Poetry Thursday 75 - Mind Control

 The more the creative process is considered the greater the level of complexity plumbed. Although you can be creative and never wonder why. The poem 'Mind Control' is not about others controlling our minds but about how much control our minds have over us, in the realm of creativity. 

Mind Control

 

There’s nowt so queer as the human mind

it’ll take yer places yer nivver thowt you'd find

with companions possessing strange abilities,

passing to you developing facilities.

 

Breathing in watter so yer can swim wi’ dolphins,

 growing wings so yer can soar with avians,

readin’ minds ter identify yer foes,

healin’ hands to aid those with woes.

 

In the deep chill of the dark night,

the mind controls the path of your flight,

the conscious and moral compass stilled,

gives freedom to visit where it willed.

 

Pullin’ together events of the days,

intertwinin’ actions in unique ways,

the mind at the height of creativity,

beyond the comprehension of standard reality.

 

Enjoy the depth of the freedom given,

of earthly forces the mind is riven,

explore the created moments deeply,

safe in semi-conscious being, sleepily.

© David L Atkinson January 2025 

God Bless 

Writing - AI

 The government (UK) is to put effort into developing AI so that people will be freed from admin tasks and available to deliver services. 

AI has come a long way since the 70's film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Even then Hal sounded decidedly spooky. 

You can request poetry. 

From simple sums to complex art, 

A learning curve, a brand new chart. 

The data flows, a constant stream, 

Fueling dreams, it would seem. 

This is one verse of four that Gemini produced when asked to write a poem about AI. 

When prompted to write a children's story about a bear and a robin it came up with the following. 

Barnaby Bear was a grumpy bear. He lived in a cozy cave under a big oak tree, but he was always grumpy. He grumbled when the sun woke him up, he grumbled when the rain made puddles, and he especially grumbled when the birds chirped outside his cave.

One sunny morning, a little robin with a bright red breast landed on a branch right outside Barnaby’s cave. “Cheep! Cheep! Cheerio!” sang the robin, his voice full of joy.

“Grrrr,” grumbled Barnaby, pulling his furry blanket over his head. “Go away, bird! I’m trying to sleep!”

And there is much more. In fact, I must admit that it isn't bad at all. The question is not so much about admin but rather a moral one of whether writers should use AI as a crutch? 

I have no answers. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 74 - AYOANY

 So how are us boomers going to cope with the plethora of technological developments that will be thrown at us this year? 

AYOANY

 

Another year older another new year,

after more than three score years and ten,

beginning this one with a smidgin of fear,

coming from I don’t know when.

With the advent of each of these time slots,

the promise of a plethora of new technologies,

like an overdose of nerve trembling shots,

from the syringe of new ideologies.

 

Forty years ago mobiles cost thousands,

home computers were newly around,

now Alexa completes household errands,

Gemini on all topics will freely expound.

 

All about control in the end,

and as we advance in years,

the pace will drive us round the bend,

if we succumb to the rate of fears.

© David L Atkinson January 2025 

God Bless 

Writing - Mood

 Irrespective of what we are describing in our writing we have the capacity to control mood. I watched a spoof documentary over the holiday and was slightly disturbed when a couple of very intelligent people were obviously upset by the tone and questions of the presenter. This was plain to me as an observer by looking at the physical responses of the interviewees. 

Cunk on Life 2024 

If you look up 'body language' on Google there is a huge response with lots of attempts to provide coaching in how to interpret that phenomenon. The response below is an AI summary. 

Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that uses physical actions to convey information, rather than words. Examples of body language include: 

• Facial expressions: The human face is very expressive and can convey many emotions without speaking. 
• Posture: How a person holds their body can convey how they are feeling and their personality. 
• Eye contact: Eye contact is important in communication and can show that you are paying attention. 
• Gestures: Sharp, angular gestures can be a sign of aggression. 
• Space: Invading someone's personal space can be a sign of aggression

Nothing particularly new in that but just to add that context is important. Some situations are made for observing types of physical responses to interviews. Watching a politician being interviewed on a difficult subject is quite eye-opening. It is a demonstration of avoidance, as they often do not like answering direct questions, their physical reactions are indicators of avoidance and telling untruths. 

When you are writing dialogue between characters including information on body language is an enriching process and should stimulate the readers' imaginations. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 73 - Welcome 2025

 Health, wealth and prosperity for 2025. My dad always used the same toast on New Year's Day when meeting someone for the first time in the new year. Many people advise that we shouldn't look back and yet that would be denying all we've been taught and by those who gave us breath. It is good to plan ahead, but it is also good to build upon what we have already acquired. Logical really!! 

It’s Always New

 

Soon it will be a happy new year,

again advent just lead to Christmas,

we are warned with voices full of fear,

to live as if we're ageless.

 

Advised to change our behaviour,

to do so with renewed resolve,

the future will be our saviour,

looking forward all issues are solved.

 

But what of things we did yesterday,

lessons experience has taught,

loves and losses valued along the way,

satisfactions past life has brought.

 

Sure all the best for the future,

health, wealth and prosperity to all,

but as with a skillful footballer,

remember skills developed on the ball.

 © David L Atkinson January 2025 

God Bless 

Writing - Be Revolting

Telling stories is fun. Well, that is why I began to tell stories in a writing way. I say that because I have told stories orally to children for forty years and more. In fact, whole classes have enjoyed my characterisations when I read stories aloud and I say that without bragging. 

The Secret Garden was one example of this but there were other unusual choices such as The Owl Service. Adding voices to relating the written word aloud engages listeners, or at least it can do, it could also have the opposite effect. A negative reaction is almost inevitable in a group of twenty-plus people listening to a story or watching a film. The best plan being to keep trying as practice makes perfect. 

So what is meant by being revolting? What I mean with regards to writing tales is using the unconventional, the bombastic, the difficult character; to stir up your story and generate an air of anticipation in the reader. It is almost like creating a voice characterisation that will have your audience on tenterhooks. Like the Northern Earls 500 years ago they were a spanner in the Queen's works. They come with attitude, strong emotions and intention to act and as such require handling by their creator. 

Wolfie Smith

In fact the 'Citizen Smith' character can make a story buzz so much so that he has become a byword for standing for the little people in society. So think about introducing a rebel into your tales and watch the fun begin. 

God Bless 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Poetry Thursday 72 - Mackem Xmas

 Best wishes to all for a happy Christmas. 

Santy Claws

 

Santy is a Mackem,

of that ah have nee doubt,

its plain from when he burnt his bot,

the accent of his shout.

Dad had banked the fire up,

to stay in for the neet,

Santa made a slipup,

and also burnt his feet.

ah’d left him leeks and beer,

also a carrot Mam said,

divint forget the reindeer,

ah thowt he’d prefer a Fed.

Suitably replete the owld man got busy,

stacking presents beneath the tree,

continued until he felt quite dizzy,

leaving stuff for you and me.

 

Up he got, prepared to leave,

and continue on his way,

to please the bairns who still believe,

in the magic of Christmas Day.

They slept in until 5 o’clock,

and all the leets were on,

stared at the pile of toys in shock,

but Santy Claws had gone.

The pile of bonny paper grew,

there was glitter everywhere,

perhaps in little hearts they knew,

it was mam and dad who care.

Did the bairns get all they wanted,

Playstation 5, new bike or foal,

Santy’s sack with prezzies abounded,

but some received a lump of coal.

If yer’d been bad throughout the year,

and were on his naughty list,

Christmas Day nee time of great cheer,

toys and games would be sorely missed.

After, Santy can put up his feet,

share a glass with wor lass,

consider salad an off duty treat,

and look forward to Happy Christmas.

© David L Atkinson December 2020

God Bless