My New Poem

I don't know what is going on, but poetry has been dancing around in my head. Here is my latest poem.

The Left Handed Lot

There has been a lot of gab,
about us left handed folk,
it's so bad I keep a tab,
though I don't know why they poke.
There is no truth to the lies
that make most of us feel bad,
They are just whines and cries,
of righthanders who are mad.
Truth is, the brain which is wide,
got mixed up when locked up tight,
so they must use the left side,
and we get to use the right.*
Surprise! Surprise! We are smart,
And we are talented too,
We will let you play your part,
And don't worry, we won't boo. 

 

C. 2010

Childhood Favorite

The other day I went to the Borders Bookstore and was just idling among the shelves, casually browsing, mentally revising my reading list, when all of a sudden I stumbled across a book from childhood and was shocked. I didn't think it was a popular book, so I was quite surprised that it was still in print. I guess I was wrong.  It even had a different illustrated cover and for a moment I wasn't sure if it was the same book but upon reading the back it definitely was. Santa Paws by Nicholas Edwards was still in print.

When I got home and ran to my bookshelf and searched for it. Yes, I still had it, buried between countless other books but there it was (the cover like the one shown to the left). The edges have begun to yellow from age but it is still in great condition. I knew there had been a reason why I kept that book after all these years. And to think, I had almost considered getting rid of it. However, it was the one book that had deeply touched me as a child and I stowed it away.

The book is only a 150 pager but every page is full of meaning and reaches you on an emotional level. The book takes the perspective of a homeless puppy who must survive through the long cold winter nights all alone. I fear of telling anymore for giving the story away but although he is homeless, the dog begins to affect  the lives of complete strangers in very different ways.

After pulling out the book, I decided to some research and find out more about the author and the book, why it was so popular after all. To my amazement, Santa Paws is a children's book series. Apparently, Edwards continues on the story of Santa Paws and his progress as he gets older. I now just added another series to my already long reading list.

A Poem for the Season

So last night, yet again my brain was on overdrive. However, unlike previous nights where I just pushed the ideas to the back of my mind, I had to get up and using my book light, scribbled out a whole poem. Of course it didn't come all at once, just one stanza at a time. When I would settle down and get ready to sleep, another stanza would jump in. I didn't get to sleep until 4am scribbling this poem, so I thought I would share. 

Fall Festive Fun

From green to yellow, orange and red,
the first sign of the new season.
Fall is here, summer has gone to bed,
can anyone give a reason?

Harvest sets the season off bright,
cornstalks, haybales, some scarecrows too,
all bring the festive mood to light,
and friends will come to pay their due.

Pumpkins, far as the eye can see,
in patches waiting to be picked,
jack-o-lanterns they will be,
hopefully none will be kicked.

Haunted houses, fields and mazes,
looks like fun though you best beware,
some scare or leave you in dazes,
all because you didn't take care.

Halloween is the final call,
goblins and ghouls yell trick or treat,
then race away having a ball,
ready to conquer their next feat.

And so fall takes its final bow,
leaving winter to take the lead.
Sadly, we must say goodbye now,
to obey Mother Nature's creed. 

c. 2010

FanStory

For all those creative writer's out there I suggest you join the world of FanStory. FanStory.com is an online forum for writers. Not only can you post your work so that everyone can see but you can also review other's works. 

What makes Fanstory.com fun is the competitive nature in which the website is set up. Everything is based on a rating system. You get ratings on your writing from one to six stars (though six stars is hard to get). You get review stars for reading other writer's work. The point is to try to climb the list to make the top ten. Right now my review rank is 890 but steadily climbing.

Also, you get "money" which you can spend later on boosting your writing up the review list so that it will be read by more people or you can enroll in one of the many writing contests (yes some you can win real money!). You earn money by reviewing so its kind of an incentive.

I think the best part of FanStory is the great writing community you get involved with. They are people who understand what you are going through creatively and can give positive reinforcement.

I discovered FanStory completely by accident last January, while googling writing contests. I read the website information and was completely hooked. There is a fee to enroll but I didn't care. It doesn't cost that much and its for the yr so it was well worth it. Besides, the feedback that I have recieved on my writing has made a huge difference. It was exactly what I needed.

Everyday, I log on to Fanstory at least once to either review or post something. It has become my after work hobby if you will and I am completely addicted. I recommend this site to all writers.