Category Archives: Inquiring Minds
My introduction page as a writer trying to get publsihed and a collection of posts showing who I am through ancetdotal musings about my life or how I am inspired to write or why I write and how I write in my own wierd little way.
Advice to Poets – Three Quick Rules by Philip Wardlow
I don’t mean to offend. But a lot of the poetry out there sucks. I can freely admit that some of mine sucks lemon peels.
I can’t say I’m qualified to give advice to poets or would be poets. I have been writing poetry since I was in high school and have taken many creative writing and English courses regarding the subject. Still, I think there are a lot better poets out in there in the word than me past and present. I am not going to get technical on you. But just give you three quick down and dirty lessons on the subject matter. From there you can grow I believe to be a better poet.
I just know what I like to read as a poet and what I like to write as a poet. To me, when reading a poem, the subject matter is less important than how it is actually handled by the person writing it. You can take a great concept you wish to write a poem about; be it love, life, an adventure, or erotica and fuck it up quite easily.
I have read many blogs and I have read some very good poetry. On the flipside I have read some VERY bad poetry. In those instances I do not push the LIKE button or comment on the poem unless they wish a serious critique.
*************************************************************************************************************
Rule #1 –
Example: I see the world flying from me , never to return, why must I be denied., why oh why, it’s so unfair, this world that I live in. I feel down and out. Woe is me oh woe is me. I’m in such pain why oh why…blah blah blah
The biggest problem with BAD poetry is that the Poem just rambles on and on with no clear resolution at the end. Give me something I can grab on to. Some epiphany you learned, a realization of life, a CLEVER way of stating the obvious… and wrap it up…Don’t take 20 Lines to say the same thing you could have said in 10 lines.
So Rule #1 Don’t Ramble on and on with no Point and repeat the same thing twice.
*************************************************************************************************************
Rule#2 –
Example: The night is cold, and I feel very bold. I love you so much and I miss your touch
Secondly unless your a fifth grader and newly starting out in writing poetry…don’t rhyme just to rhyme. It makes me insane to read poetry where I can predict the words in every other next line. It’s like slow water torture for me. Basically do it when its appropriate. When in doubt if you think it’s too much then be rest assured it probably is. And have you ever heard of alliteration and all the other forms of poetry writing, as an alternate to the normal rhyme scheme? If not look them up. Get Educated,
So Rule#2 Don’t Rhyme so damn much
*************************************************************************************************************
Rule #3 –
Example: She/he hurt me in that way. Because I did that thing. And I hurt. The pedantic ethereal winds kissed my cheek and I let out long sigh as the rockslide engulfed my being that encapsulated you. (wtf!)
And lastly I hate when you give me your direct feelings in vague ways or you explain an experience in a much too abstract or technical way. both ways hide what you are really trying to get across and feel inside that head of yours. Sure YOU may be getting it out of YOUR system..but it does nothing for ME the reader of your poem. So don’t be lazy and don’t hit us with super symbolism or the dictionary of words hardly ever used by 90% of the English speaking community.
Rule #3 – Don’t keep what you really wish to say a secret with vague or abstract writing. Still be creative but don’t hide behind the words.
**************************************************************************************************************
OKAY DONE with my lesson…now go out and play.
Uncurling Brightness – A Poem
Uncurling Brightness –
She may call herself invisible.
But I see her.
Melancholy eyes with a reflective inquisitive smile
for those that deserve it.
Hands that wish to touch,
and be touched.
Lips that wish to kiss
and be cherished.
Silent resolve,
and practiced patience
bundled in a cocoon
of courage that never
leaves any doubt.
Only a fool would fail to love
her.
Only a fool would see
her as a fading spiral,
while I only see
an uncurling brightness.
by Philip Wardlow 2014
Calvin and Hobbes The Darker Version
Landscapes of You
Landscapes of You
As I rise at dawn
and look out upon this landscape
It’s got nothing on you babe.
The mountains can’t touch your heights which I climb
In the morning light and the fertile valley
below is where I’ll go to set up my campfire
and have a weeny roast every night.
Let me fall down hard against your snowy soft skin and make
snow angels with my tongue as I go deep in.
The rivers and streams that meander around me can’t
get any wetter than your bed as I lie at your shore .
Maybe I’ll take a swim in your deep lake and paddle
down to the waterfall where I hear it’s a gusher.
The field of you lays lush and fragrant with undulating
colors of flowering pink and red peonies swaying
enticingly before me as you gyrate those hips below,
stirring the four winds to blow
me away off this wind swept peak
that I cling to with barely a fingertip.
I’ve packed lots of rations, trail mix, water and
peanut butter cups to keep my energy up.
My hike is not over by far, because I’ve got many trails to cover.
I can’t leave any one spot untouched or ignored,
The beauty of this mysterious place I call
paradise must be explored.
The smell of clover and dandelions pervade my senses
as I drink your sweet scent in.
The nearness of you is nature in its most erotic essence
bottled in the pores of
your skin.
By Philip Wardlow
Kava Writers Collective – My Writing Group
Meet Kava Writers Collective!
Approximately a year ago I joined a writing group in my local area to better hone my skills as a writer and to feel not so alone in my desperation to want to be a writer….misery loves company…write? (I mean right?)
I kid actually…I think we all have potential in our own separate goals to want to be writers. Actually the founding member of the group, who goes by the name of Susie, who we all hail as the Supreme Dictator (I mean Leader) of the group was published and is soon to be published again in March I believe on her second book and who is already hard at work on her third. She’s a powerhouse of wordum and knows her stuff…she’s definitely got the chops.
The group consists of nine people – of course people – what did you think they were? Magical unicorns. Shh….one actually could be….don’t tell him I said so though…we’re not to supposed to let on like we know.
Anyways, we meet every first and third Sunday of the month – weather permitting of course…dammit you foul beast called snow that seeks to keep me from my destiny!
The group consists of five men and four women. It’s a pretty balanced group of individuals in the genre that they write to and in the way they may critique something you have written. I love their feedback and think of them as invaluable coaches in editing and fixing what I can’t see that’s wrong sometimes with my writing.
In the last year, I feel I have grown under there honest feedback and response to my work. Besides that, they have inspired me to keep going at times when I get discouraged with setbacks that may happen in my own writing .
Their energy in their own work makes me want to push through, get the work done and be proud of a product that I can call my own.
How about you guys? Any of my followers or fellow bloggers belong to any writing groups or attend any workshops? If so, what do you get out of it?
She by Bob Marley
All she Really Wants – A Poem
She walks on silent
tip toe to my room
Enters without knocking.
and says nothing as she crawls
in with me beneath the covers.
She is naked and warm
as she lays alongside me.
I embrace her,
arm around her shoulders,
her head nestled in my neck.
One of her naked legs lies
between my own.
Her soft cheek upon my chest
as her hand wraps my waist.
This is all she wants this night.
Nothing more. Skin to skin
Sharing the same warmth.
I hold her hand in mine
and we simply fall asleep.
by Philip Wardlow 2014
It’s Complicated – a Poem
It’s Complicated –
Sink or swim.
Hundred pound of feathers,
or a hundred pounds of lead?
Doggy paddle or breast stroke?
Doesn’t fucking matter, she says
My daddies got a motor boat.
I just smile and flick my ashes
in her drink,
and keep on walking.
You see it’s complicated,
this you and me thing.
My chemistry is mangled compared to
yours and there is no untangling
such a goddam chore
of a life you take
for granted.
You don’t see.
For me, it’s complicated,
like chess, or Risk
It’s far from fucking checkers
dear.
A game, is a game, is a game
and it could be fun,
This you and me.
It’s complicated.
For every game big or small
has got its rules but sadly
you never learned to read.
By Philip Wardlow 2014












