Tag: poetry
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Silence and Screaming
“There are many days I thirst for my own silencebut walk through the desert screaming instead” ~Andrea Gibson, “Queer Youth Are Five Times More Likely To Die By Suicide,” You Better be LightningI crave stillness and peace and silence,yet my mind is screaming and streaminga busy, noisy, staticy binge,until I let my body take the…
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Miami
Perhaps this trip will be my last,to the city of Miami.My daughter’s moving on from there,two years gone by in a flash.I hadn’t thought I’d like it much,the beach is not my scene.I thought it’d have a different vibe,but there’s so much natural green.My flight was smooth and super quick,it was so nice not to…
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Henry and Spencer
Ev’ry sunny day starts with a salutationby the East window where Henry and Spencer take in the glorious warmth.Photos: Flemington, NJ. 3.9.25 by LA
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Lift a Line
I’m nearly bursting at the seams,(At last that’s how it seems),So many ideas and thoughts,Some of which are fraught(!),I read and write and think,Run experiments in my sink,Puzzle, call and talk,Run and lift and walk,The excitement in me grows,And the inspiration flows,My Self is coming clear,Envisioning more this year,I don’t know what it means,But I’m…
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The Tiny Boat
Tossed and turnedon the choppy current,the small paper boatstraightens her bow and stern,raises her mast higher,and allows her sail to capture the wind.She is aware she appears fragile,and that many doubt she can handle the journey,but she knows what they do not-she is an experienced navigator, having ridden the ripples,braved the breakers,crossed the channels,weathered the…
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By the River
Tall,wise,knowing,the old treewatched Fall fade away,felt Winter’s blustery arrival.A Fibonacci poem with 6 lines, consisting of the syllable pattern 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8.Photo: Clinton, NJ. 12.7.24 by LA
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One Heart
I think I’ve always thought of usas having two hearts -a literal one and a figurative one.The literal one gives us life,pumping blood throughout our bodies,delivering oxygen and nutrients to our cells,and removing waste;a muscle that needs to be protected,maintained, and strengthened.That heart is literally our life giver.The figurative heart was different, separate;love an abstract…
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Fall Haiku
The peak of beauty,Red barn complements your hue,Glorious showing.Photo: Flemington, NJ. 10.22.24 by LA
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I’ve Become a Bird Lady
I’ve become a Bird Lady,I didn’t see it coming,A hobby for the older set?My love for it is stunning.I caught it from my sister,When visiting her home,Outside her picture window,Was an avian foster home!On the trip back to my house,An Amazon order I placed,Bird feeders, dishes, on tall poles,This new craze I embraced!The birds all…
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I Wore My Daughter’s Pants Today
I wore my daughter’s pants today,I didn’t think they’d fit,They didn’t squeeze my waist at all,And only glanced my hip.Remember how they looked on her,So cute and hip and WOW!I love the soft, soft corduroy,I dress for comfort now.My youngest girl with vibrant hair,She’s grown and on her own,But when I wore her pants today,It…
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Autumn 2
I saw Autumn,her fierce and fiery shawlswooshing and swaying around her,turn away from Summer’s handholdand walk confidently toward the uncertainty before her. photo: Frenchtown, NJ. 11.7.23 by LA
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These Two
These two,Like adorable, fluffy bookends,They can be found on either end of the couch,On either side of me in bed,Or perched on the porch ottoman,Taking in the sights and sounds of the street.These two,Like children frozen in time,Never aging beyond toddlers,With boundless energy,Unceasing curiosity,And a pesky penchant for mischief.These two,Like old friends,Loving me as I…
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Tea
Teabrewingin the pot -English breakfast -waking my senseswith its strong aroma.I pour it into my mug,the one with all the dogs on it,and hold its warmth between my two hands.This morning ritual that soothes my soul.This evening ritual that soothes my soul -comforting warmth between my two hands,in a mug covered all in dogs,I pour…
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Gardening My Heart
Today I plant my sorrow,In a tightly bound seed, Soft within, cased in a hard, brittle shell,Balancing it gingerly in my palm,Clasping my fingers around it,Holding it close one last time.This grief has been my companion for a lifetime,And a part of me can’t bear to part with it.I hoe the soil, removing the weeds…
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The Way Forward
People seek connectionsConversation sparks perspectiveAcceptance increases toleranceDiversity is our strengthHumanity supports humanityOur strength is diversityTolerance increases acceptancePerspective sparks conversationConnections seek peopleThis poem was inspired by Anthony’s Crazy Love and Life Lessons in Empathy’s poem, PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE. Photo: Greenwich, CT. 9.30.23 by LA
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Creativity
As a child, every day involved creativity,Opportunities to design, invent, innovate,Ways to amuse, delight and entertain myself,Finding inspiration all around me.Some found my interests and activities weird,Others offered “helpful” advice,And between the discouragement and the conformity demands of middle school,The space for creativity began to constrict.As a teen, comparison robbed me of creativity,Always thinking someone…
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Flow
Inside of balance is a notion that we can detach and just Let it be,And inside of letting it be is moderation, with nothing withheld and nothing in excess,And inside of moderation is surrender, giving up the need to control outcomes,And inside of surrender is flow, giving up that resistance to change,And inside of flow…
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Jan
My friendJan is never farfrom my thoughts.She makes life sweeterby puzzling through it with me.By puzzling through it with me,she makes life sweeter.From my thoughts,Jan is never far.My friend.
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Springtime
Abundance of color and lush greeneryBlossoms to my left and right as I trodCarefully along the mud-soaked path,Delighted by the smell ofEarth awakening.Ferns and fronds tickle my ankles as I Gaze up in the treesHanging with tight buds ready to reveal theirInnermost selves to the world,Juxtaposing their dormant state with their wild growth.Keeping my feet…
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A Better World
Cool our fevered world,Celebrate acceptance, freedom, respect.Show more compassion, gratitude,Courage, tenacity, and hope.Consider history and meaning,Remember triumphs and failures.Forge ahead with determination,Do what’s right.Improve ourselves and inspire mindfulness,Without perpetuating fears, misunderstandings.Put a spotlight on making friends-What is more powerful than gathering?A small voice whispers,”Listen. Share. Ponder.”We’re learning.Challenge ourselves, abandon complacency,Search within for how to be…
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What a Day!
Whoosh!Exhale!What a day!Busy, busy,Flitting here and there-I&RS meeting,Teaching found poems to 4th grade,Supporting non-tenured teachers,Stretch students designing their structures,Debriefing with the literacy coach.The day was full of opportunities,So many hats to wear in my job,So many ways to contribute.I love the variety,But boy, am I tired,And feeling quite old!Nice to be hereWith my friends,Writers,Whoosh!
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Words Matter
I like to choose just the right wordSo my thoughts and feelings are clear. I like to speak from my heart Without writing or rehearsing.I play with words, finding just the right combinationTo create a melody with meaning. I know that actions are just as strong, So I make sure they are aligned.Words can be…
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As
As startling as finding your privates on fire after dumping a hot travel mug of tea on your lap as you sought to balance all the things you got into the car with and somehow decided the tea was the thing to let slide.As guilt-inducing as your dogs looking forlornly out the front window at…
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Creative Expression
You are a creative expression of the Universe,Necessary, essential, criticalTo the interwoven fabric of this world,To the balance, synergy and rhythm.You are a creative expression of the Universe,Your very existence was pre-ordained,Your path laid out before youTo walk just as you are.You are a creative expression of the Universe,YOU, the way you are, the way…
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Detachment
Withoutjudgmentsswarmingwholly and completely,searchthe memories,the anxiety,the promise.Journal,write,read,let go.Should friendscall,just go.When thereisspacelet it all besmileforevermore.This poem is a Found Poem from Rev. Safire Rose’s poem, She Let Go. I redacted portions of her text, leaving these words exposed and creating my own message about how to detach.Photo: Frenchtown, NJ. 3.3.24 by LA
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Tea
The warmth spreads through me,As my hands clasp the dog mug,Given by Santa,That holds the tea of the day-Chamomile and Vanilla.Photo: Flemington, NJ. 1.31.24 by LA
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Comfort Zone
The Universe wants to help you,To bring you all you’ve ever wanted,And more.But you’ve got to do your part.You’ve got to step outside your comfort zone,Go where you don’t ordinarily go,Say what you don’t ordinarily say,Do what you don’t ordinarily do.The Universe is listening,It’s holding its breath and waiting,For you to utter your longings,Your desires…
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Snow Day
Inside of a snowflake is a phone call, telling you to roll over and go back to sleep. Inside of a phone call is warmth, snuggling deep under covers Inside of warmth is comfort, sheltering in place Inside of comfort is rest, deep and peaceful Inside of rest is waking, feeling energetic and revitalized. Inside…
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Poetry in the Park
Evening time, families pack up to go home, but we stay on, heads down, pens rolling, authors. Photo: Mine Brook Park, Flemington, NJ. 7.13.23 by LA
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Miami, Part II
City All around me; Bright sports cars whiz by me, The spandex clad rush to the gym, Motion! Photo: Miami, FL. 8.2.23 by LA
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Miami, Part I
Ocean, Shimmering clear, Its warmth invites me in. I lie on my back and float now, At peace. Photo: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 8.1.23 by GHC
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Nightwatch
Spilling over falls, Flowing rapidly downstream, Through the little town. Photo: Clinton, NJ. 7.13.23 by JMR
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National Poetry Month-The ABC’s to a Better Me
All I want in life is waiting for me!Believing in a Higher Power gives me theCourage to face eachDay, knowing the Universe provides me withEverything I need toFlourish and thrive.Gone are the days of worry and control,Hoping toInfluence the outcome through power that isJust not mine. Instead, IKnow that myLife is unfolding as it should,…
The Journey Inward 