I stare at the empty page in defeat, Wracking my brain, Futility in my writing hand, The quill perspires at the scene, The paper spits in my eye, Discontent in its saliva,
It’s a marathon without movement, No characters or worlds shall be wrought, The lines on the paper quiver in mockery, Scribbles in the margin, It is as if language has become alien to me, Something I could never control,
It’s defeating me in single combat, My ambition has become apathy, I’m not wordsmith, I’m a pretender, Foiled by the gravity of this page, This infernal blank page.
How are you all? Having a fun week? My week has been reasonably busy, both in writing and “IRL” stuff. I’m not a great fan of adulting! Is anyone? Responsibility can be such a drag can’t it? Anywho, it’s been a productive one. I’ve been really happy with what I’ve produced this week. I realise a few of my poems have been reasonably heavy in content, particularly on the subject of depression and self-hate. I appreciate the few comments of support and concern I received, but I assure you I’m doing alright. Writing about it is really the best way to deal with it. Is anybody else like that?
So, it’s a wednesday which means it’s time for some writing music! Again, there is a theme for todays post. I dropped a clue for it on the social media and I wonder if anybody had any theories!
The theme for todays edition of the Harlequins writing music is horror! Oh yes, probably among my favourite genres of film and reading material. From the shadow of Nosferatu to the dream demon Freddy Krueger! The racing pulse brought on by a tense killer chase or the lingering dread of a unnatural haunting. Many of these things have greatly influenced my writing and even inspiring specific poems (such as Slasher and Horror Icons). It influences a great many music artists as well. Even the most horrific imagery has been used in many artists work, whether it be in the musical construction itself or the use of graphic imagery in music videos or the bands image. I love monsters and true crime, two subjects that many music artists have latched on to in their musical repertoire. So, do you want to hear some? As you can imagine, some of these choices may contain explicit material, for those worried about such things.
Now, join me as we delve into the musical minds of frightful artists the world over!
Spooked out enough? I was spoiled for choice if I’m honest; I had ideas such as creepy lullabies, some other electronica, countless metal bands and every painted freak out there. No offence to painted freaks of course, I am one! I just intended to choose a good variance in the genres and artists, because above all, the music is the primary reason. I think these artists show different kinds of horror. Monsters, mad killers and ghosts, oh my! I hope you enjoy my choices and aren’t over-scared by them!
So, how about some freaky social media spiel! The asylum has a presence on Facebook, an account on Instagram and a page on Twitter. Please think about following and liking me on those, it really helps me out! Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the madhouse, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page! Thanks for everything!
A sickening snap, Metallic jaws latching on, An agonising let-up in my journey, This travail through life, It was a clumsy miscalculation, A wrong turn, Blades of foul intent, Or perhaps a deterring voice, As cutting as any trap,
Bones splinter, As my plan is crushed, Smashed betwixt dragons teeth, On my path forward, A trail into foggy terrain, It is laden with such menaces, Each mutilated step, A new trial of metal jaws to struggle with, Ever after.
How are you doing? Having a nice week? Keeping your socks clean and such? That’s just fab to hear! I’m having an alright week as well. I’ve felt productive and reasonably confident in my work, which is always something of a novelty. I think it’s that novel nature that leads me to declare it each time it happens. Almost like memorializing it for myself. Haha!
So, it’s a wednesday. Once more into the breach! It’s time for another edition of the Harlequins writing music today. Once again there is a theme to my musical choices today. Have any of you seen the clue on my social media? Any idea what it is? To be honest, it was a pretty obvious clue. But not everything has to be so machiavellian eh?
The theme for todays post is space! The very image and enigma of space has inspired countless artists in the past. Oh yes indeed! That “final frontier” in the words of one of those Star Trek guys. I’ve always found it fascinating. From the moon, to the stars. From artwork of a nebula, to the planets of our solar system. It’s just all so gargantuan and beyond anything a human mind can conceivably compute. It’s just so inspiring. I can spend hours of the night just looking up wondering what’s up there. What mysteries does that black void hold? There are many songs about aspects of space. Or just give the feeling of floating around in a vacuum. Many people write about the moon and it’s eerie but romantic face. I’ve heard songs about the night sky as an image, a giant landscape painting. I could go on all day, but I imagine you guys want to hear some music eh? Let’s listen to five song and artists that I feel encompass the marvels of the stars beyond.
Join me, as we delve into the musical minds of intergalactic artists the world over!
And there we go for another volume of the Harlequins writing music!
So, what do you think? There’s some intergalactic tunes for you all. There are many others I could have included of course. Special mention to Walking on the moon by REM, it missed the list by the slimmest of margins. I also think it’s worth mentioning the sheer number of relaxation mixes of music inspired by space. Nothing is more calming than some soft echoing tones while looking at beautiful picture of the universe. I hope you all enjoy my choices for this week and that you check these artists out if you’re unfamiliar. I know it’s basically a cardinal sin to not have heard of David Bowie, but even so! Haha!
Let’s have some social media nonsense for this week eh? The asylum has a presence on other social media sites. I have a Facebook page, an Instagram page and an account on Twitter. I share random things over there and I also share clues for my poems and writing music themes a few hours before they are posted. If you enjoy what I do here at the Asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page. Thanks for everything people!
Some people never leave drama lessons, Their dramatic exultations are not limited to class, Social life is also a play, A tall tale to which they are dramatis personae, An endless supply of attention, Teenage mindsets abound,
A rumour here, A silver tongue there, Crocodile tears over yonder, Perhaps lips touching, And the stage is set, For this manufactured performance,
You see these people wish to be eyesores, The centre of everyone’s gaze, To be fawned over by all who will, Lauded onwards by fellow prom kings and queens, Plastic performers, Confirmed in their own indignity,
It is like a drug to the vein, These consistent victims play their starring role, Uncaring for those they step on, As long as the audience attends, Any audience, The curtains never draw close.
Today we earn our keep, With sire and sibling, We work through the day, Sunrise to sundown, Sweat becomes crowbars, While effort becomes splinters, Strain begets demolition, Humanity begets ruins,
New homes become debris, To a strangely upbeat radio soundtrack, With the nails and detritus, Plasterboard and nail hammers, Lead and fragments, We’re demolishing an old world, Making way for a new one, Or perhaps among a current utopia.
The mind is a prison,
Shackles and all,
All your ideas are kept there,
All your machinations are bound there,
Your minds eye is temporarily blindfolded,
Upon request these treasures are released,
Creations given wing,
On to page and stage,
To captivate and terrify,
To enlighten and appall,
But something has designs on these gems,
Writers block,
The plague of the author and artist,
A malady so harrowing,
So abominable,
So soul-crushing,
Now my mind is blocked,
The affliction comes for me,
It’s an unwanted guard to my prison,
Authorizing no creative release,
Me and my psyche are in solitary,
WorldofHarley 