Saturday, February 28, 2015

Minecraft for life...
















dVerse

Open link night and the changing of the guard at      http://dversepoets.com/.  As Brian and Claudia pass the helm onto Bjorn and others, we continue to share our poetry and they promised they aren't going far. I have been writing this prose poem in my mind for awhile.  I will be late to comment, per usual. Today and tomorrow the grand kids basketball tournaments - thanks



Minecraft for life...

In the beginning we are pretty cute
we play, wonder, discover
When we start the game we do not know that
we've limited time in this giant world
We learn of fairies, genies, watch TV
With pretend with bows,  arrows and guns
We fend off foes with friends,
zombies and monsters,
yet we feel no threats to our protected life - 
and of course, we follow the rules of the game

In friendly sunshine, we start exploring -
find animals, plants, clouds, nature
We welcome all with both fear and 
exhilaration
We have adrenalin for adventure;
life is dynamic, joyful and fun
When night falls and skeletons come out
we pull our wooden sword,
barricade the door from creepy crawlies 
outside our room

In this game, sometimes you win..
and also lose
You learn it is about not only you, but others
You enter the creative mode 
and learn to build survivor skills 
You build complex machinery,
craft tools, and prepare your arsenal 
Minecraft is just a  game, 
there are no rules
There is a clock in the upper corner of the screen,

You construct simple house with four wooden walls, 
a door, no floor, no roof, no bed 
You don’t need more, just shelter
You mine just enough coal,
craft just enough torches to lighten your way
The game really is just blocks with 
different aspects interacting 
With your avatar you mine your way 
through a tunnel or cave, 
or through a mountain 

"They" crawl behind you and then,
literally explode,
It is pitch black and you meet a dead end;
you start digging a hole, but upwards
You mine a few blocks of rocks,
 find dirt and grass,
but then you hear sheep
Yes, that's right, sheep, purple sheep
You reach the top of a mountain with 
the aid of purple sheep by your side 

There are things outside that want to hurt you 
and stop your clock immediately
"They" make a lot of noise 
when following you
So you have plenty of time to prepare yourself
Your challenge is to live as long as you can
You fend them off bravely, determined
Even though when they find you,
you die, you have many lives to play with

In the real world, we amble along
in this state of vulnerability
We see our first beautiful sunset,
we finish school,  eventually find love,
We accomplish things and widen
 our perspectives, work and play 
and uncover diversity of the world 
It is the most reasonable and fulfilling thing to do
We find adventure, gain experience,
build new worlds, gather our resources

It's your choice; 
your resources are infinite
But in reality,
we experience ugly bruised feelings,
even unworthiness and exclusion
We soon hear the most intriguing things 
Now that you are in the full game of life,
you also notice there is a countdown
You've learned you have limited time 
THAT changes your whole perspective 

What is your purpose? 
How are you going to spend your time? 
Though some combatants are deadly, silent -
accidents and diseases,
others make a lot of noise and give warning.
You know you can protect yourself,
you forge ahead, and enjoy every minute
You are more alive, because now,
 you've learned you have
limited time to play 

What will you accomplish with your avatar?
You will move your house and stuff,
will live in another world, 
perhaps with another person, 
other things going on
One day everything will be gone
Will there be another world after this? 
I don’t know, but I hope so  
There is no actual clock in the upper corner
counting down the time
 you or I have left in the world 

Of course you notice the metaphor
You see how Minecraft mimics life,
with almost the exact same text
It's amazing how a modest game 
models so closely life itself  
Yet, life is just the the interactions 
of atoms and energy. 
The beauty of this is that the focus 
is on living experiences, not on collecting stuff
Stuff is left behind

But experiences are part of you. 
Remember, you can’t see it, but the clock is ticking… 
Wouldn't it be nice to know your countdown
or have someone warn you?
"Good morning, just to let you know -
 that this is your last day"!?"
I really don't know, but know that time is running out, 
I’m thankful that I didn't waste it all
For awhile, the game will remember me
I can win and I certainly can lose, but it will just end
One can't insert more coins or simply
click on an icon
What time do I have left in this world? 
I really don’t know, 
but I hope there's no  standing in line,
and I hope it will be an adventure




17 comments:

  1. I like that there are no rules but there is a clock on the upper corner of the screen --hinting at a hidden order that has some control and power, providing some structure to that freedom.

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  2. ha i hate it when they crawl up behind you and explode...
    you had me from the beginning....we love minecraft...and i like your game theory of life as well..
    it plays...we have a limited amount of time..and by the time we realize that
    i mean really realize it...it seems time is almost up

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  3. I have not played that game but I think its good that we live as if each day is our last ~ There is wisdom in enjoying the moments, not collecting stuff as someday we will all leave these behind ~

    Good to see you Kathy ~

    Grace

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  4. Wow, you too can construct epic poetics; as this piece attests; don't know the game, but finding the knack of appropriate domicile, adequate sustenance, generous helpings of love, while inhabiting the Now is not the purview of all inhabitants. Hey, there are suddenly purple sheep in my back yard.

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  5. This poem has some pretty crafty mind skills! Well done!

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  6. I would steer clear of this game, I think. It has addicted many, and I don't need this kind of addiction. You have described it well, Kathy....so well I don't need to play. Smiles.

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  7. Do you really play or have you seen others fall prey to the game in such a way that it has led you to write this poem? I am wary of such games. It is so easy to become addicted to these games.

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  8. my sons play. i've wondered too, what if we knew when the end would come... ~

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  9. Just lost my last comment. Wanted to thank you for extending the metaphor and letting us know that it is important to keep the adventure going, keep the passions alive, spend our time doing the things you love with the ones you love. Well said!

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  10. I think the way Minecraft is so much like real life is one reason that it's popular.. I have never played it myself but I know people doing real creative stuff with the game. But I'm glad that there's no clock to be seen.

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  11. build up. build up. build up. just like life and love and passion.


    in state, faithful lying

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  12. it is an adventure... for everyone that can mean something different though... never played minecraft but sounds like it has some parallels... and rgd. that clock in the corner... i try not to think about it too often - just live - and when it's timed out i'm hopefully ready to go

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  13. I always look forward to your pieces Kathy. As usual, excellent play of words. Although, minecraft isn't something I have ever played, yet you have used it to bring such character here.

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  14. I am 59 and feel every bit of this metaphor!

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  15. Very cool, and this is the first time I've wanted to play Minecraft. What a metaphor!

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  16. yes i wonder about what to do to make a good future.
    computer games are great to play because they can take you into a different world.
    give a different perspective.
    interesting poem.

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  17. Not a gamer myself, but I see via your words how it can be a metaphor for life.

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All comments, constructive and otherwise, are welcome and appreciated here. Thank you to those who show an interest in my quirky style of writing, photography, painting, and presenting a feeling or thought and for stopping by A Dwelling by the Sea..