Go ahead:
be a writing rebel.
Break the rules.
Be unconventional.
Alter spelling.
Remove punctuation,
or add some.
Be reckless
and write
everything
in lower case.
Throw out
proper grammar
like scribbles
holding
your worst ideas.
Before you do,
however,
you must master
the basics.
Otherwise,
your rule breaking
is pointless.
Tag: writing process
watch your tone
tone
affirms
attitude
choose
words wisely
as you descend
on your desired
destination
in the meantime
maybe munch on
various
menu items
that pair perfectly
with your personal
preferences
like
honey butter
dripping
from freshly
baked bread
or
maybe
a collection
of cool crispy
carrots and cucumbers
paired
with a cup
of your preferred
cool-dill condiment
perhaps
a hot drink
that needs to chill
until safe to sip
else risking
searing your
tongue
you are,
by the way,
free
to settle
for standard
salted nuts
and soda
(with or without ice)
it’s up to you
All writing, unless otherwise noted, is written and owned by Kevin L. McDaniel © 2023
Finding My Voice
I hide
my true voice,
the one voice
whispering
from my heart
during remote,
reclusive hours
between
sleep and speculation.
I must decide:
am I narrator
of my own legend
or a carefully-outlined
character of common
archetypes?
It remains
to be written.
Am I
a sarcastic stooge
cracking jokes
breaking tension?
No.
My dry wit deliberate developing
after disparate drafts
and multiple revisions.
Am I
an impassioned parson
spewing
righteous indignation
condemning
a fallen nation’s failings?
No.
I believe
in humanity’s constitutional
kindness
I reject
the pious sins
of self-proclaimed judges.
Am I
a romantic lead
covered on
check stand novels?
No.
I’ve sampled love,
but never
long enough
to savor it.
My true tone
and rhythmic
heartbeat
changes
hour by hour
day by day
yet remains
guarded
shackled
until
keyboard taps
uniting words
liberating
my soul.
