Writing Poetry ... A Reflection

This past week a friend from my little church with the green doors asked me if I thought I could write a poem in celebration of the church's 175th anniversary. I would love to, but have been suffering the worst case of 'block' when it comes to poetry over the past year. It all started when my father passed away. I can't for the life of me think why losing Dad would dry up my poetic muse, but it has. The amount of work I've produced since his death is pitifully small.

That being said, it might be time to push myself a bit. I'd begun sharing past poems at an Open Mic event that is a monthly thing at our little church. It's what got me in this situation of being asked to write 'on demand', I suspect. I've shared some of the older things that I've written, some good pieces and some pieces that I wrote fast with the idea of editing down the line.

Now, I'm in the situation of being expected to create something new.  I'm scared and I'll freely admit it. Words used to come easily. I would wake up at the strangest hours and have phrases, images, whole poetic scenarios in mind. I'd get up very early in the morning and write for an hour or two with no thought of time. I wish for those days (and nights!) to return. Until they do, maybe having a set event to write for is a way for me to come back to writing poetry. I miss the writing process and the feeling of a bloom of words and ideas uncurling and finding their way onto the computer screen or the notebook page.

Maybe it's time to begin again ... stay tuned.

Regarding Memorial Day ...

 

Korean War Memorial - Washington DC 

Iwo Jima Statue at Arlington Cemetery - Washington DC

Regarding Decoration Day:

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day.  I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it.  We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.  ~Benjamin Harrison

Having just returned from a trip to Washington DC, I have been keenly aware of the many sacrifices made for the political and social stands that have made this country what it is today ... and I am grateful for every one of them. I came upon this quote that Vee used in her post on Memorial Day and so agreed with the sentiment expressed by President Harrison that I knew it must accompany these images. Thank you, Vee!

Top Reads for 2013 ...

My gosh, the year  flew by ... and my self-imposed challenge to read 100 books in 2013 went unfulfilled, but not for lack of trying! I made it halfway to the goal and turned some exceptional pages, to boot! It's funny. I never really pushed the challenge on any of my family or friends, and yet a few people have chatted with me about my best reads of the year ... which got me thinking about the books that I've completed this year. I've always been a sucker for lists and so I'd like to toot my top ten (yeah, okay 11) books of the year ... no synopses, no ranting, just a few works of description ...

Realistic Fiction- grief and redemption ... haunting scenes of emotional isolation

YA Fantasy - the most bizarre and wonderful place with the coolest use of old photos to enhance the plot

Biography- a righteous man in an evil time who held his morals intact against Nazi bullies

Criminal Thriller- one kick-ass Crimie with an ending that will have you shaking your head

Fantasy - a darker than dark re-telling of the Peter Pan story with artwork that is phenomenal

Memoir - growing up in China - UGH - and cheering for the underdog kid

Dramatic Fiction - a chance in a lifetime, a good deed gone awry, a haunting story

Middle Reader Realistic Fiction - a remarkable young boy makes a big change for the better

Religion/Theology - separating the historical Jesus from the spiritual Savior

Biography - a remarkably talented woman creates an artistic haven for herself and fellow artists in Gloucester, MA

Historical Fiction - the beginning of a saga about New York - Grade A historical fiction

So there you go ... my faves for the year. It was hard picking a short list ... there have been so many good books. Reviewing the year, though, has made me realize that I did spread my reading across genres, which was one of the side goals for the 100 Book Challenge. It also made me happy to look back at the new authors that I discovered ... there are so many talented writers out there in the world! I am SO glad that I enjoy reading!I can hardly wait to begin a new year and start working on a new reading goal ... stay tuned.

Poetry Jam - Bees Theme

untitled

we wish to flit in sunshine

passing from one sweet face

to another, smiling, passing

peace and sharing a nectar

called tea

instead we skitter like roaches

the moment a hum and whir

of drone nears waiting for the

roar and buzz and shudder

called impact

we hope to send little workers

off to swarm o’er field with

kites and string or strap for

wood or baskets for joy

called play

instead we throw down mats

in corners under walls, behind

rough sheds and draw shawls

and children close in silent wait

called prayer

when will the queen bees wake

from silent slumber mindless

propagation endless sacrifice

buzz forth to halt these hornets

called death

I am agog that we condone a swarm of drones to pass over and amongst innocents, creating 'collateral damage' in an area of the world that we would otherwise wish to calm and repair ... the concept of hive collapse might well be looked at when we contemplate our foreign policy, for doesn't this attack from nowhere serve to blacken the hearts and minds of the very people we wish to be moderate, productive, and democratic? How can simple people understand the higher cause of our war on terrorism when it is their villages and fields, houses and neighbors being blasted by these swarms from out of nowhere?  The ethics and politics of war outrage me for I am one of those simple folk - I just want to be a small bee in my little hive - just like those women so far away.

This rambling post is offered to the weekly Poetry Jam  ... see what others have written when contemplating the idea of 'bees'.