Home » Poems » Mark Peterson » Pen In Hand

Pen In Hand

Pen in hand or board with keys
     Toil with verse and rhyme.
What disappoints might later please
     Hasten borrowed time.

Chills run up and down my spine
     To think of things I miss.
So much is gone that I called mine.
     Tough to reminisce.

Years ago on any day
     Far and wide I’d roam.
Busy with best friends at play
     Seldom around home.

Now kids huddle on the floor—
     Stationary fun.
Competing for the highest score,
     Sit instead of run.

Guess I’ll wander at the beach—
     Spend time along the shore.
Ponder all that life might teach
     Had I a few years more.

With inspiration from and dedicated to Just That 
Archaic Poet and the Quatrain King, Jack Ellison.

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Carl Fraser

Date: 12/11/2013 2:43:00 PM

A great verse here Mark, as far as i can see my friend you havent missed much and your pen has done you great service. blessings Carl

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/11/2013 4:13:00 PM

Carl, thank you so much for stopping by with nice praise, of which I am particularly fond. Poetry quite often just occurs to me, and I write it down without effort. At other times, I can't buy a rhyme to save me. Glad you liked this one.

Delysia Hendricks

Date: 11/16/2013 6:28:00 AM

You guys will soon have me attempting the quatrain. I'm too damn lazy. I just want to rhyme and get on with it. Nice one, Mark. I enjoy your poetry. Licia :-)

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/16/2013 8:40:00 AM

Hi Delisia. Working on rhyme is tedious--nearly as difficult mental work as I've ever done. It's just so darn satisfying when complete. I have an agreement with myself that a completed stanza must appear in my head all at once before I'll attempt the rest. That's it, sonder twyfel.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 11/15/2013 10:18:00 PM

Mark, enjoying this poem. Wonderful pen your own.... The time here has been very deep.... Good night... always~ LINDA

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/16/2013 8:43:00 AM

Linda: Thanks for all the stops you made at my different poems. I appreciate that support more than you know. It keeps me going; it keeps me writing. Now about the time there being very deep; this could have several meanings. Care to share?

M.T. Elyas

Date: 11/14/2013 3:00:00 AM

Class!!!

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/14/2013 11:56:00 AM

Thanks so much. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/9/2013 10:04:00 AM

this is a great way to emulate that form of poetry. One I have not yet tried, and believe me, I have tried MANY. I too lived in the Seattle area as a child. I have written a few poems on it and how depressing it was for me. My dad had a mental illness. coupled with constant dreariness of rain, I think it affected my brain!!! I love the sunshine of Utah.

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/9/2013 11:41:00 AM

Andrea, thanks very much. I didn't sit and try it. It just came this way, and then I looked it up on a page detailing different kinds of Quatrain. Jack had praised me for getting everything to rhyme, so I thought there must be different kinds, and that was the case. BTW, I am a Utah native, U of U grad.

Just That Archaic Poet

Date: 11/9/2013 6:48:00 AM

Happy you took my suggestion, Mark; it flows effortlessly now. Great job and the last stanza is just brimming with brilliance and a sad truth, which touched me. Kudos, my friend! :)

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/9/2013 7:50:00 AM

i'm so pleased that you picked up on the sad truth. it seemed plain when I was writing, but I wasnt certain at all that others reading it would pick up on its wistfulness. Read my post to Jack below and likewise re-read the poem. Surprise!

Jack Ellison

Date: 11/8/2013 6:36:00 PM

As the reigning Quatrain King, let me commend you! Not only are your second and fourth lines rhyming, your first and third are matching as well! Go to the head of the class my friend... actually very well done, my friend! Kudos!!!

Just That Archaic Poet
Date: 11/22/2013 5:25:00 AM

I am deeply humbled that this piece is dedicated to Jack and I; I am just beyond appreciation at the moment and at a loss for words (for once lol). Thanks, Mark :)

Mark Peterson
Date: 11/9/2013 7:46:00 AM

Jcj, thanks so much for Royal Praise. They're some fancy Quatrain forms that involve this rhyme structure, one having 4,3,4,3 beats in lines of the stanzas. I'm nearly there already and am going to convert. Also read the poem again and check at the bottom.