6 word poem in summary of my life October 1, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:07 am
Tags: 6 word, exchange student, home, philosophy, poem, youth exchange

I was lying in the bath, trying to think of a sentence that summarizes my life at the moment and I came up with

“I am home”

This summarizes my essential contentment with everything in my life: my new continuing contract at a school I love, opportunity to write and receive feedback from wonderful readers, and my brilliant husband of many, many years and the time we have together.

That just seemed too simple, so I thought of 6 word poems, and decided I needed 3 more words, and ended up with,

“Wherever I am, I am home”

Now I feel like a philosopher. 🙂

I first discovered this concept when I was an exchange student in Finland, and I realised that even though I was known as ‘The Canadian Evangelist” (because as the lone Canadian in my district, lost in a sea of Americans, I was obliged to be loud and proud about national superiority) I knew that I could quite happily have stayed in Finland. I have experienced this sensation many times since. If you’re content in your skin, and you’re connected to those around you, it doesn’t matter where you are physically. You can live in a tent and be well satisfied.

Explaining it completely defeats the purpose of it being only 6 words, doesn’t it? lol

How about you? What’s your 6 word poem? (with or without long-winded explanation!) 😉

Comments (50)

vegetarian September 30, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 3:52 pm

Such a skillful play on the paradox!

Comments (2)

writing prompt- MondayMeme of modern stained glass

Filed under: Monday Meme,Poetry,Writing — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:19 am
Tags: amwriting, Barcelona, modern, Monday Meme, prompt, Sagrada Familia, stained glass, writing, writing prompt

Monday Meme of

modern stained glass window at Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Your assignment:

1. create a poem, story, or article based on this photo.

2. Post it on your blog.

3. Cut and paste the photo onto your post (leaving the Monday Meme text).

4. Put a link to your post in the comments to this post below so we can visit your blog.

I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with! (I will leave a comment on your blog post itself, rather than posting in response to your link here).

.

Comments (13)

announcement- a new poetry anthology! September 29, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:07 pm
Tags: 2011, anthology, poetry, Shawn L. Bird

I am excited to announce a new poetry anthology!

2011

includes 48 poems on 60 pages

$7.49 paper

Click here to order paper

$2.49 ebook coming

Click here to order ebook

Comments (28)

poem- grey September 28, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:46 pm
Tags: assonance, autumn, consonance, fall, free verse, poetry, rain

The day is grey:

the sky washes the earth.

Dogs curled in tight balls of fur

are not tempted to inspect the outdoors.

We light the fireplace,

watch water streaming down the windows,

we dream of spring

as autumn taunts.

Comments (19)

poem- distance does not change the feelings September 26, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 5:11 pm
Tags: distance, free verse, imperfect rhyme, internal rhyme, longing, nostalgia, rhyme, separation, time

The distance does not change the feelings.

the reeling,

wheeling,

squealing of my soul,

no longer whole.

The space between us stretches

and in the distance you grow small

and old,

But time has folds

in dreams I hold

you close

My soul finds healing.

Though space and time change feelings,

you haven’t changed at all.

.

,

First line compliments of

Captain T ‏@capt_blues4m

on Twitter

Comments (22)

poem- parenthood

Filed under: anecdotes,Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:18 am
Tags: anecdote, brother, children, forgetfulness, leave behind, oops, parent, parenting, poetry, road trips, sister, trauma, travel

On a non-stop eight hour drive,

we paused for fuel.

“What?” you asked

As you intercepted smirks

passed over your head,

when you climbed into the back seat

after the gas station bathroom break.

“Nothing,” we said, as we pulled

back onto the highway.

Even though your sister had been

traumatized when I left her

standing in the driveway as we tore off to the bus stop

that time,

while you waved at her from the back seat

and waited for me to notice,

this time

when your dad slammed the car door,

buckled up,

and drove away,

destination in his mind,

she was the one who said,

“Missing anyone?”

so when you climbed into the car,

you never even knew

you’d ever been left behind.

Comments (20)

poem- the TransCanada Highway in Vancouver September 24, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 7:08 am

car car car truck car

truck car truck car

car truck truck truck

car car car truck

truck car truck truck

car truck car car

car car truck car car car truck car

truck car car car truck truck car car car truck car truck car car

car car car truck car car car truck car truck car car truck car truck

car truck truck truck car car car car truck car truck car truck car car truck truck truck car car car truck truck

car car car truck car car car truck car truck car car truck car truck car truck car car truck truck truck car car

car car car truck truck car truck car car truck car car truck car car car car car truck car truck truck car car truck