It’s a mercy, they say
nodding sagely.
Mercy it may be,
but I’m seeking grace,
for mercy does not
alleviate grief.
It’s a mercy, they say
nodding sagely.
Mercy it may be,
but I’m seeking grace,
for mercy does not
alleviate grief.
We interupt the regularly scheduled poetry to announce that there are only TWO days before the release of Murdering Mr. Edwards!
If you would like to join our push to send it into the Amazon best seller ranks, please buy on release day: April 10, 2018.
If not, you can purchase any time you like with my thanks! 🙂
Amazon links:
Also available other places, of course. If you enjoy it, please leave an online review and tell your friends!

This moonlit night,
snow glowing with
luminescent memories,
I stroll along the old paths
thinking of the mystery you
made of me.
Identity molded like play dough
childhood laughter
leaching from the cracks of yesterday.
I can’t say anymore
who I am.
.
(another character perspective poem about Lydia & Dustin)
It is.
It isn’t.
Me.
You.
A circle compounding compromises.
Conviction carries us.
I promise.
I pound.
I promise
I pound.
I paint
conviction
carrying
us.
It is.
It isn’t.
Promising.
(A poem for Dustin & Lyda, Jason & Kirindip. These are characters in the current w.i.p. novel).
The NaPoWriMo prompt today asks us to consider a photograph through the perspective of a poem in another language. The poem I am using is in Finnish: Alku, by Piia Pälä.
Seasons unfold
Silently.
Above,
Truthful music, ancient turning.
Below petals open.
Three full moons glowing in spring sky,
Chasing the sun,
On hopeful wind.
Enter into light, solitary,
Still.
New week
Re-enter reality.
Photo: open door
Original poem:
ALKU:
Kaiken kantanut kausi kumartaa,
hiljaa kääntyvä aika katsoo myötä.
Taivaalla taittuvat tiehyet,
muinaisten tinojen toteutuneet taiat.
Uudemman ajan tiiviimmät terälehdet.
Kolmesta täysikuusta kasvaa kaivattu kevät,
auringon laiduntama rypsipelto ja
toiveikas titaanien tuuli.
Sinne mennäksesi kulje yksin valoa kohti.
Ollen ajan oma, ja silti.
Sinun todellinen hetkesi on tässä.
~Piia Pälä.
I wrap my arms around this dream and squeeze.
I unfold expectations, unwrapping a gift of discovery
What am I?
He wraps his arms around her dream and squeezes.
She unfolds expectations, unwraps discovery
What is she with him?
What is he with her?
What are they in their dreams?
You wrap your arms around your dream and squeeze
Unfold your expectations, unwrap your gift.
What are you?
You are
the gift.
NaPoWriMo #2 playing with voice
Oh winter!
Release your tenacious grip!
Quit dripping this mix
of snow and rain,
that piles up in my yard.
It’s making me insane!
It’s April now, and white
should be from blossoms,
not snow falls; this isn’t right!
Oh, winter, we’re through with you here;
go visit the Southern hemisphere!
NaPoWriMo 2018 #1
Read and understand,
my children.
The world is not as narrow
as your mind.
If you live a life,
mired in the same mud,
you will never know the
glories of a mountain peak,
power of ocean depths.
Read and understand,
my children.
What you have seen
is not all there is.
What you have felt
is not all there is to feel.
See and understand,
my children.
There is more.
So much more.
Than what you know.
Open your eyes,
to the world
my children.
See and understand.
Just in case you don’t know everything you want to know from here on shawnbird.com, here’s an author interview I did recently with Mandy Eve Barnett.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers


1. Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Generally, it’s an energizer while I’m writing; however, when plot problems or new ideas keep me up all night when I need to be teaching in my high school class room bright and early, it can lead to exhaustion! When I can write all night, during summer and holidays I’m in a constant state of creative euphoria
2. Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Yes. I think if I decide to do something with that Romance manuscript in my drawer I would publish under a pseudonym to establish a separate audience for that genre.
3. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
From regular attendance at Surrey International Writing Conference (SiWC), I have developed a wide social network of writers. I probably interact the most with Carol Mason, Eileen Cook, CC…
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