Porthole

Eleven Eleven IGOTTAGO 30dbc#11

We were nothing
less than nothing
two pale ciphers cancelling
each other out

and the cold we could no longer feel
after 500 years
the crush of glacier
melting out our bones

IGOTTAGO

*Mike: "Some good ideas ... but poor Mildred. Who was more taken aback? A trash bag... oh the image... Your personal experience is also very enlightening. You know how easy it ain't. At least you have thought of this before you've grown old. Nice double response to the prompt. " re "A toilet too far [30 DBC entry]" 

*Sandy: "I think you captured this far too well ... almost as if you've had this experience sometime in your life. I'm sure something similar happens all the time in a family situation (there were 5 of us growing up). The last verse is funny tragic. Poetics: kudos on 'sprechens'; it fits perfectly. I'm not a fan of perfect end rhymes that lead to tortured syntax. Two examples to fix it: My new knee squawks at this arduous trek rough, / but my bully bladder demands it, blunt, gruff; My new knee sqawks at this at this arduous trek. It's rough / but my bully bladder demands, does it bluff? Enjambment, by allowing the sentence to contiue on the next line, solves the problem. Overall, it's fun, it's relatable, it's a keeper that just needs some tweaking here and there for flow." re "The Bully Bladder" 

*Cappucine: "The poem is lovely, truly lovely. Good flow, choice of words and image. A definate keeper. Consider submitting to

FORUM

Shadows and Light Poetry Contest  (E) Do you love the challenge and creativity of free verse poetry? This contest is for you. #1935693 by Choconuts Roasting

by the 14th. Squat toilet on a train in Romania is fun! not. It may be cultural. I don't remember issues in Norway, Estonia, Taiwan, Japan. Maybe I'm forgetful." re "make my chamber pot" 

LeJen: {c:}"I just pee then run water in the sink and pour and clean out the container to reuse. Might gross some people out but urine isn't as dangerous as other fluids. You are right about holding it. I could go all day at school without using the restroom because I didn't feel comfortable... silly in retrospect. Now I have to remember that leakage needs to be managed. So far, if I don't try to hold it too long I'm okay. Ah... pee pads... I wonder how easy they are to get in other countries. How absorbant, thick, heavy/light and packable. I don't relish the thought but denial could be more than embarassing. " re "30DBC and Life" 

QP: {c:}"There are trade offs in any work situation. In my life who the boss was mattered more than the actual work. As we both know... depends... which is a good segway into the prompt. Depends are one answer. I'll need to check into other options before I travel. No wheelchairs here... our 1908 toilets are small without pre-handicap access. I'm next door to the toilets so it's just a matter of grabbing something to wrap around myself and pray both toilets aren't occupied. " re "Invalid Entry" 

Sox: {c:}"Yes, a bucket or Depends. But as Sandy said, hope there's no hole in it." re "November 11, 2021" 

Tina: {c:}"I have a Westmoreland milkglass vase (my grandfather worked there). I do not pee in it. I reuse empty cottage cheese containers. Yes, you really DO grasp this prompt. Some folks who have severe water restrictions do not flush for pee. I look at Thai TV episodes where they wash up with a big bowl of water and wonder how cold the water is and whether I will experience that when I visit. Prolly not, unless I get lucky and can stay a couple days with a rural family. There's a hilarious scene in "A Tale of 1000 Stars" when Tian has to go to the toilet at night (with a lantern) and gets startled by a gecko. " re "Invalid Entry" 

Robert: {c:}"It's actually a very good joke as is the ditty since it's #1 and not #2 (that would make it a poo-poo poem or a shitty ditty). I need to look into diaper options. Weight and volume are issues when traveling... and yes, that may be my future, no denying it. " re "Nothing to Go On" 

Sonali: {c:}"I'm considering looking into something that is light-weight and packable (taking up little space). Yes, some things are easier as a man but I could give examples that are TMI when it isn't." re "Easy! - #30DBC" 

Marvilla: {c:}"Yep, be prepared. I have had a plan B during the Season of Covid. I'm considering some kind of pad for traveling. Planes are fine but trains and buses can be iffy and there are those 'bad' days to consider." re "Dire bathroom situation " 

Petra: {c:}"I'm looking at adult diapers and underwear liners for when I travel. Planes are rarely a problem unless I'm blocked in next to the window. Long distance trains and buses are usually fine. But... "local" buses are not! This all varies by country. Still if they don't weigh much nor take up much room I should consider it. " re "If you gotta go..." 

HEYHAY

? Mike: {c:}"Exactly how it's done. If they need more help they just make another call. Same with any kind of harvest most anywhere there are farmers." re "Say, hay! [30 DBC entry]" 

LeJen: {c:}"And done with kindness and concern that everyone gets better. Where there is a sense of community this happens all the time and people don't think twice; they just show up and deal with it. Even in the city this happens if there's community (my personal experience)." re "Just Being Neighborly" 

Sandy: {c:}""They are experienced farmers and they succeed because they toil together. I shall ask them to assist with the hay harvest." This is reality. They toil together. It's how your forefathers survived. You may not have to make that call. If you know each other they probably already know your circumstance and will call you or drop by and offer." re "Me In A Farm Fix?" 

Sox: {c:}"I think this is a reasonable answer, especially for sheep or goats. The guinea pigs might prefer an unmown back yard (suplemented with carrots). The goats would be even better at clearing out a woodlot of shrubs and poison ivy." re "November 10, 2021" 

CASTLE

*Sox: "This was gripping and far more than a blog post as Ray aptly lamented. We begin to get a clearer image of Raen and Beaoul and the relationship between them. Powder as a weapon makes perfect sense. Hope you continue this for NaNo using any 30dbc prompt that's applicable." re "November 9, 2021" 

*LeJen: "I'm with Ray and Norma Jean. Chilling."She has called for me." No pleading, no need to elaborate, just a firm statement. I'd let you pass too! "Let us see what Hope needs from me now! Let us see what the light requires of the darkness." Again chilling. "But pride and vanity corrupt the soul. Oh the pain, anger, and sorrow it took to turn me into what I now am! Years of envy led to this hate and malice..." seems too abstract (may work in a blurb/synopsis). I wonder how this could be reworded to make it more concrete. In any case it could be reworked and made a separate item. Consider entering a synopsis of it into "The Whatever Contest -- Closed for Now"  as I'm sure one of the titles would fit, maybe "Blade of a Pale Moon" if nothing else.

Sandy: {c:}"So... we know you're batty... what else is new? Or are you a dragon that got lost in the wrong story? Anyhoo.. thanx for the different take on the prompt." re "Letting My Hair Down" 

VARIOUS

Tina: {c:}"Very disturbing yet uplifting post. I didn't realize your school was that tough. Mine wasn't, but maybe I was also oblivious. Classmates just 'disappeared' but I didn't have close friends and never heard why. I'm sure petty crime or 'with child' were two reasons. We didn't have gangs. Such a different world. Is all of Texas this violent? In all my travels I've never been anywhere as violent as the US. Give us an update on your dinner with neighbors." re "Invalid Entry"