Broken Mirrors

Why, yes, that is David Tennant. Playing Hamlet. In Hamlet. The point, however, is in the shattered mirror, which is a major recurring image in this poem. Picture taken from http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nT_bVSnLTFg/TZVinmrNyEI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/SgnDBmP5540/s1600/david+tennant+hamlet+mirror.jpg, courtesy of The Internet.

"Oh, dear. Another dark and depressing poem. Amata, what is going on in your life?"

Well, actually, this one isn't autobiographical. It's another poem from the Bitterblue (AMAZING fantasy book by Kristin Cashore) collection, though I think it's vague enough to stand on its own without too much confusion.

"Oh. Okay. So Bitterblue's the dark and depressed one?"

To over-explain it would be giving away spoilers for the book. (Which by the way, almost everyone should read if they're looking for good fantasy, just like everyone should watch the David Tennant Royal Shakespeare Company Hamlet if they're looking for good Shakespeare—see the image above... *cough*)

So, without further ado...

Broken Mirrors

Sonnet & Villanelle

Picture is taken from http://totheshore.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/quillpeninkwell1.jpg, courtesy of The Internet. (I seriously hope I don't get sued for that phrase sometime in the future.) It depicts a quill pen and ink, evoking Shakespearean sonnets. These poems are not quite the same as those.

Neither of the two poems I'm sharing with you today are exactly what their titles imply.

The first, a "sonnet," happens to be not of love, but of anger and even hate. Also, it is (somewhat mercifully) not directed towards a specific person, as many sonnets—be they romantic or accusatory—are. The second, a "villanelle," is written not in villanelle format, but in sonnet format. It too has a dark tone, though it is the lack of emotional articulation ability, rather than the presence, that lends it this. (It was written to be spoken in a play by an android incapable of feeling.) Grouping the two poems together is thus natural—both are melancholy sonnets that do not quite fit the connotations of their forms.

I seriously hope these poems do not upset you all.

Sonnet & Villanelle

A Riddle

Picture taken from http://www.starburstmagazine.com/images/april2012/bitterbluebookreview.jpg, courtesy of The Internet. It depicts Bitterblue, the subject of this poem, which is based upon Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, which the above quote from the Romantic Times is praising.

This poem is from the second of the two poetry collections that I have written for school, and is based upon Kristin Cashore's marvelous book Bitterblue. Everyone, go read Bitterblue! Even if you haven't read the other two books in the series, it stands well on its own! Though, actually, I would suggest reading the other books in the series, mainly because they're amazing books, but also so you can get that feeling of satisfaction when beloved characters from those books end up appearing in this one.

I don't think I need to warn of any spoilers, as this one is just sort of a teaser-type thing for the book. And no, I am not getting paid to endorse this work of literature.  :)

A Riddle

(Stories, Cyphers, Secrets, and Lies)

For Maya and Matilda

From http://loveforliana.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/footprints-snow-love-for-liana.jpg, courtesy of The Internet. 'Tis a very lovely image, methinks, and evocative of certain phrases from this poem.

Poetry fans, you're in luck--the next several posts on this blog will contain a plethora of poetry, as I have recently had to complete two collections of poetry for school. The assignment for this one was to write a poem in the style of another, more famous poet, so I have attempted to imitate the poetic style of the inestimable Maya Angelou.

Another inspiration for this poem was the story of Matilda, Lady of the English. I don't think you have to know her story to understand the poem, but it might help.

For Maya and Matilda