Category: Writers – Marcy Erb

NaShoStoWriMo! My Version of NaNoWriMo

On By MErbIn Thoughts, Writers - Marcy Erb2 Comments

It’s been inspirational to see so many people participating in NaNoWriMo – and I was thrilled to see our own RSPC founder Steven D’Adamo roaring through it with over 10,000 words written so far. Go Steven!

I decided to challenge myself to a version of NaNoWriMo – with short stories. It’s NaShoStoWriMo (because one good abbreviation deserves another) and anyone is welcome to join me. I have challenged myself to write 5 short stories a week for November. That will be 20 stories by the end of the month. I have not set a particular word count for the stories, allowing it to range from 500 – 3000 per story. I have also not placed any restrictions on topic or style. I have hit my mark for the first week and am only a little behind for week two. We will see where this goes – but I am definitely not expecting 20 O. Henry masterpieces! Maybe one or two gems will result, maybe not.

Continue reading “NaShoStoWriMo! My Version of NaNoWriMo” →

Submission for October’s Theme – Poem on Charity

On By MErbIn Schizophrenic Poetry Challenge, Writers - Marcy Erb1 Comment

CharityRubai

Maybe it was not wanting to let go of the seven sins and virtues theme we did all summer, but the poem on charity took a while to mature and be ready for posting. I did deviate from the assignment a tad – this poem is in the form of a ruba’i – a form derived from the Persian quatrain with the rhyme scheme aaba. In honor of All Hallows’ Eve, I call the accompanying illustration “Deconstructed Pumpkin.” Cheers!

 

Theme for September 23rd – Chastity – and you thought it was simple!

On By MErbIn Schizophrenic Poetry Challenge, Writers - Marcy ErbLeave a comment
The virtue of temperance has historically encompassed a wide range of activities – after all, it “simply” means moderation via personal restraint or will. Although associated in modern parlance with food and drink, in particular alcohol, last week’s poems decided to look at temperance as it applies to less calorie-laden subjects: in speech and in modifying self-doubt. 
 
Chastity is another virtue that has been reduced to a sound bite in the modern day, but was historically much more complex. Chastity today seems to revolve around sexual activity, and if the news is any indication, contemporary conversations about chastity focus on teenagers and pre-marital sex.
 

Continue reading “Theme for September 23rd – Chastity – and you thought it was simple!” →

Free Verse – Diligence – Marcy Erb

On By MErbIn Schizophrenic Poetry Challenge, Writers - Marcy ErbLeave a comment

Perseverance Game

Are you talking about ripples on the river
or a bolt of lightning felling a tree?

I would were I defining perturbations.

Ah, then you are suggesting we draw animals
in dapper suits or ask for the old man in the moon?

Continue reading “Free Verse – Diligence – Marcy Erb” →

Vices and Virtues – Inspiration

On By MErbIn Thoughts, Writers - Marcy Erb1 Comment

nauman

Since we have switched to virtues for the poetry theme, I thought I would put up a little neon art inspiration. Pretty much every day for six years I walked by Bruce Nauman’s Vices and Virtues public art installation at the University of California, San Diego – in the evening you can see it from miles around in La Jolla and UTC. How it merges the sins and virtues is almost like an ink blot test – when the “Faith” and “Lust” neon would light up together, I would see “Flauta” and it would make me crave Mexican food.

 

 

Free Verse – Humility – Marcy Erb

On By MErbIn Schizophrenic Poetry Challenge, Writers - Marcy ErbLeave a comment

Upon Glimpsing the Allegory of Humility in the Sculpture Gallery

From a distance I label her the personification of humility
Hands wrapped about herself, like the Virgin Mary,
 
Her bronze shawl draped about her head, neck, breasts
To shield her beauty and keep her modesty, even under glass.

Continue reading “Free Verse – Humility – Marcy Erb” →