Lost Girl (What Miyaka Knows)

There is no shortage of people ready to point out what they feel is my place. Every flaw of mine is thoroughly dissected and explained, as if I were not already fully acquainted with all of them. It is then I run to lose myself in the pages of a story. I touch my lips to a well of words, take them deep into my body until they are part of me. Then I carry them back, alive with their power to remember I am the creatrix of my own tales.



A hard world demands
me to break. I refuse to.
Saved by strange magic
in my paperback heroes,
I claim my wings and fly.

Song Choice: Itooshii Hito No Tame Ni




Da' Notes: This poem was created as a response to an idea Magaly Guerrero put forth in a recent blog post, Trinkets and Armor: What's Your Passion? Drawing inspiration from a wise old woman, she asked us to share the things that we're passionate about or that soothe/ help when things feel a bit bleak. Reading of course was one of my first, and remains among my dearest comforts. If it were simply about reading, I might have gone with a poem about Anne of Greene Gables (I probably will write an Anne themed thing someday). But there is also something magical about writing too, about being the force creating the world around you. And so to convey that in aspect, I decided to play around with inspiration from one of my favorite anime/manga series, Fushigi Yuugi, where the heroine, Miaka, literally goes inside the world of a book, and her choices drive the way the story turns out. This piece is also linked up to The Tuesday Platform at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads.

49 comments:

  1. Sigh.. I feel the world is becoming harsher and (if possible) more cruel these days. Some people think it's their right to point fingers at others and to make mockery of flaws. We musn't give heed to such attitude. Each person is unique, kind and talented and if people can't see that then I fear that's their problem.

    I too find comfort in reading and writing.. and feel that I would be lost without it. Beautiful writing as always, Rommy 💞

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  2. I have entered many worlds to escape this one most of my life. Reading sheltered me, writing saved me. Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to our paperback saviors!

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    1. Reading was a solace for so many of us I imagine.

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  3. Oh, my faults are all too obvious :) I too love books - both hand held and audible (can't stand the nooks and such)

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    1. I prefer physical books too, but I won't say no to an e-book either.

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  4. My favorite part of this poem is the tone. I can almost see the speaker stuck between rolling her eyes and glaring, there is also a torrent of sighs in there too. All of it to say, "Yes, I know what you think of me, what you think I do or should and how you think I should do it. I hope all of it makes you happy. I also hope you understand that what I will in fact do won't be driven by your nonsense." Hey, tone is very outspoken.

    I love the way the prose reads like the printed words in a graphic novel, and the tanka reads like the visual art. There is something awesome and exciting about a poem that does what it says (and show what inspired it).

    Lastly, yay! for words and storytelling--savior, teacher, nurturer, friend (and not-so-silent accomplice).

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    1. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaas so glad a graphic element came through. Woot!

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  5. I second Magaly's comment on the tone - amazingly powerful, and so you!

    And I LOVE that last line! Claim those wings!! ❤

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    1. Thanks Dainy! It was a fun line to write.

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  6. All my life I have been immersed in books as I was lucky to have a mother who worked in a library in my young teens. I read everything, both classic and new novels, romantic, adventure and absurd. What an education reading has been and it sounds as though you have spent your time well as well.

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    1. I'd bop back and forth between genres, the classics and the moderns, meaty reads and what I fondly call Pez reading (fun, sugary fluff). Here's to all us committed readers.

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  7. Your words chime with me, Rommy. I am usually immersed in a book or two or three or more. I also find that people are ready to put me straight about all sorts of things.The thirst for words and the places they take us cannot be quenched and neither can the well be empty as long as we keep writing. I love the defiant tanka and strange magic!

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    1. I'm always juggling books. I find it's easier when I make sure to make they're all different from one another. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  8. What a fascinating notion! And you convey it beautifully.

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  9. I claim my wings and fly! As we should!

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  10. This is so very powerful. This line touched my heart, "I touch my lips to a well of words, take them deep into my body until they are part of me.". I have always felt what I read (providing it is well written" does become a part of me. Bits and bobs of someone else's thoughts enriching my being. You certainly have done that for me. xoxo Oma Linda

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    1. I'm delighted and honored my words had such an impact

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  11. Beautiful...I love that you claim your wings and fly..inspiring and fierce..shine on Creatrix!

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  12. "I claim my wings and fly." fulfilling thoughts

    Have a nice Sunday
    much love...

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  13. "Creatrix." That's awesome.

    I love the last 5 lines.

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  14. I immerse myself in books and writing too, ready escapes to wonderful places.
    I am glad you have claimed your wings and fly - fly away from the know-alls, the put-downers, they don't deserve your time.
    Anna :o]

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  15. Ah, it is good never to knowingly let yourself break! It is good to know that one has wings to fly and rise above!

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  16. Atta girl! You are the captain of your own soul❤️

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  17. I love "i claim my wings and fly." Have you seen the new tv series called "Anne"? The most beautifully done Anne ever. It is on netflix.

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    1. Yes my daughter and I are watching it together. It does extrapolate quite a bit from the source material, but several changes make a lot of sense. And it is gorgeously filmed.

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  18. Love this. I can almost see the book open and as a bird with wings for you.

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    1. That's almost exactly how I saw it in my mind's eye.

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  19. Love this! a perfect description of one of my favorite types of reading.

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  20. Very much enjoyed the tanka/prose piece and the backstory. 'I am the creatrix of my own tales' Wowsers … love it … love it … love it!

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  21. I am the creatrix of my own tales... how powerful is that mantra!!!

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    1. I hadn't noticed it before, but you're right it does. :)

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  22. AH, so wonderful that you don't break because of the schemes of the world and strive to fly.
    -HA

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    1. To quote a musical I like, "Everyone deserves a chance to fly."

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  23. “...creatrix of my own tales...” PERFECT!

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  24. "I refuse to" is like a chant that shall resound in every nook and corner of the world. Love the empowering emotion and diction. It is by believing in one's agency can one execute it in daily life.
    -HA

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