Samuel Peralta here…
For you I wish that these poems were rubies,
borne by my own caravan from Xi’an out of Shaanxi,
through Persia, along the northern Silk Road
– S. Peralta
Last year, I found myself in a bookstore, admiring the poetry of Margaret Atwood. She has, at last count, around twenty volumes of poems.
From the shelf I pulled out “The Journals of Susanna Moodie” and leafed through pages of indescribable beauty, pain, insight. Every poem was a poem I wish I’d written.
And yet, of Atwood’s array of volumes on the shelf, all iconic titles – “The Edible Woman”, “The Journals of Susanna Moodie”, “Surfacing”, “Life Before Man”, “The Handmaid’s Tale”, “Cat’s Eye”, “The Robber Bride”, “Alias Grace”, “The Blind Assassin”, “Oryx and Crake”, “The Year of the Flood”, “MaddAddam” – none were poetry, save one.
Or are they? Atwood’s prose reads beautifully, almost as if it was poetry.
A prose poem is a piece that appears to be prose – with no line breaks or verses – but which reads as if it were poetry. Prose poetry pieces maintain poetic qualities and utilize poetic techniques – such as symbolism, imagery, alliteration, rhyme.
A prose poem may be anywhere from a few lines, to the length of – I now believe – a book.
The appearance of the prose poem form in Charles Baudelaire’s works was a grenade hurled into the border between poetry and prose. After his example, the form spread through a number of adept practitioners, including Rainer Maria Rilke, Franz Kafka, Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Octavio Paz, William Carlos Williams and Gertrude Stein.
Each writer expanded the scope of the prose poem, and to this day a number of contemporary writers are still exploring the boundaries of this form.
Reading the works of Kazuo Ishiguro, works like “Never Let Me Go”, I have come to believe that poetry can be found everywhere, even in the novel.
Radio is like telepathy. When you first tune in, you’re flooded with static, ambient noise, the almost-too-strong blare of someone else’s song. You know roughly where you want to be, though – the music you’re looking for – so you turn the dial to scan for that frequency that brings you the swell of strings. You pass through the peak signals of other transmitters, hear snatches of lives – some beautiful, some mundane – excerpted melodies, thoughts, monologues… Slowly, you push into the envelope of the target’s thoughts. Perhaps you go a little too far, and the signal drops, enough that you know you’ve vectored off. You back up triangulation, just a touch, and you’re there. Mozart.
– S. Peralta
That extract, hopefully a prose poem, is from the latest draft of my work – a novel of speculative fiction about a telepath, a man able to breach the labyrinth of the human mind – called “The Labyrinth Man”.
This article is my last as a regular writer at dVerse.
My comrades-at-arms, my fellow travellers, my friends – I have come to love this place, and the people who fill it, more perhaps than any other community I’ve been a part of.
As with all of us, I juggle a day job, and family, and my poetry life… and many other things as well.
I sit on corporate boards, write songs for bands, and lately I’ve paid my (relative) success in poetry forward by investing in over 40 independent films, including as associate and executive producer of six films, one of which just premiered in London.
Some of you will know that I’ve tried to write novels – some in verse – but over the years, I’ve failed again and again.
I admit to watching in envy as some of my friends completed their novels, and I struggled. (I still bought their books, though, and some were excellent.)
Last year, in that bookstore, I looked at that shelf, at Atwood’s array of celebrated novels, her neglected poetry volumes, and despaired. Until now.
Somehow “Labyrinth Man” has taken a life of its own. And I have to embrace it…
And so I take my leave.
It’s been an amazing, brilliant run, and I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie at dVerse. I’ve been impressed with the commitment that the community has made to poetry – and especially the dVerse team, shepherded by Brian and Claudia (thank you all so very much!).
Each and every one of you – with every word, with every line, with every verse – pushes back the chaos, rediscovers what is beautiful in the world, breathes life and voice to a movement that I’m incredibly proud and happy to have been a small part of.
The question, O me! so sad, recurring–What good amid these,
O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here–that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
– W. Whitman
Thank you all, and au revoir.
—–
Tonight, I invite you to contribute your own prose poem. Press the button. Share, visit, dream.
And please, make sure I can stay in touch. Click here to join my free list. The best is yet to come.
—
Samuel Peralta – on Twitter as @Semaphore – is the award-winning author of five titles in The Semaphore Collection – Sonata Vampirica, Sonnets from the Labrador, How More Beautiful You Are, Tango Desolado and War and Ablution – all Amazon Kindle #1 Hot New Releases, and best sellers, in poetry.
Copyright (c) Samuel Peralta. All rights reserved.
Images public domain / via WikiMedia Commons or as attributed.
claudia said:
sam – you will be missed… thanks for all that you’ve done in the pub …..that book sounds awesome – love the extract and looking forward to read once it’s completed… all the best for your many projects – love that you try different things and dip your feet into new pools as well – have fun – and thanks for another wonderful mtb article as well…. i once read a book that was prose poetry from first to last side… and it def. works
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Claudia, this place has been wonderful for me, a place that shared my love of poetry, entertained my insistence on craftsmanship. How you’d tap me on the shoulder to warn me that my turn was coming up for bat, that always reminded me of the sister I never had. Thank you for everything… I know I will always be welcome here, that this isn’t a good-bye, and that warms my heart (especially now, in this polar vortex we’re in!)
Teresa said:
You certainly are quite busy. Congratulations on your successes and here’s to many more!
Ella said:
Cheers to Sam! Yes, congrats on your success now and your future endeavors!
YOU will be missed-all the best to you~
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Ella, wonderful to see you here, and thank you for your kind words!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Teresa, thanks for stopping by, and your well-wishes! Cheers!
Glenn Buttkus said:
good luck out there, Sam; here’s hoping your dreams come to fruition. You have always been so very literate, insightful, honest with your prompts & comments, and the ones you left for me along the away are, and will be, cherished. Perhaps, since the dVerse sphere shall endure, you will return as commenter, as contributer, or maybe again as host. You have my gratitude for our brief discourse.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Glenn, I regret not being able to write an article on the cinematic poetry form! But, since this is au revoir, and I expect (hint, hint) to write a guest column now and again, perhaps I can reserve that for the future. It’s been a pleasure to read your poetry and see the amount of work you put into your craft. Cheers!
billgncs said:
wow – that’s a nice list of accomplishments – with hope of many more.
I agree that the best prose and poetry are very similar. Every time I read Tolkien or Le Guin – I feel caught in both.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Bill, same here, Tolkien and LeGuin count among my favourite writers, and they do stride across the boundaries of poetry and prose. Hopefull I’ll be able to do similar…. we’ll see!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
I’ve already bid my au revoir–and do count on seeing soon here at the pub and even, perhaps, on a best seller list or two. Much luck going forward. Enjoy every moment. And thanks for the great prompt.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Victoria, thanks, I will need all the luck I can get! Do count on seeing me here at the pub, of course!
The next little while will be intense, so I will be scarce… but I’m hoping that I’ll have a bit of free time in a few months. But I will peek in now and again 🙂
Bodhirose said:
I wish you well, Sam, and much success. You’ve got a lot going on and I’m sure much more to contribute and I have no doubt that you will produce that book. Take care.
Gayle ~
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Gayle, your poetry will always be a touchstone, yours was one of those different enough from mine, but still inspiring of what I would write. Please do stay in touch.
Bodhirose said:
Thank you for your kind and generous words for me, Sam…so very encouraging. I appreciate them. I hope you will pop in from time to time…either here or dVerse.
hanna said:
What a very timely prompt, in view of the story about the man who tried to kill his friend in an argument about prose versus poetry. A story that appeared in the papers yesterday.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Hanna, yes, I did read about that, and thought hard about whether to include it – but I thought that, in the end, I wanted to talk about harmony, not discord, between poetry and prose.
grapeling said:
Sam, you’ve seeded the Pub well, and now your bloom is for the bigger world. Continued success, and thank you ~
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Thanks for the well-wishes… you use an apt metaphor, I hope!
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com said:
Sam, I have learned so much from your contributions at the pub, and shall always be thankful that we ‘met’ here. You will leave behind a big hole.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Viv, many of your works will always stay with me… and whenever I think of the lavender fields and blue skies of France, it will conjure up a smile, because of you. Do keep in touch and look in on me once and again, I will like that.
hypercryptical said:
I wish you well in your new adventures Sam and so grateful for the prompts you have provided. Good luck and kind regards.
Anna :o]
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Anna, you must, must, must follow me in my new adventure! You have a mind that will be able to wrap around the mathematical, philosophical, sociological, quantum mechanical intricacies of what I’m writing! It will be science fiction, a thriller, yes, but more than that… and you’ll be one of those who’ll appreciate every layer. I’ll definitely look in, now and then, on what new complication you’re constructing. Cheers!
hypercryptical said:
Thank you Sam – I am honoured by your words. (Did click onto the ‘follow’ (provided above) – but it appears I am already there!)
Kind regards. Anna :o]
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Well that’s great! I’ll see you on the other side of the jump gate then!
The Course of Our Seasons said:
Sam, I am grateful for your time here. I have learned so much from your prompts and kind comments. You have opened new paths that I hope to follow. Thank you again for all your time and generosity. K
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Kathleen, what wonderful, kind words, thank you! I won’t be able to spend as much time as I have at Dverse, but I will certainly be around, and hopefully continue to pay forward what poetry has given me. 🙂
Mary said:
Good luck to you, Sam, on all your future endeavors. Hope you will find your way back once in a while and say hello here at the bar!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Mary, I definitely will find my way back once in a while, I have too many friends here not to do that! And besides, they know how to mix my favourite drinks here 🙂
Jenny Herner said:
Best wishes, dear Sam! I know you will succeed!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Jenny, thanks so much! You will understand it all, I know… in between your work, and your athletics, and everything else, you still manage to pursue your literary life. The corporate world, that you and I navigate in, poses many challenges to life balance, but somehow we find a way – I saw that in your poetry. You’ve written poems I wish I’d written, and I hope that you continue to nurture that gift.
brian miller said:
fun stuff man….my whole poetry career started in reverse…i was writing prose poems (without knowing) and someone suggested poetry….
you have been a huge asset sam….i appreciate all you have done in the pub….and between you and gay getting me writing form as well….always appreciated brother…
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Brian, you’ll always be a brother to me – we wrestle on form and structure and rhyme and rhythm, but in the end we clasp each other on the back and buy each other a drink. There’s nothing I’d like better than one day to be able to buy you that drink for real.
Don’t think I won’t be around, because many of the highest highs I’ve ever had in poetry were right here, in the pub, where I’ve carved my initials in the bar. Cheers!
brian miller said:
hey, i am making it one of my bucket list items to buy you that drink man…smiles.
Snakypoet (Rosemary Nissen-Wade) said:
Oh, Sam, I’ll miss your prompts here! You’ve taught me a lot, and it’s thanks to you that I have conquered my lifelong fear of the sonnet, lol. I wish you all the best with your novels, and all future endeavours, and have now joined your free list as suggested. (Can’t do without some Peralta in my life! Also don’t want to miss reading those novels when they’re released.)
I’ve long distinguished four categories: prose, poetry, prose poetry, and poetic prose. For instance, I think the first chapter of The Grapes of Wrath is pure poetry, but I don’t think Steinbeck meant it as a poem, so I class that as poetic prose. So I realise, thinking about it now, that my only real basis for that distinction between prose poetry and poetic prose is what I imagine the author’s intention to have been! Shaky ground, perhaps. In the case of Atwood, who is such a marvellous poet, it’s fair to wonder. (And then of course there are novels in verse, the best of which work as both — but let’s not even get into that.) I guess I have also thought the length of work defines it as one or the other, so would class books not set in verse as poetic prose. But yes, why could a whole book not be an extended prose poem? This might depend on the author’s intention, but could also depend on how it is perceived by readers!
Anyway, I enjoy playing with prose poetry from time to time, so this is a fun prompt for me. Busy day ahead, but I’ll see what I can come up with. If all else fails, I might find an older piece….
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Rosemary, that’s an amazing discourse! You’ve thought long and hard about the gradients between poetry and prose, and the distinctions you make are perfect, so much so, I could have included them in the article. There are indeed a few authors whose writing feels like an extended poem in prose, Kazuo Ishiguro is one of these, as well as Michael Ondaatje. I’m not sure whether I can even pretend to be at their level, but I will definitely have my own techniques. We shall see!
Snakypoet (Rosemary Nissen-Wade) said:
Your writing is beautiful, Sam, and I’m sure it won’t fail you when it comes to novels!
Well, I came up with a new prose poem — so thank you!
And btw I forgot to say in my ‘discourse’ that there are people who use the term ‘prose poetry’ to refer to what we would call ‘free verse’. Walt Whitman’s ‘Leaves of Grass’ was described as prose poetry when it first appeared, and quite often since. With those long, discursive lines, I can understand why. (I taught poetry writing for much of my life, so yes, I have needed to think about such things. :] )
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Yes, I did think of that when including Whitman in the article… Langston Hughes is another one in the same vein. (By the way, I would love to someday teach poetry for a living.)
Gay Reiser Cannon said:
Dear Sam – I will miss seeing you here at d’Verse. You have brought such insight, brilliance, and astounding articles to all of us. Yet, I know I will be reading your tweets and seeing your posts on FB. Wishing you even more success and extending to you heartfelt thanks for all you’ve been to the poets here and for being my “other” on FormForAll.
I wrote something for this article. It is prose (but its value as poetry I can’t weigh) still it’s something I wanted to write about today – about the effects of events on the my life and others my age, and the courage of people then and now to come to the rescue, and the amazing resilience and bravery of women I’ve known and will never know as their actions have allowed me to have the life I’ve had.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Gay, you were one of those who dragged me into this, so you’re one of those who can take credit for instigating my essays… and I thank you for it! Some of my best writing has come because of the FFA deadlines, oh what pressure and deadlines can do!
Perhaps one day I will collect all my essays into a book on poetic form, and maybe I will choose one or two poems from dVerse poets to illustrate the different forms. That would be something! I guess, when there’s time 🙂
Poetry will always be my first love, even if my missives on Facebook and Twitter and such will veer away from it for a while. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have some space to talk here at dVerse. The best is yet to come.
Gay Reiser Cannon said:
Absolutely Sam – will be following your achievements – the world is your oyster, Sir. I’m so happy to have been able to read and share in all of your artistic endeavors. Cheers!
welshstream said:
Sam it has been a pleasure crossing your path and reading your work. I can but wish you well as you set out on a new journey which I trust will prove to be rewarding, exciting and above all fun. All the very best. Meantime I will try and get a prose poem together ~ though life has got a little hectic of late as my daughter and her husband produced my first grandchild at Christmas 🙂
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Congratulations Paul! What a wonderful Christmas gift for all the family! I’m sure that your grandchild will serve as inspiration for many poems, whether in verse or prose. 🙂
John (@bookdreamer) said:
Ooh spooky, bored here as tired from work and have watched all 8 seasons of Dr Who (I know… sigh) and so popped in and you are doing prose poems!
I have read Charles Baudelaire#s book( it’s next to to my bed) and would have posted one of the stories inspired by one of his (here if curious).
The fusion of poetry and narrative is what interests me so perhaps what I have posted isn’t a prose poem. If one assumes a definition that agues that prose poems lack a story and tend to concentrate on a moment like a poem. But don’t assume that and it’s a prose poem 🙂
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Eight seasons of Dr. Who! I am impressed, John… and more so because you have Baudelaire next to your bed. I’m also interested in the fusion of poetry and narrative, but I don’t think we can confine prose poems to concentrate on a moment, because there is such a thing as narrative poetry (which is a big part of what I write)! So the distinctions do blur again. I believe it has more to do with techniques used to elicit a reader response… but that’s just me 🙂
Misky said:
Wishing you great success!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Thanks, Misky! I need all the luck I can get!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Sam, I have learned so much from your prompts and will miss them greatly… And to be travelling and not being fully participant at the same time is so sad. I wrote a poem this morning based on a fiction prompt, and I am doing both. One form which I think is similar or maybe a mixture would be the haibun. When I read Basho I certainly think that the prose part has great lyrical qualities. I think the poetic prose is one of the form or styles…
Anyway my best wishes for your succes, and I wish you all well in your other ventures.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Björn, you’re here in spirit, whether or not you share a poem, and that means a lot to me. It’s always a pleasure to read your comments on my work, and on others’ works as well… You take time to think about a poem, its meaning and intent, and so your comments always come out well-considered and whole. That is so appreciated. Thanks for your well-wishes, and I hope you’re around for a toast when I circle back to the pub 🙂
Susan said:
I wonder if you will read these tributes, Sam? Your generously informational goodbye seemed so final. I’ll just try to stay in touch through literature, film, art, and delight.
I have tears in my eyes today. I should write through my tears, and take a jump to the left. But forgive me for posting something old.
Susan said:
I’ll be back later to read. I love prose poetry.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Here I am, Susan!
I won’t be around as much as I used to be, but I’ll definitely drop by now and again. With so many friends here waiting to buy me a drink, how could I not?
And please, please, yes, do stay in touch through literature, film, art, and any other way. Poetry will always be my first love, and I’ll never give it up. You’ll see me around 🙂
scrbwly said:
Sorry to see you leave. Good luck with the labyrinth man.
Personally I’d consider Joseph Conrad as one of the prose/poetry writers. His writing brims with so much metaphor and color.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Joseph Conrad, definitely. “Heart of Darkness” is a touchstone of a book for me.
…And thanks for the kind words, I’ll need as much luck as I can get!
lupitatucker said:
I arrived late to the party, so I only was able to join you for a couple of your prompts, Sam, but each one has stretched me. Especially this one, it was TOUGH! I recently just started watching and rediscovering slam poetry and performance poetry, so I find your prompt today to be no coincidence 🙂
Prose poetry really lends itself to performance poetry. Thank you and best wishes on your book! I signed up for the email list so I am looking forward to your updates.
brian miller said:
i love performance poetry…and it def is about the story and telling it poetically….where are you watching it? live or on dvd?
lupitatucker said:
Online, a young lady named Sarah Kay. Really inspiring, highly recommended.
brian miller said:
nice…will check her out…
lupitatucker said:
Yes, ithink you will like her Brian. She’s a teacher too.
brian miller said:
cool…i take it you have seen taylor mali? another teacher…and very good spoken word artist…
lupitatucker said:
No, I haven’t. I will have to now! 🙂
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Taylor Mali… thanks for the note, I really appreciate spoken word.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Lupe… Sarah Kay is one of my favourite poets! She goes beyond the usual performance poetry, taking a more formal approach and yet making it as accessible as the rap poets. I’m glad you mentioned her, as it now introduces her to more folks. (And by the way, I used to be a teacher too 😉 )
Grace said:
Sam, thank you for all the articles, prompts, inspiration & kind words ~ I have learned a lot from your writing & am a big fan of your writing & work ~ All the best to your future projects & keep in touch ~
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Grace, such wonderful things to say. You always have a gentle way with comments, even when I know I haven’t produced a stellar piece. Learning is a two-way street, you know, and I’ve learned a lot from how readers respond to my writing. So thank you, thank you, and yes I will stay in touch
wolfsrosebud said:
you will be missed… stop in anytime… thanks for your encouragement
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Thanks Pat, for the kind words and the well-wishes 🙂
ramblingsfromamum said:
Sam thank you for this beautiful departing write and ‘challenge’. May I wish you every success in your endeavours. We haven’t crossed paths very much, but from the comments, you are well liked and admired..and they are good judges ~ smiles.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Jen, thanks for your kind word… If you hang out around here, I’m sure we’ll continue to cross paths in the future. And the folks around here? They’ll say anything as long as you buy them a pint! 😉 …Just kidding! I love them all, how can I not?
ramblingsfromamum said:
Thank you Sam – about to post for you and the team – they are wonderful and hopefully our paths will cross. Good luck again Sam and nice knowing you albeit a short while. 😉
Truedessa said:
Sam,
Wishing you the best on your journey. May your wings take you to new heights. I would like to thank you for your comments on some of my work. May you always
follow your dreams.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Thank you so much, it will be an incredible journey!
lynndiane said:
A toast to you, Sam: May your caravan bring rubies…and The Labyrinth Man success!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Thanks Lynn Diane, cheers to you as well!
ds said:
All best wishes to you and The Labyrinth Man. Sorry to see you leave the pub; I’ve enjoyed your challenges and explications (even when not able to participate) and reading your work. Thank you.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Thanks for your kind words! I will definitely be around now and again, if only to make sure that the initials I carved into the bar are still there. Cheers!
kelvin s.m. said:
Sam, Sir, I wish you goodluck in all that you do & have wished to do in life. You will surely be missed. I may not always present, participating in every activities here at the dverse but rest assured I read & observe somewhere. Thank you for your energy & contributions t’wards this campaign of loving poetry even more. You always have the simplest way of explaining & demonstrating a form making it more acceptable to some of us. Your poetry & achievements are no doubt an inspiration to every Filipino who writes and that includes me. I am proud of you, sir. May all your desires in life & career come to fruition soon. Smiles.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Kelvin, I always look out to see if you’re around, you know? You – being one of the younger generation of Filipino writers – represent for me the light of the future. I was impressed with the depth of meaning that you can carry in your poetry, and how you handle technique, and it’s good to see that the torch will be carried for a long time. Keep writing, and pay it forward! 🙂
kelvin s.m. said:
I will, sir. I will. It’s an honor to know I can impress someone of your caliber, really, so thank you so much for the words. On another note, I have tried my quick hand to write something for your article today, Sam. Writing in prose is quite a scary act for me but I have conquered my limits only for this sake. Thank you! 🙂
kkkkaty1 said:
Last but not least, I hope, I have to say your example, your writing was one of the reasons I joined dverse – as in the short stanza above, your poetry is all rubies as far as I am concerned. I will definitely look for the release of your finished book, for I feel it will circumference so much of what all you have yet to say that wants to be put on paper. I have not read it all, mostly excerpts, but they are beautiful and rich, and deeply touching.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
The short stanza I have above, from the longer poem “Twelve Stones on a Necklace”, encapsulates everything I wish for in my poetry – so thank you for such a kind comment.
rosross said:
Best of luck Sam. Sorry to see you go.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
“I’ll be back…”
(…he says in his best Arnold Schwarzenneger voice)
vidyatiru said:
Your presence will definitely be missed here at the pub. I have always looked forward to your prompts and your comments on my posts have never failed to inspire. signups on the free list – check; enjoyed reading this post and checking the new prompt – check; actually start on the prose poetry prompt – not yet!
Wishing you and ‘labyrinth man’ the very best..
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Well, I’m looking forward to whatever you come with on the prose poetry prompt! I may be slow, but I will eventually find my way to your writing… and the weekend is coming up (hurray!) so I’ll have the time. Thanks for the well-wishes!
Akila said:
Wish you best Sam. I have learnt much from the wonderful prompts and forms given by you here. Sometimes interactions, though little, leave you with lot of space to introspect. I had that privilege with you. thank you and well, the journey continues…
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Akila, one of the things about poetry is that it says so much with so few words… and so have our conversations been. I remember being moved by many of your poems, and those moments of discovery are the ones I will treasure. The journey continues!
MarinaSofia said:
All I can do is add my voice to all of the many others above about how much you will be missed! But it sounds like a very exciting chapter in your life and wishing you the very best of joy and luck with it!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Marina, thank you so much… it is an exciting chapter opening, definitely. Oh – you may be interested to know – because of your Crime Fiction Lover alter-ego – that “Labyrinth Man” is written as crime fiction (yes, I know the telepath part is a twist, but you know me, I make things harder for myself). Essentially it is what I call ‘future noir’, in the tradition of “Minority Report”. So please, stay tuned and if you haven’t already, please join my list! I’m sure we will be crossing paths again soon. 🙂
MarinaSofia said:
I have joined your list and look forward to hearing more about your novel. Exciting times ahead, indeed!
Lydia said:
I am extremely excited for you, Sam, while being downright sad for us!
With so many thanks for the magic I have discovered via your astonishingly beautiful and challenging prompts, I remain
Your devoted fan,
Lydia
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Lydia, as you know, writing can be such a solitary affair, and for me, from the beginning, you’ve been one of those who’s made it worthwhile to keep writing. You’ve been steadfast and devoted, and I can’t thank you enough because what else does a writer wants except for someone to read and appreciate their work? Thank you for everything, and please stay in touch.
brian miller said:
good morning poets….caught up on the overnights
thanks to those out visiting…
hey its friday!!! woohoo!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
I’ve been busy here and there, but I will make progress on that trail, the weekend is just about here!
katiemiafrederick said:
Wel…i truly believe in free..in everything i do now..free verse..free dance..and overall freedom of expression..in every way….
There was a time when every ounce of energy is focussing on pleasing the side walks of life..now all there is is..side walking.. or reverse walking or anything off the concrete of life…
i am no longer in prison..
i am free….
and i look around me sometimes..
and feel sad for the others..who walk
on the sidewalks of life..that are once my home..
and prison.
i wanna be a Yogi..but i ain’t goi’n to school for it.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Freedom is everything, you’re right! So glad to see you here!
Rallentanda said:
Congratulations Sam on your latest publication and I wish you every success in your future literary endeavours. It is sad that you are leaving. You have introduced me to new forms that I otherwise would not have tried, so I thank your for that.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Thank you so much for bearing with me, I know that sometimes my essays have been pedantic and maybe a bit self-indulgent, but it’s good to know that you were able to get something out of them 🙂 Keep writing, keep sharing, pay it all forward!
Mohana said:
Linking an old poem today 🙂
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Old poems are new to readers who haven’t seen them before 🙂
shanyns said:
I am so happy for the path you are taking, and so thankful for your time with us at dVerse. I’m hoping you stay in touch, and come visit the pub (promise a round or two on me!) now and again.
There is a legend about each blade of grass having an angel whispering, “Grow! Grow!” I believe for poets and writer we have angels that whisper, prod, poke, shout and harass us in the most sweet of tones, “Write! Write!” so my friend – Write! Write!
I may contribute some pieces from my a couple of my novels in progress for this prompt. See if that can get me over the 35 K hump!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
That’s a wonderful legend that you’ve adapted, and yes, that’s exactly how it is, isn’t it – the muse is a writer-whisperer 🙂
I’ve also been at that 35K hump before, but only 5K+1 words more and you’re in complete novel territory, so keep going! You and I may well meet again on some Top 10 list somewhere. We can dream, right?
shanyns said:
We will cross paths like that yet!
claudia said:
hey…just coming online after a day of snowboarding in the mountains… i’m exhausted and i’m still…flying…smiles… will comment back on those that visited me (thanks!!) and see if i’ll manage to read something beyond.. oy…
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Oh man I envy you! Here, all I’m looking forward to on the weekend (besides reading some new prose/poems) is shovelling 15cm of new snow. Oh joy.
Sherry Blue Sky said:
Oh Sam, you will be missed. But I hope we will still see you and your poems in the ‘sphere. I am impressed that you are producing films. You are really rocking your life, way to be! I am glad you are following your heart’s call to write that book. You are meant to, Sam, so go to it. We await the completed volume with anticipation. All the best and many thanks for all you have given, on-line!
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore said:
Poetry is a harsh mistress, and I’m sure she will not let me off so easily 😉
Sherry, you’ve been such a supporter and pillar of encouragement, and that’s exactly what I need on the next leg of my journey… so I wish there were someone like you on the other side, too, someone to believe in me.
I’ll give it my best shot, and we’ll see! But poetry? There will always be poetry.