Target 2001

I found my new journal. It was a Back to School find at Target in 2001. Hint, hint, I got out of school in 1981. Back to School sales rock stationery, though. Yes, 2001 was years ago, I do not know what to tell you about that. This notebook has corduroy covers. The pages leave something to be desired, but hey, paper is paper. Black lines seem unique. The covers are red, which is my favorite color.

Now you know more than you asked about my new journal. Do you journal? If not, have you considered the benefits of journals when dealing with difficult issues? Do you have a significant life event that journals would give a record of for the future? I find my journal permits me to create when I might not usually. I can come to the journal page as I am, show up, and make something.

Try it; you might find a new way of accessing your creativity.

Poems, Life, Being

What use have we of
Poems
Which can only describe,
But cannot bring life
To any desolate space
Within
Or without our hearts.
Is it the beauty
Found
In our language, the word,
Which compels writing
Or is it more
Genetic
How creation fulfills us?
None of us is wed
To syllable expression,
Lines
Formed in meter,
Words cast in settings of rhyme,
Still, poets reach for the
Sublime.
We root among those
Sentiments, some
Leftover
From bygone times when
We were loved, happy, and
Free
To be the selves we wanted.
Often we glory
In what wonders discovered
Or actions achieved
Become
A lyric of love,
However we may find it.
The poem is not
Necessary but neither
Perhaps are such as we.

2020.05.23 Paradise Plant

Reading Grammars of Creation by George Steiner has set me thinking. Such brilliance in print. Do you have a favorite book at this time? Would you share it?

I went out into the world today. So much change in how we as people relate to one another. Such discomfort wearing a mask. I felt like I had entered a science fiction horror tale. One of my long time close acquaintances gave me a hug. He said he just had a birthday. I asked how old he said 36; I said oh, I am 56, 20 years older. The sweetheart said, no, you can only be 40. Made my day, even if it was only flattery.

I hope life is treating you well. Please create something. With all the world running amok, what you make could be a lifeline for you or someone else. Remember, in whatever you do that kindness is a salve for those who are hurting, Love, Love, Love!

When Dawn Falls Down

Au Revoir

You carried my heart
Within an inside pocket,
There it was kept warm
Protected by your sweet love;
I lived happiness, galore.
Loving made me bold
Set my inhibitions free,
The ruin of me;
I became wild as water
Life without you frightens me.
Lone, I continue
Love exists, enough to share,
But you are not here,
I walk a shadow of who
The woman was loving you.

*****

Who would have me write
If my vacancies were clear?
Inoculated
By the strains of illness, pain,
I cannot fully explain.

*****

Pain, with all within
We would wish it over, gone,
Still, pain defines time
Validates all life’s pleasure,
The dreams, hopes, love are enshrined.

*****

Thither

I would gladly choose
You who are a mystery
To help liberate
The bonds time forged over me,
Every expression of love
Hidden from my touch
Buried so my passions strong
Are never declared.

*****

The fear that haunts us
Wishes to wreck, destroy us,
But LOVE overcomes.

*****

Firelight and shadow
Are within us all contained
We choose our joy, pain.

These may seem a bit dark. Sometimes the shadow attempts to put me in a vault and shut me away with the bones. It does not recall that I used to visit those places pretending they were palaces. Long corridors and marbled floors, echoes of whispers, and oh the glories when I became brave enough to sing.

I never said I was normal. LOL!

I am reading The Two Towers. If you have never cracked those books, I highly recommend them, if only for the unparalleled joy of the language.

I Have Read…

I have not given a reading update in a while. I have fallen behind my goal because of reading large books and working here so much. As we are shut-in, it occurs to me reading is a way to break out. There are so many books and so little time. I encourage you to find something that excites you and put yourself in a book. By the way, the links are with the titles.

How to Write Poetry by Cynthia Sharp on Kindle Unlimited was a short read with just some quick inspiration. It is geared to learners and teachers with some excellent ideas that could be employed in a workshop setting. I gave it 5 stars and think you might find it worthwhile.

Now, Then and Everywhen by Rysa Walker on Kindle First, but available on Unlimited is a Time Travel Novel, which you may recall I am a connoisseur. This book hit all the numbers. The writing was spot on, the characterization was immersing, the settings and happenings were seamlessly researched and imagined, and the plot – I am leaving that for your exploration. I was impressed by this one, it gets a 5, and I say you should not miss it.

The Guilty Die Twice by Don Hartshorn was a request reading, which I rarely do because my TBR shelves are almost galaxy size. The book is available on Kindle Unlimited. It was a treat. I seldom read legal thrillers, but this story was so well done; it kept me enthused all the way through. Estranged brothers, both lawyers, a compelling case, non-stop action. The writing was clean and the story in league with the NYT Bestsellers. I give it 5 stars and a huge recommendation.

Devoted by Dean Koontz, who is one of my all-time favorites, the man writes. This was on Kindle Unlimited, and in fact, is only with limited availability. Time-sensitive, if they do not change it. There are bad guys, heroes, a boy, and a dog. I would say more, but you need to read this for yourself. This is a ten all the way, but we deal with 5s, so it is a high 5.

The Museum of Desire by Jonathan Kellerman, hardcover borrowed from the library. This is a detective novel with a psychological expert on board. A lot happens, it is very well written and told with finesse. I just finished it this morning, and I am still somewhat involved. I think you will like it, and maybe find it a bit creepy, 5 stars, get it, read it.

What Is

The last word has come
Early, and still, out of time,
We may think we know,
Be assured we are now late.
None earns the token spoken
By sages years gone
Who hid it in poetry
Which no one will read,
The secret to survival,
What will wake wan weakened will?
Scribes thought to give it
Freely bestowed on future
Generations growing
But books become bare, broken,
Opened only occasionally.
Reign ravages reason
Decides dubious debates denote
Truth tied to television, temptations.
The last word
The key to dreams come true,
Constant happiness, lasting blessings,
The sages held the proof
They knew the poets, writers,
Artists of all types, would
Seeking, find the answer,
Deciphering the gift hidden
Openly for ages in the pages,
The first, last, ever, and forever:
Jesus and His gift of LOVE.

The last word or last words were the prompt in Prompted Positive Poetry today.