September 17, 2017

Fallen

By Kat Myrman

For MindLoveMiserysMenagerie’s Sunday Writing Prompt: to write a piece launched by this quote from Sherlock Holmes (the series):

Oh, I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them …..

Seventy times seven, blah, blah, blah. Have you ever done the math? I have. 490. That’s it. At this point I have more than fulfilled my quota of this mandate to forgive. Besides, I don’t see anyone standing in line to forgive me for existing. In fact, the hits keep coming, if you know what I mean. Here are a few gems from that hit list…

“Love the sinner, hate the sin…You know we love you. We just don’t agree with your lifestyle choices….You could change if you wanted to…You have an agenda…Stop flaunting your sexuality…It’s just a phase…You don’t deserve special rights…It’s because of you we have earthquakes, hurricanes, floods…the plague (I wish I was that powerful)…You’re an abomination…God hates you…You’re going to hell (kinda thought I was already there)…and my personal favorite; the one that rips through me like a hot poker through butter…I’m praying for you.”

Please don’t. I’m trying to forgive you. I’m trying to not judge you. I’m trying to love you, but you make it so difficult.

Because there’s this too. “Love your enemies… If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” I fall short everyday. But that doesn’t mean I don’t keep trying; 490 times 490 times and counting.

One day I’ll get it right. In the meantime I am well aware of my flaws and weaknesses. I’m no angel…but neither are you.

And there I go again. Judging you for judging me. I guess that’s why we need practice at this forgiveness thing. I should have just said, “I’m no angel” and left it at that.

~kat

16 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Essays, Flash Fiction, Life Lessons, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality, Under 300 Words

September 17, 2017

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 17 September 2017

By Kat Myrman

How do I love thee, life? I count the ways as if naming each thing might offer me a line to grasp; to anchor me in place when the recognizable signs start to slip away.

Those moments when darkness descends, there is you, tiny candle, sucking up air, consuming the wick, calling me home. When people are unkind, there is a smile and a gentle touch to remind me all is not lost. When there is suffering, and unimaginable loss in the wake of the storm, there is you, sweet, audacious nature, showing me that life goes on again and again with each passing season. Life goes on.

How do I love thee, life? With every breath I take of the air that I share with all things living. Though I am but a speck of dust, I have not surrendered myself to ash. I am an ember still, capable of warmth; a flicker of amber. Like autumn’s fading rose clings to the vine in sweetness, I cling to you, life. How precious each moment is. How precious you are.

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 17 September 2017

she is not broken
the last few years had been hell
if you can call this living
when terror descended / when hatred triumphed
in a world so divided
the muse plays her heart
shades of gray
offering but a glimpse inside
It was true.
No one tells you it’s the little things that rip through your heart
impress anonymously
become self-serving
But it was revenge
between dusk and dawn
they can save us…if
like ice melting
it is all madness

~kat

A shi sai or ReVerse poem is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the shi sai features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.

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September 16, 2017

Magnetic Poetry Saturday

By Kat Myrman

Today’s revelations from the magnetic word soup on Magnetic Poetry Online.

it is all madness
the frantic whispers
the bitter screams
of those crushed by
the lies of men from
sleepless to delirious if
there is no redress

like ice melting
she becomes liquid,
less herself, bleeding
from a broken heart
slowly dying, naked…
would that we could
look away

we innocently hand
over our power to
heroes as if only
they can save us…if
only we could trust them
and their feel good promises

between dusk and dawn
we rest our weary
souls, breathing deeply
by the light of the
moon, knowing the
sun will surely follow
night and day in harmony

~kat

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Digital Art & Photos, Magnetic Poetry, nature, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings

September 15, 2017

Ostensible – Friday’s Word of the Day

By Kat Myrman

Today’s Word of the Day fro the Free Dictionary is Ostensible. It entered the English language in the Mid 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin ostensibilis from Latin ostens- ‘stretched out to view’, from the verb ostendere, from ob- ‘in view of’ + tendere ‘to stretch’. It means “Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.”

When I looked for examples of this word used in a sentence, I was inundated with a many references to politics, religion and conflicts touted to be something they were not. These examples certainly prove one thing: that human nature and how we accomplish what motivates us through deception hasn’t changed much. Here are a few quotes to show you what I mean from Your Dictionary.com:

‘It was a simple matter to manipulate these so as to throw the effective power into the hands of the propertied classes without ostensibly The depriving any one of the vote.’

‘The Federal government now attempted to enlist recruits, ostensibly to protect the western frontier from the Indians, but actually for the suppression of the insurrection; but the plan failed from lack of funds, and the insurgents continued to interrupt the procedure of the courts.’

‘In any case the countess profited by the cardinal’s conviction to borrow from him sums of money destined ostensibly for the queen’s works of charity.’

‘A serious outbreak took place at Adrianople in 1804, where 20,000 of the new troops had been sent, ostensibly to put down the revolt in Servia, but really to try to bring about the reform of the European provinces.’

‘In June 1770 Frederick surrounded those of the Polish provinces he coveted with a military cordon, ostensibly to keep out the cattle plague.’

‘It is a striking example of the way in which such legends grow, that it is only the latest of these authorities, Hsiian Tsang, who says that, though ostensibly approaching the Buddha with a view to reconciliation, Devadatta had concealed poison in his nail with the object of murdering the Buddha.’

See what I mean? Power, politics, and faux piety are fertile ground for application of this word. Very timely indeed! Here are a few Haiku.

Have a great weekend!

WMD’s
Ostensibly caused the war
But it was revenge

motives are revealed
ostensibly kind acts
become self-serving

ostensible posts
impress anonymously
online mugs deceive

~kat

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Haiku, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Word of the Day Haiku

September 14, 2017

The Little Things

By Kat Myrman

Photo by © Kelvin M. Knight

No one tells you it’s the little things that rip through your heart. Everyone is prepared for the big things. You know, the personal effects, insurance settlements, bank account adjustments, clearing out closets…those necessary motions one must endure, get through, in the wake of death.

I was not ready for the quiet. I’m not okay having the remote to myself. You were right. I do channel surf too much. The toilet seat is always down and the bed is too big.

And now this! You always hated wheat bread. Damn you! I can’t even make a sandwich without falling apart.

~kat

100 Words for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields Friday Fictioneers Challenge based on the photo above by Kelvin M. Knight.

27 Comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in 100 and Under, Challenges and Writing Prompts, Flash Fiction