Heather Ober Poet Free verse

Then and Now

Sometimes I miss the manual act
of writing verse by hand,
and that smudge of blue ink
on the side of my palm.
I miss the cramp of writing
too quickly--
yet too slowly in a race of thoughts.
 
But, I must admit, I love the sight 
of fingertips flying as ideas ignite. 
I even love that incessant sound
as fingertips flutter and falter and pound  
across the keyboard.

But my favourite part is the part that won't change,
that universal drum of fingers
on any surface at all, 
tapping to the beat of spinning thoughts 
that somehow weave a web 
of intricate plots.

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Poet Destroyer A May 20, 2013 at 9:18 PM Congratulations.... enjoyed stopping by tonight ~LINDA

Roy Jerden May 20, 2013 at 11:10 AM I see that you inspired Craig with your poem, Heather. I loved it. I wish that "fingers flying' described my typing, but it more accurately describes reactions to my driving. I also miss plain old handwriting, and it's fast, too, but with the number of changes I make, I couldn't afford the paper costs. Congratulations on you win!

Painted Hunter May 20, 2013 at 6:12 AM Hope you had a good weekend....is it still cold up there?...hot and humid here. Glad you could stop by and thanks for your comments. Liking your new job?...are you a ninja for hire?

Abdulhafeez Oyewole April 20, 2013 at 6:50 AM Wonderful write my dear... I enjoyed it.~A.O

Marinescu Victor April 17, 2013 at 4:43 AM ...the fingers whistle and falter like a ladybug on the keyboard like a beautiful feeling. nice shoot!

Joyce Johnson April 14, 2013 at 4:39 PM I often write in long-hand first and then transfer to the keyboard. No one can read my scribbles but I. Thank you for your kind comments and congratulations on your lovely poems, whatever means you use to write them. Love, Joyce

Delysia Hendricks April 14, 2013 at 2:27 PM I recently started writing poetry, so it's all done in word processing program. Times sure have changed. I rarely get to write in longhand these days. Lovely poem, Heather, as is your wont. :)

Karen Anglesey April 14, 2013 at 1:27 PM It's clear why I already have you on my favorites list. Twist and turns throughout the verses that completely describes the writers versatility.

Jack Jordan April 13, 2013 at 8:27 AM Beautifully written! I love writing with a fountain pen, which is what I read into the first part. I both make them and collect them. The tactile response is wonderful. However, there is the almost equal tactility (Is that a word?) of fingers on keys. My days of swirling thoughts are past, I'm afraid. But it's still enjoyable work. Thanks for reminding me... Jack

Andrea Dietrich April 12, 2013 at 8:00 PM this is wonderful, dear. And I just know your keyboard is tapping out a beautiful and fast rhythm. I prefer "manual" way. Because it is so much more relaxing to me to write lying in bed on my pillow!! or on a beach or laying out in my yard or when I am bored even standing in a line at the DMV!! Good one!!

Harry Horsman April 12, 2013 at 3:17 PM wow this is so clever, the imagery is amazing..

Charmaine Chircop April 12, 2013 at 9:04 AM I can.relate to the smudge of ink on the palm..I wonder if you re left hamded like me..: ) I love the twist to mystery in the end of the poem. Well penned..typed or posted B-)

Ale A A April 11, 2013 at 6:05 PM I can tell writing comes easy for you because you work is always so good.

Painted Hunter April 11, 2013 at 2:00 PM Heather, I'm sure the hippies would go bananas for Arkansas snowballs....haha...oh mercy. I'm going home to write a haiku for your contest...maybe.

Isaiah Zerbst April 11, 2013 at 9:26 AM Put perfectly I must say. There are advantages either way, and the way you put it makes writing sound easy and perfect. Every writer's dream I suppose.

Matthew Horstkotter April 10, 2013 at 8:13 PM Very good poem. Enjoyed the read.

Richard Lamoureux April 10, 2013 at 8:00 PM This is really good, I am sure most of us can relate. Thanks for another really entertaining contest. I appreciate you choosing my poem. Good night Heather.

Carrie Richards April 10, 2013 at 5:15 PM Which indeed you do.......web such intricate plots and beautiful poems! :)

Poet Destroyer A April 10, 2013 at 10:10 AM yes flying thoughts around me trying to put them together, enjoyed your write this morning...p.d.

Painted Hunter April 10, 2013 at 8:37 AM I totally agree, but I usually write mine down first on paper...there's always stacks of little notebooks with jumbled messes of words anywhere I've been...that wouldn't make sense to anyone...when I'm dead my family is going to think I was a nut. You captured the feeling of something hard to describe...well done!

Poet Tacito April 10, 2013 at 8:15 AM The old & new school way of saying how you feel. Despite the different approaches to it, at the end of the day, those who matter will see & feel what comes from within you. Well stated piece!