Guest Writer: Evelyn L. (AKA EAL) and Her Odd Ramblings

Welcome once again to Illiterations' guest writer series! (I got a clap track after the last episode. If you listen really hard, you can hear it playing from where I live).

Today's feature is the ever-lovely, young, brilliant, amazing--ahem. Sorry. I could go on for ages about her, and I certainly don't want to bore anyone while I go on about this lovely lady. Of Assembling Imaginations, this is Evelyn L. (also known as EAL).

Not only does Evelyn write poetry; she also draws! (It's freaky. We're, like, twins or something...) I am an avid follower of her blog, not only because of her poetry, but also because I keep hoping to catch a glimpse of her mysterious Utopia Project. All I know (so far) is that it involves Europe, fighting, magic, and three years' worth of writing. Naturally, I'm a little curious.

I was also amazed to discover that she's even younger than I am! Just goes to show that talent and good writing can come from anywhere. c:

About herself, Evelyn says:

EAL, who was born in Illinois but raised in Norcal, will no longer be speaking about herself in third person.  I draw and play instruments, but writing is my main method of being creative.  Currently, I’m fighting my way through revisions of my finished story Utopia Project, with some short stories, poems, and possible longer works on the side.  I’m inspired by a lot of things: namely, books, landscapes, architecture, the ocean, and the odd ramblings of my brain.

So, without further ado, here is an odd rambling from the brain of Evelyn L.!

Blue-Eyes
Your eyes are stars, supernovae
But like black holes they pull me in

And implosions happen when I see you
Which is good because explosions

Are messy like finger-paint
And if I were five

I would choose my bluest crayon
To draw your eyes

Except they would be too round
And I would think of Neptune

Discovered by calculations
Existing as speculation before being found

A Roman god, a knockoff Poseidon
But that just isn’t you

Tell me what you mean
Tell me who you are

And, actually, I don’t even know
What kind of blue your eyes are

Blue like ocean under sun or
Blue like blood under skin

Because I keep forgetting
Even when I remember to look

For the black hole swallows even light
And under those bright supernovae

Color doesn’t really matter
Does it, blue-eyes?

This is Renee Montero from my plotless story which currently has the working title GW.  She's a little bit evil.

Like what you've seen? Read more at assemblingimaginations.blogspot.com!

Do you compose poetry, write prose, make art, or take photographs? Then you deserve to be recognized! Find out how!

No Poem Today, but...

...I'm thinking about doing a poetry contest!

Would anyone be interested? There would be a prize, something like a custom poem or picture and a feature of your blog, whether you write poetry or not.

Post here if you'd like the challenge. I'll prolly do it once a month with a different theme or muse each month. Also, to avoid bias, I'll probably look for someone or two someones to help me judge.

That's all. See you tomorrow (in all likelihood) for The Gallery stuff. (Crap, I haven't decided what I'm going to post... :P )

P.S. I'm going to a funeral, hence no time for a poem. :P

Guest Writer: A Glimpse into the Soul of Kevin Routh

Welcome, welcome everyone, to Illiterations' very first guest writer! (If I had a clapping track, I'd play it here. You can applaud now as you read this if you feel so inclined).

Today's feature is the brilliant Kevin Routh, a father of 3 who lives outside of St. Louis, Missouri. He has been writing poetry for many years and has only recently begun to share his writings with others through his blog, Shards: The Poetry of Kevin Routh.

I was personally very impressed with all or Mr. Routh's poetry, as well as with his prose. Each piece is completely different, yet all have the same, unique style. My personal favorites are "Connor" and "Plastic People." These two poems, as well as the two featured here, reflect a critical observer of society, a bit of a jokester, and a loving man and father.

About his poetry, Kevin says:

"I strive to connect to human emotions and the human condition through my poetry. Some of my poems are happy, some angry and some are sad - but all of them are honest. They are all small glimpses into my soul."

Without further ado, I present to you "Memories" and "Poetry Is..." (and commentary on aforementioned poems) by Kevin Routh.

This is probably the hardest poem I ever wrote. I’m never ever quite sure what’s going to happen when I go back through my life and start poking and prodding at old scars. Even though it was painful, I really like how this piece turned out.

Memories 

little boy
5 or 6 maybe
trust me
(he whispers)
i love you
(he lies)
the house is filthy and dark
(like him)
little boy
concentrates on a cockroach
skittering back and forth across the floor
(instead of the pain)
the rancid breath
(cigarettes and gum disease)
the violence
followed by tears
(and apologies)
(and threats)
little boy
closing memories
(and shame)
behind locked doors

I took a literature class once and the professor, a tall, lanky (stork-like) fellow, asked us to write an essay defining poetry. Instead of the essay, I wrote this poem. I never really was one for following directions.

Poetry Is…

Poetry is?
The Stork asks,
his beady eyes darting to
and fro.
omigod!
I do not know –
I DO NOT KNOW!

He stands there on one leg asking me
to define the indefinable.
What is Poetry?
Some sort of verse?
Must it rhyme? Must it flow?
omigod… I don’t know!

The stork paces,
waiting for my answer,
waiting for me to speak.
If I don’t tell him,
he will gouge my eyes with his beak.
I hear the tick of the clock:
Poetry is… Poetry is… Poetry is…

I bet Whitman could have told him,
even Tennyson, Keats or Thoreau…
But as for me,
I do not know.
I do not know.

 Like what you've read? Read more at kevinrouthpoetry.blogspot.com!

Do you compose poetry, write prose, make art, or take photos? Then you deserve to be recognized! Find out how!

About Getting Featured

IN OTHER NEWS: Today I sent in an application for a graphic design internship WITH PAY. Yes, it's amazing, and exactly what I've been looking for. Cross your fingers that I get it!

Yes, I am indeed going to do features. I had, like, 7 or more people say they were interested, which makes me happy. It really does...

Anyways, here's how features will work.

I will first ask for people who want to be featured, and then will go back and pick up people who I feel deserve to be featured. There will be no hiding from me. I know who you all are...

If you are selected to be featured, send an email to alexaliteration@gmail.com with the following information:

1. A name of some sort. There will be no anonymity on MY blog.
2. A short bio of some sort, around 100 words or so. This will come after whatever your feature is.
3. Your feature. It can be anything writing- or art- or both-wise. Please only 2 poems, 3 pictures, or one short story, simply for brevity.
4. An optional explanation of each piece, similar to my introductions. Explain your muse, inspiration, or hidden meaning if you like. Exception: I will not include disclaimers. We don't want to hear about every little flaw your work has. Let us figure them out ourselves. Maybe we'll miss them.

Features, at least for now, will be posted every other Thursday, starting next week. If you're interested, lines are open now. Email-lines. I dunno. I felt like saying that. c:

And I'll actually post some poetry or prose next week, I swear. Maybe on Saturday, even.

A Few Painful Ideas

Yes, painful.

My dad always asks if it hurts when I think. Well, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.
Or maybe this is one of those "You had to be there" moments.

But I was, indeed, thinking about two things. The first: guest bloggers. The second: art.

Would anyone be interested in being featured on this, my beautiful blog of beauty? It can be anything, really: art, poems, short stories, prose, essays; whatever it is you do. If enough people, as I determine, are interested, I might do a feature every other week or something. State so in the comments if you'd like to do something of that sort.

Now regarding art. I, being a many-faceted-and-multi-talented-person, draw and paint and such. I bet you never saw that coming, eh? That's right! I'm throwing curveballs now. Anycrap, would anyone be interested? I think I'll do art Wednesday to start out, and maybe post on Saturdays or Fridays if I feeeeeeeel like it.

Please respond!