A poem after playing with my sweet girl

I'm loving all that is beautiful in nature today with my daughter. If I allow myself to absorb the generous spirit of this earth, I think I can find "eagle wings" for my poetry to soar to new heights.


A Generous Muse

Arms raised to catch her
swirls of air dance around
as girl of curls slides down.

To be within my grasp
that natural energy
filling the air and her smile.

How my words may burst
through the quiet page
fueled by purity and light.

Caressed by a pasture
the poet's pen is the sky
each breath awakens.

Life builds within me
a sense of arrival
words to be born.

I didn't really work this poem. I let the words stand as they came to me. I want to keep the poem's energy as fresh as the experience that inspired it.

Take a deep breath outside today. You will feel good, I promise :)

Listen to music

Maybe I was a musician in my prior life. Sorry to say that I have no musical talent, but I follow where music leads me creatively, spiritually or personally.

Music caresses the soul; music shapes experience.

I try to make my world full of music. Songs like this one can bear much fruit for me.

Enjoy the beauty of this Beatles' favorite. I can listen to this 100 times and still feel like it's a fresh, moving experience each time. The lyrics and melody are amazing. Timeless.

Open to writing

National Poetry Month continues. Haiku is a concise, powerful form of poetry to explore. Here is my rookie attempt at sharing some thoughts through haiku.

Restless in my day
fluttering wings trapped inside
Ideas with no voice

Stifling call to write
quiet the poetic spark
front role pushes through

Hope spring forth anew
words shout in mind's library
poem hits the page

I think I'm going to try and learn more about different forms of poetry this month. Usually, I favor free verse. It may be time for me to "expand my horizons". What is most frustrating to me is that my daily routine takes over and my inspiration expeditions are brief and sporadic. I know that I have the desire to write, but I don't know how to fit writing into my day. Scheduling writing time with four kids running around seems too forced and artificial.

Soon I will start walking daily. Those walks may be just what I need to jump start my creative engine. Moms are great multi-taskers so I guess that's what I'll have to do!

Have a great night :)

Inspiration on my walls

The walls in my home are filled with pictures, prints and paintings. I'm always hunting for a new picture to brighten up a space. Pictures with bright colors and bold brushwork surround me now as I type. These pictures are not just decorations for my home. Pausing to look at a beautiful painting helps me reconnect with myself creatively and spiritually. Hair thrown in a pony tail with a wash basket at my waist, I find a quick pit stop at one of these pictures to be like a little jolt of "art energy" to help me keep my creative self awake in the midst of a hectic day. I think it is good for the soul to make these reflective moments a part of the day. It has to be a conscious choice to take a breath, slow down and look at something beautiful, dramatic or moving in art. An appreciation of art has always helped me fine tune my writing and expand my creative perspective. I can be stirred visually in such way that I feel compelled to write. Having a home filled with wonderful art pieces has helped me stay in tune with my creative side. Art has been a steady and reliable muse for me as a poet. I hope it can also be a catalyst for my novel writing. As I write this post, I remember that my hallway is too bare. Maybe a dramatic Georgia O'Keefe print would be just right for that space. The tough part will be deciding on which one. My kindergartener enjoys art in school so maybe I'll get his opinion. His artwork is also part of my home decor. We just put up his picture of a heart with various shades of pink and red. Looks like he loves bright, powerful color too!

My Young Son, The Writer

My five year old son just asked me for a pencil and paper to practice writing his alphabet. Writing is one of his favorite activities in his kindergarten classroom. He runs to the "writing center" even when his classmates zoom off to the art and play centers. At the writing center, he will sit quietly and thoughtfully as he attempts to write a sentence or two. He works hard trying to hear the letter sounds as he stretches out words. After writing a sentence, he will often add an illustration and proudly write his name on top of the paper. I know that he feels such a sense of accomplishment when he shares his ideas and thoughts in writing.

When he gets home from school, he can't wait to show his writing to everyone. He especially likes to share his writing with his older brothers. I think he feels more part of their world now that he is beginning to read and write. Something truly does click inside of young children when they start expressing themselves through writing. You can see how their self-confidence soars as their writing skills grow. Teachers must feel enlivened each time that spark of recognition and inspiration bring out the writer in a young child. What a grand sense of accomplishment!

My five year old son just finished a few sentences about his family and a trip to the zoo. His smile is priceless. His excitement is inspirational. Maybe his brothers will put down the video game controller for a minute and grab a pencil : )

Stirred by the Snow

It is snowing outside my window. I love looking at the trees outlined in a thin layer of snow. An overall sense of wonder and calmness come upon me simultaneously while taking in this view. Soon my house will be filled with tons of energy and laughter as my kids get home early due to the snow. It is nice to sit here for a few moments and relax with my thoughts before my kid army "storms" the home front. When I'm looking for inspiration, nature often provides me with just the boost I need to get started. If I'm sitting at a bus stop waiting for my kids, I will try and find some little "muse" of nature, even if it is just a tattered little leaf hanging loosely off its stem. Somehow a thought or emotion will come over me and push me to write a few lines of a poem. I work hard to fit these moments for creativity in my busy day. Even if I'm the only one to read my poem, I have to make that effort to express what I'm feeling in a creative way. Sometimes I can feel that creative urge between something as routine as making sandwiches for the kids. Then I'll take a break to write a few lines on a napkin or scrap paper, whatever is handy. I don't want to lose those thoughts so I will stop for a moment to get those thoughts or images written down.

The snow is steady and quiet. Soon my home will be unpredictable and loud with the happiness of kids free from the classroom. Happy kids bring about their own kind of creative, poetic energy. Maybe I'll find my next inspiration for a poem watching my kids act "naturally".