Needless to say, I’ve been buried in revisions with my novel, Fascination, which is due to my editor by mid-August, and so I apologize to all my friends for neglecting my duties as host. If I missed your pen last week, please message me a reminder.
This Petite Pen is a bit different as it was written for a contest on AllPoetry that asked for 50 words or less using the word “Scrutiny.” I’ve added in a painting by Edward Burne-Jones that might also spark some reflection. If you feel inspired to pen some brevity that takes a long hard look, be sure to ping back this post so that all can enjoy your introspection.
Happy Tuesday!

Strikethrough Key
Scrutiny,
the strikethrough key,
cut in half paragraphs,
a katana reading.
“Trim the fat,”
but the backstory’s sizzling,
the meaty aroma
of fresh pound keys.
I diet on bisected phrasing,
learn to ‘kill my darlings,’
pull the pretty weeds.
Treasure the pleasure
and the pain
of cleaved creativity.
Scrutiny.
WC: 50
Β© 2022 | K.Hartless
- Petite Pen~Misky
- ImaginedSpace.~Writing Whatnots
Lovely !
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Thank you. I wield a heavy sword today.
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A great description of proof-editing. Some vivid imagery here, K – suits the subject π Good luck with it all!
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Thanks, Tom. I appreciate your well wishes. The end is in sight, which keeps me plugging away at it. π
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I know the feeling π it’s that last 10% that’s always hardest to wrap up, because you have to tell yourself it’s all complete & can’t be improved anymore. I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful book! β€
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Time to burn the reserve energy and cross the finish line. Thanks for cheering me on, Tom. π
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You got this, gurl! *waves pompoms*
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Great description of editing. Good luck with it all. ββ€
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Thank you, Carolyn. I appreciate that very much.
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You are welcome. ββ€β
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Scrutiny lies
in the eyes of the beholder
may we be bolder
than before
taking a pause, and a breathe
to consider circumstance
and
the relation between
you and me, and the seen
and unseen
a mystery
Scrutiny.
Your poem made me smile deeply. I loved it, and then penned mine. So much fun, K. π
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You capture that reflective instinct we have to really look at something not just glance it. In this case, there is not just a visual connection but a spiritual one. I love this. πHow lucky am I to have you pen these brevity pieces alongside me? Thank you, Jeff.π
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Thank you kindly, K. π Itβs such a pleasure to write with you. Each and every time. π
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Great image of the author slicing and shaping -I imagined a butcher’s shop lined with fat sheaves of paper. I so enjoy reading your Petite Pens, they encapsulate life so vividly.
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Thank you, Marion. I enjoy your brevity as well. The strikethrough key. I love it as I cross things off my list, but it also feels sad to see sentences sliced that way in a story or flash. It is a bit like a butcher shop around here lately. Let’s hope I’m leaving the prime meat. π
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I’m sure you are βΊοΈ
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This was a gem of a poem K and love your reflections in your poetry as you tackle yor novel!
love it!
π
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