Headline Poem 7/2/14 -- because they feared

(Photo credit Google Image)

I read this tonight from NPR about a huge new invention that takes down a 30 foot tree in 15 seconds. Fast, efficient, and "built for busy humans," this inspired tonight's poem.

because they feared

in a matter of seconds
a tree
thriving
is uprooted.

  revealing
that what appeared
  to be living
was actually dead,

and
no one was
acknowledging it

  because they feared

that
maybe
 
it was theirs

Headline Poem 6/29/14 -- Reminiscing

I read a post today about reminiscing about the past. That inspired today's poem. 

Reminiscing 

Reminiscing. 

Of the days gone South 

remind you only of what you are without. 

There is nothing like living and learning, that's for certain,

but if you stay back in the seat of lies and dreadful stories and lacks of compromise,

You will lose your current self and give up any hope 

of rebuilding the shelf 

that is willing to store 

     the books,

     and carry 

     the weight. 

Walk forward and stand up straight. 

It's okay to stop to catch your breath, 

But 

if the motion contorts and forces your neck 

to stretch 

to the side that hurts the most, 

     Talk to it, listen to it, and then      respectfully ignore it (Or ask it to kindly F itself). 

Your current self deserves your time. 

Your self today did no crime. 

Live without exception 

and worrying about dots unconnected. 

The truth is, no one's (dots) are. 

Connected perfectly. 

They want what you want and you want what they want 

And if you talked about it, you'd see, 

Everyone's giving and everyone needs 

to feel 

and laugh 

and run 

and play 

and

Drink milk and eat Oreos and sing in the rain. We all deserve today. 

We deserve us. We deserve dried fruit and neon stuff. We deserve to listen to music about me and you 

where the lyrics remind us of the ones we are and were. 

Reminisce to the words you write yourself. It sucks ass to know you have the power sometimes,

But you do. And just as your mother (or third grade teacher) would say -- finish one thing before you start another. 

So fly your alien invaded spaceship up into the sky, sit down and smile and stop asking why. 

You're here now 

     and      alive. 

You lucky bitch. You deserve it. 

It's awesome. 

Embrace all good shit! 

Headline Poem 5/3/14 -- We Call Society

I have learned a lot about society throughout the writing-a-poem-a-day process. Most headlines, as you know, are sad, negative, and uninspiring. I have to search hard to find ones that enlighten, connect, and build us up. They are there. People want them, but they get lost in the other "stuff" that creates fear, and tears people apart, and that disconnects. Today's poem is inspired by  headlines and news as a whole, and a reminder that we owe it go ourselves and each other to take a step back and simplify and balance. 

We Call Society

We have billboards with naked women

That tempt you while you drive

And websites for

Married people who want to cheat and hide

We are told food will fill us up,

And once we're good and fat,

We are told we need a surgery to lose the weight and fast

Then prescription drugs and alcohol

To mask the pain 

and 

church memberships are on the rise

with plenty to gain

From messages of hope and rebirth

You've sinned and you're welcome here

Come in

Come in

To sit with partners and call them brothers and sisters

Here's a shrink to discuss your woes

And recall the moments of curled toes

Where you cry that you're sorry

And look down when you're done

To your phone,

The enemy, the party of one 

Where you play games and watch videos with strangers 

Only to

then go home at night

To lock your door 

and set your alarm

Because in all of this craziness

You don't feel safe,

And want to be armed 

Free to protect your property and such

As fate may have it that one night

You'll have no such luck

Fear may knock on the door 

And your life will change

Family will visit through glass 

once a week

If you're lucky,

You'll be released,

A felony will get you no where

You'll go back to the drink

And the lonely

And the rage

And before you know it

You're stuck in a cage 

We call society 

We call society 

Headline Poem 3/31/14 -- Down the road

I read this headline today -- about a dying man and his daughter. The community came together to create a special memory for them. One line caught my eye, "Down the road." Of course having lost my own dad young, I understand that line. The little memories I have mean so much, and down the road, they make me smile, and love everyday. 

Down the road

Years from now, down the road, you'll remember the aisle

you walked holding his hand, the last gift he ever gave to you, solid, where layers upon layers of hope and fear collide, in this memory, for life. 

You know he'd give anything to stay, but he can't. That's not how it works. 

Like a pebble, small but mighty, you'll smile with sunshine in your eyes, happy to have lived with him, happy to be alive. 

Down the road, there will be times when you'll curse the stars, and be upset for what you are without. 

You'll know how longing feels, true. 

But, you'll also know how high you can climb, and that you have gifts, insights, and a friend on the other side. 

This loss will allow you to connect with others who know how it feels, famous authors, strangers, and characters who seem real. 

Life will lead you through adventures, license plates will pass from differents states and countries. 

People will share their memories with you, letting him live on through them. 

The hardest part may come when you have children of your own. 

You'll be sad for what you are without, and may fear what they could lose, like you, but it will teach you about strength and being nice. 

There may be some who will try to knock you down, who will see your vulnerability as weakness, and may even try to use it to get ahead. 

You'll see through them. 

You'll see what's real.

Vulnerability is strength. It means you are alive. It means you feel. 

Trust your gut, even when some people say you have a hole. Do not let them tell you that is weak. Holes are everywhere. 

If someone tries to use that against you, know that they are probably hurt. 

Write love letters, write for you, even if someone tells you not to. 

Climb mountains. Jump with frogs. Drink fine wine. Laugh at yourself. 

Visit with true friends. 

Listen to poems. Let them take you where they will. 

Let the ocean splash inside of you. 

And no matter what, give and receive love.
His absence will hurt, but it is also the greatest gift.