One Today by Richard Blanco

 One sun rose on us today, kindled over our shores,... 

 and the rest is online plenty of places - but this has text and video http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/today-richard-blanco-poem-read-barack-obama-inauguration/story?id=18274653

Now why did I choose this poem? well - it goes like this, I'm absolutely fascinated with how you can kindle the sun over shores - and wondered if certain reading devices could be to blame - NO - of course that isn't it at all.

It's the fact that he is there.  A poet, quietly strutting his stuff in amongst the razamataz and media hype of the swearing in of the President of the United States.  Love it or hate it, there is a majesty in attempting to cram one day to the brim with life and wrestle the rhytmn of a country into a piece that must not only be uplifting but unifying.  Yes, I believe the poem failed.  There's too much, all juxtaposed, so that the structure seems to meander about like a lost puppy with a weak bladder.  But damn, it failed majestically, and maybe, just maybe it did the job the poet wanted of it - there is a sweetness there, and political acumen that must only be reserved for puppies.

A.J.

A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.

P.S. Great to be back.  I might not be quite so regular a poet as last year.  Lots of projects going on.  But what can I say, great to be back for the New Year.

  

Calling all Artists in the Greater Wellington Area

Alright - this is my baby so I'm advertising it - I'm hoping some of you artistic types will be keen on submitting something suitably Wellington themed to this competition :)

Young and old, professional or amateur, why not take part in Rona Gallery's The Magic of Wellington Art Competition?  We're looking for pieces of all types that in some way show  Wellington in its true light - by in some way encompassing the theme, "The Magic of Wellington."





We're really looking forward to this event - and are expecting some fantastic artwork to arrive -  but that's going to rely on YOU - all you artists - sculptors, painters, drawers, computer and photographic geniuses - we're hoping you are going to show us all just how beautiful, fascinating and magical Wellington really is.

cheers,

A.J.

A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.

PS hope to be back with the Tuesday poems soon :)

Did you hear the Fanfare? Fill your holiday with magic (and a copy of my new book!)

Wizard's Guide to Wellington

Yes that right - it's all very exciting some time last week my book "Wizard's Guide to Wellington" hit the bookshelves in Wellington, and for that mighty effort I would love to thank my distributors Greene Phoenix, and my dad, they both managed to get the ball rolling without me so the books are now available in many of the independent bookstores in Wellington and online.  Hooray!

So where have I been?  And when is the launch.  Due to extenuating circumstances there is not going to be a launch as such.  What will happen is Rona Gallery is going to be putting on an art competition with the theme "The Magic of Wellington" 6.30, 14 February 2013.  There will also be signed and numbered copies available as soon as I can organize my way out of a paper bag. Still, now my daughter is out of hospital, and things seem to be on the mend, I'm still expecting to make a come back to the Tuesday Poem blog for the New Year.

Until then Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and best wishes to you all, cheers,


A.J.

A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus, Arty Bees and good Wellington bookstores.

(paid link)

It's not the Tuesday Poem: Samwise's contribution to Gandalf's lament

Feels weird not doing a Tuesday Poem on the Eve of The Hobbit premiere

I guess because it's hard to focus on other work when so many exciting things happening in Wellington tomorrow and as I suspect I'm going to spend a lot of time peering at red carpet in the distance I feel the following is perhaps this is appropriate for the hobbit even if it is totally the wrong book ;) - maybe I'll break into Bilbo's spider taunt later!!!!

But for now

Samwise's contribution to Frodo's lament for Gandalf (JRR Tolkien)

"The finest rockets ever seen
they burst in stars of blue and green
or after thunder golden showers 
came falling like a rain of flowers."

For it does feel like we're about to be treated to a rather fun local event where everyone is turning up to see the fireworks.  (and the stars)
Of  perhaps I should have started with the beginning - it seems appropriate tonight with the weather and all the excitement -

"When evening in the Shire was grey
his footsteps on the hill were heard..."

after all, surely one would be wise to listen out for those footsteps?

A.J.

A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.

The Magic of Wellington & The Middle of Middle Earth

Just when the magic of Wellington is becoming a bit of an obsession - what should happen but Wellington transmogrifies into the Middle of Middle Earth - must have been because two advance copies of "Wizard's Guide to Wellington" turned up in the post.

ps Ike and the Wizard's Guide to Wellington can be found here http://wizardsguide.wordpress.com/ with WAY MORE photographs of Wellington in the middle of Hobbit fever (including Red Carpet)
 
A.J.
A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.

This and that - busy, busy

Yes, I know I've abandoned my Tuesday Poem posts for a while
but that doesn't mean I have no internet presence at all

Managed for the first time in forever flick off a quick book review - definitely not a book for everyone but a dark and gripping read nonetheless and recommended by one of the book reps who was desperate to talk about it with someone.   Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

And of course Ike has been very busy warning people about anything he feels might be the slightest bit dangerous.  Time Portal and the Tawa Pool

Anyway am having heaps of fun and running at about 12,000 words for Nanowrimo - so while I don't think I'm anywhere near "winning" (and kudos by the way to the souls that are) I am making reasonable progress, so very excited.

cheers and good luck in all your upcoming endeavours

A.J.
 
A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.

Sabbatical - there's a story running rampant through my brain

The Sign Off

There's a story running rampant through my brain
and I'd hate to tell it
once again
to fly off to the never
never land
where never stories lurk
because once it's lost -
so it always will remain.

Yup - I'm taking a break - you can partly blame this little guy - Ike.
He's been a rather distracting little Imp - always wanting to know what's happening around Wellington and wanting to be aired out!

Not only that but he's taken residence up at http://wizardsguide.wordpress.com

But mostly there's a story I've been meaning to write and I'm hoping to force it into the world care of NaNoWri Mo (National Novel writing Month)
Ugly yes - but aren't all newborns - except our own?


So thanks everybody for reading and I'll be back properly 1st of Jan - but might pop back and forth a little for the sheer heck of it, "on the spot" poems like this one and other important updates :)


cheers,

A.J. Ponder

A.J.
 
A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.