Sunset

a time for reflection of the passing day

Every sunset is just a little different. I make it a habit to go out those last few moments before the sun dips down below the horizon, and snap a few photos to capture the beauty painted across the sky. It's a magic time. A time of wonder, a time to reflect upon the passing day and to enjoy watching as the sky darkens and those first few stars make their presence known.

The stars are so brilliant

Prismatic diamonds scattered...
Across a black velvet sky...
Throbbing and pulsing with light
they twinkle with mirth
strobbing their joy
at being alive
and free to play tag
on a cosmic scale.

I long to join their dance
clad only in the skin
that I was born in....
To bath in their glory...
to conquer the universe
in a screaming yodel of ecstasy...

I would capture and ride comets...
Tame them to my will...
I'd travel faster than light
astride
my astral steed.
And sow life amongst
the far off reaches of space...

All night would be spent
exploring the wonders of this universe...
As the stars slowly faded away...

Doomed by the rising orb of fire
the sun...

I would return to my home,

don my dull existence,
and drink a glass of tang...

Good Morning World!

Young and feckless

The dawn is ripe with promise
anticipation flavoring each breath.
There's golden opportunity
ripened by the moons cold death.

I smell a sudden crispness
heralding a little something new.
The clouds are all lined in silver
the sky is colored a brilliant blue.

Hope paints my world in rainbows
a kaleidoscope of possibilities
newly dawned ambition
free from all responsibilities.

I'm feeling young and feckless
as I face the morning sun.
Ready to face today's adventures
to live large and have some fun!

  

Inspiration

Where to find it

   There are a lot of poems that have been written about love...finding love....losing love.....forever love.....the list is endless. Some are wonderfully formatted and put together but they tend to get lost in the vast sea of other poems written about love. You can write a poem about anything. Why not try a few poems about the local play ground, or going out shopping? Add something new to what and how you write. Expand your abilities and grow.

... I know many good poets but their poems all start to sound the same after reading a few of them. They either always write about the same topic or write their poems using the same dull format. There is a whole world out there to write about. Inspiration is everywhere. The challenge is learning to utilize what you find and make your poetry more enjoyable for the reader.

   Let's take the great outdoors for example. What do you see out there? Trees, clouds, birds, flowers, traffic, dogs, squirrels, snow, wind, rain, children playing? All are great topics for a poem. You could spend the rest of your life writing poems about what you see just outside your door.

   Activities are another possible source of inspiration. What do you like to do? Do you like fishing or playing basketball? How about ballet or auto racing? Any activity can easily be converted into a poem. 

   Feelings can also inspire your work. How are you feeling? Are you happy? Upset? Frustrated? Sleepy? Hungry? Emotion gives even the blandest subject appeal. Learn to recognize emotion and translate it into what you write.

   People can be a source of inspiration. Family, friends, stars, TV personalities, heroes from the distant past, neighbors, clerks, singers, dancers, that idiot that just cut you off in traffic. Who inspires you? Why do they inspire you?

   Current or past events are also excellent sources of inspiration. War, disease, tragedies, social turmoil, disasters, elections, holidays, anything that has or is happening now or in the past can become a poem.

   Things are another avenue to explore. Dogs, cars, bottles, pills, rocks, chairs, beds, rugs, sinks, tubs, shoes, hats, books, plates....the list is endless.

   In closing I'd like to ask, what inspires you? I've shared where I find my inspirations for my poems.

I'd love to hear where you find yours. I'm going to set something up eventually for challenges, just to make things a little more interesting. 

   Well, that is it for now. It's been fun. Go out there and find some inspiration and create something. See you soon!  

Hi everybody,

It's a beautiful day out there! Here's a poem from my new book "Overgrown Garden,"just to get you in the mood for a little nature love. Hope you enjoy!

My Cathedral

My cathedral
isn't very fancy.
It never has a crowd.
It's off inside
the deep, dark woods.
I go there all alone.
Sitting myself beneath
the intertwined branches
in a natural clearing.
I pray for guidance
and compassion.
Though the floor
is naught but dirt
a fallen log
the only pew.
There is something here.
Something bigger
and better than man.
Kneeling in this
hallowed place
surrounded on all sides
by natures gentle hand,
it's so easy to believe.
To become one
with my surroundings.
To listen and somehow
become a better person.
The swish of wind
through the ancient oaks
catching my attention.
The creaking boughs
and leafy limbs
sharing secrets.
I know that
no matter what
I'll soon come back again.

.