#Restructured poem

[writinginnorthnorfolk]

Gannet

Amid the balmy, briny breath,the whiff of wind-worn rockand washed-up bladderwrack, a great white birdemerges from the ocean. It’s a pterodactyl-like contraptionof hollow bones and feathers, buffetedby the coming storm. Puppeted, the gannet freezesmid-flight, a scribble torn between fantastic nacreous cloudsand foaming green waves,trapped in the anticipation of an early sea grave. Kim M.…

[fructidors]

love how i just like. divined at age 13 that victor hugo was my favorite poet without actually reading any of his poetry and i was so right

[marlinspirkhall]

Humans sending out signal after signal, message after message, space probes, emails, photos, light shows, intergalactic fireworks, all in the hope that they're not alone: Please reply, please reply, please reply, ple–

Aliens, screeching across the universe in a brand new FTL ship: CAN YOU SHUT UP? WE GOT YOUR FIRST ONE THOUSAND MESSAGES, DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND HOW BIG SPACE IS?

Humans: oh my goooooosh, hi

Humans: Did you invent faster than light travel just for us? 🥺

Aliens: NO!!!

SETI: Radio message received.

Radio message: We are receiving you. We have decided to answer you in your own language, and–

SETI: New radio message received.

Aliens: Oh no.

Radio message: We have received your previous messages pertaining to life on Earth, and have included our own data packet about life on Big Tree in return. We named our planet before we learned it was only 30% arboreal. Thank you for the golden disc, it was extremely tasty. Haha. Just kidding.

SETI: Data packet downloaded. Decrypting...

SETI: New radio message received.

Radio message: As previously stated, we are receiving your messages and your gifts. We took a photo of our planet with our own photo-capture device, as we were unhappy with the one you provided.

SETI: Data packet update: Warning: Several terrabytes of information may be corrupted.

SETI: New radio message received.

Radio message: This is the Generation Ship Tree Hollow. My designation is Captain Root-Skygazer. Our people have instructed us to fly ahead and communicate with you when we reached the thirty-year marker, as these messages are likely to reach you faster. They request that you stop broadcasting messages with the subject line: 'Oh, how woeful it is to be alone in an uncaring universe (and other similar poems)' because it frightens the children and makes our scientists deeply existential. I, personally, am partial to episodes of M star A star S star H. It has been of great interest to learn historical facts about the longest Earth conflict of your common era. I miss my home, and I am saddened that I will never see yours. This ship has a self-sustaining ecosystem of plants native to our planet, and a crew manifest of one hundred and fifty-seven. The replacement generation currently numbers one hundred and seventeen.

Radio message: Hey, Ball Of Dirt, it's Big Tree again. Lose our number, would you? There must be some other semi-evolved space aemoba you can bother. (Several words untranslateable)

Aliens: Yeah, so your answering machine is going to be like that for a while–

Humans: What was that part about a Generation Ship?

Aliens: We were hoping you could tell us that, actually. We lost contact with them after the 200 year marker.

Radio message: This is the generation ship Tree Hollow. My designation is Captain Cradleroot. Captain Root-Skygazer was my grandfather. Inspired by the speeches of your contemporary leader, Ronald Reagan, I decided to restructure the existing system here which allowed crewmembers to eat as they required. Under this new system, we award tokens to whom we feel has done the most valuable work, and they can redistribute those to the hungry if they wish. But they do not. However, I believe that [...]

Humans:

Aliens:

Humans:

Aliens: This is all your fault, by the way.

[iirulancorrino]

One of the inventors of the sewing machine didn’t patent it because of the way it would restructure labor. Another was almost killed by a mob.

Always when I sew I think of Emma Goldman with her sewing machine, or Emma Goldman during her first night in jail “at least bring me some sewing.” Wikipedia says the sewing machine reduced average garment construction time from 14 hours to 2 hours. Somewhere on a sewing blog someone wrote of making new garments from existing ones: “use every part of the garment” and “each garment holds in it hours of a garment worker’s life.” I sew and the historical of sewing becomes a feeling just as when I used to be a poet, when I used to write poetry, used to write poetry and that thing culture began tendriling out in me, but it is probably more meaningful to sew a dress than to write a poem. I make anywhere from 10 to 15 dollars an hour at any of my three jobs. A garment from Target or Forever 21 costs 10 to 30 dollars. A garment from a thrift store costs somewhere between 4 and 10 dollars. A garment from a garage sale costs 1 to 5 dollars. A garment from a department store costs 30 to 500 dollars. All of these have been made, for the most part, from hours of women and children’s lives. Now I give the hours of my life I don’t sell to my employers to the garments. My costs are low: 2-dollar fabric from Goodwill, patterns bought for 99 cents or less, notions found at estate sales for 1 or 3 dollars. I almost save money like this. The fabric still contains the hours of the lives, those of the farmers and shepherds and chemists and factory workers and truckers and salespeople and the first purchasers, the givers-away, who were probably women who sewed. Sewing is difficult. There is a reason girls were trained in it before they were trained in anything else, years and years spent at practice, and even then they might not have been any good.

Anne Boyer, Garments Against Women

[bekkachaos]

writing patterns

rules: list the first line(s) of your last 10 posted fics and see if there's a pattern

tagged by the wonderful @spotsandsocks and @elvensorceress go check out their amazing fics!

1. The One Where the Secret Slips (T, 3.4k) Friends AU prt 7

The one-eighteen rarely got enough time off to take a real break, but with a shift restructure the team was getting a four day weekend and they were all making plans to make the most of it.

2. your love is a secret I'm hoping, dreaming, dying to keep (T, 8.2k)

"So?"

3. so you've got the looks but have you got the touch? (G, 4.1k) aka 911 karaoke

It had been the perfect afternoon.

4. I can be the subject of your dreams (E, 6.8k) aka vampire Buck

The thing about vampires, is that they fucking suck.

5. The One with the Admissions (M, 4.4k) Friends AU prt 6

The longer Buck and Eddie spent dating under the radar, the easier it became for them.

6. would it be enough if I could never give you peace? (M, 8.9k)

Some people say getting hit by lightning is a one in a million chance.

7. The One with the Dating (T, 2.4k) Friends AU prt 5

It didn't take long for Buck and Eddie to work out how to be subtle about things between them while they were at the station.

8. the archer (G, 465 words) a poem

Some days I think I would prefer combat

9. The One with the Kissing (T, 2.5k) Friends AU prt 4

"Okay, that was the last time."

10. the upside to freefalling (greys au) (E, 33.1k, WIP)

“Of course, I’m excited,” Buck said into the phone as he took a seat at the bar.

tagging these lovelies if they wanna x

@monsterrae1 @the-likesofus @eddiebabygirldiaz @buddierights @shortsighted-owl @loveyourownsmiilee @yelenasbuddie @loserdiaz @wildlife4life @jacksadventuresinwriting @belovedbuddie @disasterbuckdiaz @wh0rebehavi0rmain @911onabc @thewolvesof1998 @demieddiediazz @weewootruck @daffi-990 @spagheddiediaz

[the-cat-at-the-theatre-door]

Hello there! I am currently in rehearsals for a production of cats! I am a disabled soprano and a more feminine person visually. I was wondering if mayhaps you’d have any advice or suggestions for playing the part with more feminine characteristics.

Also we are not actually cats in our production but we are representing the unhoused community of New York, a good chunk of our ticket sales are going to shelters and whatnot, very good cause. But it has made finding my character a tad difficult without the feline aspect.

I hold great respect and love for the part and I want to do him justice. Thank you!!

Hello! Congratulations on being cast in a production of CATS, and I hope your rehearsals are smooth sailing - it's always exciting to be part of a production of anything, and while the work is hard, the result is always worth it for, if nothing else, the experience alone.

Hmm, I'm not sure which part it is you've been cast in, unless I missed something - that might help the suggestion train a little, though I'm hardly any expert. Realistically, there is no real *wrong* way to perform a part in CATS since so much is left up to interpretation. There are baselines that give general suggestion, of course, but one of the fun parts really is taking that limited suggestion and building whatever you'd like on top of it. Playing whatever part it is with what we would classify as more stereotypically "feminine" characteristics, quite literally just means it's an interpretation of that character who happens to have more feminine characteristics - it would not otherwise make them any less the character in question. Plus dance (particularly Gillian Lynne's styles of "cat dance") very often relies on softer shapes and more fluid movement. I'm sure you'll do the character justice!

Irt finding the character to be difficult without the feline aspect (which honestly I find the restructuring of it representing the unhoused community of New York to be quite fascinating, as CATS does have underlying themes of class relation that would work interestingly here) - I find it helps to think in these terms: Old Possum's is a collection of poems about regular/extraordinary individuals - the catch (and the underlying joke) is that they are felines, so realistically they aren't actually doing any of the things the omnipotent narrator is saying they are doing. They are doing feline approximations of thievery and magic and going to gentleman's clubs and "adjusting picture frames" and working on trains. Removing this aspect of felinity does remove a level of humour and maybe a *touch* of charm, for certain, from the characters themselves, but what that really just means is that what these characters are and do no longer sits in a realm of implication or fantasy - it sits in reality.

Yes, Skimbleshanks actually does work on a train, and seems to be frequently gone (and seems to work like three people's jobs). Yes, Bustopher Jones actually is an aristocrat who frequents gentleman's and dinner clubs (so the fun part of that is what connection does he have with the Jellicles where they continue to be his infrequently visited social circle - or is he actually telling the truth about where he is on the class ladder, or is he putting on airs?). Yes, Gus was an actor of some acclaim who seems to mostly remember his theatre days but is too old to continue or feel like much use to anyone, and Jenny trained soldiers at some point, and Grizabella was a burlesque performer or flapper or any other sort of thing in that field you can imagine that is now washed up (due to? sky's the limit), and Jerrie and Teazer are cat burglars. Etc. etc. etc.

So, much like you already would partially do when they're cats, all you really need to do is dig into the humanity of the character you are playing. Who is this person if not a tongue in cheek cat joke? How did they end up where they are (in this case, for example, in the context of unhoused communities in NY). Perhaps you can add additional context to these - why are these people doing what they do? Why are they gathering together? What commonality do they have?

All in all - holding respect and love for a part always shines through in the care you show. I wouldn't worry too much about doing him "justice", anon - I would worry more about enjoying the experience and putting your own spin on a multi-decade legacy! Have fun with what you have, and it'll turn out.

[captainsupernoodle]

The fact that Cliopher HAD A HABIT of HUMMING a BANNED POEM when he was working happily... Incredible. The layers. He thinks he's all subtle and mature these days but he loves Aurora so much that it's just! Part of his regular routine! IN the ultimate no aurora allowed zone! POV you're a trapped rogue anarchist poet & your secretary not only had the balls to tell a joke AND meet your eyes AND tell you good morning like you're a human being BUT ALSO HUMS. YOUR #1 BANNED POEM. DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOUR SALAD. AS YOU'RE WRITING POLICY TOGETHER. POV you're a guard who knows your emperor is secretly Bard Robin Hood and the absurdly collected guy who's been quietly restructuring the government out from underneath itself hums Greatest Hits from the Bureau of Censorship IN the oval office so like. He's gotta know right. POV you're a regular guard or misc palace staff and there's a guy humming the Fuck The Emperor tune. In front of the emperor. And you've just gotta stand in the corner staring at the wall or pick up the dishes and leave like you're not listening to melodic high treason.

[swiftsaltsweet]

Two Knives Chapter 4: Kyoshi- Interruptions

Characters: Rangi and Kyoshi (RoK characters tbh)

Pairing: Rangshi

Summary:

Things have been stressful for Kyoshi. First, she sang a poem and now the whole kitchen staff thinks it’s about Rangi, and is sure that there will be gossip. Then, Yun asks her to join him for the Fifth Nation treaty signing. Now Rangi’s acting strange. It’s becoming a bit much for Kyoshi’s small corner of the world.

(Canon Divergent AU- Kelsang wasn’t the one who heard the poem?….aka What if it took longer for them to realize Kyoshi was the Avatar?)

Other Sites: AO3 

A/N: I’m not the best with ratings, and as I was writing more chapters….it got more suggestive than I originally intended at the beginning of writing this fic. u_u So I’m changing this from T to M. Just to be safe. Sorry if that upsets anyone. ;w; (it won’t be anything that goes too into it but…still…ajfkdlsjf TT0TT)

 Ok ok! I know I said that we’d be getting a few Rangi POV chapters next…..but I realized these next chapters work better (imo) if we don’t know what’s going on in Rangi’s little noggin. u_u That being said, I hope I’ve laid a few breadcrumbs for y’all to pick up on what might’ve been going on, but if not….hey, it’s all good, that’s what her POVs are for (which you’ll get…..eventually!)! :’D

Also, getting this chapter a liiiiittle early because…..I finished some other chapters pretty fast considering the restructuring I had to do ajsfdklj TT0TT  Anyway….

*sprays Rangi with water* Down girl. *sprays Kyoshi too* You too! 

_________

Early morning rays seeped into Kyoshi��s room. The beam slowly maneuvered its way across her bed and over her eyes. It was as if the sun had a vendetta against the tall girl.

Kyoshi’s eyebrows furrowed over the sudden intrusion, and she went to move one of her arms to lay across her face, but found them both to be preoccupied. With great effort, and great resentment to the floating orb in the sky, she opened her eyes.

Kyoshi was on her back in bed, a normal and everyday occurrence. However, there was something different about this morning. One that sent Kyoshi instantly to cloud nine.

Nuzzled up against her side, with a possessive arm and leg flung over Kyoshi, was Rangi. The firebender was fast asleep, her face nuzzled into the base of Kyoshi’s neck, murmuring every so often. The sound of it reverberated through Kyoshi’s body like a drum, bouncing back and forth in tandem with the heat Rangi also radiated.

 Kyoshi held her by the waist with one arm, and held the thigh of the leg that was slung over her stomach with the other; there to keep Rangi firmly in place. Rangi did her part too, as she grounded and clung to Kysohi’s body fiercely even in her sleep.

Memories of last night’s bliss began to flood Kyoshi’s mind, and she hummed contently. She could get use to this. 

Kyoshi’s cheek rested on top of Rangi’s head, she moved her head down to get a better look at the room, and to kiss Rangi’s soft hair. They made sure to take it out of its intricate style before falling asleep. The hairpins and ties were still on Kyoshi’s night stand. 

Kyoshi looked towards the door, Rangi’s dress and the towel laid near it. The dress was ruined beyond all repair, but the towel could probably still be salvaged. Kyoshi resisted the urge to go over and clean up the mess. 

Rangi made another noise and nuzzled closer- as if it was possible to get closer, the girl was practically welded to Kyoshi’s body already- into Kyoshi’s neck. Kyoshi took the hand that was on Rangi’s waist, and rubbed up and down from her waist to her hip in a soothing fashion. Rangi sighed contently and seemed to return to a restful sleep.

Kyoshi smiled and stopped the motion, instead choosing to play with the fabric of the tunic and trousers she’d given Rangi to wear. Kyoshi was certain they were two sizes too big for the firebender, the girl was practically swimming in Kyoshi’s clothes. 

Kyoshi could only imagine how funny and adorable Rangi would look walking around the estate looking like that.

Then Kyoshi stopped breathing for a moment.

Wait, THE ESTATE!

Panic shot through her. It was daylight, which meant the estate’s staff were going to wake up soon, if they weren’t already up. How was she going to sneak Rangi back to her room? She couldn’t go back looking like this, it’d dishonor her! They needed to get up! She needed to get Rangi back to her room! She-

Rangi shifted in her sleep again, and the head hole of the too large tunic fell around one of her shoulders.

Kyoshi stared at the unguarded flesh, completely forgetting whatever she was thinking about. Kyoshi lifted her hand from Rangi’s waist, and proceeded to trace patterns onto her shoulder. Mesmerized.

“That tickles you jerk,” Rangi mumbled, bemused.

Kyoshi flinched, startled. “Sorry, did I wake you?”

Rangi hummed. “Not really, I think I’ve been awake for a while.”

Kyoshi raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

“Yeah I just didn’t want to get up. If I’m being honest, I was hoping I’d fall back asleep.”

Kyoshi let out a gasp of mock shock. “Sleeping in? No way! Who are you and what have you done with Rangi?”

Rangi laughed and shifted to prop herself up on one of her elbows. She looked at Kyoshi with warm eyes. Like melting chocolate. “Can you blame me? Not wanting to leave your side?”

Kyoshi stared at the beautiful girl next to her in reverence. “No, because I feel the same way.”

Kyoshi watched as Rangi’s expression changed, it shimmered from tender and chaste to something of wanting. She watched as Rangi’s lips slowly parted, and her eyes gazed down towards Kyoshi’s lips. Kyoshi started to lean in when Rangi put her hand on Kyoshi’s chest, stopping her. 

Rangi smiled mischievously, and then moved her body so she was sitting up, straddling Kyoshi’s hips. She closed her eyes and started pushing her hair back, combing her fingers through it. Seemingly unaware of how hot and bothered Kyoshi was getting.

“Now look at me. You’ve made me derelict to my duties.” Once she was finished with her hair, she placed a hand on Kyoshi’s chest and leaned forward, towering over her. “Now how are you going to take responsibility?”

Kyoshi gazed up at Rangi and gulped. Unsure of what to do, she grabbed Rangi by the hips. 

Rangi hummed and leaned closer. “Bold move.”

Their lips were just ghosting over each other's when a gong rang out, indicating that the day was starting for a lot of the staff.

Saved by the bell? No, more like ruined by the damn bell.

The two scrambled to get out of bed as Kyoshi groaned and Rangi laughed. Rangi’s hand shot for the nightstand and tried to get her topknot back in order, and Kyoshi tried to gather the damaged clothes. 

Kyoshi watched as Rangi finished with her topknot and started walking towards her. She watched as Rangi’s leg brushed up against the bed a bit, and saw the wince and hiss of air that came from Rangi.

Kyoshi dropped what she was doing and quickly made her way to Rangi’s side. “What’s the matter?”

Rangi waved her away as she made a motion to grab her leg, and then stopped. But it was too late, Kyoshi already noticed something was up. “It’s nothing, don't worry about it.”

Kyoshi made her sit on the bed, they’d deal with the walk of shame later, she needed to treat Rangi if she was hurt.

“Don’t move,” Kyoshi ordered, she received a sigh from Rangi, but the firebender complied. Kyoshi slowly rolled up the black pant leg until she was met with resistance and a flinch from Rangi.

“Sorry, I thought it stopped bleeding before I put them on…..”

Bleeding?! Kyoshi tried not to rush, and gently pried the fabric away from this surprise wound. 

When she finally managed to roll the fabric over Rangi’s knee, Kyoshi was met with an unpleasant looking cut.

Rangi made a sucking noise with her teeth. “Oh…. right…. I forgot about that.”

“Forgot?!” Kyoshi cursed herself for not realizing Rangi was injured earlier. How could she have not seen it?! Then she remembered she made a point to look away when Rangi was changing, to give her privacy, thus missing her opportunity to have noticed it sooner. “Who did this to you?”

“Myself, I dropped a glass at the party and….just forgot,” Rangi shrugged.

“For-ugh, what?! How can you just forget?”

“I had something more important on my mind,” Rangi shrugged again.

“What was so important?!” Kyoshi was starting to get a little angry. How could Rangi just disregard her own wellbeing like that. 

Rangi leaned back on her hands, the neckline of the shirt falling so far down her shoulder that it teased showing her bindings. “You.” She picked up her good foot and rubbed it along Kyoshi’s forearm, teasing her. “I needed to get to you.”

Kyoshi’s face got hot and then she gulped, remembering Rangi’s confession from the night before. 

She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth, trying to cover her blush, and stood up. “Stay there. If you don’t then….then I’ll-I won’t talk to you for a week!”

Rangi pouted at that. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to run and get a basin of water and some soap, we need to clean that wound.”

Rangi sighed, “We’re going to be late.”

“We’re already late, what’s a little longer?” Kyoshi shrugged. Then a smile broke across her face. “Plus, it’s me who’s late. I don’t think anyone else knows you’re here. You can probably just stay in here and just wait until I come back.” 

Kyoshi looked at Rangi’s wide eyes, and Kyoshi matched it. Along with her blush growing stronger as she thought of Rangi being in her room the entire day. Or whatever the proposition might’ve sounded like. Almost like a husband coming home to see their wife after a long day’s work. “Or not! I dunno-I’m going to go get some water!”

Kyoshi hurried through the door, and swore she heard Rangi snort with laughter as she left.

______

“So why do you have a medical kit in your room?” Rangi asked, fiddling with a bottle of salve while Kyoshi dabbed the soapy water onto her leg.

“Because I’m clumsy?” 

Rangi raised an eyebrow. “Is ‘clumsy’ another name that Aoma brat goes by?” 

Kyoshi rolled her eyes as she took the bottle from Rangi and dabbed the salve onto the wound. “No…… But… yes, sometimes the village kids give me issues. But you’d be surprised how clumsy I can be.”

“Enlighten me,” Rangi looked unamused.

“Well, a few weeks ago I walked into the shed and stepped on a rake and it flew up and hit me in the face!” Kyoshi grinned as she started wrapping Rangi’s leg. 

Rangi bit her lip trying not to smile. 

“Oh and then just the other day I was daydreaming and accidentally poured a third of the koi feed into the pond without realizing,” Kyoshi laughed as she finished tying up the bandage.

Rangi giggled, “Really? What were you daydreaming about?”

Kyoshi placed a hand on Rangi’s knee and rested her cheek on it. She looked up at Rangi. “Thinking of your body against mine back at the iceberg.”

Rangi’s body tensed and her breath hitched. Kyoshi moved her free hand and caressed Rangi’s other knee. Then she slowly moved her hand up her thigh. “Your lips on my hand.”

She moved her hand up Rangi’s hip, then to the hem of the shirt. Fingers sliding underneath the fabric, and licking at the abs underneath. Rangi shuddered and drew a haggard breath. “What’d it’d feel like to actually kiss you.”

She slowly sat up and started to close the distance from where she knelt, Rangi bent forward in response, placing a hand under Kyoshi’s chin and-

“Kyoshi?! Kyoshi? Are you in there? Are you awake yet?” a voice accompanied by knocking rang from Kyoshi’s door.

Kyoshi jolted from surprise and fell backwards, crashing onto the floor and knocking into the basin. Water splashed all over Kyoshi and the floor.

“Kyoshi?! Are you ok in there? What was that?” There was a sound of the door about to be open.

“I’M FINE! I’LL BE RIGHT THERE!” Kyoshi all but screeched as she scrambled up to stop the door from being open. Rangi quickly ran to the blindspot behind the door, and Kyoshi kicked Rangi’s dress over to her as she opened the door.

“Kyoshi? You still haven’t gotten up?” Rin, another maid that Kyoshi worked with, asked. Her eyes widened at the state Kyoshi and her room, at least what she could see of it, was. “What happened to you?!”

“Roughnight,” Kyoshi said a little too fast.

“Oh…. I see.. Um, why is your face all red?”

“Sunburnt!”

“Oh, get some ointment on that then. Ugh, spirits, open a window too! Why is it so hot in your room?”

“P-poor ventilation?” Come to think of it, Rangi did emit a lot of heat. Kyoshi was enjoying it too much to realize the difference until now. 

Rin grimaced. “That’s the worst. Anyway, Auntie Mui wants you in the kitchen, I think she has a list of errands for you.”

“Ok, thanks Rin! I’ll get on that in a moment!” 

“Alright, just be quick, you know how she gets-”

Kyoshi slammed the door a little too forcefully. She waited until she heard the footsteps were far enough away before she turned around. When she turned to her left and saw Rangi crouched over into a ball, shaking and trying to stifle her laughter. 

Kyoshi pointed an accusing finger at her. “D-don’t laugh! Y-your the one who forced your way in last ni-night! Y-you take responsibility!” 

Rangi kept laughing as she stood up, and then placed a hand on Kyoshi’s chest and pushed her into a wall. “Oh, I’ll gladly take responsibility. All night long if you want.” She gave a semi-chaste kiss to Kyoshi’s neck, and then blew an air of steam onto the taller girl.

Kyoshi’s eyes swirled and was about to lose herself when Rangi took a step back. “Now get dressed, I don’t want you getting into trouble with Auntie Mui.”

“I can do that after I escort you back-”

Rangi put a finger to Kyoshi’s lips. “I can sneak back on my own.”

“What if you get caught?” Kyoshi mumbled through her finger.

“I know how to not get caught,” Rangi had said with a wink as she left Kyoshi's room with a sway to her hips. “See you later.”

Kyoshi stood there, wet, frazzled, and a big mess to clean up. 

Sigh….I wish I was a waterbender…..

________

“I can’t believe you’re coming with me to the village,” Kyoshi looked down at Rangi. The firebender was in her training gear, which was just a sleeveless red tunic and some red trousers. Apparently her heirloom armor was back with Pengpeng at the moment. Kyoshi didn’t mind, it allowed her to enjoy Rangi’s biceps in the daylight. 

“What’s so hard to believe?” 

“I mean, I don’t think you or Yun have ever left the mansion and gone into the village,” Kyoshi ran through her two years of memories but came up blank. 

“Well, if Yun can’t leave, I can’t leave,” she shrugged.

Kyoshi’s brow furrowed. “But Yun’s not here right now? How did you get away?”

She watched as Rangi’s face tensed just a bit, and then it relaxed. “I asked my mother for help, she’s guarding him while I was allowed to be dismissed.”

“Oh, that’s good! I was afraid you might’ve gotten into trouble,” Kyoshi sighed in relief. 

“Enough talking about that, where do we have to go?” 

Kyoshi looked at her list. “I have a list of ingredients to pick up. I think Auntie Mui wants to go all out with dinner tonight.”

Rangi leaned over, allowing her arm and head to rest lightly against Kyoshi’s body, as she looked over the list herself. “That’s a lot, it’s a good thing I’m here. I can help you carry it.”

“Hmmmm,” Kyoshi reached over and grabbed Rangi’s biceps, and gave it a light squeeze. “Yes, yes, I think you're strong enough to handle a part of my workload!”

Rangi raised an eyebrow, and flexed her muscles. The arm instantly turned into steel in Kyoshi’s hand, and Kyoshi felt her heart lurch. 

“Ok, you could….probably handle….all of my workload,” Kyoshi gulped. 

_________________________________

“They-guh-seriously make you do this all the time?” Rangi huffed as placed down the final crate near the back kitchen entrance.

“Not all the time, but this is usually what it entails when I have to make a trip to the village,” Kyoshi admired the way sweat glistened off of Rangi’s face and shoulders. “On the brightside, since you’re here it’s only taking me three trips instead of six!”

“Fantastic,” Rangi said with no humor in her voice as she stretched her arms. “Thank the spirits that was the last trip.” 

“Tell me about it! My arms were getting tired!” Kyoshi placed the last jar down next to Rangi’s crate. The kitchen staff would come up and take the rest of it down when they were ready.

“Gah, no wonder you’re late sometimes,” Rangi looked at Kyoshi unbelievably.

“Does that mean you’ll ease up on me?” Kyoshi asked brightly.

Rangi pursed her lips and tapped her chin, pretending to be deep in thought. “Nope.”

Kyoshi’s eyes widened and took a step back in shock. “Nope?!”

“Nope,” Rangi confirmed as she walked over to straighten the lapels of Kyoshi’s robes. “I like it when people push themselves and work hard.” She finished straightening the robes with a final, hard tug. Then she looked up at Kyoshi with batting eyelashes. “I think it’s admirable.”

Kyoshi gulped. She found that she suddenly had the energy to make eight more trips, or even climb the nearby mountain. 

“Hey, Kyoshi!” a voice called.

Rangi's hands quickly moved her hands behind her back, standing at attention like she usually did.

It’s just interruptions after interruptions today…. Kyoshi thought bitterly. She knew it was probably better if they weren’t too flirty out in the open like that, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to show or receive affection.

“Hi, Lee,” Kyoshi said, turning to him. 

“You finished pretty fast today, I’m impressed! Now you have time to clean the-” he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Rangi behind Kyoshi.

Kyoshi wondered if it was because they may not have been introduced to each other yet. She never really saw Rangi chatting with the staff so perhaps that was the case? “Um, Rangi, Lee. Lee, Rangi.”

“Kyoshi, we know each other,” Rangi said dryly.

That…would make sense. While she never saw Rangi talk with other staff, it didn’t mean Rangi didn’t ever. Maybe it was when Kyoshi wasn’t around? “Oh, I didn’t realize.”

“I usually see him when I need to talk to Auntie Mui,” she clarified.

“Oh? I didn’t know you were that close with her.” Kyoshi was really surprised now! Rangi approaching someone else like that? She wondered what they talked about.

“I…..I sometimes have questions for her, that’s all,” Kyoshi could’ve sworn she heard Rangi stutter for a moment. She was really curious now, but decided to press her about it at a different time. Instead, Kyoshi turned her attention back to Lee. 

Lee was wearing the biggest shit eating grin Kyoshi had ever seen. 

Well that can’t be good.

“So, Kyoshi,” he started, his voice sounding like it was barely containing a giggle. “Have you told Rangi about your little song?”

Kyoshi’s heart stopped for a moment, and the blood started to drain from her face. She’d forgotten about the damn poem-song-whatever! She knew Rangi felt the same way about her, and she’d already spent two nights in the same bed together, only one being with them officially being together but still!….But all that didn’t mean the song wasn’t embarrassing! If he started singing it, she may die on the spot!

There’s also the fact that Rangi and her hadn’t exactly talked about how they wanted to express their relationship. Kyoshi didn’t know if blaring her unfiltered feelings about the girl for the whole estate to hear would be crossing the line or not. 

Rangi looked at her, head tilted in curiosity. She rested one elbow in one hand, and rested her hand on her face with the other. “No, no I don’t think I have. You wrote a song?”

Kyoshi started to sweat. Rangi was only asking because she didn’t know the song was about her! 

“It’s-I-it was on the spot?” Kyoshi didn’t know what to say, or how to get out of this situation. Besides throwing Rangi over her shoulder and hightailing it out of there. But that would’ve caused some rumors. Well….more rumors than she already had going on. 

“Oh, but it was a lovely song!” Lee batted his eyelashes. “I can sing it if you want.”

“S-she doesn’t want to hear that-”

“I think I do, actually,” Rangi cut in. “Please, Lee, enlighten me!” 

Kyoshi felt herself turn to stone as Lee sang, off-key. She was becoming one with earth, returning to the ground from whence she came.

Rangi smirked as she gave Lee a lazy clap, as Lee gave a flourishing bow in return.

“So what did you think of the song, Rangi?” Lee looked at her expectantly. 

Rangi tapped her chin, thinking. “Very catchy. Tell me, Kyoshi, what inspired you to write this?”

Insanity apparently.

“I-....it was in the moment,” Kyoshi barely forced out without stuttering. She was starting to sweat nervously. 

Rangi’s eyes widened, genuine surprise on her face. “Really? It was all improvised?” 

“Bah! Don’t worry about that!” Lee waved his hands. “Did the song remind you of anything?” 

Lee stole a glance at Kyoshi and waggled his eyebrows at her, and the remaining blood drained from Kyoshi’s face, she definitely looked like a bloodless ghost now. She was going to deck him onto his ass the first chance she got

Rangi tilted her head, confused. “Hm? No, why?”

Lee’s smile faltered. “Because I’m pretty sure it was based on someone!”

Rangi closed her eyes and thought. “The spirit of one of the Eastern Earth Kingdom islands?”

Kyoshi sighed in relief. The spirits weren’t forsaking her today.

“What?! No! Why-”

“Because that spirit is known for wielding bronze daggards?”

Lee spluttered. “No! It’s someone who’s lives here-”

“The Avatar is back!” someone shouted.

Kyoshi, Rangi, and Lee looked upward and saw a bison approaching. Kyoshi grinned. Both from being saved from further embarrassment, and because her other friend was back.

“C’mon, let’s go greet them!” Kyoshi exclaimed as she grabbed Rangi’s hand. As they ran, she could’ve sworn she heard Rangi click her tongue. 

_______

“Avatar. Masters,” Kyoshi and Rangi said in unison as they approached the bison and bowed. They’re faces back to their usual business expression.

Yun looked at them and gave them a subdued smile, which stretched out into his usual grin. 

“It’s great seeing my two favorite girls again!” He held his arms outstretched and ran to them, wrapping one arm below Kyoshi’s shoulders, the highest he could reach, and the other around the top of Rangi’s. Kyoshi could’ve sworn she heard Rangi make a noise, but it was so small it could’ve been the wind.

Yun turned to Kyoshi first. “Everything running smoothly still? Master Kelsang is recovering well?”

“Yes, I think he’ll be able to leave the infirmary soon!” Kyoshi grinned. Kelsang’s wounds had been looking so much better since the iceberg. He looked like he would make a full recovery soon.

Yun smiled at her. “That’s great to hear, I can’t wait to see him up and around the mansion again.” 

Yun turned to Rangi and put a hand on her shoulder, his smile disappearing and a worried look replaced it. “How about you, Rangi? Are you feeling ok?”

Rangi gave him a rare, extra friendly smile. “Of course, never better.”

Yun returned the smile and squeezed her shoulder gently. “That’s good, I was worried when Hei-Ran said you felt so ill that you had to leave.”

Kyoshi looked at Rangi, shocked. Had she felt ill? Did Kyoshi miss that too? But didn’t Rangi say she came here to see Kyoshi? Was that a lie, or did she lie to the Avatar so she could see Kyoshi? What was going on?

Kyoshi glanced over at the Masters, but they didn't seem to care about what was going on with the teenagers in front of them. So Kyoshi decided it was just her imagination running wild.

Rangi kept her smile up. “Yes, I was feeling under the weather, must’ve been the rain. I’m feeling much better now.”

“Then I suppose you wouldn’t mind helping everyone unpack, right? Since you’re feeling better?”

“Of course not, it’d be my pleasure.”

Kyoshi watched as her two friends exchanged pleasant smiles, and then watched as Rangi walked over to Pengpeng. 

Yun turned back to Kyoshi. “Kyoshi, if I could-”

“Kyoshi! There you are, Auntie Mui needs-” Rin stopped in her tracks as she rounded the corner. She didn’t realize the Avatar and his companions happened to be there. She bowed. “Avatar, Masters.”

Kyoshi turned to Yun. “Sorry Yun, is it-”

Yun put his hand up, “Don’t worry about it, go perform your duties. What I’d like to discuss can wait.”

As Kyoshi bowed in thanks and turned to leave, as she did, she could’ve sworn she heard a choking noise come from Rangi as the firebender lifted one of the luggages. She briefly wondered if it was her leg, but when she looked at Rangi’s expression, it looked like the firebender was biting back a smile.

_________________________

A/N: So like…..looking at the text, I don’t think Rangi nor Yun have EVER gone into the village during the whole two years they’ve lived there. I mean, they’ve left the mansion, but like to go to other places. Not to go into town. It’s the only thing that makes sense, such as Aoma’s gang never confronting Rangi before and Rangi only just now catching Aoma’s name (that we know about, I WOULD NOT be surprised if Rangi did some little midnight info digging jksajdf). 

I mean it makes sense. Yun can’t leave, so Rangi can’t leave. I think Generations had a few scenarios where they do go into town, but I THINK that’s after the jar incident. Pre-jar incident they never do (so works in Generations canon and can fit into RoK). But yeah, I’m going off the text and that’s what I get from it. 

[ichayalovesyou]

The Music of Vulcan

Relevant Kir'Shara Article: What Does A Vulcan Listen To?

Songs from T'Khasi

Songs created by Vulcans, primarily in Vulkansu

Nadordatoran na'o T'Khasi (Tribute to Vulcan)

A mourning dirge for the Vulcan home world composed after it's destruction in the Kelvin Timeline, performed by T'Prion.

The Ballad of Solkar The Slut

A chiding parody ballad recounting the historical event referred to as "First Contact", specifically the handshake transpiring between Ambassador Solkar and Zefram Cochrane. Written by @yel-halansu and performed by @axelastralis

Falor's Journey

An excerpt of the musical epic known as "Falor's Journey" performed by Tuvok (played by Tim Russ) from the Voyager episode "Innocence" in Federation Standard via Universal Translator.

The Works of Sidzhan T'Gai & T'Prion

Sidzhan T'Gai's youtube channel consists of 7 original compositions in various Vulcan musical traditions and styles performed by T'Prion. The titles consist of I'kushizhau Etek Salan (Now We Shape The Wind), Ken-tor Rik'faiyan, Dvel (Choice), Sochya (Peace), IDIC, Kaiidith (What Is, Is), Fmak t'Sochya (Sanctuary of Peace). For more information go to Vulcan Legacy.

Earth Songs in Vulkansu

See the Vulcan Linguistics Post for translation tools!

Ki'orentor (You & I Have Learned)

A poem written by Leonard Nimoy in 1981 and shared on Twitter a few days before his death, translated here into Vulcan (with English subtitles).

How to Save A Life

Original song by The Fray, translated and performed by Denatonia, title translated to "Remembering A Friend" for lyrical restructuring purposes.

Aluk-kumsu (The Wellerman Song)

A translation of the New Zealand whaling shanty that took the internet by storm earlier in the pandemic, translated and performed by myself.

Rom-halan Mahk (The Parting Glass)

A translation of an old Irish drinking song into Vulkansu by myself, since dedicated to Nichelle Nichols and all beloved Star Trek actors now departed from us.

Inspired by Vulcans and Vulkansu

Songs of T'Khasi

A five playlist Masterpost composed by myself of short playlists meant to depict the grander overarching history of Vulcan. From when they first evolved into thinking humanoids in the unforgiving T'Khasi desert, to their ever changing and enlightened future among the stars.

Aluk-kumsu (The Wellerman Song)

A translation of the New Zealand whaling shanty that took the internet by storm earlier in the pandemic, translated and performed by myself.

Pon Farr: An Amok Time Tribute

A fan re-interpretation/playlist recounting the events of of Star Trek: The Original Series' "Amok Time", each song depicting a particular chapter in the narrative.

Vulcan Performance at Unifision

Theoretical waxings on the various stylings of performance from Federation worlds at a United Federation of Planets "Eurovision" instigated by @goddamnshinyrock and @swordfern. With particular description on the Vulcan performance by @aceofwands. Fanart depiction can be found here, created by @sleepysnowfinch!

Click Here to Return to the Vulcan Masterpost (Coming Soon!)

[silentstaresfanficandfanart]

Ay's is freaking legendary HAHAHAHAH they took me dramatically moping about missing my boyfriend and restructured it to look like a poem TTOTT its amazing dear goodness

copy pasting poem words here for easier readability

"Lays face down on floor and screams So that way, through the carpet and the floor foundation The pillbugs understand my pain Maybe they'll start a collection jar For my boyfriend's ticket here This is going to be very hard for them though Because they are only pillbugs and legally they cannot work at macdonalds They can't really carry a dime either But they're very kind and they have kindly brought me A dirt clump Please bring the spatula when you come to visit, You need to scrape me off the ground like an overcooked egg Cause I'm gonna cry till I melt the carpet And it becomes a bog I might have to adapt and become some sort of new variant of spinosaurus To survive while I wait I hope you dont mind that"-silentstares (restructed by ay's)

their tumblr here: @enstars-syndrome TTOTT youre a legend bro

[moldygreenblue]

Sometimes I forget that 'Cats (1998)' trailer appeared on Barney's Great Adventure as one of the previews

Having finally watched Cats (2019), it's not as bad as everyone made it out to be when it first came out. Like it is very not a good film, but there's a charm to it that I can't help but like (some parts have more charm than others; Skimbleshank's number is a good example of it). But honestly speaking, I wouldn't watch it again.

Or at least, the not whole movie in its entirely. I feel maybe if I watched it as a bunch of disjointed music videos with a theme being an adaptation of T.S. Eliot poems, I enjoy it a lot more (with edits that omits the interruptions; The Rum Tum Tugger number really could have done without the Rebel Wilson's interruptions).

And having watch Cats (2019), and knowing I have Cats (1998) and being obsess with Cats in my younger years (mainly pre-teen years) and still on occasional listen to the songs of any production I can get access to (chores, excising, trying to drone out stuff by putting in my headphones, etc), I realize that I haven't watched the movie in a few years. And I figure, "Hey! Why not watch the movie you watched so many times when younger that annoyed the hell out of your family?"

And I re-watched it. I honestly forgotten how much I enjoy it! Got to love the obvious edits in parts of songs especially so (I know that some cut parts were release/found, and I hope someone managed to edit them back in in an ultimate fan edition).

Having re-watched it, and maybe it's because Cats (2019) omitted this part out due to the restructuring of having Victoria as the protagonist + audience stand in, something finally occurred to me that never did crossed my mind before.

Why is 'The Man Over There' in the junkyard in first place?

(Note: I know this applies to other/all productions, but since I watched the 1998 movie, it's the one with 100% focus)

This legit had me going down a spiral of over-thinking, and an answer (of a wild mass guessing kind), which will be under the cut for this post got a bit longer than I expected:

So, during the pyramid section of Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats, a boot drops from a nearby house or apartment/flat [near/over the junkyard] to interrupt them. The cats don't stop their singing. Sure, they pause, but they go back to the singing in seconds. And also steal away the boot (they don't want anyone tripping over it).

It's only after they finish the number does Asparagus notices that "there's a man over there". We now have a random human stumbling on a bunch of cats singing and dancing so late at night (how late, very late for Jemima to eventually sing 'Daylight' and let us know it's almost dawn near the end of the musical).

And on a similar note that I swear is related to to the topic at hand, Asparagus is the cat to notice the man first before everyone else. I don't want to say he ratted the man's flabbergasted look of 'wtf is going on what is a jellicle cat'. But I'm 100% certain Asparagus is smirking as the rest of the scene unfolds. That to me, personally feels as if he knew what likely going to happen next (re: the man is now stuck with them for the rest of the night).

So, back to the topic. Why is 'The Man Over There' in the junkyard in first place? Why did the man came to the junkyard of all nights?

Because 'The Man Over There' (who Asparagus knows and/or recognizes), dropped the boot into the junkyard in the first place.

Stay with me. This make sense when you overthink all the details.

The Man Over There lives near/over the junkyard. He has a window over it. It's not the prettiest sight to look at, but he's not cursing its existence. It's not causing trouble.

Until now, on this particular night. On this particular night, a colony of cats are suddenly meowing and screeching together. The cats in their congregation, wakes the Man up. And the Man is not happy. He is grumpy for getting waken before his alarm could do it, and he thinks he can get a bit more shut-eye if he can gets the cats to stop their 'singing'. And what does the Man does? Throw one of his boots.

There is silence for about five seconds, before the 'singing' starts up again. The Man was not expecting that outcome. He thought they would scattered and leave. Now being fully awake and realizing he needs his boot back (it's a good boot, and it wasn't cheap), the Man decides to go to the junkyard to get it back.

In the junkyard, the Man is rightfully freaking the hell out. He is now hearing the cats sing. Like, actually singing that he can understand. He sees them dancing (are they dancing like they appear in the musical or are they dancing like actual cats on hind legs, I don't know). He is rightfully freaking out, and confused as fuck because he truly has no idea what is going on, in terms of his situation AND due to his sudden ability to understand the singing cats.

As the Man is freaking the fuck out, Asparagus sees the human. Very shocking to see a human in the junkyard of all nights! And the human here is one Asparagus knows! Or rather, seen more frequently than he likes. The Man is a familiar face Asparagus has the odd luck of running into in many places in London, though the Man never seems to notice Asparagus.

And Asparagus quickly connects the dots regarding the boot from earlier ('Oh, so it's HIM who dropped the boot? Well, he's going to get a night he will NEVER forget.') and rats the Man out.

And to be honest, the fact that the Man did in fact, stay for the whole ball, is something I feel is fanfic material and shock there isn't a single fanfic from the past to now that explores this.

[kerryhasastudyblog]

Been working on my next chapter/s, mostly doing some additional research. Hopefully will start writing tomorrow or Thursday.

I’ve also thought about restructuring and before EBB, I think I’m going to do a few pages on Patmore, bc his poem is so terrible I really don’t want to spend a whole chapter on it; plus he was obsessed with EBB and Aurora Leigh bc he thought it was terrible and was pissed a woman wrote it and that it got good reviews 😂 Haha die mad dick. Then I think I’ll add a few pages to my Naden chapter about Darwin (also a dick) and Spencer (yet another dick). That ties in nicely and frees me from having to do a whole chapter on their stuff, thus keeping poetry as the focus. Then I’ll work on Mathilde Blind (about 80% sure that’s who my third poet will be). This way I’ve got a nice specific time frame too. 👍

[nikofortuna]

JTTW Chapter 15 Thoughts

Chapter 15 for the @journeythroughjourneytothewest Reading Group!

Yes, dragon is very snake-like! Swallows prey whole.

Honestly I am good with Sun Wukong putting Tang Sanzang in his place here. Especially when he started crying at the mere prospect of walking. If anything he should have cried at the life of the poor horsie lost! Not because it inconveniences him a little.

Truly he encounters a problem and goes ‘Oh, woe me!’ right away! Instead of trying to figure something out he basically gives up, it really is no wonder that the largely self-sufficient Sun Wukong who has encountered far greater trouble in his life already gets annoyed with him.

There’s a little typo in the Anthony C. Yu version! The first line of the combat poem reads “The dragon extending sharp daws” when it should be sharp claws!

In the German translation Sun Wukong specifies that if the dragon doesn’t give the horse back he will kill him to avenge the horse’s death, which I find to be a very sweet addition. Horsegirl Wukong all the way!

A longer bit about writing ahead. I played a game with lovely worldbuilding and lore which has been given out very naturally, so my eye easily fell on this detail.

Hm, I don’t know but some of the infodumping about the lore of locations just doesn’t feel very natural. In this instance I have various ideas on how to better it.

Perhaps they could have just mentioned the name of the river and Sun Wukong in his boundless curiosity could have asked why it’s called that.

Or they could have just mentioned that there has been nothing evil about this stream and then the name of it upon which Sun Wukong could have asked something along the lines of ‘If there was never anything evil about it, why is it called that?’.

It could have also been established beforehand that he likes to know a bit of history behind locations and their names specifically and note that others know about this. Then they may tell him these things right away as they know he’ll want to know anyway.

Or is it actually that local spirits have a habit of dishing out info about the location they inhabit with this much detail? On the off-chance that this might be so, it would be good to mention in a footnote at least.

Though even just restructuring it a little would have worked as I found in the German translation, which summarize the history behind the name in one sentence. Roughly translated it says “There was nothing to complain about this stream, it is merely very deep and broad and the water is so crystal clear that birds of prey, when they look down while flying over it, mistake their mirror image for members of their own species and plunge themselves into the water. Hence the name Eagle Grief Stream.” Flows far better in my opinion, pun intended.

Back to the story at hand jumping straight to killing instead of negotiating how else the dragon could pay them back like say get a new horse is a little hasty. He’s a dragon, he could probably get a new one somehow. A lot of this conflict could have been solved through proper communication as is literally explained during the conflict resolution.

Human form Ao Lie! With fashionable pearl jewellery I see! Why did Guanyin take those I wonder? Perhaps it was to make the new harness.

Horsegirl Wukong strikes again! This time making sure the horse gets good quality gear only.

And Tang Sanzang falls off the horse again. There will probably be two types of falling of the horse. One is getting knocked off somehow during tense moments and one is just sliding off the horse in a silly manner during more light hearted and comedic moments like this one.

Ehm… Why are Muslims listed with minor threats? I don’t like that, I don’t like that at all. This was omitted from the J. F. Jenner translation. The German translation kind of kept it, but used the specific groups mentioned in the original text, which isn’t all that much better.

This chapter made me really consider how nice it might be to get a remake of the story, which sticks as close to the original as possible while ironing out plotholes and contradicting parts as well as all these less than stellar outdated details. It’s a great story with a ton of intricate details and much if it holds up to this day, but it has flaws that just don’t need to be there.

[definitelynotshouting]

I love the way you describe code in the hunger au and how it feels like the DNA of the universe. With the way you describe Dev Crystals, it makes me think of nuclei, or maybe ribosomes, or something in between, how they take in old, nonfunctional code, read it, and restructure it into something new, sending it out, like RNA, for various worlds to process, interpret and implement new functions. Is this how the process of “updates” works in this universe? Mmm I’m tired and its been a while since I took biology. But Overall, it just makes me think of biological cell functions and gives the impression of the entire universe as one quasi-living system, which is very cool.

Im so so glad you like the implementation of code in this universe!!! The minecraft end poem has always given me the impression that the universe is this quasi-sentient, living organism, and i really wanted the worldbuilding in hunger au to reflect that specifically. The dev crystals being sort of like nuclei was honestly unintentional, but falls so perfectly in line with how i envision this universe to function-- they're the literal pillars keeping it alive, stable, and in balance. I also thought it was a fun little nod to like, a game dev's irl role in creating and maintaining games, so it all slotted together in a really neat way that i honestly adore

I think yeah, this is more or less how "updates" roll out, although i dont think they have the same sort of abruptness in implementation as they do irl. I think stuff just gradually starts spawning in until its a known and accepted factor between worlds, and the universe continues to quietly evolve, growing and breathing and shifting into something more complex with every passing hour/day/year. It's a fun little concept in my brain and words cannot describe how happy i am that you appreciate it too!!!

[dykeyote]

I want to thank you and your account for helping me understand better how to respect bigender people 💙 even if it's hard to say what you really want to without getting into discourse parameters, the things you have said has really helped me a lot with understanding my friend's and community

awww this is so sweet thank you so much!! i really appreciate that, im glad its helpful to you (: yeah its tricky because its hard to phrase things that will make sense without using discourse buzzwords like i kind of fell into doing a little in that post which i think muddled my messaging but genuinely like . i hope you dont mind me taking this opportunity to talk a little bit, hopefully its also illuminating for how to engage with people haha? but i think restructuring your understanding of gender to encompass the fact that some people are men And Something Else (same for women/nonbinary ppl of course but honestly that seems to be way less of a problem? which i have a lot of thoughts on and im writing a poem abt it but my analysis of manhood in queer communities isnt relevant here lol) goes a huge way in being able to like . interact w multigender people in a more nuanced fashion . and like not just Acknowledging that thats a thing that is true but really thinking about what the implications of simply the idea that a man can also be a woman might have on other ways you behave or other beliefs you hold goes a really long way . because so much of our society even (and sometimes especially) in queer communities tends to pit "man" and "woman" as complete opposites of each other that do not overlap - you can even see this in perfectly well intentioned progressive illustrations of the gender spectrum that intend to illustrate the breadth of nonbinary experiences, where they'll still set man and woman as two opposite points of said spectrum that do not overlap . and i genuinely just think like . i think a lot of people Intellectually understand that bigender people and pangender people and genderfluid people and all a manner of other multigender people who can be both men and women, often at the same time, do in fact exist - but they kind of like . dont really take that understanding and reflect it onto other beliefs that they hold and on other understandings of labels and definitions and what have u (tbh i dont think the queer community should Have universal definitions anyway and implementing this would delete like 60% of discourse from the community as a whole and 80% of lesbian discourse specifically but i digress) to see if they contradict and how u might wanna reorganize ur thinking to be more inclusive and whether that thinking is really useful in a real world context anyway . which is why i think ive seen a lot of people in the tags be like yeah okay this is really eye opening im going to consider this which i appreciate (: idk this turned into rambling but i think thats the crux of what i was trying to convey in that post

[moonshadowspoetry]

A voice from the dark called out,

             ‘The poets must give us

imagination of peace, to oust the intense, familiar

imagination of disaster. Peace, not only

the absence of war.’

                                   But peace, like a poem,

is not there ahead of itself,

can’t be imagined before it is made,

can’t be known except

in the words of its making,

grammar of justice,

syntax of mutual aid.

                                       A feeling towards it,

dimly sensing a rhythm, is all we have

until we begin to utter its metaphors,

learning them as we speak.

                                              A line of peace might appear

if we restructured the sentence our lives are making,

revoked its reaffirmation of profit and power,

questioned our needs, allowed

long pauses . . .

                        A cadence of peace might balance its weight

on that different fulcrum; peace, a presence,

an energy field more intense than war,

might pulse then,

stanza by stanza into the world,

each act of living

one of its words, each word

a vibration of light—facets

of the forming crystal.

— Denise Levertov, “Making Peace” from Breathing the Water