Shawn L. Bird

Original poetry, commentary, and fiction. All copyrights reserved.

poem- poem breath October 6, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 3:09 pm
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I breathe in a poem

inhaling words and images

savouring the rhythm, colour, and aroma

flowing through lungs, heart, veins,

capilliaries and arteries.

I exhale the moment

and the poem,

it goes

free.

 

poem- this was me October 5, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:08 pm
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This was me:

curls briefly permanent,

my pen poised on your promises

recording adoration,

lists of lingering longings,

the angst of my adolescence,

my imaginary reality,

of dreams carved from your

calls and letters.

Feeling freely at fifteen,

that was me.

1980 Lindyportraits

 ..

I had written a lot of poetry for and about a boy I admired, and for his 18th birthday, I compiled them all into a book, in calligraphy, each was recorded in a blank red ‘leather’ book.  In the top left photo you see the calligraphy pen I used.  In the top right you see the book itself on my lap.  The photo on the bottom left ended up as the ‘author photo’ in the book.

These portraits were taken by a young woman who worked for my mom.  Her name was Lindy, and she was from Nova Scotia.  I often wonder what she has done since returned to the East Coast.

In the bottom right you can see a bit of the 4″ wedge canvas Candies I wore to death that summer.  Always a shoe girl.   I loved those suspender jeans (by Pulse, my favourite brand).  They’re probably still in a box around here somewhere, waiting for me to be 106 lbs again. Oh, those innocent teen years when I was still a brunette! 😉

PS. The more I think about this, the more I’m sure I lied in this poem.  I got that perm after a dare from Mark, whom I met the summer I was 16, so this must have been the spring / summer that I was 17.  Hmm.  With necessary poetic licence, I’m going to keep the ‘fifteen’ in there.  But you’ll know it’s not factual, okay?

 

haiku- autumn October 4, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:16 pm
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One cold night

And suddenly the world is dappled

With gold and red

 

poem- you in a crowd October 3, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 5:55 am
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I see you

in the distance

across a roomful of heads,

tall and silent

watching them with a

pleasant blankness-

a smile that turns your mouth

but doesn’t light your eyes.

You stand above

conversation,

listening without interest,

putting in the time

required for politeness.

My eyes call to you

and you turn,

one eyebrow raises a greeting

and your lips rise with it,

I see the flash of gladness,

as you incline your head

and step toward my love.

 

poem- October October 2, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 5:28 am
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Some years,

September exits in a swish of scarlet, and

October dawns dappled in gold.

But this year,

October is opulent in shimmering emerald velvet.

Forests hold back their  adornment.

The morning whispers on wisps of fog beyond

“I will wait.”

All around the lake, summer aches for more time,

grips tight to verdant hues,

and as October embraces green

its ochre arms

bide

the firey glory

of autumn.

 

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

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:07 am
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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!) 😉

 

vegetarian September 30, 2013

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

Such a skillful play on the paradox!

 

writing prompt- MondayMeme of modern stained glass

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).

.

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

 

announcement- a new poetry anthology! September 29, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:07 pm
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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

 

 

poem- grey September 28, 2013

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:46 pm
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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.