False Trade
False Trade
Who will live in yesterday
slipping on the faux sleeve of tomorrow?
That us that can’t say yes, today,
to a present not pressed through the narrow–
the narrow I of our needling, my friend,
as we wheedle a bargain with sorrow,
our right-now breath lent to some other time,
time we pretend can be borrowed–
*****************************
Here are 55 of the somewhat examined for Mama Zen’s flash 55 on With Real Toads. (I’ve edited a couple of times since first posting–agh!)
Also, some news–my new (and only adult) novel, Nice, is out at last in print on Amazon.
The Kindle version should be also out very soon, if not tonight, tomorrow. It will only be 99 cents, so I hope you can get it! (I think a kindle version can be downloaded to a computer. )
And if any one is feeling especially kindly, I would be very grateful if you could read it and review it!
I will say more about the book in a future post, but I’ve gotten a bit tired waiting for the kindle version to make an announcement so am taking advantage of today!
PS – Kindle version is out now. Here’s the link.
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry
Tags: "Trade-off", false bargaining with time, flash 55, manicddaily, nice, not living in the present poem, where's my breath poem
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ManicDDaily 
September 7, 2014 at 7:24 pm
This is really intricately wound and clever, k–and I mean that in the best way–I read it twice before I even knew it, just getting it to resonate just right–the sounds are complex, I think, for such a short piece, but the thought is pretty concrete and simple. (I read “That’s us,” for some reason, more conversational instead of ‘that us’ which makes it more Shakespearean–either way is interesting.) Anyway, I like it a lot, and I also believe it. Congrats officially on the book, Karin–I know it was a long trek getting here.
September 7, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Thanks. I just (before you read probably) changed “eye” to the “I” with needling–that may be just one level too clever, as I don’t mean it to be cutesy either.
Thanks. k.
On Sun, Sep 7, 2014 at 8:24 PM, ManicDDaily wrote:
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September 8, 2014 at 9:42 am
I read it as the ‘I’ version,k. Not cutesy or contrived at all.
September 7, 2014 at 8:05 pm
Very clever & neat 55 words Karin ~
And congrats on the publication ~
September 7, 2014 at 9:17 pm
My Kindle cannot wait for the download ~ congrats!
September 8, 2014 at 6:11 am
Thanks so much, Helen. It is out now. Here.
September 7, 2014 at 9:21 pm
Thanks so much. k.
September 7, 2014 at 9:24 pm
I love to bargain, M.D. This ‘market’ is a dreamy, slippery and slimy place. I loved the thought of going through the narrow eye (“I”).
September 7, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Congrats on the book. I am excited for you. I haven’t read any previews but I will look around for them. Starting here.
I get the books Kindle books from Amazon. They download them onto my iPhone, iPad, or computer. The cloud puts them on whatever two didn’t get the download. If one doesn’t have a Kindle program loaded the first sale includes the Kindle player.
Our country library also had Kindle books for loan. Amazon handles the downloading of those also. No cost, when the lending term expires the books is gone. If you get it back (like renewal) your page will be ready to go where you left off.
..
September 7, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Yes–I’ve provided for free lending. Thanks, Jim. k.
September 7, 2014 at 10:45 pm
a couple interesting end line/beginning of line reps in this….i would rather today…well maybe tomorrow because writing papers has worn me out today…ha….
congrats on the book k….
September 8, 2014 at 6:10 am
Thank you, Brian. If I have any readers at all (other than people who have known me for years), it’s thanks to you! k.
September 8, 2014 at 7:39 am
Ah.. that’s very nice.. to borrow time across today, what a neat thought it would be.. especially if we procrastinate… 🙂
I just bought your book and look forward to read it.. 🙂
September 8, 2014 at 7:52 am
Thank you so very much, Bjorn. k.
On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 8:39 AM, ManicDDaily wrote:
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September 8, 2014 at 9:14 am
Beautiful!
September 8, 2014 at 9:41 am
Congrats K! That’s wonderful! All of your own work. How nice, having ‘Nice’ out in the market!
Hank
September 8, 2014 at 9:43 am
the narrow I of our needling…
This is stylishly clever, Karin.
Congratulations on your latest book!
September 8, 2014 at 9:50 am
Thanks. K.
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September 8, 2014 at 10:46 am
“time we pretend can be borrowed” hmmm, that is a good phrase. Congrats on the book!
September 8, 2014 at 11:54 am
the last line… “time we pretend we can borrow” how brutally honest is that… it seems we dont value time till we reach at the end of it all!!
September 8, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Really fine wordplay; admirable concision. And congrats on getting your book done and out.
September 8, 2014 at 3:19 pm
There are several sayings about yesterday and tomorrow, but none of them speaks as well as your poem. I agree with the others about the last line…how we do fool our foolish selves.
And congratulations on the book. I’m going to look it up on Kindle even before I finish commenting on other Toads.
Luv, K
September 8, 2014 at 3:57 pm
You are so kind. I really appreciated your offer of copy-editing, and I know you would have done a great job–I just couldn’t bear at that point to extend the process. (My husband took on the role, and that was really very helpful on all kinds of levels.) Thanks again though and thanks for kind words.
k.
On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 4:19 PM, ManicDDaily wrote:
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September 8, 2014 at 3:20 pm
PS — I’ve missed seeing your elephants, and it’s all my own fault.
K
September 8, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Ha! I have a lot up if you go to that category, I think. I’ve been rather lazy lately in terms of drawing, but hoping to pick up the pace! k.
September 8, 2014 at 5:09 pm
i will need to think about this for awhile… it was a brain twister for me
September 9, 2014 at 4:16 am
Thanks for this, Karin — There is a strange inchoate angst to the time that is so difficult to get a hold of, to name — unlocking it takes a three-deep sort of smarts. You get at here pouring an angular syntax through a narrow place, perhaps the only opening or opportunity that is visible. That’s the vibe, at least, whether you’re talking about the chance of future in a relationship or for the entire tribe. Congrats on the book, I’ll get a copy, look forward to seeing how you wax that wonderful imagination of yours.
September 9, 2014 at 5:41 am
love this! love its sound, its rhymes and beat. upbeat yet downbeat too.
also, novel?! where have i been? congratulations and can’t wait to read!
September 9, 2014 at 10:19 am
This is beautifully done, Karin. And, it’s a beautiful book. Congratulations!
September 9, 2014 at 10:39 am
Thanks so much, MZ. k.
On Tue, Sep 9, 2014 at 11:19 AM, ManicDDaily wrote:
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September 9, 2014 at 9:39 pm
Quite the accomplishment – getting it done. Congrats. I’ll have to check out the Kindle version.
The poem really does twist and turn in a most wonderful way – I have to put my thinking cap on, but it is worth it.
September 10, 2014 at 1:30 am
a tight weave, k, and congratulations on the book ~
September 12, 2014 at 5:42 am
There certainly is no promise of tomorrow, procrastinating a visit is an iffy policy to live by with family and friends.
Congrats on your book. Thanks for coming by.
September 14, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Poignant words…deep with meaning….and I especially like: “slipping on the faux sleeve of tomorrow”–clever & apt description.