My Striking Pen

Is my pen led astray?
Or just having its way?
two line strikes
and
those “rich green, carpet of flowing grasslands”
become
“verdant meadows”

Ideas morph in the margins
the chrysalis cracks
under the weight of my rolling, ballpoint pen
NOW
“the welcoming pale pink petals of my wax begonias that lure hummingbirds”
flutter away as
“blushing invitations to winged friends”

Arrows zing around my page
in colorful edits
this is war
in my mind
ten words drop in a single line:
“the furry, flop-eared bunny hopped, hid eggs and in the yard and, exhausted, dropped”
simply put:
“the rabbit died”

I’m not crying
rabbits
though cute
are ever multiplying
like words
before edits
they overrun the garden-page
NOW
weeded
hunted
tended
ideas flourish
under the cut of my striking pen
this is war

~

Words and Photography ©2017 Tanya Cliff ~ to contact me

Posted in poetry & free verse. Bookmark the permalink.

49 thoughts on “My Striking Pen”

      3. I work more online after retirement than I ever did in 26 years as a chef. Thats mostly because the computer is always on and there ain’t no down time if I’m home. I have a nosy question…..if I may….how is it a woman with your “qualities” can not be somebodies wife? I hope this question is not crossing the line, which I’ve been known to do, often.

      4. No…it’s okay. For the sake of my children, I keep most “personal” stuff off the blog is all.
        I hear you about the computer, my friend! We live in a 24 hour-a-day news cycle too, so there is always something, isn’t there? Especially now…crazy days!😊

      1. I’m sure it is, and all the best to you in striking, adaptation process. It’s sure to turn out well, as your talent dictates! 😉

    1. Thank you, Manuel! I’m preparing an adaptation of my old novel, so I’ve been striking a lot of words with the pen. It really is a complete re-write. I’ll post some of that next week.

      Reply

  10. I hear you. Editing feels like a major battle at times: “Once more into the breach.”

    *sigh* But it’s the only way I know to make my stories better. I’m gutting up for another edit of my first trilogy. It’s probably had enough time sitting fallow that I can productively work with it again.

    Best wishes with the rewrite on your work. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Best of luck to you, Cathleen! I think that “sitting fallow” allows time for grown. I know it did for me. The results are a series of books that are a huge step up from the original. 😊

      Reply

      1. It is very nice of you to say that, Tanya. I have been an observer and have loved following you as you write. You have influenced me too, in so many ways, so that’s good too, and I thank you for that.

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  14. Yeah.whenever we r unable to write then feel dt d cut of our striking pen is as war against of our feelings,thoughts n imaginations.beutiful expression of struggling heart.

    Reply

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