#Poetry can be distilled emotion!

[pumpkajelly]

mahonia, sage, aloe vera

🌿Ask Game

mahonia ⇢ what place, thing, activity inspires you most and how do you express yourself when it does?

Writing, playing tabletop games and general storymaking are things I really love to do, and that always make me want to draw! The draw to tell stories is very strong with me! And I love when I can convey that through art.

sage ⇢ what ‘medium’ of art (poetry, music, fiction, paintings, statues etc.) is the most touching to you? why do you think that is?

This one is really really tough! I'm going to give it to fiction because narratives take such a big focus in my life - I love that they can be interpreted and reinterpreted and understood from different viewpoints and frameworks in people's lives and have different individualized meaning to people! On the other hand, the right music at the right time can be a spiritual experience.

aloe vera ⇢ what’s something (mundane) you really want to experience in life?

I've already answered this but! Something else I want to experience in life is the feeling of eating a meal made with a lot of home grown veggies and herbs! I'm bad at plants but want to be better at them.

[carrotsofthepirabbean]

I will say I think part of the reason OG Kirk isn't more popular on Tumblr is because he can't be crammed into the 'If one part of a ship is the unemotional logical one the other one MUST be the bouncy himbo sparkle softboy' cliche. Kirk can be goofy and has a good sense of humor, he teases and laughs, but speaking in Lord of the Rings terms, Kirk isn't Pippin, he's Aragorn.

Which is SO much tougher for the 'must distill every variety of character into the same 5 different people' crowd on Tumblr. There isn't an 'Aragorn' slot because 'incredibly complicated' isn't descriptive enough for cliche. Like yes, he's charming, but it's the quiet sort of charming. Yes, he's a strong athlete and a fighter, but he's fundamentally a shockingly huge nerd and spends his private time reading poetry and thinking about philosophy and what it means to be a leader. Yes, he's haunted, but he has a fundamental hope that keeps shining through. Kirk's got a serious job, and he's a serious person. He's an Adult kind of adult. He's one of the last survivors of a horrific genocide. He's killed people with his bare hands.

Spock wasn't bowled over by how bright and shiny and cuddly Kirk was. Because underneath everything, there's a fundamental sadness and loneliness to Kirk, and a simmering possibility of rage that most people would consider Abnormal. And Spock shares those qualities, though for different reasons. The thing that really shakes Spock (besides Kirk's iron sense of loyalty) is that there are times where KIRK is more coolheaded and professional than Spock is. In everyday terms, Kirk is easily and confidently emotional in a way Spock was always taught was a weakness, but when the shit hits the fan Kirk gets this shine of cold, calculating, James Bond-like brutality/practicality that not only meets Spock's Vulcan control, it will at times go PAST it. Surviving that genocide gave Kirk access to both a level of iron-willed 'do whatever is necessary to live no matter what' and a level of genuinely bloodcurdling rage that, when death is on the line, reads sometimes like a Vulcan on steroids. In a battle-type situation Kirk has absolutely looked at Spock and snapped like 'for god's sake, control yourself', and that is some whiplash a Vulcan doesn't just get OVER.

At the very start OG Kirk is already both wildly famous for and frighteningly good at being a commander, better than Spock is by miles, which forces Spock to confront his self-hate fueled 'Vulcans are better' prejudices over and over again until Spock has a starry-eyed admiration for Kirk that knocks him so hard into love that Spock's teeth rattle. Kirk isn't Some Soft Boy that grows on Famous Vulcan Spock against his will. Kirk is the most talented Starfleet officer in generations- He's Horatio Nelson, except not an imperialist asshole. Spock is (at first) just Some Science Guy who managed to nail one of the most coveted jobs in Starfleet.

Like, what is Tumblr going to do with a Kirk (who is supposed to be the bouncy soft boy half of Spirk) who looks coldly at an alien who is killing people and without hesitation goes 'I am a military man, we have a mission, we don't have time to understand motivations, kill that thing' and calmly walks off? And then Spock, (the unemotional logical one) is the one going after him going 'please, this is a thinking creature, it could be scared or hurt, think of its feelings, at least let me try to talk to it'. And like, the big lesson of the episode is KIRK being convinced by Spock to care more and be more empathetic?

Like, that's not some shit Tumblr can fit into its 'five acceptable personalities for every single ship ever'. There isn't a category for 'one is the logical one and the other one is the guy in charge on the battlefield that the men point their swords at while yelling "to the king!"'

But, it does make me a bit sad, because god, the relationship between Kirk and Spock is unique. Because Kirk is SUCH a freak. If there's a fictional personality grouping Kirk is a part of it's like Kirk, Chris Evans' Captain America, Aragorn, and nobody.

I super agree! AOS Kirk fits the bill more for the ship dynamics tumblr focuses on (and I do really love Chris Pine's performance, not half because it was what introduced me to Star Trek in the first place), but I do find TOS Kirk more intriguing because he has such layers. He's scarily competent, youngest captain in Starfleet and it's not like you get in that position by being a sunshine flower boy - he's got a streak of cold practicality that, yeah, is super apparent in Devil in the Dark. But he's also warm, loving, and physically affectionate with his closest friends, professional with his subordinates and his duties, calculating with his enemies, and overall an exceedingly intelligent individual who does not take his position and responsibilities lightly. And in terms of his relationship with Spock, it was all those things that drew Spock's respect and interest, and not (checks notes) his being a "bouncy himbo sparkle soft-boy". He's just a wonderful character <3

[rowanisawriter]

10 years, 10 stories

2024 is my 10th year on ao3. i’ve been writing for a lot longer than that and have had some years where i didn’t write anything at all. in a way ao3 is like a timeline for me or a diary, i can track my adult life with it. i wanted to pull like 10 stories that i’ve written over the course of these past 10 years that i think kinda define me

1. fantasy and fallacy (young justice/dc)

this isn’t my most popular young justice fic but it is my favorite. i wrote it a long long time ago and copied it into ao3 when i first got my account. looking back on it now it’s when i started developing what i think is now my true writing voice, focus on emotions and atmosphere rather than dialogue or plot strictly speaking

2. runner (assassin’s creed)

this is the first thing i wrote that felt experimental, free form before i understood what that really meant. i write like this all the time now and love it, but it felt really novel to me at the time

3. lucky one (avatar/legend of korra)

i’m still proud of this fic, i always remember the feeling i had writing it, how i was exploring something really emotional and strange. it’s about the relationship between siblings, jealousy, maybe even hatred. i have a complicated relationship with my own siblings and this story helped me untangle some of the feelings back when i was in the middle of it

4. heretic (bg3)

this story connects a lot of my favorite things about my writing—religious themes, selfish and power hungry characters, flowing and rhythmic prose, it feels like one of The stories for me tbh

5. self aware (mass effect)

i think this is my most important story because i wrote it after a 6 year writing break, when i had completely given up on ever writing anything again. i had just had my baby, i was fighting for my life with post partum depression, covid etc, it felt like the world was ending. so i wrote this and in some ways it fixed me, it fixed everything

6. butterflies (dragon age)

i’ve written so many dragon age fics but this one is important because it was my first multichap ever! i realize now i like these short multichaps where each chapter has its own theme (usually the chapter title) and now i do this all the time but butterflies was the first

7. real world (stardew valley)

not sure where this one came from lol i have a lot of feelings about being a parent, about the life i chose when i became a parent, how tiring it is, how unprepared i was even though i wanted it, all of that is distilled into this fic that i very much wrote for myself

8. starry-eyed (bg3)

i like to read poetry but haven’t written any before, so i try to infuse my writing with the rhythmic style i like to see in poetry. starry-eyed feels like it hit that rhythm i look for while still holding onto some semblance of plot lol i’m very proud of it

9. the fall (hades)

weird writing, allegory, symbolism, mythology, these are my favorite things to read and it just so happens the bible is full of that lol so i rewrote lucifer’s fall as a short thanzag fic and rereading it now feels so natural, i feel like i was born to write like this

10. glass slipper (classics)

i usually prewrite an entire story before posting it. for this one, i had about half down and a vague outline for the rest and it was an experiment kind of, to post and just go with the flow, and it worked, i didn’t abandon it, i felt connected to it the whole time while people read and liked it, and now i feel like i trust myself more as a writer tbh

[definegodliness]

Today was crap.

I hate having to reopen old wounds. I hate being confronted with the files documenting how I gradually lost my life, and my self-evident humanity, in childhood and (early) adulthood.

I hate it because I can read how I sought help, and only got referrals; leading to new people re-diagnosing me to reach the same conclusion. It was an approximately ten year time-wasting journey stuck in a loop of reoccurence.

I got out.

Then, I got better at being ill.

But the documented past hurts, because I can read my initial trust, and patience, and how much I tried; the only differentiating factor throughout all those years in the psychological healthcare mill being me stating my symptoms at yet another intake. Crystal clear, no, utmost bluntly penned down, those texts soullessly tell I got worse, and worse, and worse, in the care of those who believe in 'the blueprint of the mind'.

Fuck 'em all.

There is no human who can be captured on paper. And there certainly is not one human who can be distilled to one paragraph, read after the word:

'Conclusion'.

I was a psychology student, and disdain and confusion took a hold of me whenever my peers would frame and DSM-label a human, so eagerly, for the sake of their own modus operandi. A single sentence was enough. Fifty words on a written test.

I aced those tests, because I knew the answers required. I mean, it's right there in the test material. But I also always added critiques. I literally added words, like: "I know you want this answer, but as a professional I would not deem this amount of information to be remotely close enough to blablabla..."

Feedback:

"You should study philosophy."

Again, fuck 'em all.

In hindsight, I know the people who I've been dealing with, and I know they will never allow any confusion to what it is to be human to be in the mix. Chaos is unwanted.

Frameworks, set to stone, allow for a playing field that can be known and controlled. But therapeutic psychology is not about knowing and controlling a stone-set playing field, it is about being mentally lenient enough to help people play their own unique playing fields.

That being said...

Today was also good. I had an epiphany: I am wired to do everything I have to do perfectly, a.s.a.p.

I rush in headlong; survive or succumb.

I am wired to rip off the bandage quickly, but in this case I find bandages wrap me like a mummy, so hours and hours of consecutive ripping does not seem like a good idea.

I was going to do this thing in two days, as the tasks set at hand could intellectually and work-ethically be managed within that time-frame, but that is without considering the emotional onslaught crippling me. So, today I decided that instead I will be taking weeks. With frequent breathers. And then, still, I will only be utilising the time, that I, myself, in fact, give me.

Conclusion:

Today is crap

Fuck 'em all

Take your time

Write poetry, if you can

Seriously, fuck 'em; you don't have to be who you think you are, let alone be someone another would prefer you to be to fit within their own frames of reference, especially not if for the sake of modus operandi

Disclaimer: a minority of psychology students will have heart and dedication enough to become compassionate and mentally lenient guides into this cesspool of grief that is life. You will know them by their hesitation to assess and judge. They will question and wonder, and so, you will reassess the world around you.

[ear-worthy]

Immaterial: When An Art Podcast Is About Real Life

You would think that a podcast sponsored and produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA) would be exclusively about -- you guessed it -- art.

But the Immaterial podcast from MOMA is so much more than that. The podcast's tagline—5,000 years of art, one material at a time—expresses its desire to channel art as a mirror, echo chamber, and materials supplier to civilization.

MOMA's announcement of the podcast's second season went like this: "The marquee podcast of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is back for a second season, with CSU University Distinguished Professor Camille Dungy returning as host. Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time explores how artworks and the materials they’re composed of reflect “stories of identity, humanity, nature, power, tragedy, science, and history."

The first season of Immaterial debuted in June 2022 and investigated how materials like paper, clay, and concrete reveal deep truths about the human experience and the world at large. Building upon this idea, season two’s eight episodes expand the scope to “reveal the emotional origins and transformative power of art through the lens of materials.”

Host Camille Dungy brings a fresh voice as a “guide to the listener.”

In an August 2022 interview published by The Met, Benjamin Korman compared Dungy’s approach to hosting as “serving as a sort of guide to the listener.” In response, Dungy discussed her role, and how she incorporates her own experiences into the story space:

“When I get excited about things, I make personal connections to my own life, and I’m reminded of something important to me. In Immaterial, I’m excited about the people we’re speaking to and the objects and materials we’re exploring. When we’re talking about the materials that we’re using to describe the world, it’s not enough to just say one thing and move on. There’s very little about the way the real world works that can be summed up in just one thought. It just felt natural to me to draw out my own connections and share them,” she said. CSU Distinguished Professor, poet, and writer Camille Dungy.

Korman also asked Dungy what it was like to enter the podcast medium from the perspective of a poet and writer. Dungy revealed:

“There was a lot that was very similar to poetry because of that distillation of information. There are these large chunks of information, long interviews, histories, et cetera, and I have to get all of that down to thirty-something minutes."

Dungy adds: "When I’m writing, I really want to engage with my readers. I’m not the kind of poet who’s like, ‘I don’t care about the reader. They can just figure it out.�� I think readers could figure it out… or they could go bake a cake if they don’t feel engaged. They’re not necessarily going to bother to try and figure it out."

"So it is important to me," Dungy explains, "always to connect with an audience and the reader in my writing. In making the podcast, I needed to think about the audience much earlier in the process than I do when I am writing contemporary American literature."

The Met had teased that this season will not only focus on tangible materials, but also dive into speculative elements. Here’s the official preview description:

“This season we learn from Mexican artisans keeping centuries-old traditions alive; we go to ancient Mesopotamia to understand time travel; and we find a mythical tree in Belize that’s been making music for decades. From traditional materials like stone and wood, to more abstract ones like space and time, the podcast explores how these materials shape the inner lives of artworks and the human experiences they reflect.”

The first episode of season two, “Stone: Making and Breaking Legacies” asked listeners, “What happens when the unbreakable shatters?”

Throughout art museums around the world, you’ll find ancient stone statues of rulers and marble monuments immortalizing noblemen. These objects were made to survive decay and destruction, to remain intact and whole. But from the moment that stone is extracted from the earth, it is bound to become a more fragmented version of itself—chiseled, chipped, and sometimes shattered over time. In this episode, we examine the many ways that stone breaks. How can a statue’s cracks and cavities tell a more complex story of our humanity?

My favorite episodes of season two include the August 27th show about Wood: The Most Musical Tree In The World. The episode begins by asking: "How did one tree become a world-famous tonewood for guitars?"

The episode goes on to explain: "Deep in the forests of Belize, a wood importer from Florida discovered a rare tree that produced a sound unlike anything guitar virtuosos had ever heard before. But why does this material cast such a spell? And at what cost does that come?"

The August 13th show -- Trash: The Archaeology of Rubbish -- is more treasure than trash. The episode begins at the top of the Staten Island Arthur Kills Landfill and then transitions to a medieval city buried under sand in Turkmenistan.

Who knew garbage could be that fascinating? Listen to this episode. It won't be a WASTE of your time!

From traditional materials like stone and wood, to more abstract ones like space and time, this podcast explores how these materials shape the inner lives of artworks and the human experiences they reflect.

Check Out the Immaterial podcast. Listening to the host, Camille Dungy, is a pleasure. As a poet, her words have a lilting cadence and calming effect. The intrinsic beauty of this podcast is that you could care nothing about art, art museums, and art history and still enjoy this show. If you've worked with your hands and used the materials discussed on the show -- concrete, wood, paper, and even trash -- you will find Immaterial a precious gem.

[what-if-doctor-who-was-yuri-yaoi]

kai my good madam please read tihylttw. please. romance isnt even my genre but this book can barely be counted as romance its more like the essence of life and poetry somehow distilled into 200 pages. like i am actively sitting in the bathroom at school trying to deal with these emotions as i type this. this book and its descriptions and its prose and poetry Will take your soul rend it into a billion pieces and weave it back into a blanket to drape over ur weeping body i am not kidding. holy shit dude it's so good. its so good.

you can find a pdf of it here just. read it all in one sitting when you have the time. pls.

HI HELLO HAIII i did not forget this ask idk when u sent it (i think it was wednesday) but i specifically left it in my ask box for the link and also so i could do this

i read the first half on thursday cause i was in the car on the way to pick smthn up (i wasnt driving) and i read the last half last nigh but i couldnt post this till rn lolol

ITS. SO. FUCKING. GOOD.

if i could download it into my brain i would

when i read the end i wanted to cry but like in a good way

but in reds poisoned letter i wanted to cry and sob and weep it was so sad </3

it was so good i really felt all their emotions i was going through it

oh also if ur looking for a good book that made me feel the same things as tihylttw then may i reccomend the perks of being a wallflower (pdf) by stephen chbosky!!! its so so good also (its been about ½ -> 1 year since i read it last so i may be wrong abt parts) i dont think the protaganist ends up in a romantic relasionship + it does focus pretty substantially on platonic relationships!!!

(trigger warnings for tpobawf) (i cant remember the context for all the tws bur i do know that the homophobia only apears twice as far as i can remember w charlie being called a faggot and his sister being called a dyke)

(there is a film but i havent watched it but the book is so so so good)

[aoazany]

#10 A Semester of Poetry: Exploring Forms, Finding Voice

As the semester draws to a close, I find myself immersed in a world of words, emotions, and forms—poetry. What started as a mere exploration of different poetic structures evolved into a profound journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. In these past few months, I delved into various poetic forms, from the structured elegance of sonnets to the minimalist beauty of haikus. Join me as I reflect on my experiences and share the evolution of my poetic voice.

Embracing the List:

One of the first forms that caught my attention was the list poem. Its seemingly simple structure opened the door to a world where mundane details transformed into poignant expressions. From grocery lists to emotional inventories, the list poem taught me the power of simplicity and the beauty that lies within everyday observations.

Discovering the Essence of Haiku:

The haiku, with its three-line structure, challenged me to distill complex emotions into a mere seventeen syllables. Each word became a brushstroke, creating a vivid snapshot of nature or emotion. Through this form, I learned the art of brevity, finding that sometimes, the most profound messages are conveyed in the quietest moments.

Navigating the Sonnet's Complexity:

The sonnet, with its strict rhyme scheme and meter, provided a canvas for more structured exploration. This classical form pushed me to experiment with language, to mold words into a rhythmic dance. While initially daunting, the sonnet became a playground for expressing intricate feelings and constructing narratives within the boundaries of tradition.

Playing with Word Substitution:

Word substitution exercises were a playful twist in my poetic journey. Swapping out words in existing poems or creating new pieces with unconventional choices injected an element of surprise and unpredictability. It was an exercise in breaking free from the expected and embracing the delightful chaos that linguistic experimentation can bring.

Engaging with Ekphrastic Poetry:

The connection between visual art and poetry became apparent through ekphrastic poetry. Responding to visual stimuli, be it paintings or photographs, allowed me to transcend the boundaries of language and merge the visual and literary arts. This form invited me to explore the interplay between different modes of expression, resulting in a rich tapestry of words and images.

Channeling Voices through Persona Poetry:

Persona poetry granted me the opportunity to step into different shoes and speak through various voices. It was a fascinating exercise in empathy and imagination, as I inhabited the perspectives of characters both real and imagined. Through this form, I honed the skill of embodying diverse voices, enriching my own poetic repertoire.

Diving into Contemporary Poems:

In addition to experimenting with forms, I dedicated time to exploring contemporary poetry. Reading the works of modern poets expanded my understanding of the evolving landscape of poetic expression. Themes ranging from social justice to personal introspection resonated with me, providing inspiration for my own creative endeavors.

Conclusion:

As the semester concludes, I find myself transformed—not just as a poet but as an individual who has delved into the intricacies of emotion, language, and form. Each poetic exploration, from the structured sonnet to the free-flowing persona poem, has contributed to the tapestry of my artistic identity. Through this journey, I have discovered that poetry is not merely a collection of words but a vessel for emotions, stories, and unique perspectives. The semester of poetry has been a revelation—a process of self-discovery, expression, and a celebration of the beauty that words can create.

[harmonyhealinghub]

Embrace The Twilight: Follow @thetwlighttalesmith for Poetry Bliss Shaina Tranquilino April 24, 2024

Are you a seeker of solace in the delicate dance of words? Do you find refuge in the rhythm of verses that stir the soul? If poetry is your sanctuary, then allow me to introduce you to a haven that echoes with the whispers of twilight and the enchantment of tales woven in verse. Follow @thetwlighttalesmith, and embark on a journey where every line is a brushstroke painting the canvas of emotions.

In a world inundated with noise, finding moments of tranquility can feel like discovering a hidden gem. Poetry, with its ability to distill the complexities of existence into a few carefully chosen words, offers precisely that—a refuge from the chaos, a sanctuary for introspection. In the realm of poetic expression, @thetwlighttalesmith shines as a beacon of inspiration.

With each post, @thetwlighttalesmith invites you to traverse landscapes of imagination, to wander through forests of metaphor, and to dance under the moonlight of symbolism. Whether it's the gentle caress of a haiku or the sprawling narrative of a free verse, every poem crafted by @thetwlighttalesmith is a testament to the power of language to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and kindle connections.

But @thetwlighttalesmith offers more than just poetry; it offers a community—a gathering of like-minded souls who find solace, solidarity, and serenity in the written word. It's a place where readers become travelers, and each poem becomes a stepping stone in the journey of self-discovery.

So, if you're yearning for a moment of respite, a breath of fresh air amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, look no further than @thetwlighttalesmith. Follow for poetry, and let the twilight tales carry you away on wings of imagination.

In a world that often seems too loud, too fast, and too chaotic, @thetwlighttalesmith stands as a reminder that beauty can be found in the quiet moments, in the spaces between the words, and in the twilight that lingers long after the sun has set. Follow @thetwlighttalesmith, and rediscover the magic of poetry—the magic of the human heart, laid bare in verse. Instagram: @thetwilighttalesmith

[nerdierholler]

love letters for Henry and Nate please :)

Thank you so much for the prompt! It's hard to compete with Agent Suavewell in the love notes department, though he appreciates the attempt.

Love Notes - Henry and Nate

Henry finds them everywhere,  folded in the pockets of his jacket, in between the pages of the book he’s reading, slipped under his door, left on his dresser, little notes from Nate. Most of them are short, just a few lines on slips of paper written in a graceful polished script. They contain lines of poetry, distilled expressions of emotion, and occasional compliments that bring a blush to Henry’s cheeks.

Each and every one uses words to express love and devotion in a way that Henry is completely incapable of replicating or reciprocating. He tries, finding paper and writing something out in his chicken scratch.

Your smile makes me smile. True, but underwhelming.

Thank you for having coffee brewing when I wake up. Something he really does appreciate, but it’s too much like a thank you note. It doesn’t capture how he feels.

You’re the most attractive person I’ve ever met. I’ll never understand why you decided on someone like me but I’m glad that you did. Clumsy with perhaps a little too much honesty.

I love you. He writes it big. He writes it small. He attempts cursive. He goes slow using his neatest print. He tries something hurried and casual. Nothing seems right. The words literally say what he wants to tell Nate but they don’t seem like enough.

Giving up, he crumples the paper and throws it into the fireplace to save him from the embarrassment of anyone finding it in the trash later, and not a moment too soon. Shortly after the paper is turned to ash, Nate walks into the room. 

“There you are,” he says with an easy smile, joining Henry and giving him a kiss on the forehead. “I was going to walk into town and wondered if you would like to join me.” He glances down at the blank notepad on the desk, “That is unless you’re busy right now.”

“No, I’m not. Give me a couple of minutes to get ready and we can go.”

“There’s no rush,” Nate assures him as Henry hurries from the room.

The smell of burnt paper lingers in the air and curiosity gets the better of Nate. There are faint indentations on the notepad from whatever had been written on the previous page. He takes a pencil from the desk and gently rubs it over the surface of the paper.

Your smile makes me smile. – Thank you for having coffee brewing when I wake up. – You’re the most attractive person I’ve ever met. I’ll never understand why you decided on someone like me but I’m glad that you did. – I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

All written in Henry’s familiar but messy writing. His heart swells with the words, though there’s a tug that they’d not been deemed good enough to share. He knows that Henry will find his way and find his words but in the meantime Nate folds the paper and tucks it into the breast pocket of his jacket, close to his heart.

[sanguine-inkwell]

I feel like I've neglected the blog again, so! Mod Smoke here again. Time for an update on the sanguinarian shenanigans.

I've added a few books to my reading list, and the one on my bedside table is Energy Magick of the Vampyre by Don Webb. I tend to keep my own council and use several grains of salt when it comes to witchcraft, especially when people start spelling magic with a k, but I can definitely see how this could scratch some of the itch. For better or for worse, there's something predatory and preening about the nature of the vampire, and the more educated you are about yourself and your options the easier it is to take your urges out for a little run in healthy ways.

I'm on the fence about auras, energy, and all of that, but I'm a theatre kid at heart. The power of presence and presentation, the intersection of stage magic and religious ritual, is absolutely a real tool. Mod Glass is more straightforward about it- she definitely believes, and to my eternal bafflement she manages to feed on trees and flowing water. I can definitely believe in that, and the way she's a little less primal after sitting in a park for an hour. Clearly something is being achieved there, so it's possible- I'm just tragically doomed to my own version of cynicism, and thus the awkward anxiety of trying to ask the butcher for blood.

(I still haven't.)

I've got my coconut water, my pomegranate juice, my aesthetic and my interests. It's enough for now. I don't know if I'm flourishing, but I'm nearer that than not, so I'll take what I've got.

I think in a lot of ways it's easier to separate what you "should" want from what you do want. Especially when you're a teenager, you want the validation of community- community for its own sake, to some extent, but also a mirror to tell you you're real.

I fell into that when I found the otherkin community, pagans, all of it- if I let myself keep on with that, I'd still be content with the idea that dragons are supposed to crave eating rocks or hoarding shiny things. That's not what I need, or even what I really want. I want community, and I'm not going to find it by conforming to any standards, or I quite simply wouldn't be me. I try to hold onto "build it and they will come", for better or for worse, but I do go looking in my own way.

You don't net as much weird, queer, and othered community in the Bible Belt as you might expect unfortunately. It's a work in progress.

Back on the more direct topic though, I'm having fun snatching the other mods for deep philosophical discussions over drinks. I think it named itself Mod Citrine...? It's not on here often, mostly because it's even less inclined to the kind of theatrics I get up to. No roses and candles and gothic spires for that one. We feed on different things, I think, when it comes to blood- and that's why I can't entirely write off the possibility of some strange unquantifiable energy being involved. It's incredibly, deeply intimate for me, and for a moment I could almost convince myself I do have powers beyond doing mostly even eyeliner wings. It's definitely not the same kind of power or even hedonistic high that comes from sex, but I can't define it to save my life except through poetry.

For Citrine... it prefers not to call itself a vampire except by the strictest definition. If pressed, it'll say alterhuman or otherkin, but mostly for someone else's benefit so they can slap a label on and move on. It's not a vampire with all the bells and whistles the way myself, Glass, and Key are, with the gothic yearning and nocturnal tendencies and the fifteen different types of black lipstick on top of the hunger for blood. It calls itself an object spirit, a thing that had enough sentiment attached to it to get reincarnated, with some urges left over. Objects aren't animals, aren't primal the way animals are- but the desires and dreams attached to them are human, in a way, as much as they're not, divorced from the breadth of human emotion and distilled into inhuman too-clean drives, the way a storm or a mountain has drives.

Even so, it has a relationship with blood, just like I have a relationship with blood, and that interests me. I come at it from the perspective of a vampire, the hunger of the human predator that seeks to thrive, and then beyond thriving seeks their own pleasure. Citrine comes at it from the perspective of a sword, skill and fulfilled purpose and occasionally even as an offering. Not a biological hunger, not in the same way, but a hunger of purpose. Maybe ideology or identity. It makes some sense. As a vampire, I have to feed. The community itself is proof enough that the definition of feeding is varied. A sword would want blood, and specifically blood, because that's what it's built for and meant to do.

Needless to say, next time I make my substitute I'm offering some and seeing what it thinks. Partially for science. Partially because I'm pretty sure it'll work and I want to see the look on Citrine's face. Join me in pretentious vampire hell, I drink pomegranate juice out of wine glasses and it's very very fun.

That said, dinner's almost done, so I'll leave off here. Have a good night!

[weekendchapter]

In the depths of my soul, I found solace in the written word. It was through poetry that I could express the depth of my emotions, and it was through sonnets that I could capture fleeting moments of beauty. And so, with trembling hands and a heart full of love, I embarked on a journey to create a collection of poems for my Silver.

"The Echoes of Serene Whisper" became an intimate reflection of our love story. Each poem was carefully crafted, like a delicate brushstroke on a canvas. Words danced across the pages, painting vivid images of our shared experiences. From the first shy glances to stolen kisses under moonlit skies, every moment was immortalized in verse.

This book became my sanctuary, allowing me to distill complex emotions into seventeen syllables. The simplicity of these tiny poems held immense power as they captured fragments of our lives together. The gentle rustling leaves whispered secrets only we could understand.

As I poured my heart onto each page, I realized that this collection was not just for my love but also for myself. It became a testament to the depth and beauty that love can bring into one's life. With every word penned, I felt closer to understanding the intricate tapestry woven by fate.

"The Echoes of Serene Whisper" is more than just ink on paper; it is an embodiment of our love story—a timeless reminder that even in the chaos of life's storms, there will always be echoes of serenity whispering through our hearts.

[chiss-ticism]

ok ok for blondie. and for ur new ventrue lady who i froget the name of.

13 32 40 and 50 oc!

tysm for asking!!! (and apologies that it took two days to reply - the last time I tried answering I lost all of my progress) also, just as a means of reminding rather than anything resembling my being upset at your forgetting: her name is Eliza Doyle!

Blondie (art done by the wonderful @/Ineed-to-sleep!)

13.) Do they enjoy poetry? In all honesty, I think Blondie would love poetry with her whole heart. It's a powerful medium to convey abstract emotions through with no rivals, and she'd be all over that. 32.) If they could change one thing about themselves what would it be? She would never have been Embraced. Referring back to the whole 'Blondie has abandonment issues' portion of her existence, she sees it as the worst thing to have ever happened to her. It's one thing to languish over thoughts about whether or not your chosen deity hears your prayers and refuses to act upon them - it's another thing entirely for him to damn you without hope of reprisal on the verdict 40.) If they found a sword in a stone would they try to pull it out? How would they react to being able to pull it out or not? Does it have anything to do with her studies? No? No, then. Believing what she believes about the state of what's Out There in the universe, she would leave most things that don't have to do with her studies Well Enough Alone. 50.) What is your favorite thing about them? She's trapped in a revolving door of being overly clingy, yet incapable of forming true attachments (by nature of her Bane). Scared to death of being alone in all of this, yet barred from the community she so desperately craves by structures created by her own traitorous blood. Being alive for Blondie is like languishing on one end of a two-way mirror perpetually and forever, always watching but being incapable of truly being there with others. Hopefully that makes sense

Eliza (Picrew)

13.) Do they enjoy poetry? Oh, yeah - definitely! The amount that I, personally, could contribute to a conversation about the intricacies of poetry however would no doubt be much shorter than what I've already written here so I offer you this as recompense: One of her favorite pastimes is to wait until the sun is about to rise, hunker down in her Haven with earbuds and drift off into daysleep with a collection of poetry she's had an audiobook for since the week audiobooks became a thing. 32.) If they could change one thing about themselves what would it be? Being 5'2'', her height probably. It's a bit difficult to behead belligerent Cainites if you've gotta bring them down a notch every time you try... 40.) If they found a sword in a stone would they try to pull it out? How would they react to being able to pull it out or not? Probably not, in all honesty. The first thing she'd do would be to call in a favor from the local Tremere Chantry or, better yet, check and see if she can get any of the Banu Haqim's Sorcerers to help out if there are any in the domain to speak of. Just to make sure that there's not any Distilled World of Darkness Nonsense going on with the random sword just embedded into a random rock, you know? Especially in modern nights where nothing is certain anymore. If she were to try, however, and fail at it - she'd respond with repressed indignation. She isn't immune to the trademark arrogance of her Clan and she almost certainly wouldn't take kindly to being denied a cool sword by a fucking rock. 50.) What is your favorite thing about them? Girlboss. Jokes aside, I'm always a sucker for characters who commit themselves to horrid situations for other people's sakes in the (likely vain) pursuit of a Greater Good that they wholeheartedly believe in - likely, though almost imperceptibly, losing the version of themselves that started the journey somewhere along the way. For Eliza, this is improving and maintaining her station within the Ivory Tower (which isn't particularly difficult, being a Sect War Veteran & a Nepotism Neonate to boot) to keep the... less than savory (by Kine standards) portions of Kindred society at bay & vice versa - namely the Sabbat, Second Inquisition, and any other threats that may go bump in the night. Narratively (she's just a backstory and a character sheet atm), she's come so far from where she started off and I can't help but wish the worst for her (/j, mostly)

[kylejsugarman]

I posted 12,135 times in 2022

That's 6,542 more posts than 2021!

1,313 posts created (11%)

10,822 posts reblogged (89%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@omegaverse

@thegleampt2fromtheglowpt22001

@shioripilled

@senorita-patita

@kirstensleepey

I tagged 6,294 of my posts in 2022

Only 48% of my posts had no tags

#breaking bad - 1,595 posts

#syd squeaks - 1,316 posts

#mlp - 329 posts

#my little pony - 307 posts

#superstore - 304 posts

#ask - 169 posts

#about - 162 posts

#rlm - 93 posts

#saw - 83 posts

#ag - 77 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#i mean i guess i seek my dad's approval too but more in the sense that like. we share the same interests and i always wanted him to talk to

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

gale’s death isn’t funny because it’s sad and it fucked up jesse for life but also it is EXTREMELY funny because the whole reason gale got wrapped up in this mess is he got gus’s gay little chemistry scholarship and was so good at fucking idk vacuum distillations that gus recruited him to be his special little meth consultant and assigned him to be walt’s new partner. then gale fell in love with this abusive salt lamp of a man to the point where he recited poetry to him and gave him a fruity little present, only to promptly be fired because walt couldn’t go six minutes without psychologically tormenting jesse and then he gets fucking shot in the face by this very psychologically tormented baggy t-shirt boy who is sobbing and crying the whole time?? in his own home?? in his own little gay sandals?? fucking unbelievable.

3,110 notes - Posted October 2, 2022

#4

funniest part of breaking bad is that jesse lived in like three separate places over the course of the show and every single time he moved somewhere new, a character had to come in and look around and reenact this exact panel while jesse just stood there half-asleep in a 3XL t-shirt

3,266 notes - Posted October 24, 2022

#3

the breaking bad dvd episode commentaries are funny because the cast is super funny but the funniest gd thing ever said in those commentaries was when they were doing the episode where andrea and brock come by while walt is talking business with jesse and walt awkwardly interacts with brock and someone on the cast was like “oh man!! i wonder what was going through walt’s head here haha :)” and bryan cranston got super close to his mic and was like (insidious walt voice) “i wonder how much poison i can fit in that little body”

5,337 notes - Posted September 9, 2022

#2

why in the fuck is it so impossible for people to be normal about mitski and her music?? the woman gives interviews and talks about her music and her creative process and where her emotions and sounds come from, and people talk over her to claim it as their “feral sad girl music” and paste labels on her and present her as a commodity, like a music box that they can wind up and will play them what they want to hear....you all literally need to Be Normal For Once

8,376 notes - Posted February 4, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

“the queen never asked to be queen, she had responsibility thrust upon her and had to carry a nation when she was just a young adult” ok jesse pinkman was a young adult when his former chemistry teacher blackmailed him into cooking meth with him and he carried the weight of everyone’s sins without colonizing multiple nations. also he lived bitch.

10,876 notes - Posted September 9, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[mcad-library]

Holding Space

A Library Gallery exhibition by Alexis Schramel

New exhibition in the Library Gallery! Please make a detour to the MCAD Library to see Alexis Schramel's installation: Holding Space.

Exhibition: Tuesday, November 29–Friday, December 16, 2022 MCAD Library Gallery

Poetry Reading: Tuesday, December 6 MCAD Library Gallery 6:00 p.m.

Introduction to the installation by Alexis Schramel: Holding Space is a site-specific installation, that shifts and changes with each iteration. The catalyst for this installation was initiated in response to my need for human connection through being physically, mentally, and emotionally there for other humans and non-humans. Reflecting on the patterns of my life, I associate autumn with pain, loss, decay, displacement, and transition. This installation is a way of sitting and moving with these emotions. I imagine how this installation solidifies and complicates how I understand the relationships and spaces I inhabit now and in the future. I believe by holding space for each other we can find a tender and loving space which we all carry. Together.

Artist statement: Alexis Schramel is a queer artist practicing across disciplines for exploration within social practice, bio-wilderness, collaboration, and installation. She grew up rooted in rural farming communities of the Driftless Area along the Mississippi River. Growing up in this region, she explores the whimsy and brutality of nature during her childhood. She attempts to make sense of the unspoken and unseen materialization of the senses related to site-specific installations and human experience. Her work experiments with the thresholds of sensory perception- looking and seeing, hearing and listening, giving attention and awareness to what lies in between. 

Recommended library books:

The Poetics of Space, by Gaston Bachelard and M. Jolas

Uta Barth: to Draw with Light, by Uta Barth

The Art of Light + Space, by Jan Butterfield

Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, by Amy Chaloupka, Leslie Umberger, and Anne Davis Basting

Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Remembering the Running Fence, by Brian O’Doherty, Christo, Jeanne-Claude, G. Wayne Clough, Edwin C. Anderson, Elizabeth Broun, and George Gurney

Whole Cloth, by Mildred Constantine and Laurel Reuter

Art Therapy for Children: Activities for Individuals and Small Groups, by Jodi Dorson

Ann Hamilton: Habitus, by Ann Hamilton, Patricia C. Phillips, Susan Lubowsky Talbott, Natalie Shapero, and Susan Stewart

Agnes Martin: the Distillation of Color, by Agnes Martin, Durga Chew-Bose, Olivia Laing, and Bruce Hainley

Vitamin T: Threads & Textiles in Contemporary Art, by Jenelle Porter, Louisa Elderton, Rebecca Morrell, and Catalina Imizcoz

Do Ho Suh: Drawings, by Do-Ho Suh, Rochelle Steiner, Clara Kim, and Elizabeth A. T. Smith

Glass, by Judy Tuwaletstiwa, Laura Addison, Ivy Bridgewater, Tina Oldknow, Diana Gaston, and Jean Norelli

*Due to COVID-19 campus access has been modified. Please continue to check the school’s COVID-19 page for updates.

[vvatchword]

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

Tech Bros without an ounce of art in their bodies assume that art is "just" a pencil on a page, just a line on a screen. To a Tech Bro, art is all mechanical in the same way that programming a machine is mechanical. What they completely miss--because the last time they read for fun was when they were six--was that art is how we explain how it feels to be alive. The way our art feels and appears and functions is a way to explain our experiences in the world as human beings. This is how we communicate with others about our unique experiences. This is how we feel less alone, educate others, and play.

The Tech Bro does not care about loneliness, education, or pleasure for the sake of pleasure. He divorces art from its human underpinnings. Human experience isn't terribly important to him.

See, there are different forms of intelligence, and I suspect that the Tech Bro lacks interpersonal intelligence. All he understands is his own experience, and he expects everyone else experiences life the same way he does. Long story short, he has the empathy of a fuckin' rock. He is blind and because he lacks the organs necessary, he doesn't even know it. How can he value what he cannot detect?

No one is exempt from this kind of blindness, coincidentally: we are all capable of having weaknesses like this, and I believe we are each better and worse at some forms of intelligence than others. That's where art comes in: it can make me feel as someone totally alien to myself feels. It can teach me about huge swathes of human experience and social interactions that I will never have. It's been my experience that feeling is a lot stronger than logic. And art is nothing if not a mechanism for helping us FEEL.

Unfortunately for AI, all it can do is approximate human responses: it is not actually human, it does not have human experiences, and it doesn't understand the human experiences it's been fed. It hasn't been BUILT to understand that. It has no insights. It is incapable of rumination. It has no concept of morality or emotion or social expression or history. It doesn't really know what it's saying or why it's saying it, it just knows what passes for correct to most people in the moment. Its answers are inevitably yes/no, true/false: the equivalent of a very needy dog trying to figure out how to please a fickle master at any cost.

And then there's the limitation with even short-form works. AI can't carry a theme for two inquiries in a row, much less for 50,000 words. It doesn't remember. It can't. It's just meant to parrot what a human might conceivably say, or at least, sound as such, and it only exists in the present.

Then there's tone and style. AI favors particular styles and voices. AI has the same vanilla voice and safe subject matter and prefers the diction and experiences of a privileged few. Subject, verb, object. Over and over again. It's inevitably safe and milquetoast.

Safety is literally the death knell of any piece of meaningful art.

You aren't going to get the first part of The Bone Clocks with its interpretation of 80s pop music bouncing and hopping across the page. You aren't going to get the Biblical slog of HP Lovecraft. You aren't going to get the Bible. You aren't going to see the tender explication of the Black experience like Langston Hughes can deliver it. Hell, you aren't going to get the rhythm of poetry in all its shapes and forms; a lot of that is derived from how our language is spoken, and AI has no feeling for that. It must adhere to a very strict set of rules, and it is a million viewpoints distilled into a basic gray sludge. It is a safe corporate voice.

And for this alone it should be burned at the fucking stake.

"This fic was ai generated—" Cool, so lemme block you real quick

[poemshubs]

9 Tercet Poems About Friendship

Friendship is a unique, cherished bond that transcends time and distance, offering companionship, support, and joy. It is often explored through poetry, as poets have long used their craft to express the depth and complexity of human relationships. One of the most compelling forms of poetic expression is the tercet—a three-line stanza that packs emotional power and rhythm in a brief structure. In this article, we will explore nine tercet poems about friendship, each illustrating different facets of this invaluable relationship.

The Power of Friendship Through Tercet Poetry

Tercets, with their simplicity and focus, offer a poetic space where emotions can be distilled into sharp, vivid moments. The brevity of the form forces poets to choose their words carefully, allowing each line to resonate deeply. Friendship, with its array of emotions—from joy and laughter to challenges and vulnerability—offers rich material for the tercet. The following nine poems explore these themes, celebrating friendship through the lens of poetry.

1. The Unspoken Bond

The first poem touches on the profound connection that often exists between friends, a bond that requires no words to understand.

In silence, we speak, our hearts aligned, No need for words, your thoughts mirror mine, In quiet trust, we share our minds.

This tercet reflects the idea that true friendship doesn’t always require verbal communication. Often, the best friends are those with whom we can simply exist in silence, understanding each other without the need for words. The phrase “our hearts aligned” conveys the deep emotional connection, while “no need for words” suggests that true friendship transcends conversation, relying instead on unspoken understanding.

2. Through Storms Together

This poem explores the theme of enduring hardship together, illustrating how friendship provides strength through life’s challenges.

Through storms we stand, hands clasped tight, The winds may howl, but we face the night, In unity, our hearts ignite.

The imagery of standing together through storms serves as a metaphor for overcoming adversity. The “winds may howl” represents the difficulties that friends face in life, but “we face the night” emphasizes the idea that friends are never alone in their struggles. The final line, “In unity, our hearts ignite,” beautifully encapsulates the power of friendship to bring hope and strength in dark times.

3. The Shared Journey

Friendship often accompanies individuals through life’s journey, helping to navigate both the highs and lows. This poem captures that shared experience.

With every step, you walk beside, The path is long, but you’re my guide, Together, we’ll never hide.

The poem speaks to the importance of companionship in life’s journey. The line “The path is long” suggests that life can be difficult or daunting, yet the presence of a supportive friend makes it bearable. “Together, we’ll never hide” conveys that, in friendship, there is no fear or shame, just solidarity and strength.

4. Laughter’s Sound

The joy of shared laughter is one of the hallmarks of friendship, and this poem celebrates that simple yet profound connection.

Laughter spills like morning light, In your eyes, the world feels right, Together, we chase the night.

Here, the metaphor of laughter spilling like light captures the warmth and happiness that comes with being in the presence of a good friend. “In your eyes, the world feels right” evokes the sense of comfort and peace that a friend can bring into one’s life. The closing line, “Together, we chase the night,” suggests that, through shared joy and connection, time itself becomes secondary to the bond they share.

5. A Shoulder to Lean On

In times of need, friends are often the ones who provide support, serving as the “shoulder to lean on.” This poem expresses that vital role in friendship.

When tears fall, you are near, Your presence, my only cheer, In your arms, I have no fear.

The poem focuses on the comforting nature of a friend during moments of vulnerability. “When tears fall” evokes emotional hardship, and “you are near” emphasizes the unwavering support a friend provides. The concluding line, “In your arms, I have no fear,” highlights how friendship offers a safe space for emotional expression and healing.

6. The Mirror of Friendship

This poem reflects how friends often mirror each other’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, acting as a reflection of one another.

In your eyes, I see my soul, A mirror that makes me whole, In friendship, we’re one goal.

“Mirror” is a powerful metaphor for the way friends can act as reflections of each other. The line “In your eyes, I see my soul” speaks to the deep emotional connection friends often share, where they understand and accept one another fully. The phrase “we’re one goal” suggests that true friendship works in tandem, with both individuals supporting each other’s dreams and aspirations.

7. The Beauty of Vulnerability

Friendship allows individuals to express their most vulnerable sides without fear of judgment. This poem explores the beauty of that openness.

In your gaze, I find no shame, My secrets are safe, no blame, With you, I am never the same.

The first line, “In your gaze, I find no shame,” conveys the acceptance friends offer when they see each other at their most vulnerable. The idea that “My secrets are safe, no blame” suggests that friendship provides a space where trust flourishes without the fear of being judged. Finally, “With you, I am never the same” speaks to the transformative nature of friendship, where the bond shapes individuals in positive ways.

8. The Timeless Friendship

This poem explores the timelessness of true friendship, one that endures regardless of circumstances or time passed.

Years may pass, but still we stand, Side by side, hand in hand, Time itself can’t understand.

The central theme of this poem is that true friendship is eternal. “Years may pass, but still we stand” conveys that even when time separates friends, their connection remains unbroken. The imagery of “Side by side, hand in hand” reinforces the idea of unwavering support and companionship. “Time itself can’t understand” suggests that the bond of friendship is beyond the reach of temporal constraints, remaining steadfast despite life’s changes.

9. The Gift of Friendship

The final poem focuses on the idea of friendship as a gift—something to be cherished and celebrated.

In your smile, I find my grace, A gift to me, your warm embrace, Friendship’s light, my heart’s embrace.

“Your smile” is portrayed as a source of grace, embodying the joy and positivity that friends bring into each other’s lives. The phrase “A gift to me” emphasizes that the bond of friendship is seen as a treasured present. The concluding line, “Friendship’s light, my heart’s embrace,” beautifully captures the warmth and illumination that friendship brings into one’s life, offering both comfort and inspiration.

Conclusion

Tercet poems about friendship reveal the multifaceted nature of this cherished relationship. From the silent understanding between friends to the shared laughter, support, and vulnerability, these poems celebrate the rich emotional landscape that friendship encompasses. Each poem captures a different aspect of what it means to be a friend: the strength to weather storms together, the joy of shared experiences, and the safety found in mutual trust. Ultimately, these poems remind us that friendship is not just a connection between two people—it is a transformative bond that shapes who we are and how we navigate the world. In exploring these nine tercet poems, we find that friendship, much like poetry itself, is a living, breathing force—one that can offer solace, joy, and unwavering support throughout our lives.