Ash Wednesday

Well today being Ash Wednesday, I do believe it would be appropriate to post something pertaining to the day at hand. So here's a work which I've very cleverly titled "Ash Wednesday." Enjoy!


Ash Wednesday
By Andrew Vlasblom

Ash Wednesday. The first day of March.
What a way to begin the season of Lent.
Forty-six days remaining 'til Easter.
'Twill be a blessed event!

But let's focus on today for a moment.
The Day of Ashes, Dies Cinerum.

So we acknowledge this day. Why?
How does this relate to the Christ who came to die?
Shall we take a look behind the event
And why we recognize this period "Lent?"

Nah, let's not.
Instead, what I'm going to do
Is tell you how I would interpret this day
And how we might truly construe.

When I think of the origins of "Ash Wednesday,"
What immediately comes to mind?
For myself, the words "Ash" and "Wednesday" stick out,
And so I process the two combined.

So logically, I would then consider
The origins of each word.
I'll define, keeping in mind
These are definitions you've likely not heard.

"Ash" is translated by some
To be a post-burning residue, folks.
I, however, see it as more of an acronym:
An "Aforethought Scandalous Hoax."

The word "Wednesday" is said to have been derived
From the planet Mercury.
I say, let's stay earthbound
And look at this literally!

Mercury, we realize, is the smallest planet,
Closest of all to the fiery sphere;
The size is perhaps Wednesday's stature,
And the closeness resembling ash austere?

Anyway...

Dividing the word, I find Wed-n-es-day
And in each section, a heart:
Translates to me, "Wed on this day."
So then, 'til death do us part! ...?

So with these two words defined,
From my point of view, I see
That combining these words makes for
A seriously wrong kind of comedy.

With all this said, my take is that
"Ash Wednesday" is a name in disguise
For the innocent girls all over the world
Receiving fake proposals from guys.

It brings a tear to my eye.

Yet perhaps from the fiery tears of the girls,
There lingers a subtle residue;
Forming ash that burns their innocent hearts -
Never again will they ever subdue.

Strange, yet inspiring, Ash Wednesday would seem;
Its premise is blue, yet its message serene.

So for all those who've been
Debating this day...
I hope I have influenced you
In a positive way!

If not, just know that I do understand;
This text I've composed primarily offhand.
At times I know I'd do well to expand;
But my goal was simply to not be bland.

Now I know I've completed that goal.

Copyright (C) 2006

The Last Day of February

What is now the first day of March was formerly (as in yesterday) the last day of February, March's direct predecessor. Anyway, I am posting this now as I feel it is important that we reflect on past moments in time. (And because I created this blog entry a day late.) So I have dedicated this poem to the final day of the month now past.


The Last Day of February
By Andrew Vlasblom

'Tis the last day of February.
Why am I writing this now?
I should probably be reading
From an acquired textbook. Wow.

I feel like writing a song
But the words just aren't there.
Why should I write what I can't discern
To be a testimony fair?

I think I shouldn't; But I will.
Perhaps this does reflect
On my contradictory actions
And my tendency to forget.

It's a psychological disorder
And yet it keeps me steady.
If I was to never contradict myself
I think that I'd never be ready...

...to face insurmountable odds,
Like falling down a hill;
And quite contrary to the fairy tale,
I haven't a sister named Jill.

How that's relevant, I haven't a clue.
(I rarely do) (But that's irrelevant too...)

So what's the purpose of this schpiel,
This amount of text that seemingly
Has no purpose but to pass the time
And waste it simultaneously?

I guess it's debatable that it revolves
Around writing a song, but the words just aren't there.
Yet I've written this so far
And somehow it comes together. Fair?

Or perhaps it's a controversial topic
That deals with contradiction.
I feel that I shouldn't be writing a song
Yet it seems to have come to fruition.

Or perhaps it deals with amnesia;
I made mention that I forget...
Yet I remembered that I wrote that.
So in that regard, I'd say I'm set!

Or perhaps it deals with my sister,
Or lack thereof, in jive?
I think not, for in this respect,
Regarding sisters, I have five.

And lastly, perhaps it deals with
How clueless at times I might be.
And yet I seem to know this -
...So perhaps it's in my perception?

So I broke the pattern.
....
So what? Just goes to show I'm unorthodox!
Got a problem? Didn't think so!

Copyright (C) 2006

And So It Begins...

The 1st day of March. Ash Wednesday. So begins the blog of a perpetual poet, and the dawning of a new genre of poetic complexity, yet simplicity; freedom of speech yet restrictive; creative writing, yet plagiarism in a sense.

For what is completely original? What's not cliche these days? Is it possible to create a work of art so inventive, unorthodox and unstylistic so as to circumvent all manner of unoriginality?

Of course. The answers in sequential order are as follows: Me, me, and yes, I do it all the time!

To address the first issue, complexity yet simplicity. Very nice. However, complexity is usually individually assessed, no? Ditto to Simplicity. So the answer is simple, as it would seem that both are to be marked according to one's own perception. That seems straightforward to me. Yet another may disagree!

Freedom of speech, yet feeling restricted. Am I restricted? By no means, no. Would I parade in the city streets and declare myself to be the Prime Minister of Canada? Likely not. Could I? By all means, yes! Provide competent compensation and I'm there!

Creative writing, yet plagiarism in a sense. Okay, do a Google search online using any portion of this text. See if there are any matches. There inevitably are. Did I use any of those sources in creating this blog? Nope. Don't believe it? That's your problem.

So you see, to every issue there is an answer, yet to some degree marked by uncertainty. (Except for mathematical equations, which while having a concept so simple, can translate into problems so complex that one might be tempted to abuse themselves by yanking their hair out. Which raises the theory that mathematics may indeed be a cause of violence and self-destruction; Math = representative of Euthanasia? Hardly, with violence being a factor...?)

Anyway, I conclude my opening spiel with these words: In everything, be diligent. Except for the unvirtuous things. Because unvirtuous things translate into nondiligence. And being diligent in nondiligent things kind of contradicts itself.
-Me

Now if that doesn't answer your question about plagiarism, I'm not sure what will. Just check out the credited source!

(Is nondiligence an actual word?...)