FanStory.com - National Poetry Month 2015 by dejohnsrld (Debbie)

FanStory.com
"National Poetry Month 2015"

Chapter 1
National Poetry Month Challenge

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

National Poetry Month Challenge

It is again the time of year
Daffodil heads start to appear
The weather at last warm and clear
National Poetry Month’s here

Here I’m offering you a chance
To practice your poetry dance
Anything from horror to romance
Your writing skills this will enhance

This April a poem a day
If with it you decide to stay
A book will be well on the way
Before the first day of this May
~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Notes Does anyone want to give it a try?

Chapter 2
What is a Poem?

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Poetry, my true love. With gentle
words flowing from quill across
the page with grace. Capturing a
thought, event, or emotion. Ink
and paper hold it tightly, preserving
an artist’s skillfully crafted creation.
A gift to the future which when read
may one day touch another’s
heart and soul.

Author Notes A prose poem is written in paragraph style while retaining some aspects of formal poetry such as imagery, flow, short sentences or sentence fragments, enjambment and alliteration, among others.

Thanks to snopaw for the awesome artwork

Chapter 3
Busy Katie Jo

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Busy, busy. busy
Making Mommy dizzy
Almost in a tizzy

First I’m here, then I’m there
Seems I am everywhere
To puppy-proof prepare

First I played in the dirt
Got it on Mommy’s shirt
No harm, it didn’t hurt

Across the yard I run
Enjoying the warm sun
Having a bunch of fun

I am so curious
Glad Mom’s not furious
Knowing I’m precious

Indoors I’m free-ranging
So she’s rearranging
Everything’s a’ changing

It’s just this beagle nose
Not something that I chose
Keeping her on her toes

I am just born to sniff
Beagles require a whiff
I must wonder, what if?

I helped her type today
In-between times of play
I think I’m here to stay

With patience of a saint
Upset with me Mom ain’t
Not even one complaint

I do have lots of toys
Played with the neighbor boys
But make almost no noise

I am just so darn cute
Running off with the loot
I even took her boot

At times she shows surprise
I can see it in her eyes
Something she can’t disguise

But from what I can glean
She prefers things be clean
Some things she’s not yet seen

I have tricks up my sleeve
Ones you wouldn’t believe
And those I will achieve

I love the fresh air smell
About my gas I won’t tell
And we’ll get along swell

When she sees me, Mom beams
I’ve much to do it seems
But is time for sweet dreams

Now I crawl into bed
Putting down my sweet head
While ‘good girl,’ Mommy said

Now late into the night
Mom sits next to the light
And continues to write

Wondering possibly
Since I’m sweet as can be
If she’s writing about me?

Chapter 4
Springtime Blossoms

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Springtime Blossoms

Fresh green grass blades quiver in the warm breeze
Rose buds explode revealing petals peach
Dandelions form a bright yellow sea
Toward the sun lavender iris reach

Morning glories climb the wrought-iron rails
Greeting the dawn with their sleepy blue eyes
As bridal’s wreath wears tiny white flowers
Spring’s graceful palette a wondrous surprise
~~~~~~~~

Author Notes I'm several poems behind as my computer crashed.

Thanks to avmurray for the artwork

Chapter 5
Moonlight Angels

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Moonlight Angels

Though expecting the darkness of night
The window reveals such bright delight
Moonbeams dance across the hardwood floor
Please, let us join them one time more

In serenity, possibly ask he might
While kneeling down and on this moonlit night
As I lovingly accept his ring
I hear a choir of the sweet Angels sing

Chapter 5
tanka (from green leaves and shade)

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

from green leaves and shade

to pages in a novel
each tree has its seasons
ending as paper where writers
share their growth with ink
~~~*~~~

Author Notes tanka do not have to be 5-7-5-7-7 See contest rules

written for a prompt 'write a tanka about novels'

Chapter 6
Hoppin' a Freight

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Hoppin' a Freight

At fourteen, Ben had been used and abused
His mother an addict, his dad a drunk
A lack of love had left him quite confused
The final straw, being locked in the trunk

This was the last time, he clearly did know
When his dad was drunk, his mom high on crack
Treated as such, it was time he would go
He slipped out the door, never once looking back

Ben truly had nowhere else he could go
So he headed for the east and west track
He waited for a freight, headed west slow
Then jumped from the ground onto the train's back

There he found another young lad holding tight
He looked very sad, said his name was Joe
He offered to show Ben how it's done right
For there's sadness when fam'ly becomes foe

Life may be hard surviving on the track
But one thing is certain, Ben'll not go back
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Notes

rpd3/16

Chapter 7
Too Much Trust?

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Too Much Trust?

Once again burned by having too much trust
My feelings trampled on as you go out the door
You took what you wanted and then left
Seems you have no use for me anymore

Do you care my heart is broken
Or am I so insignificant
You can leave me sobbing in pain?
It's just too easy to deceive the innocent

I trust that others share my motives
But again, life shows me that isn’t true
I try to make the world a better place
While your only concern is you

Blood is thicker than water
As you so very often say
I’d choose friendship and support
Over your bad blood any day

Author Notes

To call my family dysfunctional would be a compliment. I changed the locks and they are no longer allowed here.

I have been writing a poem a day, but haven't had time to review so I can promote them.

Chapter 8
Parted Lovers

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

As pinkish sun reaches height of mid-morn'
I struggle to restrain a wave of tears
as I prefer, instead, that you embark
with memories of my romantic smile.

There will be hours enough to cry the nights
which follow your departure, but today,
this smile a gift. In future mornings I'll
awaken finding my white pillows drenched

from many midnight bouts of sobbing deep,
a million teardrops of wet loneliness.
Across the ocean, you will no doubt find
amazing sights while I sit here alone

while wond'ring when I should reveal to you
that on return, we'll be a family
of three. I held the news 'til I could hold
no more, then summoned for a pen and ink

in order to share with you this event,
this glor'ous gift expected to occur
around the time of your bless'ed return

and fill the emptiness within my life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Notes Thanks to Angelheart for the artwork

2/16 NFSPS

Chapter 9
Just Me

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Just Me

Why can’t our lives be
Filled with harmony?
Think how this could be
Such possibility?

Should you and I become we
Have the right to be free
To find mystery
And to live happily?

Why it is so hard to see
That despite life’s mystery
Why does disability
Cause so much misery

Don’t I have the right nightly
To surrender to the ‘real’ me?

Chapter 10
A Welcome Visitor

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Welcome Visitor

Basking in the stillness of the night
With my pen and notebook I sit
Warmed by fireplace and candlelight
Expecting my muse will soon visit

Almost ev’ry evening, we share
Thoughts and images we create
Selecting each word with care
Penning a poem to appreciate

Suddenly, the ink begins to flow
Letters developing into words
We change and rearrange so
Our voice and meaning will be heard

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

Author Notes

Chapter 11
My Voice

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

My Voice

My voice was once unnoticed
Until I found with pen in hand
I could best express myself
Helping others to understand
~~*~~

Author Notes

Chapter 12
tanka sequence (branches sprout buds

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

branches sprout buds
green leaves unfold
nature’s miracle
from a swollen belly
an infant emerges

in spring’s warmth
growth occurs quickly
time's passage
results in a beautiful,
vibrant young girl

fulfilling the cycle
summer brings maturity
by nourishing others
society benefits from
the woman’s wisdom

days grow shorter
autumn breezes cool
life slows
as wrinkles form
on her aging face

winter strikes
leaves wither and die
life’s circle completes
a funeral, a celebration
of a life well-lived
~~~

Author Notes Not intended to be depressing. It is the way life is.

Chapter 13
Puppy Love

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

“Puppy Love”

Precious as she can possibly be
Underneath the bed she goes
Probably fetching toys she can see
Puddles do happen, I suppose
You, Katie Jo, mean the world to me

Lie beside me, let me feel your wet nose
Of all puppies, you mean the world to me
Very special you are, and you let it show
Every wet kiss fills me with wond’rous glee

Author Notes This would have been a picture of Katie Jo, except my camera's broken.

And don't try to call me, my phone was floating in a glass of water this morning,LOL

Chapter 14
String of Pearls

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

String of Pearls

I hold the string of pearls in my hand

Remembering how I used to hide

In the folds of her long, flowing skirt

As I was too shy to talk to strangers

She wore a blue and white apron

After school we came home to a smile

And the sweet smell of fresh baked

Chocolate chip cookies in the air

She would kiss us tenderly

Asking what we did at school

The scent of rose water perfume

I wanted to wear when I grew up

We walked hand in hand through the park

On sunny, summer afternoons

She would kiss our skinned knees if we fell

Her lips just a bit too red

She wore curlers in her hair at night

Soft, blond curls framed

Her pretty face during the day

Her hairspray would linger in the bathroom

Her voice was soft and musical

Her giggling laugh contagious

She sang hymns to us

As she prepared for the church choir

The kitchen table would be covered with

Her fried chicken dinners on Sundays

Evenings we spent there together

As she helped us with our homework

She always tucked us into bed

After reading a bedtime story

And listening to our prayers

Kissing our cheeks before turning off the light

I could feel her strong love

As she called us her little angels

She is now the angel

Who left me her string of pearls

Author Notes I don't normally revive my pieces, but for some reason ended up with a treasure chest revival

Thanks to avmurray for the artwork

nfsps3/16

My dream of a happy childhood

Chapter 15
Hope for This Day

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Hope for This Day

With amazing grace, I arise to greet
this glorious day, yearning for world peace,
with joyous sounds, sweet notes of harmony.
Potential fills our world if only we

could learn by showing our caring and love,
avoiding negative actions and thoughts,
and put an end to self-serving ways,
to develop a joyous, serene world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Notes

Thanks to Moonwillow for the artwork

Chapter 16
A Muse with Rhyme

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

A Muse with Rhyme

Once upon a time
There was a muse with rhyme
Each and every day
For a child she did pray

One day fin’lly blessed
She’d do her very best
To watch the child grow
Shering all she did know

But this muse’s child
Became just a bit wild
She preferred to play
Rather than learn each day

The muse was distraught
Her child couldn’t be taught
Resisting each time
To learn the art of rhyme

She didn’t know it
The great joy of a poet
Just what was the use
Of becoming a muse?

One day Mother cried
Hurting the child inside
Deciding to try
To rhyme she did apply

Finding it quite fun
No longer did she run
Learning at first slow
but did begin to know

A bit of the art
And worked to do her part
Her mother quite proud
Smiling, she laughed out loud

It became a game
Her child headed for fame
Once she learned to rhyme
She outdid Mom each time

She looked for the right
Poet to teach to write
There did come a day
the time to move away

For her to depart
skilled with her rhyming art
To share what she knew
With poets such as you
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Author Notes Thanks to lilacCollas for the artwork

Chapter 17
Katie Jo's Antics

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Katie Jo’s Antics

As I arise to greet the dawn
I begin with a stretch and yawn
Excited, I can’t wait to see
What kind of day that this will be

I jump from the bed with a run
With so many toys, so much fun
I best go out and take a poo
‘Cause Mom, hope I don’t upset you

When I’m done I’ll jump at the door
Inside, there’s so much to explore
Seems I am always in a rush
I think that I’ll use Mom’s toothbrush

Up on the counter I just know
There’s toilet paper to make snow
I see Mom’s toy, a cute small bear
If I borrow it, don’t think she’d care

Mom’s in the shower, curtain closed
I think I’ll try on her clean clothes
A pair of glasses, not in use
I chew on them ‘til bows are loose

The neighbors don’t like me to bark
The policeman pulls up to park
I really like him, he’s quite nice
He says I’ve barked ‘nough to suffice

Back in the house I run around
My nails on wood floors, quite a sound
A busy day, I think I’ll nap
So now I’ll hop on my mom’s lap
~~~~~

Author Notes

Gotta love my neighbors--not!

Not Katie Jo. I should get my camera today

Chapter 18
Enough is Enough

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Warning: The author has noted that this contains the highest level of sexual content.

?????????????????

Enough is Enough

First we became inundated
with erectile dysfunction ads

Now it is menopausal women
having pain with intercourse

Why can’t we just terminate
these offensive sexual ads

The drug companies should not
advertise any drugs on TV

But I am especially against these ads
advertising sex as the be all and end all

and doing so day and night when
children (and myself) are watching

He takes something to get it up
she uses something so he can get it in

He wants it, she doesn’t
Whatever happened to dinner and a movie?

Your thoughts?

Chapter 19
Seeds of Passion

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Seeds of Passion

Velvet softness of petals I know

Wanting to taste your lips just so

Your touch tender, don’t let go

Tonight as we move slow

Passion seeds we'll sow

‘til the morn’s glow

As they grow

Love we’ll

Know

Author Notes Thanks Angelheart for your always beautiful artwork

Chapter 20
Discovering Possibility

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Discovering Possibilitity

Overwhelmed by the big picture
While trying hard to understand
I found joy in many small things
Realizing my life was grand

Once buried in endless darkness
Finding there was no way to cope
But after a very long time
I fin’lly found the light of hope

Once I cared only about myself
But found that helping those in need
Leads to a life more fulfilling
And increased happiness, indeed

Once I was lost seeking to find
Acceptance of disability
Working through the stages of grief
And finding possibility
~~~~~

Author Notes My pix

Chapter 21
Spring's Vitality

By dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Spring’s Vitality

As lilac’s scent wafts to and fro
Showing this Spring’s reality
Floral scent wherever I go
As lilac’s scent wafts to and fro
Vegetables and flowers will grow
Spring’s showing her vitality
As lilac’s scent wafts to and fro
Showing this Spring’s reality
~~~~~

Author Notes ABaAabAB

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