new world

Daggers snug against my palm
slicing cleanly through the air

Friends standing by me
ready for fun or a fight
always at my back

Metallic taint in the air
old wrongs and anger brought forth

Fighting their forces
for freedom across the worlds
but also for me

Exploring more and learning
where I go from whence I came

This is beautiful, and makes me want to find out what a renga is.