Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? "
~Erma Bombeck

"There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American. "
~O. Henry

"Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seed time and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God. "
~Ray Stannard Baker

Happy Thanksgiving! When I was a child Thanksgiving was when all the families came to our house. Daddy and the boys would be cooking a hog on a pit and The house would be filled to the brim on the night before Thanksgiving. Uncle RC and Aunt Martha always came to spend the night. She would sit around with Mama and talk and they would be knitting or crocheting some new pattern. Mama would put as many stitches in Aunt Martha's as she would her own because she had to keep on getting it straightened out for Aunt Martha. The men would be outside doing things to get the hog ready for the pit.

Daddy would have had Jimmy and Frank digging the pit by his specifications for the past two days . It had to be the right size to get all of the hog on at once. It had to be deep enough to keep the coals underneath close enough to cook but far enough away to cook slow. The wood would have been gathered from the woods. Fallen limbs and sticks first and then some small oak trees to get the good coals from. Now days most people use a barrel with a rack in it and a hole in the side to scoop coals but Daddy always had a fire going under the wash pot and would scoop his coals from around the fire. He would bend over then and scatter the coals under the pit with his flat shovel. The pit would have an opening on each end just for that purpose.

Trudy always helped Daddy make his mops. He would make a few and then use them all night to mop the meat as it cooked. I never knew exactly what was in his mop water. Salt and pepper and vinegar I think. We all had jobs to do. Each of us had something important that Daddy or mama assigned us. No one had to remind us either. We did our little jobs what ever they might be. All night Wednesday night we would be busy with getting everything ready for Thanksgiving. The boys stayed out in the yard with the men. I once was allowed to sit out there myself. I had to keep the fire going for a while. The men didn't talk about things that I thought were interesting. They talked about working and farming. Depending on what man had stopped by they might venture on over to hunting or fishing. I was always kinda glad when Daddy sent me back inside to help the ladies.

One Thanksgiving I have very fond memories of is the year that Grandma Black let me help her make the Lemon and Chocolate pies. She pretty much stood by and let me bake them. I even made the meringue. She would sometimes spend the night on Thanksgiving even too.. Falling asleep in the chair.. But most of the time she would have someone drive her home around midnight. She always brought pies for Thanksgiving dinner. Every once in a while she would also bring a cake that I always thought tasted like ants must taste. It was a spice and nut cake. Needless to say I hated that cake.

Mama, besides entertaining any Ladies that might be there, besides Aunt Martha, would also have a lot of stuff to do. Daddy made his own hash and Mama had to get all the stuff ready for it too. Daddy cooked the Hog Heads in the wash pot outside but Mama had to peal and cook all the potatoes and everything else that he would need to make his hash. She would also have to cook enough green beans and peas and dressing and rice and gravy, potato salad and candied yams and butter beans to feed Pharaohs army. Plus bake a turkey just in case someone would rather have turkey. Macaroni pie had to be cooked and peach cobbler. We didn't serve our guest any old box of dressing mix either. All the bread had to be baked, both biscuits and cornbread, celery had to be chopped and onions too. Eggs had to boiled and pealed for the potato salad and the plate after plate of deviled eggs. I can see those plates even now. White with a gold trim, hollowed out spaces where each egg nestled into it's own space. Cranberry sauce had glass dishes long and narrow to fit the can almost perfectly once it was sliced and spread out just so.

Daddy would have the meat covered with flattened boxes and every so often he turned and mopped the meat. I tried very hard to be out there when he turned everything. If he saw a small piece of skin or meat hanging, he would always offer you a sample. When the meat began to get close to done, we would all be out there trying to get a sample. Daddy would usually declare it done just after daylight. Then would begin the cutting up of the meat and the making of the hash and his special bar-b-cue sauce. Daddy always chose just one person to help by stirring what he put in the pot. Many of us think we know the recipe. Of all the sauces I have tasted, Tricia's comes the closest to Daddy's. Daddy used to say that we weren't holding our mouth right when we made it. I don't know what his secret was. I never ever saw him measure anything and I know he didn't have the recipe wrote down.

Thanksgiving Day our house and yard would fill up from early morning to late night. Mama and Daddy would cook breakfast for a crowd plus us and we were already a crowd. Grandma Morris would come not long after breakfast bring her Pound cake and fruit cake and tins with the best divinity fudge and chocolate fudge too. She would usually bring her knitting and I often wondered if Mama was glad that Grandma had arrived to take over the entertaining part of the Thanksgiving job that was my mama's. Uncle RC and Aunt Martha's grown children might come or Uncle Robert might come. Uncle Lewis , Aunt Christine and their family almost always came for Thanksgiving. It was a family feast. But it was a friendly feast too. People came and ate and sat around all over the house and yard enjoying the day. And enjoying the food. And I really believe enjoying the company. Aunt Lucy would always come. She always brought some food to add to the table. When I was very small I even remember one Thanksgiving that all of Daddy's family was there. We played football in the field and we had almost a whole team by ourselves. Uncle Royce and Uncle Bubba's kids made a team together but we beat them.

Thanksgiving Day has always been an important day to me. I loved it as a child. I once got married on Thanksgiving day, but that too has passed away. That was the first Thanksgiving we didn't have the family feast. Later I hated Thanksgiving day. I refused to celebrate it and would always cook spaghetti on that day. I would tell Dave we should go fishing. Just being contrary you see. My kids didn't care about Thanksgiving; They had friends to see and places to be. Last year Dave and I were busy getting me home from the hospital on Thanksgiving day. Thankful that I had survived. Grateful just to be back in out own bed. I am sure we ate something that day. Morphine has made me forget what though. Tomorrow I plan to cook a turkey, and dressing with Giblet gravy. Green bean casserole, candied yams, and maybe even in the spirit of old days, a peach cobbler. I have a regular feast planned out. I know Dave and I will enjoy it. Who knows I might even get him to play me a game of tag football.. But tomorrow I will be celebrating Thanksgiving. For I do indeed have a lot to be Thankful for. Have a great day and a Happy Thanksgiving.
Patsy

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Writing Acrostic Poems!

"It's impossible to write poetry in front of the TV Almost impossible not to write in the sun In the woods, every breath is a poem The words form in the sunbeams, to those who look for them." ~ Daisey Verlaef


"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." ~William Wordsworth


"Being an author is having angels whisper in your ear - and devils, too." ~Graycie Harmon



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One of My favorite types of Poems to write is the acrostic poem. I love trying to say what the title or the word spelled down means to me. I have wrote them from People's names and from all sorts of words. What is an acrostic Poem? An acrostic poem uses the letters that spell a topic word to begin each line of the poem.Each line should relate to or desribe something about the original Topic word. Some times I use a phrase as well. An acrostic poem is a way to show what you know about a particular character or word. You might not think of it as poetry because it does not rhyme, but poetry does not always have to rhyme.And believe me it's harder than it looks too unless you just want Boring.

Before you begin, make a list of all the things you know about the character or item ~use adjectives / verbs. You chose a character’s name or word. Use each letter in the name as the beginning of a word or line that tells something about that person, character or word. Below are four examples of Acrostic Poems. Please enjoy todays Poetry. Have a great day.
Patsy





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H.U.R.T.I.N.G.



Hurting is he?
Until now the pain was all mine.
Ripples of anguish fill me even now.
Thrusting their way into my life.
Imploring my heart to remember.
Never allowing my soul Forget.
Giddiness fills me as I see him suffer.



Written By: Patricia Sawyer

8-22-2008



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Frustration



Fizzled out I am; a failure
Rejected and rebuffed by you.
Unwanted and unloved I feel.
Stressed out I am; so disappointed.
Teased and teased by you again.
Reality is a reversal of roles;
As I saw them. Angry? No not I.
Thwarted; trampled and tossed aside.
Injury of pride is what I'm suffering.
Outwitted, outguessed, and then offset.
Neutralized I was. No wonder I'm frustrated!



written By: Patricia Sawyer
11- 7-2008



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Tropical

Tides wash over painted toes.
Rum rains down; Reptiles sun.
Ocean waves; Oracles with desired lies.
Palm treed Paradise with insects.
Islands with beautiful barefooted influences
Careless days and nights; secret caves and coves.
Abundant atmosphere; fruited alcohol attractions.
Lovers under the lagoon's night sky.
~Leafy layers of Tropical Life.

Written BY: Patricia Sawyer
9-7-2008
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Sunshine

Several times I thought I saw you. Peeking out.
Unknown to me- But seeming to know about us.
Not Martha or Mary though I had guessed both.
Something you had said once, led me to those guesses.
How can you be neither Kith nor kin ? You know stuff.
I was at a loss...why does it matter? Every reader counts.
Nevermind who you are; I still have an idea or two. Or one.
Everyone needs friends who light up their day! Thanks for lighting mine!


written BY: Patricia Sawyer
11-25-2008

Saturday, November 22, 2008

A Long Lazy but Crazy day!

"Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell."
~Emily Dickinson

“Dogs are wise. They crawl away into a quiet corner and lick their wounds and do not rejoin the world until they are whole once more.”
~ Agatha Christie


"I have a dog and sometimes I'll be the littlest kid with my dog and marvel at his ears and his nose and how he looks at me. If he died, I'd bawl like a baby."
~Aaron Eckhart



Today has been a long, Long Day so far. We found our faithful Dog Buddy who we have missed and searched for this entire week. Sadly we no longer have Him with us. But he was old and coughed a lot. We had really been expecting that he might not survive another winter. We will miss him though. We buried him with His ball that he loved to fetch but wanted you to fight him for. We were surprised to find him dead because we are also missing our newest Dog Bella who is a full blooded Beagle Puppy. We really thought Buddy had gone after some dog sugar from a neighbors girl dog and that Bella had followed him. Buddy thought he was a Casanova and would often go off for a day or so at the time. Coming home to sleep for a few days and eat like a hog. Now we are at a loss as to what has happened to Bella. Dave thinks she has been dog napped. Since Coco is still here I am about ready to agree with Dave. I did walk up to the neighbors who live across the ditch and have a fenced in back yard just to peek and make sure Bella hadn't by accident got herself "stuck" in their back yard . I didn't find Bella but I bet ya I about needed to run home and change my underwear when a huge brown, with one green eye, Bull dog reared up on the fence and Barked right in my face. It scared me for almost long enough for me to need clean clothes. I love animals but Bull dogs everywhere? They have bull dogs chained in about four or five different spots over there behind the bushes and their fence. I hope Bella wasn't a snack. The dogs looked fat and healthy though they did all seem like they would have loved to be off their chains. I bet I don't look over their fence again! Please don't consider this post to be a requests for animals. We aren't replacing either of the missing ones right now. Coco is running herself ragged trying to guard the entire seven acres at once. She always was hyper-active but now is even more so. If you have a dog, give him a pay on the head and a scratch on his back tonight. Thank him for being your lifelong friend. Have a wonderful Day!
Patsy


Buddy

Buddy my friend
you came to my house
unwanted by me. Loved
by our Man, and Dragged in
by the little girl that our man
just Couldn't tell NO! So many
times I have returned home
UN-afraid because I knew you
took good care of your duties
as guard to your "people".
So many times I
have carried you with me
to keep me safe as I went
about doing my jobs as Mom
even when those jobs came
after dark. I was never afraid
when you and your growl
rode shotgun. I have watched
you run for a ball even when
they hid it and just made you
run for the fun of it. I have seen
you turn cartwheels for the same
ball bounced just out of your reach.
No wonder you made them fight you
for the ball every time you did bring it
close enough for them to get a grip on it.
I would have done the same. So many dogs
have come and gone since you came here as
Just a flea bitten bundle of skinny bones.
Some say that animals don't have a heaven
But I think if they do, You are surely there!
I will miss you Buddy!

Written BY: Patricia Sawyer
11-24-2008

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Gettysburg Address!

"Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them."

"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."

"I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has."

~ All BY~ Abraham Lincoln


The speech known as, The Gettysburg Address, was delivered by Abraham Lincoln on Nov. 19, 1863, at the dedication of the national cemetery on the Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg, Pa. It is one of the most famous and most quoted of modern speeches.

Lincoln was born into a family stricken by poverty. True to the American dream, he died as one of the greatest men in history. Abraham Lincoln presided over our country during its darkest times. Yet he managed to keep the United States a whole. Most history experts consider Abraham Lincoln the greatest president of the United States.

Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg was only ten sentences and just barely lasted two minutes. Many teachers require their students to memorize the speech as part of their History classes. I was required by several different teachers to memorize it. Sounds easy doesn't it since I said it was only ten sentences. Do not be fooled it is not easy to say word for word. Today I wouldn't even try. I think I might be able to say the first line or part of it at least.

One of the most overlooked facets of Abraham Lincoln was his way with words. Lincoln was a sincere speaker. He had a true gift of writing. The most famous example of Lincoln's writing skills is in his Gettysburg Address. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is one of the most quoted speeches in American history. The Gettysburg Address was given during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was delivered in the midst of the Civil War, just a few months after the Confederate soldiers had been defeated at the bloody Battle of Gettysburg. The date was November 19, 1863. Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg was very short. Yet, in that small amount of time Lincoln managed to convey the United States principles of unity and equality. The speech contained lyrical phrases and haunting images from the recent war. In this short sequence of words, Lincoln started with "a new nation, conceived in Liberty" and ended with "shall not perish from the earth". Almost as if those two phrases were part of one singular thought. The Gettysburg Address is now regarded as one of the best speeches in United States history. Everyone may not have the Gettysburg Address memorized, but I think we all recognize the words "Four score and seven years ago".



Gettysburg Address
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.



I cannot help but imagine the shivers that must have crept down the spines of those who were gathered on the spot, that had so recently been a bloody battlefield, as they listened to Lincoln's speech. I have long thought his speech to be a challenge to all of the men and women present to move forward as a Nation united.

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory in the summer of 1863 that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy", it was the wars bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It also provided President Abraham Lincoln with the setting for his most famous address.


Established by concerned citizens in 1864, the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association set out to preserve portions of the battlefield as a memorial to the Union troops that fought the battle. In 1895, the lands were transferred to the Federal government and Gettysburg National Military Park was established. Administered by a commission of Civil War veterans, the park's primary purpose was to be a memorial to the two armies that fought this pivotal battle, and to mark and preserve the battle lines of each army. Administration of the park was transferred to the Department of the Interior- National Park Service in 1933, which continues in its mission to protect, preserve and interpret the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address to park visitors.

I have never been to Gettysburg. I think I would like to visit this most historical place some day.
During my research today I found many wonderful letters and stories from and about soldiers who fought for both sides. I even found a few ghost stories about the battlefield and some of the towns oldest buildings.
Today let us be reminded of the importance of being a Nation United. Pray for our nation and those who lead us. Have a wonderful day!
Patsy

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Under the Weather!


"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired." ~ Fannie Lou Hamer

I have been under the weather just a little this week. The Doctor promises I won't wither away and in fact I will be up and about soon enough. Given the fact that I am taking horse sized pills I am almost sure to be galloping around again almost any day now. I swear to Y'all that the nurse who stabbed a needle into my hip yesterday with a smile on her face, enjoyed my being sick much more than I do. I am lousy at being sick. Most people would snuggle down in bed and consider themselves lucky for the rest. Not me.. I hate it. I mope and moan.

I am sharing with you two poems today. The first is an Etheree about an animal that actually existed here on the marshes surrounding many of the outer barrier Islands of South Carolina. I have searched for the ghost herds many nights but have never come upon them.

The second is a Tritina about my siblings. I hope you will enjoy my short blog posting today and I will promise that I will be back at the long ones soon enough! And Now I am back to the sick room with liquids and nasty medicine!Have a wonderful day!
Patsy



A Midnight Ride!

Marsh
Ponies
once roamed free
here. Nickering
their abundant joy.
Wild beauty Now extinct.
Sometimes, on a foggy night
folks have seen ghost herds frolicking
along the sand where dunes meet the sea.
I would Love to go for a Midnight ride.

an Etheree
Written By:Patricia Sawyer
10-17-2008
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Sibling Love

I have four brothers.
I have three sisters.
I share with them love.

It's not always easy to love.
Especially those "mean" brothers.
or those "Hootie~snooty" sisters.

Those beautiful, caring sisters.
Those wonderfully funny brothers.
Each one easy to love.

Brothers, sisters, a family, filled with love.

a Tritina
written by:Patricia Sawyer
10-3-2008

Friday, November 14, 2008

A Fairy Tale for Friday!

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." ~ Albert Einstein


"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." ~ C. S. Lewis

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. " ~Langston Hughes


Today it is drizzling rain here. I have always loved rain.I like to here it hitting my roof. I like to see it fill and overflow the buckets sitting on my step. I love the smell and the feel of rain. When others would run through a storm trying to avoid puddles, I would walk slowly through hoping to get soaked to the skin. Dave and I have taken all the children for walks in the rain. Once staying at the beach for a week in the rain we walked all alone on a deserted stretch of sand getting all the best shells. Laughing one night as Jennifer jumped around afraid of the ghost crabs that appeared to also enjoy the soaking rain. Everyone else who camped there that week stayed inside their snug travel trailers and missed all the fun of the giant waves crashing along the shore as the rain fell in softer waves from above. Today's Tale deals with rain and what life might be like without rain. I hope you enjoy My Fairy tale for today! Have a wonderful day!
Patsy



The Last Rain

Lila knelt there, in her shuttered garden room, remembering. She had been four Years old. the same age her grandson Ivan was now. The fat drops had sluiced through her long dark hair. It had fallen across her skinny back in tangles after the drenching. Her Grandma had set buckets out all over their house that day. They had bottled gallons and gallons of water. Scarce even then, Rain wasn't even believed in now. Oh how she wished to see the miracle again. It had been years now since the last rain. Years since she had tasted the lovely droplets. Her own sons had never seen rain. Her oldest Grandson had gone down to the well this morning and came back with only a few small bottles of the precious liquid. Lila wondered how she would water her few garden plants with so little water. But at least she still had plants. So many people didn't even have that much.

The last rain had been fifty years ago. The Grand Government had drilled the now crumbling wells in the third year after that. For a lot of years men and women had drawn water from the deep pits always under the watchful eye of a well keeper. Three years ago they had declared that the cities wells were running dry. People had left the cities and headed for the North. Lila and her sons had decided to stay in the nearly abandoned city. Always hoping for a miracle. Always praying for rain. Lila hoped that they had made the right choice. Picking carefully she gathered food to fix the families one meal of the day.

"Grandma," little Ivan called to her as she worked, " tell me again about the Rain!" "Come along " She answered, seeing the disapproving look her son was casting her way." I'll tell you as we work." Lila knew her children thought she was an old fool. She knew they didn't believe her stories about rain. They had never seen rain. They thought rain was a myth. Something made up by the old ones. But Ivan was young enough to still believe in an old woman's tales.

Late that night Lila was awakened by the squeak of a door. She quietly rose and watched from behind the tattered blinds as her oldest grandson slipped from the nearly vacant High rise and was swallowed by the darkness of the street far below. She knew he was sniffing around one of the few girls still living here in the city. She had seen him hide away a potion of his meal to carry to his secret lover. Lila reckoned that they would soon have either one more or one less mouth to feed. She wanted her family to stay together. She knew what the city held for them. But to go north? Was there more water north? Lila was afraid that the friends who had gone north had not found water at all. No one had come back to tell them. It was as if they had left the city and vanished. She crept quietly back to her bed to toss and turn through the night.

"Grandma! Grandma!" Ivan called; squealing fearfully through the rooms. "Come see the sky! It's turning all Black!" Lila jumped from her bed just as the first rumble echoed through out the city. "What is that her sons yelled at her?" Running from their beds with their hungry wives close behind."Buckets!" Lila screamed at them. "Get buckets and Barrels and pots and anything else that you can find that will hold water. Hurry now! Bring them to the roof. Put them out everywhere.""Grandma?" Ivan squealed as the thunder ripped through the city again, bringing the few remaining inhabitants running into the streets. "What is it?"

"Ivan," Lila said kneeling in front of him as she let loose her Bun, freeing her hair to hang in dark tangles around her hips. " You come with me!" Holding tight to each others hand, they ran into the dusty street just as the first fat, wet, drops splattered onto the parched ground. Together they danced as the buckets and barrels filled and the cities deep wells overflowed. They danced through the empty high rise they called home and Lila gathered all the family close around her as each of them experienced their own very first rain.


written by: Patricia Sawyer
11-8-2008

Thursday, November 13, 2008

It's Thursday Already? Wow!

"For me, writing is exploration; and most of the time, I'm surprised where the journey takes me." ~ Jack Dann

"The reason one writes isn't the fact he wants to say something. He writes because he has something to say." ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

"The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof shit detector."
~ Ernst Hemingway

Wow I can't believe it is Thursday already. Normally I would have a story or Fairy Tale on my blog today. This has been a very busy week for me with a lot to do. Last night being Dave's Birthday supper with his sister, Donna and all the kids except for one. I could have pulled a story from my files or wrote one up right quick, ( Y'all think I can actually do that?) but I have decided to just share with you some poems. I have gotten so many prompts this week and haven't even had time to go through them all, but sometimes one immediately causes you to have an image in your mind.

The first poem today is from a list of title prompts that I found on Allpoetry.com. It quickly reminded me of a man that I have seen several times at a Dollar store. The first time I saw him I was saddened by his plight.. The second time I saw him I was there long enough to watch him leave. Enjoy!

Beggar Man

I saw you there resting
your chair near the door.

Long Black hair dirty
Needing a bath. smiling.

Red and green stick figure Jesus
Pictures you offered. Grinning.

I was moved by your plight.
Almost giving you my dollar.

Dark Eyes shining, pitiful.
I prayed Jesus would forgive me.

Poor people's change jingling
as it fell into your bucket.

You paid for a juice with a big bill.
Your chair blocking the long line.

Rolling away to the farthermost space.
Standing to toss your chair into the car.

Counting the ones. Pouring their change
into your backseat bucket. Laughing.

Driving away in your red convertible.
Baseball cap pulled low over shifty eyes.

The blond next to you chattering
no pity for a cripple in her adoring eyes.

I hope your Jesus on torn poster board
forgives YOU! Beggar Man!

written By: Patricia Sawyer
11-13-2008

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This Poem was written from a picture prompt. It also won third place in a contest sponsored by a lady called ~ Jinsays. ( Go ME!)

Outta Here

I stand waiting
watching for you.
Golden sunlight
pouring across my skin.

Why are you always
late? Making me wait
worrying for you;
afraid you won't come.

Have you found another?
Does she set your heart to racing?
Whispering in your ear?

Do you hold her close?
Do you tell her
she means the world
to you?

Just say the words.
You can't hurt me anymore
My heart already broken.
I'm Outta Here!

Written BY: Patricia Sawyer
11-12-2008

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These next poem was written from a prompt from my number two fan! ~ Sunshine.
Thanks Sunshine for your supply of ideas. Enjoy!

Too Soon I Wake Up.

I dream of a land
To where I love to escape.
There are lizards and unicorns
and a friendly ape.

I travel through this land
with a wink and a smile.
I can pass right through or
stay to visit a while.

A beautiful dream.
Too soon I wake up.

written by: Patricia Sawyer
11-12-2008
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I hope you have enjoyed my poems today. Have a wonderful day!
Patsy

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Poetic Wednesday!

"There are two kinds of writer: those that make you think, and those that make you wonder."
~Brian Aldiss


"Forget all the rules. Forget about being published. Write for yourself and celebrate writing."
~Melinda Haynes


"I write for the same reason I breathe ~ because if I didn't, I would die." ~ Isaac Asimov


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Today's poems are all written from different types of prompts that have been sent to me. You will notice that each is different in form than the others. I haven't had much time to write this week. I have been busy with Everyone getting ready for my Dear Husband's Birthday. Yes he's old. Or at least the children say we are. But I have surely missed the time I normally spend writing. Next week I'll have to try and catch up! I hope you enjoy the poems today. Have a wonderful Day!
Patsy


"you'll write in RHYME~ and weave your magick in my mind.TEN LINES ONLY you have to write and cast your spell on me tonight." ~ storm goddess

The Day After Today

Droplets of Mist from a stormy night.
Teeth prints left from a rabid dogs bite.

A jingle of coins both silver and gold
A short man' s beard hair twisted and old.

Sprinkles of Nightmares creeping in the dark.
The song I ripped from the throat of a Lark.

A spell on another you asked me to weave.
But I have spelled you like you'd never believe.

So run along now and plot where you may.
For you will cease to exist the day after today!

written By:
Patricia Sawyer
11-4-2008
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"Do you dare to enter? 13 words, dark." ~ Zel

Imprisoned

Darkness wraps itself
Around My heart
Raping my spirit
Keeping me it's prisoner.

written By:
Patricia Sawyer
10-17-2008

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"I know everybody has had a tear or two run down their face. Express it in poetry, a healthy outlet." ~ Ativan

My Life Filled With Pain

I hide behind a crooked smile.
Many times I would rather cry.
I feel as if I have no friends.
Ignored by my family.
Trampled on by those I most Love.
My life filled with Pain.

My life filled with Pain.
So long since I wore a smile.
I pretend I don't love.
I try hard not to cry.
Where are my Family?
Do I have any friends?

I used to have friends.
My life filled with Pain.
I need my Family.
I fake a lonely smile.
I refuse to Cry!
I am searching for love.

Do you seek someone to Love?
Do you search for friends?
Are those tears that you cry?
My life filled with pain.
I would like to see you smile.
Don't you have a family?

We can't always count on Family.
Some don't know how to Love.
They don't notice that you don't smile.
It's hard to count on Friends.
My life filled with Pain.
They might notice if you cry.

So many times, alone I cry!
I hide it from my loving Family.
My life filled with pain.
I shower them with Love.
I hide it from my friends.
I show them all my crooked smile.

I cry silently for their Love.
My busy family and friends.
My Pain hidden behind my smile.

a sestina
by:Patricia Sawyer
10-15-2008

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"Hmmmmm...I like flowery words too. Patsy, you do a fine job even with less words! I see all of the poems as if they were pictures in my head. Try these when you are bored...40-50 words (rhyme if you like) escape, travel, love"~ Sunshine

Love Again!


Travel the lonely road.
Kiss a few frogs!
A toad?


Escape the daily drama
Unless you have kids.
You're Mama!


Seek and search and find
A true love?
Never mind!


Does it exist at all?
Can anyone really
truly fall?


Escape the pain!
Don't travel alone!
Let true Love reign.

written by:
Patricia Sawyer
11-12-2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Happy Veteran's Day!

"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, "Mother, what was war?" ~Eve Merriam

"Lord, bid war's trumpet cease; Fold the whole earth in peace." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

"It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you."
~Dick Cheney

Today is Veteran's day. Veterans' Day is holiday formerly observed in the United States as Armistice Day in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice ending World War I. November 11Th officially became Veterans' Day on May 24, 1954, by act of Congress. A lot of people get Veteran's day and Memorial day confused. Memorial day is for decorating the graves of love ones who have died. Veterans day is to Honor the Surviving Soldiers who have stood in defense of the Untied States. For many years the Vietnam Vets were the largest group of Veterans. It is now estimated that the Veterans of the current war will equal if not surpass the number of Veterans from any previous war.

My brothers, David, Jimmy and Reuben are all Veterans. My Husband Dave, is a veteran. Dave's Dad was a veteran; as is My oldest son Anthony and my nephew David. Two of my Brother-in-laws, Lawrence and Lennie, are also veterans. Both of My Mom's brother's, Robert and JC, were veterans. I have lots and lots of friends including both Artie and Chris who are veterans. My brother Reuben reminded of the fact that we come from a long line of veterans. Thanks Reuben!


Some of America's most famous entertainers, such as Clint Eastwood and Tony Bennett, started their career in the armed forces. Before they were famous, many celebrities served in the U.S. military. And famous veterans, such as Tony Bennett and Montel Williams, developed and honed their talents while in the service. These famous veterans are proud to have served their country and most credit their success to the lessons learned while serving. The list of entertainers who have spent time in in service to their country also includes Bob Feller, the legendary pitcher for the Cleveland Indians; Actor, Director, Screenwriter Alan Alda; and Comedian, Actor, Author Bill Cosby. As we celebrate Veterans Day this year, we remember all service members (famous and non-famous) who have served this country. We thank them for defending our rights. And protecting the lives of each of us.

When I was a little girl and even into my teen years we would, every once in a great while, go out to eat after Church on Sunday afternoon. We didn't go to a local restaurant. We didn't go to a fast food joint. We would all load up and drive to Augusta. Where way in the back, between the shoes and the knitting thread, we would all line up and go through the lunch counter line at the K-Mart's diner. There was always an old man there that Daddy said was a Vietnam veteran and Mama said not to look at. Mama was afraid of him I think.

I would sneak looks at him trying to see if I could see what made him frightening . I often got caught looking at him and would get in trouble. He was a stranger and in some ways he was strange. He always wore a black vest with all kinds of badges and buttons on it. He wore holey blue jeans and wore out shoes. He had a dog leash with no dog and just gave the general impression of being not quiet right. He had an American flag sewn crooked across the back of his vest. Sewn on by his own hands I imagined. I spent a lot of time imagining back then and no matter how hard I tried not to look at him, my eyes would go to him again and again.

Years later when I was almost grown I saw him again in the Regency Mall, sitting in a wheel chair then, in the center of the mall still smiling and laughing with his "dog gone" and a few newer stuffed animals in the chair with him. Still wearing his vest full of badges and buttons. This time I got close enough to him to see into the deep sparkling green of his eyes and there, I saw that he had lived through many trials and tribulations. I even spoke to him but it was not until I was turning to walk away and catch up with my friends that I spotted hanging just above his heart Two of the Military's highest honor Badges. The Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

I gave him a big hug that day, praying that Mama wouldn't somehow catch me. He smiled and patted my hand and with a laugh he told me that he sure was glad that I had stopped by for a visit. Mama would have tore me up if she had caught me but I was thrilled to have met him. I often think about him even now. I'm sure he died long ago But something about him touched my heart and made me look twice and even more at him. I can't even imagine what he must have gone through in service to this country, But I'm sure it was no walk in the park. You don't get those medals for walking in the park! Today I am sharing two poems that I wrote about soldiers. I hope you enjoy them. If you know a veteran thank them today for giving their all to defend those of us who live here in America! Have a wonderful day!
Patsy




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Soldier's Prayer
Lord
Hold close
Your children.
Our Pains eased
By your loving touch.
Give us strength to endure.
Wisdom and courage each day.
Keep Our loved ones safe from harm.
Oh Lord, Let our Deaths be not in vain.
Lord Watch over us as the winds of war
Blow us onto paths we fear to walk alone.
We know you walk beside us every day.
Never Forsaking us as we trod.
Let us return home full of pride.
Having served Our Country.
And Our God with Honor.
Hold us safely now
within your hand.
Amen!
Written By:
Patricia Sawyer
2-6-2008
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Just One Time

Just One time Lord
I would like
to wake in the
first morning sunshine
without a cloud of dust
swirling into red and gold dunes
of sand!
Just
One time, Lord
I would like
to kneel and pray
for my family and my
fellow soldiers without my
weapon waiting at ready within
my hands!
Just
one time, Lord
I would like
to smile at a child
or a beautiful young woman
without the fear that they conceal
a bomb to explode as soon as they get close
to me!
Just
One time, Lord
I would like
to spend a day here
in this war torn Land
without looking over my
shoulder for an unseen enemy
waiting for his best chance to
kill me!
Just One Time, Lord
I would like
to Walk with My wife
and my children and feel again
whole and pure and freshly clean.
As if I had never smelled the stench of death.
Just one
final time
Lord
Before I die
here in this
war Ravaged place!

Written By:
Patricia Sawyer
3-9-2008
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for your information~ A "dog gone" for those who don't know is a dog leash with a collar, stiffened with a wire hidden inside. When you walk the collar will swing and sway and it's little bells will ring as if the collar restrains an invisible dog. for a funny story about my own personal "dog gone" be sure and look back to my post called a Double Dog Dare! Thanks!
Patsy

Monday, November 10, 2008

I Love Sesame Street!

"Me do anything for cookie!" ~ Cookie Monster

"This is Sesame Street. A place where people, birds, monsters all live in perfect harmony."
~ Phil Donahue

"It's not easy being green." ~Kermit the Frog

"Sesame Street has been brought to you today by the letters W, S and E, and by the numbers 2 and 3." ~Mr. Hooper


On this day, November tenth, in 1969, the very first episode of Sesame Street was aired on public television. I was almost ten years old, but I loved it. It came on at 5 o'clock in the afternoon back then. We watched it on channel 14, the public television station. I had never seen anything like this new show with people and giant fuzzy things called Muppets. I would learn a lot through the years from those crazy creatures. I had found myself a new favorite television show. Apparently a lot of other children loved it too. Sesame Street has become the longest running children's program on American television. The show is now produced in the United States by the non-profit organization Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), founded by Joan Ganz Cooney and Ralph Rogers.


Because of its positive influence, Sesame Street has become one of the most highly regarded educational shows for children in the world. No other children's show has matched its level of international success. The original series has been televised in more than 120 countries, and 25 independent versions have been produced. It is the most viewed children's program in the world. Sesame Street uses combinations of animation, puppets, and live actors to stimulate young children's minds, improve their letter and word recognition, basic math , shapes, simple problem solving, and socialization by showing children or people in their daily lives. Since the shows beginning, they have also added basic life skills, such as how to cross the street safely, proper hygiene, healthy eating habits, and social skills.


The show displays a subtle sense of humor that has appealed to older viewers since it first began ; this was devised as a means to encourage parents and older siblings to watch the series with younger children, and becoming involved in the learning process, rather than having Sesame Street act as a babysitter. A 1996 survey found that 95% of American preschoolers have watched the show by the time they are three years old. I loved the show myself and all of my children watched it. Anthony and I especially loved Oscar the grouch. Cooper always loved Cookie monster the "very best". Emily , David , and Jennifer all loved Kermit the frog. In honor of today being a birthday of sorts for one of our Favorite shows, I will share with you some fast facts about Sesame Street!


1.) ~Big Bird is 8'2" tall.

2.) ~Barkley was originally called Woof-Woof.

3.) ~The Count was born on 9 October 1,830,653 B.C.- ( I love the count too!)

4.) ~ Oscar the Grouch was inspired by two people. His attitude comes from a nasty waiter that served Jim Henson and former director Jon Stone at a restaurant called Oscar's Tavern in Manhattan. The voice was inspired by a cab-driver that used to drive 'Carroll Spinney' to the set every day during the first season.

5.) ~In 2004, Cookie Monster revealed that, before trying cookies for the first time, his name was Sid. ( Mason and I watched that show. Along with other children I was babysitting at the time. Who would have ever guessed his name was Sid?)

6.) ~Snuffy's baby sister is named Alice.

7.) ~ Elmo's goldfish is named Dorothy. ( Mason loves Elmo and he once named a goldfish here Dorothy after Elmo's fish.)

8.) ~Ernie originally had his own bedroom instead of sharing a bedroom with Bert. ( I remember that actually.. I wonder why they changed it?)

9.) ~ After the death of Jim Henson in 1990, the show stopped producing new sketches featuring Kermit the Frog. Kermit appeared only in reruns of old sketches until 1998, when he popped up to do a Sesame Street News Flash when Oscar the Grouch's pet worm Slimy went into space. He appeared again in 2001, reporting on a hurricane with Al Roker. Kermit is now voiced by Steve Whitmire, who has also assumed the role of Ernie since Henson's passing. ( didn't Y'all wonder what had happened to Kermit.. I did!)

10.) ~ To answer the immortal question, here is how to get to Sesame Street: Take the "R" or "V" train to Steinway Street. Stay on back of train. Walk west on 34th Avenue, three blocks to 36th Street. Turn left on 36th Street. The entrance to Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens is mid-block (between 34th & 35th Avenues). And there you shall find Sesame Street! ( or at least the sets where it is filmed!)


I hope you have enjoyed our visit to Sesame Street today. I watched it with my children and we would count and spell and learn together. We would sing and laugh together at the muppets and at each other. Mason still watches it when he is here and sits down long enough to watch Television. Sometimes I just turn it on and enjoy it all by myself. You can laugh at me if you want to. I won't care. I'll be too busy laughing at all the funny creatures That enjoy a good life together down On Sesame Street. If you have small children or any children, I invite you to watch TV with them. If you truly hate Sesame Street~ ( yes, I have met people who do!)~ then choose something else. But sit and relax and simply enjoy the show just for a little while. Give them just a small amount of your time. You might even enjoy it. I promise you that you will build memories and a special bond with your children by sharing fun time with them. Have a wonderful Day and as Cookie monster always says ~ Cowabunga!
Patsy

Sunday, November 9, 2008

How Many Words?

"Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words." ~ Paul Engle


"Poetry is an orphan of silence. The words never quite equal the experience behind them."
~ Charles Simic


"A poet who makes use of a worse word instead of a better, because the former fits the rhyme or the measure, though it weakens the sense, is like a jeweler, who cuts a diamond into a brilliant, and diminishes the weight to make it shine more." ~ Horace Walpole


How many words does it take to say what I want to say? How many does it take to say all I need to say? I always thought that you should use lots of flowing flowery words to "dress up" any story or poem that you wrote. I even thought that you had to use a certain amount of fancy words just to make it look good. I was recently informed that I was wrong about that. I had always known about word counts. Years ago when I took one of those by the mail writing courses, that were so popular back then, they talked about word counts a lot. Of course they had to set limits because the story did have to actually fit into their magazine with lots of space for the other writers stories and articles too. Not to mention the classifieds and pictures required to make a good magazine.

But word count in poetry? My dark poetry teacher called it the extra word law. He said take out every single word you can! Then read it over a few times to make sure you got them all. But to start out knowing you can only use a set amount, and a small amount at that, of words is often scary. I have tried to entice my poetry club into trying it. So far they all say I am limiting them too much. It is new to them and they can't imagine saying anything with less than a page full of words. I will eventually woo them over to at least try it I hope!

Today's poems were all written by prompts. Each of them gave a one or two word prompt plus a word count limit. So that we not only knew how many words we could use, but also the subject of our poem. However we are always able to interpret the word or words or even sometimes, pictures, in our own way. Maybe some of you have a word in mind and want to send me a word and a word count. Maybe you have a picture you'd like me to try and write something from. Just remember that some subjects require a few more words than others. But being me, I'll give almost anything a try. I hope you enjoy these poems. Have a great day!
Patsy


#1) PROMPTS: spiral, malleable, stranded ~ use one, two or all three.. your choice. 30 (thirty) words. ~ Emma

Behind a Wall
Hammers of your words
strike again and again.
My soul spirals downward
uncontrolled. My malleable
heart forever twisted by
wicked words. My Love stranded
behind an unbreakable wall of Pain.

written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-21-2008
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#2)PROMPTS: surreal, sunset; use both or use just one. you decide. ENTER♥
~ mesmerized--x

Sunset
Old gray heron
wades knee deep
along ponds edge.
Feeding.
Fiery reflections dance
across still waters.
Bass leaps through
sunset.

written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-20-2008

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#3) 35 words or less. no rhyme. anger and unrest found in the youth of the worlds cities today.
~ Norman

Pieces Of Me
On City sidewalk corners
stands anger, Desperation and Pain.
Buyers, Sellers, Pushers!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Stop; Look around
faceless stranger lays dead.
I calmly walk away.
Pieces of me dripping
into the river of unrest.

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-28-2008
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#4) Prompt: Manhattan chill - 30-40 words -Brevity and imagination are the key
~autumn gypsy

A Long Way Up
Big city socialites
Barely there dresses.
Midnight chill kept off
their shoulders by thick
chinchilla fur. Champagne
filled bellies.Strutting their stuff.
A wiggle in their midnight walk.
Frozen smile. Eyes as dead as the
animal about their skinny neck.

written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-30-2008

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Etheree Who?

"Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them." ~Dennis Gabor

"Poetry is truth in its Sunday clothes." ~ Joseph Roux


How to write your own Etheree! ~An etheree is a ten-lined poem whose structure is based on the number of syllables in each line. The first line has one syllable, the second line has two, etcetera, until you reach the tenth line with ten syllables. ~ What do I want this etheree to be about? ~Think of your longer words related to your topic. They will be much more difficult than coming up with your shorter lines. ~Write each line carefully, making sure to count your syllables. If they are not the right quantity, it is not an etheree. ~ Read it through a few times to make sure it makes sense. ~Title it!


When I first started back to writing every day, I decided to learn as much as I could about different forms of poetry. I was amazed at how many different forms there are. Even now I learn of new forms almost every day. I get e-mailed prompts that will tell me what type I am to write each day.. Of course as usual for me I signed up for every prompt I could find so I will be getting way more than I could possibly write each day! But it does give me lots of choices!

One form that I had never heard of but liked right away was the Etheree. The first time I was trying to write one I got a phone call right in the middle of it and when I told my friend I was writing an Etheree she said, "Etheree who?" I laughed because it does almost sound like a woman's name. Today's poems are all Etheree. They are much harder to write than you would think. Extra syllabels will sneak up on you if you don't count them closely. I hope you all enjoy these poems of mine today. Have a great day!!
Patsy


Etheree Who?

Who?
Not Who.
Etheree?
Yes, Etheree!
A poetry form.
Are you sure? She's Foreign?
What country is she from then?
No Not foreign. A poem Type.
Oh I can't type either. She can type?
I'll call you back when Etheree leaves then!

written BY: Patricia Sawyer
11-8-2008

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Oh Happy day!

How
Many
words does one
Person need to
say Goodbye to you?
The soul mate who has strayed.
No Begging allowed you see.
Just goodbye and you leave us four.
Like the years never touched your heart.
I bid a stranger goodbye this happy day.

written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-28-2008
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The Gypsy Camp

Brass
bells ring
along swamps
shadowy edge.
Children running free;
flutes echoing laughter;
cimmerian eyed beauty
hips swaying to an earthy beat.
Simple suppers roast over fire.
Welcoming the despised plebeians home.

an Etheree
Written By: Patricia Sawyer
11-4-2008

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Walking Distance!

"Writing is like walking in a deserted street. Out of the dust in the street you make a mud pie."
~ John LeCarre

"All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking." ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

" Everywhere is walking distance~ if you have the time." ~ Steven Wright

Years ago when I bought my first computer from an auction. I would go into a poetry chat room.
It didn't take too long for even me to figure out that there wasn't much poetry writing going on in there! I did however "meet" a few people who actually did write when not involved in the room drama. (Drama being a nice word!) One of them still sends me quotes sometimes to write from. The third quote above is his latest quote gift to me. Thanks John!

When we were kids we had almost everything we might need in walking distance. Aunt Lucy and two Uncles~ Emmett and Oneal. Grandma Blacks house and the store. The pond and the woods. We would take long walks through the woods, coming out at the Railroad tracks. I remember one time in particular that Jimmy and Frank found an old Ice box someone had dumped in the woods and we all went to see it. It was a beautiful old wooden ice box. Aluminum lined the inside. It had Wonderful carvings on the front doors. We intended to tote it home but when we tried to carry it; it fell into pieces there in the woods. I remember walking home following behind Mama and Daddy and being happy that they were holding hands. I skipped along, catching up to hold mama's other hand myself. I remember that they were talking about an ice box that one of the Grandma's had owned long before then.

Later after I got grown I often walked from Barnwell out to Mama and Daddy's house or to Grandma's to spend the day. Me and 'Tricia would get together and "play" beauty shop. Me and Anthony walking to her house, stopping by the store on the way to grab us a Pepsi to share. I'd walk to Trudy's house almost every day. We walked to the library at least once a week and I guess even then everything I needed was with-in walking distance.

I still like to walk. I mostly just walk around my own property line now unless I decide to go all out and make a trip across the lake and back.Walking is good for your body and I believe good for your spirit as well.

I am posting today the poems I wrote from the Quote that was a gift to me. The third one I wrote for a contest that used the same quote but had to be written with only 15 words! Again I say thanks John! Please take a walk when you get the chance. Maybe just a walk around in the mall. Or Maybe you know of a nice park to walk in. Or you can come here and walk with me and Mason through our Pines! Have a great day!
Patsy

Angel Walking

I rode passed him slow
thinking how extremely
green were his eyes.
Frightened that I could see
their Beautiful color from so far.
I drove on.

Finding a spot I turned around.
Driving by again and again.
Searching his green eyes for a sign.
Looking for wings. Seeing no sign.
Seeing no wings. Shaken and afraid.
I drove on.

Thoughts of Angels walking
filled my heart and head.
would I be blessed by stopping.
But fear also ruled. Might I just be
found dead in the ditch by a passer by?
I drove on.

I made the turn for one last ride by.
give me a sign I shouted I'm human.
Even in believing I doubted. I looked
up and down for miles on that road.
Here was my sign. The Angel was gone.
I drove on.

written by: Patricia Sawyer
10-31-2008

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In Walking Distance

Home all day alone.
Bored.Me and him.
Him just two.
We walked this town over.
Visiting friends and sisters too.
There was nowhere too far.
We had learned to like to walk,
you see, For we didn't own a car.
Sometimes a little change we'd have
for a soda we would share.
A sweet pay phone call to Mama
if there was a quarter spare.
We haunted the local librarian
reading all her books.
He'd hide behind the front hall stairs
when she gave us funny looks.
We prayed in all the Churches.
Waiting out the Rain.
The last drops still dropping
and off we'd go again.
To the Lake for a swim
he loved it best down there.
He'd shake in the sunshine
his golden curly hair.
Everywhere in walking distance,
we had plenty of time.
Some days we walked by his plan
Some days we walked by Mine
He's all grown up now. A Man.
Doing things in his own ways.
I just hope that he remembers
That His Mama can walk for days!

written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-31-2008

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking to Grandma's

Cook up peas and Okra.
Rice is nice.
Halfway there sunrise.
Joining you for Lunch.

written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-31-2008

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I love the lists! They Feed Imagination!

"Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family" ~ Virginia Satir


"There's no vocabulary For love within a family, love that's lived in But not looked at, love within the light of which All else is seen, the love within which All other love finds speech. This love is silent." ~T S Eliot

"Here is my List~ Granny Jean, Jack, Love, Hope, Family~ see what you can do." ~ Camella

" I give you the gift of one word ~Fire!" ~ Anthony



I love the lists. I get them from family and friends and strangers. I get them from old spelling books sometimes if I am out of lists from people. I also like the word search word lists because they usually all pertain to a certain subject. But I really like lists that people give to me. I know they are excited to see what I can do with their words. And I am always excited too see what I can do with their words too. There have only been a very few times that I have not wrote from a list that was given to me. I have even wrote from one word lists. Words like fire, Anger, and even the word whores have been sent to me. I wrote for each of them. But today I am posting two poems. The first is from a list of words that Camella sent to me. A short lists as you can see. The shorter the list the harder it is to write. More words for me to pull from my own brain. The Second poem is from a one word gift from Anthony. I hope Y'all enjoy today's writings.
Have a great day.
Patsy


Not What I Had Imagined!

Delightful Meaty, spicy
aroma's spilled into the air
from the red brick Building
and I felt sure that the People
boating, on the two blocks away,
Lake were sniffing the air.
Head tossed back In awe
of the wonderful smells.

"Jack's in the kitchen"
I heard him say as they pulled
into the empty parking space
next to mine. Smiling!
Glad to see us there.
Frank was in Love.

Coming around the red mustang,
grinning, in his new blue jeans.
Helping His new love from the front seat.
Settling the Child upon his hip.
Natural, the way the three of them
seemed to fit. A budding family.
Camella smiled eyes filled with hope,
reaching out for Anthony. Laughing
as he threw his year old self into
her welcoming arms.

Laughing her way up the sidewalk.
Passed the pots of vibrant blooms
resting there on the narrow steps.
" Welcome Home" they seemed to say
in the bland neighborhood. Yellows and bright
reds tumbling from their clay pots.

I was a little bit afraid. About to meet
My brother's, new Love's family.
What if they don't like me I wondered,
will it make them not like him?
I'll be on my very best behavior!
I promised myself silently.
Just before Granny Jean threw
open the front door. Standing there
with pocket novel in her hand
and a welcoming smile in her eyes.

I was about to be introduced
to my new Lifelong friends.
Not at all what I had imagined.
But oh so much more than I had hoped.
I was their new son's little sister.
That made me family in the Brown House!

written By: Patricia Sawyer
11-4-2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fire

fierce
inferno
raging and
engaging!

written By: Patricia Sawyer
2-18-2008