NaPoWriMo #3: Imperfection

Carefully, look inside
a glass darkly
as a moment is gone
missing out
selfishly
not letting go
giving in
to malevolence
one final time
all the while
being indignant

Swallowing me up
to where aching grows
like weeds after rain
in expectation
no longer requiring
to be around
accordingly

Be attentive
Become accomodating
or willingly
lose yourself
in that moment
of imperfection
sweetly speculating

Will this be torment?

NaPoWriMo #2: Under Fire

In the trenches
under fire
the only thing
to cling to is a memory
although vague
while fading quietly
as the rain falls
washing you away

I wish
the pain would leave
instead
If I could bury it
in the trenches
deep
so deep
where it is hard
to feel hurt
question the loss
of one always to cherish

Even as the clearest
memory fades
or the pain subsides
into the fire
consumed
gone
until only
ash remains.

NaPoWriMo #1: Other Than the Truth

Balancing courage
on the tip
of insight
does not help
overcome overwhelming perspectives

Look deeper
sometimes thinking
true is not actually true

Often truth is
reality before eyes
in what a person
actually does every day

Not what they are doing
or wanting them to do
more than that

Looking deeper
what is seen
they are doing
a lot more
than ever realized
could be done

Look away
never see the truth
for what it really is
missing out
on lovely beauty
enchanted
by what the person
has to give

Caught up with pride
failing to see
hear
or feel
how indeed
actions
thoughts
deeply hurt others

In the end
beware
of false insight.

Once Upon A Time...

there was a little girl who fell in love with words. She wanted to learn as many of these words as she could, she wanted to learn what they meant, she enjoyed manipulating them into different forms - creating poetry, stories, lyrics and even Art. If she could find a pen, she would write them down on almost any surface. Mostly, she filled up notebooks & kept filling them up.

If she didn't find time to write them down they spilled into her thoughts. Daydreaming words into all kinds of glorious ideas of what she could say, how she could write it in a way that others would love to read. Although, she was known as a young girl, as being painfully shy she knew the truth inside of her because words had always been her truest friends. Words turned into stories and her most favorite would be the poems that came too. These stories always brought characters patterned after her obervations and discussions with others. During her play time, she rehearsed many of these stories as she staged plays with her Barbie dolls cast as the perfect actresses.

She also payed attention to the elderly through service and kinds visits to those living around her. On her favorite afternoon, she would talk to her Grandma as much as possible, since after all, Grandma was the oldest writer she knew, about writing and the characters that her Grandma was working on in her books. Even now, she can't remember all of the conversations now but she realized how Grandma inspired her. Besides writing, yet it fit perfectly in her plans to keep writing, she also looked up to her Grandma, who was such a happy, positive person. She exemplified how to treat others kindly, how to be social and how to work hard. She reflected on this many times now since these simple conversations, board games & even writing sessions together.

Her goals have never ceased and seeing them on the path in front of her but she felt that she had not been reaching in the right places or high enough. In her delicate heart, she would like to change that route now. For through her feelings, at least writing some of these thoughts down helped her start with that. After all, she needed a place to start so that she could feel like building a castle. With poetry month coming up, this will be as good as any. Once a day each day. Write a poem. She would like to share with you a bit about life, sorrow, history and wittingly hopes that you gain a sense of the person that she is and what she tries to live to be each day. So, hopefully you will find more good than bad and perhaps that will help you understand how much this dear girl loves people and what she sees in her everyday observations. These are her dreams and desires, she may fall short but perhaps someday you will know what she was all about anyway. You see, long ago, in an elementary school far, far, away, she started writing in her free time as even as soon as in the third grade. Experimenting with words, as she liked to think of it. As time became years she started to feel more confident in her writing. So, in sixth grade, she wrote a poem about the Cherokee Indians. She had learned about them in school and wanted to express from her heart what they went through.

Can you guess who this little girl represents yet?

Yes, even myself and the purpose of this fairytale is to let you know a little bit of my background as a writer and as a poet. I have long since misplaced and lost the original poem but that single experience still means a great deal to me. I remember how it felt to win an honorable mention for it. How incredible it was! How much that made me feel that somehow I may have brought an awareness to people's eyes about the Cherokee "Trail of Tears." I want to keep that up and I have a little here and a little there. I will continue in that regard. I will write. I am a poet. I am an Artist too. This is me. This is truly who I am. I hope you believe.

Get Ready, Get Set, Go April!

As many of you know, April is one of my favorite months of the year. One reason is that it is National Poetry Month! I celebrate this by carrying a poem in my pocket, reading poetry, writing poems, going to poetry readings, entering poetry contests, and this year I'm going to do what I've been wishing to do for a few years now. I'm going LIVE! Right here at J-Flamingo Reflections. One poem every day for the month of April. Wow! It will be a challenge, of course, but I'm excited I'm finally up for it. I'm going to plunge in and actually make sure this happens this year. I hope you'll enjoy reading what I have to share this year. Also, my book reviews will be reflecting the poetry books I'll be reading as well. So I hope in some way during the month of April, with my humble attempts, you'll be exposed to poetry! One more thing, I've signed up to read one of my poems in the Talent Show at my church fundraiser this year so this will be one more way to celebrate poetry month. Be sure to vote for which poem that you'd like me to read by leaving a comment! Thanks! *Note-Bullwinkle Cartoon found at: russellheimlich.com

Poetry from My Purse - Finding the Miracle

Here's a poem that I found written in my purse. A while back, I had explained that I would post these from time to time. I did tweet the first few lines as Micropoetry on Twitter recently and I thought it would be nice to include the conclusion. What do you think?





As darkening waters existed over my world
I hoped to find the miracle that could bring me in from drowning
To treasure me, keep me safe
Even if only by listening to me
It unloads my hurt
opens my soul
makes me vulnerable
makes me love
I like the way that feels
Don’t leave my life
Don’t stop calling
No matter what you think
I may say
I’m here for you
The truth remains
through your presence
you brought me joy
and saved me from drowning.
***

In the Meantime...

I've been working on several articles, writing projects and a scrapbook project too. Also, I have a lot going on, as everyone does, in my real life that has had my time so my poor blog has taken a hit from my attention. I have several posts in mind but haven't put them up yet. I'll get to it, eventually. So, just to let you know I'm still around I thought I'd put up a few quotes from the movies my children have been watching lately.

Monsters vs. Aliens:

News reporter: Once again, a UFO has landed in America, the only country UFOs ever seem to land in.


Whatever mad scientist made you, he went all out.- Dr. Cockroach

This place is an X-file, wrapped in a cover up and deep fried as a conspiracy. There will be no contact with the outside and there never will. -General W.R. Monger

I don't want a poster, I want a real kitten, in a real tree. -Susan

Don't think of it as a prison, think of it as a hotel you never leave because it's been locked from the inside. -General W.R. Monger

The President of the United States: Somebody think of something, and think of it fast!

The Incredibles

A simple Thank You would suffice...

Helen: E, it's great to see you, but I gotta tell you, I've got no idea what you're talking about.
Edna: Yes, words are useless! Gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble-gobble! Too much of it, darling, too much! That is why I show you my work! That is why you are here!

Mr. Incredible: No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!

Dash: That was the best vacation ever! I love our family.

Rick Dicker: We've frozen all of Syndrome's assets. If he even sneezes, we'll be there with a hanky and a pair of handcuffs.

Elastigirl: Settle down, are you kidding? I'm at the top of my game! I'm right up there with the big dogs! Girls, come on. Leave the saving of the world to the men? I don't think so.

Surf's Up

A winner is someone who doesn't knock me off my surfboard; Tank's definitely not a winner.
Little Penguin

I hope the cameras are rolling because you're gonna want to watch it over and over.
Cody Maverick

My brother was the big egg, I was the little egg.
Cody Maverick

Lani, we're in the shower! Ask me whatever you want.
Cody Maverick

Dude, she's totally into you! She called you crap!
Chicken Joe

Tank needs fuel.
Tank Evans

You know, we've known each other way back since, like... yesterday, I think it was.
Chicken Joe

My reason behind this is because I love to hear the words written in the dialogue. It helps me giggle and dream about being on a writing team for one of these movies. Wouldn't it be fun to write a movie script? I imagine how fun that it would be to sit there with a group of fellow writers and banter out a script! Well, maybe it's not really like that, I don't really know, but I can dream. Plus, I'm starting to gain a small sense of that through Twitter. It's a rich source for the writing, music, Arts and poetic communities. I've met some wonderful minds through the thoughts that these people are sharing there. I enjoy following many people and there is just something about those 140 characters that I love! No more...it just fits with my creative mind, I think. Anyway, it's helped my writing a tremendous amount and I'm crazily writing every chance I get now. For that, "I'm eternally grateful."
Also, if you have a few moments, check out my articles here on Matchbox Twenty Plus to read what I've been doing in the meantime...apart from not keeping up with my blogging.

Don't worry though..."I'll be back!" :D