Tag Archives: Shi Sai

July 31, 2016

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 31 July 2016

By Kat Myrman

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A look back, and a reflection. I spent this past week in usual fashion with the bulk of my days working at the job that pays for my existence. My evenings however were spent engaged in part two of my country’s political ritual…the nomination of presidential candidates midst a cacophony of rhetoric and bombastic assertions, most always in dogged opposition to the competing faction.

As a citizen who seeks truth and attempts to participate fully in the process, I availed myself of both spectacles, the republican brand two weeks ago and the democratic version this past week. Political platforms and ideologies aside, there was a stark difference between the two conventions. Fear, exceptionalism, and a chaotic, off-script program of events colored the first call to meeting; hope, inclusiveness (while not without murmurs of discord), and an organized, well-executed program informed the second. The republican sea of white faces became even more obvious when contrasted by the rainbow of diversity that filled the democratic auditorium. On display these past few weeks for all to see was a snapshot of the two Americas we have become.

I admit a predisposed affinity for the latter. In fact, I mentioned this last week as well. That being said, I struggle to find the appeal of the republican view of the world; a world that must become smaller, walled off from others in order for its citizenry to feel safe. I fail to understand how so many can follow such ideology blindly. It is a terrifying commentary on this country…my country…the anger and hatred that has risen to the surface. This election season, like no other that I can remember, has exposed the truth about how un-united and in need of a revival and return to our founding principles we are.

It was a busy week to say the least! While I did not have as much time to write, what I did manage to eke out captured the angst and fragile hope that I feel. Oh to be a skylark (this week’s dictionary.com word of the day) indeed! To rise above the fray with a song on my lips…joy and peace intact!

I cling to hope…

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 31 July 2016

love on the wind
strands of fine-spun gold
promote peace not walls
take care to notice red dawn skies
oh let me be a skylark
fungus among us
danger lurks in the hollows
peace lies in ruins…
deepest dark murmurs pure poetry

~ kat

The Shi Sai, (formerly known as a ReVerse) is a form created by Kat Myrman in April 2016. It is a poem created by taking one line of verse from several poems of an author’s own collection. The shi sai is done as a review of a series or collection of poems and therefore, each line should flow in chronological order of the dates the poems were written (from oldest to new). The lines chosen should be the author’s favorite from each poem. This form works best if the author resists the temptation to read the full new poem before all the verses have been added. (It helps one to resist the impulse to change a line to make it “fit”.

6 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Week in Review

July 24, 2016

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 24 July 2016

By Kat Myrman


It’s Sunday and time to look at the week that was. Here in the US many of us suffered through the boisterous culmination of a campaign, also known as the Republican National Convention. Well, I might be a bit biased. Perhaps it’s time for a Disclaimer and Apology…

Dear World,
Though it may be obvious, I feel compelled to mention that I am not of Republican Christian Right persuasion. That being said, please accept the apology of this bleeding heart, progressive liberal for the ugly spectacle that fomented across the airwaves from our broken country this past week.

There is an alternative reality that exists here…one of an inclusive, compassionate, respectful, peace and freedom-loving nature. And while we always knew that there was a dark poison lurking deep in the heart of our nation, I don’t believe any of us truly understood the pervasiveness of it until now.

If you are a praying person, please remember us (even as we remember you each time peace is ripped apart by violence or unrest and division where you live…this week, we remember our neighbor’s in Munich…)

It’s easy in the face of darkness to lose hope…but…(I love the word “but”) …but I also know that there is enough love and light in this world to overcome the darkness. It just takes a spark!

Peace, love and healing to us all. I believe in our capacity for goodness and I am inspired by your light. Shine on!

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 24 July 2016

We pray trusting that God is listening but…
intriguingly impressive
You never know what treasures you might find in a strange new place!
It gets the brain clicking and inspires.
Even when the price is great, good eventually overcomes evil
Those who are naive
Enough was enough
to guide them through the dark of night

Pray For Munich ❤️
While everyone watched in horror
Living in the light
dredg(ing) through stagnant surfaces
offers escape for the wise.

~kat

The Shi Sai, (formerly known as a ReVerse) is a form created by Kat Myrman in April 2016. It is a poem created by taking one line of verse from several poems of an author’s own collection. The shi sai is done as a review of a series or collection of poems and therefore, each line should flow in chronological order of the dates the poems were written (from oldest to new). The lines chosen should be the author’s favorite from each poem. This form works best if the author resists the temptation to read the full new poem before all the verses have been added. (It helps one to resist the impulse to change a line to make it “fit”.

6 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Shi Sai, Week in Review

July 17, 2016

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 17 July 2016

By Kat Myrman

What does one say about such a week? Our world witnessed another round of tragedy. As I reflect on this my mind is spinning. Was it just one horrible event this week or were there others? Or was it last week? 

The weeks have started to run together. We barely have time to recover, or to make sense of it, before another wave of sorrow swallows us, slamming us relentlessly into the crumbled shards of normal we once took for granted.

It is hard to catch one’s breath in times like this. How important it is to breathe! I forget to sometimes. And yet I know that breathing, consciously, deliberately, is the only thing that saves me. Breathing quiets my spinning head and centers me in the moment flooding me with calm, with peace. Mindfulness does not mean noticing the chaos around me. Mindfulness means focusing my attention on the moment at hand…on simply breathing. Slow breath in….hold …slow breath out.

No matter what the next week brings, I only need to remember to breathe…

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 17 July 2016

If only they believed
Sun light and moon beams
A storm
relentless, inescapable
it was every soul for themselves
growing befuddled
those silly quirks you hated
Only time will tell
Yep, the joke’ll be on them
How do you live with something like that?
I fear we’re all mad!
We Weep For France.
Winter was her favorite time of year.
Behold the Wild Rose
Life can’t be contained
In truth, he had grown accustomed to the weeds.

~ kat

The Shi Sai, (formerly known as a ReVerse) is a form created by Kat Myrman in April 2016. It is a poem created by taking one line of verse from several poems of an author’s own collection. The shi sai is done as a review of a series or collection of poems and therefore, each line should flow in chronological order of the dates the poems were written (from oldest to new). The lines chosen should be the author’s favorite from each poem. This form works best if the author resists the temptation to read the full new poem before all the verses have been added. (It helps one to resist the impulse to change a line to make it “fit”.

16 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Essays, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Shi Sai, Week in Review

July 10, 2016

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse ~ 10 July 2016

By Kat Myrman


I look forward to Sundays. I truly do try to pause, reflect and recharge. Especially on weeks like this when the world felt chaotic and nightmarish. I remember thinking to myself, as I wrote lines of poetry and prose throughout the week, that today’s ReVerse would likely evolve into a chaotic, incohesive jumble of randomness. Living through this past week was a chaotic mess with raging summer storms that sent us all seeking shelter and raging civil unrest against a backdrop of political firestorms that sent us seeking answers.

In retrospect, I wonder why I had a hard time imagining that this week’s Shi Sai would somehow make sense, because surprisingly it does. I don’t know how or why it does. But it does.

I could say, likevi always do, that I’m hoping we all have a great week, but that would be rude considering the elephant in my peripheral view. They say elephants never forget. Not forgetting for me means acknowledging the elephant. It’s not that I’m not hoping that you have a great week. I hope you have a spectacular week. I hope we all do. Including the elephant. Once he catches your attention he’s hard to ignore.

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse ~ 10 July 2016

Forgive me for not giving you a proper goodbye
I am feeling slightly grounded right now and not in a good way
steamy sapphire sky
So…what do you think about all this rain we’ve been having?
tender waves, exquisite bliss
dreams flood the gray void
from endless nights of terror’s rage
What are you thinking Lady Blue?
they are afraid
desire growls in their belly like poison
hoping for love’s bliss!

~ kat

The Shi Sai, (formerly known as a ReVerse) is a form created by Kat Myrman in April 2016. It is a poem created by taking one line of verse from several poems of an author’s own collection. The shi sai is done as a review of a series or collection of poems and therefore, each line should flow in chronological order of the dates the poems were written (from oldest to new). The lines chosen should be the author’s favorite from each poem. This form works best if the author resists the temptation to read the full new poem before all the verses have been added. (It helps one to resist the impulse to change a line to make it “fit”)

7 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality, Week in Review

June 26, 2016

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 26 June 2016

By Kat Myrman

Photo by Kat Myrman

Happy Sunday! I certainly did not expect this week’s Shi Sai to make sense, the week was rather nonsensical, but in an odd turn of the pen it actually does. What a strange, unsettling time it has been for so many in our world.

In my corner of it there were incredible highs and inconsolable lows. And through it all, a stream of silver lining weaved its way to my heart giving me hope.

I have hope because I was able to witness a band of underdogs finally tasting victory! And it was just as sweet, I’m betting even sweeter than they imagined it would be.

I have hope because even in the face of frightening uncertainty I still had busy today’s demanding my attention…bright sunrises and a fat, full heart-shaped moon that kept me grounded in the present moment. There where fragrant blooms, tasty kitchen creations and victories to be savored.

I have hope because I am finding that even in the midst of calamity, often of our own doing, more and more people are coming to their senses, realizing how naked the emperors are. Yes, there is hope for us all yet!

So here then is a quick look back to revisit the words and lines that tumbled onto the page this past week. I won’t dwell on it for too long though, because today, with its fresh slate of possibilities awaits and I have a hankering for shortbread. 😊

Sweet daydreams to you as always and Happy Sunday!

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 26 June 2016

take a walk on the wild side
there will most certainly be
casualties,
when ripe for pricking
thus doomed to repeat history
take heart, remembering that LOVE never fails…
lean toward the extreme
the crowd does not always know the way
’til dinner is served
Let me see your happy faces!

~kat

The Shi Sai, (formerly known as a ReVerse) is a form created by Kat Myrman in April 2016. It is a poem created by taking one line of verse from several poems of an author’s own collection. The shi sai is done as a review of a series or collection of poems and therefore, each line should flow in chronological order of the dates the poems were written (from oldest to new). The lines chosen should be the author’s favorite from each poem. This form works best if the author resists the temptation to read the full new poem before all the verses have been added. (It helps one to resist the impulse to change a line to make it “fit”)

6 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Challenges and Writing Prompts, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality, Week in Review