Up From the Stone (Revised and Reposted for...

Comments: 30

Ruthi C. Aug 21, 2009, 1:03pm EDT

"The fly twists
but the lean sparrow
wants it more."

WoW, what a visual wording!
I see less o' the rejection slips in store for you & your cork board James!

James Ciriaco Aug 21, 2009, 1:11pm EDT

That's kind of you to say, Ruth. Thank you!

Ruthi C. Aug 21, 2009, 1:20pm EDT

James, I have many non-Gatherin' friends...do you mind if I share this stanza with them? I will, of course, credit you and link to this page so you'll gain an extra view or 2 or 3, hopefully!

James Ciriaco Aug 21, 2009, 1:21pm EDT

If you think they'd enjoy it, Ruth, you're welcome to do so. :)

Ruthi C. Aug 21, 2009, 1:29pm EDT

They will - no doubt!
Thank you!

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Nancy L. Aug 21, 2009, 2:10pm EDT

I still love this, James.

If this poem lluminates your path going forward, I'll be tagging along for the ride.

James Ciriaco Aug 22, 2009, 3:55pm EDT

I was pleased to find your comment on the original version of this, Nancy. That got me to thinking about re-posting it for your Friday prompt. Needless to say, I would be honored to have you as a regular reader.

Nancy L. Aug 22, 2009, 3:58pm EDT

The honor is all mine. :)

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Jennifer Lee Aug 21, 2009, 4:15pm EDT

I remember this poem well and my hat is off to you. For you are a master wordsmith. My only advice, keep pulling those weeds. I'll be one of the first to buy your book! :))

James Ciriaco Aug 22, 2009, 4:06pm EDT

You are far too kind, Jennifer, but I appreciate your support. :) I'm hoping to put together a chapbook of my early efforts by the end of the year. If it's affordably priced, it should sell well into the fives!

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Mustafa Demiri Aug 21, 2009, 5:49pm EDT

"My cork board
has room yet for more
rejections."

It's a little daunting, because when a talented writer like yourself speaks of rejection slips, what chance do the rest of us have? You are a rare talent and one of most erudite poets I've ever known. I am certain you will soon be found and celebrated.

Nancy L. Aug 21, 2009, 6:28pm EDT

Mustafa, writing is definitely not a game for a betting man. :)

I think in many cases, it's a matter of timing and finding the right agent/editor/publisher.

Here's hoping that James, and anyone with true talent, receives the letter that makes all the rejections worthwhile.

Bard Constantine Aug 21, 2009, 7:46pm EDT

Well said.

James Ciriaco Aug 22, 2009, 4:14pm EDT

I think that luck, connections and taste have a lot to do with success in the publishing world. There are several writers here on Gather who could be in print, if the stars aligned in their favor. If one of them "makes it" and another doesn't, it won't be because that person was necessarily the better writer.

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Bard Constantine Aug 21, 2009, 7:48pm EDT

This is a nice piece of work. I imagine you sitting in your man cave, recording your observations with poetic flair...

James Ciriaco Aug 22, 2009, 4:23pm EDT

Thank you for reading, Bard, and for the kind words.

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Traci M Aug 21, 2009, 8:42pm EDT

Trial and error makes us stronger in whatever we desire to achieve. Something an English professor said to me years ago.

Love the poem!

James Ciriaco Aug 22, 2009, 4:47pm EDT

Thank you, Traci! And I agree. No one turns in a great poem every time, or even most of the time. You have to work up to it, through modest successes and outright failures. We all have passages and lines that we regret.

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Tory H. Aug 21, 2009, 11:55pm EDT

Beautiful words. I particularly love the last bit.

James Ciriaco Aug 22, 2009, 4:49pm EDT

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Tory. Thank you for stopping by. :)

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Marilyn is looking for whatever there is. N. Aug 22, 2009, 1:41am EDT

James,

It's that moment when you realize that "this is where I want to go" that lets keeps you getting better and better.
I too, will be tagging along for the ride.

Marilyn

James Ciriaco Aug 22, 2009, 4:50pm EDT

If I've piqued your interest, Marilyn, then I'm happy. And yes, it's nice to have direction in one's artistic development. Now I can suck with purpose!

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Dianna Doles-Petry Aug 24, 2009, 10:07am EDT

Life is constant change and I love the wording you used in this piece. Poetry is a hard sell these days but I think you have the talent to pull it off. Good luck, and whatever you do, keep on writing!

James Ciriaco Aug 24, 2009, 11:37pm EDT

That's very kind of you to say, Dianna. I'm under no illusions about the market for poetry. Outside of the hothouse of academia, it comes down to unpaid e-zines and self-publishing efforts. When I have the material, I'll be going the latter route. :)

Dianna Doles-Petry Aug 25, 2009, 12:30am EDT

James, there are still paying markets for good poetry and yours is good poetry. Dorchester Media, for instance, buys some short verse poetry to use in their magazines. WynterBlue Mountain Thunder, a Canadian publication, also buys poetry. I've sold them several pieces. Self-publishing works very well for poetry and can be sold through Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc., as mine is. I think you'll do well when you have the material ready.

James Ciriaco Aug 26, 2009, 6:43pm EDT

Thank you for the advice and encouragement, Dianna. I'll have a look at those leads, and see what I can do in the arena of self-publishing.

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Up From the Stone (Revised and Reposted for Friday Writing Essential)

Comments: 30

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