New Year's Eve. This day has as many rituals, traditions, and memories attached to it as most any other holiday only it seems that usually these memories and traditions tend to be less healthy and wholesome. Dressing up for what you promise yourself won't be like "last year" as you head out to meet your … Continue reading Reblog: “New Year’s Eve Ritual”
Month: December 2017
The Sound of My Day: “Live Like a Warrior”
Normally I don't know that I will share songs in such rapid succession but with this song and on this day I will make an exception. As 2017 closes and we wait eagerly for 2018 and all it's promise, think on those things that are negative and unhealthy, every critical thought you've had or that … Continue reading The Sound of My Day: “Live Like a Warrior”
The Sound of My Day: “We Live”
When I was very maybe 3 years old I remember my older brother being a part of a performance at church where they sang a song the message from which struck me then to the degree that the chorus still floats around in my noggin at times called "Input Output" (by Gary McSpadden and Kathie … Continue reading The Sound of My Day: “We Live”
Silence
Silence, both most loved And most dreaded of all things; Speak up, please, but silently; Give me what I need to hear, I'll rest in quiet. . Tanka poetry is similar to haiku (5-7-5) except that it is longer (5-7-7-7-5). I find being limited syllabically forces my oft too verbose self to focus on which … Continue reading Silence
The Road You’ve Taken
Sitting in my office today at my writing desk, I found myself staring at a simple snapshot, smiling warmly, and feeling astonished at how such an uninteresting looking shot would be so valuable to me that it would be the only photograph to grace my space. Do you see it? Somewhere between empty journals waiting … Continue reading The Road You’ve Taken
Classics: “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”
This is one of Shakespeare's most well loved sonnets and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it is my current favorite as well. Typically analysis of this poem overall takes the incredibly literal approach to the content in saying that Shakespeare is saying that this one woman's beauty is eternal and will never fade away because he has written … Continue reading Classics: “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”
White Christmas
I sat down this afternoon to watch my all time favorite movie: Irving Berlin's White Christmas. I remember writing to the local TV station when I was perhaps 4 to ask them to air it at Christmas and looking at it today I'm struck by how much everything about this movie influenced who I became … Continue reading White Christmas
Gwenism #2
This isn't a game of Go Fish... This is Chess. Pawns will be sacrificed, and as many other pieces as is necessary for that matter, in order for me to be the Queen of this battle...~First uttered by me I'm not sure when. This ism is my current favorite. And, honestly, how could it not … Continue reading Gwenism #2
Struggles of the Stumplife
This is me last night at the C___ M___ Zoo (located on a mountainside) where I went with some friends to enjoy 50 acres of twinkle lights and holiday cheer. Loose fitting beret, Mackintosh tartan scarf, vintage belted wool tweed jacket (because the belt keeps the jacket from falling onto the wheels, because the length … Continue reading Struggles of the Stumplife
Classics: Loss and Gain
As a poet and as a human being, Longfellow was rather a shining example of insight, strength, optimism, courage, and good coming from the forging fires of sorrow, loss, grief, and great struggle. While many poets' words live on because of their artistry, I would argue that Longfellow's words live on more because of their … Continue reading Classics: Loss and Gain
