Christmas Lights Upon My Tree

Christmas lights upon my tree
Sparkle, glimmer, and smile at me
The advent candles flicker and glow
Standing tall so all can know
Christmas time is growing near
Listen close and you might hear
The carol sung by every soul
Of joy and love that won't let go
It's a beautiful sound that rings out cheer
A sound so bright and loud and clear
Bring joy tonight, do not grieve
For tonight, it's Christmas Eve
Make sure to light your Christmas tree
And think fondly of the carol you sing
Be kind to everyone, what joy you share
When you smile and show everyone you care
You light the room up for all to see
Like a brightly lit Christmas tree.

Winter

Chills that grip your skin and bones
Refuse to let go and leave you alone
White blankets cover the ground
As the night winter wind howls and pounds
Against the house, my windows and walls
Louder than the woman that calls
out a name into the night
But it's caught by the wind and swept out of sight
Snowflakes fall, unobserved
Falling, falling to the earth
Each unique, none the same
A couple gather on my window pane
A dreamy sight, the endless white
That glows and glimmers in the moon light
So gentle, peaceful, falling still
Touching every heart it fills
This time of year with joy and hope
A sweetly silent gentle note
Of peace on earth good will to man
There's joy in this winter wonderland.

What Good is Today?

Poetry Prompt - Write a poem using the following start: "What good is a day..."


What good is today if I couldn't elicit a smile
From my favorite person in the world so wide
If I can't say I did my best to go the extra mile
For the world and the people inside
If I can't say I was friendly and helpful
If I can't say I was strong and had courage
If I can't say I was kind and not hurtful
And had wisdom beyond my age
If I can't say I was kind to those in need
If I can't say I was kind to those who don't need it
If I can't say I planted the seed
If I can't say I earned the air I breathed in
And out. I need to care for that air
I need to care for this ground
It's all we've got, so we should all care
And it all starts with one and then goes around.
The most I can hope is to be one or two
In an effort for tomorrow.
I hope to be caring and true
Save your tears and sorrow
Together, as one we rise and take flight
A movement to move from darkness to light.

Old Poetry

Old Poetry

You have betrayed me

Yet showed me growth 

Showed me a young innocence

So ignorant to the imminence 

Of hormone imbalances and

Permanence like shifting sand

You showed me how I dealt with pretentious jerks.

Showed me how I wrote poems with titles identical to existing works
A natural born parody writer aspiring toward originality

With faith in infinite generativity
With childlike eyes and a smile so wide
To make darker rooms bright 
I wrote makeshift poetry
I wrote old poetry
Old ideas, already used
Recycled and abused
But learning did occur, thank goodness
I no longer look like a total novice.

Uninspire Me

Uninspire me

I'm too full of poetry

Writer's block is a blessed curse

A drought of money within my purse

Nothing to spend; nothing to waste

Nothing to encourage a refined taste

Nothing too polished; nothing too pure
A flowing stream with a dry drought cure
A deadline approach, inspiration much needed
A clear mind wanted, yet the ground is well-seeded
The soil is sometimes a little too fertile
Inspiration doesn't always come with free will
Some days, inspiration is a rowdy  din
A fight for attention fought within
Other days, it's quiet - too quiet
Too quiet to want to fight it
Poetry poetry poetry too many words
There are subjects nouns adjectives verbs
Tenses, numbers - So many combinations!
So much to write, such little time for creation.
This is the poet's issue.

Fences

Poetry Prompt - Write a poem using the prompt: "chain-link fence"


Chain-link fences separate me from you
Chain-link fences turn the sky from blue
To rainy gray rusty patches
Some brown some copper, nothing matches
Chain link fences convolute faces
Keep me from going to the places
That draw me closer, closer to you
Keep me from doing things I could do
Like running, running, running free
But this chain link fence is holding me
Back from freedom - open skies
Keep the sunshine from my eyes.
Clearly marked metal boundaries
Like that foamy line between land and sea
Keep the freedom far from me
But I won't rest until I see
Sunlight and open sunny space
And that smile upon your face
Saying
             Welcome home, welcome home.

Don't Turn Away (Part 5 + End)

Next, I came back to the States,
Found my self in a high school's hallways
A cluster  of students surrounded a boy with glasses
"Stop it guys, I just want to get to class!"
He clutched his books close to his chest
Sucked in a deep breath
And tried to push through the students
Attempting a cool hand at prudence
But they  continued to push him around,
Grabbing his books and throwing them down
Onlookers passed, no sympathy seen
Those who were not involved considered themselves lucky
This time, I felt something
But could do nothing
I was paralyzed, unable to do anything but watch
as the bullies took it up a notch
The bell saved the boy
and he stooped to gather his books, annoyed
He saw me and then turned
And the feelings inside me began to burn
I was tired of doing nothing, but it was no longer a choice
I'd lost control and my voice
The anger continued to burn away

And I had no choice but to turn away

~

When I woke up, my heart raced
Chris, beside me, turned to face
Me "So what'd you get out of that session?"
I laughed at his innocent expression
He had no clue
that I had slept through
the session, so I said, "More than you could know"

Don't Turn Away (part 4)

Next, I landed in a central Indian market, People all around
But i only saw a girl and her father, the girl keeping her eyes on the ground
"She will go to school and have a very good life"
Said a man with a gleam in his eyes as sharp as a knife
"I give you 100 rupees, you give me girl
I pay you to let me rebuild her world."
The young girl bit her lip, afraid to leave her dad
Something about this seemed wrong and bad
Her dad looked at the money and then to her
This seemed like a wonderful offer
and blinded by the fact he couldn't even feed her daily
He agreed and thanked the man with overflowing glee
While this was happening, the girl saw me standing nearby
and could tell I knew what really happening in my mind's eye
I considered speaking up, but had suddenly become mute
But the transaction was over, There was nothing I could do
The man took the girl's hand, leaving her dad behind
She looked over her shoulder to wave goodbye
And she turned once more to me, looked me in the eye
I knew I should've stepped in to help
And I was shocked at what I felt
Nothing, nothing I could do or say

And I turned away

Don't Turn Away (part 3)

Next I flew east and landed in Africa
Found myself in a village of Uganda
Watching a girl who was at least 12
Gripping a necklace made of shells
She hugged a young boy, fear in her eyes
He hushed her, "Quiet, don't cry.
If they take me, I'll be all right
I'll think of you every night.
I must go now back to the hut
back to my family before the warning comes."
With that he turned and left her behind
As she remained and feared for his life
The soldiers were closing in, recruiting boys to fight for a cause that was not  their own
They recruited them young and old; even boys that were not yet fully grown
The girl knew she might lose her best friend,
Never see him again
Above all else, she needed hope
That I could have given her, but no
When she turned to me for some type of help
And I was shocked at what I felt
Nothing, nothing I could say

And I turned away

Don't Turn Away (part 2)

The first thing I saw was the radiant sunrise
The beams so gloriously bright
In a dazed dream state, I sat back to enjoy the show
and let this adventure take me wherever I was to go

First I travelled South to Haiti an island
To meet a girl who was nine and
who fought to ease the continuous shaking
From When three years ago the earth was quaking
and she couldn't make it stop
She cried out for her mom
Then  her mom had saved her, but not herself
When her girl went to find help
She knew her mom was gone
She sat on the debris-covered lawn
and hugged herself so tight
Knowing that this was not right
She became angry that her mom had left
(which) Left her with all the chores and stress
of taking care of a family on her own
I saw her, only 9 years old
She was shaken with sad
Feeling like with her mom, she lost all she had
Her eyes cried out to me and asked for help
And I was shocked at what I felt
Nothing, nothing I could say
And I turned away

Don't Turn Away (part 1)

I recently had a vision-like daydream and just had to write it down
I almost couldn't, but my heart felt bound
As well as drowned, and I'll tell you why
Let me tell you the whole story, well, I'll try
First, the setting I must confess
I'm sixteen at a college student conference, no less
Where speakers told us of lostness and need
That we are the workers to reap the seed
"The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few
Go into the harvest, where God will have you"
I confess my chair had become invitingly comfy
My eyes were with lack of sleep heavy
I was staring out a window, eyes glazed over
All my attention had reached closure
I couldn't think straight and ward off sleep
The man on stage had just started his speech
On nations in need
And poverty
But my mind was elsewhere
The location unclear
Until some sun shattered the clouds
And everything disappeared from the ceiling to the ground.
That is where my journey begins

So come along and join me, friends

If You Just Believe {old song lyrics}

Verse 1

 Do you know in your heart that you are worth it?

Do you know in your mind to Him you are perfect?

Do you know with your all that you are strong?

Do you know He's been with you all along 

Chorus:

If you just believe that He can

If you just believe and give Him your hands 

If you just believe He is victorious 

If you just believe that He is glorious

If you just believe that this He can do

If you just believe because He believes in you

Verse 2

Do you know in your dreams you can fly?

Do you know in His hands, "You are Mine"?

Do you know in His sight you are new?

Do you know that in time, you'll see the truth?

(Chorus)

Verse 3

Do you know everyday you bring glory?

Do you know that your life is your story?

Do you know that He is all you need?

Do you know there is more than you can see — 

There's more to you and me 

(Chorus + refrain)

Snowflakes

Each snowflake is a work of art

Each one is unique

The snow is my favorite part

Of Christmas's many treats

Most Christmasses here are not white

But once in a while, it is

So we do our best not to white

But take everything as is

Because each day is like a snowflake

Each day is different

But they'd be boring if the same

So make sure time is well spent

Each moment is as meticulous 

as the snowflake's form

So look for the beauty, simple and fabulous

Look for difference from the norm

Because that is where the beauty is

right below the surface

Right below the chaotic fizz

and right above the lower unknown and darkness

Foggy Evening

Tall trees –

Stationary giants

Silhoutted in the night.

Pacifistic soldiers

Stand against

Fog-reflected light.

The silence

Fattens the fog –

Brings it down into dewy drops

On the ground

Crystal clear

The air convoluted in the suspended fog

Distorted giants

Tremble then still

In an invisible breeze on the night air.

The leaves

Rustle and giggle

A gentle whispering everywhere

Catches my breath

in a thick, muggy snapshot

Everything suspended 

Still and motionless

In floating tiny drops.

Friends {A Poem I Discovered in My Closet, Gathering Dust Since Middle School}

A friendships is not when a "friend" visits me and stands outside my cage
But friendship is so much more; when she gets inside and shares my pain.
She does not find the best way to try and get me out
But wipes the stinging tears away and tries to ease my doubt.
A true friend sings the hormone while I pick up the tune
She promises sunshine to me and we cry all afternoon.
She loans her shoulder to me so on it I can cry.
She promises to hold me and will not ask me why.
She'd understand I'm needy and offer her best support
She'd put up with my pleading; her temper isn't short
I make her up inside my mind – shiny, sparkling, true
I imagine I'd like to find her voice, "I'll stay right here with you."
Pick me up and brush me off. That's far too much to ask.
I find that once it's gone opportunities have passed.
I'll find that friend in a stranger or in my closest family
A sense of newness yet the fit of familiarity.
I look back on friendships I once treasured and loved
The ones I once thought fit like a glove.
But I burned the bridges so easily, trying not to think.
But how do you make a friendship last? Don't blink.



Here's to new friendships, a bright future ahead
It is okay to start over again
"Make new friends and keep (some of) the old
One is silver and the other's gold."

Sparrows

Prompt: Write a poem about sparrows

Sparrows crying

Flying 

Around

Flutter right

Above the ground

Do not land - do not falter

See the world without a filter

The ground is sand - unsteady, unstable

Do not land there if you are unable

Unable to stand and balance well

Unable to ever break the spell 

of Curses cast by Gravity 

That weigh down the once empty cavity

They call a heart

Within your chest

Just go with its flow 

And rest

Sparrows flying

Crying

Out

Screaming 

Words that fly around

But do not land on anything

Yet gather dust and velocity

A force that goes and goes and goes

Like flapping wings with no foe

Foes that beat around like wind

Wild wind - no mercy for pain

That beats you up in 

pouring rain

But stay

Strong

All a-

long.

Sparrows worth

So much

to me

Sing a song when

I don't want to sing

But when I want to hear

A song so sweet – Sung by 

voices near, loud and crisply clear

Weathered so much and yet such strength

Stories of journeys with increasing length

Flying, flying o'er more

Water to water shore

To shore. See me

off as I travel with

Thee - O, Sparrow

Put my on thy 

wings Tomorrow

As Father Time

is Kind

and I 

Fly

The Starbucks Waltz ~ Paradise of Strangers

Poetry Prompt - Write a poem using the title, "Paradise of Strangers".

Within every Starbucks, there is a dance

That you may sometimes witness, notice by chance

People glancing, look away

Catch a new eye every day

Mind your drink with guarding hands

Watch the people in line stand

Watch without any knowing

Watch the fading, watch the glowing

Listen to music by yourself

Watch them closely; watch them well

Strangers' paradise – watch unknown

Watch the people you don't know

Watch them watch those watching you

Watch and look away, don't know who

Who's on first and who looks last

Who stares longest and who is fast

To look away and casually

Drink their drink nonchalantly

The Starbucks dance goes on and on

Until the day is done and gone

And in the morning starts again

A paradise of strangers' perfect game.

She Should

Poetry Prompt - Write a poem about the "ultimate" poem, or what a poem "should" do.

"She Should"

The poem treats the writer

As the writer treats the poem

Just like a horse and its rider

Like a girl and her home

Poetry makes houses

Of words, rhyme and meter

All based on how it's founded –

Founded on the poetic feet or

Something more concrete

Unlike the thoughts

Obscure release

Invisible bonds

The writer should be gentle

And let words flow like a breeze

With love so parental –

Kind, Gentility is the key

The rest is up to the poem

The poem decides the fate

Of words within the writer's home

And long nights staying up late

The poem should be free

To do as she pleases

Because if she isn't then you'll see

Exactly why all she needs is  

Freedom to express

All feelings, thoughts, emotions

Never suppress

No stereotypes or preconceived notions.

{Probably Going to Be Edited} 

Metronome

Poetry Prompt - Write a three part poem using "metronome".

Metronome

Tick Tick Tick Tick

The metronome ticks and ticks 

Keeping time, keeping time

Doesn't miss, doesn't stick

Keeping on, keeping on

Sitting on my window sill

Keeping time, keeping time

Keep my time, I know you will

Tock Tock Tock Tock

Sway left, sway right

Only one job

All day, all night

Sing me to sleep

with your steady beat

Tick Tick 

Tick repeat

Slowly slowing slowing down

All energy winding, gone

Time to rest, time to sleep

Time to stop singing your song

No one listens as you stop

But you keep on keeping on

Tick all day and through the night

Until your spring is no longer tight

Tick...

Tick...

Tick...

Love, love

{This is a poem I wrote for UNCW young writers' workshop this summer.}

Love, love is a funny thing

Shown by a kiss and a pricey ring

Love, love can be cheap

Broken in two when somebody cheats

But love isn't determined by the price of the ring

Or a first kiss, or date, or something

Love is a language encoded in the soul

That tells you when you have it, never let go

That tells you some hardships lead to strength 

That tells you some things aren't worth the hate

Love, love is a gift we take for granted

It may not be something shiny and enchanted

Like a fairy tale ending happily ever after

But love, love is hardship broken by laughter

A best friend's hug - 'cause she knows it's needed

A mother's bandaid when she sees you bleeding

Love, love is something I believe in

While others around me tell me to keep dreaming

They say it's not worth the struggle

Lines get too blurry, things get too muddled

I swear

No matter how long, I'll get there

Love, love – I promise to love

Because no one ever gets enough

I solemnly swear to love

Beyond what everyone is a recipient of 

I will love

I am going to love

Lullaby

Prompt: Write a poem in the form of a lullaby.

Hush, my darling

Don't cry, don't stir

Do not think

Of things that were

Once your worries

Once your fears

They will no longer

Cost you your tears.

You are safe,

Here, within my arms

Safe from destruction

Safe from harm.

Hush, my sweet

The night is old

The sun will rise soon

And bathe you with gold.

The sun rises just

To shine on your face

To dry your tears

So meet it with haste.

Make sure to meet

Each new day with joy

For when you do

No fear will destroy

The hopes and dreams 

You hold so tight

And cling even tighter to

In bed at night.

Hush, my darling

As I sing you to sleep

Count your blessings

And count your sheep.

Remember to thank those

Who bless you each day

And make it all count.

Don't wish it away

As you dream each night

Of greatness and sucess

But look over each day

Carefully, because you are truly blessed.

Autumn's Arrival

An orange oak leaf

Dry and Crisp

Falls with a little

Puff of wind.

She spins and swirls

Around, around

Desperate to finally

Meet the ground.

The oak tree watches

Sad and cold.

She's watched so many fall –

So many fold.

All of her leaves

come and go

Not long after she 

Helps them grow. 

Their short lives appreiated 

By the few who care

Who have learned to see beauty – 

To stop and stare.

Is the short life worth it

For the little notice?

"Do we really have to leave so soon

Before anyone an know us?"

Inquires the trembling,

Tumbling leaf

Carried away on a 

Slight, cool breeze

Abusive to leaves

[that] Ushers Autumn in

On a hasteful wind.

100 word short story

{Prose}

The flowers began showing up on the front porch on a Tuesday. First, roses, then, sunflowers, then, daisies. Paul, Gina's husband, was getting suspicious. Who was this secret lover? What did he want with Gina? How did they know each other? Gina was not helpful in solving the mystery - she'd just bat her eyelashes and give a graceful shrug. "Someone's just noticed me, I guess." Feeling guilty, Paul went out and bought a bouquet of carnations for his wife. Only to come home and find a huge assorted bouquet waiting for Gina. He was furious.

Then he found the receipts.  

2 Word Story

Character: Xav, 18 year old writer who is so obsessive about NaNoWriMo that he doesn't notice a girl who has a crush on him.

Month: November

1. 50,000 words

2. He can.

3. ...He thinks.

4. He writes.

5. And writes.

6. And writes.

7.She watches.

8. She notices.

9. He doesn't.

10.Crushes.

11.He's busy.

12. She wonders.

13. He writes.

14. She wathes.

15. Late nights.

16. Diary entries.

17. Unsent notes.

18. Unwritten heart.

19. He writes.

20. She waits.

21. And waits.

22. And waits.

23. He writes.

24. New dress.

25. Doesn't notice.

26. New makeup.

27. Doesn't notice.

28. Gives up.

29. He succeeds.

30. Victory hug.

Letter to the President from a First Grader

Dear Mr. President

I know you work really hard

So I made up my mind and sent

You this little card

To tell you I appreciate you and hope you are well

(Just so you know, my teacher is helping me spell

So if anything is wrong

Her name is Miss Song)

I live in America and I like it

But I wish summers weren't quite so hot I wish

Winter brought more snow.

 Mr. President I want you to know

School seems to long

(But that might just be Miss Song)

So if you could shorten it so I could play

I'd like it

      Have a nice day!

                                     Love,

                                     Noah (from First Grade)

Epistolary Poetry

So this summer, I went to a camp that had numerous workshops about poetry and wiritng in general. One of the things I was introduced to is something called epistolary poetry. This is letter writing in poetry, in  a sense. I've read multiple epistolary poems and written some too, without knowing their proper (sub)genre. 

I must warn you, I am now obsessed with epistolary poetry, so when you view the sudden onslaught of the stuff, don't say I didn't warn you. :)

Write Me A Letter

Write me a letter – tell me your story

Tell me your tale in all its glory

Put on the stamp and lick the envelope sealed

Put it in the mailbox as the church bells peal

Love is sending a letter that says more than you want to say

Be honest to me, friend, rather than running away

A letter is a beautiful thing – put it in cursive on stationary

You don't have to use every fancy word you see in the dictionary *

Tell me everything simply; just speak

Tell me of the time you reached that mountain peak

Or the time you won first place  and best in show

Tell me of all the things you want to do and places you want to go

Or tell me more than the successes, but the failures too

I don't care – I just want to hear from you soon

Please make sure to stay happy and take care

 You can always write to me no matter where 

I am or what I'm doing. Receiving a  letter from you...

Receiving a letter from you is special  no matter how you write about what you do

So make sure you write soon

Yours, truly

*Thinking of removing these lines but unsure.

Untitled

Dew- wet roses

unforeseen surprise

Maybe some of the best things we can't see with our eyes

Some things are seen

And beautiful to behold

A moment spent in awe is worth more than its weight in gold

–

A deer and her babe

Among the forest greens

Blend gracefully with bark and straw and remain unseen

A butterfly weighed 

down with dew rests on a  broken stick

How beautiful the broken when paired with a creature appearing to be cut of silk fabric

 A majestic hawk flies

Hovers on the powerful wind

Don't you ever wonder all the places he has been?

A wolf howls in the night

As though he has a song to sing

A song to sing and share worth all the joy he can bring

Happiness flutters 

by on the wings of a dragonfly 

Mindless, carefree, enjoying the breeze by and by

Beauty blooms

in the bosom of spring

The colors ebb and flow like a field of dreams

Greens wave in a gentle breeze

Gaily dancing and greeting the day

Trembling with excitement and expressing it in their own way

–

Nature is full 

of wonderful surprises

There's always another sunset and rise beyond the horizon

Wonder is misplaced

On the tangible and  seen

When sometimes awe belongs  in the places our hearts have been

(Yes, your stereotypical) Introductory Post

It's a new year! 2014, to be precise. Almost 2015, which is a very special year.
And I am excited as it grows so near.
And this blog so fresh and new to track my year as a senior
And track how the line between now and the future grows skinnier
So here's to the future and a year in Honors Creative Writing
May this blog last beyond and hold at least one inspiring thing
As I work through this crazy life with poetry and prose
And watch as the world around me grows.
Here's to wonder and phenomena
And a year of doing what we wanna…



(sorry for the cheesy rhyme ;) )