tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52712273824703331242024-03-12T22:53:30.144-05:00j-flamingo reflectionsInspired by the grace and beauty of the flamingo, my life reflected by my love of reading, writing and creating.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-4459918483777335012013-01-29T15:15:00.000-06:002013-01-29T15:31:27.514-06:00Fallen <blockquote class="tr_bq">
“<em>The
secret is in the line</em>.” ~Charles Bukowski<br />
</blockquote>
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">rapid voices speak to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">not taking the time to introduce who
they are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">may it be my poetic voice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">or of poet’s past<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">words from pages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">or alone from conversation overheard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">spilt out and reaching my language<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">as different each time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">wishing to record them all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">writing faster or longer isn’t enough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">simply they have fallen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">deep into thoughts - they are fighting <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">to own a unique voice <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">inclined to stain the paper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">as ink splotches under artistic
direction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Why find surprises?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">amongst such yearning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">lovingly please share unafraid <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">instead of battling fear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">confidence of consequence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">forever making me smile <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">missing words until filled in <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">bringing space to the void<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">adding brilliance to lines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">enjoying how it feels <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">when words enter then exit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">caressing dreams from fingertips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">especially driven until discovering a
stopping point<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">from what is being told<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">creativity creeps like being so special <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can
be heard in music <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">like lyrics from Radiohead<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">or another musical artist <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">not to be favored unless one relates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">because infinitely these words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">are meant to be deliciously revisited <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">felt around inner souls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">speaking what is delicately heard <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">within the midst of fog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">a driving force in poetic language <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">written grasping words from the wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">spoken to who are listening<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">begging innocently <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">place me with value<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">to be seen, read and heard <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">repeated over again shaken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">so carefully stirred <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">mixing introductory wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">in philosophical corners from pieces of
truth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">coming from all directions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">pasted so reverently<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">as a poem happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">©JAC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
***</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Written exclusively for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Week 81</i> prompt at <a href="http://dversepoets.com/" target="_blank">dverse Poet’s Pub</a>. Join in the fun & add your
own to the list! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></o:p><br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-58095370308630166232013-01-22T16:43:00.000-06:002013-01-22T16:46:22.706-06:00Tuesday Poetry
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Aurora<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">At first blush<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Waiting for daybreak<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Time before the alarm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Near morning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Can you see me as clearly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Rather waking up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Being swept away<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Sort of a fog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">From the other wee hours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Like being partially awake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">In early bright<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">When the moment comes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Starting to realize <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">The sun is shining<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Keeping its light on me <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">To warm the crawling cold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">At the face of sunrise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Please pull me closer <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">Raising my temperature gently<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">So I can drift into
afternoon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: SimHei;">From morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: SimHei;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">©</span></span><span style="font-family: SimHei;">JAC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndhdCbI8YnaHtoorOYNP7vyVkuPDe0FYdrSMzMi3Fg5MKzSIQyDb0MXcoTmHnwR3J8ERsv_zanjakhVeXcSdSQylxj4RYO39YxL_9t5HCjQ8E4lx-aF5ZyerCaLXwh8yqDKTmGuJDUX0/s1600/Jue+cell+phne+pics+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndhdCbI8YnaHtoorOYNP7vyVkuPDe0FYdrSMzMi3Fg5MKzSIQyDb0MXcoTmHnwR3J8ERsv_zanjakhVeXcSdSQylxj4RYO39YxL_9t5HCjQ8E4lx-aF5ZyerCaLXwh8yqDKTmGuJDUX0/s1600/Jue+cell+phne+pics+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Thanks for reading today and letting me share once more at <em><a href="http://dversepoets.com/" target="_blank">dverse</a></em>. I realize it has been a while for me to share anything there, or almost anywhere, but I hope to keep sharing again. I appreciate the shared poems from dverse poets because their words help me get through my 'moments.' Please be sure to check out these other great poets & read poetry every day!<br />
<br />
As I wrote this poem today, I feel that is has a restless quality about it. I thought of how helping someone to heal was as important as remembering how comfort feels when it is needed. Photographs feel that way when I look at them sometimes....comforting. As always, I love to hear your thoughts.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-25112450513808332772013-01-15T14:52:00.000-06:002013-01-15T14:52:06.652-06:00Heartfelt Humanity<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<em>Our
life is but a sleep and a forgetting:<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<em>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star…”<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~William Wordsworth 1770-1850
From #536: Ode</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heartfelt Humanity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through our memories</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">we live in each other’s hearts</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">our bodies are cold at death</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">what’s inside us is beautiful</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and helps us to live</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">we are enough to BE.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do the best with what we know</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and what we are given in this
life</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">we are treasures-</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">more than we know.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our souls heal</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">touch </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">love</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">if separated</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">these simple impressions</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">may not be felt anymore.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We seek to speak-</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">heart to heart</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a presence is left </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">within memory.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being kind is always an option. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">reaching out to others </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to lift them from despair</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">is an amazing occasion.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be sincere-</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">find light and share it on a whim</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just because-</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">no reason necessary</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">give because you did not</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and you want to. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life is a miracle </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">gently wake </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">pursue happiness </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">each day</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">fight for peace </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">that is worth</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">what kindness brings.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Live in the middle</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">of the song</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">be the harmony</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">finding beauty in the
breathtaking</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">moment</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">because you are breathing</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">you are what </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">you were meant to be-</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">human. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
***</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>JAC</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Originally written: 05/11/12</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rewritten: 01/12/13</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2012: In loving memory of:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">David Gerold Christiansen: </span><a href="http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/deseretnews/guestbook.aspx?n=david-christiansen&pid=157104831&cid=full"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/deseretnews/guestbook.aspx?n=david-christiansen&pid=157104831&cid=full</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Peggy Lee Valadez: </span><a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanantonio/obituary.aspx?n=peggy-lee-valadez&pid=157527369&fhid=8901#fbLoggedOut"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanantonio/obituary.aspx?n=peggy-lee-valadez&pid=157527369&fhid=8901#fbLoggedOut</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grandma Rae Marvilla Anderson Christensen:
</span><a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?pid=158268416#fbLoggedOut"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?pid=158268416#fbLoggedOut</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prayer for Newton: </span><a href="http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20121218/NEWS01/121218001/PHOTOS-Newtown-school-shooting-funerals-memorials"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20121218/NEWS01/121218001/PHOTOS-Newtown-school-shooting-funerals-memorials</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Famous people of 2012: </span><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324907204578187570560269406.html#slide/1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324907204578187570560269406.html#slide/1</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Forever embedded into my heart because
of what you brought into this world and shared with me. RIP. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve needed to write this for
some time and I can’t seem to write anymore for this blog until I get this
posted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this poem is not perfect
but please understand that it is written in earnest. </span></div>
</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-62191203933500287552013-01-01T19:34:00.000-06:002013-01-01T19:36:54.365-06:00A Revival of Sorts and a #poem for Winter
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noticeably, I have taken quite an extensive <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">siesta</i> of sorts from blogging and I honestly
hadn’t meant for it to be this long of a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the meantime, I have continued to write poetry on Twitter and in my
notebooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been attending school
for design which takes a lot of my creative power to get through the academic
writing and tasks that lay ahead for me there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been volunteering at my daughter’s school as the Secretary in the
PTSO which has been an enriching experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been working part time at a couple of locations and have
continued a bit of freelance creative work on the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still a mother of growing children whom
have lives and schedules of their own. A day doesn’t go by for me that I don’t
create with words, pictures or art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
enjoy being busy and I know in 2013 I will continue on with my adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to learn more about myself and apply
that knowledge into my life which what I’d like to share on this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Basically, my blog has evolved into a poetry blog and I may
mix it up once in a while. For the most part, I love poetry very much and I
seem to return to it a lot in my writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All types of writing interest me and so I may experiment here from time
to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also like to personable and
share my thoughts from either visuals or ideas I see around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also be including a few of my creative
or art projects and designs as well.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are still following me then I appreciate that you
hoped I would return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you
will continue to read and comment on my posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If not, I understand why you didn’t and I hope that you will might
discover my return and feel free to follow me once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may not be here often but I will do my best
to have some consistency so that I would not deserve your interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I have many friendships to renew or establish
as I look forward to blogging again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, for your reading pleasure I came across an idea that I
had for a poem in 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was based
upon a question that I answered for a writing group about my favorite season
and why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loosely, it explains my
amazement that I chose to write about winter because for the last 14 years I’ve
been living here in South Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I
must admit I’ve grown accustomed to a warm and not very long winter in
comparison to other places around the world where winter is long and cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based upon my childhood memories of colder
winters and my love of being able to keep warm from being cold, I present to
you a winter poem. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Moment of Winter <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Briefly</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At winter’s gate</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ice forms then blankets all.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cold slips throughout</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My fingertips</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Multiplying until my whole body feels numb. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before becoming too frozen</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warmth must be found</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Easing the hardship</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of feeling cold from the beginning.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the brightest memories</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From my childhood </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Express itself from winter’s creeping form.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Found in a cup of delightful warmth</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bundle me up in cozy comfort</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I sip encountering a satisfying taste</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That releases the chill </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bringing me home. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span>JAC</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Originally written: 10/26/2006</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Rewritten: 01/01/2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-17953484071457163632011-10-19T19:12:00.002-05:002011-10-19T20:11:42.474-05:00A Lesson in Conceptualization: Steve Jobs 1955-2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1NJNHGmppX5kbR4mBTXe6Ew_YkBNjlEhbyO8_X62Yk6SAC10OOEO47JEwZbzul3RI__xFaVHaozlDiDmei4T1NWfO18dFJNRDxDr1y3QXGet8goDEimR0q7QxPuk0uhZu290Z0Y6rfs/s1600/steve-jobs-reveals-the-iphone-4-in-june-2010-pic-pa-578169292.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1NJNHGmppX5kbR4mBTXe6Ew_YkBNjlEhbyO8_X62Yk6SAC10OOEO47JEwZbzul3RI__xFaVHaozlDiDmei4T1NWfO18dFJNRDxDr1y3QXGet8goDEimR0q7QxPuk0uhZu290Z0Y6rfs/s320/steve-jobs-reveals-the-iphone-4-in-june-2010-pic-pa-578169292.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660352029171561058" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote>"Efforts to conceptualize the history and structure of the universe were already running into trouble because . . . the universe was not as uniform as had been assumed" ~John Noble Wilford</blockquote><br /><br />This ability <br /><br />of Steve Jobs<br /><br />to conceptualize<br /><br />yet more than that <br /><br />to create from a point defined<br /><br />in abstract<br /><br />brought to life<br /><br />in a practical solution<br /><br />unwasted <br /><br />useable <br /><br />life-altering<br /><br />something to covet <br /><br />technology in the palm of your hand<br /><br />one for the books<br /><br />another to entertain<br /><br />three for the money<br /><br />all in amazing connection<br /><br />from stars to glory<br /><br />trailing bytes <br /><br />transforming dots<br /><br />willingly giving a place <br /><br />to the ever inventive <br /><br />"i"<br /><br />as a miracle <br /><br />portrayed from efforts of many great minds<br /><br />thinking alike<br /><br />yet differently<br /><br />being motivated by an unusual visionary<br /><br />mindful of genius<br /><br />teaching us all in the end<br /><br />of dreams coming true<br /><br />changing how we communicate <br /><br />think<br /><br />create <br /><br />write<br /><br />all within a lesson <br /><br />formed from an "i"<br /><br />to conceptualization. <br /><br />Thank you, Steve Jobs. <br /><br />We will remember.<br /><br />***<br /><br />*photo credit: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology/2011/10/06/steve-jobs-dead-pioneering-apple-founder-dies-aged-56-115875-23470343/<br /><br />**note: I posted this at <a href="http://dversepoets.com/">dVerse~ poets pub</a> which is an amazing place to be captivated by other poets. Go ahead, read what they're sharing or join in!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-75505972433019283032011-09-30T07:10:00.006-05:002011-09-30T08:08:53.308-05:00Let's Talk Tech: Feed 101 (Guest Post)<em><blockquote>I feel a connection/sparked by a glance/your eyes/I want to talk to you/know you/but we are strangers/i look different/same within we remain </blockquote></em> #micropoetry by me, Julie. <br /><br /><em>Today, I'm happy to bring you a guest post from my online friend, Rainy. How you can find out more about her is at the bottom of this post. Please take a minute to visit her, say "hi" and thank her for her ideas. <br />After all, relax, read up and let's talk tech! </em><br /><br /><strong>Feed 101</strong><br /><br />Feed is a service which allows a blog author to easily notify about blog updates. It is sometimes collectively called “RSS” or “Atom”, but that is mistaken. Those are actually different types of feed services. Regardless of what type of feed you use, the end result is the same.<br /><br />People can subscribe to feed in numerous ways. They might use a service like Google Reader, which centralizes all their subscriptions online. Or they might use their smart phone, or even software which supports it, such as some e-mail clients. <br /><br />Feed is also handy for syndicating. For example, the famous Technorati website utilizes blog feed to keep profiles updated. The popular Blogspot blog roll which shows the latest blog posts of links in its list also relies on feed. In fact, feed is working in the background more often than you might realize.<br /><br />If you'd like to use feed to keep up on your favorite blogs, first decide what service you would like to use. Google Reader is a great place to start. Next, visit the blogs you wish to follow and look for their “Feed”, “RSS” or “Atom” option. The button usually has a “broadcasting” symbol. Copy that link into your reader and save it. Now you can visit the reader to see all the new blog posts for each blog you added, instead of visiting each website individually or flooding your inbox with newsletters.<br /><br />If you'd like to add a feed option to your website, don't worry—it's easy! Most blog software has it built in. For example, at the bottom of a Blogspot blog, you will usually see a link that says “Subscribe to posts”. That's the feed. If you use Wordpress, the feed can usually be found by visiting <a href="http://www.yourdomain.com/">www.yourdomain.com/feed/</a>. <br /><br />You can also use a free service like Feedburner. Just burn your feed once and follow the directions. You will not need to burn the feed with every update. Only once is necessary.<br /><br />There is a few disadvantages with using feed. Most feed services do not have a counter of any kind, so there's no way of knowing exactly how many people are subscribed. Feedburner does count, but it's better to consider it to be approximate and not exact. <br /><br />Also, just because you offer Feedburner doesn't mean everyone is using it. People who know how blog software works may opt to not use Feedburner and instead use the built-in one, which won't register anywhere. So, as with most things, it's probably better to rely on your hits counter than trying to track how many people are subscribed.<br /><br />That aside, feed is an awesome service which makes life as both a blog author and blog reader much easier.<br /><br /><strong>Do you use feed to follow blogs? What service do you use?</strong><br /><br /><br />***When Rainy Kaye isn't plotting world domination, she enjoys coaching others about it on her blog <a href="http://www.rainyofthedark.com/">http://www.rainyofthedark.com</a>.<br /> She also likes fluffy kittens.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwCfPr8DXD0yleJhqv_5UFLL_48jhxG4G6kJ9EUitFsak6yBl7RxZG7rlaS0TQ5Njzse2S1X8Jv_vs6bUKol4GrOXnGoJDZXaZphJXyYo08Llpa_BRSZYrvGRnFukvhUHjV_5DnBVwus/s1600/gallerykitten2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwCfPr8DXD0yleJhqv_5UFLL_48jhxG4G6kJ9EUitFsak6yBl7RxZG7rlaS0TQ5Njzse2S1X8Jv_vs6bUKol4GrOXnGoJDZXaZphJXyYo08Llpa_BRSZYrvGRnFukvhUHjV_5DnBVwus/s320/gallerykitten2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658126691591984978" /></a><br /><br /><br />**Credit: Thanks to <a href="http://www.findakitten.co.uk/gallery2.html">Find a Kitten </a>for this image.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-58677395437509358352011-09-23T17:59:00.003-05:002011-09-23T18:14:42.497-05:00Poem: Within Pain<div align="center">Thinking back<br />when you feel pain<br />it hurts<br />highly affected<br />hard to believe<br />how it hurts so much<br />Answers may not be visible<br />meds may not be correct<br />turn your world around<br />keep finding a way past the pain<br />Don't give up<br />Look and see<br />someone is reaching out<br />to wish you comfort<br />as you have waited<br />find a dream<br />feel solace<br />know that friends care<br />find within hearts<br />love<br />that may ease some<br />pain<br />Remain hopeful.<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOXlCEHh6xEuA9CMVSxd5qmGGHKPzkzOVUVqNvXgbgEgpALo2cwERnayXxgD0IWVe2F_oAhUFL6F-r_dlh1dkA4VUjR2pX4kJlf7A0cAW_Uv9hu9a6H2N2JDx6lf2CsnQatRkyUJ9ysE/s1600/IMG00029-20100714-1059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655695661703905874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOXlCEHh6xEuA9CMVSxd5qmGGHKPzkzOVUVqNvXgbgEgpALo2cwERnayXxgD0IWVe2F_oAhUFL6F-r_dlh1dkA4VUjR2pX4kJlf7A0cAW_Uv9hu9a6H2N2JDx6lf2CsnQatRkyUJ9ysE/s320/IMG00029-20100714-1059.jpg" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-16731093974763398112011-09-09T23:52:00.001-05:002011-09-10T01:07:08.729-05:00D9: #Novelpi ~ The space between thoughts...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQYigS3Aw_hUckxsrk2AXcPmQiJR2tI8fx0QPAgkbi17O67EEC8m-qJSZ82qI0vzotYmhqTb5ig9-FA7d3F6Vs1H7TSSsTwf3y5yBL9BoDnb4j6R98AUCl3M9Qv1Xl6a4hxUO_wUSMbo/s1600/IMG00050-20101230-1456.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQYigS3Aw_hUckxsrk2AXcPmQiJR2tI8fx0QPAgkbi17O67EEC8m-qJSZ82qI0vzotYmhqTb5ig9-FA7d3F6Vs1H7TSSsTwf3y5yBL9BoDnb4j6R98AUCl3M9Qv1Xl6a4hxUO_wUSMbo/s320/IMG00050-20101230-1456.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650608213747648482" /></a><br />I need space to think at times. There are so many things to do or to say so I need to feel like I can. I’m tired yet wide awake. I’m not sure where that fits in this grand scheme of my plans. I feel selfish when I feel like this. I feel frustration and sadness too. It hurts when I am angry and I don’t mean to hurt anyone ever, at all. <br /><br />I love you but then I’m not sure if I really can enough. I need you yet I want my space. What is this all supposed to mean? This is a process of figuring out that at times you have to do what’s best even if you feel differently. Yet, navigating this can be so hard. I’ll find a way to understand you without judgement and this might help. I’m sorry is the simplest way to say it but it is also really hard. I want to quit at times but that really isn’t an option because it would lead to different problems and a whole set of others too. Instead, I look inward and dare to wish forward. In the end, it all changes and comes to a finish line which is hard to determine. <br /><br />***<br />For #Novelpi, word count: 254 ~ Still writing and still learning!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-88222602185403049932011-09-08T13:35:00.001-05:002011-09-10T00:50:50.450-05:00D8: #Novelpi ~ A Flower<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEe511nMs_9aHHcE_i6j4QQcyWYvji5AA14TKdt-ci-FOfbkIRXee9PWdr7KCjIBGOitdtqywP4S6Ezrv7GhEKzIESwaI7sOF4PCVGsi0RsYnbEtQ-gcpgwVLrF7R2e1oi6VDZMUNQC4/s1600/IMG00612-20101014-1124.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEe511nMs_9aHHcE_i6j4QQcyWYvji5AA14TKdt-ci-FOfbkIRXee9PWdr7KCjIBGOitdtqywP4S6Ezrv7GhEKzIESwaI7sOF4PCVGsi0RsYnbEtQ-gcpgwVLrF7R2e1oi6VDZMUNQC4/s320/IMG00612-20101014-1124.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650604069811816306" /></a><br />I crept down the moonlit path. I didn't look too far ahead or to the sides. All around the thick air I could feel the immensity in waves of destruction. This feeling I could not shake even if I wasn't sure it was true. I dared not look around. I kept moving.Through all of this effort, a thought raged inside, to keep me focused toward the relief I needed to come. This was most important. <br /><br />A massive feeling of doom threatened to overtake my heart but I managed to stave this ominous feeling by taking a minute to find a flower. I bent down to look at it closely. It was small, barely visible in the dust. Yet it peeked through the dirt in its purple and white brightness. It brought a smile to my lips as I realized that those colors were my school colors. I reveled in the memories of meeting the creature at this moment. I didn’t know why but it was happening in my memory now and I felt so relieved instead of the anxiety that a moment before had been upon me. <br /><br />Looking forward enhanced the beauty of the experience and that’s when I had seen the flower. Yet looking back in the windows of memory had helped control my frustration that a critical moment like this with so much destruction had delivered. This had been my whole world but now it was no longer. My memory windows would have to work harder to replace this scene set before me. I closed my eyes for minute to think. I didn’t pick the flower. I left it there and I hope that it will bring hope to the next eyes who might see it. I hope they look and find it visibly there. I felt it would bring them the same hope that it did for me. This image in my mind felt wonderful. <br />***<br /><br />For #Novelpi, word count: 283 ~ I'm still hanging on and processing many thoughts.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-65795401002909016062011-09-07T17:50:00.001-05:002011-09-08T09:21:17.595-05:00D7: #Novelpi ~ Favorite Music: Matchbox20 & Rob ThomasAnyone else fans of Matchbox20 and/or Rob Thomas? <br /><br />I am! Here's one of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H--LpFz0p5E">his performances of <em>Cradlesong</em></a> at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, on September 30, 2009.<br /><br />Also, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBCKZv3N288">a superb Matchbox20 song</a>. <em>Bright Lights </em>performed LIVE for Hard Rock Orlando. <br /><br />Since I love an excuse to write, talk, research, listen to or learn about this band, I signed up to write articles for a fan site called <a href="http://www.matchbox20fans.com/">Matchbox20Plus</a>. Right now, you can vote for them as "<em>Best Fan Site</em>." I'm enjoying writing for this site! I'll continue to improve and I appreciate their patience with me as I <em>learn the ropes</em>. <br /><br />For #Novelpi today, I did do better about getting down to the business of writing although my word count of 426 felt low, I'm still meeting my goal. I signed up for a goal of 250 words per day but personally I'm aiming for 500 words per day. <br /><br />Last but not least, here's my poem about Rob Thomas as a singer:<br /><br /><br /><strong>This is for you, Rob</strong><br /><br /><br />Wait - be prepared<br /><br />to stop exactly on the spot <br /><br />where I am <br /><br />as the music starts<br /><br />identify<br /><br />Rob's strong voice<br /><br />already listening <br /><br />I start to feel<br /><br />elevated ~<br /><br /><br />Then again as I watch <br /><br />Rob's performance<br /><br />I'm reminded from <br /><br />lines on his face<br /><br /><em>'bright lights</em>' in his eyes<br /><br />it's his ever-pounding heart<br /><br />what's inside his blood<br /><br />escaping from his soul <br /><br />as he shares fragments <br /><br />of himself <br /><br />proving how much <br /><br />this element called music <br /><br />means to him in his life<br /><br />willingly sharing<br /><br />this kind fervor <br /><br />with his fans<br /><br />allowing them to feel<br /><br />his elation ~<br /><br /><br />Realizing <br /><br />after all those <br /><br /><em>long days<br /><br />always</em><br /><br />it's the fans<br /><br />giving you <br /><br />time<br /><br />to keep creating <br /><br />what you love <br /><br />most. <br /><br />Thanks for the music<br /><br />and here's to even more! <br /><br />***Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-78260840619690382952011-09-06T13:49:00.004-05:002011-09-08T05:49:44.538-05:00D6: #Novelpi ~ Poem: ClarityFind a way to fight past the confusion<br />leave behind<br />old suitcases <br />battered shoes<br />from streets of tiny rocks<br />combining to make a pathway<br />to finding treasures of the soul<br />wasting away<br />words that meet us in the middle of our minds<br />until a picture is formed from their image<br />stolen secrets of time<br />faded deep inside our memories<br />as a beaten drum<br />returning a constant beat <br />glorifying a dedication <br />to return to who one might long to be<br />finding time<br />capturing lines<br />in flight of fancy<br />concluding slowly and spreading out<br />to meet the wind<br />as the shadows roll in<br />looking for a way to join<br />the blue skies<br />in traveling away from cluttered thoughts<br />to remain in clarity.<br />***<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzM1rSoFAxdPjBpE4yn99lWJGcPzxIdzNLL9mNhZHV7jgCLd91FwDtvxPEn6Z2FEdwGnb1Nhz0QM-t2JX0DaSny7pdoVWUcwdPOweMspgJ_lF6YXD8YwH6BEL32ubrCWFfe5m2MXzvvg/s1600/fishing+pictures+024.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzM1rSoFAxdPjBpE4yn99lWJGcPzxIdzNLL9mNhZHV7jgCLd91FwDtvxPEn6Z2FEdwGnb1Nhz0QM-t2JX0DaSny7pdoVWUcwdPOweMspgJ_lF6YXD8YwH6BEL32ubrCWFfe5m2MXzvvg/s320/fishing+pictures+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649938866015339618" /></a><br /><br />I enjoyed the process in my mind as this poem took shape. I may be biased but I'm happy with the way it turned out. <br /><br />For #novelpi today, I felt as if I put off my writing time and then barely squeaked out 428 words. I didn't like the way that felt. I had started to feel better about being regular in my writing even if my word count is low I'm happy when I don't procrastinate. I'm looking forward to doing better!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-67400782591800902822011-09-05T08:55:00.002-05:002011-09-06T14:17:19.629-05:00D5: #Novelpi - Poem: Neglectful MeDays as this<br /><br />tend to feel<br /><br />wasted<br /><br />as time is erased <br /><br />during neglectful moments<br /><br />exasperated<br /><br />with a realization<br /><br /><em>Is this who I am</em>?<br /><br />Unmastered <br /><br />unqualified<br /><br />unmotivated<br /><br />harnessing consequences<br /><br />of unfortunate situations<br /><br />piled up<br /><br />ever widening paths<br /><br />meant to be straighter<br /><br />easier to navigate <br /><br />finding empowerment.<br /><br />Instead, haunting peace <br /><br />entrapping negativity<br /><br />beginning to believe<br /><br />this is a way days are meant to be<br /><br />testing<br /><br />until comprehension<br /><br />boils inside us <br /><br />where the very sense<br /><br />of change<br /><br />of hope<br /><br />of love <br /><br />of fulfillment <br /><br />might enchantingly exist <br /><br />finding residence within minds<br /><br />once neglected. <br /><br />***<br /><br />That's the poem that came out of this unfortunate frustration since I didn't get my writing done as I had wanted. As far as <a href="http://5-rings.com/blog/">#novelpi </a>goes for today, I neglected to complete my word count task coming in way under 100 words for the day. So, this is strike one & hopefully my last. <br /><br />If I may, use my <em>freeze ray </em>to stop my disregard and start over tomorrow. <br /><br />Enjoy a clip from the movie <em>Despicable Me</em>:<br /><br /><em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1arXEeHp5V8">Freeze Ray~"I'm havin' a bad, bad day..</a>."</em><br /><br />Also, I decided to share this poem for the first time on <a href="http://dversepoets.com/"><strong><em>dverse poets pub</em></strong></a> ~ Be sure to read all of the talented poets already posting there or feel free to share your own poem if you'd like.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-9457912205093664342011-09-04T18:42:00.001-05:002011-09-04T18:45:51.772-05:00D4: #Novelpi ~ Poem: All I Can DoIt hardly seems fair
<br />that I can't be true to myself.
<br />I don't measure up
<br />to expectations or standards
<br />placed before me.
<br />
<br />I would like to be
<br />loyal
<br />honest
<br />but it always seems cut short
<br />painfully aware
<br />that I'm not.
<br />
<br />All I can do
<br />if I even know what to do
<br />is to believe
<br />is to live
<br />as I know truth.
<br />
<br />My perceptions are all quite skewed
<br />I've created this reality
<br />I need to belong to it.
<br />
<br />Once again, I realize
<br />it hardly seems fair
<br />confusing even
<br />that I just can't be who
<br />I really might be.
<br />
<br />***
<br />
<br />
<br />#Novelpi's Word count for today: 704, 6:41 p.m. Central.
<br />
<br />I'm still writing away and it has been helping me feel happy to make this time for myself to write and purge the thoughts from my mind. I'm not necessarily structured or focused yet so I'm writing on various topics. Writing has always been cathartic for me and I sense the way it moves me inside. Basically, my thoughts keep swimming and evolving in my mind where I personally enjoy feeling them dwell. Most of all, I need to write and share them with you. Thanks for indulging me!
<br />
<br />As I've thought about this writing process today, it reminds me of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V2XOrrlASg">this video from Rob Thomas</a>, who is my favorite singer & songwriter, where he talks about what songwriting feels like for him. I love what concepts and insight he shares in the video about writing in general and it has stayed within my mind. I even think it has helped me feel motivation to continue writing many times. Maybe you'll gain something from what he is saying also.
<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-44423556922327269692011-09-03T07:41:00.001-05:002011-09-04T07:57:05.404-05:00D3: #Novelpi ~ Today was a Notebook day!Day 3 of #Novelpi was a notebook day. I ended up needing to use my trusty pen and paper to come up with some notes and thoughts for a miniature word count of 320. I am glad to be recording and putting my ideas down on paper though!
<br />
<br />I've been working on practicing writing some health articles so here are a few thoughts from my notes:
<br />
<br /><blockquote>Have uplifting thoughts about my body and realize it as a miracle!
<br />
<br />Remember to stay active for inactivity brings weakness.
<br />
<br />As I am healthy in my eating habits, my family will benefit from naturally gaining a desire to maintain their health as well.
<br />
<br />Many times, we know what we need to do to maintain our health but it is hard to do alone. Often, it really benefits to receive help from others but before they would know to help us we need to simply ask them. </blockquote>
<br />
<br />My friend, Delores, told me her daily affirmation and I like it so I'll share it with you:
<br />
<br /><em><blockquote>Today is the first day of the rest of your life. What are you going to do with it? </blockquote></em>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-61455830065775059822011-09-02T07:13:00.000-05:002011-09-04T07:40:14.731-05:00D2: #Novelpi ~ Making ProgressDuring Day 2 of this challenge with Novel Push Initiative, I felt a complete rush of wanting to write and create. I wish I could have spent a lot more time writing. So my word count today isn't bad at 1041.
<br />
<br />Here's a couple of excerpts from my writing today:
<br />
<br />First, Colby's story is starting to really take shape:
<br />
<br />
<br /><blockquote>Red feathers swirled around slightly turning pink and making Colby feel sick to his stomach. Each day wasn’t easy transforming from cardinal to himself again but he understood now without question the importance of doing so. It was vital to be able to communicate with the Cardinals and their world. Colby sensed that it would make a difference, in time. His patience crept along slowly like mud waiting for more water to be able to move along faster.
<br />“In time,” he thought, “our world would be renewed and vivid again as in the tales of old.”
<br />How Colby longed for this change to actually happen even though his faith dwindled that he would live to see this time happen. For now, it was a nice dream. </blockquote>
<br />***
<br />Second, I recently joined <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/">SparkPeople</a> again in an effort to maintain my healthy living. I wrote a blog there about <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4462883">my first bike race </a>if you'd care to read it!
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-90148733245535188132011-09-01T06:36:00.002-05:002011-09-03T10:35:10.854-05:00A Comfortable PoemComfortable
<br />
<br />gathering by the side of a stream
<br />
<br />silently sitting there
<br />
<br />together
<br />
<br />side by side
<br />
<br />As the rush of water
<br />
<br />tucks emotions into corners of our minds
<br />
<br />hoping to wash away
<br />
<br />the bleak
<br />
<br />empty restless spaces
<br />
<br />our mind forms at times
<br />
<br />from the sullen and the free
<br />
<br />Will you comprehend me?
<br />
<br />Most importantly
<br />
<br />triumphantly
<br />
<br />we were meant to be
<br />
<br />friends
<br />
<br />as comfortable as can be.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />*written for #Novelpi (Novel Push Initiative) Day 1: 607 word count. Check out<a href="http://5-rings.com/blog/"> 5-rings </a>for more information on NPI. I'm participating in this challenge for the next two months and so I plan to update you on my progress hoping you'll enjoy any of my writing tidbits that will come out of this. Thanks for reading!
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-3683134733745056382011-06-18T11:04:00.009-05:002011-06-18T13:46:59.578-05:00From Barbie to Rapunzel: Persona Poetry (thoughts from #poetparty)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnB5wnsWBwUnqB0KWfRsLV2swfAl66duHcc3pps7yURqDoje8ylLYI0_qKOjQ3qcOtq8I_baMLpyNuAJiwLaH9Yo7JsmDWwsJT7nUc-6ieyzSAnLWIfDUTF8PH32SEYHM1n40HarbMgeU/s1600/300_132033.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619613772957133170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnB5wnsWBwUnqB0KWfRsLV2swfAl66duHcc3pps7yURqDoje8ylLYI0_qKOjQ3qcOtq8I_baMLpyNuAJiwLaH9Yo7JsmDWwsJT7nUc-6ieyzSAnLWIfDUTF8PH32SEYHM1n40HarbMgeU/s320/300_132033.jpg" /></a><br />Imagine, if you will, what would a conversation be like between Barbie(tm) and Rapunzel? It might be interesting, right?!? Well, from the place of your own imaginings of that conversation gives a little insight into what I'd like to share with you today.<br /><br />On Sundays, I look forward to the twitter chat called #poetparty. As I have followed this chat, I have learned so many ideas, thoughts, and basic knowledge on poetry. I also feel that I catch a unique glimpse into the minds of poets. Not only has it strengthened my desire to write poetry but also wamt to learn poetic forms and to read more poetry as well. Of course, it helps with my love affair with words too. I can't help but be inspired!<br /><br />This past Sunday, June 12th, the #poetparty chat was on Persona Poetry. When I first heard about this topic, I realized I didn't understand the full meaning of what they meant by this term. Call me old-fashioned but I first consulted my rare 1980 Edition <em>Funk & Wangnalls </em>Desk Dictionary, which is one of my favorite dictionaries, where <strong>persona</strong> is defined as<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>A character in a drama, novel, etc... [L, person]</blockquote><br /><br />After this, I asked people around me, i.e., my husband & oldest daughter, for their insight into what they thought persona poetry might be which became a nice discussion on the idea that it would mean for poetry to be considered reflective and who would be characterized as the <em>voice</em> of the poem.<br /><br />Next, I searched Google, as most do nowadays and found this <a href="http://litera1no4.tripod.com/persona_frame.html">description</a>:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>The speaker or voice of a literary work, or in plainer words, "who's doing the talking." </blockquote><br /><br />I enjoyed his idea of how it is applied to the poem in a nuetral sense.<br /><br />Another basic idea of persona poetry is not to confuse the narrator or speaker of the poem with the author. For this type of poetry, the poet is imagining what it would be like to write a poem as someone or something else. Many examples were given such as writing in the form of a film/movie character, pop culture character, natural elements like flowers, trees, etc... There are many types of 'persona's' that a poem can be written in. The consensus was that quality mattered with this type of poetry. If a persona poem is well done that it is worthwhile to enjoyably be read.<br /><br />One of the examples brought to light right away in the discussion was a poem being written in Barbie's voice. This caught my eye and I thought it was funny because to me Barbie is more than a doll, she's a character that I created in my mind when I played with her as a young girl. For hours, I used to play Barbie dolls making elaborate story lines all with set and costume design included. In my mind, Barbie can be anything she wanted to be which was usually right where I wanted to escape to in my young mind. So, for me she's not silly, or unintelligent but rather quite the opposite of that. So, honestly, I don't have a problem with Barbie being written into a persona poem. I am among the minor in this category, dare I admit this though, but I feel I can find value even in the most unexpected people or places. Key point is if I'm being willing to <em>learn</em>, for myself at least from them, anyway.<br /><br />I wrote a prose piece from the mind of Barbie which I'll share with you here:<br /><br /><blockquote><em>From the mind of this girl, I feel alive. She makes me live within her. I am somebody. It's not about how I look or what she even dresses me in. It's about the moments that she makes me feel successful. I am not just her doll but her dreams. I feel a connection each time she opens her closet where I exist and she lets me live. I feel real. I need to talk with her to let her know what she's brought into my life. I feel her communicating with me. I say the words that she longs to tell anyone who would listen. I am listening. I love her ideas on something special. I can't deny that I'd miss her if she ever went away. Most girls her age, no longer care for me or even have time to play with me anymore. She hides from the world to do so because her love is so great for our story line. I've been living her movie. I wouldn't trade it for another realm. I see from her mind what she could be. I am what she is afraid of - perhaps that is even being famous. Her definition of success is actually quite simple which makes it lovely. I love her kind heart and this make-believe world we live together. In time, I know it will end. Perhaps, it will be time to grow up and I hope she'll have the opportunity that came in her dreams. If I can let her feel, even briefly, that those dreams can be real I've done what I hoped to as her doll. Most of all, I want her to feel free to dream. In one day, she can really do all that we have had so much fun pretending. What she doesn't realize now, is how soon she'll grow up. It isn't far away. In her mind, I know we'll always be friends because her imagination holds her deepest desires and hopes. This means a lot. It is something I know she won't give up. I know in the way she treats me, holds me, dresses me. I am well-cared for so others in her life will be too. I am glad to have this glimpse into this girls heart. I am happy that she treats me as her friend. I like the characterization that she evolved for me. I will be the part of her memory that she may turn to when times become rough. I've been here for her. She knows this and in this way - the beauty is all of ours to share. Stay with your dreams - dear girl! </em></blockquote><br />***<br />Another persona piece that I realized that I had written was a square dance motif that I wrote as a book review for Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale. See what you think <a href="http://5-squared.blogspot.com/2009/03/rapunzels-revenge-by-shannon-hale-dean.html">here</a>. I'm biased but I rather liked how it turned out. Aren't you curious now? ;)<br /><br />Now, there's a little insight into persona poetry. I've realized now that I like it and want to write more besides I think I have used persona poetry more than I realized in the past. Let me know what you're thinking about it or share one of your favorite persona poems in the comments. Thanks!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-49545398587302613532011-04-30T10:17:00.001-05:002011-05-02T11:20:41.128-05:00NaPoWriMo #30: Epic Evanesce<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVATeO2zlGpJC9kojb2KgykUKlLqaAwpyNzcbwS_HKMzR6thFt-qMp663TKKltlAhQpjqiPra8ZQ2yJ6No62nM11VDKmEPPCodRGPMlhaLbZStWDD5uZ7Zs1W_zNoPhw_R-hYu2elpYA/s1600/c+spring+break+09+055.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602153104954002130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVATeO2zlGpJC9kojb2KgykUKlLqaAwpyNzcbwS_HKMzR6thFt-qMp663TKKltlAhQpjqiPra8ZQ2yJ6No62nM11VDKmEPPCodRGPMlhaLbZStWDD5uZ7Zs1W_zNoPhw_R-hYu2elpYA/s320/c+spring+break+09+055.jpg" /></a> <br />Mysteries unfold<br />unraveling shadows<br />of dark mixed with light<br />creating a shadow<br />in my thoughts<br />concerning me<br />to ponder<br /><br />Why you're coming back again<br />frightening me since I know<br />you never left my heart<br />I don't want to hurt<br />the way I did once<br />when you cast your fiery darts<br />my way<br /><br />I need to find peace<br />without you<br />this is not the mystery<br />I expected<br />cast into the shadows<br />of my life<br />wondering what happened<br />in this unfortunate realm<br /><br />Abounding weakness of my soul<br />not feeling courage<br />to conquer<br />or escape<br />love only deepens<br />a penetrating wall<br />meant to withstand<br />letting you in again<br /><br />Find stillness<br />mimic peace<br />remarkable journey<br />trying to come away<br />but only realizing<br />how near I am to<br />complete devastation<br />ruin or chaos<br />because my heart won't forget<br />how you empower me<br />by continuing the beauty<br />held within your words<br /><br />My memory beckons<br />as it has recorded<br />long since felt you near<br />as it never forgets<br />how to internally<br />shed a tear<br />contemplate<br />reverberate<br />reverence the fact<br />that I have the issues<br />you never did<br /><br />I want to heal<br />when it hasn't been an option<br />for me<br />you feel whole<br />I feel broken<br />where I fool myself<br />into believing<br />upon the waters<br />I won't be swayed<br />rocking silently<br />into a watery grave<br /><br />Breaking down<br />melting away emotion<br />long overdue to be<br />overcome by powers<br />yet to seek<br />discovered<br />in our tender friendship<br />relations joined through<br />knowledge alone<br />an evanesce of minds<br />power unconceded<br />form a tiny throne<br /><br />A Kingdom<br /><br />Our castle in the sky.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BdYedqAtij2OT2fgywocgFUnzUSSUOxXwShTXcjS8SDCnZ2FTfhK0olsD1AGRvWaedSpSAAjW4PPGU_65FzVb-7I3amkoaZ5w5yTEHs-WzjhwZLpUXq0JtgdlSXOHLFSjvhRVO3xF8Y/s1600/BE_007_large.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602153113402903954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BdYedqAtij2OT2fgywocgFUnzUSSUOxXwShTXcjS8SDCnZ2FTfhK0olsD1AGRvWaedSpSAAjW4PPGU_65FzVb-7I3amkoaZ5w5yTEHs-WzjhwZLpUXq0JtgdlSXOHLFSjvhRVO3xF8Y/s320/BE_007_large.jpg" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-38648132320668761322011-04-29T11:22:00.000-05:002011-05-02T11:47:04.009-05:00NaPoWriMo #29: Imperfect RainI thought we were<br />in a place<br />where if you or I <br />told our true feelings<br />we could feel the difference<br />even if we felt offense<br /><br />We could forgive-<br />move forward<br />to remain friends<br /><br />But the rain came<br />and it could not <br />wash away the pain<br />guilt or sadness<br /><br />I wish<br />the rain could heal<br />just like the earth smells<br />so clean<br />right after rain<br /><br />Then we could start<br />over <br />begin again<br />bathed in our imperfections<br />and be blessed by <br /><br />LOVE<br /><br />again and forever. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOrZhg96frgAkPGdRJ9o893FJpU45GsfeOsUfilmJFiebjPbpw6dbmzKyPpgXEHUP2wHGqWTk0Yrv3OOc77V8lAc-OGR9xbGmzh1g2cbUugdBpQvBAFGI0y-9C6mBKqoWtm6vKJL15eE/s1600/2010+mom+dad+strawberry+and+coast+021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOrZhg96frgAkPGdRJ9o893FJpU45GsfeOsUfilmJFiebjPbpw6dbmzKyPpgXEHUP2wHGqWTk0Yrv3OOc77V8lAc-OGR9xbGmzh1g2cbUugdBpQvBAFGI0y-9C6mBKqoWtm6vKJL15eE/s320/2010+mom+dad+strawberry+and+coast+021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602160912376008658" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-43535085661880371392011-04-28T11:55:00.001-05:002011-05-02T12:35:08.015-05:00NaPoWriMo #28: An Ode to Joan of ArcIn the darkness<br />the stars sat still<br />amongst the sky<br /><br />A horse adjusted his footing<br />breathing out<br />slightly whinged<br />Faintly<br />in the stillness<br />A soldier<br />had his head buried<br />between his legs<br />sobbing<br /><br />An altered life<br />his would be forever<br />As his Captain<br /><em>Sweet Captain</em><br />was killed<br /><br />Never in his life<br />had he been inspired<br />as much as he had<br />when she would speak<br /><br />He could hear her now<br />as a voice of thunder<br />in his mind<br />Rumbling<br />inside of him<br />He felt sick<br />He questioned everything<br />He trusted no one<br /><br />Where would his life lead him now?<br /><br />What would happen to her brilliant army?<br /><br />Couldn't they see how courageous all of his fellow soldiers had been in the face of such devastating cruelty and war?<br /><br />The fight needed to be fought<br />but was the price too high?<br /><br />His questions<br />His thoughts<br />of her<br /><br />What she did<br />would not stop<br />He felt his soul<br />had changed<br /><br />He had to do what he could<br />to remember her now<br />because they would not<br /><br />This would not be an easy task<br />as so many<br />felt she was evil now<br />but he knew<br />which gave his heart<br />a moment of peace<br />that the tale<br />of the great<br /><br />Joan of Arc<br /><br />would have to be told!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpuYDdfzues49mANMqtZJ-y-3srh6N7VBIT1cqIv5AiQ4m4Q_mfHEP_A9grbGKyYp9v5bCZLEVI7RRob1_u4QtIyn7h5m7itn0jsWfbUlttOFRDDPVvmsLX2Ak1IGkcW7L7vuTT-hpbY/s1600/170px-Ingres_coronation_charles_vii.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpuYDdfzues49mANMqtZJ-y-3srh6N7VBIT1cqIv5AiQ4m4Q_mfHEP_A9grbGKyYp9v5bCZLEVI7RRob1_u4QtIyn7h5m7itn0jsWfbUlttOFRDDPVvmsLX2Ak1IGkcW7L7vuTT-hpbY/s320/170px-Ingres_coronation_charles_vii.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602168664128908882" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />*More info. & photo found at: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc</a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-62421998708297148832011-04-27T14:19:00.003-05:002011-04-29T15:36:40.504-05:00NaPoWriMo #27: Light<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5_EfV8kehRfgbhXSNCQG26yKt2Q9r0twsimEvAOmyobNmU6FRpSvM6TftMKsqEv70ZPaD-3k-qGGms7TSV7UvZLgjwdaWeMJBX4TxvI_f43-DnMyhpJXuDoIcjkA-D4HrTgnjIZqrsc/s1600/2007+High+Adventure+053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5_EfV8kehRfgbhXSNCQG26yKt2Q9r0twsimEvAOmyobNmU6FRpSvM6TftMKsqEv70ZPaD-3k-qGGms7TSV7UvZLgjwdaWeMJBX4TxvI_f43-DnMyhpJXuDoIcjkA-D4HrTgnjIZqrsc/s320/2007+High+Adventure+053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601106835032797650" /></a><br />Light...<br /><br />Only you-<br /><br />Only me-<br /><br />Wherein you have released light within me<br /><br />Only you<br /><br />will get it back<br /><br />Only you<br /><br />can immerge from the foundation <br /><br />Failure to see<br /><br />Failure to listen<br /><br />Only love whoever I am<br /><br />Do not accept as readily as you imply<br /><br />Have you become intolerant of me?<br /><br />Even so much that it hurts<br /><br />Although there is still light in me<br /><br />You will never see it<br /><br />I have no choice<br /><br />I sense this loss<br /><br />responding only by having to move on<br /><br />beyond your shadow<br /><br />creeping up along<br /><br />out of the night<br /><br />finding a way<br /><br />through to embrace my own soul again<br /><br />to know <br /><br />to learn the lucid secrets of the light<br /><br />Only you<br /><br />will not notice<br /><br />as I rekindle again<br /><br />essentially fire<br /><br />resilient as ever before<br /><br />because one truth remains<br /><br />I am <br /><br />Only me.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-71113263938111834212011-04-26T17:42:00.002-05:002011-04-26T17:55:35.286-05:00NaPoWriMo #26: Short & Sweet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX91rMOOP3Mj2S6mpWIyTtHJoiq1ooqZpy-pdBer6GwKSMuKIfVf-gfZjnrCqTkhNfiohBe-Qjs-wEe82lSpFQs2v1S_lrSrsee4AmKd1TRrqEuq9tTYsWKFsUpCjA6rIm6xDLrpO2OQ/s1600/UT+trip+105.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX91rMOOP3Mj2S6mpWIyTtHJoiq1ooqZpy-pdBer6GwKSMuKIfVf-gfZjnrCqTkhNfiohBe-Qjs-wEe82lSpFQs2v1S_lrSrsee4AmKd1TRrqEuq9tTYsWKFsUpCjA6rIm6xDLrpO2OQ/s320/UT+trip+105.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600029683083098306" /></a><br /><br />It is a big hill. <br /><br />One should climb to the top. <br /><br />Sit here. <br /><br />Be still. <br /><br />Remember and love. <br /><br />Cherish and remind. <br /><br />Hold on. <br /><br />Don’t fall down or I’ll have to come tumbling after.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-28872637847916775992011-04-25T16:44:00.000-05:002011-04-26T17:19:28.613-05:00NaPoWriMo #25: Her Flower Garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8xOOT_BwoA_3nqeKyBy5tlb7F3CRmLSE_xby1fGOvHl1rvpRJVHE8lG8J82orZMYZ67jlELZ61P9JP35hRrRr585aUPLpd6NfEABf8V3n-5KpOpRiPRt8qVJBmuURzrh4jNbxK2oRtQ/s1600/Cheapside+Wildflowers+247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8xOOT_BwoA_3nqeKyBy5tlb7F3CRmLSE_xby1fGOvHl1rvpRJVHE8lG8J82orZMYZ67jlELZ61P9JP35hRrRr585aUPLpd6NfEABf8V3n-5KpOpRiPRt8qVJBmuURzrh4jNbxK2oRtQ/s320/Cheapside+Wildflowers+247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600019716882223570" /></a><br />Tiny droplets clung to the window <br />for a small second <br />then raced down unevenly <br />The rain felt comforting <br />Look at the crimson flowers<br />in her garden<br /><br />Smiling <br />they would finally be watered <br />without her assistance<br />It had been a long series of events <br />that placed her in her new living arrangements<br />her miniature flower garden <br />had been one of those things <br />to do for her to make her feel like <br />she had a place here<br /><br />Filling to the brim with <br />Wildflowers-<br />Lilies - <br />Roses-<br />Daisies-<br />Among her favorites<br />were her distinguished <br />and prized <br />Orchids<br /><br />All these flowers combined<br />to create a spiritual<br />evolution <br />of beauty<br />intensified by each flower<br />simply magnified <br />and resilient <br />although these conditions<br />seemed harsh and unrealistic<br />which might make them fragile<br /><br />Instead they grew <br />resisting opposing forces<br />and finding their own magical force<br />growing through cracks in sidewalks<br />or up from the rocky soil<br />and even lining the fencing <br />white pickets and all<br />forming a new way <br />making a mixed-up garden<br />seem complete <br />with even the tiniest of flowers<br />peeking through the edges of <br />larger flowers<br /><br />This garden may only last<br />for a rare season<br />but for her<br />with death fast approaching<br />it was her season <br />to make them live<br />so that something would make her feel alive<br />and find a way to grow<br />in the toughest of circumstance<br /><br />If anything else<br />would be so pleasant<br />the lingering scent <br />and floral beauty <br />would capture her heart<br />helping her soar to the heavens<br />where she would no longer want for a garden<br />as there it would be eternal<br />always appreciating<br />how much effort and work it may take now<br />to make her garden whole<br />lively<br />ever-blooming<br />before the sun dried up <br />each flower <br />crumpled to a new discovery<br />a rare complexion<br />of vintage proportions<br />found in a new way of looking <br />at what beauty means through<br />the form of a withered flower<br /><br />So many lessons to learn<br />places to go <br />but her garden <br />was her solitude<br />after a life well-lived<br />this was her final resting place<br />or at least she hoped <br />for one friend <br />to plant flowers <br />upon her graven bed<br />Then even in death<br />she would smell the lingering scent<br />all the while<br />imagining the image <br />of how the flower looked like<br />from her perspective<br /><br />To her, this simple garden<br />meant eternity...Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-12008211082954754912011-04-24T16:40:00.000-05:002011-04-26T16:43:12.584-05:00NaPoWriMo #24: One Wish for Getting OldUsing writing prompt: Write about how getting old is hard and tough...<br /><br />When I am old and worn, <br />and there are days I cannot move as I once did. <br />I am hopeful, <br />I will still remember all the things I ever loved, <br />all of the activities I loved to do. <br />I'll do only what I'm able now<br />thinking as I always did of my <br />shining love for others. <br />I may not be able to do <br />what I'm used to doing which will bring <br />frustration. <br />I believe <br />my glorious spirit will be still the same. <br />I'll long for youth that I did not keep <br />myself so busy that I did not reach out to others. <br />Perhaps, I'll feel regret. <br />I worry that<br />you will look upon me differently. <br />I may become a stranger. <br />Please look real hard and deep inside<br />you may feel my presence within. <br />Most of all, don't forget me, <br />don't neglect my spirit <br />somewhere deep inside, it has <br />one wish<br />which will be all I'll ask of you, <br />my dear young man...<br />Bring me His precious Sacrament <br />of my Savior, Lord and King. <br /><br /><br />Have a very Happy Easter!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5271227382470333124.post-60212082835525381992011-04-23T23:48:00.001-05:002011-04-23T23:53:13.362-05:00NaPoWriMo #23: Time and SpaceMystical space<br /><br />vast and open<br /><br />creeps upon the shadow of free time<br /><br />tells us of eternity.<br /><br />Yet, when people achieve an opportunity to fly<br /><br />into the universe, we call Space<br /><br />they do not feel alone. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Time is perchance, an illusion<br /><br />although we follow it<br /><br />we live by it<br /><br />to the fact that it can control, <br /><br />even run, our lives. <br /><br />And yet in our moments of time<br /><br />here on earth, <br /><br />we can feel ever so alone.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07082371226006423990noreply@blogger.com0