There is an empty place
where there should be your face
Be happy where you are
though it is much too far
Away, my love. from my embrace
Return.
I long to kiss your face.
Missing you December 5, 2010
fat girl November 29, 2010
The fat girl is crying inside tears under her laughter.
She bounces ’round the school yard and wants to be what boys are after.
Such a shame that she’s so fat
She might be pretty under that.
They never look at her that way, because they are superficial,
She weeps into pillow then decides to make it official.
Such a shame that she’s so fat
She could be pretty under that.
If boys can’t see how sweet she is beneath her layers of fat
She’ll be alone unless she drops the weight and that is that.
She spends some time and works a bit on losing what she can
She drops a few that thin her face and now she’ll snare her man.
Such a shame that she was fat
She’s mighty pretty under that.
She lies in wait for just the one Who doesn’t know her past
Before he can imagine what’s ahead she’ll snag him tightly fast.
Such a shame she’s been so fat
Everyone knows it’s under that.
And so it was, a handsome man came looking for a mate
A wedding day and he is snared not knowing what’s his fate.
Such a shame that she was fat
He sees a beauty under that.
The joy of having kids to love can’t quite remove the loathing
she feels when she looks in the mirror and soon she stops her doting.
Such a shame that she’s so fat
and rather bitchy on top of that.
Her handsome man becomes a source of constant humiliation
She wants to be what she can not Her bitterness infuses frustation.
Such a shame that she’s so fat
She should be jolly under that.
Because she can’t accept herself, she compensates with work
She wants everyone to admire her wherever she should lurk.
With strength of will she bends all ears to make them see her side
They buy from her and sing her praise while hubby sees her lies.
Such a shame that she’s so fat
Her husband loves her under that.
From time to time a program comes along and she drops pounds
The success makes her elated and she tells everyone around.
She is trapped in self-disgust in her body that is fat.
Because inevitably it all comes back and more on top of that
There’s only one success in life she’s nothing if not thin
She desperate now to be the girl who always gets to win.
Such a shame that she’s so fat
She’s sure successful besides that.
.
No matter if she has success and earns a lot of money
The truth of who she really is is certainly not funny.
Inside’s the little fat girl who is self-absorbed and cruel
She’s so desperate for admiration that it only serves to fuel
Control o’er all who come to her thinking she is kind and true
But watch yourself, she’ll take all you’ve got ’til there’s nothing left of you.
Such a shame that she’s like that
No heart is left beneath the fat.
.
.
This poem is rooted in that aphorism “Wherever you go, there you are.” Some people blame a lot of things for their sense of unfulfillment– their weight, their race, their spouse, their circumstances, having kids, not having kids, etc. Although we all have challenges to overcome, it’s always our own life, and our character is revealed in how we deal with those challenges. So here is a narrative of a woman who was obsessed by the needy fat child within her and how she lets that child run her life. It’s an extended metaphor. It is a cautionary tale. Those inner children should not be allowed to run amok! They are like Stephenie Meyer’s Immortal Children in Breaking Dawn– they destroy all around them, while the creators lose everything in the fight to save them. Sometimes we have to destroy the inner child in order to save ourselves and our relationships.
Truth November 28, 2010
The Hindu Vedas proclaims, “Truth is one, the wise call it by different names.”
Wow. That seems like a familiar idea. I wrote a blog on this theme several months ago. The contrary to this suggests that fools think there is only one name for truth. The world is not so black and white. Truth as a singular concept exists in shades of grey. The wise seek opportunity to understand diverse perspectives and facets of its singularity, because in seeing the truth in other experiences they open themselves to even greater wisdom and understanding. A one sided perspective limits understanding. The wise man explores a wide history of learning to gleen all the shades of truth and apply them to betterment of him/herself and his/her society.
There is a whole world is full of perspectives and learning. Keep seeking. Keep learning. Keep growing.
ouch November 27, 2010
I had a tooth pulled yesterday and subsequently a bone graft. This was the first time I’ve had an extraction in the chair without general anaestetic so I was surprised at how well it went. Mind you, there were something like 7 or 8 injections of freezing! I thought it went very well. Today the real pain began! I am very aware if I’ve passed 4 hours because my jaw throbs so painfully. I woke me up at 4 a.m. and again at 10. I am wishing the periodontist was here to still some more anaestetic directly into my nerves!
Excuse the lack of brilliance as my jaw throbs and distracts me from any creative energy. I am thankful that my pain will be going away soon. I know that if I just give it a few days, the swelling will die down, the agony will leave. My pain is only temporary. For many people there is no end in sight. They battle every day with chronic pain. How blessed am I. May every throb in my jaw remind me of that.
Winter haikus November 25, 2010
My feet crunch upon
fallen stars glinting under
the glowing street light.
.
Crystalline twinkles
entrance in the frosty air
with joyful promises.
.
Driving the highway
frozen lazers fire fury
forced blindness brings fear.
.
.
This is the story of my drive home from work this evening. At 5:30 it is already dark. As I walked into the parking lot, the snow was so beautiful as it twinkled in the overhead lights. As I drove, however, the snow filled the windshield. It was possible to see only a little bit in front of the car. A semi -truck roared past on the passing lane, and absolutely filled the air with snow so all the other vehicles were completely blind. Driving in a dark snow storm is very scary. You can barely see the road in front of you, and if you hit ice, you can easily be spinning into oncoming lanes. So- in this series of haikus you see the transition between the picturesque and horrifying aspects of winter!
trust November 24, 2010
She trusts him
-the truth of him
–the truth of them
but she fears
the helplessness
-having watched him
unfold and unravel
under eyes that glowed
with glorious attention.
Temptation trails closely
behind such glowing eyes
and apparently intelligence
and good intention
are not always
adequte protection
from ampilified admiration.
That’s the truth of them
-the truth of him
–the truth of trust.
.
.
A submission for One Shot Wednesday. Check out the poets.
Ares and Mars November 23, 2010
Mythology crosses time and cultures. Stories provide the metaphorical framework to explain the world. Society needs story. We all need to make sense of our experiences. Every culture does this through its own mythology.
In Grace Awakening, there is a mixture of both Greek and Roman mythology represented together as characters mingle together. Why? Although the Graces are Greek, they do exist within the Roman pantheon as well. For some gods/goddesses the names change, but the character of the individuals remains essentially the same. However, some are distinctly different and although they have things in common, those differences mean that the Greek and Roman gods are different novel characters.
Most significantly this is seen with Ares and Mars. The Greek god of war, Ares, was known to be impetuous, rage prone and overly emotional. He battled with unfocused violence. On the other hand, Mars, the Roman god of war, represented all that was best of Roman military might. It was all about control, preparation and strength. He was a skilled tactian; his wars were won with strategy as well as power. As a result, we were able to see distinctive war gods who play very different roles in the book.
It is fun to play with that academic interpretations of mythological characters, and to develop them into realistic individuals who can live in your neighborhood. That tough bearded guy glaring at you from that truck could be Ares. That friendly guy who beats everyone at the gym due to his calculated strength could be Mars. You never know the life behind the face, but with imagination you can create quite a world in every glance.
Congratulations! November 22, 2010
I am delighted to share my excitement with you as it was announced today that my former student and talented young writer Shvaugn Craig has won a 3 hour writing competition at Okanagan College this week. She won a $750 prize (that’s $250 an hour!). Shvaugn has a lovely website. I invite you to explore her world.
I wish I could take credit for her skill, but she was already an amazing writer before she arrived in my class in grade 11. Both aptitude and attitude are needed for success. A lot of practice hones the skills. One must generate a lot of words before the ability to find the best ones becomes clear. So if you want to be a writer someday, you must write! Poems, letters, journals, blog, etc are all part of disciplining your thoughts, learning to narrow your focus, and learning how to choose the best words.
As a writer, you must also read. Read what you love, of course, but also expand your horizons. Learn from the masters. Learn what makes a classic timeless. Observe how words are used, how sentences are pruned. Embrace new vocabulary. You cannot be a good writer without being a good reader.
Shvaugn is a perfect example of the success that occurs when one is truly living the writers’ life. You have to submit to publications to get published. You have to enter contests to win them. You have to put in the time. Eventually, your effort will be rewarded.
Way to go, Shvaugn!
Invocation
When we remember that like love, gratitude is an action, we are reminded that our responsibility is to demonstrate thankfulness. An attitude of grateful appreciation is an act of loving kindness to those around us.
Take a moment to think about what you appreciate today and to be thankful for the loving kindnesses that you receive.
© Shawn Bird 2010. Free use within Rotary.
Shawn L. Bird 
Night warmth December 3, 2010
Tags: free verse, love, poem, poetry
Beneath my pillow
Left hands woven together in the night
Rings touching
Cold feet pressed into warm shins
Arms encircling.
Breath moves through my hair,
a breathing blessing.
We’re facing the same direction
In sleep
In life
And in love.
.
.
Submitted as part of Thursday poets’ rally. Week 34
Rally participants, please include a link to your own entry within your comment. This makes it easier for both rally participants and the general public to discover your poetry. Looking forward to reading!
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