Jesse Writes
Updated: Oct 4, 2024
Ok she wrote
text
ellipses
which disappear
reappear
disappear again
kingdoms of possibility
built
In ruin
built once again
ruin
ruin
ruin
the night
laying in
rubble
dishevelled sheets
sweat-soaked
sacrifices
to the gods of
insecurity
second guessing
martyrdom
rumination
ruination
…
…
…
good morning, she writes
born anew to
twin-faced Janus
a revolving doorway
silliness
and
…
relief
Below is the original Story of Fidgety Philip. Written by Heinrich Hoffman published in German in 1844, then in English in 1846.
I wanted to try to re-story Philip, he is thought to be one o f our earliest recorded cases of what is now thought of as pretty classic behaviours of a child diagnosed with ADHD.
I wanted to see if Philip could be recast as the sympathetic hero, instead of the villian. I wanted to approach him with compassion and understanding.
The images are the original poem, the following three stanzas are my proposed re-write. I would love to know what you think.
Jesse
The Ballad of Fidgety Phil
Philip was called once more to the table,
his parents, he knew, wish he be stable.
The settings all laid, the tablecloth spread,
Philip was taken with terrible dread.
With a glance a papa, Philip knew,
the place from which his wildness grew.
Mama sat serene as stone,
'till Philip moved, then she groaned.
Their misgivings lit a fire within,
his body filled with irredeemable sin.
Nervousness in his body gained,
wriggle he did, as though he was in pain.
Philip began to rock in a groove
he knew his insides soon would be soothed.
Papa yelled, "Philip, I am getting cross!"
Philip felt caught, he knew this dinner was lost.
The motor within, kicked up in haste,
Philip wanted to run all over the place.
Papa was angry, and mama was pale,
his rudeness they'd said, had made grandma frail.
As he rocked to still his racing heart,
Fidget and fumbling had become an art.
Suddenly lost, his balance and mind
he tipped over backward, and reaching to find,
grasping at straws, a tablecloth found,
didn't cease his plummet straight to the ground.
As cutlery clattered, tinkled, and crashed
both mama and papa were really quite brash.
Not seeking his state, his health or his feeling,
The dinner was ruined, and that sent them reeling.
Not wanting to bear the brunt of their anger,
The tablecloth served as his own private hanger.
He hid from their shame, but also his own,
That he couldn't sit still, as serene as a stone.
He wasn't like others, couldn't papa just see,
That fidgetless and still is what he could not be.
He wanted to run, and climb and shout,
He struggled with dinners where nothing fun was about.\
He was curious and questioned the way things were done,
He wanted to know all there was under the sun.
Philip would rather they eat dinner in peace,
He has the problem, he knew that at least.
So mama kept scowling, and papa went on,
telling Philip he's not as good as their neighbor's son.
Philip believed them, and stayed in his mess,
But none of this to them, would he ever confess
So I have been writing haiku lately, obviously. Well, Wix [the website builder] has this dashboard feature that suggests AI stuff for you. I clicked on it, and about 36 seconds and 3 more clicks later, the title and article below were "written" for me.
No wonder wading through the internet is so tough now. There is nothing wrong with this article, honestly. It just wasn't me. It is the ghost of language. It is necromancy, bringing together parts of the stolen corpses of other people's writing, and presenting them anew. It's so well done, it is not even uncanny valley level reading.
I don't know what else to say.
*********************
[AI Article]
If you're someone who finds solace in the simplicity of words and the beauty of brevity, then embarking on a journey through the serene landscapes of haiku poetry might just be the adventure your soul craves. Welcome to a world where profound thoughts find expression in a delicate dance of syllables – welcome to the realm of haiku.
What is Haiku?
Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry characterized by its minimalistic structure. With only three lines and a total of seventeen syllables (5-7-5), haiku captures the essence of a moment or feeling with exquisite precision. While the form may seem restrictive, it actually encourages creativity by challenging writers to distill their thoughts into a concise and powerful expression.
The Haiku Experience
Imagine stepping into a garden of words, where each syllable is a petal and every pause between lines a breath of fresh air. Haiku beckons you to slow down, to observe the world around you with a keen eye and an open heart. It is a form of poetry that celebrates the present moment, urging you to find beauty in the ordinary and the extraordinary alike.
Crafting Your Own Haiku
Don't be intimidated by the seemingly elusive nature of haiku – creating your own masterpiece is within reach. Start by immersing yourself in the sensations of the world: the scent of rain on dry earth, the whisper of wind through autumn leaves, the fleeting touch of sunlight on skin. Allow these impressions to stir your imagination and guide your pen.
Here's a quick guide to crafting your own haiku:
Focus on a Moment: Choose a fleeting moment or observation that resonates with you.
Capture the Essence: Distill the heart of that moment into vivid imagery or emotion.
Embrace Nature: Haiku often draws inspiration from nature, so feel free to let the natural world inspire you.
Embarking on Your Journey
Now that you've dipped your toes into the world of haiku, consider taking your exploration a step further. Join online haiku communities, attend poetry readings, or simply find a quiet corner to pen your thoughts. Let the rhythm of the syllables guide you, and don't be afraid to experiment with form and content.
Haiku journeys are not just about the words you write – they're about the experiences you collect along the way. Each haiku you craft is a snapshot of a moment in time, a window into your soul. So, embrace the unexpected, savor the silence between syllables, and let your words carry you on a journey of self-discovery.
In a world that often seems noisy and chaotic, haiku offers a sanctuary of stillness and reflection. It's a reminder to pause, breathe, and find beauty in the simplest of things. So, grab your pen, take a deep breath, and embark on a haiku journey that promises to uncover the unexpected within you.
Let the poetry of the moment guide your pen and lead you to discoveries both within and without. Happy writing!
With haiku as your compass, may your journey be filled with wonder and your words be a reflection of the beauty that surrounds you. Join the ranks of poets past and present as you weave your own narrative through syllables and silence. Start your haiku journey today and let the magic of this ancient art form transport you to places unknown.