GUELPH MERCURY

Phil Andrews editor Guelph Mercury

Confirmation has been received from Phil Andrews editor of the Guelph Mercury. He feel some of our creative non-fiction submission might be a good fit. He will keep us posted.

Stay tuned for details.

CHRISTMAS! WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

Santa holding baby Jesus.

December has arrived and along with it one of the most stressful and commercial times of the year. People over-extend their credit cards, family drama explodes and depression is an uninvited guest in many homes. Christmas songs bombard shoppers as they fight their way through crowded malls in order to purchase obligatory gifts which will be exchanged on Boxing Day. The Catholic Church is waiting to make us feel repentant about only showing up once a year and charities make us feel guilty about not giving to all of them. The goal of choreographing a perfect holiday seems beyond the reach of most people. So, what's is all about?

Post an image and a brief reflection that capture your feelings about the impending holiday season.

Journalistic Ethics

Disgraced journalist Stephen Glass.

When a journalist lies, what should be the consequence?Is an apology enough?If fined, who gets the money?Does prison accomplish anything?Should they be allowed to profit from book or movie deals?

 Investigate the story of Stephen Glass. You might even watch the movie "Shattered Glass." Reflect on the questions above. Craft a well written, thoughtful and objective response to post on your blog.


Due: Sunday, November 22nd.

CONTEST UPDATE

Congratulations to Alanna, Chris, Dana, Eric, Max, Nina and Tiffany for taking a risk. Their poems were submitted to the Polar Expressions Contest, in B.C., today. Results not expected until March.

If you missed this opportunity there is another contest for Young Writers of poetry (with a 24 lines limit) due on Nov. 10th.

The PROSE portion of the Polar Expressions Contest must be sent by December 18th.  The catch is that there is a 450 word limit. This is "flash fiction". It might be a character sketch, a reflection on a past experience or a brief scene. Give it a try.

The Guelph Public Library has a contest in the spring with a 1,500 word limit.

COME TO A SLAM

On Saturday, November 21, GUELPH SPOKEN WORD is hosting a Poetry Slam at the Ebar above the Bookshelf at 41 Quebec Street, downtown. This month there is NO ADMISSION charge, so it is your chance to come out and see what is going on. The event begins at 7:00 pm and you'll want to come a bit early to get a seat. THIS IS TONS OF FUN!

Plan on participating by;

1. Being an active audience members, cheering and calling out responses.

2. Being a judging team, using a flip cart to rate each performance.

3. Read one of your original poems at the non-competetive portion of the night just to prove you can do it.

4. Participate as a Slam contestant with an appropriate, well rehearsed piece and a back-up poem in case you make it to the second round.

Note- You should plan to bring some money to buy refreshments to support the venue.

POETRY ANALYSIS

Select a poetry book from the front of the room. You may not take a poem from the internet. Choose a poem that you can understand and enjoy. Write a brief analysis of that poem. You do NOT need to quote the whole poem, but offer a taste of it. Ensure that your posting offers the following information; (see the example posting below)

Seth Adrian Harris

- Poem Title
- Poet's name with basic info about them that helps clarify their work
- the title of the book and page number where this poem can be found
- an explanation of what the poem is about
- you opinion on its value, imagery or themes that you like
- add an image of the poet, or something related to the theme

DUE BY END OF CLASS WED. OCT. 28

"Back" 

by Seth Adrian Harris

Sacred Space: Urban Sprawl (pg 59)

Seth Adrian Harris is a Canadian poet of Jamaican descent, who currently lives in Toronto. The content of his work draws heavily upon his cultural background and he uses images and music to enhance his message. This poem was published in 2004, and makes references to the beginning of our life, conception, and the beginning of all life when he says;

we go back through the womb

up the fallopian tube

swim backwards from the egg

back before the big bang theory.

I am particularly intrigued by the lines;

Some say the eyes are the windows for the soul

while others say they are doors for the soul

now, I bend towards the latter more that the former

This reference caught my attention because windows suggests a one-way communication, but he is suggesting the metaphor of doors, which implies that communication, and in fact movement, can happen in both directions, to and from the soul. I like that concept because it reinforces my belief in my power to control my own fate.

In the poem he also refers to Eve and the slithering trickster who got her to eat the apple. He says;

since we've savoured the fruit

Eve and I have been working on

a kind of high bred hybrid

we call it the fruit of wisdom

and it's the mixture of knowledge

and experience

I enjoy Harris' imaginative use of imagery, like this poem in particular because of the creative video he developed to present it. 

THE RIGHT TO VOTE

So, you had a chance to cast a ballot on Oct. 15th, as part of the Student Vote program, and then the "adults" went ahead and made their selection of the new government on Oct.19th. Did they make a wiser choice than you or the same choice? Perhaps you feel they made the wrong choice.

If you are responsible enough to drive a vehicle capable of killing people, at the age of sixteen. If you are responsible enough to be employed serving food and handling cash at fourteen. Then why do you need to be eighteen in order to have your vote count?

Should Canada's voting age be lowered to sixteen? 
Explain your thinking on this matter.

Post to be complete by Thursday, Oct. 22.