Friday, May 11, 2007

It's Al Come Down To This

Post #365---feels like there have been many more than this...well there is that other site---which I might quit with but who knows.

Anyway, it's all come down to this. Finals week at SIU. 5 days that define about 120 days of knowledge. Doesn't seem fair, but that's college life. You know what else isn't fair--bookstore buy back policies. The university and the bookstores around campus are making a KILLING in this industry---not to mention the parent companies that put these book packages together. It's so not fair to the students....or in my case my parents who pay for the books. $300 worth of books shouldn't give me a return of $32.50. That is wrong on SO MANY LEVELS!

Anyway, back on topic.

This roller coaster semester, heck, this roller coaster year will end sometime around 9:50 a.m. CDT when I get out of my MCMA 201 final. Not too long after that, I'll be on my way home for sweet home Chicago.

This semester has really been a learning experience. This school year has been an experience in itself. I dont have time to do a Semester Review right now because I have that final to go to at 7:50 a.m. but I will hopefully get to it sometime next week.

All I know is that as of right now I have an 'A' in my poetry class and a 'B' in my Psyc 102 class. I need a 40/60 to get a 'C' in my MCMA 201 class and my JRNL 310 and POLS 352-I classes are up in the air as of right now. Again, I'll learn my fate soon enough.

I'll close on this note. If all goes as planned (which I know it never does, but bear with me). If all goes as plan, I will have no grade lower than a C. Doesn't seem like much of an accomplishment, but for the last year and a half I've been in an absolute rut. Readers of the blog know why, so there's no need to get into that right now.

As of right now, this is the best I've felt about my educational progress in a loooong time. As for my personal life, it could be better of course---and I hope to improve it somehow, someway.

Again, I'll get into that in another blog.

I just needed a few minutes to vent before I go to bed in Carbondale for the last time 'til---well---I dunno.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Fun With Poetry: Part III, Semester II

Part three of three. Yes, the final edition...finally.....and I still have finals to do. ARGH!!!!

THE NATURE OF POETRY (Ars Poetica)
By Luis C. Medina

Poetry is like a map without direction,
showing you where you want to go
without telling you how to get there.

A poem should be portrayed
with vivid wordplay.
Showing the blind
things they’ve only heard about.

Let winds turn
into whispers overheard
while the rain drops,
giving you a beat to put your words to.

Sunrise, a clean slate.
Treat the new day like a blank canvas
fill it. Nightfall can lead to a new beginning.
Sunsets don’t have to mean ‘The End.’

A poem should be about
how birds and bees co-exist
until the bird that gets stung
heads back to the nest
with something to chirp about.

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IN RESPONSE TO A MONDAY MORNING PHONE CALL (Prose Poem)
by Luis C. Medina

On TV is some story about corrupt politicians and I’m wishing I could change the channel because this ain’t news to me. Where’s the remote? Shoot, I’m still trying to figure out how Friday night turned into Monday morning. The phone rings, but I could care less because I don’t take phone calls while I eat. Now I’ve got this voicemail from some sobbing gal saying we need to speak. I find it odd because we haven’t spoke, not since she did you know what, with you know who. Sounds like she wants to reconcile, saying the things that make me smile, meanwhile I reconsider dating a cheater because that’s the lone reason I had to leave her. She said she was sorry for causing my heartbreak, but as nice as it was between her thighs, I could no longer put up with her lies. I decided not to return the call.

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OH, BABY!
(Occasional Verse--Genethliacum--poem about the birth of a child)

by Luis C. Medina

A new beginning sent from above
to complete this family. Celebrating life
as the newest branch of the family tree.
You are proof that special things
can come in small packages.
Born innocent, your future
is as bright as the morning sun.
Looking at you I get a special feeling
because today a star was born.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Fun With Poetry: Part II, Semester II

Part two of a three part series. More poetry!


FRIDAY NIGHT STORM (Terzanelle)
By Luis C. Medina


Again, another lonesome Friday night,
I am alone; wishing I had a friend.
I do not want to cry, but I just might.

The heavy rain outside I wish would end.
Thunder sends me running to my bed.
I am alone; wishing I had a friend.

Gloomy weather always saddens me.
Lightning strikes seem close; they scare me too.
Thunder sends me running to my bed.

When will this bad night end? I have no clue.
Rain and thunder make a lot of noise.
Lightning strikes seem close; they scare me too.

Shaking under the sheets I show no poise.
All I want to do now is go to sleep.
Rain and thunder make a lot of noise.

Lying down in bed I start counting sheep.
All I want to do now is go to sleep.
Again, another lonesome Friday night.
I do not want to cry, but I just might.

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I GOT THE BLUES BECAUSE OF YOU (Blues Poem)
by Luis C. Medina


It’s sad I’ll never find another you
with your hair so soft and your eyes so blue.
You used to be the one I would run to,
now that you’re gone I don’t know what to do
knowing that I’ll never find another you.

Don’t know where you are, I wish you were here.
I can’t believe for you I shed a tear.
You made me feel better when you are near.
That’s what I believe I’m being sincere
as I sit alone, wishing you were here.

I wonder why you aren’t here with me.
I don’t know what I did to make you flee.
I guess you just wanted to be free.
Oh why, won’t you listen to my last plea?
Hoping one day you will be here with me.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Fun With Poetry: Part I, Semester II

So, it's Finals Week and it's time to finish strong. I'm not a big fan of Finals Week because I go through so many mixed emotions as I leave Carbondale for sweet home Chicago. Oh yeah, and then there's the pressure of passing classes. Yeah, there's a lot going on this week. So instead of blogging this week, because I have no time to articulate this week, I'll revert to something I did first semester and post my poetry that I've done for class this semester. I hope you enjoy.

SILENCING THE DEMONS (Blank Verse)
by Luis Medina

It started on a bitter Friday night,
bright moon above, frigid breeze gusting.
It’s damn cold outside, I thought to myself
I’d rather be home under the covers,
instead I’m here. Might as well have some fun.

Through layers of smoke, off in the distance
she stood in a corner all by herself.
Strawberry blonde locks framing bright blue eyes
that glared at me as I stumbled towards her.
Stammering. Stuttering. Saying hello.

Words on my tongue searching for an escape,
wishing she would start the conversation.
Instead, she giggled as she turned away.
The cold shoulder leaving me with no doubt;
it was going to be a long walk home.

With each step my inner demons attacked
my wounded ego, fragile mind and heart.
Taunts and heckles relentlessly strike me
as the demons continued their attack.
For now, I just want to put them to sleep.

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LATE NIGHT AFFAIR (Italian Sonnet)
by Luis Medina

I loved the way you looked at me tonight
with those lovely eyes and that darling smile.
There is no wonder why I stayed awhile
to spend this night with you it felt so right.
I am your shining armor-wearing knight,
you are my helpless princess in denial.
Embracing as we lay on the cold tile
hoping for one more kiss before midnight.

Unfortunately our affair must end,
return to the man that you say you love,
a love that I will never comprehend.
When will we meet again it all depends,
as I sleep you are the one I dream of
until next time I guess we’ll be just friends.