tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9536686842024714242024-03-13T11:02:23.938-07:00The QuillMy writings, posted for all to see. All entries marked with an asterisk (*) are parts of my first collection; Inspired. Everything posted here is from the heart, a peek into my imagination, into my world. Critique me honestly.
If you would like to use my writing or place it on a different website, please email me and ask my permission first. This writing IS copyrighted! Here's the email: bluegirl3666@yahoo.com
Thank you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-74400845474452830812013-06-18T19:15:00.000-07:002013-06-18T19:15:58.171-07:00Satisfaction, Shared (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Satisfaction, Shared</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written June 18th, 2013</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Empty.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The pit was filled briefly.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Alas, now emptier</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Than before.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">How foolish of me;</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I curl up in the sheets. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">He says nothing,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although he must sense</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">My disappointment.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">He only has time </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">To ponder his own contentment.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">He has no touches for me</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Why would he?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">His touches are fulfilled</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">But I, I am</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Empty.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I was filled materially</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">-briefly-</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">But drained emotionally.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Again, I am empty</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">While he naps,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">A cream-fed cat.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Maybe next time</i>,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I think.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Nevermind, I always bank</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">On next time.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">All this, I knew</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">But would not admit</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I began anew</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Giving trust</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">To you.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Was it all desire?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I believe</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">There was some need</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">As I nestled myself</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Into your sheets,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Peering through</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Butterfly eyelashes;</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Persuading, charming.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">You filled me.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I remembered the shock</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">As you spread into </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Every crevice,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Every corner:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">To the tips of my hair,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Under fingernails,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Deep into the ear canal,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Arches of my heels,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">And into the arteries</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tangled in my heart. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">You filled me,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">And when all was done,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">You held me.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">We shared our</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Satisfactions,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Misgivings, too-</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tickling whispers</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Childish giggles.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">You still had touches</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Leftover, just for me,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">And you did not succumb</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">To fatigue’s clutches,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">For you are no cat.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">No grinning wolf.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">You are an eagle</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">In noble flight.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I forgot his touch</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">When his fingers receded.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, my skin still burns</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">In the places you were:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">You were the first</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">To fill me</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Materially and emotionally.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Satisfaction, shared.</span> </div>
</span> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-50623197172291816692013-06-12T08:14:00.000-07:002013-06-18T19:21:25.943-07:00Come Home to You (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Come Home to You</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written on June 12th, 2013</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was a child</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In days I cannot remember</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I dreamt of planting flowers on the moon</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">As I looked up into the night sky</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">In early September.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I envisioned a career in agriculture</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Working long, gratifying days,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I dreamt of artistry and sculpture</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">A menagerie of colors and paints.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">As a veterinarian, I would mend and heal</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Make loving pets out of the sick and faint.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">After many years I finally found</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">My lifelong passion, my ultimate dream:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Speaking my words without a sound</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The paper, pen, and I make quite a team. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Write for hours, write all day,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ideas and speeches and stories</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Conjure lands far, far away</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Write until I’m blue in the face</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Change the world, one word at a time</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Make my mark and find my place. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">These aspirations are far from simple</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">They build complex highways in my head</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Consume my heart, my time</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">They’ll take me across the globe</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Perhaps, up and past the stars.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, after a lifetime of dreaming,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I think I’ll dream some more</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">After a day of traveling across the world</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">And chronicling my time in outer space,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’ll dream of our front door</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">And opening it upon your shining face.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I fill up my agenda, every second</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Because I want to change the world</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Always busy, I smile when I think</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">How our love has unfurled.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">At the end of my forever days</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I will come home, and you’ll be waiting</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">To kiss the tears and stress away. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">After all my years of dreaming-</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The dreams that got away</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The dreams that came true-</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have one last beautiful dream:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Every night,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Come home to you.</span></div>
</span> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-24363452727010717492013-04-10T17:54:00.000-07:002013-04-10T17:54:36.493-07:00Hear the Thunder (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hear the Thunder</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written April 9th, 2013</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can you hear the thunder roar<br />Pounding loud on your door?<br />Rain, rain, dances aground,<br />Lightning flashes without a sound<br />The storm will knock your door down.<br /><br />Can you hear the thunder growl<br />As the wind rushes by with a howl?<br />Rain, rain, lashes in the fray<br />Lightning darts across the grey<br />The storm will sweep your house away.</span></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Can you hear the thunder fade?<br />With the silence of midnight it trades<br />Rain, rain, soft above<br />Singing a sweet melody of love<br />Bringing thoughts of the one you dream of.<br /><br />Can you hear the world in slumber<br />And green shoots bursting forth from umber?<br />Drip, drop, off the trees<br />Shiver as the night begins to freeze<br />You’re so lonely, it brings you to your knees. </span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">----</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">After a long absence from creative writing, it felt really good to sit down and wr<span style="font-size: small;">ite a poem. This was insp<span style="font-size: small;">ired by our first sp<span style="font-size: small;">ring tim<span style="font-size: small;">e thunderstorm. I wrote the poem shortly after the storm had faded away. The poem touches on the romanticism of storms, an<span style="font-size: small;">d how t<span style="font-size: small;">hey instill the d<span style="font-size: small;">esire to have</span> a loved one with you. The third stanz<span style="font-size: small;">a hints at it, and the fourth stanza brings it out in full wit<span style="font-size: small;">h the final line, which <span style="font-size: small;">speaks of overpowe<span style="font-size: small;">ring lon<span style="font-size: small;">eliness brought o<span style="font-size: small;">n</span> by the storm. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you, as always, for reading. Please, check out my new <span style="font-size: small;">environ<span style="font-size: small;">mental blog<span style="font-size: small;">, Viridorari<span style="font-size: small;"> (meaning <span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="font-size: small;">to become green" in Latin), to discov<span style="font-size: small;">er ways that you can incorporate greener habits into yo<span style="font-size: small;">ur life. http://viridorari.blogspot.com</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-88240246034209347892013-03-14T16:16:00.000-07:002013-03-14T16:16:28.214-07:00Viridorari Has Arrived! (Informational Post)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Viridorari Has Arrived!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Written March 14th, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The name Viridorari, meaning "to become green" in Latin, was voted as the name of my new environmental blog. Thank you to everyone who brainstormed names, along with those of you that came out to vote! I really appreciate the support and the positive reception I have received about my new endeavor!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tomorrow, my blog will kick off with its first post, which will be up by 6pm! Saturday will bring the first Green Challenge to your computer screens, also by 6pm. The blog's web address is <b>viridorari.blogspot.com </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have set up a new email specifically for Viridorari- you can contact me with questions, comments, concerns, and ideas at <b>viridorari@yahoo.com</b> This is also the place to go if you want to contact me about becoming one of my weekly guest writers!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm so happy that this is about to take off, and I can't wait to help myself and all of you become healthier human beings, for our benefit, for the benefit of those around us, and for the benefit of the environment! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
See you tomorrow!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sincerely,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Faith </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-55414464634663196952013-03-07T13:35:00.001-08:002013-03-13T17:49:32.907-07:00New Environmental Blog! (informational post)Hey everyone!<br />
Thanks for coming out to vote! I'm really excited to kick this blog off and I can't wait to have a name for it! I gathered lots of great ideas from several people, and out of about twenty variations I chose nine of my favorites, which are available for you to vote on in the sidebar of the blog's main page. Thank you to everyone who offered me name ideas!<br />
Here are the final choices:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Earthfit</li>
<li>Be the Green</li>
<li>Green and Supreme</li>
<li>Living the Green Life</li>
<li>Greentastic Bytes</li>
<li>Mission Greentastic</li>
<li>Viridorari <i>(Latin for "to become green.") My personal favorite :)</i></li>
<li>Move Greenward</li>
<li>Put Your Best Foot Greenward</li>
</ul>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<ul>
</ul>
There were some other ones that were awesome, that, unfortunately I couldn't use. I did a quick Google search of all the final names just to check and see if they were already claimed. Some of my favorites, like "Greenology", "Greenism", and "Green Bytes", were already taken by companies. I was able to alter some of them: "Moving Greenward", which is an advertising company, was changed to "Move Greenward," and "Green Bytes" became "Greentastic Bytes."<br />
<br />
The vote will run until 6pm on Thursday, March 14th. My first blog post will be the next day, Friday, March 15th!<br />
<br />
Here's a quick breakdown of the schedule for the blog I have planned:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Saturday</b>- Reveal of the Green Challenge for the upcoming
week, so that you have Saturday and all of Sunday to plan and get ready for the challenge!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Monday</b>- Harsh Fact of the Week, reveal of the Animal of the Month,
EcoFriendly Economics</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wednesday</b>- Recycling Projects for Kids- these will be fun craft activities to keep the younger ones busy and to teach them how awesome recycling and being green can be!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Friday</b>- Activism Spotlight and Suggested Reading</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Guest Writer</b>- randomly allocated depending on what topic they write on!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Poll</b>- throughout the week</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Animal of the Month</b>- tidbits about this endangered animal will be in every blog post throughout the entire month!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you very much! If you have any ideas, comments, questions, advice, etc. please contact me. My email is on the main page of the blog. Also, if you are interested in being a guest writer, I'd love to hear from you!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sincerely,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Faith</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-11630755764806403122013-01-02T18:11:00.001-08:002013-01-02T18:12:48.170-08:00The Box (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Box</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Written January 2nd, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my house, there is a box.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The box is mine, and in it I hide</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the house gets too loud</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Filled with shouts and tension</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gossip and anger</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it’s too much on the outside</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shut the door on my box </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And fill it with tears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it’s just cardboard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very flimsy, very thin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through its paper walls</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can still hear the agitated din.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turn up music</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stuff cotton in my ears</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even when it’s quiet</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can still feel the scars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From all the dysfunctional years.</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The anger and hurt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lurks in the shadows</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The smell of decay</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Took over slowly</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carpet stains spread</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cobwebs hold built-up dread.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I keep my box clean</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But there is always a whiff</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of something dead. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my house, there is a box.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The box is mine, and in it I hide</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A tiny sanctuary</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From all the hate and tears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only a temporary shelter;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can never fully erase the years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just cardboard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very flimsy, very thin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And truly:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not very safe at all, within. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-7376138375754619472012-12-01T18:42:00.000-08:002012-12-01T18:45:11.148-08:00First Snow (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">First Snow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Written December 1st, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Morning light blinding bright</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through a frost crackled window</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Split the shades; could it be?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tufts of grass sprinkled across a white sea</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trees gently frosted like cakes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sugar snow layered over frozen arms</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Icy fingers reaching for a dappled cloudy sky</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A moment so stunning and silent,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So perfect and delicate</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are the diamond sparkles across the snow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You hold your breath</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For fear of shattering the whole fragile scene</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a gust of air too forceful</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally let out a sigh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a brilliant red cardinal flutters by</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breaking the stillness</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Step out into a new world</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So beautiful, but so cold,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It knocks the warmth from your lungs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A small shiver, eyes now wide awake</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lights lined along icicled eaves</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Splash childhood colors across pristine snow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You leave the first footprints along the front walk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brush off the car, breath rising in puffs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Engine starts slow, sputtering in the crackling cold</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drive along a quiet winding road</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through winter woodlands dripping in snow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Garlanded in ice</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And speckled with red berries and birds</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A scene from a postcard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can feel your heart beating</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everything has vanished by noon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sun shines on a muddled green-brown world</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soft pattering of water drips</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Puddles pooled in the rivets of the road</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that’s left</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are stubborn white freckles on the shoulder</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A smile in your heart, and</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Snowflakes dancing in your veins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you drive homeward. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.english212.com/four/Sun%20Through%20Winter%20Forest%20walp.png" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">---</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times New Roman, Times; line-height: 32px; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">Inspired when I woke up this morning and discovered a winter wonderland outside my window before leaving to do some community service. It had been snowing on and off, but today was the first day it stuck. Perfectly situated on December 1st! I found it delightfully challenging to describe that delicate, breathtaking beauty of a world covered in a fresh layer of sparkling, fairy-tale snow.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times New Roman, Times; line-height: 32px; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">Image Citation:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">Priscilla. "Somewhere Between Humanness and Wilderness." </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">English212.com</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">. N.p., 13 June 2012. Web. 1 Dec. 2012. <http://www.english212.com/four/2012/06/book-review-the-tiger.html>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-52319411454562117762012-11-21T09:23:00.000-08:002012-11-21T09:23:38.983-08:00A Little Secret (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A Little Secret</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Written November 20th, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
To tell the truth,</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
I think about you</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
When I’m curled up in
bed</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
And raindrops dance over
my head</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
A vulnerable time to think
about hopes and fears;</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
Playful rainfall can easily
become tears.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
I shouldn't dream of you
in this way</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
But I have a hunch our
destinies are intertwined;</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
It’s the way you always
find</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
A smile in your pocket
to give me</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
On days I’m so turned
around I can’t see</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
When I have massive mountains
to ascend</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
You give me freedom to
fly with the love you lend.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
Lately I wonder about
you all the time</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
To be honest, I think
you have a hunch too</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-80810686124987943132012-09-10T16:45:00.003-07:002012-11-21T09:28:05.428-08:00Adrift (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Adrift</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Written September 9th, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-size: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My dreams shift</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Mirages on a desert horizon</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My heart adrift</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Try to understand</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The elusive wolves in the woods</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Flickering between trees</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Just flashes</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Of eyes and teeth</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Some nights</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I plunge and shatter</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Broken chips of bones across the rocks</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Lakes of blood, yet;</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Impossibly alive</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Abandoned</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">When the rain falls</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And rocks me to sleep</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I’m stitched back together</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">A little voodoo doll</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Revived</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I walk among lands</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With silver nights</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Starry lakes</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And mystics with soul-eyes</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Landscapes too beautiful to paint</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And sometimes; to remember</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My heart shifts</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Exotic jungle dances</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My dreams a drift</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Try to understand</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The motive for joy</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Playing on your sweet lips</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Flickering like snapshots of the past</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Through the days</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And the forecast on your mind</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Intrigued by future’s allure</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My mind wanders at dawn</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Through misty forests</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Down thin winding paths</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">(Some go nowhere for hours)</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I try to find you</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Among millions of leaves</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">On the floor of the stream</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Under pebbles</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Or flying in the sky</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Among breaks in the canopy</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Sometimes I see you</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Glowing in sunlit hues</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Among the lively forest din</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Sometimes I meander, scraped and bruised</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Alone, crying, sobs echoing back</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">From utter silence</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">At night I walk the desert</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Drunk on mirages</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In day I travel the forest</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Charting new discoveries</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">All the while</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Watching, waiting, trying</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">For your smile</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">A kiss on my skin</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Your hand printed on my soul</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I walk, I wander</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Dreams shift</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Heart adrift</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-44687522250584054342012-09-10T16:43:00.000-07:002012-11-21T09:27:41.685-08:00Predetermined Place (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Predetermined Place</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Written June 12th, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Today I bring a picnic basket</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And a heavy heart</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To the top of a hill</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In a quiet corner with a charming view</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Beneath a friendly maple tree.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">As I sit in my predetermined place</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I quietly thank the maple</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">For the kindness is has given selflessly</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To my husband and I</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Sprawling branches shield me from the hot sky</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And in the winter</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">It holds back</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> some of the snow and ice</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Protecting his stone from damage</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And mine as well.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I like to come here</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">When I’m feeling strange about life</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I always told my husband</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">When I felt this nostalgic fear</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And he helped me through.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">He can’t talk to me now</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But just sitting here</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Helps me hear his voice</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And work things through.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I only wish I could hold his hand</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And feel his breath on my cheek</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">While I think.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I ponder over our children</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">While I eat my lunch</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With wine glasses set out for two</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I’m so proud of all they’ve done.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I became a grandmother a few months back</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Just seeing her: another cycle starting anew</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Crumbled my high pedestal of wisdom</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I am so small</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In such an endless continuum.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I am content</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With all I’ve done and the time I’ve spent</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Yet I feel that there is still much to do</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I’m forever growing up</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And spinning future dreams</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That I aspire to fulfill,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But what saddens me the most:</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I can’t do it all</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Before it is time to fill my predetermined place</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Permanently.</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">As the years roll on</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And our stones begin to crumble</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And grow moss</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">We will slowly be forgotten</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Everything I have accomplished</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Will be lost.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But my life, it mattered to me</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My parents, my husband, my children</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">It mattered to us at the time</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I made an impact</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And I know that’s what truly counts.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I question how much time remains</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">As my eyes wander down the grassy hill</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Dancing with butterflies</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Landing on flowers left for loved ones.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">It’s useless to think about</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Because I’ll never know</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">It wastes precious minutes</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But I do anyway.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The time I have here</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">As short and long as it can seem</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Will be nothing but a dot</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Compared to the time I will spend</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In my predetermined spot</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Next to my husband.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I take in the comforting splendor</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Of the view this alcove offers</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And feel the peace and quiet</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In this special little corner</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I breathe it in and wonder</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">If I could sleep for an eternity here.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I don’t think I’d mind it</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Most of all, I really just want to feel</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My husband’s hand in mine again</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">His loving gaze and kind words</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">His gentle touch and warm lips</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">If I have that once more</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I don’t care where they bury me.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But they’ll put me here</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In my predetermined place</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Beside my husband;</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The stone is already named</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Though I still walk</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The surface is smooth and unscathed</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Where my death date would be framed.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">It bothers some people</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To have a stone when they’re living</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Those are the ones who fear the ending-</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Not me</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I know death is just part of life.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I am not scared;</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">This stone is just a stone</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With my name</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That is all.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The food and wine has induced fatigue</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">So I curl up in the soft grass</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And drift into dreams.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My husband comes to me</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">He holds me close while he speaks</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">About how proud he is of me and our children</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">How the world has changed</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And why he still thinks it’s beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I let him talk;</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">He doesn’t get the chance very often</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And I miss his voice.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">He tells me loves me when he’s done</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Concludes with: “Oh, and thanks for the wine”</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And lets me sleep in his arms for a time.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">When I wake</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I stare into nothing for a while</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">As I savor the vision</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Eventually I stand and pack up</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Say goodbye to my husband and the maple tree</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And leave the quiet corner with a charming view</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">At the top of a hill.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My heart is much lighter</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My hopes much brighter-</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I wear a smile as I drive away</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The most beautiful place in the world</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In my rearview.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-43931517557472851812012-09-10T16:39:00.002-07:002012-11-21T09:28:21.361-08:00My Coins (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My Coins</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Written May 5th, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-size: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The little wooden box</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Has lost the shine on its finish</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And appears dim and tires</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Like its special contents</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But I think the ancient look</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Makes it interesting-</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Alerts the viewer to a hidden</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Mysterious treasure.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">A dragon flies across the lid</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Suspended in the wood</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">His </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">maw open</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> in a roar</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Warning the evil doers</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That he protects the contents</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Fearlessly.</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"></span></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Sometimes, even when I have nothing</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To feed the box with,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">When I have time</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And the mood,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I sit </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">criss</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">-cross on the carpet</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Open the box (the dragon lets me)</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And dump everything on the floor</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And there I sit, sorting, admiring,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">For an hour, usually more.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Their perfume of metal tang</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And perhaps a little oil</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Seeps into the air</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And fills the tiny unique tracks</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In the skin of my palms.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Most people like shiny, pretty things</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But many of these are dull</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Past their prime and glory days</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And yet, it’s the ancient ones</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Those that sparkle like ashes</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That intrigue</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> me the most</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The grandfathers</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Who have traveled to a thousand </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">places</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And passed through ten thousand lives.</span></div>
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<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I roll them through my fingers</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Note their age</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Examine the engravings of people and monuments</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That were</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> important in a past time</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The tiniest shrines</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I wonder who they met</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And how many pockets they settled</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And where their favorite place is</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That they’ve ever been.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">There’s stories</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> in them, and you can hear</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">If you’re quiet, and listen</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I wonder if they miss their</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Youthful gypsy days</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And long to be freed</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Or if they’re content</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Settling down and retiring</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In the box my daddy bestowed me</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With a dragon protecting them.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The typical reason you hear</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To justify why people collect</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Simple circles of metal-</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">(Are they really worth anything?)</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The reason I say myself-</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Is that, like wine, if you let them </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">set</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">While their brothers and cousins die,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">They become rarer</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And the longer they hide</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The more people remember them,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And miss them,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And eventually, they become very,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Very valuable.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In my old age, or perhaps</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">For my kids, or theirs,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">They can be sold for a pretty penny.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Yet, I bet</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">When I have ripened</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And they have as well</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I won’t sell a single one</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In my heart, I never collected them</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">For a value, a profit;</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">At least, not in terms of money</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I gathered them for a worth</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Much deeper than that.</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I love them, every one</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Like a friend</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Because they took the time</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To tell me their stories</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Time and time again</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And they fill some empty crevice</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In my heart;</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">A yearning</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That I cannot define;</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">When I need it.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Perhaps it comes from</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The tempting, undecipherable whispers</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Of the past, a past</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">My coins have survived.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-32566489552001141632012-09-10T16:34:00.000-07:002012-09-10T16:35:52.033-07:00Selective Ignorance (a poem)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"></span><br />
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Selective Ignorance</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">
<div class="s15" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Written April 19th, 2012</span></span></div>
<div class="s15" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Threads tear, </span><span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">bare</span><span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> from use</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Sad puppy cries, dejected</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Punished for trying</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But that is just fine</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">You’re incapable of wrong</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Stark blind, full of whine.</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">No safe place for hearts</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Angry shadows and bad air</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Smells: rancid decay</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But that is just fine</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">You’re incapable of wrong</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Jealous, past your prime.</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Watch a joyful soul</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Crumble and suffocate here</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">A plant in darkness</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But that is just fine</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">You’re incapable of wrong</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">All talk, with no spine.</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Dreams crushed under foot</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">You could help, put action forth</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Instead we suffer</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But that is just fine</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">You’re incapable of wrong</span></div>
<div class="s15" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span class="s85" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Ignore passing time.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-8010443175838933242012-09-10T16:33:00.002-07:002012-09-10T16:33:48.952-07:00Principals Are People Too! (a poem)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Principals Are People Too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Written April 21st, 2012</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"></span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Such a dark, scary man</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That lays in wait</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">In a shadowy room of doom</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">At the end of the hall</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Since we were just wee children</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">We feared the call:</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">“Principal’s office!”</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Surely in our heads</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">As we walked that walk</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Of impending reprimand and shame</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">We pictured a tall spidery man</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With beady accusing eyes</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Behind authoritative spectacles</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">That magnify</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> his angry glare</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Crouched in his torture chamber</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Waiting for us there.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Imagine our surprise!</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To see a normal man</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With a smile and friendly eyes!</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Bustling about a bright,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Charmingly messy office</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Much like any other</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And he wants not to expel you</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">From his school on some accusation</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But rather congratulate you</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">For some prideful consummation.</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">As you leave his office</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With a smile on your face</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">You wonder how your friends will react</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Upon learning he’s not from outer space!</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">The principal is a person too!</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Say hi to him in the hall</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">And listen to his responding call</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">If you take the time as you walk</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">To greet him and have a talk</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">You might be surprised to find</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">He too has interests and opinions in mind</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Instead of boarding a </span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">mothership</span><span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;"> from above</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">At the day’s end he returns to a family full of love</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I’m sorry to change your world</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">With this ground-breaking news,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">I know it’s strange, even revolutionary,</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">But it’s true:</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="s5" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 14px;">Principals are people too!</span></div>
<div class="s6" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s6" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-22516024505046378212012-04-16T20:38:00.000-07:002012-04-16T20:38:36.865-07:00A Little Extra Spice (a poem)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">A Little Extra Spice</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written April 16th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She’s not so different from me-</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I mean –</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Look at our grades</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We study;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Diligent students</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We dress tastefully,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Elegant and sharp</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">…with a little leg</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And our hair is long</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Silken brunette waves</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hers is a bit more curly- wild</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But I guess that’s the symbol</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of what sets us</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Apart</div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She laughs like a mystic moonbeam</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Invites with smoldering eyes</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Marked with a mischief gleam</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She walks with a confidant step</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sure of herself, beautifully free</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her lips blossomed and wet</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She holds his arm</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Like a lady</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Very delicate, classy- </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But I see her fearlessly sneak</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A grab, a slap, a touch</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And she kisses him with a burning</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That I yearn for so much</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And I think:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“She’s not so different from me”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yet her life is brimming</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With sweet love</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A perfect mixture of</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Commitment and play</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her skin is alive with sensation</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her lusts and instinctive desires</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Are passionately fulfilled-</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And even overflow-</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That wild, seductive hair of hers</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I know</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Is the symbol</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of our difference</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of her success</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">(My failure)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She effortlessly exudes</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Such confidence, delightful purpose</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I rise early each morning</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To apply some smooth powder</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Give my pale cheeks a blush</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My plain eyes a pop</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But she-</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She sleeps longer</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her only routine:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Letting her hair down</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am </i>pretty-</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Truly! I am!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Pretty like her</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Maybe I even have</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A shadow, a hint</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of sexy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yet I have never felt</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The burning touch of a man</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The brush of soft lips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And here I am!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On the brink of womanhood!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I flaunt my looks</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But she-</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She exhibits charisma</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Starts fires with her</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Exotic spark</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She is so vibrant, tempting</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And I, well I </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Am just so shy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So cautious, so…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Plain.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I lack that excitement</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Men seek to gain</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That extra little spice</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To make the bread rise</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To inspire commitment, lust</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">…And love… </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-44530732170830111032012-04-13T09:13:00.000-07:002012-04-13T09:13:54.910-07:00Please Smile (poem)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Please Smile</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written April 12th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My sweet angel</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With eyes so bright</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Please don’t cry</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Have no worries tonight</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ll always be at your side</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">No need to ask why</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Please smile; joyous and wide</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My sweet angel</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With hands so soft</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Please don’t cry</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Let me wipe the tears</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">From your grey-blue eye</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My heart is yours</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To keep through all the years</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That you have chosen me</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Fills me with pride</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Look at me, handsome one</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Please smile; joyous and wide</div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My sweet angel</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With arms so safe</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Please don’t cry</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Feel the warmth in my touch</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And the sincerity on my lips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Know that I love you so much</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The attraction in your eye</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Your touch on my hips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With me any secret</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You can confide</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Please smile; joyous and wide</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My sweet angel</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With love so warm</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">There’s no need to cry</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Through all the sunshine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And days of pouring rain</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ll want you as mine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And save for growing bigger</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My love will remain the same</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Until your affections begin to wane</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My life’s efforts</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Will always be applied </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To making you smile</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Joyous and wide</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">----</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A poetic promise to someone special. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-46299790208168060222012-04-13T09:11:00.000-07:002012-04-13T09:11:29.398-07:00Premature Rose (a poem)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Premature Rose</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written April 12th, 2012</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">A twisted malformed highway meanders inside</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">Coated in shattered glass and broken things</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">My legs are strong and carry me in stride</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">In my pretty head a free mind gives me wings</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">Elegant skin glows with soft sunlight</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">A picture of fortune and health on the outside</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">Yet on this paper I finally speak of a fright</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">I feel when the twists and pains leer on the inside</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">I grit my teeth, pretend it’s not there</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">I may as well run from my shadow at dusk</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">There’s no place I can go beyond its stare</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">I fear the inner scent of death and musk</span></div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">When that spark in me seizes and grows</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">Will he drag across the broken glass roads</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">For me to shed premature in a flood of rose</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">Leaving me empty and alone to write mournful odes?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">With wide supple hips I am so fertile and robust</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">Yet these menacing inner pains make me fear</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">That truly I am constructed of twisted dead rust</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">I will walk strongly on without a single tear</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">Until I must face that awful truth at last</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS PMincho';">When I find my arms empty in some distant year</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-40505125246507822472012-04-13T09:07:00.000-07:002012-04-13T09:07:57.662-07:00(Dear Marius) Celebrating February on Easter (a poem)<div align="center">Dear Marius</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrating February on Easter</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written April 10th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The sky is drawn up in pastels</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And the wind carries a gentle chorus</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of chocolate coated childhood laughter</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This colorful young day last year</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You slipped from my grasp</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We frolicked one last blissful time</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Before you disappeared on a musical wind</div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It’s been so long since our eyes last met</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And I saw the symphony in your iris</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A dancing green of fertile life</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Such a layer of foggy dust</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Has nestled on my candy-sweet memories</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That I no longer ask why you left</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Rather;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Did you ever exist?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The perfection of a jovial imagined friend</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Glowing with the beauty of Saturn’s rings</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Seems a definition that could fit you well</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yet a devoted layer of nostalgic ink</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Is a physical memory nestled in my skin</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is my proof that you graced the Earth</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With your heart full of infinite joyous song</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The piano still plays for me on soft pastel days. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaMz-xk7aGE1sbjqdbx0XWgAjwaCeTj-YKtY6HLwctqvVEBvquVz_KEIHI5KOFHOo5_m-LkmAJC-PHYw4C6gNtNPtYw6s2_xLft_ofPJwF09g-56m4xezBACejlNW1o0SY6jb4tE87Kw/s1600/179883_153267911396898_100001410691571_314196_4012087_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaMz-xk7aGE1sbjqdbx0XWgAjwaCeTj-YKtY6HLwctqvVEBvquVz_KEIHI5KOFHOo5_m-LkmAJC-PHYw4C6gNtNPtYw6s2_xLft_ofPJwF09g-56m4xezBACejlNW1o0SY6jb4tE87Kw/s320/179883_153267911396898_100001410691571_314196_4012087_n.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-66605502456912640652012-04-13T09:04:00.000-07:002012-04-13T09:04:31.278-07:00Have No Fear (a poem)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Have No Fear</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written April 10th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This world is big</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Floating in an infinite</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Expanding universe</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Darkness lurks</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">There’s hatred here</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But have no fear</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Your smile is wide</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Atop a delightful</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Infectious laugh</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A sweet soul</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Innocent and pure</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But have no fear</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ve walked so far</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Across an unsure</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Endless sea of time</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To touch your love</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To feel you near</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ll shield you from fear</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-29775389224119012542012-03-17T20:20:00.000-07:002012-03-17T20:20:32.157-07:00Whispers (a short story)<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whispers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written March 15th, 2012</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal">A hill of gray, white, black, pink, and purplish marbled stone slopes from the foot of a tall white guardian and down into the chill, foamy waters of Maine, painted now by a masterful artist in the sky who is currently traveling downward to the horizon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This hill of stone rolls and has slices taken from it, and there are holes and curves carved in its face from the gentle kisses of the sea that slowly make an influence over time. Some of the pock-marks are big as my fist, others have developed into cozy caves in which children hide and share secrets.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The tinkling of children’s laughter holds hands with the cries of the gulls and the whispers of the water across the stones. While the children dance and play and explore, the adults sit quietly, listening, their eyes far away. Watching them, I know that they are thinking, trying to find the meaning in the whispers of the waves and foam. What is the water saying? And perhaps, I wonder, the adults are truly trying to find the meaning of their lives in those murmurings. </div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is more than just that hill though, the slope at the foot of the lighthouse whose friendly lantern guides the ships. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Off to the right of the hill, if one’s back is to the lighthouse, is a short stretch of gritty beach, and then more stone slopes that resemble half a stadium. It is here that he and I make our way, carefully picking over the nooks and crannies that wait to snare our vulnerable ankles. He and I, we are caught somewhere between child and adult, so we play and explore, and then we watch and contemplate. Our playful and whimsical nature is constantly overshadowed by a sense of seriousness and nostalgia, a mysterious itch we cannot scratch. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the sun prepares to pass his torch onto the moon, his artwork becomes increasingly stunning. Beneath endless skies of tranquil fire I build my own artworks for this place to remember me by. Zen-like sculptures made with pleasant, water-smoothed stones of all sizes and colors. I know eventually the sculptures will be scattered after I leave, perhaps by a storm, but I hope the cliffs and water will feel the phantoms of my fingers on the stones and remember my brief presence as I will remember this place for all my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One image I recall specifically from this day is glancing over at him while I was amidst the construction of one of my stone pieces. He was sprawled across a long rectangular rock slab, his soft eyelids gently closed and the pink and oranges of the sunset alighted on is fair skin. I remember thinking how peaceful he looked in that quiet secret moment when he was unaware of my gaze. His heart, so elusive sometimes, had become his face. His features expressed all the colors and shadows and hopes and whims usually hidden within him. Above all, he exuded pure, untamed joy, and I knew that he was home. Here, in the half-wild, breathtaking territories of Maine, is where his spirit roams and his dreams take shape.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That moment is how I like to remember him, as I viewed him in the utmost peace beneath a cascading sky and on the shores of the soft, elusive Main sea. When I recall that place, and how we were then, I know I can never regret all that occurred between us when we were caught together somewhere between childhood and adulthood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>---</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>The result of an exercise in English class where we were simply required to describe the "perfect place" vividly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</style> <![endif]--> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-39031928827800269152012-03-02T03:38:00.001-08:002012-03-02T03:38:44.152-08:00Letter to a Ten Year Old (a short story)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Letter to a Ten-Year-Old</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written March 1st, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">It was a radiant summer day when I skipped down to the end of the driveway at the bidding of my mother to fetch the mail. Birds sang and butterflies danced, their performances filling the pleasant golden air decorated with sunlight.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was only ten then, my proud first year of double digits that I had long anticipated. In those days, the world was so small and simple, consisting of only a fence that I frequently jumped to reach the field and woodlands, my house and family, and above everything a sapphire sky with rabbit tail clouds. What lay beyond those boundaries, my small microcosm, were only distant dreams and aspirations that I still had a long time to wait for.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hadn’t the slightest clue I was in for a big surprise when I delved my hand into that black metal box to claim what the world beyond my boundaries had sent my family.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was delighted to find that the letter on the very top of the pile was addressed to me. My wondering eyes poured over all the stamps and markings decorating the envelope, announcing the many distant incredible places the letter had journeyed through to reach me. Me, a simple, unimportant American ten-year-old.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I also found it curious that the hand writing on the envelope, spelling out my name and address and the return address located somewhere in Australia, had a striking resemblance to my own. It was both hauntingly similar and in some strange ways, different. The charming scrawl was more developed somehow, as if reflecting years of acquired wisdom.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Coming into the house, I dropped the stack of those “goddamned money-eaters” on the table for my parents to find and rushed into my room, flicking on my light and perching on my bed. Eagerly, I tore open the tempting envelope and removed several loose leaf pages. They were each decorated with my handwriting, accented with that foreign wisdom it had accumulated. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I giggled at the date listed at the top of the first page, thinking it to be humorously peculiar. It stated: June 12<sup>th</sup>, 2025. My child mind imagined flying cars gliding over skyscrapers and beneath floating buildings, and rockets families could rent to go for vacations on the moon and Mars. At that point in my young life, I hadn’t yet given much thought to the future; my only concern was in the present and recent past. The most consideration I had ever given the future was counting on my fingers how many years I had left before I could drive, and what grade I’d be in. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Surely, that date must have been a joke.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nestling down in my pillows, I began to read the letter that claimed to be sent to me from the future.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dear Faith,</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve spent a long time wondering what I wanted to write in this letter to you. I’ve spent months scribbling notes down, and starting letters and throwing them away. I was worried about giving too many things away, and also worried that I wouldn’t tell you enough.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today, I decided to wing it, and see what would happen.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where do I start?</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do you remember counting the years you had left before you could drive? How you wished time would pass faster? Over the next few years, you’re going to wish time would pass a lot. There’s lots of exciting things waiting for you as you get older, like driving. But while you’re wishing, try to remember how wonderful everything is right now. Don’t forget that being young it just as exciting, and you’re going to miss it someday. It’s your time to explore and learn and soak everything up in your pretty, spongy head.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As for driving, it’s endless fun. You’re going to love it. There’s nothing like cruising with the music up loud and surrounding you. The first time you drive; don’t let Dad talk you into driving out on the main road. Stick to your guns.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even before you have your license (your ticket to freedom), you’re going to go places. I know you’ll hate your middle school English teacher, but try to give her some credit. She’s going to give you the opportunity of a lifetime. Because of her, you’ll see amazing things that most adults never do, you’ll meet some amazing people, and you’ll fall in love. Real love, not how you “love” Zach right now. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking of which, when you meet him, your first love, you’re going to have a big decision to make. I don’t want to tell you now, because it may change your future decision. All I ask is that you think it through long and hard and recognize just exactly what you’re letting go of. Once you’re certain about it, regret nothing. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You’re going to have a rough time in middle school and your freshman year of high school. But you’re going to realize things as you grow older that will help you along and make your wounds heal faster. Just never forget who you are, and listen to your heart. Follow your dreams. It’s going to make you strong, and all the harsh words said to you will fall away like harmless confetti. The people from high school are not forever, and in comparison to the world it’s like a pebble in an ocean.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>People are going to challenge you and try to pull you from your path. But you are one of those strong-willed people who sees things that others just don’t. You get a goal in your head and you work for it and achieve it. You stand for what you believe in and you don’t budge. Not a lot of people can do that, and I respect you a lot for it. All I ask is that you never lose sight of that energy, that drive.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You know, when I sat down originally to write this, I had a lot of things I thought I would tell you to do differently. Decisions you will make and actions you will take. But I decided against it. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why would I throw away that opportunity to right so many wrongs that have yet to be for you? Faith, you’re going to do amazing things. You’re going to chase your dreams, and chase them passionately. And you’ll catch them. You’re going to change lives, and through them, the world. And all the decisions you ever make, good or bad, will lead you to that point. I’d be a fool to mess that up for you. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I also had a lot of bits of wisdom I wanted to share, but I decided against that too. It will mean more to you if you learn them and discover them yourself through experience. If I tell you now it would mean nothing to you. Discovery is an important part of life, and I’d be a fool to ruin that for you too. Honestly, there’s nothing I can tell you that you won’t find out on your own. Even though you’ll doubt it at times, you’re really smart.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But there is one thing I’ll tell you; love being alive, because life is so precious. Don’t waste a moment, because you can’t get back time that has gone.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Above everything… be you. You are incredible, and capable of more than you know right now. Just follow your heart and you’ll do fine.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sincerely,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Faith (yes, you!)</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>p.s. When you get pregnant, stock up on peanut butter and jelly. You’re going to have massive, insatiable cravings for that!</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I read the letter over a few times, feeling confused. I finally decided to tuck it under my pillow, and I went outside to the back field. The soft grass under my feet and the summer sun on my back helped me think.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a few hours of exploring the woods that I knew like the back of my own hand, I returned. Retrieving paper and pen, I wrote a response to the mysterious lady from the future who claimed to be me. I copied the return address on an envelope and tucked it inside, then hurried down the driveway and deposited it in the mailbox as the sunset painted the sky in brilliant paradise colors. The next morning, I watched from the window when the mailman came, making sure he took my letter and whisked it away into the world beyond my boundaries. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A couple months later my letter returned, like a boomerang, to my mailbox. The stamps on the envelope indicated is had journeyed all the way to Australia and back. Why then, I wondered, had it not been delivered?</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A messy scrawl on the envelope from the mailman answered my question:</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This address does not exist!</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">I deflated, disappointed. Enclosed in the letter were all my unanswered questions about the lady from 2025 and what she had written. It appeared that for now, they would remain unanswered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Taking the letter from the future from under my pillow, I ventured out into the field. I settled myself on the grassy knoll that the rabbits liked to graze on beneath the shade of the pine tree.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I read the letter one more time, and with a sigh I stretched out on the grass and watched the big rolling oceans of clouds drift across the summer sky. As I watched them on their journeys, I wondered about my journey. I thought about my world; my fence and field and woods and house and family and sky. My boundaries. Where did I want to extend my boundaries to? How big? How far?</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My eyes flitted about the large white puffy clouds, and began to pick out shapes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I saw a crescent moon, planes, boats, trees, and hearts. I saw an open book in mid-page-flip, faces, stars, and animals. The one I liked most was the pencil, with cloud cursive wisps trialing form its tip as it wrote in elegant script. Flying nearby was a cloud dragon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I passed the day like that, a child with no worries in life outside of finding shapes in the clouds. Up there in the vast blue sky, I began to spot phantoms of my future, pulling delicately on my heart strings, looking back down at me with friendly smiles. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-6769187966836264852012-02-29T20:08:00.000-08:002012-02-29T20:08:49.837-08:00Cold Night Craving (a poem)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Cold Night Craving</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written February 26th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Storm screaming outside</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Within warm blankets I hide</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Fearful of the cold</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wind howls in red rage</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Desolate snow white-out falls</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Pushing on house walls</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Bright warm looks of love</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On this night I will dream of</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Escape from winter</div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Lonely heart aching</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yearning delights of his touch</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wanting him so much</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Cold air leaves blue lips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sad sighs rise to the ceiling</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Memories reeling</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Warm to my toe-tips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Place my craving on my lips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You are here at last</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">---</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Each verse is a haiku. I was inspired to try this style after reading a few poems like this on Booksie. This is for my boyfriend, who's warmth I miss often on cold winter nights. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-24558365283342454472012-02-28T22:10:00.000-08:002012-02-28T22:10:10.344-08:00The Tale of a Sailor's True Love (a poem, a dedication)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The Tale of a Sailor's True Love</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written February 25th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Many long years ago in a time of old</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A goddess of unparalleled beauty ruled the sea</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She alone brewed the storms and caused waves to fold</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sailors both loved and feared her dangerous beauty</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The goddess delivered from the waves and her gentle breath</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A daughter of her own creation, the fairest maiden</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She walked upon the earth, a mortal vulnerable to death</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her beauty far surpassed her mother’s, who regretted what she had laiden</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For no longer was the ocean spirit the object of lore</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her daughter traveled the lands, moving with a greater grace</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It was her that all the men of the world came to adore</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In all of history there was no more stunning a face</div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Bitter and seething with anger and jealousy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The powerful goddess emerged from the waves in a rage</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Seizing her daughter’s mortality and casting her to the bottom of the sea</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wishing to be idolized, she took upon herself the ability to age</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">While her envious mother walked upon the earth</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The fair daughter became the new Queen of the sea</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her mother had taken from her all her friends and mirth</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Damning her to a lonely, cold eternity</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Many a long decade passed in this way</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As the years flew she regretted her hand in her daughter’s fate</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Nearing the end of her life, her stunning beauty began to decay</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Transformed into a wretched hag by the remorse she could not abate</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On a secluded peaceful isle not far from mainland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In a modest shack that rocked in the wind</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Lived a middle-aged sailor with palms rough as sand</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">An orphan who grew up alone, on the sea much of his love was pinned</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">His small tough ship was his closest friend</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">His metallic irises the grey of a forceful hurricane</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On his nautical journeys good weather always did send</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">From his devoted years on the water much fame he gained</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Each silver moonlit night he walked along the isle shore</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">His bare feet met by gentle kisses of the lapping sea</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">When he gazed upon the waves he knew there was nothing he loved more</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For he never had a woman in his life to set his loneliness free</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">His endless love for the sparkling water and the salty winds only grew</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">He liked to kneel on the beach and feel the cool ocean on his worn hands</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The ocean spirit, so gentle, loved him in turn, and wished he knew</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Though trapped on the sea floor, her heart glowed like sunlight on golden sands</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">At night she waited, with her soft moonlit waters aglow</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For him to take his stroll beneath tropic starlight</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With each loving glance he cast upon her, her heart filled with sorrow</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her imprisonment of goddess immortality her greatest plight</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her heart breaking with the force of her daughter’s despair</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The ugly remains of a once-lavish sea queen</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Left her secluded mountain home and set sail for his isle lair</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A long journey, she passed many nations and faced all the vile sea creatures in between</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Landing finally on his shores on a warm summer night</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Bathed in lovely moon beams and awash with gentle breezes</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She raced down the beach to the sailor, giving him a fright</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“I am here to rescue my daughter, before her heart from loneliness freezes!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Raising a wrinkled, twisted hand in the air</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The water near the beach began to gleam with radiant light</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And from the waters rose a sweet maiden so fair</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Entering once more into the lovely caresses of night </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The long elegant hair of the gorgeous ocean soul</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Was the majestic white-gold hue of water glittering beneath the sun</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It flowed silkier and softer than the mane of a newborn foal</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But in reference to her hair the beauty had just begun</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her eyes glittered brighter than any star ever seen</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Shaded beneath sweeping sunlit eyelashes</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her gentle irises radiated a brilliant aquamarine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Reflecting the moonlight in dazzling flashes</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her skin was painted in delicate pale shades</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Reminiscent of the clouds on a clear summer day</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Softer than cotton that grows in secret, lovely glades</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Glowing faintly with the beauty of calm waters in May</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Crafted with the utmost care; a summery face</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Atop a slender body with curves like the rolling sea</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her stride performed with a flowing, liquid grace</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She was the most beautiful creation to ever be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Thunderstruck, with tears in his stormy eyes, his heart open wide,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The rough wiry sailor fell to his knees on the beach</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her heart’s desire fulfilled, she rushed to his side</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The decrepit sea hag smiled, and opened her withered lips for a speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Dear sailor, I am the spirit of the great oceans</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In envy of her beauty, this maiden’s happiness I tried to slaughter</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">While imprisoned in the waves, you showed her such care and devotion</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In my rage, the very things I failed to give my own daughter</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">During my time on earth, trying to win back my fame</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I felt the guilt of banishing her to deep bottomless blue</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For my grotesque appearance, I have only myself to blame</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And in my heart I know I can only make amends by giving her unto you</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So, I wish upon you a bond of great love and health</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Across this splendid world may your descendents roam</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And I bid that you find great fortune and wealth”-</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She cast a long glance at the water- “It is time I returned home.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The ocean maiden raced forth and embraced the old sage</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And all was forgiven of the atrocities of before</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She turned and was swallowed by the sea gently as a turning page</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Mother restored to her throne and daughter mortal once more</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The sailor and maiden embraced, so deeply in love</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Wherever she touched, his body became once more strong and young</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Within her the spirit of the ocean, she was the lady he always dreamed of</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Never again from his mouth would a lonely song be sung</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Colored with the faint pink of a conch shell were her lips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And upon his she placed a whispering kiss</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">While in his palms he held her full supple hips</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To always remain together was their only wish</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As they embraced beneath the endless night sky</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">He said “I cannot wait, tomorrow become my wife!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She held his face in her velvet palms, with a tear in her eye</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She answered “With you I’ll have a long happy life.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Soon into great wealth they befell</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And the rickety shack on the isle became a magnificent household</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Strong enough to resist every hurricane and ocean swell</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Together in this mansion they shared the greatest love ever to behold</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Many children and grandchildren from them came</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Descendants with sunlit hair and irises grey like a storm</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In history there was never a family quite the same</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So kind and beautiful and hearts glowing warm</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Never was a single man so envied across the world</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For he had the loveliest wife, beautiful as the sea</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">From distant lands men sought his daughters and grand-girls</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">He even lived long enough that a great granddad he came to be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The beach on which he lived was riddled with many a footprint</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For each night he still walked hand-in-hand with his gentle wife</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Followed by many related faces on which moonlight did glint</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The bigger his family grew the happier he was with his life</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">At the end of many a blissful decade</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">His fair ocean maiden was laid on a bed of white</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In her age her boundless beauty never did fade</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Her long grey hair still silken and shining with summer sunlight</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On a brilliant summer night, the most beautiful ever seen</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The elderly sailor took one last stroll with his wife</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Followed by soft songs of passing and many a woeful keen</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Carrying her lifeless body in his arms, she was still the greatest love of his life</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">He waded out into the welcoming warm tide</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A lifetime of memories shimmering in his eyes, he was both joyous and forlorn</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Kissing her spring flower lips one last time as he cried</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">He let go and returned her to the waves from whence she was born</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The entire coastline was set aglow</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As the fair maiden’s mother came ashore</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Taking in her arms her sweet daughter, and carried her down to the kingdom below</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Though the maiden’s descendants know the truth, the story became ancient lore</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Each night of the year, an old sailor strolls down the shore</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A faint ache in his heart as he slides through the sand with his cane</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Watching the lovely velvet waves that remind him of someone from years before</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A smile on his face as his wise old mind wonders how many years remain</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Before he can be once more with his greatest love;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The ocean spirit; the beautiful maiden he still dreams of.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">----</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This poem took me the better part of a day to write, and may be the longest poem I have yet completed. It is dedicated to my great grandparents; my great grandmother, recently deceased, and my great grandfather, who lives on now without his other half. They were a beautiful couple, married for over sixty years, and together they created a beautiful extensive family. The ocean theme is fitting, because while my grandfather is not a sailor, he does live on a house by a lake that he frequently fishes in. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Here's to the real kind of love, the eternal kind that travels beyond the boundaries of life and death.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-71338177706429831762012-02-24T11:58:00.000-08:002012-02-24T11:58:16.993-08:00Procrastination Poem (a poem)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Procrastination Poem</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written February 24th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I do not want to do homework!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Two essays by Monday, you ask</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Such a tedious, boring task</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On America’s smoggy industrial histories</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On top of worksheets full</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of logarithms and matrices</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A paper dancing with symbols and numbers</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With every new Pre-Calc term I learn</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I just feel excessively dumber!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oh, the hours I waste, toiling away</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With headaches and pots of coffee to achieve</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Stellar grades on material to be forgotten a year from today</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have great purple mountains </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Against prismacolor sunsets on my mind</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Visions of summer paradises with sparkling fountains</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Begging to be written on any scrap I can find</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Fantastical worlds of crystalline imagery</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Powerful renditions of a childhood memory</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But alas! I have homework!</div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I do not want to do homework!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Please complete this packet on Edgar Allen Poe</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A master of written wonders, he is, I know!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I just took a book of his from the library</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To read when I am free</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The first to borrow it, since 1993!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oh yes, do not doubt, I will read Poe</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It is not he that is the foe</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The endless packet of questions you added is the enemy!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Determined to ruin the experience for me! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oh I retaliate!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oh I fall into such distress!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My desire to feed my puppy a textbook, I confess!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oh, how my heart crumbles</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Listening to my pen and notebook cry</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hurt and rejected form neglect</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I toss my assigned papers in the air, shouting “why, why, why!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My future consists of expelling ink</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Piles of notebooks full of my poetic muses and what I think</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ll work to the bone to see them hit the press</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My greatest dream, I must confess! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I do not want to do homework!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It drains and kills my precious time</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That I could have put into this delicious dream of mine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yet the more I despair, the more you assign!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oh, confound you, I’ll run away!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ll pack my bags and go without further delay!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’ll get off the whispering train and settle down</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In a quiet, warm, friendly town</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With streets full of singing bards, performers, and poets</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And great vast libraries with endless collections</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Next door to cozy cafés for reading and reflections</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Here, I’ll be at home, I know it!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I do not want to do homework,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But the truth is, if you must have it</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This rhyme will not make that bottomless backpack go away</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This poem is a result of my procrastinating habit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I must buckle down and spend the rest of today</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On that accursed homework, dag nabbit!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And alas, my poor notebook must wait on a dusty shelf</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Crying and lonely as it spends the whole rainy day by itself <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-19678370386953568362012-02-24T01:47:00.000-08:002012-02-24T01:47:08.357-08:00Lessons from Sheba<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Lessons from Sheba</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written January 8th, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">There is one person in particular that I know I could never forget, even if I made an effort. She was present in my life for almost my entire childhood, from when I was a year old until she passed away when I was thirteen. When I remember her, all I can do is smile and shake my head, still amazed to this day that massive influence she had on me as a child.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of my most cherished memories is when Sheba helped me overcome my fear of the dark. Growing up, I lived next door to my grandparents. Sometimes my mom would ask me to fetch provisions from their house when we ran out of things, like milk or sugar. When she asked at night, it was all I could do not to cry. I would run as fast as I could to Grandma’s house and back, convinced I could hear some awful monster pursuing me as I ran. When I darted up the porch stairs, I imagined grotesque, slimy, clawed hands reaching out from under the porch to grab my ankles. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">One summer night, my family and I were sitting on the porch, just relaxing and talking. I looked out across the field and saw that it was full of fireflies, and I had the urge to catch them. But of course, my fear of the dark stood in my way. The field was a long way away from the comforting light of the house, and handling a flashlight and catching fireflies simultaneously would be cumbersome. But I was determined to go firefly hunting. So, I asked Sheba to come with me, knowing her presence would comfort me. Mom and Dad would be keeping a vigilant watch form the porch too.</span></div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sheba stayed very close to me the whole time, and she was always happy to see the new fireflies I had caught. At first I was nervous, but Sheba never strayed from my side, and it didn’t take me long to forget about my fear. I had so much fun that I decided to go again the next night, and the next. Soon, firefly catching was a regular activity that Sheba and I shared. Though I didn’t notice it until many years later looking back on those summer memories, every time we went out to the field armed with jars, she had wandered farther and farther from me. I specifically remember one night when after nearly half an hour of firefly hunting, I sat on the ground to take a break. When I looked around for Sheba, I spotted her shadowy figure all the way on the other end of the field, exploring the tree line. Her distance hadn’t bothered me in the least.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One night that summer, I was restless, and decided to channel my energy into chasing the glowing insects in my field. When I went to get Sheba, I found her fast asleep. Not wanting to wake her, I took up my trusty jar and ventured out into the dark field all on my own. I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous at first, but just like the first night that I ever went, it was soon gone. I returned with my trophy; a blinking, glowing jar, along with a feeling of elation. The captured fireflies in that monumental jar represented an earth-shattering triumph and importance that their little buggy brains could never comprehend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never again did I sprint from my house to Grandma’s and back. Instead, I went at a comfortable stroll, enjoying the natural beauty of nighttime in a way I had never been able to before. Looking back, I’m certain she did it on purpose. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Over the years, Sheba showed me the precarious art of listening. Like overcoming my fear of the dark, it happened gradually, and I never gave her credit for teaching me until many years later, after reflection on my memories. Whenever something was wrong, whether I was sad, angry, or scared, Sheba was the only person I knew who would lend an ear and leave it at that. Sometimes when you’re upset, you just want to get the object of frustration off your chest and not hear someone else’s opinion on it. Sheba was a master at listening. I could tell her anything, and sometimes I held her hand while I did. She would hug me if I need it, and it did not bother her if I cried all over her and drenched her with tears. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I call listening a precarious art because as humans, it’s hard to resist voicing our opinion on something. When there’s something on our minds, it often takes a great deal of will power to keep it from spewing out of our mouths. We’re boisterous, noisy creatures. As I grew older, I repeatedly wondered why a multitude of my friends came to me with so many of their problems. What set me apart from other potential confidants? I eventually realized that Sheba was the reason. I had always seen her as the ideal friend, and part of what qualified her for that was her boundless patience for listening, for comforting. My friends came to me because I was mimicking my image of an ideal friend; I was simply being for them what Sheba had been for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She also had an endless love for being outside. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the tastes, she loved everything about the outdoors. When I was young, all the sensations of the outdoors were new and magical. There were bugs to catch in the summer, colorful leaves to find in the fall, huge icicles to pluck form the eaves in the winter, and flowers to gather in the spring. My parents were patient, but sometimes they grew tired of admiring all of my endless discoveries and adventures. But no matter what, Sheba was always happy to see what I had found, and none of it was silly to her. Together we examined the myriad of containers full of bugs I had wrangled, and she loved to see the frogs I caught in Mom’s garden. I liked to pick wildflowers for Mom, but sometimes I picked too many and she didn’t have enough vases. Whether or not Mom could accept them, Sheba would always give my bouquets an appreciative sniff. If I asked her to watch me make a wish on a dandelion, she would. Together, Sheba and I went swimming, we stalked deer in the field, we destroyed Dad’s leaf piles in the fall, and we learned how to navigate the woodlands behind my house like they were our second home. Sometimes, we would just lie out in the sun together and enjoy the warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nowadays, I feel most content and balanced when I’m outside. My mother and I frequent hiking trails in the summer, and my religion is centered around nature. Without the support of my partner I crime, my fellow adventurer, my patient companion, I don’t know if I ever would have come to love and appreciate nature as much as I do now. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More than anything in the world, even more than the outdoors, Sheba loved her family. Dad, Mom, and I were her three favorite people in the universe, and she was never ashamed to remind us of that. Sheba always had room for us in her schedule, and if we ever needed her she would drop everything in a heartbeat. Every morning she helped Dad see me off on the school bus when she could have been sleeping in. Every afternoon she was waiting outside with Mom for me to get off the bus, when she could have been at our neighbors’ houses visiting friends. When Dad asked her to do something, she would perform the task as if it were her only purpose in life. If Mom ever cried, she was often the first to give her a hug. And of course, no one was allowed to come through our door until Sheba had checked them and decided she could trust them with our safety.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I remember when I was very little, a toddler, I would step on Sheba, I’d hit her and pull her ears and face. I pushed her and threw my toys at her. Though sometimes I angered her she always tolerated me, and she never stopped loving me. Where she drew her endless reserves of patience from I’ll never know. But what I do know is friends, enemies, teachers, boyfriends, and such, they’re not permanent. They come and go. But family is as unmovable as a mountain, and no matter how crazy or weird or awkward a kinsmen might be, it’s part of our purpose in life to love them, support them, and make time for them. I know this because of how unconditionally and loyally Sheba loved us, right up until the day she died. Family always comes first.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These four lessons I have talked about are only a few things she taught me. Overall, I think I’ve learned enough from her to write a book. I’ve often thought about doing it. Perhaps I’d call it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lessons from Sheba</i>, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What Sheba Left Behind</i>. When I think of Sheba, I see her as the embodiment of wisdom; a strong, kind force that guided me often, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. She taught me valuable lessons and morals that are now a permanent part of me, and even now that she’s gone, I still look up to her as a role model. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sheba was a black Labrador retriever, my first dog. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-953668684202471424.post-58272839330019733812012-02-24T01:15:00.000-08:002012-02-24T01:15:18.427-08:00Rooms (a poem)<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Rooms</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Written February 22nd, 2012</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Music drifts down the halls</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Piano crescendos and saxophone solos</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Electric guitar screams and soft flute dreams</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">All spinning down the corridors </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Inviting passerby to dance</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">One can listen in the lounge</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A bright cozy room with plush rugs</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Vivid expressionist paintings line the walls</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">By the soft warm hearth she can socialize</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Or dance to the tunes drifting in from the halls</div><a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Upstairs is a master bedroom</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Glass doors open upon a balcony with a view</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of sprawling woodlands, bathed in the light of the moon</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Here candlelight flickers and desires run free</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The bed sweetly beckons to her and her love</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Farther down at the end of the hall</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Resides a library where music cannot be heard</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The bookshelves are many, wide and tall</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Everything has a layer of dust, the smell of pages and musk</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Here she spends hours among the books, her mind far away</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And then there is the basement</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That no one talks about</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A twisted, secret black dungeon</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Full of fear and sorrow and doubt</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She has not descended in a long time now</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Perhaps the room she favors most</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Is the small study with bay windows</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Facing the great thunderous mountains with beauty to boast</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The desk is covered in papers and pens</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And a mug of cocoa steams on the window sill</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The house is a great big place</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With rooms worn from foot traffic</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And secret quiet alcoves only for her</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Places for music and mirth, places for solitude and reflection</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And even some hidden rooms she has yet to discover</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">----</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A special thanks to the Booksie user Kariss, who lended me inspiration to write this after reading her piece "Portrait of My Heart". I liked the comparison she used between rooms and her heart, and decided I wanted to explore the rooms of my own heart in this way. I don't think my rendition is as good as hers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08278528096098651838noreply@blogger.com0