The space between our words
almost as piteous
as the distance between
our hearts
***
Unbearable silence
when you abandon me
I am left enslaved
on a thought
for days
***
To measure loneliness
by absence
of sound
expounds emptiness
***
my heart is trapped
in this vacuum
silence
will be
my ruin
Each week One Stop Poetry aspires to join poets together to express and inspire. One Shot Wednesday is an open community for those who love to write poetry.
November 16, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: absence, Adam Dustus, Brian Miller, chris Galford, Claudia S, distance, hearts, moondustwriter, One Shot Wednesday, onlinepoetry, Pete marshall, Poetry, ruin, silence, space | 83 Comments »
Wonderful you – it had to be you.”
She rummaged through the storehouse of memories in her mind.
Had he known how much she had loved him maybe he …
****
What do you think he would have done had he known how much she loved him??
****
Thanks to Monkey Man for the weekly challenge and delight of writing short stories. Please join us and give 160 a try.
November 14, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: "It had to be you", love, memories, monkey man, moondustwriter, Song | 28 Comments »
Did you know Mondays are traditionally days that rank at the bottom fifth of the week? Why? It is the start of the week and the weekend rates so much higher.
I decided to write about why I hate today rather than bash my head against the wall today.
I hate this Monday in particular. It may go down in my top ten worst days on earth. Well maybeeeee.
For starters, I went away for a fabulous weekend with my family to one of the loveliest places on earth – San Francisco. It was awesome. The weather was fantastic, we watched the city start decorating for the holidays, people were in a great mood from the world series win, my daughters were happy because they bought a load of clothes sale, I was even happy to get a break from the computer.
We were capping off the evening by eating at one of our favorite places on the waterfront. On a clear evening, the water glistens with the life of the city; it is a delightful experience. As we were walking to our table, I hit a slick place on the floor and my new high heels came out from under me. I was able to get up and dust myself off. At that point, I didn’t even think of the embarrassment factor as I was worried if anything was broken or bruised. I sat down at the table enjoying the view for five seconds and started moving my hand and wrist to see if it was ok. Well it was fine except for the shooting pain when I moved my wrist. I spent the meal icing my wrist hoping to keep the swelling down; needless to say the pain kept me from enjoying my Caesar salad with spicy shrimp. I kept ice on it and managed to get the car out of an uphill parking spot with one hand and back to the hotel. After wrapping it for the night, I knew it would be worse or better in the morning. Well it wasn’t worse but it wasn’t better. We no longer have insurance so going to the doctor only happens when things are really bad. Did I mention that I am writing (or supposed to be) 50,000 words with Nanowrimo this month. I took one day off, from writing, to be with the kids. My wrist has now decided on several more days. Though it is better today (probably not broken but still immobilized), I can only write with one hand – probably for weeks. So I can’t write, I can’t work (requires lifting). No, I can’t afford to lose the money.
If that wasn’t plenty, I was looking for something on my email and found a draft document. “Huh “I thought “must be a duplicate. ” So I checked. The two fantastic poems that I thought I had submitted to a magazine (one that likes my style) were never sent. Deadline is over and I could break my hand out of frustration.
I actually could go on there is more but you probably get the gist of why I hate today.
I may trash my novel and create a weekly blog: “I hate my life Mondays” for others to rant.
You might wonder how I wrote this; my Chihuahua is an excellent typist so I dictated.
If you had something that happened on your Monday that was less than wonderful, please feel free to comment; I mean rant.
November 8, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
If you wonder where I have gone, I didn’t fall into Alice’s proverbial hole, I am trying to finally complete something. It has been a goal to write a novel since I was 16. I’ve taken a few stabs; the manuscripts are lying around somewhere. I will still be writing poetry it helps me relax when I write in volumes – Though my poetry may make little sense.
For the next month ,I will be heavily entrenched in The Artist’s Daughter
Join me on my website for Day One of my attempt at a Nanowrimo novel.
It’s hard living with a genius. It’s impossible living with a legend. That has been my lot in life as the artist’s daughter. Will I ever find a rhythm that is mine? When will I stop being recognized as hers?…
November 1, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: moondustwriter, nanowrimo, The Artist's Daughter | 6 Comments »
They were out for some summer fun
with the gang.
When Craig,
the class clown, got it over the head
with a ski and drowned
the fun expired.
I was not along on a ski trip ,with a bunch of my friends, but sadly this did occur. Craig was a great guy. Makes you realize how fleeting life can be. Appreciate the day (today) that you have been given.
Thanks to Susan of Stony River for another week of MicroFiction with a photo prompt. Join in on the fun or come by Susans to read more.
October 25, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: expire, microfiction, moondustwriter, reunion, summer, waterski | 33 Comments »
I’ve tried this so often.
I want it to work.
Can you sense my desire?
My arms reach around your neck.
I bring my hands forward.
I always fumble at tying your tie
This is one of many microfictions in Monkey Mans Flash Fiction. Join us
October 24, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: microfiction, moondustwriter, tie | 13 Comments »
“Today was such a great day,” Madison smiled at me.
He showed me all the decorations he had chosen to put up for Halloween.
“Those are way cool Madison.” I gave him a high-five.
Just then, some neighborhood boys came by.
Madison wanted to show the decorations to them.
He didn’t know how to say “hey guys check out the decorations.”
Madison is a “show” kind of person.
So he “showed” the boys by doing a little decoration dance.
I thought it was adorable; it showed his enthusiasm.
The boys yelled, “Hey stupid pants. Where’d you learn how to dance?”
He looked at me for a moment then the comment connected.
He had just, that day, had some children at school call him “stupid.”
This comment jabbed at his heart and mine.
He ran in the house, up the stairs, sat on the floor, and pounded it.
“I’m stupid,” he kept pounding over and over and over.
“Oh Madison” a tear fell from my eye as I too felt a jab to my heart.
If only big and small people would realize that special needs people have feelings too.
Maybe Madison can’t always express himself the way that your blond hair, blue-eyed boy does. But then again, can your boy add, subtract, multiply, or divide numbers in his head faster than a calculator??
The community, at large, does not realize that it takes senseless jabs at special needs people . One of my employees, this past week, showed me several dolls. One was a man in a wheelchair, another a deaf girl, and the third had leg braces. She laughed and thought it was hilarious that there would be dolls like this. A tear burned in my eye for the ignorance of people who can’t see past the disability into the heart of a child, a man, or woman.
“Madison there will be too many days to count where people will call you “stupid”; my hope is there will be many more days where you rise far above the ”stupidity” of man’s opinions.”
I wrote this article for
Kidsensational a sight celebrating differences. Visit them to meet some talented folks.
I have received a number of interesting commentaries on my two articles: Several people have written me to inform me that there are many people who are different and many people ( not just those with special needs) are struggling in our world today. I agree. There are those with cancer, people who have no job or place to live, and abused children who are in the foster care system. Sadly, our world is bombarded with a plethora of needs and dilemmas. I would like to add this – a homeless person with no job has had a job and has hope for yet another, a child in the foster care system will be delivered from that system at adulthood, but a child born with Cerebral Palsy has one option to live with that disability and the stigma that accompanies that disability. I do not have a disability but I grew up with a person with severe disabilities; I knew even as a child that my family member was looked down upon for her differences. Personally, I think Madison has it made; his intelligence is off the charts. I would love to have his mind. I do know that his journey, as a special needs child, will be arduous at times.
October 16, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
“Today was such a great day,” Madison smiled at me.
He showed me all the decorations he had chosen to put up for Halloween.
“Those are way cool Madison.” I gave him a high-five.
Just then some neighborhood boys came by.
Madison wanted to show the decorations to them.
He didn’t know how to say “hey guys check out the decorations.”
Madison is a “show” kind of person.
So he “showed” the boys by doing a little decoration dance.
I thought it was adorable; it showed his enthusiasm.
The boys yelled, “Hey stupid pants. Where’d you learn how to dance?”
He looked at me for a moment. Then the comment connected.
He had just had some children at school that day call him “stupid.”
This comment jabbed at his heart.
He ran in the house, up the stairs, sat on the floor, and pounded it.
“I’m stupid,” he kept pounding over and over and over.
“Oh Madison” a tear fell from my eye as I too felt a jab to my heart.
If only big and small people would realize that special needs people have feelings too.
Maybe Madison can’t always express himself the way that your blond hair blue-eyed boy does. But then again can your boy add, subtract, multiply, or divide numbers in his head faster than a calculator??
The community at large does not realize that it takes senseless jabs at special needs people all the time. One of my employees, this week, showed me several dolls. One was a man in a wheelchair, another a deaf girl, and the third had leg braces. She laughed and thought it was ridiculous that there would be dolls like this. A tear burned in my eye for the ignorance of people who can’t see past the disability into the heart of a child, a man, or woman.
Madison there will be too many days to count where people will call you “stupid”; my hope is there will be many more days where you rise far above the stupidity of man’s opinions.
I wrote this for Kidsensational a sight celebrating differences. Visit them to meet some talented folks.
October 16, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Join me today at Moondustwriter Thursday for a treat.
Published italian poet Laura Mercurio Ebohan shares her delightful poetry with One Stop Poetry.
“I decided to complete a series of poems that I had started writing a while back in a complete intimate dimension, looking inside and exploring places where often we do not really go, taken by every day life anxieties and routine experiences.”
http://iamlauramercurio.com
October 14, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
I wasnt there but I felt your fear. We are mothers after all who have big, strong sons. Strong arms that will hold us when we are frail and weak.
We will never meet but I was there in the waiting room with you. I was holding your hand. I shed a tear. I wanted to yell at the doctors to hurry. I wanted to scrub in and help.
He swallowed a screw you told me through tear brimmed eyes.
“He was fixing the wall in our house when he inhaled it. When he started coughing painful spurts of blood we knew there was trouble. There are no doctors near our village. A friend drove us in his truck many miles to the hospital.”
“They told us the risk was great they couldn’t find the screw in the x-ray. The doctor knew something was there. they had to find it.”
I hugged her. There was a picture in my mind of a screw in your son. I prayed the doctor would find it my friend. If he were my son, you would do the same.
They found the screw after hours of exploring. “The rate of infection is high,” they said. After two weeks, the mother, my friend proudly showed me the screw tucked next to her heart. We danced around the screw – for life, for sons.
I wrote this note to the mama I will never meet:” I got the call before your son went into surgery; my friend a doctor was overseas. He was there when your son needed him. Our lives are different you are from a small village in Zimbabwe I am from a big city in the United Stated. We are one as mothers. I was so glad my doctor friend was there to help your son. I was there with you in prayer.”
October 10, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Africa, dance, doctor, friendships, hospital, life, moondustwriter, mothers, prayer, short story, son | 4 Comments »
I have a friend his name is Madison. He is a seven year old boy. He has blond hair and blue eyes. Madison loves to play with Legos. He sleeps in a loft bed and has a bat cave under his bed. When he finishes breakfast on time, Madison gets to watch cartoons before school. Madison likes pizza; he doesn’t really like green beans, but he eats them because his daddy asks him to. Madison likes school. He can do complex math problems in his head; learning facts comes easily to Madison. Madison has one friend at school- that’s all he needs. He doesn’t care what people think when he has an accident, but all the children make fun of him.
Madison’s mom and dad won’t tell the school that he has a special need because they have heard from other parents that he will be treated differently by the children and the teachers. He will be called “dummy and weirdo.” He will always be singled out as different. How is Madison different from your seven year old? Your child doesn’t like Legos and loves green beans? Maybe your seven year old can’t do math facts in his or her head.
Our children are all different. My boy has brown hair and is tall. My girl can’t do math facts in her head. Madison should not be singled out because he has a disability. If the school and the children find out about Madison, they will put an invisible placard around his neck. The placard should read – “Though I may not be the most social human being, I will grow up and probably be an Astrophysicist or create computer programs that you can’t even fathom.” Instead the placard will read “I am different. It may not be safe for your child to play with me. Society likes to place labels on people like me.”
October 9, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: children, different, Education, moondustwriter, society, Special Needs, stigma | Leave A Comment »
I have a friend his name is Madison. He is a seven year old boy. He has blond hair and blue eyes. Madison loves to play with Legos. He sleeps in a loft bed and has a bat cave under his bed. When he finishes breakfast on time, Madison gets to watch cartoons before school. Madison likes pizza; he doesn’t really like green beans, but he eats them because his daddy asks him to. Madison likes school. He can do complex math problems in his head; learning facts comes easily to Madison. Madison has one friend at school- that’s all he needs. He doesn’t care what people think when he has an accident, but all the children make fun of him.
Madison’s mom and dad won’t tell the school that he has a special need because they have heard from other parents that he will be treated differently by the children and the teachers. He will be called “dummy and weirdo.” He will always be singled out as different. How is Madison different from your seven year old? Your child doesn’t like Legos and loves green beans? Maybe your seven year old can’t do math facts in his or her head.
Our children are all different. My boy has brown hair and is tall. My girl can’t do math facts in her head. Madison should not be singled out because he has a disability. If the school and the children find out about Madison, they will put an invisible placard around his neck. The placard should read – “Though I may not be the most social human being, I will grow up and probably be an Astrophysicist or create computer programs that you can’t even fathom.” Instead the placard will read “I am different. It may not be safe for your child to play with me. Society likes to place labels on people like me.”
October 9, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: aspergers, Autism, Education, special needs children | 6 Comments »
Put away the light
I can no longer look
at rejection
it’s scars are everywhere
*
The day you walked out
the sun refused to shine
bilious sky clouded
over my heart
*
Don’t look at me
that picture must go
the last memory of love
burned out long ago
*
turn the lights off
when you leave
honey-there is no longer
a remnant of me
Thanks to Neal Fowler http://www.flickr.com/photos/31878512@N06/4598679917/
October 8, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: broken heart, light, love, pain, rejection, separation | 10 Comments »
She grew up with paint on her knees
from her mother’s palette
smile that said “I’m pleased”
*
always had something to say
*
Art is expression meant to be said
no artist hears the word failure
no matter if there’s bread
*
Now her brush turned into pen
“It matters not what they think”
the thing that’s important
October 7, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: art, child, Moondustwriter Thursday, paint, Poetry, Wallace Stevens | 8 Comments »
Thanks to all who join us each week for quality poetry at One Shot Wednesday. We hope you enjoy this week.
The poem I wrote for today after some thought is taking a trip to several magazines instead of One Shot. This poem has been faithfully sitting gathering dust in a folder called poems.
My heart longs
to hear such words
“Don’t listen”
My mind mocks and scolds
*
My heart lingers
suspended in romance
My mind shifts
taking a logical stance
*
My heart aches
to protest and hope
My mind leers
“You don’t grasp the scope!”
*
The thread to my heart
what message to send?
Too much confusion
to comprehend
October 5, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Adam Dustus, Brian Miller, chris Galford, dichotomy, heart, logic, love, mind, moondustwriter, Pete marshall | 53 Comments »
I’m inspired by a conversation I recently had with a dean of a university (in the US.) He told me that children decide if they are college bound in the forth grade. Interestingly enough, that is the age I decided to go into health care and I started studying hard to become a straight “A” student.
How do we inspire this generation to learn when all they are challenged to do is learn to take tests? We are doing a fine job in teaching children through high school how to fill in bubbles. Is that a life skill now?
I have two children who are borderline geniuses. The way they addressed the bubble page was like a game.”How can I make my bubble sequence create a pattern or look like I was trying to answer intelligently?” They both helped keep the school’s averages up by filling in the bubble in a pretty pattern. Fortunately,my children were challenged at home to take in life, to read, to learn.
What happens to those children who have no learning standard at home from no fault of their own? There aren’t enough teachers to go around. I guess the option is to outsource our entire country to other countries. Other countries have stayed focussed with education. They have taught children to fight their way up the ladder and to achieve success by applying knowledge not mediocrity. What are we waiting for???
October 5, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: children, Education, failure, outsourcing, testing, USA | Leave A Comment »
~She~
Hold me for a moment
feel my warm breath
against your neck
hear me whisper
(something) softly
in your ear
~He~
I held her and felt
the faintest movement of air
I turned and knew
her words were
a soft caress
on
my heart
<3
*http://www.flickr.com/photos/a6u571n/3207185886/sizes/m/in/photostream/
October 5, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: caress, closeness, heart, love, moondustwriter, passion, poem, Poetry, romance | 14 Comments »
I don’t usually merge my literary stuff with my editorializing but this one is too good to pass up. This is a reprint of an article I wrote. Satirical in nature but too true.
I’m inspired by a conversation I recently had with a former dean of a university. He told me that children decide if they are college bound in the fourth grade. Interestingly enough, that is the age I decided to go into health care and I started studying hard to become a straight “A” student.
How do we inspire this generation to learn when all they are challenged to do is learn to take tests? We are doing a fine job in teaching children through high school how to fill in bubbles. Is that a life skill now?
I have two children who are incredibly intelligent. The way they addressed the bubble page was like a game. “How can I make my bubble sequence create a pattern or look like I was trying to answer intelligently?” They both helped keep the school’s averages up by filling in the bubble in a pretty pattern. Fortunately,my children were challenged at home to take in life, to read, to learn.
What happens to those children who have no learning standard at home from no fault of their own? There aren’t enough teachers to go around. I guess the option is to outsource our entire country to other countries. Other countries have stayed focussed with education. They have taught children to fight their way up the ladder and to achieve success by applying knowledge not mediocrity. What are we waiting for???
**http://www.flickr.com/photos/sercasey/324341982/sizes/z/in/photostream/
October 4, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: bubble, children, Education, government, moondustwriter, testing | 5 Comments »
Tyler Clementi was the college student with exceptional musical talent and hopes of more to come. This student’s life ended abruptly this week.Why??? Because of Cyber harassment.
I wrote an article earlier this week.Since that article, I have heard from several gifted in the arts who have received different levels of harassment. One poet is so emotionally distressed he can’t create.
I have heard from calloused people who have commented people should “get over it.”
Have you ever been in the shoes of an artist?? What makes them creative is their hypersensitivity to life. A leaf drops and they write about “the end.” They feel each word, each sound, each color. It’s their intensity that helps the world at large appreciate beauty. Harass them and you strangle their creativity. My poet friend wants to escape from blogdom to heal.
Yet there are those who are callous and harass who feel it is their first amendment right to say whatever cruel and bullying thing that comes off the keyboard. I’m thinking the first amendment is over rated when the Tyler Clementis (the next generation of musical beauty) are driven to death.
What say you??? Do we let those with bitter jealously continue to hang the tender hearted writers, painters, and musicians of our world? They are cracking down on cyber bullying of teens. Why can’t we extend that crack down. It should not be a legal to exude cruelty and destroy people like Tyler Clementi.
October 3, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: art, cyber harassment, moondustwriter, music, protection, rights, Social Media Networking, Tyler Clementi, writing | Leave A Comment »
It was a ride like no other
as they took to the skies.
She was enamored
with the strong,
magical beast which
carried them
toward the stars.
Susan at Stony River does a fabulous job each week of hosting a picture prompted story in 140. Thanks Susan for another great prompt.
October 3, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: 140 flash fiction, horse, magical, moondustwriter, stars, susan at stony river | 22 Comments »
One Stop Poetry – Where Poets, Writers and Artists Meet: One Shoot Photography Sunday Interview Spotlight: The Creators of Mosaïque Journey
After discovering each other’s artistry via Twiiter, their mutual artistic respect transformed into a beautiful merging of poetry & photography between “mutual tweeps.” Author/Blogger, Adam Dustus, interviews photographer @traceimages and poet @Jemfyr for One Stop Poetry’s Sunday photography feature.
October 3, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: art, One Stop Poetry, Poetry, twitter | Leave A Comment »
She looked up at the sun
her face fresh as Spring
which had departed
Summer on the wing
***
She wanted to cry
but no one would hear
everyone wanted Fall
that was evidently clear
***
She was resolved to her fate
to be the last one
that beautiful face
that shone in the sun
***
A sister would rise
next year that was true
but her end was at hand
her life almost through
*****
The last rose in my garden (above) inspired this poem. Enjoy fall
October 2, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: change, death. seasons, end, fall, flower, moondustwritr, Poetry, rose, summer | 11 Comments »
I look outside
on a clear blue day
and the farmlands
spread every which way
^^
I look farther still
and there you see
the brown outlined
hills stand before me
^^^
But the most majestic
on a cold brisk day
the Sierras clad in glory
take my breath away
^^^^^^^^^
Picture taken by my camera phone. Imagine what my Nikon could do!
What’s in the view from your window? Go to Moon Boat Cafe and share your view
October 1, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: agriculture, california, farms, moondustwriter, poem, Poetry, sierras | 13 Comments »
I am sickened to learn of a College student’s suicide because of the cruel actions of a fellow collegian. The collegian conveyed information via twitter and probably You Tube to show scandalous footage of this fellow student. What is the motivator? Jealousy? Was the fact that this young man had the potential to make it big as a musician the instigating factor? Whatever the motivation not only was the student scandalized but Twitter and other Social Media tools were used to make the scandal widespread.
Recently I was part of a situation in the writing/blogging community where several writers were harassed sexually and otherwise by a fellow writer. Several of the writers decided to leave the blogosphere because of the on-going insults and embarrassment. Though the perpetrator was advised by several people to stop blogging, she has not. Many of us have been so kind as to not reveal who the individual is to our large sphere of writers. After reading about a young man’s brilliant career being extinguished, I’m not sure we have acted wisely.
I appreciate feedback from others who may have dealt with a similar situation @moondustwriter
September 30, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: blogsphere, cyber harassment, suicide, twitter | Leave A Comment »
