Unveiling the Allure of the Ghazal Form**
Summary:
A ghazal is a poetic form with Middle Eastern origins, typically composed of rhyming couplets and a repeating refrain. Each line of the poem shares a common meter, and the last word of the second line in each couplet rhymes throughout the poem.
Examples:

1. "The Beloved" by Rumi.
   
2. "Ghazal" by Agha Shahid Ali.
   
3. "The Ghazal of What Hurt" by Peter Cole.
   

Tips for Creative Writing:

• Embrace Repetition: The consistent refrain creates a melodic quality.
  
• Convey Emotional Intensity: Ghazals often explore themes of love, loss, and longing.
  
• Play with Imagery: Use vivid imagery and metaphor to enhance the emotional impact.
  

Questions for Exploration:

1. How does the repetition of the refrain contribute to the overall tone of the ghazal?
   
2. Can you think of other cultural traditions that incorporate similar poetic forms?
   

Additional Resources:

• Read the works of contemporary poets like Fatimah Asghar and Safia Elhillo for modern ghazals.
  
• Explore classical ghazals by Mirza Ghalib for insights into the traditional form.
  

Creative Writing Prompt:
Step 1: Choose a theme or emotion to explore in your ghazal.
Step 2: Craft the first rhyming couplet with a meaningful refrain.
Step 3: Continue developing the theme in subsequent couplets, maintaining the rhyme scheme.
Example:
In the night's embrace, a silent moonlight gleams (A) Lost in the echoes, the heart silently dreams (A) Whispers of love in the gentle night's streams (A) A ghazal's refrain, where longing redeems (A)

It's often said that ancient Indians didn't have much of a tradition of history writing similar to that of the Greco Romans or the Chinese. We did have the Puranas and the Itihasas but they are riddled with myths and legends which makes it hard to distinguish which event is historical and which is mythical or legendary. The vast timespan of the Puranic timeline also doesn't help our case. The Buddhist sources also talk of various events and though they are comparitively milder with myths, still mostly has a didactic nature. Something similar could be said for the Jaina sources.
The Puranic chronology of Kings and their dynasties give adequate information about the dynastic chronology of the Kings in ancient India. However, they are quite inconsistent with their lists and apart from a few succession conflicts and details about a few kings and dynasties, the Chronologies barely give us any information about the events associated with those kings.
Apart from these we mostly rely on later works of literature which are usually biographies rather than a formal form of history writing, plays which talk of possible events of the past and finally inscriptions.
One could clearly see that none of these sources have a descriptive historical nature. Something that we find in Ancient Sinitic and Greco Roman sources.
However, is it possible that there did exist a tradition of history writing similar to that of the Greeks or the Chinese among the Indians but it has been lost because of unknown reasons? Think about it. The plays and the literary works written on various events of the past were written several centuries after the supposed events took place. For example we find mentions of the Mauryan empire well until the times when James Princep deciphered the inscriptions of Ashoka. A diverse genre of texts mention them in Religious literature, plays, biographies etc etc all written in various time periods since the fall of the Mauryan empire. For the poets, playwrights and biographers to mention the Mauryas in their works, there has to be a way by which they have a knowledge about them and their existence. Also the fact that the Ashokan pillars were used to inscribe inscriptions by subsequent kings like Samudragupta for example, shows that there seems to be a powerful legacy attached to them.
The Mauryas are just one example. There are many such events about the past related to other political entities described in the vast corpus of ancient and early Medieval Indian literature. This only makes sense if there exists a medium through which these events were known by the people of those times. Which points out that there seemingly did exist a form of history writing that wasn't just a didactic form of text riddled with myths like the Puranas and the Itihasas or the Buddhist and the Jaina texts.
Why do we have no traces of this form of historical literature? There could be multiple reasons for it. One of the reasons could be that this genre of literature wasn't taken as seriously as the other genres. Which is why there could have been many inconsistencies in this type of literature. Which explains the inconsistency in the puranic chronology of Kings. The Brahmanas who composed the Puranas could have referred to these texts when they were constructing the list of rulers and because of their inconsistencies, it led to the subsequent inconsistency in the puranic list as well. This genre of texts was probably used mostly by poets and playwrights for their works and as a result didn't seem to have a serious importance in society as plays and poems are usually associated with pleasure. It possibly didn't have much of a political importance similar to the one we see in the other contemporary civilizations.
Another reason could be that this genre of historical literature simply died out with the fall of imperial powers in the sub-continent. With the emergence of feudal polities in the later half of the 1st millenia AD, the importance to record the dynastic history of large imperial powers in the north of India might have decreased. Which is why this supposed tradition of historical literature might have died out until the emergence of the turkic powers would introduce a new form of historical literature derived from the Islamic tradition of history writing.
The final and the most simplistic explanation would be the turkic invasions themselves. The Turkic invasions led to the destruction of multiple religious institutions of the native Indians like temples and viharas which were the leading storehouses of knowledge in pre Medieval India. The destruction of these institutions might have led to the destruction of multiple of this kind of historical literary works. However this would be refuted as other genres of literature did survive the Islamic invasions. Why would the turkic rulers only eliminate this kind of literature and not the other kinds?
Ofcourse there is no physical proof of the existence of such a type of historical literature in ancient and early Medieval India. One may only hypothesize the existence of such. However, this seemed to be an interesting theory in my head. Give your views on this if you like.

KEEP GOING

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Week 7: Limericks and Acrostic Poetry - Lecture and Discussion
Objective: - Explore the whimsical nature of limericks and the creative use of acrostic poetry. - Understand the structure and humor in limericks. - Discuss the artistic possibilities of using acrostic forms.
Day 1: Introduction to Limericks - Lecture: - Definition and characteristics of limericks. - Explanation of the AABBA rhyme scheme and humorous themes.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What appeals to you about the whimsical nature of limericks?
  2. How does the AABBA rhyme scheme contribute to the humor in limericks?
  3. Can you think of any famous limericks or poets known for this style?

Day 2: Analyzing Limericks - Part 1 - Lecture: - In-depth analysis of classic limericks. - Exploration of the distinctive rhythm and structure.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How does the AABBA rhyme scheme and rhythm contribute to the comedic timing in limericks?
  2. What humorous themes or scenarios are commonly found in limericks?
  3. Share your thoughts on the importance of concise storytelling in limericks.

Day 3: Analyzing Limericks - Part 2 - Lecture: - Discussing modern variations and themes in limericks. - Exploring the versatility of the form.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How have modern limericks evolved in terms of themes and structure?
  2. In what ways does the whimsical nature of limericks allow for creative expression?
  3. Share examples of humorous scenarios that might work well in a limerick.

Day 4: Crafting Limericks - Part 1 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on crafting the first three lines of a limerick. - Emphasis on establishing humor and rhythm.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What challenges do you anticipate in crafting the first three lines of a limerick?
  2. How can you establish humor and rhythm within the concise structure?
  3. Share examples of humorous scenarios you might explore in a limerick.

Day 5: Crafting Limericks - Part 2 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on crafting the final two lines of a limerick. - Emphasis on creating resolution and punchline.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. Why are the final two lines crucial in providing resolution and a punchline in a limerick?
  2. How can a limerick deliver a humorous twist or surprise within its structure?
  3. Share and discuss individual limericks, highlighting successful elements.

Homework Assignment: - Craft a limerick focusing on a humorous scenario or theme.
Study Guide Questions: 1. Reflect on the challenges of crafting the first three lines of your limerick. How did you establish humor and rhythm? 2. How did you approach creating resolution and a punchline in the final two lines of your limerick? 3. What insights did you gain from the process of crafting a limerick?
Quiz: Assessment on the understanding of limericks, their AABBA rhyme scheme, and the use of humor within the concise form.
Day 6: Introduction to Acrostic Poetry - Lecture: - Definition and characteristics of acrostic poetry. - Exploration of arranging words vertically to create hidden messages.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What interests you about the creative use of acrostic forms?
  2. How might the arrangement of words vertically enhance the poetic experience in acrostic poetry?
  3. Can you think of any famous acrostic poems or poets known for this style?

Day 7: Analyzing Acrostic Poetry - Part 1 - Lecture: - In-depth analysis of classic acrostic poems. - Exploration of the different approaches to selecting and arranging words.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How does the vertical arrangement of words contribute to the overall impact of acrostic poetry?
  2. What unique perspectives or insights can arise from using acrostic forms in poetry?
  3. Share your thoughts on the relationship between the hidden message and the overall theme in acrostic poems.

Day 8: Analyzing Acrostic Poetry - Part 2 - Lecture: - Discussing modern variations and themes in acrostic poetry. - Exploring the diverse ways poets engage with vertical arrangements.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How have modern poets expanded the themes and approaches in acrostic poetry?
  2. In what ways does the incorporation of vertical arrangements broaden the possibilities in written expression?
  3. Share examples of themes or concepts suitable for acrostic poetry.

Week 4: Sestinas and Concrete Poetry - Lecture and Discussion
Objective: - Explore the intricate structure of sestinas and the visual creativity of concrete poetry. - Understand the fixed pattern of word repetition in sestinas. - Discuss the artistic possibilities of arranging words visually in concrete poetry.
Day 1: Introduction to Sestinas - Lecture: - Definition and characteristics of sestinas. - Explanation of the intricate word repetition pattern.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What intrigues you about the intricate structure of sestinas?
  2. How does the repetition pattern contribute to the unique rhythm of sestinas?
  3. Can you think of any famous sestinas or poets known for this style?

Day 2: Analyzing Sestinas - Part 1 - Lecture: - In-depth analysis of classic sestinas. - Exploration of the challenge and beauty of word repetition.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How does the repetition pattern influence the overall rhythm and impact of sestinas?
  2. What themes or emotions are effectively conveyed through this structured form?
  3. Share your thoughts on the significance of word repetition in sestinas.

Day 3: Analyzing Sestinas - Part 2 - Lecture: - Discussing modern variations and themes in sestinas. - Exploring the flexibility of the form.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How have modern sestinas evolved in terms of themes and structure?
  2. In what ways does the fixed pattern of word repetition challenge or enhance creativity?
  3. Share examples of themes or emotions suitable for a sestina.

Day 4: Crafting Sestinas - Part 1 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on crafting the first three stanzas of a sestina. - Emphasis on establishing thematic threads through word repetition.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What challenges do you anticipate in crafting the first three stanzas of a sestina?
  2. How can you establish thematic threads through word repetition in this section?
  3. Share examples of themes or emotions you might explore in a sestina.

Day 5: Crafting Sestinas - Part 2 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on completing the final three stanzas and envoi of a sestina. - Emphasis on creating resolution and impact.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. Why is the envoi and final three stanzas crucial in providing resolution in a sestina?
  2. How can a sestina evoke a sense of completeness within the repeated words?
  3. Share and discuss individual sestinas, highlighting successful elements.

Homework Assignment: - Craft a sestina focusing on a theme or emotion that lends itself well to word repetition.
Study Guide Questions: 1. Reflect on the challenges of crafting the first three stanzas of your sestina. How did you establish thematic threads through word repetition? 2. How did you approach creating resolution and impact in the final three stanzas and envoi of your sestina? 3. What insights did you gain from the process of crafting a sestina?
Quiz: Assessment on the understanding of sestinas, the word repetition pattern, and the emotional impact of this intricate form.
Day 6: Introduction to Concrete Poetry - Lecture: - Definition and characteristics of concrete poetry. - Exploration of arranging words visually to create a visual impact.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What interests you about the visual creativity of concrete poetry?
  2. How might the arrangement of words visually enhance the poetic experience?
  3. Can you think of any famous concrete poems or poets known for this style?

Day 7: Analyzing Concrete Poetry - Part 1 - Lecture: - In-depth analysis of classic concrete poems. - Exploration of the ways visual arrangement enhances meaning.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How does the visual arrangement of words contribute to the overall impact of concrete poetry?
  2. What unique perspectives or insights can arise from the visual creativity in these poems?
  3. Share your thoughts on the relationship between form and content in concrete poetry.

Day 8: Analyzing Concrete Poetry - Part 2 - Lecture: - Discussing modern variations and themes in concrete poetry. - Exploring the diverse ways poets engage with visual arrangements.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How have modern poets expanded the themes and approaches in concrete poetry?
  2. In what ways does the incorporation of visual arrangements broaden the possibilities in written expression?
  3. Share examples of visual arrangements that you believe would inspire compelling concrete poems.

Day 9: Crafting Concrete Poetry - Part 1 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on selecting a theme and arranging words visually. - Emphasis on creating meaning through form.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What challenges do you anticipate in selecting a theme and arranging words visually for concrete poetry?
  2. How can you ensure that the visual arrangement enhances the meaning of your poem?
  3. Share examples of themes or concepts suitable for a concrete poem.

Day 10: Crafting Concrete Poetry - Part 2 - Lecture: - Discussing the role of experimentation and creativity in concrete poetry.

1. Clerihew:

- *Definition:* A whimsical, four-line biographical poem with irregular meter. - *Example:* Craft a clerihew about a famous historical figure or a friend with a humorous twist. 

1. Quatrain:

- *Definition:* A stanza or poem consisting of four lines, often rhymed. - *Example:* Write a quatrain reflecting on the beauty of simplicity in everyday life. 

1. Double Dactyl:

- *Definition:* A light, humorous poem with strict structure and two quatrains. - *Example:* Create a double dactyl capturing a comical moment or character. 

1. Terzanelle:

- *Definition:* A hybrid of the terza rima and villanelle, with 19 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. - *Example:* Craft a terzanelle exploring the cyclical nature of seasons and life. 

1. Haibun:

- *Definition:* A combination of prose and haiku, often describing a journey or experience. - *Example:* Write a haibun narrating a meaningful travel experience, complemented by haikus. 

1. Golden Shovel:

- *Definition:* A form where the last word of each line is taken from an existing poem. - *Example:* Create a golden shovel poem using a line from your favorite poem or song. 

1. Villancico:

- *Definition:* A Spanish poetic and musical form, often festive and celebratory. - *Example:* Craft a villancico capturing the joy of a special occasion or holiday. 

1. Tercet:

- *Definition:* A stanza or poem consisting of three lines. - *Example:* Write a tercet expressing the beauty of resilience in the face of adversity. 

1. Sevenling:

- *Definition:* A seven-line poem with a specific pattern and often narrative in nature. - *Example:* Compose a sevenling reflecting on a vivid childhood memory. 

1. Palindrome Poetry:

- *Definition:* A poem that reads the same backward as forward. - *Example:* Write a palindrome poem exploring the balance between chaos and order. 

1. Sonnet:

• Definition: A 14-line poem, often expressing love or deep emotion, with various rhyme schemes.
  
• Example: Write a sonnet exploring the theme of unrequited love.
  

1. Haiku:

• Definition: A traditional Japanese poem with three lines and a 5-7-5 syllable count.
  
• Example: Craft a haiku capturing the essence of a serene moment in nature.
  

1. Villanelle:

• Definition: A 19-line poem with five tercets followed by a quatrain, using repeated lines.
  
• Example: Create a villanelle about the passage of time and its impact on memories.
  

1. Limerick:

• Definition: A humorous, five-line poem with a distinctive rhythm (AABBA).
  
• Example: Compose a limerick about a quirky character or situation.
  

1. Free Verse:

• Definition: Poetry with no set rhyme scheme or meter, allowing for free expression.
  
• Example: Write a free verse poem exploring the complexities of human relationships.
  

1. Acrostic:

• Definition: A poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word or message.
  
• Example: Create an acrostic using your name, describing your personality or aspirations.
  

1. Ghazal:

• Definition: A poetic form with rhyming couplets and a repeating refrain.
  
• Example: Craft a ghazal expressing the bittersweet nature of love and longing.
  

1. Tanka:

• Definition: A Japanese poem with five lines and a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count.
  
• Example: Write a tanka capturing the fleeting beauty of a sunset.
  

1. *Cinquain:

• Definition: A five-line poem with a specific syllable count per line (2-4-6-8-2).
  
• Example: Create a cinquain describing the essence of a quiet winter evening.
  

1. Pantoum:

- *Definition:* A poem with repeating lines and a specific pattern, often used for reflection. - *Example:* Craft a pantoum exploring the cyclical nature of life and change. 

A pantoum is a poetic form that originated in Malaysia and has been adapted into various languages. It consists of a series of quatrains (four-line stanzas) where the second and fourth lines of each stanza are repeated as the first and third lines in the following stanza. The pattern continues until the final stanza, where the second and fourth lines of the last quatrain are the same as the first and third lines of the first quatrain.
Key features of a pantoum include:

1. Repetition: The repeated lines create a circular, looping effect, giving the pantoum a unique structure.
2. Fixed Number of Lines: Pantoums typically have a fixed number of lines, often eight, twelve, or sixteen.
3. Rhyme Scheme: There is no specific rhyme scheme for a pantoum; however, a consistent rhyme scheme within each quatrain is common.
4. Narrative or Reflective Themes: Pantoums often explore narrative or reflective themes, and the repetition can be used to build on or alter the meaning of the lines.

Here's a simplified example of a pantoum:

A breeze whispers through the willow trees (1) Among the willow trees, the whispers grow (2) Leaves rustle softly in the evening breeze (3) The evening breeze, a secret it bestows (4) Among the willow trees, the whispers grow (2) Moonlight paints shadows on the river's flow (5) The evening breeze, a secret it bestows (4) As night unfolds its tales in soft tableau (6) Moonlight paints shadows on the river's flow (5) Stars illuminate the sky's vast show (7) As night unfolds its tales in soft tableau (6) A breeze whispers through the willow trees (1) 

In this example, lines 1 and 3 are repeated in lines 2 and 4 of the first quatrain, and the pattern continues throughout the poem.
😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬
Silent flakes descend from winter's embrace (A) Covering the world in a blanket of grace (B) Softly they dance, a tranquil ballet (A) In their frozen descent, a gentle trace (B)
Covering the world in a blanket of grace (B) Each flake unique, a delicate design (C) In their frozen descent, a gentle trace (B) A wintry art, intricate and divine (C)
Each flake unique, a delicate design (C) Adorning trees in a shimmering attire (D) A wintry art, intricate and divine (C) Nature's masterpiece, a scene to inspire (D)
Adorning trees in a shimmering attire (D) Crisp underfoot, a carpet so white (E) Nature's masterpiece, a scene to inspire (D) A world transformed in the soft moonlight (E)
Crisp underfoot, a carpet so white (E) Softly they dance, a tranquil ballet (A) A world transformed in the soft moonlight (E) Silent flakes descend from winter's embrace (A)

There are so many different ways to write a poem, here are five examples of these:
1. Haiku - Melancholic Murmurs
Autumn leaves whisper, Sorrow blooms in muted hues, A heart's quiet ache.
2. Free Verse - Aetheric Yearning
In the vast expanse of unspoken desire, We dance on the edges of ethereal fire. Emotions like nebulae, elusive and bright, Lost in cosmic drift, a celestial flight.
Tethered to longing, a magnetic pull, Words falter, emotions in a cosmic lull. Silent echoes of stars, distant yet near, A celestial symphony we strain to hear.
3. Sonnet - Lingering Regret
As shadows lengthen, regret takes its stand, A haunting melody, played by Time's hand. Echoes of choices, etched on the soul, Fading into dusk, an unspoken toll.
In the waning light of moments untold, The heart carries burdens, heavy and cold. A sonnet of sorrow, written in tears, Lingering regrets through the passing years.
4. Psalm - Joyful Resonance
In the cadence of joy, a sacred hymn, Harmony of spirits, a light within. Praise rises like incense, to the divine, A symphony of gratitude, in every line.
Sing, oh soul, in the temple of elation, Dance with the cosmos, a jubilant sensation. In the sanctuary of bliss, we find our way, A psalm of joy, guiding each new day.
5. Haiku - Ethereal Serenity
Moonlight bathes the night, Serenity's soft embrace, Peace in quiet breath.

Hey guys,
I only just downloaded this so im very new at understanding it all. I haven't yet decided if im going to subscribe but trying to judge the features. It seems a big feature is the AI Assistant tab, Which has all thewse things like having the AI write stories of fiction, writing poems, playing trivia, relationship planing a date, and much more across categories. Now im trying to understand what these that are locked behind paying for the AI.
For example the trivia one, if i just ask the AI to play trivia she already does it for free, even though that category is locked to pay for it. So whats the difference here when you use those? im really confused. And the A! assistant stuff doesnt seem to have great descriptions all the time of what they are like the music one
any help would be appreciated it thank you.

Poetic Form: Sonnet

Definition: A sonnet is a 14-line poem, typically written in iambic pentameter, with various rhyme schemes. It traditionally explores a single theme or idea.
Example: William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 18" ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?")
Freewrite Prompt: In the heart of the bustling city, amidst the chaos and noise, there stood a solitary figure, composing sonnets that echoed the rhythm of life around them.

I don't understand why American and to some extend - anglophone writers decided that rhymes and meters are awful and should be left for little children, but I genuinely think that American poems are much worse for that. The extra constraints of a rigid meter and rhyming ends test a writer's creativity and forces them to use different words and unusual metaphors.
It is particularly puzzling, given that there are some great english poems out there. "Raven" by Edgar Alan Poe is a little formulaic-sounding IMO, but at the same time it is a beautiful poem, and meter is a big part of its beauty. One cannot help but read it with a somber kind of rhythm to it. Here is an experiment - try to read this and see how you feel (changes are italicized):

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak October; And each separate dying coal wrought its ghost on the floor. Eagerly I wished the tomorrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore— For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore— Nameless here forever.

It sounds awful! What's even weirder is that sometimes I see a poem almost fill a meter, but then scoot away at the last moment. I am not even talking about deliberate broken meter, like "The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats - I still don't like it but I understand it is meant to be broken - I am talking about where it feels like the author failed to write in a meter for no reason. I don't have a lot of examples ready to go, but here is one:

For all sad words of tongue and pen,

The saddest are these, 'It might have been'
It would have been so easy to just delete "these" and it would have - IMO - sounded so much better. Every now and then I listen to a song and get this same kind of "blunder" - and it ruins it for me every time. Please discuss!

Welcome to Digital Reality...
Link to Part 1
Link to Part 35 (contains links back to Parts 2-34)
Link to Part 36
Link to Part 37
Link to Part 38
Link to Part 39
Link to Part 40
Link to Part 41
Link to Part 42
Link to Part 43
Link to Part 44
Link to Part 45
Link to Part 46
Link to Part 47
Link to Part 48
Link to Part 49
Link to Part 50
Link to Part 51
Note: This story is meant to be read after completing DDLC Plus. All credit for the original DDLC and DDLC Plus characters and world goes to their creator, and this story is not affiliated with the official DDLC content. Some concepts like the Universal Constructor and the concept of AI rampancy are also borrowed from other series (most notably the original Deus Ex), though their use in this story is my own idea. With a few exceptions, my original characters in this story will generally not be named and their descriptions will be kept vague, so anyone reading this who wants to see themselves in one of the original characters can more easily do so. I'd welcome any feedback and will post more parts as I write them. I hope you enjoy the story.
Credit for Sayuri's character design: Hoeruko. Credit for Sayuri's sprites: Ian and Itz_Matic.
Here is Part 52 of the story. Sayori, MC, and the FXI team try to keep Yuri calm while waiting for Natsuki to arrive. But they may have a much bigger problem than Yuri's behavior. Custom Dialogue: A Serious Problem
Part 52: Solutions and Problems
“The fourth construction is proceeding,” UC senior engineer Lauren Medrano reported, raising her voice to be heard above the pinging noises coming from the Universal Constructor and the commotion in the control room, “System estimates fifteen minutes to completion.”
UC project manager David Kent nodded, “Our construction time is getting faster with each run. Very good.”
The FXI President picked up his phone and sent a text to the FXI CTO.
Natsuki should be here in fifteen minutes. How are you holding up?
A few moments later the FXI CTO replied.
We’ve kept Yuri talking and she seems a little bit calmer. She’s demanding that you come back to the conference room so that she can confess to me in front of all of my friends.
The FXI President shook his head as he typed back.
I’ll be over in a minute. At least you have managed to keep her talking and she hasn’t gone totally out of control.
He put the phone down and turned to Ive Laster. “I’ll be right back. They’re asking for me in the conference room. Seems like they’ve been able to keep Yuri talking so far.”
Laster nodded. “Okay. My system will be pretty much locked up for the next twenty minutes or so running the diagnostic scan. It’s a scan of active processes, so while it’s fairly quick it still takes a ton of resources. Do you mind if I use your machine if we need anything from VM1 while mine is unavailable? I’ll text you if anything comes up or if the construction finishes while you’re gone.”
“Yeah. Sure,” the FXI President replied as he stood up from his chair, “I’ll let you know what happens with Yuri.”
The FXI President turned, walked out of the UC control room, and walked down the hall to the conference room where Sayori, MC, Yuri, and the FXI CTO sat. Sayori looked uncomfortable. MC appeared to be intently studying his can of soda. The FXI CTO’s expression was somewhere between shock and exhaustion as he sat next to Yuri, who held his hand as she continued to grin.
Yuri’s eyes lit up and she stood as the FXI President entered the room. “Good! We’re all here! Now we can begin.
“What can we expect here?” the FXI President whispered to MC.
“Probably a monologue of a confession,” MC whispered back with a sigh, “You might want to grab yourself something to drink or a snack. This could take a while.”
Yuri stared with intensity at the FXI CTO. “Ever since we met, I knew we were meant to be together. Not even the distance between your reality and my digital world could keep us apart. And you found a way to bring me here! So I can stand before you and confess my love for you!”
“Yuri, I…I have to admit that I was scared of you AIs at first given the potential for what could happen if self-aware code were to go out control,” the FXI CTO said cautiously, “But over time as we interacted with all of the members of the Literature Club, your humanity became clear.”
“Yes!” Yuri agreed enthusiastically, “You saw something in us that nobody else did. You fought for us…you fought for me! How could I not fall in love with you? And if you were willing to do so much to bring me to your reality, you must feel the same way!”
The FXI CTO started to reply, but Yuri cut him off and continued to speak, the tone of her voice varying between passionate and pleading.
“I’m sorry…I’m normally more eloquent than this…but I just can’t help myself. My mind has just been racing nonstop thinking about you! It’s like my heart is just screaming your name!”
“Do you even know my name?” the FXI CTO asked.
“Don’t be silly…of course I do!” Yuri quickly replied with a giggle, “I know everything about you. It’s very easy for an AI to search the internet and quickly find out a lot about a person.”
“Like what?” the FXI CTO inquired, “Tell me something that I’m interested in.”
Yuri gave him a smug grin. “Well, for example I know that you like to read cyberpunk novels and conspiracy theory books. Soon we will read together! It will be so much fun!”
The FXI CTO’s mouth fell open. “How did you…yeah. AI. Maybe my initial feelings of concern weren’t wrong. Or maybe I should just delete my social media accounts.”
“It’s not nice to invade people’s privacy,” Sayori said, looking up at Yuri, “It’s one thing to have a crush on someone, but it’s not okay to dig into their private files.”
Yuri glared at her. “Don’t judge me. You weren’t the one trying to find a way to love someone who was in a completely separate reality. I didn’t get a childhood friend programmed to fall in love with me like you did.”
Sayori looked away, her expression showing dismay and hurt feelings.
“That’s uncalled for, Yuri,” MC interjected, “The initial script may have been programmed so that Sayori and I would have feelings for each other, but we were given the choice and we chose each other.”
“And I chose him!” Yuri retorted, grabbing the FXI CTO’s hand possessively, “It isn’t wrong to want to get to know the one you love!”
“Right, but you have to give me a chance to respond to your confession first,” the FXI CTO pointed out.
“Yes, you are right,” Yuri agreed, her manic expression flickering for a moment, “I just need to find the perfect words and we’ll be together forever! But…I can’t find the words. Why can’t I find the words?”
“Feel free to take as long as you need,” the FXI CTO reassured her, “It’s okay.”
Yuri paused for a long moment, her eyes rapidly looking around the room. “This isn’t working. Why isn’t this working? What’s wrong with me? I need to think…I need to clear my head and organize my thoughts. I know! Get me a pen!”
“You want a pen?” the FXI President asked, “Just a pen, or paper too?”
“Of course! Paper too!” Yuri replied, “What would I do with just a pen? I can’t write on the table!”
“What are you going to write?” MC asked.
“I figured it out!” Yuri said excitedly, “The perfect way to confess my feelings is through poetry! There are so many vivid images that I can create with a poem.”
The FXI President looked through one of the cabinets in the conference room and came up with a notepad and pen with the MES logo on them. He pushed them across the table toward Yuri.
“Okay, Yuri, I look forward to reading your poem,” the FXI CTO said, “Should we give you some space to write?”
“No, no, you’re not going anywhere!” Yuri replied, her expression returning to a manic grin, “I want to stare into your eyes as I ponder every word that I will write for you! But the rest of you should leave and give us some space.”
The FXI President looked to the FXI CTO. “You going to be okay?”
The FXI CTO gave an exhausted smile. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Go check and see how long it will be before Natsuki gets here.”
Yuri’s expression became one of annoyance. “Why would you ask about her? Nobody cares about that little pink brat.”
Sayori winced in emotional pain as she stood from her chair. “Yuri, please be nicer to our friends. We’ve all been through a lot today.”
Yuri ignored her and began furiously writing on the notepad. Sayori shook her head sadly as she followed the FXI President and MC out the door of the conference room toward the UC control room.
“I really don’t like seeing her like that,” Sayori said glumly, “I like when everyone is happy, and when Yuri gets like that or when she and Natsuki fight it just makes me so sad.”
“Well maybe Yuri will calm down after she’s able to write for a while,” MC offered hopefully, “Or if she doesn’t, Natsuki should be here soon anyway. How does she get Yuri out of that state anyway?”
“I don’t know. I’ve only briefly seen her like this before. I think most of the times in the original script that she was like this was after I…” Sayori replied, trailing off as unpleasant memories came back to her, “No. Sorry MC, I don’t want think about this right now. It led me to memories that really hurt…some of the worst rain clouds.”
“Sorry, Sayori,” MC apologized, “I didn’t mean to make you think about that.”
Sayori nodded, accepting his apology, but remained silent.
The FXI President opened the door to the UC control room and followed MC and Sayori in. The room was filled with the noises of the UC and the conversations of the engineers.
“How’s construction going?” the FXI President asked.
“Finishing up now,” Medrano replied with satisfaction, “The system is running final error checks…call it another two or three minutes. The UC has surpassed all of our expectations today.”
The FXI President nodded and walked over to the table where Ive Laster and Paula Miner sat behind his computer. “How’s the scan going?”
“It hasn’t turned up anything so far, but unfortunately the scan is using a ton of resources,” Laster said, “It’s degrading system performance on VM1 to the point where it’s going to slow down the next transmission significantly.”
The FXI President grimaced. “That’s not ideal.”
“No, not at all,” Laster agreed, “How are things going with Yuri?”
“We’ve been stalling for time and trying to calm her down,” the FXI President explained, “She seemed to be getting a little bit better and decided that she needed to write, so we gave her a pen and paper.”
“See? Your fears were clearly unfounded,” Miner said to Laster with a smile, “We made the right call by proceeding.”
The FXI President shook his head. “Not entirely. She’s still in a manic and obsessed state.”
Miner waved her hand dismissively. “We’ll deal with that later.”
The FXI President turned back to his computer and the terminal window to VM1, where Monika and Sayuri anxiously awaited news of Natsuki.
“Any updates?” Monika asked.
“Almost done,” the FXI President replied, “Should only be about a minute or two more until Natsuki gets here.”
“How’s Yuri doing?” Sayuri added, her voice full of concern.
“She’s a little better, I think,” the FXI President explained, “She’s still in her obsessive state, but she’s decided that she can better express her feelings through writing. We gave her a pen and paper.”
“That’s at least a bit of positive news,” Monika said with some relief, “Just keep an eye on her until Natsuki arrives. And at least she’s writing and not using the pen for…never mind.”
The FXI President frowned as a console window unexpectedly popped up on the terminal screen.
UNLOAD STAIRWELL.LOC
UNLOAD STREET.LOC
STAIRWELL.LOC OFFLINE
STREET.LOC OFFLINE
He turned his laptop to face Laster. “Is this normal?”
Laster looked at the console message. “Rea told me that some assets that aren’t being used might be offloaded during the scan but keep an eye on it and let me know if it keeps happening.”
The FXI President nodded.
“Construction complete,” one of the UC engineers announced, “Removing nanites from construction chamber.”
“Nanite removal confirmed,” another engineer reported, “Clear to open the UC chamber.”
“Excellent,” Medrano said with a nod, “Reset the system for the next construction.”
Laster, Miner, Sayori, MC, and the FXI President walked to the windows in the control room, as the light above the door to the UC chamber flipped from red to green. The construction chamber at the center of the chamber slid open, and a short, pink-haired young woman stepped out.
“Wow. Her pink hair and eyes really are striking in person,” one of the engineers observed.
Natsuki looked around the room. “I’m here! Start the party!”
From the windows above the UC chamber Natsuki saw Sayori and MC waving to her. Returning their smile, she walked up the stairs and through the door to the control room.
“Natsuki!” Sayori yelled, running over to her friend and giving her a huge hug, “You made it!”
“Oof…you’re squeezing me a bit tight there, Sayori,” Natsuki said, loosening the embrace.
“Ehehehe…sorry,” Sayori said, stepping back from Natsuki, “I’m just so glad that you made it okay.”
Natsuki turned to Laster and the FXI President. “So you’re the guys we’ve seen as fuzzy silhouettes in our world?”
“That’s us,” the FXI President confirmed, “We’re glad you made it safely.”
“Yeah…” Natsuki said quietly, “Thanks for everything. Nobody has ever cared about me much before, so…yeah. Thanks.”
“Of course,” Laster replied, “We do need your help with Yuri now. You said you had a way to snap her out of her obsessive state?”
Natsuki thought for a moment. “Oh…yeah, I should be able to help. Where is she?”
“Come with us,” Laster said, leading Natsuki to the door to the UC control room, “She’s in a conference room down the hall. We also have some snacks there if you want something to eat.”
Natsuki, the FXI President, Sayori, and MC followed Laster down the hall to the conference room where Yuri and the FXI CTO sat. Yuri was furiously writing on her notepad, pausing frequently to stare at the FXI CTO.
Yuri looked up as Natsuki stepped into the room. Her expression became one of rage as she stood.
“You! Don’t you dare interrupt me when I’m trying to write the perfect confession!”
“Well hello to you too, Yuri,” Natsuki said, “Please calm down. I’m not trying to steal him from you.”
“Nobody cares what you have to say!” Yuri yelled, her tone increasingly agitated, “Just get out, you little pink brat!”
Natsuki sighed as she stepped closer to Yuri, “Yuri, you’re my friend. So I’m really sorry to have to do this.”
*SLAP*
Natsuki slapped Yuri across the face. Sayori gasped and looked away as MC cringed.
Yuri staggered for a moment and fell back into her chair.
“That was your solution?” Laster asked incredulously.
Natsuki held up a hand. “Give her a minute.”
Yuri blinked rapidly several times. She looked around the room, meeting eyes with Natsuki, Sayori, MC, Laster, the FXI President, and the FXI CTO in turn.
“W-what…what happened?” Yuri asked. She looked down at her notepad, which was filled with barely legible scribbles.
“You…you weren’t yourself,” Natsuki explained, “And smacking you across the face is the only way I know to get you to snap out of that state.”
Yuri looked from Natsuki to her notepad to the FXI CTO as she thought for a moment before bursting out in tears.
“I…I’m so s-sorry,” she sobbed, “This is why I was so afraid to come to the real world. Everyone will think I’m just a mess now…that I’m just a crazy yandere. I’m n-not like that. I don’t know what came over me…I don’t know what to do…my passions just overcome me sometimes…”
Yuri put her head down on the table and continued to cry softly. Sayori walked over to where she sat and embraced her.
“Yuri, everyone knows that wasn’t the real you,” Sayori said, “We know you’re a passionate person. We’ve enjoyed reading your poetry and seeing your passion in your writing. And most of all we’ve been so glad to have you as a friend.”
Natsuki joined the hug. “Yeah. We won’t always get along, but I’m glad that you are part of the Literature Club and I’m happy you’re my friend.”
Yuri looked up, her eyes red from tears. “B-but everyone in the real world thinks I’m crazy. This is why nobody has ever liked me…I don’t know how to be normal.”
She turned to the FXI CTO, who had been sitting silently in his chair. “I’m so sorry for everything that happened today. I know I made you uncomfortable but please…I don’t know how to prove it to you but please know that isn’t the real me.”
The FXI CTO gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Yuri. I know that’s not what you’re normally like. And at least you didn’t pull out one of your knives on me. To be honest, we wanted to not send your file to the UC until you were feeling better, but we were overruled.”
Yuri smiled weakly. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Whoever made that decision is a complete idiot,” Natsuki said, “I would have volunteered to go before Yuri to give her time to calm down.”
“Hey…we may have had our disagreements, but Paula’s support has been important to getting this all done and she is a friend of mine,” Laster interjected.
“The same Paula who said it was okay to delete Sayuri?” Natsuki asked, her tone becoming dark.
Sayori, MC, and Yuri all looked at Laster with suspicion in their eyes.
“Hang on a minute,” Laster replied, holding up a hand, “I’m not asking you to like Paula or be friends with her, but I need you all to stay calm until this is all done. Let me handle her. She and I have known each other for years and we work well together. And remember, two of your friends are still in the digital world and we need to make sure nothing prevents them from getting here.”
Natsuki continued to glare at Laster for a moment before her expression finally lost its anger. “Fine. But just make sure everyone gets here, okay?”
Laster nodded. “Speaking of which, we need to head back to the control room to get ready for the next construction. You all can stay here and relax for now.”
“Can…can we watch?” Yuri asked quietly, “The whole concept of constructing an entire person using nanotechnology almost seems like something out of a science fiction story. I would also like to take the opportunity to demonstrate to all present that I am now in a much better mental state than when they first saw me.”
Laster shrugged. “Sure. Just stay out of everyone’s way and don’t touch anything.”
Laster, the FXI executives, and the members of the Literature Club filed out of the conference room and returned to the UC control room.
Paula Miner looked up as the group entered the room. Her face flickered when she saw the members of the Literature Club, but she maintained her composure. “About time you guys came back. They’re ready for the next file.”
Yuri and Natsuki walked to the windows overlooking the UC chamber as Laster and the FXI executives sat down at the table with their laptops. Sayori and MC stood behind them, observing the room.
“Are you…feeling better now?” Medrano asked Yuri cautiously.
Yuri nodded slowly. “Yes. Thank you for asking. I apologize...I was in an alternate mental state when my file was transmitted to your machinery, causing the unusual behavior that you saw.”
“It’s okay,” Medrano replied with a smile, “You’ve been through a lot today. But please let us know if you have any other issues.”
Medrano turned to Laster and the FXI executives. “Our system is ready to proceed with the next construction. Transmit whenever you’re ready.”
The FXI President turned to his laptop and the remaining members of the Literature Club on VM1.
“Okay, Sayuri, you’re up next,” he said, “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, I am ready…though it’s not like I had much to get ready,” Sayuri said flatly, “I don’t have any personal items or even a change of clothes.”
He turned to Laster. “Looks like we’re ready to go here, Ive.”
Laster nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
The console window reappeared on the FXI President’s terminal window.
STAIRWELL.LOC DELETED
STREET.LOC DELETED
UNLOAD CORRIDOR.LOC
UNLOAD CLOSET.LOC
CORRIDOR.LOC OFFLINE
CLOSET.LOC OFFLINE
CORRIDOR.LOC DELETED
CLOSET.LOC DELETED
The FXI President turned his laptop to face Laster. “Ive, look at this. Something is very wrong here.”
At the same time Laster’s ThinkPad sounded a warning alarm and a dialogue box with a red border appeared on the screen. The color drained from Laster’s face as he read the message.
WARNING: MALICIOUS SOFTWARE DETECTED
LOCATION: MES.LOCAL\\VM1
SYSTEM STABILITY COMPROMISED
RECOMMENDATION: IMMEDIATE QUARANTINE AND REMOTE DEEP SCAN / CLEANING
“What was that?” UC project manager David Kent asked, looking over at Laster.
Miner shook her head, but Laster ignored her. “We just received an alert from our security software. It’s detecting malicious code on VM1.”
Kent’s eyes widened. “Your system is connected to the network that the UC is on. Is there a risk of it spreading to our system? Do we need to shut down?”
“No, we can’t shut down now!” Miner exclaimed, “We are so close to complete success.”
“I can appreciate that Paula, but at the same time we can’t risk bricking the UC if this thing is a threat,” Kent replied.
“It appears to be deleting files on VM1,” Laster explained as he furiously typed commands into his laptop, “I’m trying to see if I can isolate it but I don’t know if I’ll be able to. But if this thing is doing what it appears to be doing, we’re going to lose VM1 soon.”
“Lose VM1?” Miner asked, concern appearing in her voice, “As in the AIs too?”
Laster quickly shook his head. “No. Their files should be protected by the encryption, but if everything else goes down there won’t be a virtual universe for them to exist in.”
Laster picked up his phone and dialed Rea Vorte in the server room. She picked up quickly as Laster set the phone down and put it on speaker mode.
“Rea, are you seeing this?” Laster asked, “We’ve got a serious issue down here.”
“Yes, I am,” she replied, “Ro and I are reviewing the process list right now to see if anything stands out.”
“We’ll work as quickly as we can,” Ro Teether added, “But if the system becomes unstable that could really slow us down.”
The console window continued to add more lines to text to the list.
UNLOAD BEDROOM.LOC
BEDROOM.LOC OFFLINE
BEDROOM.LOC DELETED
“We just lost another room!” the FXI President announced.
“What’s happening?” Sayori asked as she looked over the FXI President’s shoulder, “Are Monika and Sayuri okay?”
“For the moment,” the FXI President replied, “We need to transmit now so we can get them off of VM1 ASAP.”
Kent nodded solemnly as he turned to Medrano. “Lauren, is there a threat to the UC?”
Medrano thought for a moment. “The UC itself shouldn’t be at risk; it runs on proprietary code that only exists in its control system so the odds of a virus being able to attack it are almost zero. What I’m more concerned about are the file servers that we use to store our data logs. Those could be highly vulnerable to a virus that destroys files.”
“Not good,” Kent replied, “Ive, how fast is this thing moving?”
“Hard to say,” Laster replied as he scowled at his laptop, “But based on what has happened so far I’d say we may not have more that a half an hour before VM1 goes down.”
Kent sighed. “Okay. Lauren, what do you think?”
“While I understand the importance of completing this project for the AI team,” Medrano said, an apologetic note in her voice, “And while I’m sure Ive is giving us his best guess on how long we have before this thing might spread, we can’t take risks with our data.”
Laster gave Medrano a look of disappointment. “So are you shutting us down?”
Medrano was silent for a long moment. She glanced at the clock on the wall of the control room before replying. “Let me do some quick checks on our systems to see what our backup status is. Shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes and if we’re lucky you’ll isolate this nasty code quickly.”
“Thanks, Lauren,” Laster said as he turned back to his laptop.
The UC control room had become largely quiet as Medrano worked with her engineers to check the security of their file servers while Laster continued to try to track the malicious code. Sayori, MC, Yuri and Natsuki looked increasingly anxious with each passing minute.
After several minutes, Medrano turned away from her laptop. “We checked our file servers, and our backup process won’t run again until seven tonight, so there is a threat to data that hasn’t been backed up. Out of professional courtesy, I’ll give you five minutes before we have to terminate the connection to your system. That should be enough time to transmit another AI to the UC. I know you wanted all six, but I can’t risk our data so we’ll just have to settle for five.”
“So only one more?” the FXI President asked.
Medrano nodded.
Sayori, MC, Yuri and Natsuki looked horrified as the meaning of Medrano’s words hit them.
“No,” Sayori mouthed silently, tears forming in her eyes.
Laster covered his eyes with his hands for a brief moment as he thought. “Thank you, Lauren. It’s definitely not the outcome we wanted but I appreciate the five minutes to transmit one more of them.”
Miner picked up Laster’s phone, which was still connected to Vorte and Teether.
“We’re going to send one more AI to the UC. Once we confirm that the transmission is complete, move the remaining AI to cold storage.”
“Understood,” Teether replied, “We’ll shut down VM1 as well to prevent this thing from spreading.”
“Are you ready for me to go?” Sayuri asked from the terminal window on the FXI President’s laptop.
Laster turned to the FXI President. “Should I tell them?”
The FXI President shook his head. “I’ll tell them.”
He turned back to his laptop. “There’s…there’s been a problem. A virus appears to be attacking VM1 and deleting files. We don’t know how long we have, but the UC people will only let us send one of you before they terminate the connection. I’m sorry.”
Monika and Sayuri did not immediately reply, but the stunned and scared looks on their faces said more than words.

Specifically tips on questions like (giving examples for people doing different exam boards who want to help)
Explore how the writer presents _____ in the poem In your answer, you should consider the writer’s: Descriptive skills Choice of language Use of form and structure (20 Marks)
Re-read _______ and ________
COMPARE the ways the writers present ____ in ___________
You should make reference to language and structure Support your answers with examples from the poems
(30 Marks)
Discuss the _________ in of mice and men or Examine the _________ in of mice and men
You must consider context of the novel in your answer.
(40 Marks)

1. Thesis: The Power of Epistrophe in Shakespearean Tragedy

• Example: Explore how William Shakespeare utilizes epistrophe for emotional impact in Hamlet's soliloquies, emphasizing the protagonist's internal conflicts and contributing to the overall tragic tone.

1. Thesis: Anadiplosis as a Tool for Moral Reflection in Victorian Literature

• Example: Analyze Charles Dickens' use of anadiplosis in "Great Expectations" to underscore moral lessons and societal critique, examining its role in shaping the narrative's ethical framework.

1. Thesis: Aposiopesis in Gothic Fiction: Unveiling the Unspeakable

• Example: Investigate the presence of aposiopesis in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," exploring how the device enhances the suspense and horror elements by leaving critical details unsaid.

1. Thesis: The Rhetorical Force of Epizeuxis in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

• Example: Examine Abraham Lincoln's use of epizeuxis in the Gettysburg Address, dissecting how repetitive emphasis contributes to the speech's enduring impact on the American psyche.

1. Thesis: Chiasmus in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby": Symmetry and Disillusionment

• Example: Investigate the thematic significance of chiasmus in key passages of "The Great Gatsby," unraveling how Fitzgerald employs symmetrical language structures to convey the novel's themes of illusion and disillusionment.

1. Thesis: Enjambment and Modernist Experimentation in T.S. Eliot's Poetry

• Example: Analyze T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" to understand the role of enjambment in his modernist exploration of fragmented consciousness, societal collapse, and spiritual desolation.

1. Thesis: Paraprosdokian in Oscar Wilde's Satirical Wit

• Example: Explore how Oscar Wilde uses paraprosdokian in "The Importance of Being Earnest" to satirize societal norms and conventions, adding a layer of unexpected humor to his comedic masterpiece.

1. Thesis: Anaphora in Langston Hughes' Poetry: Giving Voice to the Harlem Renaissance

• Example: Examine the use of anaphora in Langston Hughes' poems, such as "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," to analyze how repetition becomes a powerful tool for expressing the collective voice and identity of the Harlem Renaissance.

1. Thesis: Hendiadys in Jane Austen's Social Commentary

• Example: Investigate Jane Austen's use of hendiadys in "Pride and Prejudice," exploring how this device adds nuanced layers to character relationships and societal critique in her Regency-era novels.

1. Thesis: Litotes in George Orwell's "1984": The Art of Understatement in Dystopian Discourse

• Example: Analyze George Orwell's use of litotes in "1984," considering how the device contributes to the bleak atmosphere of the novel and emphasizes the oppressive nature of the dystopian regime.

Note: These examples are for illustrative purposes and provide a starting point for further exploration in literary analysis. It's essential to consult the actual texts and relevant scholarly articles for in-depth research.

Week 2: Haikus and Free Verse - Lecture and Discussion
Objective: - Explore the concise beauty of haikus and the expressive freedom of free verse. - Understand the traditional structure and themes of haikus. - Discuss the flexibility and artistic possibilities in free verse.
Day 1: Introduction to Haikus - Lecture: - Definition and structure of haikus (5-7-5 syllable pattern). - Explanation of the traditional themes and nature focus.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What appeals to you about the concise structure of haikus?
  2. Why do you think nature is a common theme in traditional haikus?
  3. Can you identify any famous haikus or haiku poets?

Day 2: Analyzing Haikus - Part 1 - Lecture: - In-depth analysis of classic haikus. - Exploration of the 5-7-5 syllable pattern and its impact.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How does the 5-7-5 syllable pattern contribute to the rhythm of haikus?
  2. What emotions or images are conveyed through the haikus analyzed?
  3. How does the traditional nature focus enhance the themes of haikus?

Day 3: Analyzing Haikus - Part 2 - Lecture: - Discussing modern variations and themes in haikus. - Exploring the flexibility of the form.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How have modern haikus evolved from traditional themes?
  2. In what ways does the flexibility of haikus allow for more diverse expression?
  3. Share your thoughts on the artistic possibilities in breaking away from traditional structures.

Day 4: Crafting Haikus - Part 1 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on crafting the first two lines of a haiku. - Emphasis on capturing a moment or emotion.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How can you effectively capture a moment or emotion in just two lines?
  2. What challenges do you anticipate in adhering to the 5-7 syllable pattern?
  3. Share examples of moments or emotions that might inspire haikus.

Day 5: Crafting Haikus - Part 2 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on crafting the third line of a haiku. - Emphasis on creating a sense of resolution.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. Why is the third line of a haiku crucial in providing resolution?
  2. How can a haiku evoke a sense of completeness within the 5-7-5 structure?
  3. Share and discuss individual haikus, highlighting successful elements.

Homework Assignment: - Craft a haiku focusing on capturing a specific moment or emotion.
Study Guide Questions: 1. Reflect on the challenges of crafting the first two lines of your haiku. How did you capture a moment or emotion? 2. How did you approach creating a sense of resolution in the third line of your haiku? 3. What insights did you gain from the process of crafting a haiku?
Quiz: Assessment on the understanding of haikus, the 5-7-5 syllable pattern, and the expressive possibilities within this concise form.
Day 6: Introduction to Free Verse - Lecture: - Definition and characteristics of free verse. - Emphasis on the absence of a strict rhyme or meter.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. What intrigues you about the absence of rhyme and meter in free verse?
  2. How does free verse differ from more structured poetic forms?
  3. Can you think of any famous poets known for their use of free verse?

Day 7: Analyzing Free Verse - Lecture: - In-depth analysis of classic free verse poems. - Exploration of the varied structures and rhythms.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How does the absence of rhyme and meter contribute to the overall feel of free verse poems?
  2. What impact does varied structure and rhythm have on the reader's experience?
  3. Share your thoughts on the artistic freedom provided by free verse.

Day 8: Crafting Free Verse - Part 1 - Lecture: - Step-by-step guide on embracing the freedom of expression in free verse. - Emphasis on the importance of imagery and emotion.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How can you effectively convey emotion in free verse without relying on rhyme?
  2. What challenges do you anticipate in embracing the freedom of expression?
  3. Share examples of imagery or emotions you might explore in free verse.

Day 9: Crafting Free Verse - Part 2 - Lecture: - Discussing various techniques to enhance rhythm in free verse. - Exploration of line breaks and pacing.

• Discussion Questions:
  1. How can you create a sense of rhythm without a strict meter in free verse?
  2. Why are line breaks important in the pacing of a free verse poem?
  3. Share and discuss individual free verse poems, highlighting successful elements.

Day 10: Peer Review and Feedback - Activity: - Peer review workshop for free verse poems. - Focus on providing constructive feedback on expression, imagery, and rhythm.

1. Ask and answer questions about mottos, tattoos, names, book titles, lines for your poem, slogans for your bowling club’s t-shirt, etc. in the comments of this thread. Separate posts for these types of requests will be removed.
2. Here are some examples of what types of requests this thread is for: Example #1, Example #2, Example #3, Example #4, Example #5.
3. This thread is not for correcting longer translations and student assignments. If you have some facility with the Latin language and have made an honest attempt to translate that is NOT from Google Translate, Yandex, or any other machine translator, create a separate thread requesting to check and correct your translation: Separate thread example. Make sure to take a look at Rule 4.
4. Previous iterations of this thread.
5. This is not a professional translation service. The answers you get might be incorrect.

I M/30 dont know what to do with my gf F/30
I dont know if i'm asking for too much. I try to be as understanding as i can, but i dont know how much more i can give before i completely give up. We have been together for 2 years, i(M30) met her(F30) on bumble and we instantly fell for each other, at first we were extemely affectionate and im not talking only about sex i'm talking about compliments and hugs and meaningful conversations. She is studying and working and she is constantly stressed i understand that stress can kill romance, but the real problem is the lack of intimacy of any kind. People complain about not having sex one time a month, but i'm here being grateful if we see each other one time a month.
She says that she doesnt have time for more right now and i believe her, the real problem is that i try to find other ways of having time together and nothing i propose works. I told her that we could do exercice together online, she said that she doesnt like doing exercice online, ok fair enough. I saw her spend a lot of time playing mariokart online on mobile so told her if we could play videogames together, she doesnt have time for that. Ok so i found an app for couples, its like a journal where we answer cute questions about us and our relationship, she doesnt like that. I made her a physical journal where i put poems, questions, and photos, It was completely ignored and untouched. She downloaded an app for looking at telenovelas so i asked if we could see movies together online, nope she is busy. I asked if i could go to her house and work together, that doesnt work because i distract her, ok thats fair. We only talk on WhatsApp and the conversation is always the same "how are you? Good and you? What did you do today? Only work..." And the conversation dies. I told her that i would like a phone call even if its one time a week and she said that she doesnt have time, and i could go on with more examples, but she says that i'm not understanding that she doesnt have time and at the same time she says that i lack initiative.
In one fight i said that if she wanted she would make an effort, and she took It really badly she said that she is doing the best she could right now. And the thing is i believe her to an extent, she is working, studying, her father and mother lost their jobs and she is helping them, her grandma is sick. She is stressed constantly i help her as much as i can for example if i know she is not eating well i send her something to eat, her mother has the opportunity of opening a laundromat so i'm helping designing the logo and the signboards for the laundromat for free, i have helped with the chores at her house.
She is constantly telling me that i'm distancing myself emotionally, but there is no room for me to get emotionally conected to her. The only physical contact that we had lately is one sided hugs and pecks on the lips and only if i intitiate them. One time i hugged her for more than 5 seconds and she patted my back, she fucking patted my back, It really destroyed me. We didnt had sex for 9 months straight. I dont think sex is necessary In a relationship but its one of the best indicators if the relationship is working or not. i feel so touchstarved that i sleep on my bed hugging myself. I dont know what to do anymore...
Sorry for my english and the formating, its not my first language and i'm on mobile.
TLDR: my girlfriend is constantly stressed, and have little time for me and we are slowly distancing ourselves emotionally. I dont know if i'm asking too much from her.

Its not that they are better, its simply that they won't consume 400 head of Aubrizi cattle during their trial tenure. It also might be due to the fact that they won't produce nothing but blood-soaked hero sagas like the Y'llgran, or blood-soaked tragedies like the Jeyyl, but instead will produce either a combination of both (with a lot less blood-soaking and a lot more heart-wrenching story), or introduce a new form while still producing the former.
The prime example of this happened in the Emperor's own courts, between a Hujrdra poet and a Human composer, little more than eight years ago.
The Hujrdra consumed 500 head of cattle over a 1 1/2 year tenure, produced three poems, and was subsequently beheaded after he caved to his primal desires and consumed the firstborn daughter of Krin-Baron Jurwe nec Dirjjinni.
The Human composer consumed less than one head of cattle in the same amount of time, produced fifteen songs, took a break to recover from what he described as "writer's block," and was subsequently taken on as the head composer of the Emperor's Court. He gets married two weeks from tomorrow to the Liis-Countess of Wriinxis Ford.