Happy Leap Day!

" Life is a traveling to the edge of knowledge, then a leap taken. "
- D. H. Lawrence

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Project 365 ~ a Photo a Day

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Today is a special day...an extra day that only comes around every four years.. I had all kinds of things planned to do with my "extra" day.. I started off pretty good.. I was moving furniture around as the extra day rolled in.. but that was tiring and I slept through the earliest hours of my extra day.. jumping out of bed in time to get my photo blog set up before the traveling flock of Guinea Fowl arrived.. I tried to ignore them and write a poem but the only thing I could think of was counting the guinea... there were twelve of them the first day I thought of counting.. they are down to nine today and one of them looks tattered and weary.. he always has the loudest mouth... but today he was all a flutter of wings and some sharp barks as he lagged behind the others.. I don't have a clue who they belong too.. Dave would love to set a trap and lock them all up but I keep saying no.. he swears that if they tear up his garden that will be the end of them... I keep trying to get a good photo of them.. but as soon as I walk outside with my camera.. they take off just as fast as they can waddle.. They are great fliers too..  and by then the telephone started ringing and half of my "extra" day was used up and gone..

And Here I go off on a long tale that would bore some of you to tears..  But I guess you can easily see that all of my best plans have been pushed aside for one thing or the other all day.. I hope you enjoy these poems even though you may have seen them before.. Thanks for stopping by.. I welcome both comments and followers.. Have a great Leap Day!
Patsy


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The Diet

dainty bites adorn
tantalizing emptied guests
fat me stands haunting

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
3-9-2011

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Missing

salty breeze tickles
highly mellowed man drags board
men in gray suits feast

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
3-16-2011

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Integrity-

life of harmony
no exception to the rules
stumbling .. I rise

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
3-16-2011

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The Spirits Whisper



Heavy purple plums glisten
sumptuously tempting
the deep shade inviting
yet the viper wavers not...

Promise of wisdom her lure
she trails the serpents path
climbing and winding.. winded
His promise her greatest desire

figs.. rosy sweetness bursting forth
she ignores.. following mindlessly
jagged rocks and itching vines
surround her.. clinging.. impeding

The beast crawls on
never looking back
trusting that she follows
unwavering into temptations snare

eyes blinded to all treasures
passionate only for knowledge
of all evil.. her goodness set aside
she stumbles to paradise's heart

thunder welcomes her shame
thorns climb.. separating sin
as mankind finally.. knows
all possible Immorality...


And the Spirits whisper...
You poor unfortunate souls

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
3-13-2011

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everglades
the slicing sawgrass sways
paradise to the "gladesmen"
the caterwaul of a panther
swamplands

Written By; Patricia Sawyer
9-27-2010

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Darkness-

I listen to troubles
not my own...

I cry for your sorrows
woes begone..

this too shall pass
I pray is true..

for you.. for you
for me.. for you..

darkness fades
you smile in the light..

begone darkness
for me.. not quite..

rings and smiles
you hear in my voice..

for I am me
and I have no choice..

so never think me
just mad or mean

I too have darkness
and no where to lean...

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-11-2010

Saturday.. I Spent Most of Today Waiting for Rain.. I Did Have Visitors!

"There is no traffic congestion on the straight and narrow path.
- Thomas Robert Dewar

"Life is the fire that burns and the sun that gives light. Life is the wind and the rain and the thunder in the sky. Life is matter and is earth, what is and what is not, and what beyond is in Eternity."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

"Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you." - Langston Hughes

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Project 365- a Photo a Day! -

- Spring has almost sprung...

in my yard!

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Street Urchins

coins drop palm to palm
a lively tune she dances~
we applaud loudly

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
5-18-2010


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The Picnic

puffy clouds stroll by
above the bubbling brook~
ants gather to feast

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
5-18-2010

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Bug Zappers

velvety bat wings
flutter within night shadows~
Bonfires keep burning

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
5-18-2010


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Winter Cabin

candle smoke spirals
a wreath around her dark curls~
snow flakes dance outside

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
5-18-2010

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Thanks for stopping by my blog today.. I hope you enjoyed your visit.. I welcome both comments and followers.. Have a wonderful day!

Monday.. Poetry Club.. Words and Poems..

"Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me.... Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful... that's what matters to me."
- Steve Jobs

"I hate paying taxes. But I love the civilization they give me."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Prejudice is a raft onto which the shipwrecked mind clambers and paddles to safety."
- Ben Hecht

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Project 365- a Photo Every Day! -



a fat hen scratching for worms

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Nothing-

Nothing wrong
Nothing right
Now I'm on the Nothing diet

Nothing old - nor
Nothing New
Nothing for both me and you

Nothing lost- or
Nothing found
Nothing Nothing all around

Nothing ventured
Nothing Gained
Nothing Nothing all the same

Nothing Now and
Nothing then
Nothing Nothing till the end

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
2-27-2011

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Blue Window Trim -

sea island natives
living reminders of trade
cotton .. rice and indigo
Gullah life is made

five benne wafers
cast into new daylight
the hudu spell is torn away
rest easy then this night

bridges came and baskets sold
the younguns moved to town
rich men came and stole our land
again to trod us down

But some have stayed to tell the tales
of how our world began
of lands and cultures far away
before a man owned a man

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
2-28-2011



Monday Poetry Train #119-

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I have been busy busy busy today getting ready to share some of my words at the Poetry club meeting.. Thanks for stopping by my world today!.. I welcome both comments and followers..
Have a wonderful day!
Patsy

Sunday - Just a Few Words... a Visit to the Old Pond!

"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm."

-Gabrielle Colette

"If I had taken a doctoral degree, it would have stifled any writing capacity. "

- Barbara W. Tuchman

"Optimism and stupidity are nearly synonymous."

- Hyman G. Rickover

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- The Pond-

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September Mourn

shriveling towers
serpent cheering- mobs rejoice
fisher woman cries

written By: Patricia Sawyer
1-26-2011


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Temptation


We only craved a toddy
something frosty in a glass

And then she came in sideways
all eyes were on the lass

We giggled from our corner
she put on quiet a show

She acted like she knew us
though how we didn't know

She waved and yelled a hello cheer
across the room she ran

She fell upon my sidekick
and grabbed her by the hand

" I disappointed Mama"
she whispered through the tears

I thought about my own Mom
now getting on in years

Her story wasn't new to us
we had heard it all before

In fact sometimes was our tale too
a time or three or more

She said "God brought me to you
can you help me find the way?"

"I've been straight a long long time
until I failed today."

We promised her that life is hard
and filled with lows and highs

Disappointment finds us each in turn
the bold.. the meek.. the wise..

We told the lass to raise her head
forgive herself and smile

Temptation lures us each at times
it surely can beguile

She begged us not to hate her
before we parted ways

I know my thoughts will dwell with her
for days and weeks and days

We only craved a toddy
something frosty in a glass

And then she came in sideways
Heartbroken little lass....


Written By: Patricia Sawyer
1-29-2011

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Thanks for stopping by.. I welcome comments and followers..

Have a great day!

Patsy

Tuesday.. Hot and Breezy.. No Rain.. I Did Get a Dog Shake Shower...

"Beauty is a fragile gift."
~ Ovid

"Civilization is hideously fragile and there's not much between us and the horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish." ~ Carrie P. Snow

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable."
~ Frank L. Baum - {The Tin Man.. Wizard of OZ}

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Two 4 Tuesday~ Unbreakable / Fragile

Each week on Tuesday They post a double theme. The themes will be opposites or antonyms. You have a couple options when it comes to posting your photo:

The Real Challenge: Post a single photo that captures both themes.
OR: Post a single photo that captures one of the themes.
OR: Post two photos capturing one theme in each photo..

~ a fragile dandelion bloom lies discarded on the unbreakable old tire..

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Try Again

stars catch lofty dreams
rainy days smoothly sprout fear
brave seer triumphs

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
7-1-2010

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The Lie

ageless deception
drips sweetly from ruby lips
moonlight passion dies

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
7-1-2010

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Oh what a week this one has started out to be.. Both yesterday and today I have wanted to write.. Poems and stories rolling around in my brain.. a few even came together as planned.. one story trying to be told.. I think it has it's own plan.. the phone rings and rings.. unknown names.. private numbers.. Y'all do know I don't answer those?.. I did once and the Lady wanted to sell me a time share.. I said thanks but no thanks and she cursed at me saying I had sent for info.. then she said it didn't matter because I "sounded too poor" to buy one any way.. I had a telephone hissy fit that caused her to hang up.. I tried for a week to call her back.. so better for me to ignore those calls.. anger is not a good thing for me to have.. and I wonder why folks will insist upon making a crazy woman like me mad???.. Does that make any sense to you??

It is still hot.. though not as hot as it has been.. we have had some rain but it doesn't seem like it has been enough.. or maybe it was even too much.. are we ever satisfied with the weather? Bonnie and Clyde walk a bit and then try to drag me back to the house.. they don't want to go out and I think If I'd let them they would just as soon find a "spot" somewhere inside where it is cooler.. Clyde was introduced to his own cage today and has all but "said" NOPE!.. I can't figure out why a young guy like him wouldn't want his own space.. Brand spanking new too.. He even opened the door earlier.. somehow.. and went over to her cage.. I guess he plans to be a "Paws on" Papa.. he hasn't reckoned with me yet though.. truly his temporary home is small and he is used to snuggling up with his Bonnie at night..But he can't stay there with her and the pups.. he isn't going to like me much since I have decided that tonight they will be separated.. Bonnie only has a little over a week left and I am told that some dogs go early when they have had lots of pups.. the vet seems to think that Bonnie has had a few litters and was probably a puppy mill dog before they were dumped out at a friend of ours' house.. they are both great dogs.. I hate it for Bonnie that she is expecting again and I have promised her that this will be her last litter.. Dave and I are excited about the puppies even though we know we can't keep them.. So to any of you who are close to me.. I will have free puppies very soon!..

I did get a cooling dog shake shower earlier tonight when I gave both of the dogs a bath and a brisk towel rub.. after a long walk in the heat.. The Moon was a beautiful red and we enjoyed our walk even if we were soaking wet with sweat by the time they each found a good "spot".. It was a good thing they found it when they did too.. I had almost started looking for a good spot for myself..

I wish for some cooler days.. I look forward to a cold night with a fire burning outside.. Maybe even a hot dog on a stick.. But.. I'd settle for a trip to the beach and a moonlight walk along the sand.. Thanks for stopping by my blog today.. I do welcome comments.. Have a great night!
Patsy

Word... Words... and Wordless...

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” ~ Buddha

"Chase after the truth like all hell and you'll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat tails." ~ Clarence Darrow

“With the catching ends the pleasure of the chase”~ Abraham Lincoln

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Wordless Wednesday!

Sweet Dragonfly Love! Love who I discovered on my mint early this morning..

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Three Word Wednesday!

Each and every week they post three words... You write something using the words...

a poem.. a story... a paragraph.. a sentence.. Then you should go back and post a link to your contribution with Mr. Linky... There is no hard-and-fast rule that you have to post on Wednesday... You are invited to visit and comment on the things other folks share..

This week's words are~ abuse, cramp, hatred

I share with you a senryu...

Striking Back

'oft born of abuse
hate grows to a bitter cramp~
red-handed it ends

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
7-28-2010

~ Weekend Wordsmith is a place for would-be writers to pick up the Prompt of the Week as a challenge to write-write-write!

This weeks word Prompt is ~ Strike..

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Thanks for visiting my blog today.. I welcome comments! Have a wonderful day!
Patsy

One more Wednesday.. I have words to say!

"If you must speak ill of another, do not speak it, write it in the sand near the water's edge."
~ Napoleon Hill

"Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams - they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do - they all contain truths." ~ Muhammad Ali

"My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. Fortunately, everybody drinks water." ~ Mark Twain

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At the Water's edge... Watery Wednesday!
I had heard so many wonderful things about a place called Botany Bay.. A gift to the State of South Carolina it was once three separate cotton plantations.. This acreage also shelters many rare plants and animals.. and has some interesting historical sights... even though the remains of the old buildings and wells have been fenced.. to keep would be collectors from toting them away one piece at the time.. We still decided late in the day to make the long trip down to the coast to check it out for ourselves.. I was ready to wet my

feet with some salty waves.. This proud fellow was wading in one of the creeks we crossed over on our way to the parking area in the woods.. We also passed fields of giant sunflowers and tall corn stalks.. reaching upwards.. basking beautifully in the hot July sun.. It was somewhere around these corn stalks that I remembered that I had brought nothing cool and wet with me.. water water everywhere and not a drop to drink!

I expected a deserted two mile stretch of beach....
These ladies as well as others were all waiting for us when we got there.. we were a little surprised at the number of cars parked in neat lines deep in the woods.. I could smell the ocean but all I could see were huge lob lolly pines.. we still had a trek across the marsh to reach the sea.. The guard who signed us in said we had a half mile walk....On the beach there were a few people already there.. they were surfing and splashing... flying kites... and building castles .... walking and fishing... .. a few more people than I had hoped for..
but the water was gorgeous.. the shells were something else to see... the entire beach was littered with shells.. they have a rule that NO ONE takes a single shell from here.. I have a deep feeling that every once in a while one sneaks out.. What do you think?

Dave took a fast dip.. complaining of the million and three shells underfoot.. "even way out there!" he said shaking his fist at the water.. and then he sat beside me on a rock and read

over the map.... then he wrote notes in the sand as I read over the map... We traipsed back the half mile to the car after a while and on through the woods to look at chimneys and house ruins and old wells.. Even though not quiet what I expected.. I enjoyed my visit to Botany Bay.. Next time I will pack a bag lunch and maybe take a crowd..let everyone carry in there own food and then we will race to see who can look at everything the fastest... I will plan for a longer stay and I will absolutely take bottled water!! Have a wonderful watery Wednesday!
Patsy

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Sepia Scenes... Sepia Photo's .. ruins of plantation house and the chimney of a slave cabin..

Both protected sights located at Botany Bay~ Edisto Island.. South Carolina!

All that is left of a fancy plantation house!

.... can you imagine how life in this tiny slaves cabin revolved around this chimney.. they would have warmed themselves and cooked meals .. hung damp clothes to dry.... and almost everything else.. gathered around this central chimney..

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Three Word Wednesday.. Each week they post three words.. Some of us do our very best to write something worth reading with them.. The words for this week are.. bane- acrid- tepid

What's Your Poison?

an acrid swill of wolf's bane
vigorously stirred into tepid lime sweet tea...
tearfully in black stands me..


Written By: Patricia Sawyer
7-7-2010

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Just Another Day!?!

"Love thy neighbour as yourself, but choose your neighbourhood."
~ Louise Beal

"We see what we believe rather than believe what we see."
~ Alan Watts

"God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh."
~ Voltaire


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This week has started out rather slowly.. waking up this morning I was sure that this week has already been three months long.. by my figuring it should be August or September by now and it's only Tuesday!! I wonder why time does that to us some days.. It's as if it stops and lets us stew in our own juices for a few hours or even sometimes days.. and even stranger is the fact that even though today was three years long.. I haven't had enough time to accomplish any of the things I needed to do.. Maybe I am moving in slow motion to match the days?... Thankfully I did find time.. in between dog walking and laundry.. to write a few words..

~ A Picture is worth a thousand words.. or so we have been told.. this meme is one of my Favorites.. I am hoping that they will be back in the swing of things soon with new photo prompts.. but in the meantime they have a lot of great prompts in their Archives.. Today I wrote a haiku from one of their prompts.... I love this great photo by PJOnori... as I looked at the man in the photo I wondered what troubles held him still on the polished pew.. what burdens caused him to seek

refuge there?.. were his silent prayers answered?....

Lost in Thought

silently sitting

pleading prayers unspoken

palms kneed sycamore

written By: Patricia Sawyer

6-22-2010

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I have also been learning to write another type of poem.. I am always amazed that there are so many different types.. I am always searching to try to find a new type to share with my poetry club.. These are really very simple to write.. I am talking about a Sentu.. A Syntu is a special type of short poem that originated in Japan... Syntus are special to me because they are written about the earth. I love the earth and complain loudly about all the things mankind does that harms it.. I am planning to challenge each member of the poetry club to write their own "earth poem".. As with most poetry.. There are certain rules for writing a syntu. Writing such a poem is one way of describing something and telling your feelings about it. Syntus have 5 lines and the following are the rules for writing each line:

Line 1. One word only- the name of the geological feature you are writing about.
Line 2. A scientific observation about line 1, using only one of your senses (sight, touch, hearing, taste, smell).
Line 3. A thought, feeling, or evaluation about line 1.
Line 4. Another observation about line 1, using a different sense from the one you used in line 2.
Line 5. A one-word meaning for line 1.

Though I have just began to learn about these special poems I have written a few.. These are my own Sentu...

vacation~

ocean
crashing waves crest untamed
mysterious, tumultuous, inspiring, vast
barefoot footprints, castle, relaxed peace
sea

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
6-15-2010

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salt marsh~

marsh
hear the rattle of the clapper rail
buffer of strong seas
grassy refuge of the great egret
wetlands

written by: Patricia Sawyer
6-15-2010


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Underground~

cave
dark tunnels
formations of magnitude and beauty
voices echo
grotto

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
6-15-2010

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog today! Feel free to leave me a comment .. Have a wonderful day!

Patsy

Finally Friday!

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
~Russel Baker

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." ~James Dent

"If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance."
~ Bern Williams

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Finally School is out for the summer .. I know the children are excited.. I loved school but I loved the summer breaks too.. I would usually run and climb trees with Jimmy, Reuben, and Frank for most of every day.. Every where I have turned lately someone has asked for a "summer" poem.. from my local poetry group to several of the groups I follow on-line.. I guess everyone is happy to finally have summer days.. I guess that it is only natural now that summer is upon us.. This is one of my "Summer" poems! Wrote from a list of words for a contest.. it is also a reflection of summers past..


Summer Escapades


mud pies and hopscotch
played in the sand

nurturing guidance
from my Daddy's hand

butterflies and flowers
my dolly and toys

I left them behind
to be one of the boys

tattle-tales and trouble-makers
were sent on their way

imagination and laughter
filled most of our day

sibling bonding
performed with a scream

singing and sharing
and home-made ice cream

no crying nor whiners
no time left to pout

fearless from sun up
till the last stars are out

chores done for change
and candy in a sack

freedom and pinkie wishes
till school started back


Written By: Patricia Sawyer
6-4-2010




Would you care to guess what Weekend Wordsmith

has for their word of today... Yes! It is Summer!

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This poem was written in a way that was completely new to me.. I was given a list of words and told that I may NOT use any of them in my poem.. Instead I must use synonyms of each of them in my poem.. even the title are synonyms of the words I first chose.. a different way to write but interesting at least!

Word bank ~ Sick..Tired..Love..Hate..Lock..Heart..Lost/Lose..Dark..Star(s)..Sad..Fear..Laugh..Cry..Pain..Hurt/Hurting..Threat..Run..Hide..
..Whisper..Scream..Cut/Slice


Boundless Prejudice

ailing and exhausted
I cloak myself
beneath the glittering orbs

my yearning
securely clasped
one more wound in my core

vanished is all despair..
chortle or mourn
foreboding only a murmur in the wind

once wistful
I scampered baying
torment piercing my soul

I thought you mystical
and willingly followed
until treachery discarded my affection

I pray not for revenge
the infatuation was my own
I shall delight in detesting you

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
6-4-2010


Thanks for stopping by my blog today.. I hope you enjoyed your visit!
Patsy

Time to Celebrate! It's National Poetry Month!!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." ~Jimi Hendrix

"What does it matter how one comes by the truth so long as one pounces upon it and lives by it?" ~ Henry Miller

"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world."
~ John Evelyn

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April is National Poetry Month.. Poets ..and those of us who one day hope to be poets
.. are busy writing and reading and practically wallowing in poetry.. There are poetry contests and poetry writing seminars and poetry readings going on everywhere... teachers have invited poets into classrooms and children are writing poems in their schools.. Even I have been in a poetic mood for most of this month.. and Today is read great poetry day.. There are lots of great poetry out there and lots of not so great poetry too.. I have read and written both kinds myself..

In celebration of National Poetry month and read Great poetry Day I have decided to post a couple of my own poems here today.. I know that today is a day when I usually post watery... weird or sepia things.. those may come later today! But for now please enjoy my poems... Have a great Day!
Patsy

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This poem was written as a Sunshine Poetry Club assignment.. to be read for a Black History celebration.. Our theme was "the Struggle for Unity"..


~ United ~

Under streetlights and in back alleys~
a new generation breaths..

Nothing left to fear.. Nothing left to loose~
hatred a daily routine.. love outgrown by anger

Icy eyes welcome the fearful.. the neglected~
false promises made to lonely hearts..

Terrorist of neighborhoods and small towns..
rulers of the streets.. destroyers of life..

Eager to be accepted.. easily taken in.. hoping to find favor
guns grasped in youthful hands.. blood spilled..

Deafening cries ring from our streets.. Save us! Help us!
For our children.. can't we become united?

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
4-26-2010

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This little thing was written for the theme.. "The End" in only ten words... writing with a word limit is not always easy... as I was trying to think of something to write I remembered that Daddy once told me that when everything else was gone.. he thought maybe an atomic bomb.. that the one thing that would survive would be a cockroach.. I can't answer for where he got his information.. but I think he might have been right!


The End

in deepest darkness
all voice forever silent~
a cockroach scuttles


Written By: Patricia Sawyer
1-12-2010

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and this last one was written from a word list sent to me by one of my faithful readers and friend! Thanks for the list.. hope you enjoy what I did with your words this time.. I am also working on something else with your same words..

Word List?? YAY!!!! Here ya go!!

Spring..years..impatient..walk..waiting..ride..pink..calm..blue..friends
10 words just for you! Have fun! Love ya!



Oh What a Ride!

Pink lips posed in a perfect pout
impatient... waiting
pacing up and down the walk...

She could almost feel spring
slipping silently away..
scents evaporating.. colors fading...

The moments felt like years
when she was away
from his eyes of blue...

Friends .. mates of a like mind
soul mates.. friends of the best kind..
waiting made her think too much..

Shadows on the ground...
sweet scents of spring...
Purple vines in treetops..

Laughing above the roar
shouted whispers of "HOLD ON!"
Blue skies and fresh air..

Hours rushing with the wind
Old buildings.. sadly shuttered..
Helmet hair hidden..

Oh what a whirl.. out for a spin..
a magical chariot made for two..
Best friends forever..
Oh what a ride!

written by: Patricia Sawyer
4-14-2010

Three Haiku..

"Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable."

"Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far."

"Never miss a good chance to shut up."
~ all by Will Rogers

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Castaway

dark water restrains
coconut tree reflections
I dream of pizza


Written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-22-2009

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Duck a L' Orange

moonlight quackers
squabble over cold fast food
I heat my oven

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-22-2009


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Autumn Falls In

shiny black crows race
across chimney smoked skies
fresh pumpkin pies cool

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
10-22-2009

It's Thursday.. Please enjoy these three!

"Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before or behind."
- Catherine Drinker Bowen, 1897 - 1973

"Life can't ever really defeat a writer who is in love with writing, for life itself is a writer's lover until death - fascinating, cruel, lavish, warm, cold, treacherous constant."
- Edna Ferber, 1885 - 1968

"Good writers define reality; bad ones merely restate it. A good writer turns fact into truth; a bad writer will, more often than not, accomplish the opposite."
- Edward Albee

1:) A Haiku!

Run Away

copper curls rest on
a bulging backpack pillow~
stars light the night sky

written by: Patricia Sawyer
6-16-2009


2:) Another Haiku!

Stormy Night

rain beats out a song
drumming on a hot tin roof~
frogs croak with delight

written by: Patricia Sawyer
6-16-2009

3:) A new style of poetry for me..It is for a contest on PoetrySoup.com .. Apparently it is considered to be a very challenging Poem to write..All of the comments left for me there said I did Great!!! I do wonder though if anyone would say so if a poem was Not good?? No one has even told me I wrote a bad poem.. From what I have read a few people even gave up on this challenge.. This style was new to me.. I don't think it would be a style that I will write very many of but I did enjoy writing this one.. Now hopefully you will enjoy reading it too.. Just for your Information.. I have many poems listed on Poetrysoup.com.. You will find me by My Name.. Patricia Sawyer!


My song- ( Solfège)-

Do- Re- Mi-

Do..Dodo.. flightless bird
fearless of humans; easy prey!
Extinct so long many believe you a myth....

Re master of universe
mirror image of Ra...worshiped
by millions seeking a ray of hope..
a ray of sunshine warming heart and soul...

Mi.. Mi.. ME
Calm me.. breath..deeply breath..
help me.. bless me.. sing my song..
Do - Re- Mi-

Fa- So- La-

Fa away from everything;
everyone I love.. wishing..
dreaming.. desolate..

So- so- Sewing
Grandma's old sewing machine..
bright colors.. tiny stitches..
warm quilts... So- so- Sew!

La- La- La-
Sadness.. Dark.. gloomy..
overwhelmed.. lonely.. Tears..
La-La-La-...LA! LA! LA!

La- Ti- Do-

ti-Ti- piercing.. Heart weary..
Ti.. Ti.. Tea!
a hot cup with lemon and honey..
faith ..hope.. a ray..

Do- stronger now!
Do- Do- Do what you have to!
find strength.. it's there..deep inside you..
survive! grow! learn! LIVE!!

do- re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do...
DO- RE- MI- Fa-So- La- ti- do!

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
7-27-2009


Bonus!! ~And to help you understand the poem a Bonus!~ Solfege or Solfeggio, is a method of assigning a syllable to every pitch / degree of a scale. Instead of singing the actual names of the notes in the scale (eg. c d e f g a b) we use the syllables instead (Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti). There are a few different versions of Solfege in use but this is the one they suggested for the purpose of writing this poem..

Solfege was created in the 10th Century to help monks to easily learn the chants for the mass. Guido d' Arezzo was having a difficult time teaching his monks the Gregorian Chants for the weekly mass services. He devised a system of placing the notes of the scale on his hand. Each note had a symbol on a different part of his hand. In this manner, he could point to a symbol on his hand and the young monks would sing the corresponding note. An entire song could be sung just by pointing to the different parts of his hand. The "Guidonian Hand" was widely used in Europe. In the 1600's the French standardized the use of solfege as we know it today. Most of us have sung Doe a deer... ect. in elementary school music class.. I will admit it was quite a challenge to write a poem in this way.. How do you think I did?

That's three for you this Thursday! I hope you enjoyed the things I have shared with you tonight.. Feel free to comment and remember I will even try write a poem from a word list you provide.. as long as I don't have to look the words up.. in other words don't send me your College chemistry Vocabulary words... I know that sounds like I'm lazy but you don't use words you don't know the same way you used common words..and for me words have to flow... Yea I know ... you still think I'm lazy...believe me.. writing is not all talent.. it does take some research and that is a lot like work.. Have a great day!
Patsy!

Today I wrote a Tanka!

"No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader." ~Robert Frost

"It's better to write about things you feel than about things you know about." ~L P. Hartley

"If you would write emotionally, be first unemotional. If you would move your readers to tears, do not let them see you cry." ~ James J. Kilpatrick

Tanka~ A Japanese poem of five lines, the first and third composed of five syllables and the others seven. In Japanese, tanka is often written in one straight line, but in English and other languages, we usually divide the lines into the five syllabic units: 5-7-5-7-7.

Today I wrote a Tanka.

The Tanka poem has long been considered the most important form and the oldest style of Japanese poetry. This form of poetry dates back to the 1300s. The Tanka poem is similar to the Haiku but it is a little longer. Over the years, the Tanka has changed a little but in some ways it has remained the same. It is written today as a five line poem usually having syllables as 5-7-5-7-7. Having a total of 31 syllables. In the original Japanese Tanka, it was written as a one line poem with 31 syllables.

Just as in Haiku there are many who dispute the original rules and now say that these poems should have less than 31 syllables altogether. Allowing shorter sentences but not longer ones.

The history of the Tanka is exciting because in Japan hundreds of years ago lovers used Tanka poems as a way of sending secret messages. After being together all night, it was their custom to have good manners and write a thank-you note for the night spent together. They used 5-7-5-7-7 onji in a poem to express their deepest feelings.

They sent their messages in paper containers or wrote it on fans. Then they knotted it on a branch or stem of a single blooming flower. A messenger was sent to deliver these things to the other lover's house. The messenger would wait, being given something to drink, and giving him a chance to rest. While he waited a Tanka would be written as a reply to the first note, which the messenger would then take back to his master. Back and forth the messengers would trot as their masters tried to come up with more and more words to entice their lovers to return for another night. It was said that a woman with a good head for words and a talented pen would have more lovers and money than the other women.

Tanka's are supposed to express one's deepest emotion.

Tanka may be beautifully written love poems, often about loss, longing, and similar aspects of our emotional lives, sometimes making a connection between an aspect of nature and some aspect of human nature. The resemblance of tanka to personal diary entries has also been noted. It is also said that they should not be the beginning of a story but should instead be taken from the middle. For example... in my poem of today.. I don't say why I need to pray, only that I am praying in my Garden. I leave the reader to wonder about many things. I have also posted a Tanka from an earlier class I took. In this poem we were instructed to write about a flaw in today's society. I chose the fact that people in today's world prey upon each other. Many times in the form of stalking. I did great in that class. I hope you enjoy my poetry today. Have a great day!
Patsy

gardening~

silent tears rain down
as upon my knees I pray
hands grasp the dark earth
tending the vegetables
as the master mends my soul

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
3-19-2009





Summer Stalking

Yesterday at noon
I sat alone in the sun
afraid to be seen
at last you sat down nearby
I smiled at you ~ my PREY!

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
7-27-2008

Sometimes I win!

“I love the winning, I can take the losing, but most of all I Love to play.” ~ Boris Becker

"Winning starts with beginning!" ~ Robert H. Schuller

“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
~John Wooden



I enter a lot of Contests. I write some little tiny something almost every day. Many times I never share those tiny things. Some of them are for other people and I might share then eventually. Some of them are just thoughts of mine that people might not accept or might even Miss-understand and I'll probably never share those exactly as I first write them. I may one day edit them or re-write them completely into a poem or story and might even share that some day. I actually have way more thoughts than most people would believe. I tend yo foll a lot of people. They find me terribly funny. They even take me for a joker. Most of the time when I say something.... unless I tell you to start with that I have a joke for you.... I am being serious. I guess it's good to be funny. I am glad I can make everyone laugh. Today I am posting a couple of poems that actually won in contests. The first on won bronze in a contests just yesterday! Yay Me! Yes! yes! I know bronze is THIRD place but at least it placed... and in my thinking third is at least better than last.

The second poem won GOLD in two different contests but didn't even place in the others it was entered in.. I guess it depends on who is judging and exactly what they are looking for.. I am always proud of any comment from my readers. Even if they say I misspelled a word then at least I know they read it.. Please enjoy my post today.... and have a great day!
Patsy

Go

Go
or stay?

Have it your way!

What
did you
expect me to say?

Just go. Go!
Please Go away!

I won't beg
I won't pray
I won't ever
ask you to stay!

Go! Go!
Please Go away!

I see how
you glance
at her hips as they sway.

Did you
think I was blind
to the games that you play?

Our life is over
Love ended today.
so please just go!
Just go away!

written by- Patricia Sawyer
3-4-2009

My Guardian Angel

Smudge of dirt
upon his cheek.
Scratch on his left knee.
Curly hair
a tangled mess.
Reminding me
~ of me.
Poorest soul~
who drew the lot:
My guardian to be!

written by: Patricia Sawyer
2-9-2009

Teeny Weeny Word Counts! ~ Acrostic poems

"Poetry: the best words in the best order." ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

"Poets utter great and wise things which they do not themselves understand" ~ Plato

"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words" ~Robert Frost

"A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom" ~ Robert Frost


One type of poem that I do enjoy writing is the acrostic poem. They will say something down the edge of the poem as well as whatever idea or emotion the writer my be trying to convey by the poem itself. I Often acrostic poems for words that people send to me. Yesterday I had a few words to arrive hoping to be turned into acrostic poems. There was a catch this time though. They all had Itty Bitty; Teeny Weeny word count rules. Or at least I thought they had small word count rules. For instance I had the word HEN with a word count rule of Four. That means that not counting the title, I could only use four words. It sounds tough to do because it is. Another one was the word Weakness with a word count of fifteen words. I have many weaknesses including a weakness for words. But Fifteen words is really not very many when you are writing a poem. It gets down to bare bones words. Every word has to count. You have to trim away every word that isn't positively necessary. But I think I met the challenge OK.

This is a very short Post today. I decided that since the poems had teeny weeny Word counts. I would stick to that theme for todays Post as well. Y" all have a wonderful day. I hope you will Enjoy todays Poems.
Patsy


Hen ~ (acrostic -word count of four)

How Many
Eggs
Needed?

written By: Patricia sawyer
1-30-2009

Weakness ~ acrostic ~ word count of fifteen.)

Work; worry;
Everyday!
Action ~ reaction!
Kindness? Never!
Needs not met.
Eventual eruption!
Somebody WILL
suffer!

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
1- 29-2009

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

#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

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

#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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

#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