Hundreds of Pencils...

Look forward...

My eyes look forward to the future. 

My mind sets determination into place. 

My hands place pencils in a lovely line. 

My days will be filled with words.

I will write.  

I will write even if I receive a thousand rejections. 

I will write and share and dream and play with words on pages upon pages.  

I will write until hundreds of pencils are stubs.

This semester has inspired me to set aside time to write. So, as the chapter of this semester ends and winter break begins, I am determined to continue writing. I will set aside time during my busy schedule in the spring and write words. I am so thankful for pencils and paper and words to express. I am so thankful for the prospect of a hundred pencil stubs. 

Simply,

Sarah

A Rediscovered Poem Friend...

 

I Am Offering this Poem

BY JIMMY SANTIAGO BACA

I am offering this poem to you,

since I have nothing else to give.

Keep it like a warm coat

when winter comes to cover you,

or like a pair of thick socks

the cold cannot bite through,

                         I love you,

I have nothing else to give you,

so it is a pot full of yellow corn

to warm your belly in winter,

it is a scarf for your head, to wear

over your hair, to tie up around your face,

                         I love you,

Keep it, treasure this as you would

if you were lost, needing direction,

in the wilderness life becomes when mature;

and in the corner of your drawer,

tucked away like a cabin or hogan

in dense trees, come knocking,

and I will answer, give you directions,

and let you warm yourself by this fire,

rest by this fire, and make you feel safe

                         I love you,

It’s all I have to give,

and all anyone needs to live,

and to go on living inside,

when the world outside

no longer cares if you live or die;

remember,

                         I love you.

(Poem Source: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/238134)

   

Sometimes I completely forget about a poem I once read until one day I 

come across it again. It is like finding a treasured trinket within the 

depths of an old coat pocket or finding a letter from years passed by 

tucked inside the pages of a book. Yes, to rediscover a poem friend is 

such a lovely thing.

Simply,

Sarah

Lessons Learned in the Classroom...

The Creative Writing I class often consisted of our professor giving us a writing prompt and then allowing time for my classmates and I to write. These times were beneficial and also taught me a lot. For this post I share five lessons learned during my time in the classroom.

Lessons Learned:

1. Having a time free during the busy semester that was just for writing was a wonderful gift. It gave me the chance to write more. 

2. Creative Writing draws an eclectic group of individuals. Some which are particularly intriguing and worthy of inspiring a story or poem. 

3. Sometimes I just did not feel like writing. Sometimes I came to class tired, stressed, and in a funk. On those days I had no desire to write and often gazed at the sky out the large window nearby trying to let my mind find some inspiration. 

I always jotted down a few lines, but on those days I often walked away with pages of uselessness. However, it wasn't a waste of time. It taught me to write even when I didn't feel like it and that sometimes you just have to jot down junk and gaze out a window at the clouds. 

4. There were times that a single prompt inspired me far more than I ever thought possible. This class has reminded me that inspiration can sometimes come from surprising ideas.

5. Throughout this semester I have been reminded that part of being a good writer is reading. I can be so very inspired and impacted by the works of other authors. 

Simply,

Sarah

Inspired by Two: Poem...

Inspired by Two

Like Valentine’s Day

This outward affection display

Stirs a mix of reactions.

Some have jealousy swell in their hearts

When they see ten fingers intertwined.

While others simply roll their irritated eyes.

But I,

I in my present state of “Single”

Smile each time I see

Two hands clasped in love.

I smile because I remember

The joy that feels like flight

The hope burning bright as a flame

The depth growing like roots of a tree

That is felt in the connectedness of two.

So hold hands, loving couples!

I smile for you. 

The poem, Inspired by Two, was truly inspired by two individuals I observed on campus this semester. The fellow was always very reserved and laid back when I saw him by himself, but when I saw him with his wife he shifted. His face was brighter and he looked at her as though she was the greatest person he had ever met. Observing them holding hands as they walked by my desk at different points always made me smile. I remember thinking one day that it would be easy for me to be bitter that they had that joy in their relationship together and that they had a hand to hold when I was recently single. Thankfully, I was not jealous. Instead I was overwhelmingly happy for them and it reminded me of the good memories I had of once holding someone else's hand. So, this poem is for that couple that I still smile for.

Simply,

Sarah