List of Unsold Poems from September 6, 2011
The following poems from the September 6, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl are currently available. They may be sponsored via PayPal, or you can write to me and discuss other methods.
"And Have Dominion" -- 62 lines, $31
I combined post-apocalyptic animals with siliconshaman's prompt about gods and pets. "And Have Dominion" is a free-verse poem about the fall and rise of Earth, changing relationships between humans and animals ... and the fact that what followers learn from gods is not always exactly what the gods intended or demonstrated, especially if the message is mixed.
"aquarium science fiction" -- 4 lines, $5
From "miniaturized animals" I got the free-verse poem "aquarium science fiction," about a truly bizarre miniature pet.
"The Dog Guides" -- 26 lines, $15 (Torn World shared-world)
The Yasiluu description does specify canine assistants, but the Empire in general really doesn't do much for handicapped citizens. However, the description also states that the aduriyarf are messenger dogs capable of memorizing multiple destinations. So I came up with "The Dog Guides," a poem about service dogs in Affayasilith that are trained, not for an individual, but for the public. They take people a chosen destination, and are a popular tourist attraction as well as a practical service.
" Farm and Field" -- 42 lines, $15 SOLD (Fiorenza, the Italian Herbalist)
thesilentpoet wanted something about Fiorenza and ordinary animals, and it also touches on haikujaguar's request for large animal vets. Of course, livestock is a vital part of a village and the local herbalist used to tend humans and animals alike. So "Farm and Field" is a free-verse poem about the chickens, cows, and horses of Fiorenza's village -- featuring some classic Italian breeds -- with a little about how this shapes human relationships as well.
"The Games Pets Play" -- 21 lines, $10
From this prompt I got the free-verse poem "The Games Pets Play," exploring the enertainment of cats, dogs, and birds. But there's one game they all play together ...
" Hawk in the Night" -- 24 lines, $10 SOLD
From your hawk dream I got the free-verse poem "Hawk in the Night," describing the symbolism of hawks in different contexts.
"Hourglass in the Sand" -- 6 lines, $5
The black widow prompt led to "Hourglass in the Sand," a free-verse poem about why someone might wish to keep a deadly pet.
" Jack and the White Cow" -- 31 lines, $15 SOLD
The prompt about Jack's cow led to the free-verse poem "Jack and the White Cow." It plays on a number of traditional European motifs, and more obliquely, the similarity of fairytales to video games that reset challenges.
" kept" -- 51 lines, $20 SOLD
These two ideas -- about pet plants and sentient pets -- stuck together in my mind. It got me thinking about some aliens I know, who are sentient plants, and the Freedom System in my main science fiction setting, which is all about alternative sexuality. The result is "kept," a poem written in unrhymed tercets. It tells of an alien plant who wants to belong to a gardener. It is, in a way, also a platonic love story; and I think it does a very sweet job of describing why pet play is satisfying ... by way of some very exotic framing.
(Someone has expressed interest in cosponsoring this poem.)
" New Eden" -- 33 lines, $15 SOLD
From the prompt about a failed vegan colony, I got the poem "New Eden." It's written in unrhymed tercets and relates the hazards of an ecosystem all out of balance.
" One Eye on the Horizon" -- 58 lines, $20 SOLD (Path of the Paladins)
From "plow animals" and morrigans_eve's mention of Shahana and Ari, I got the free-verse poem "One Eye on the Horizon." It picks up the thread about Larn and the mule, after receiving a package from Ari, and their ongoing efforts to rebuild the farm and village.
"The Peacehorse" -- 34 lines, $15 SOLD (The Ocracies)
Sarah A. Hoyt mentioned being tired of reading about heroes riding a stallion into battle, particularly a fractious one that nobody else could ride. I thought, okay, not all stallions have horrible manners, and wouldn't it be cool to read about a mannerly one instead. The result is "The Peacehorse," a free-verse poem about a well-trained stallion who helped stop a war. And it introduces the Hipparchy of Pelip, a country ruled by horse breeders.
"The Pet" -- 19 lines, $10
The prompt about "livestock as pets" led to the free-verse poem "The Pet." A conversation familiar to farm families everywhere winds up in a totally different place than expected.
" The Rockhound" -- 8 lines, $5 SOLD
The "pet rocks" prompt led to the free-verse poem "The Rockhound," about collecting things on an alien planet.
"Salt and Pepper" -- 73 lines, $36.50 (Path of the Paladins)
From the prompt about Shahana and Ari meeting other animals, I got the free-verse poem "Salt and Pepper." Ari gets a lesson in woodslore -- and Gailah's sacred animal isn't any of the usual things one might expect for a goddess of grace and peace.
"Schrodinger's Human" -- 18 lines, $10
"Schrodinger's Human" is a free-verse poem that takes a look at the apocryphal television show Schrodinger's Heroes from the perspective of the cat. It's quantum physics, with kitty!
"Spotted" -- 33 lines, $15 (Tir na Cali series by aldersprig)
aldersprig left an early prompt, referencing Tir na Cali and this cool article about domestication. The result is "Spotted," a free-verse poem about the domestication phenotype and the unexpected confluence of magic and science.
" Trashcat" -- 10 lines, $5 SOLD
From the kitten prompt and "abandoned animal" by kelkyag I got the free-verse poem "Trashcat." Some cats have a different reason for bringing things home...
" What Matters" -- 41 lines, $20 SOLD
From the prompt about large animal vets, I got the free-verse poem "What Matters." It speaks of the contract our ancestors made with the animals during the process of domestication.
"And Have Dominion" -- 62 lines, $31
I combined post-apocalyptic animals with siliconshaman's prompt about gods and pets. "And Have Dominion" is a free-verse poem about the fall and rise of Earth, changing relationships between humans and animals ... and the fact that what followers learn from gods is not always exactly what the gods intended or demonstrated, especially if the message is mixed.
"aquarium science fiction" -- 4 lines, $5
From "miniaturized animals" I got the free-verse poem "aquarium science fiction," about a truly bizarre miniature pet.
"The Dog Guides" -- 26 lines, $15 (Torn World shared-world)
The Yasiluu description does specify canine assistants, but the Empire in general really doesn't do much for handicapped citizens. However, the description also states that the aduriyarf are messenger dogs capable of memorizing multiple destinations. So I came up with "The Dog Guides," a poem about service dogs in Affayasilith that are trained, not for an individual, but for the public. They take people a chosen destination, and are a popular tourist attraction as well as a practical service.
" Farm and Field" -- 42 lines, $15 SOLD (Fiorenza, the Italian Herbalist)
thesilentpoet wanted something about Fiorenza and ordinary animals, and it also touches on haikujaguar's request for large animal vets. Of course, livestock is a vital part of a village and the local herbalist used to tend humans and animals alike. So "Farm and Field" is a free-verse poem about the chickens, cows, and horses of Fiorenza's village -- featuring some classic Italian breeds -- with a little about how this shapes human relationships as well.
"The Games Pets Play" -- 21 lines, $10
From this prompt I got the free-verse poem "The Games Pets Play," exploring the enertainment of cats, dogs, and birds. But there's one game they all play together ...
" Hawk in the Night" -- 24 lines, $10 SOLD
From your hawk dream I got the free-verse poem "Hawk in the Night," describing the symbolism of hawks in different contexts.
"Hourglass in the Sand" -- 6 lines, $5
The black widow prompt led to "Hourglass in the Sand," a free-verse poem about why someone might wish to keep a deadly pet.
" Jack and the White Cow" -- 31 lines, $15 SOLD
The prompt about Jack's cow led to the free-verse poem "Jack and the White Cow." It plays on a number of traditional European motifs, and more obliquely, the similarity of fairytales to video games that reset challenges.
" kept" -- 51 lines, $20 SOLD
These two ideas -- about pet plants and sentient pets -- stuck together in my mind. It got me thinking about some aliens I know, who are sentient plants, and the Freedom System in my main science fiction setting, which is all about alternative sexuality. The result is "kept," a poem written in unrhymed tercets. It tells of an alien plant who wants to belong to a gardener. It is, in a way, also a platonic love story; and I think it does a very sweet job of describing why pet play is satisfying ... by way of some very exotic framing.
(Someone has expressed interest in cosponsoring this poem.)
" New Eden" -- 33 lines, $15 SOLD
From the prompt about a failed vegan colony, I got the poem "New Eden." It's written in unrhymed tercets and relates the hazards of an ecosystem all out of balance.
" One Eye on the Horizon" -- 58 lines, $20 SOLD (Path of the Paladins)
From "plow animals" and morrigans_eve's mention of Shahana and Ari, I got the free-verse poem "One Eye on the Horizon." It picks up the thread about Larn and the mule, after receiving a package from Ari, and their ongoing efforts to rebuild the farm and village.
"The Peacehorse" -- 34 lines, $15 SOLD (The Ocracies)
Sarah A. Hoyt mentioned being tired of reading about heroes riding a stallion into battle, particularly a fractious one that nobody else could ride. I thought, okay, not all stallions have horrible manners, and wouldn't it be cool to read about a mannerly one instead. The result is "The Peacehorse," a free-verse poem about a well-trained stallion who helped stop a war. And it introduces the Hipparchy of Pelip, a country ruled by horse breeders.
"The Pet" -- 19 lines, $10
The prompt about "livestock as pets" led to the free-verse poem "The Pet." A conversation familiar to farm families everywhere winds up in a totally different place than expected.
" The Rockhound" -- 8 lines, $5 SOLD
The "pet rocks" prompt led to the free-verse poem "The Rockhound," about collecting things on an alien planet.
"Salt and Pepper" -- 73 lines, $36.50 (Path of the Paladins)
From the prompt about Shahana and Ari meeting other animals, I got the free-verse poem "Salt and Pepper." Ari gets a lesson in woodslore -- and Gailah's sacred animal isn't any of the usual things one might expect for a goddess of grace and peace.
"Schrodinger's Human" -- 18 lines, $10
"Schrodinger's Human" is a free-verse poem that takes a look at the apocryphal television show Schrodinger's Heroes from the perspective of the cat. It's quantum physics, with kitty!
"Spotted" -- 33 lines, $15 (Tir na Cali series by aldersprig)
aldersprig left an early prompt, referencing Tir na Cali and this cool article about domestication. The result is "Spotted," a free-verse poem about the domestication phenotype and the unexpected confluence of magic and science.
" Trashcat" -- 10 lines, $5 SOLD
From the kitten prompt and "abandoned animal" by kelkyag I got the free-verse poem "Trashcat." Some cats have a different reason for bringing things home...
" What Matters" -- 41 lines, $20 SOLD
From the prompt about large animal vets, I got the free-verse poem "What Matters." It speaks of the contract our ancestors made with the animals during the process of domestication.