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Poetry

A Thousand Sparks

September 8, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

Robert Fullerton found inspiration to write poetry in the shipyards of Govan, Scotland.

“If you watch a thousand sparks cascading,
They’re all wee thoughts,
or possibilities,
or ideas;
And, if you could think like that……….”

                                                                               Robert Fullerton

At 13 years old, his formal education ended, and at 17, he started working at a shipyard in Govan, Scotland.  An early start to a life of grueling labor, but Robert Fullerton looked through the reflecting glass visor of his welding helmet and found inspiration in the spirit of the shipyard.

In the video documentary, “Mining Poems or Odes” from the Scottish Documentary Institute (produced by Jack Cocker, directed by Jack Cocker), Robert Fullerton reveals how he learned to write, his creative process, and ‘tools of the trade’.

 

 

Robert Fullerton’s story reminds us that sparks of inspiration are everywhere, and the real magic is in a book.  His passion for books and writing began when his workmate and mentor, Archie, gave him a copy of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists* by Robert Tressell**, the pen name of author Robert Noonan (1870-1911), an Irish-born house painter.

The novel is set in the fictional town of Mugsborough, and based on Noonan’s personal experiences of poverty and exploitation and his views on the relationship between working-class people and their employers, the gross injustice and inequalities of society, and workers’ acceptance of the status quo. Out of work and ill, Noonan was in dire straits during the writing, and there are traces of the anger and bitterness he was feeling in the Ragged story, along with compassion and a sense of humor.

Widely regarded a classic of modern British literature and ranked as a ‘best loved’ novel in a 2003 BBC survey, the completed manuscript originally called, The Ragged Arsed Philanthropists, was rejected by three publishing houses before Noonan died in 1911 at age 40.  His daughter was able to sell the book rights to a publisher for £25, and an edited version (with most of the socialist ideology cut out) was published in 1914.  Forty years later, Robert Noonan’s original manuscript was found, and the unabridged edition was published in 1955.

*Editor’s Note:  The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is available to read free in ebook form or online, and is also free to download and print, courtesy of Project Gutenberg.  The volunteer organization founded in 1971 by American Michael S. Hart (1947-2011), inventor of the ebook, has created a digital library offering over 53,000 ebooks of literary works in the public domain that can be accessed, read, downloaded and printed—all free of charge.

Information/Resources:
Wikipedia: Robert Tressell, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Govan, Project Gutenberg, Michael S. Hart
“Welder Turned Poet….”, The Daily Record (February 14, 2016)

 

Exploring the history of black arts and activism in AmericaThe historical works created during times of social unrest and cultural change continue to inspire today Activist Arts

 

 

 

Still shot of shadows intersecting with space and thought during art exhibition was taken from video documentary "Intersections" by Walley Films. Artist Anila Quayyum Agha discusses her creative process and exploration of all human experience.There’s more inspiration here→  Watch:  Creative Perspectives,
an On2In2™ collection of short videos

 

 

 

It's easy and fun to join On2In2 social networkWe’d love to hear from you! If you’d like to comment on this article, join the conversation, or share your inspiration, and you have not yet registered as an On2In2™ playmaker, please sign up via the ‘Engage page’.  Don’t worry, it’s pretty quick and easy (unless you’re a robot).

 

 

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Feature photo of welder is courtesy of Pixabay/Pexels, CC0

**Zeester Media LLC may receive a small commission for a book purchase you make via the link to this Robert Noonan biography “One of the Damned:  The Life & Times of Robert Tressell” by F.C. Ball.  This in no way affects the price you pay for the purchase.

Filed Under: Books, Creative Writing, FREEBIES, Insight, Video Tagged With: Biography, Documentary, FREEBIES, Poetry

Word Play

July 3, 2020 By Zola Zeester 1 Comment

How to develop creative writing skills

Many of us have felt that urge to write ‘something’ at some point in our lives. Some follow through on the idea, while others never quite get started or start but never finish because creative writing is a challenging endeavor requiring passion and perseverance.  But, now may be the perfect time to take on that challenge and begin the process of creating with words.  

“Creative writing” is described as the process of creating a literary work of any type, including memoir, essay, short story, novel, poetry, and screenplay.  While some aspire to write a best seller, the joy for many writers is in the writing process, its practice and development, or they have something to say and hope to have an impact on the lives of others.

The poem “Where We Dwell” was written by Arian Foster, professional athlete and poet.  Video from Todd Martin

If you’re feeling it, explore and learn more from these online resources: 

⇒  Modern Poetry – FREE to Download  This Yale College course, taught on campus twice per week for 50 minutes, was recorded for Open Yale Courses in Spring 2007.  It covers the body of modern poetry, its characteristic techniques, concerns, and major practitioners. The authors discussed range from Yeats, Eliot, and Pound, to Stevens, Moore, Bishop, and Frost with additional lectures on the poetry of WWI, and the Harlem Renaissance.

⇒  FREE online creative writing courses are offered by Open University along with articles full of helpful advice and tips 

⇒ Find More FREE Creative Writing Classes – a list of online creative writing courses offered free by top universities and educational websites (provided by learningpath.org)

⇒ Everything You Need to Write and Publish Your Book Using NY Public Library E-Resources 

⇒  9 Simple Activities to Inspire Your Writing, by Emma Johnson, Writer’s Edit (online literary magazine created for writers and book lovers)

⇒ 35 Writing Courses to Take During Coronavirus – BookFox is a resource guide for aspiring writers 

⇒  Wesleyan University offers via online classes that focus on elements of three creative writing genres, short story, narrative essay, and memoir. [Access to some video lectures and assignments are free so that you can evaluate a course offering prior to purchase.  If the course fee is beyond your budget, financial aid may be available.]

 

Robert Fullerton found inspiration to write poetry in the shipyards of Govan, Scotland.You’ll find creative inspiration from Robert Fullerton’s story of life in the shipyards, how he learned to write, and his creative process, A Thousand Sparks 

 

 

 

 

Poetry reading for On2In2™ inspiration is liveTake a look at the On2In2™ article Contemporary Poetry. You’ll find both live and recorded readings featuring unique and inspiring literary voices of today.

 

 

 

It's easy and fun to join On2In2 social networkWe’d love to hear from you! If you’d like to comment on this article, join the conversation, or share your inspiration, and you have not yet registered as an On2In2™ playmaker, please sign up via the ‘Engage page’.  Don’t worry, it’s pretty quick and easy (unless you’re a robot).

 

 

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Feature photo courtesy of Taner Argali/Unsplash CC0

Filed Under: Create, Creative Writing, FREEBIES, Insight, Video Tagged With: FREEBIES, Poetry

Contemporary Poetry

June 3, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

Poetry reading for On2In2™ inspiration is live

“Poetry is a distinct pleasure, and unlike any other art form.  It requires no special knowledge to enjoy it, just the patience to tune to its unique way of doing things; and once you’ve dialed into its wavelength, I can promise you’ll never want to go without it again – and nor will the world ever look quite the same.” — Don Paterson, Picador publisher 

WATCH On2In2™

Singularity by American poet Marie Howe, inspired by Stephen Hawking and the cosmos, is a contemplation on our origins, interconnectedness and separateness.  This short video of Ms. Howe’s reading of Singularity somehow enriches her reflective words, and inspires to do our own reflecting on life and home.    

Mihaela Moscaliuc is the author of ‘Father Dirt’ and Immigrant Model’ where she explores the feelings of living in different worlds.  Michael Waters is a 2017 Guggenheim Fellow, and his new collection of poetry delves into the sensual and spiritual with characteristic intensity.  If you missed the live stream broadcast of Poetry: Mihaela Moscaliuc and Michael Waters, there’s still time to watch a video recording.  Just click/tap the “Watch Again” button on the media player below ↓

Ange Mlinko’s poems are about urban life, language and its failings, and the things we see and do not see, and all with a “unique sense of humor and mystery” (New Yorker).  She is the author of five books of poetry: Distant Mandate, Marvelous Things Overheard, Shoulder Season, Starred Wire, and Matinees.

If you missed the live stream broadcast of Poetry:  Ange Mlinko , there’s still time to watch a vide recording of the event.  Just click/tap the “Watch Again” button on the media player below ↓

 

MacArthur winner Alicia Elsbeth (‘A.E.’) Stallings is an American poet and translator, born and raised in Decatur, Georgia and currently residing in Athens, Greece.  Her work has appeared in Best American Poetry, Poetry magazine, the Atlantic Monthly, and the New Yorker, and she has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and United States Artists.  If you missed her live talk, there’s still time to watch a video recording.  Just click/tap the “Watch Again” button or the post on the video player below ↓

 

 

How to develop creative writing skills

Added Inspiration!  Explore more On2In2™ about creative writing here →     Word Play      A Thousand Sparks

 

 

 

 

Exploring the history of black arts and activism in AmericaHistorical works of art created during times of social unrest and cultural change continue to inspire Activist Arts

 

 

 

 

It's easy and fun to join On2In2 social networkWe’d love to hear from you!  If you’d like to comment on the fun you find here, join the conversation, or share your inspiration, and you have not yet registered as an On2In2™ playmaker, please sign up via the ‘Engage page’.  Don’t worry, it’s pretty quick and easy (unless you’re a robot).

 

 

Get more fun delivered straight to your inbox. It's easy to sign up for the On2In2™ newsletter.

 

Feature photo is courtesy of Alejandro Alvarez/Unsplash CC0

Filed Under: Creative Writing, Live Streaming, Video Tagged With: Entertainment, Poetry

Spring Flowers

February 25, 2020 By Zola Zeester 4 Comments

Watch the blooming of Spring flowers close-up in time-lapse video

And the Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

                                                                                      —Percy Bysshe Shelley*

 

The Flowers video by Jamie Scott captures Spring in bloom using time-lapse photography.

 

*Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 – 1822) lived his short life on the wild side, and the political and social views expressed in his poetry were considered radical in the early 19th century.  It all resulted in expulsion from Oxford, alienation of his father, financial and marital difficulties, and limited appeal of his creative work.  However, his popularity grew following his death, and Shelley is now regarded as one of the finest lyric poets in the English language and one of the most influential to generations of poets.  In 1838, Shelly’s poetry was first published as a collection edited by his widow.  The 1914 edited collection by Thomas Hutchinson attempts to restore the poetry to its original text, and is available here to read free-of-charge in digital format (courtesy of The Internet Archive).

 

Information/Resources:
Wikipedia: Percy Bysshe Shelley and poets.org
Blooms and Buds, National Park Foundation blog article (March 10, 2017) – Where to find spring flowers in US National Parks

 

They love their bluebonnets in Texas, and spotting the first one means it's Spring.In Texas, you know it’s Spring when you spot the first bluebonnet, and taking a long drive “to see the bluebonnets” is a long-standing tradition

 

 

 

 

The Chrysanthemum, Royal Queen of Fall,
is a flower with history and purpose

 

 

 

 

 

It's easy and fun to join On2In2 social network

We’d love to hear from you!  If you’d like to comment on this article, join the conversation, or share your inspiration, and you have not yet registered as an On2In2™ playmaker, please sign up via the ‘Engage page’.  Don’t worry, it’s pretty quick and easy (unless you’re a robot).

 

 

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Feature photo of close-up tulip is courtesy of Pixabay/Pexels CC0

Filed Under: Books, FREEBIES, Nature, Video, Visual Arts Tagged With: FREEBIES, Photography, Poetry

Love Conquers All

January 27, 2020 By Zola Zeester Leave a Comment

Love poems to inspire you and your lovers

Love conquers all things; yield we too to love! —Virgil, Eclogue X, line 69

Resolved am I
In the woods, rather, with wild beasts to couch,
And bear my doom, and character my love
Upon the tender tree-trunks: they will grow,
And you, my love, grow with them. (excerpt, Eclogue X, Gallus)

Considered one of Rome’s greatest poets, Publius Vergilius Maro (aka ‘Virgil’) (70 -19BC) wrote three of the most famous poems in Latin literature:  Eclogues (also called ‘Bucolics’), Georgics, and the Aeneid.

Love Conquers All in Virgils Eclogue XThe first, Eclogues (a Greek word for “selections”), is a group of ten poems featuring a mix of visionary politics and eroticism that made Virgil a celebrity and legend in his own lifetime.

In Eclogue X (Gallus), Virgil creates a myth using the impassioned voice of his friend, the poet Gallus, imagined dying of love in Arcadia, celebrated in Roman times as an unspoiled, harmonious wilderness and the home of Pan, Greek god of nature, the wild, shepherds, flocks, of mountain wilds.

♥ Go to Project Gutenberg for English translation of Virgil’s Eclogues (Free to Read) 

 

Poetry reading for On2In2™ inspiration is liveTake a look at the On2In2™ article Contemporary Poetry. You’ll find both live and recorded readings featuring unique and inspiring literary voices of today.

 

 

 

It's easy and fun to join On2In2 social networkWe’d love to hear from you!  If you’d like to comment on this post, join the conversation, or share your inspiration, and you have not yet registered as an On2In2™ playmaker, please sign up via the ‘Engage page’.  Don’t worry, it’s pretty quick and easy.

 

 

 

Get more fun delivered straight to your inbox. It's easy to sign up for the On2In2™ newsletter.

 

Feature photo is courtesy of Pixabay/Pexels CC0

Filed Under: Books, FREEBIES, History Tagged With: FREEBIES, Poetry

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