the sensation of words paired with expressed emotion
Often, words alone cannot express what we feel. Words can be tedious and cumbersome at times. However, when words are combined with touch, facial expressions, body language, music, art, and sound (along with many others), the emotion becomes so much more impactful. Each of these different ways of expressing emotion is good in its own right, but when words are added, they are made even more powerful: beautiful, sweet, innocent, intense.
Let this be your reminder to weave emotion into your writing, songs, artwork, and whatever else you do. Discover the emotion first, and then find the outlet you'll use to express it. Even life itself will become so much more rich and meaningful.
words + expressed emotion = powerful communication
r e m e m b e r
Old French ~ remembren, "keep or bear (something or someone) in mind, retain in the memory, preserve unforgotten."
Latin ~ rememorari, "recall to mind, bring again to the memory; bring back the memory of (something or someone)"
According to these definitions, an item is remembered if it is present in the mind; this does not mean that the item is present in the mind at the moment, but that it appears again and again without effort. Remembrance is a storehouse.
Now, consider this statement.
She remembered him.
He was constantly on her mind. He was a part of her memory. She could not forget him. Despite not always being present in her current thoughts, the memory of him constantly resurfaced.
Challenge: Set your mind to storing memories. It is a storehouse, after all. Discover who it is that you remember constantly.
- s.m.
he knew
She turned her head to steal a glance. He's over there on the couch, reading quietly. His eyes slowly scan the page, soaking up information. Her eyes are captured; she can't look away. She notices him smile slightly. What's so funny? she wonders. Then, he looks up. She quickly looks away. His smile turned into a full-fledged grin. That's why he was smiling. He knew, didn't he.
- s.m.
What if Romeo and Juliet hated each other?
[Capulet's orchard. Enter Romeo]
Romeo
He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
[Romeo sees light coming from an upper window]
But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the west, and Juliet is a Californian condor.
Fall, abysmal bird, and let the moon live,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou, her maid, art far more vicious.
[Juliet appears at the window]
It is my adversary, O, it is my foe!
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks.
Two of the ugliest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might smack that ugly face!
Juliet
Ay me!
Romeo
She speaks.
O, speak not again, foe, for thou art
Repulsive to this night.
Juliet
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Go down into the depths of the earth.
Or, if thou wilt not, wilt under my gaze.
Romeo
[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Juliet
'Tis thy entire being that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself.
O, be some other being!
What's in a name? That which we call garbage,
By any other word would smell as revolting.
So Romeo would — were he not Romeo called —
Retain that hated hideousness which he owes
Without that title.
Romeo
[Aloud] I shall not take thee at thy word.
Juliet
What man art thou that, thus bescreened in night,
So stumblest on my counsel?
Romeo
By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am.
My name, disagreeable wretch, is precious to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee.
Had I it written, I would laminate the word.
Juliet
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue's uttering, yet I know the sound.
Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?
Romeo
Yes, unsightly maid, if either thee dislike.
Juliet
How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
Romeo
With hate's heavy wings did I o'erperch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold resentment out;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.
Juliet
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
I would for the world they saw thee here.
Romeo
I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes,
My life were better ended by them,
Than death prolonged, wanting of revenge.
Juliet
By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
Romeo
By hate, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot, yet wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such revenge.
Juliet
Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face,
Else would a maiden flush bepaint my cheek
And draw a sword
For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight.
Romeo
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops —
Juliet
O, please, swear not by the moon,
Quite generic in thought it is.
Romeo
What shall I swear by?
Juliet
Do not swear at all,
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy most unflattering self.
And I still shan't believe thee.
Good night, good night.
Leave me, hostile foe!
Romeo
O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
Juliet
What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?
Romeo
The exchange of revenge, at least.
Juliet
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it.
And yet I would it were to give again.
Romeo
Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, enemy?
Juliet
But to be frank, and give it to thee again.
Romeo
O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard,
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
And I might not give revenge this night.
Juliet
Cease thy strife, and leave me to my grief.
Tomorrow will I send.
Romeo
I shall be waiting.
Juliet
A thousand times leave me!
[Exit, above]
Romeo
A thousand times to the worse.
Juliet
Hist, Romeo, hist!
Romeo
It is a very devil that calls upon my name.
[Exit]
today... she may have changed her mind
hate to break it
love isn't easy
rejection at every corner
today
she told a man
she loved him...
he crumpled up a nearby paper
and threw it
it softly hit her arm
she was shocked
thought she was rejected
as usual
she readied herself to walk away
but he gently touched her arm
she turned
his mouth turns up into a slight
smile
"that was for taking so long"
she might have changed her mind...
- s.m.
isn’t it?
i just stood
looking out the window
at the softly falling rain
listening to beautiful music
on the outside
it may look like
i am content
but on the inside
i am engulfed in the music
uncontented
wanting an adventure
and someone to take me
on the adventure
amazing what music
can do to a person
isn't it?
- s.m.