Quinkins

Its April of 2020 and Day 17 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor: Quinkins

Quinkins, the term has debatable meanings and depth. The term has history in various domains through dissimilar timelines. There are novels written where Quinkins are aboriginal dream-time creatures which are of two kinds, the friendly one and the evil ones.  These Quinkins are a nocturnal giant reported from Cape York, Queensland. There is also Australian Yowies, known as Quinkins, the mysterious legends of a tribe of giant hairy people (also known for rock art).

Well, the modern dictionary says Quinkins are the dried remains or dregs of food left in the bottom of a pan. Metaphorically, it means something of very little value. Though there is hardly any connection in the timeline of usage, I find it to be an interesting term. I am using it with the emphasis of ‘something of a very little value.’

Poem
For the nights and days,
We texted good,
In a slow sliding stint,
Forever is over,
Always is ways apart,
I never realized,
In ever, on how,
I became an quinkin.

You have probably made one a quinkin and have become to another a quinkin. The journey of life? Or are we all in a ‘life of a quinkin?’

Point of No Return

Its April of 2020 and Day 16 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor: Point of No Return

The 1985 song by Expose, ‘Point of No Return’ talks about being in love deep enough, difficult to return. There is another released by Starset in 2014 which talks about the heartbroken past for which there is no option of return. There is also a 1993 Movie which is about becoming an assassin and no turning back. The first known use of the phrase is noted to be in 1941 which was used in the context of air navigation. The point in the flight of an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient for a return to the starting point and the craft must proceed – Point of No Return.

The first major metaphorical use of the term in popular culture was in the 1947 novel ‘Point of No Return’ by John P. M. It is a metaphor signifying the point beyond which one must continue on one’s current course of action because turning back is dangerous, physically impossible or difficult, or prohibitively expensive.

Poem
I first said,
Then louder,
Then screamed,
Pointed, labelled and classified.
Had made an idiot,
Of myself,
For I was in,
Point of no return.

Be careful on where and what you put yourself in. It might itch, but most of them are glittery ‘I will ruin you’ spots.

On Your Beam Ends

Its April of 2020 and Day 15 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor:  On Your Beam Ends

‘On Your Beam Ends’ is a metaphor to indicate a bad situation. A hard up. It basically means that one is to the near end of resources calling for a desperate measure. The phrase was originally used to describe the tilted position of a ship before it capsizes. The first usage of the phrase documented in any form of literature is in 1773 magazine issue named – The Gentleman’s Magazine.

This is one of the metaphors from Nautical Origin. Nautical phrases are those for which the meaning and origin originated at sea (coming from the days of sail). I am using this metaphor in the poem as an alert. 

Poem
On the weigh scale,
When one side is the survival,
How does it matter?
What’s on the other!
Surviving for the change,
On my beam ends,
I see that dreams,
Don’t have expiry dates.

When one side does not even close match with other, we easily give up and pick the survival. While being at all this, one is unconditionally alone working towards the desired (in their own closet, on their own).  

Night Owl

Its April of 2020 and Day 14 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor:  Night Owl

Owl is a nocturnal bird that stays awake at night. Night Owl is a metaphor used to epitomize a person who tends to stay up until late at night or even until early hours of the morning. The reason could also be because of delayed sleep phase syndrome. The phrase was used by Shakespeare in one of his poems in 1500 and probably is the earliest usage documented with respect to writing.

Most of Generation-Z are Night Owls. So has become the habit in modern culture. Especially with employers having night shift and cities that never sleep, Night Owl is a common metaphor now.

Poem
Every evening you stand,
To take back my nights,
But you don’t know,
I have fallen in love,
With the moon,
Everything else absent.
Thank you, I am ever a,
Gratified night owl.

When the world sleeps, when the hassles rest, that’s when a man at times finds peace. And then, he falls in love with the moon.

Melting Pot

Its April of 2020 and Day 13 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor:  Melting Pot

Melting Pot originates from United States. Around 18^th century, the metaphor ‘crucible’ or ‘smelting point’ was used to describe the fusion of different nationalities, ethnicity and cultures. Now the same is referred by the metaphor ‘Melting Pot’. It is metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming homogeneous with people from different cultural backgrounds becoming part of the society.

I like the sociology definition which says it is a concept referring to a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous with the different elements melting together into a harmonious whole with a common culture.

Poem:
Have you known?
Of me stalking you?
Should I care?
Of you ignoring me?
You and your being,
Partly define me,
Because, you are in,
My melting pot.

The things we do for the people we love. Not just people, could be anything else as well. There is always an eye that we keep on the things we love. Said or not. Specially those, we know are not reachable, cannot be ours. 

 

Less is More

Its April of 2020 and Day 12 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor:  Less is More

‘Less is more’ is a conceptual metaphor indicating that simplicity and clarity can lead to a good design. It’s a 19th century proverbial phrase. First found in print in Andrea del Sarto (1855), a poem by Robert Browning. The phrase is also often and usually associated with the architect and furniture designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for his modern architectures that present the simplicity of style (minimalism).

‘Less is More’ also has many versions adapted in songs, movies, books etc. Basically any idea that can be implemented with minimalist approach. I have given a very different sense to the phrase in my poem.

Poem:
While I sit to do X,
I don’t know why,
Comes along the Y,
So does the Z.
I end up doing x,
Instead of X,
Less for you,
Anyways, more for me!

The world only looks at the x you got. But it will never know the Y’s and Z’s you gathered. You are always in the larger benefit while the world only sees less.

Kilroy Was Here

Its April of 2020 and Day 11 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor:  Kilroy was here

‘Kilroy was here’ is an American symbol that became popular during WWII, usually seen with a graffiti depicting a man with long nose peeking over the top of a wall.  The origin of the phrase is not clear and there are also several other names than Kilroy as per the historical data concerning to wars and events. Kilroy got popular along with doodle in 1940’s.

It is believed that phrase might have originated through US servicemen who drew the picture along with text where they stationed, encamped or visited. I am using this as a metaphors for writers and poets who are always there diving deep into the circumstances they see, giving a perspective, structure and more.

Poem:
At the places that space,
In the mountains and dust,
In the myths and mortals,
In the timelines of infinity,
At a closed gate,
You might never see,
It’s written that,
Kilroy was here!

While the writer connects, pens them down, you might read and understand what it says. But you might never know what it actually meant!

Jumping the Shark

Its April of 2020 and Day 10 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor:  Jumping the Shark

Jumping the shark, is an idiom used as a metaphor to describe a moment when something that was once popular, now isn’t. Though it makes an attempt to cover up, ends up being highlighting its irrelevance. The metaphor is widely used for television series or other entertainment outlets.  It is also used when a brand, design or any creative efforts evolution declines.

The phrase is known to be coined in 1985 by Jon Hein and his roommate Sean Connolly. The discussion that led to the phrase was their favorite television show that had gone downhill and other shows where similar ‘jump the shark’ moment had occurred. I am using this metaphor for ‘Jump the Shark’ people.

Poem:
Pain doesn’t fly,
Pain doesn’t evaporate,
Pain penetrates,
The question is where.
Truth or dare,
The truth and dare is,
There is never an alert,
Before you ‘jump the shark’.

To you or you to other, that thin line is never visible. It’s definitely visible when one ‘jumps the shark’ and takes the place where the repair is beyond the control of actions. 

Inside Out

Its April of 2020 and Day 09 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor: Inside Out

Inside out is a movie released in 2015 by Pixar Animations and Walt Disney (A must watch). The director, Pete Docter, found motivation for the script noticing changes in his daughter’s personality as she grew older. The production team has consulted and revised the script based on the emphasis given by neuropsychological findings (about human emotions) that affect interpersonal relationships.

The movie is a metaphor for human emotions and intellectual feelings, where each is color coded and played by a character. Five personifications of basic emotions of the lead character: Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger come to life and influence her ways of doing things via a control console. The movie depicts the importance of every emotion and not just happiness.

Poem:
January’s have got the rain,
Who knows what May will do!
Living has seen a new five,
Inside has let outside thrive,
Happiness is in isolation,
So is it, in every emotion,
Did you take a tour?
Of inside out?

There is something magical beyond the technology and tools. Have you got a chance to experience it? Have you been living it?

Halcyon Days

Its April of 2020 and Day 08 of A to Z challenge. This year, I am doing Metaphors. Be it a movie, song, painting, book, idiom, etc. I plan to give a perspective to it with an explanation and a 8 line poem. 

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Metaphor: Halcyon Days

Halcyon is the Kingfisher bird, which was once called that. There was a belief that the bird made a floating nest while brooding her eggs in Aegean Sea and while it nested, had power to calm the waves. The period in December was known to have 14 days of calm weather. In 16th century the phrase was used by Shakespeare giving figurative meaning of calm days.

The phrase is a metaphor to mean any calm, peaceful or fruitful time. I have used the metaphor in my poem to find peace amidst the chaos.

Poem:
‘Waiting for’ is a myth,
Tomorrow is a terror,
Disturbances breed,
Paths wear and tear,
Voices react, run,
Routines recur, rust,
In all those chaos,
Are your halcyon days.

Waves that calm aren’t really waves. One got to learn to swim across than to wait for the wave to calm. Inner peace is definitely a thing!