tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63071074151544253422024-02-20T02:33:50.346-08:00The Turing TestCitizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307107415154425342.post-42152696987426294812015-02-08T08:20:00.002-08:002015-02-08T08:20:06.497-08:00One more<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
"On the paintings of Winston Churchill</div>
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------------------------------------------------</div>
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Yes, Plato
had more in mind<o:p></o:p></div>
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he was
unwilling to say to those<o:p></o:p></div>
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monstrous
kings with their thousand ships:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
the
philosopher-poet, the painter-king,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
or some
other some-such combination<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Aeschylus or
Sophocles might have devised:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
aspiring
always toward Beauty, yet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
gouging his
eyes for Truth<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
or perhaps
the reciprocal:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
gazing upon
a soldier on a beach,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
wavering,
knee-deep before he splendidly<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
collapses
unable to see,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and a
rejuvenated tree by the water,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
growing out
of the rocks,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and blowing,
furiously, in the wind.<o:p></o:p></div>
Citizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307107415154425342.post-23413564081523035742015-02-07T17:44:00.004-08:002015-02-07T17:44:54.760-08:00It has been a long time... so here are some new poems<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The Cloister of Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">the problem with nutshells<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">he told me with heaving<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">expectant breaths from across<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">the glass, is not the delusion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">of space (he cleared his throat)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">that's not it at all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">it's that all around (the walls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">were once white but never<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">repainted) the infinite consumes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">and cracks every firmament<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">thick tresses framed his face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">with sweat (his hands shook)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">and he leaned closer to the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">immediate condensation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">it is the constant threat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">of some new deluge or else<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">a more terrifying promise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">his eyes pierced the fog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">before him (metal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">clanged somewhere - he did<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">not hear it)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">why, even the Christ himself <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">cracked his own shell twice (once <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">with groans, again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">with tremors) before<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">returning to the air<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Someday,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">When my beard is more
silver<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> and my tongue has learned patience,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">When my eyes become
honest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> and my hands can stay close to my chest,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">When I finally count
myself less<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> sinned against than sinning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">(when that happens it
won’t<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> be a dimming of wit),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">When I cease my
injunctions to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> reason not the need<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> as a beggar wrapped in kingly robes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">and no longer profess<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> (between sculpted fragments and words)
merit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> apart from its due,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">and when the lowest
branches<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> along those Stygian shores<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> are yet green in my eye,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I swear I’ll look
back on all that I owe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> and surely by then, I’ll know<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> how to repay all of my debts.</span></div>
Citizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307107415154425342.post-87140414588978379942014-09-29T15:41:00.001-07:002014-09-29T15:41:37.452-07:00Another sonnetFor the past few weeks, I've been really into sonnet form - both reading and writing. I'll post some of my favorites soon, but here's one that I wrote recently:<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
**********</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Streets</div>
<div>
--------</div>
<div>
I walked an unlit street that had no fences</div>
<div>
but carefully stayed inside the concrete curb.</div>
<div>
Although the silence never was disturbed,</div>
<div>
it seemed unsafe to lower one's defenses.</div>
<div>
And, having none for me to beg or borrow,</div>
<div>
the stars each kept their light to just themselves.</div>
<div>
The bells by the town square were chiming twelve;</div>
<div>
I chose to tactfully contain my sorrows.</div>
<div>
I asked my brother, and we changed our route.</div>
<div>
The wind caught, and tossed, and lost a feather</div>
<div>
wild and free, into that vapid darkness;</div>
<div>
ominous, virulent, the night now starless:</div>
<div>
we unraveled our thoughts together</div>
<div>
cloistered on a balcony, looking out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, watch <a href="http://www.clickhole.com/video/we-get-some-kids-riled-pizza-and-then-leave-1091?utm_campaign=default&utm_medium=ShareTools&utm_source=facebook" target="_blank">this</a>.</div>
Citizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307107415154425342.post-40572849762309877062014-09-26T22:06:00.002-07:002014-09-26T22:06:50.186-07:00"Our Neighbor, Don"I know I just posted a poem, but here's a sonnet that I wrote fairly recently.<br />
<br />
********************<br />
<br />
Our Neighbor, Don<br />
------------------------<br />
Our Neighbor, Don, could talk about the earth<br />
as if the only problem was the weather,<br />
and though he scarcely sends two thoughts together<br />
on their way to subtle, aged truths,<br />
Our Neighbor, Don, could talk about the worth<br />
of simple things, as if there's nothing better<br />
than sitting out on porches, just together,<br />
forgetting - or not knowing - things uncouth.<br />
I hoped I would not see him when I found<br />
a certain word upon the wall we shared.<br />
Some prophet scrawled his piece, and unprepared,<br />
I tried to hide the things that he unwound:<br />
Apathy and malice, wanton pride,<br />
but mostly that these, too, were mine to hide.Citizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307107415154425342.post-50236533303136784122014-09-26T21:54:00.000-07:002014-09-26T21:54:33.143-07:00Hello, internets - musings and poetrySo here we are. It has been about a year since the release of <i>The Turing Test</i> and this website has played almost no part whatsoever in aiding that along - anyone who has read the book will find that simple fact funny on multiple levels. Or, so I hope.<div>
I find myself scratching my head, half-amused. What does one write in a blog of this sort? It seemed like such a forward thinking thing to do at the time that I made it. The book is out. Purchase a copy. Any questions?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since finishing <i>The Turing Test</i>, my focus as a writer has shifted towards much shorter works, primarily poetry. So then, the question stands as follows: as a writer continues to write in such a manner, how does he move forward as an artist while giving due credence to his more robust past work? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll be honest, and hopefully this comes as no surprise: I'm awful with computers. I don't like them, despite their obvious utility. One of my goals in life is to forget how to use them altogether. If, on my deathbed, I can legitimately say that I have learned to live in the 21st century without constantly consulting the glowing screen and tap-tap-tap of the keyboard for every little thing, then some remnant of primal humanity in me will have won out over the times, and I'll know that I've done something right. That kind of environment - the sting of fluorescent lighting while hooked up to some sort of life-support apparatus - should be reserved for those who are actually dying, rather than those who sit idly by letting life slip away from them. But then, maybe there's little difference. (<a href="http://www.theonion.com/video/braindead-teen-only-capable-of-rolling-eyes-and-te,27225/" target="_blank">The Onion</a> posted an interesting story about that very topic, as a matter of fact.) However, and yes I realize the irony of it, I like the way this site looks. I think I'll keep it for now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By the way, I still don't own a smart phone, and I use road maps on all my road trips. But, I digress.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the time being at least, I intend to use this page as a platform for some of my poetry. If you like what you read, please consider supporting my work by purchasing a copy of <i>The Turing Test</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The following is a poem about Emily Dickinson, one of my all-time favorite poets.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***********</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Emily</div>
<div>
-------------</div>
<div>
Eternity is always now (time</div>
<div>
is just the future:</div>
<div>
the top of Dad's bookshelf,</div>
<div>
a thousand weathered silver-</div>
<div>
trimmed pages we'll never read -</div>
<div>
or maybe someday) do you see it?</div>
<div>
It's hard to reach.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know a thousand amazing graces</div>
<div>
at the top of (anyone can sing</div>
<div>
them) notes laced in silver,</div>
<div>
echoing backward to before the</div>
<div>
setting sun Death</div>
<div>
hides behind,</div>
<div>
growing mushrooms.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She prays naked,</div>
<div>
locked away,</div>
<div>
dressed in white</div>
<div>
before God and Death.</div>
Citizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307107415154425342.post-51712741404972602112013-07-29T11:21:00.000-07:002013-07-29T11:21:02.443-07:00UpdatesThere have been several new developments lately.<br />
First of all, my first novel, "The Turing Test," is now available for purchase! You can buy a copy at either of these locations:<br />
<a href="https://www.createspace.com/3923360">https://www.createspace.com/3923360</a><br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325528">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325528</a><br />
(The Smashwords version is only an e-format, in case you've never visited their site before.)<br />
<br />
Secondly, I also have a new short story available, called "Timeplane." You can find that on Smashwords as well, here:<br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/332444">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/332444</a><br />
<br />
And finally, the release party for "The Turing Test" is happening this Thursday! I look forward to being able to celebrate hard work with friends and family, as well as kick off the next stage of my life as a writer - shameless self-promotion! I might as well start that part now: buy a copy of my book? Please? You may even like it!<br />
<br />
But in all seriousness, I sincerely hope that my offering to the literary world can be found by someone - anyone - to be something worthwhile, and beautiful: a window of new understanding into a chaotic world; a small piece of the infinite set in order. After all, that's what being an artist is all about, isn't it?Citizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307107415154425342.post-26311647747587782882013-06-14T15:52:00.000-07:002013-06-14T15:52:14.290-07:00Hello, Internets!<br />
I'm excited to announce to everyone that my first novel,<i> The Turing Test</i>, is not only finished, but ready to be released, and will be available for purchase sometime later this summer.<br />
Just the other day, I held a copy of the finished product in my hand for the first time, and I must admit - it was pretty surreal to see something that I've invested so much of myself into, bound, corporealized, and ready to be sent out into the world.<br />
In a few short weeks, you'll be able to find it, not just in paperback, but also in Kindle, Nook, and virtually every other kind of e-reader format you can think of.<br />
So please, buy a copy, write a review, tell your friends, help spread the word .<br />
Thanks a bunch, you people.<br />
-JonCitizen Ladnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17937268105419349054noreply@blogger.com