Snow Leopard Cubs

 Photos and an invitation to recommend names.

Torn Tongue: Coordinating Conjunctions

You can now read my post about coordinating conjunctions over on torn_world.  This entry includes a couple of slang phrases, one Northern and one Southern.

Torn Tongue: Coordinating Conjunctions

You can now read my post about coordinating conjunctions over on torn_world.  This entry includes a couple of slang phrases, one Northern and one Southern.

Torn Tongue: Coordinating Conjunctions

You can now read my post about coordinating conjunctions over on torn_world.  This entry includes a couple of slang phrases, one Northern and one Southern.

Torn Tongue: Coordinating Conjunctions

You can now read my post about coordinating conjunctions over on torn_world.  This entry includes a couple of slang phrases, one Northern and one Southern.

Poem: "Piraan"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  Like "Shadow Staves," this poem touches on my desert, the Whispering Sands -- and this time you get to see the kind of omens written by that literate land.  A couple words of Seshaa vocabulary appear after the poem itself.

Piraan
– a Whispering Sands khazal

The dust of the desert lies smooth and dry,
Combed by the patiently murmuring wind.

If I could, I would brush away the grains of your days
And level my memory with a sweep of my flattened hand.

What is it in me that seeks your presence
As rainwater runs down to fill an empy well?

What is it in you that craves my fulfillment
As dune grass searches through sand for a drop of dew?

I do not know the answers to these questions that lie between us,
but my mind scrapes at them like fingernails over an itching sunburn.

The dust of the desert is silent except for the sound of wings,
Colorless but for a glint of gold dancing against the duff.

When I turn to see what the oracle beetle has written,
I find it tracing the elegant syllables of your name.

   *   *   *

piraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “a message in sand or dust.”  This is a type of tefna  (“omen”) in which the ripples in sand or dust, or some other soft powdery substance, look like words and suggest messages to the viewer.

renapiraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “doodlebug,” “oracle beetle,” or “insect which writes omens in dust.”  A common species has gold wing covers. 

Poem: "Piraan"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  Like "Shadow Staves," this poem touches on my desert, the Whispering Sands -- and this time you get to see the kind of omens written by that literate land.  A couple words of Seshaa vocabulary appear after the poem itself.

Piraan
– a Whispering Sands khazal

The dust of the desert lies smooth and dry,
Combed by the patiently murmuring wind.

If I could, I would brush away the grains of your days
And level my memory with a sweep of my flattened hand.

What is it in me that seeks your presence
As rainwater runs down to fill an empy well?

What is it in you that craves my fulfillment
As dune grass searches through sand for a drop of dew?

I do not know the answers to these questions that lie between us,
but my mind scrapes at them like fingernails over an itching sunburn.

The dust of the desert is silent except for the sound of wings,
Colorless but for a glint of gold dancing against the duff.

When I turn to see what the oracle beetle has written,
I find it tracing the elegant syllables of your name.

   *   *   *

piraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “a message in sand or dust.”  This is a type of tefna  (“omen”) in which the ripples in sand or dust, or some other soft powdery substance, look like words and suggest messages to the viewer.

renapiraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “doodlebug,” “oracle beetle,” or “insect which writes omens in dust.”  A common species has gold wing covers. 

Poem: "Piraan"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  Like "Shadow Staves," this poem touches on my desert, the Whispering Sands -- and this time you get to see the kind of omens written by that literate land.  A couple words of Seshaa vocabulary appear after the poem itself.

Piraan
– a Whispering Sands khazal

The dust of the desert lies smooth and dry,
Combed by the patiently murmuring wind.

If I could, I would brush away the grains of your days
And level my memory with a sweep of my flattened hand.

What is it in me that seeks your presence
As rainwater runs down to fill an empy well?

What is it in you that craves my fulfillment
As dune grass searches through sand for a drop of dew?

I do not know the answers to these questions that lie between us,
but my mind scrapes at them like fingernails over an itching sunburn.

The dust of the desert is silent except for the sound of wings,
Colorless but for a glint of gold dancing against the duff.

When I turn to see what the oracle beetle has written,
I find it tracing the elegant syllables of your name.

   *   *   *

piraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “a message in sand or dust.”  This is a type of tefna  (“omen”) in which the ripples in sand or dust, or some other soft powdery substance, look like words and suggest messages to the viewer.

renapiraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “doodlebug,” “oracle beetle,” or “insect which writes omens in dust.”  A common species has gold wing covers. 

Poem: "Piraan"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  Like "Shadow Staves," this poem touches on my desert, the Whispering Sands -- and this time you get to see the kind of omens written by that literate land.  A couple words of Seshaa vocabulary appear after the poem itself.

Piraan
– a Whispering Sands khazal

The dust of the desert lies smooth and dry,
Combed by the patiently murmuring wind.

If I could, I would brush away the grains of your days
And level my memory with a sweep of my flattened hand.

What is it in me that seeks your presence
As rainwater runs down to fill an empy well?

What is it in you that craves my fulfillment
As dune grass searches through sand for a drop of dew?

I do not know the answers to these questions that lie between us,
but my mind scrapes at them like fingernails over an itching sunburn.

The dust of the desert is silent except for the sound of wings,
Colorless but for a glint of gold dancing against the duff.

When I turn to see what the oracle beetle has written,
I find it tracing the elegant syllables of your name.

   *   *   *

piraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “a message in sand or dust.”  This is a type of tefna  (“omen”) in which the ripples in sand or dust, or some other soft powdery substance, look like words and suggest messages to the viewer.

renapiraan  (noun) – In Whispering Sands use, means “doodlebug,” “oracle beetle,” or “insect which writes omens in dust.”  A common species has gold wing covers. 

Poem: "The Color of Faraway Mountains"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  This poem belongs to the "Origami Mage" series.  The origami fortuneteller was part of the original promt.  The color names and symbolism come primarily from Mandarin Chinese, though I had to piece them together from multiple sources.  The exact renditions may be considered particular to the fantasy setting, inspired by bits from our world.

The Color of Faraway Mountains

origami mage
folds a divining tool from
colored rice paper

its four corners hold
four colors and eight different
fortunes underneath

red is hóng sè, hot,
auspicious beginnings full
of good promises

white is bái sè, cold,
inauspicious endings deep
as wells in winter

bluegreen is qīng, breeze,
life's breath billowing like silk,
burgeoning with growth

black is hēi sè, storm,
interruption of progress,
wreckage and ruin

origami mage
dries her palms and holds her breath
then tells her fortune

the color is qīng
the message is a journey:
auspicious travel

origami mage
shoulders her pack and heads for
faraway mountains

Poem: "The Color of Faraway Mountains"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  This poem belongs to the "Origami Mage" series.  The origami fortuneteller was part of the original promt.  The color names and symbolism come primarily from Mandarin Chinese, though I had to piece them together from multiple sources.  The exact renditions may be considered particular to the fantasy setting, inspired by bits from our world.

The Color of Faraway Mountains

origami mage
folds a divining tool from
colored rice paper

its four corners hold
four colors and eight different
fortunes underneath

red is hóng sè, hot,
auspicious beginnings full
of good promises

white is bái sè, cold,
inauspicious endings deep
as wells in winter

bluegreen is qīng, breeze,
life's breath billowing like silk,
burgeoning with growth

black is hēi sè, storm,
interruption of progress,
wreckage and ruin

origami mage
dries her palms and holds her breath
then tells her fortune

the color is qīng
the message is a journey:
auspicious travel

origami mage
shoulders her pack and heads for
faraway mountains

Poem: "The Color of Faraway Mountains"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  This poem belongs to the "Origami Mage" series.  The origami fortuneteller was part of the original promt.  The color names and symbolism come primarily from Mandarin Chinese, though I had to piece them together from multiple sources.  The exact renditions may be considered particular to the fantasy setting, inspired by bits from our world.

The Color of Faraway Mountains

origami mage
folds a divining tool from
colored rice paper

its four corners hold
four colors and eight different
fortunes underneath

red is hóng sè, hot,
auspicious beginnings full
of good promises

white is bái sè, cold,
inauspicious endings deep
as wells in winter

bluegreen is qīng, breeze,
life's breath billowing like silk,
burgeoning with growth

black is hēi sè, storm,
interruption of progress,
wreckage and ruin

origami mage
dries her palms and holds her breath
then tells her fortune

the color is qīng
the message is a journey:
auspicious travel

origami mage
shoulders her pack and heads for
faraway mountains

Poem: "The Color of Faraway Mountains"

This poem came out of the August 3, 2010 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired and sponsored by marina_bonomi.  This poem belongs to the "Origami Mage" series.  The origami fortuneteller was part of the original promt.  The color names and symbolism come primarily from Mandarin Chinese, though I had to piece them together from multiple sources.  The exact renditions may be considered particular to the fantasy setting, inspired by bits from our world.

The Color of Faraway Mountains

origami mage
folds a divining tool from
colored rice paper

its four corners hold
four colors and eight different
fortunes underneath

red is hóng sè, hot,
auspicious beginnings full
of good promises

white is bái sè, cold,
inauspicious endings deep
as wells in winter

bluegreen is qīng, breeze,
life's breath billowing like silk,
burgeoning with growth

black is hēi sè, storm,
interruption of progress,
wreckage and ruin

origami mage
dries her palms and holds her breath
then tells her fortune

the color is qīng
the message is a journey:
auspicious travel

origami mage
shoulders her pack and heads for
faraway mountains

Further Discussion of "This Divine Form"

Previously I posted "This Divine Form" from the August Poetry Fishbowl.  Based on reader suggestions, I have made some edits.  If anyone has more to add, I'm open to input on the original post.

Further Discussion of "This Divine Form"

Previously I posted "This Divine Form" from the August Poetry Fishbowl.  Based on reader suggestions, I have made some edits.  If anyone has more to add, I'm open to input on the original post.

Further Discussion of "This Divine Form"

Previously I posted "This Divine Form" from the August Poetry Fishbowl.  Based on reader suggestions, I have made some edits.  If anyone has more to add, I'm open to input on the original post.

Further Discussion of "This Divine Form"

Previously I posted "This Divine Form" from the August Poetry Fishbowl.  Based on reader suggestions, I have made some edits.  If anyone has more to add, I'm open to input on the original post.

The Use of Allusion

I was delighted by the essay "Building with Allusion," which describes how this literary technique works in stories.

The Use of Allusion

I was delighted by the essay "Building with Allusion," which describes how this literary technique works in stories.

The Use of Allusion

I was delighted by the essay "Building with Allusion," which describes how this literary technique works in stories.

The Use of Allusion

I was delighted by the essay "Building with Allusion," which describes how this literary technique works in stories.

Writing Exercise: From Bad Ideas to Good Ideas

Today's writing exercise involves taking kooky ideas out of context and turning them into something useful.

1) Your main character is a diplomat responsible for maintaining peaceful relations across a variety of planets (science fiction), dimensions (fantasy or horror), nations (espionage or fantasy), etc.  Flesh out this character in depth.

2) Roll a d100 three times on "The 100 Worst Ideas of the Century."  (If one item seems trivial or silly, try attaching extreme religious or political significance to it.)  Your protagonist is plagued by three diplomatic incidents bearing a vague resemblance to these historic examples, which arrive all at once.

3) Browse this list of biomes and pick three to define the environment from which each of the incidents originates.  This will influence the culture (and perhaps species) of the people involved. 

4) Create three supporting characters, each to argue the case for the diplomatic incident from their home and make demands of the diplomat.  Sketch out a few memorable details for each of these characters.  Include one thing per character (such as clothing, food preference, houseplant or pet, thermal comfort zone, etc.) which derives from their home environment.

5) While your protagonist is trying to resolve these three incidents, someone destroys half the office facility.  None of the three supporting characters have an alibi, and each of them accuses the other two of the attack.  Now your protagonist needs to find out who really did it (which does not have to be ANY of them, or could be a combination) and keep them from killing each other or creating yet another incident.  Write the results.

Writing Exercise: From Bad Ideas to Good Ideas

Today's writing exercise involves taking kooky ideas out of context and turning them into something useful.

1) Your main character is a diplomat responsible for maintaining peaceful relations across a variety of planets (science fiction), dimensions (fantasy or horror), nations (espionage or fantasy), etc.  Flesh out this character in depth.

2) Roll a d100 three times on "The 100 Worst Ideas of the Century."  (If one item seems trivial or silly, try attaching extreme religious or political significance to it.)  Your protagonist is plagued by three diplomatic incidents bearing a vague resemblance to these historic examples, which arrive all at once.

3) Browse this list of biomes and pick three to define the environment from which each of the incidents originates.  This will influence the culture (and perhaps species) of the people involved. 

4) Create three supporting characters, each to argue the case for the diplomatic incident from their home and make demands of the diplomat.  Sketch out a few memorable details for each of these characters.  Include one thing per character (such as clothing, food preference, houseplant or pet, thermal comfort zone, etc.) which derives from their home environment.

5) While your protagonist is trying to resolve these three incidents, someone destroys half the office facility.  None of the three supporting characters have an alibi, and each of them accuses the other two of the attack.  Now your protagonist needs to find out who really did it (which does not have to be ANY of them, or could be a combination) and keep them from killing each other or creating yet another incident.  Write the results.

Writing Exercise: From Bad Ideas to Good Ideas

Today's writing exercise involves taking kooky ideas out of context and turning them into something useful.

1) Your main character is a diplomat responsible for maintaining peaceful relations across a variety of planets (science fiction), dimensions (fantasy or horror), nations (espionage or fantasy), etc.  Flesh out this character in depth.

2) Roll a d100 three times on "The 100 Worst Ideas of the Century."  (If one item seems trivial or silly, try attaching extreme religious or political significance to it.)  Your protagonist is plagued by three diplomatic incidents bearing a vague resemblance to these historic examples, which arrive all at once.

3) Browse this list of biomes and pick three to define the environment from which each of the incidents originates.  This will influence the culture (and perhaps species) of the people involved. 

4) Create three supporting characters, each to argue the case for the diplomatic incident from their home and make demands of the diplomat.  Sketch out a few memorable details for each of these characters.  Include one thing per character (such as clothing, food preference, houseplant or pet, thermal comfort zone, etc.) which derives from their home environment.

5) While your protagonist is trying to resolve these three incidents, someone destroys half the office facility.  None of the three supporting characters have an alibi, and each of them accuses the other two of the attack.  Now your protagonist needs to find out who really did it (which does not have to be ANY of them, or could be a combination) and keep them from killing each other or creating yet another incident.  Write the results.

Writing Exercise: From Bad Ideas to Good Ideas

Today's writing exercise involves taking kooky ideas out of context and turning them into something useful.

1) Your main character is a diplomat responsible for maintaining peaceful relations across a variety of planets (science fiction), dimensions (fantasy or horror), nations (espionage or fantasy), etc.  Flesh out this character in depth.

2) Roll a d100 three times on "The 100 Worst Ideas of the Century."  (If one item seems trivial or silly, try attaching extreme religious or political significance to it.)  Your protagonist is plagued by three diplomatic incidents bearing a vague resemblance to these historic examples, which arrive all at once.

3) Browse this list of biomes and pick three to define the environment from which each of the incidents originates.  This will influence the culture (and perhaps species) of the people involved. 

4) Create three supporting characters, each to argue the case for the diplomatic incident from their home and make demands of the diplomat.  Sketch out a few memorable details for each of these characters.  Include one thing per character (such as clothing, food preference, houseplant or pet, thermal comfort zone, etc.) which derives from their home environment.

5) While your protagonist is trying to resolve these three incidents, someone destroys half the office facility.  None of the three supporting characters have an alibi, and each of them accuses the other two of the attack.  Now your protagonist needs to find out who really did it (which does not have to be ANY of them, or could be a combination) and keep them from killing each other or creating yet another incident.  Write the results.

Eta Cassiopeiae

 Check out this post for a possible location of habitable planets.

New Anthology

 Making Contact looks interesting.  Too bad I'm broke.