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.

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.

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.

Friday's Off The Wall Blog: "One Saturday Morning" Edition

Yawn. Good morning, and happy...er...Saturday. Alright so I didn't do the blog on Friday, and I have no excuse except laziness. And if that's acceptable, then so be it. Anyway, this is going to be the final blog of this sort until further notice. What does "until further notice" mean? Probably next semester, maybe never. Who knows? Who cares?

So let's look forward to next year with the final "Friday Fun Blog" of this semester.

• From the world of entertainment, Paris Hilton was recently sentenced to 45 days in jail for violating her probation. See, in the real world this wouldn't be news and in fact, shouldn't be news....but for some reason it is news. Only in America you can become famous for being famous. I guess those are the joys of being rich. Again, not newsworthy, but news that makes me want a hammer to my forehead, that's all.
• Smooth transition here, a lot of people think Paris is sexy. I'm not one of them. There's nothing sexy about a girl who has had more sausage in her than a meat packing plant. Okay, not the best analogy, but you get the point. As for the transition, in Peru they have this drink that allegedly can cure bronchitis, asthma, sluggishness, and a low sex drive. That's what this article says. So why is this news? Because everyday people don't feel up to par when it comes to feeling good about themselves, myself included. Why not promote something that can make people feel good. I like feeling good...anyway, read the article.
• Something that always gets on my nerves is PDA....public displays of affection. Call me the jealous type, but nothing irritates me than being the single guy with happy couples---that's just me. Anyway, looks like this guy got quite a punishment. Carl William Persing's "mile-high make out" will likely land Persing in jail. Prosecutors said Persing threatened a flight attendant who told the couple to stop---and for not stopping, he might find himself in jail for 20 years for disrupting and interfering with flight attendants. A part of me feels bad, but the little devil on my shoulder says he deserves every day of that sentence.
• Finally, my favorite story has to do with one of my favorite music acts Justin Timberlake. This USA Today article details JT's recent success in signing, song writing and crossing over into acting. The interesting part of this article is where JT wants to extend his creativity into. Writing country songs. Shocking, I know, but funny because my roommate and I joked about what a country version of his hit My Love would sound like. But on a serious note, I don't think writing country songs would be too far fetched for JT, a Tennessee native. Everyone knows the best country songs are about heartbreak, so songs like Cry Me A River and What Goes Around...Comes Around could make for successful crossover tracks if covered by the right country artists. My concern is that JT would go away from what made him successful; songs about how Britney broke his heart. JT going away from that formula would be like me not writing poetry about well....you know what I write poetry about. It just wouldn't be right. Maybe one day, JT and I could collaborate---that'd be a lot of heartbreak in one room.

FRIDAY'S FIVE. Five songs blowing up on my I-Pod.

1. Sweat 'Cha Perm Out by Katt Williams (featuring Lil' Jon, Lil' Scrappy & Too Short)
2. Go Getta Remix by Young Jeezy (featuring R. Kelly, Jadakiss & Bun B)
3. Crazy by Ne-Yo (featuring Jay-Z)
4. Settlin' by Sugarland
5. Never Again by Kelly Clarkson

FRIDAY'S FIVE. Five old school songs that I like, and that you should like.

1. The Same Old Song by The Four Tops
2. That Lady (Part One) by The Isley Brothers
3. Sing A Song by Earth, Wind & Fire
4. Turn Off The Lights by Teddy Pendegrass
5. Never Can Say Goodbye by The Jackson 5