CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

This week’s verse moves from a fantasy terza rima about mermaids to a science fiction piece of blank verse about someone in the vanguard of a world-wide evacuation. It is taken from 366 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2016. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Vanguard's Regret And so I watched the starship climb away into the sky, and thought how much better it would be, if I had climbed aboard, and now did fly away with those who therein did find sanctuary within its strong hull until, at last, the ship could reach a home, and they, kept safe and sound, and fast asleep, did wake to a new world, new hopes, new dreams, but with me, with me, instead of waking all alone, with no-one but each other,   hoping I come home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can find the first two poetry collections at the links below - althoug...

This week’s verse moves from an urban fantasy rhyme about trolls and bridges to a fantasy terza rima about mermaids. It is taken from Another 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry to be released later in the year, once both collection and cover are complete. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hunters of the Deep In deepest seas the mermaids swim with joy cresting waves, and surfing spray, ’neath night sky mermaids sing their songs and with hearts do toy seeking all men who sail the great ships by, the mermaids look for sails and voice their song, luring all those who hear their haunting cry Sung both loud and sweet and the whole night long their enchantment entwines both soul and heart It takes the mind and will of good and strong Until from the tall decks they do depart plunging from the deck to the mermaids’ ploy ans’ring the call of song-spun lust and heart Soon caught in mermaids...

This week’s verse moves from speculative to fantasy in the form of a villanelle about unicorns. It is taken from Another 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry to be released later in the year, once both collection and cover are complete. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Unicorn Fierce With gleaming horns and dancing hooves the unicorns gallop through the night hunters fierce of all that moves These equine beasts in moonlight grooves hunt ‘twixt the trees in darkest night with gleaming horns and dancing hooves Merciless on all that roaming, choose to walk in territories long-claimed by might hunters fierce of all that moves Equine in form, they fleetness use, to capture meals of flesh in flight, with gleaming horns and dancing hooves Guardians say some, or Evil’s ruse to destroy the good of grace and light they’re hunters fierce of all that moves With coats that shine ...

This week’s verse moves from fantasy to speculation in the form of a garland cinquain. It is taken from 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2014. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Children, Machines, Human Children. Small, determined bundles of fire, well-kept, learning. Imaginations burn. They watch They watch, absorbing all, both the good and the bad, monitoring their growing world. Learning. Learning and adapting, adopting behaviours, fearlessly copying the grown. Wanting. Wanting to know secrets, the hidden keys to life, wanting to succeed when they’re grown. Machines. Machines, learning machines, computers in their heads processing experiences. Human. Children, absorbing all, adopting behaviours, wanting to succeed when they’re grown. Human ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Y...

This week’s verse moves from science fiction to fantasy, and comes in an experimental 'quinku' form. It is taken from Another 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry to be released later in the year, once both collection and cover are complete. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dragons in Mourning Dragons rise wings beating thunder drums on drums Dragons rise scales reflecting light sunrise comes Dragons rise flaming as they soar challenging Dragons rise message loud and clear avenging Dragons rise circling o’er and near a flame-wreathed bier ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can find the first two poetry collections at the links below - although there are plans to reissue them with more genre-appropriate covers in the future. The third collection will be released later in the year. books2read.com/u/mVLQZb b...