Why write poetry? During the pandemic, I wrote lots of poetry and included many in my latest book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? about how I processed the pandemic. But during that time, I wrote other poetry on other topics. That’s how I relate to life. Here’s a couple poems spanning a screen door and do you really know me:
The Slam of a Screen Door
July 16, 2020
Slam
A screen door
Not today’s version
But a relic from the 50s and 60s.
It bounced a couple times
When shut
No latch to hold it
Tight
Pesky mosquitoes, flies and other
Bothersome pests
Escaped inside.
Sharp, resonating sound!
Not as protective
As the 21st century!
But the slam
The sound
Echoes through
My childhood!
Running outdoors
Giggling
Afire with life
My brother chasing me
With a water gun
Summer’s sound
Of freedom
Slam!
Close with a bang!
Mom’s repeated shout,
“Don’t slam the door!”
Never heeded!
We didn’t do it in anger
Only in haste
In urgency
To get outside
To start the adventure
Slam
Too active
And driven
To catch it!
Focused
On other priorities
Other possibilities
Outside.
A hike to Brown Springs
To discovery
A bicycle ride
To freedom
A secluded time in our treehouse
To dream.
Slam
Close noisily
A new day
A new adventure
A door opened to the world
And
Possibility!
Let’s Go!
You May Think You Know Me, But . . .
August 9, 2020
As I ponder a topic
Old yet new
I marvel at the thought:
Daily Honesty!
Honesty
Truthfulness
Sincerity
Frankness
Freedom from deceit or fraud
To be honest
Is to be vulnerable
To risk exposure
To lay bare my insides to you.
Are you safe?
Can I trust you?
At this moment,
I feel compelled
To do so.
I’m a country girl
You know.
I grew up embarrassed
And ashamed!
Not sophisticated,
Like the ladies on TV
Like the ladies in town.
I’m religious
A Christian to the core
But unorthodox!
I’ve dabbled in
Native American
Savored the peaceful sweat lodge ceremony
Buddhist beliefs
Became a silent observer
Valuing the art of listening
Jewish wisdom
Honored the roots of Christianity.
I’ve divorced three times.
One heartbroken
But necessary for my sanity
One victorious
Because I stood up
One heartbroken
But a major turning point.
I’m a political
Independent for years
Raised Republican
But moved on,
Caused by disillusionment
With both parties.
I hate arguing politics.
Remember many hurtful conversations
With my dad.
We didn’t change each other
In the process
Just bitter memories!
Saying that,
I’m a liberal!
That’s not a dirty word.
Dictionary says, “tolerant, unprejudiced, unbigoted, broad-minded, open-minded, enlightened; permissive, free, free and easy, easygoing.”
I can live with those!
I yearn for equality
For all!
I’m a talker
Love sharing my thoughts
Love heart-to-heart conversations
On spiritually real topics,
Not head stuff.
I hate gossip,
Yet I get sucked in!
I love people
All colors
Shapes
And sizes!
Young and old
So much to learn!
My heart has been broken!
I’ve faced despair
Depression
Suicidal thoughts
Alcoholism
Promiscuity
Incest,
Yet survived.
Recovery gave me my life back!
I was an English major
I have book shelves lined with
Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets
Hemingway’s short stories
T. S. Eliot’s poetry
Hillerman’s southwest novels.
I’m a poet
At heart.
Words inspire me to life
Words create images
Poetry gathers words and motion
And creates life.
I’m a writer
The voice of the plains
Of my heart
And
Marshall Flippo.
I’m a dancer
When the music starts
It sets me free!
The movement
The rhythm
The connection to the universe!
I’m a computer geek!
The magic of technology
Captivates me
And I want to create!
I’m fragile
Sensitive
I’m strong
Resilient
I’m the baby of five.
My daddy’s little girl
My mom’s “baby girl!”
Adored by my parents!
I’ve feared obesity
My whole life
I watched my mom struggle
And her mom
And many of the women
On that side of the family.
I make friends
I keep friends!
I’m a paradox.
So, my honesty jumps
From here to
There.
I’m an expansive spirit
Today a soul on fire
A God-driven energy
And
A sleeping cat,
All rolled up into one!
That’s me!
Finally,
why do I write poetry? I love expressing what I feel in words, lines and imagery! A slamming screen door, honesty and looking at me. Poetry opens the door to all possibilities—I can write about whatever! That’s delicious!
What do you think of poetry? Do you write poetry? If so do you share it? Let me know!
~If you missed my post from the two weeks with an Easter flair:
~Celebrate spring with 20% off select book bundles at my Etsy Shop, Larada’s Reading Loft until April 30!
~NEW PODCAST to be released Thursday, March 17, 2022, discussing my new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? : Live on Purpose Podcast at https://liveonpurposeradio.com/category/podcast/
~MY FIRST AUDIOBOOK IS AVAILABLE: Go to Audible to buy my first audiobook, Let Me Tell You a Story
~Do you listen to podcasts? Here are three podcasts with interviews about my new book & some Flippo stories:
~Buy a copy of Flippo’s biography on my website: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.
~Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A
~Are you on a spiritual path? Do you want to heal from the horrible effects of the pandemic of 2020? Visit my website to find out about my new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? and my other five books and three cookbooks: https://laradasbooks.com
