Poetry

[apple]

Here is a place we can all put in our own poems or even other peoms we love with an authors name on it.

[ivorycharm]

What Every Woman Should Have
 
Every woman should have
one old love she can imagine going back to and one who reminds her how far she has come,
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to and needs to,
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour,
a youth she's content to leave behind,
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age,
the realization that she is actually going to have an old age ,
and some money set aside to fund it,
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra,
one friend who always makes her laugh,
and one who lets her cry,
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family,
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored
a resume that is not even slightest bit padded,
a feeling of control over her destiny,
a skin care regimen, an exercise routine,
and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don't get better after 30,
a solid start on a satisfying career,
a satisfying relationship,
and all those other facets of life that do get better after 30.

[motif]

good idea, poetry and music helps to relax...

[retrogurl88]

Here's my favorite Shel Silverstein poem:

SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT WOULD NOT TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT
(Silverstein)
Shel Silverstein - 1969


Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout
Would not take the garbage out!
She'd scour the pots and scrape the pans,
Candy the yams and spice the hams,
And though her daddy would scream and shout,
She simply would not take the garbage out.
And so it piled up to the ceilings:
Coffee grounds, potato peelings,
Brown bananas, rotten peas,
Chunks of sour cottage cheese.
It filled the can, it covered the floor,
It cracked the window and blocked the door
With bacon rinds and chicken bones,
Drippy ends of ice cream cones,
Prune pits, peach pits, orange peel,
Gloopy glumps of cold oatmeal,
Pizza crusts and withered greens,
Soggy beans and tangerines,
Crusts of black burned buttered toast,
Gristly bits of beefy roasts...
The garbage rolled on down the hall,
It raised the roof, it broke the wall...
Greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,
Globs of gooey bubble gum,
Cellophane from green baloney,
Rubbery blubbery macaroni,
Peanut butter, caked and dry,
Curdled milk and crusts of pie,
Moldy melons, dried-up mustard,
Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,
Cold French fries and rancid meat,
Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.
At last the garbage reached so high
That finally it touched the sky.
And all the neighbors moved away,
And none of her friends would come to play.
And finally Sarah Cynthia Stout said,
"OK, I'll take the garbage out!"
But then, of course, it was too late...
The garbage reached across the state,
From New York to the Golden Gate.
And there, in the garbage she did hate,
Poor Sarah met an awful fate,
That I cannot right now relate
Because the hour is much too late.
But children, remember Sarah Stout
And always take the garbage out!

[ButterflyGal82]

"Revelations of Disease"

Forever sleeping through life
not awake to my own thoughts
slowly emerging pain
signs that I feigned not to see
Then came the inner ball of fear
racing thoughts, and unearthly pain
my body giving me an ultimatum
wake up and see the life before you, to change
or I'll keep you stuck to remain in torture mode

These revelations from disease
not my first choice on how to gain them
not my first choice on how to find my way of life again
But I'll take them and use them to evolve within

At first I would not accept the cards dealt for me
Anxiety ridden in the hole it dug me in
It almost buried me into believing it was safe to stay the same
Never to branch out and challenge my past fears
Never to break out of my shell to see I could do it on my own
And then I accepted the challenge to fight the battle raging in side
that ever human deals with in their own life

These revelations from disease
not my first choice on how to gain them
not my first choice on how to find my way of life again
But I'll take them and use them to evolve within

I have learned to be connected to my body
I have learned not to ignore cryptic signs
I have learned to speak up for how I feel
I have learned how other shoes feel
I have learned how to navigate through a tumultuous time
But it does not mean that I will not cry , feel anxiety or fear again
For shutting off emotions, picking and choosing, is to cheat one out of being human

and so these revelations from disease
not my first choice on how to gain them
not my first choice on how to find my way of life again
But I'll take them and use them to evolve within

Written by: Me

[AmInormal?]

I love Shel Silverstein....he writes good stuff.  It's usually pretty funny and teaches a lesson.  Where the sidewalk ends.....

[retrogurl88]

AmInormal?--

love Shel Silverstein....he writes good stuff.  It's usually pretty funny and teaches a lesson.  Where the sidewalk ends.....

I agree.    Now your turn to post your favorite poem. 

[AmInormal?]

I have to think about it and I'll get back to you. 

[pippip]

Here's a poem I wrote a while ago when I was in a bad relationship that was giving me panic attacks:

The night you told me you didn't love me
Whenever you said you didnt need me like i needed you
I went back to my old ways
Back to how I used to be

My heart started racin inside my chest
My muscles tightened up
Felt like I couldn't move
I was completley beyond stressed

Next thing you know my head was spinnin round in circles
Worse then being on the tallest roller coaster
I felt like i was going to be sick to my stomach
Sometimes I wish I wasn't homosexual

I was sure I was positive I was going to die
In my mind the thoughts were fighting to get through
My mouth was so parched and dry
I couldn't accept that it wasn't true

At the time I needed you most to be there
I've never been that scared

And in that moment you left me
When I was paralyzed by fear
You weren't even there
I thought you would have cared

I know you got your problems too
And I can't really blame you
But being honest doesn't give you the right to abandon me
One day though you'll be sorry

You'll end up all alone
I know you disagree
Its okay laugh it off now
Buts its a guarantee!

[retrogurl88]

Wow, very powerful pippip !  I'm sorry that you had to experience such a bad relationship. 

[retrogurl88]

A great poem I came across on: http://www.cybernation.com/victory/youcandoit/face.php after searching on google:

The Face In The Glass!

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what THAT face has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or spouse
Whose judgment upon you must pass;
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people might think you are a straight-shootin' chum
And call you a wonderful guy or gal,
But the face in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look it straight in the eye.
That's the one you must please, never mind all the rest,
For that's the one with you clear up to the end.
And you know you have passed your most dangerous test
If the face in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life
And get pats on your back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the face in the glass.

~by Dale Wimbrow~ 

[b0dHi]

The Peace of Wild Things
by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

[retrogurl88]

I wrote this today according to the calender.  I don't know at the moment, because I feel like I'm wading through an intense brain fog. 

Illusionary World--
Space and time stood as silent witnesses to the portals of her mind,
which viewed the world as an illusion.
Only the occasional passersby noticed that she wore a blank expression.
She was fumbling aimlessly with her hair,
looking forward to the wind.

But her face was numb, so the breath of life simply bounced off her senses,
leaving no impression.
She was pressed tightly against the bars,
watching and waiting for this moment to pass.
A sigh escaped her lips.

[ento23]

-RG88

When you think up a great line, you just have to find somewhere to save it- whether it's digital or a subway napkin. 

I don't know why I'm in a negative mood.  My anxiety has been improving.  I just don't really feel like myself now and I really just prefer to be alone.  I'm keeping busy with work before classes start up Monday.  I don't know, it's hard to explain.  I'm sure it's just temporary and things will change soon.  Thanks for the reply.

Ento23 

[retrogurl88]

ento23--

-RG88

When you think up a great line, you just have to find somewhere to save it- whether it's digital or a subway napkin. 

I don't know why I'm in a negative mood.  My anxiety has been improving.  I just don't really feel like myself now and I really just prefer to be alone.  I'm keeping busy with work before classes start up Monday.  I don't know, it's hard to explain.  I'm sure it's just temporary and things will change soon.  Thanks for the reply.

Ento23 

True, sometimes you can only get your hands on a napkin or phone during those creative moments. 

I've been feeling the same way lately, especially with the kind of luck I've been having with breaking into the workforce.  (More like lack of...) 

Cool, so school starts for you soon?  What are you majoring in?  You may just be feeling off because you are going through a transition.  I know I'm never myself, when I'm going through any kind of change in my routine.

But I hope you feel better soon.  Good luck in school! 

Peace,

~RG88

[ento23]

I'm sorry to hear that the whole job-hunting experience hasn't been going well for you.  Hopefully you'll get one soon.  I'm a 3rd year master's student studying insects (entomology, hence my SN).  Yeah, it's probably a transition thing.  Plus, it's been a stressful summer and I'm embarking on the final year of grad school.  My anxiety has been pretty decent in public (e.g. stores) lately but today I went to campus and it was 'panic-city'.  I just can't seem to overcome that mental obstacle. 

[retrogurl88]

ento23--

I'm sorry to hear that the whole job-hunting experience hasn't been going well for you.  Hopefully you'll get one soon.  I'm a 3rd year master's student studying insects (entomology, hence my SN).  Yeah, it's probably a transition thing.  Plus, it's been a stressful summer and I'm embarking on the final year of grad school.  My anxiety has been pretty decent in public (e.g. stores) lately but today I went to campus and it was 'panic-city'.  I just can't seem to overcome that mental obstacle. 

It's alright it's not your fault, I suspect it has something to do with the current state of the U.S. economy.

Aw very clever, now I understand your screename!   I actually love bugs too, the only "insect-like" thing that really scares me are spiders.    But cool major!  Unusual, yet very interesting. 

Wow, the final year of grad school?!  Sounds tough, I would definitely be nervous if I was in your shoes, too.  Though I'm sure you'll do fine, after all you have made it this far! 

Is the size of your campus something that sets off your panic?  Because, anytime I am in a large place with lots of people, I always panic.

I hope things get better for you soon. 

Peace,

~RG88

[ento23]

ento23--

I'm sorry to hear that the whole job-hunting experience hasn't been going well for you.  Hopefully you'll get one soon.  I'm a 3rd year master's student studying insects (entomology, hence my SN).  Yeah, it's probably a transition thing.  Plus, it's been a stressful summer and I'm embarking on the final year of grad school.  My anxiety has been pretty decent in public (e.g. stores) lately but today I went to campus and it was 'panic-city'.  I just can't seem to overcome that mental obstacle. 

It's alright it's not your fault, I suspect it has something to do with the current state of the U.S. economy.

Aw very clever, now I understand your screename!   I actually love bugs too, the only "insect-like" thing that really scares me are spiders.    But cool major!  Unusual, yet very interesting. 

Wow, the final year of grad school?!  Sounds tough, I would definitely be nervous if I was in your shoes, too.  Though I'm sure you'll do fine, after all you have made it this far! 

Is the size of your campus something that sets off your panic?  Because, anytime I am in a large place with lots of people, I always panic.

I hope things get better for you soon. 

Peace,

~RG88

Thanks for the well wishes.  Yeah, bugs are definitely cool.  I actually went insect-collecting today for a class (getting a head start) and ran into a snake- now that set me off.  No, the campus is quite small.  I think my anxiety at school is a rather delayed response.  I had been a teaching assistant for 2 years and this experience included many ups and downs.  That, along with the stress of classes and my research I think is just drilled into my subconscious.  So, each trip to campus brings a ton of baggage with it.  On a positive note, I had applied for a grad student award through the entomological foundation a couple months back and found out today that I won.  That (+ the good haul of bugs) really made my day.  Maybe this will start to turn things around.

Please keep us updated on the job-hunting.  Somebody in syracuse, ny is pulling for you.

ento23

[retrogurl88]

ento23--

Thanks for the well wishes.  Yeah, bugs are definitely cool.  I actually went insect-collecting today for a class (getting a head start) and ran into a snake- now that set me off.  No, the campus is quite small.  I think my anxiety at school is a rather delayed response.  I had been a teaching assistant for 2 years and this experience included many ups and downs.  That, along with the stress of classes and my research I think is just drilled into my subconscious.  So, each trip to campus brings a ton of baggage with it.  On a positive note, I had applied for a grad student award through the entomological foundation a couple months back and found out today that I won.  That (+ the good haul of bugs) really made my day.  Maybe this will start to turn things around.

Please keep us updated on the job-hunting.  Somebody in syracuse, ny is pulling for you.

ento23

Your welcome!  And congrats for winning the award! 

I'm actually trying to get employed as a teaching assistant/paraeducator, at the moment.  I just applied for another position today at a local middle school.  But I will keep you updated as things unfold.

I also want to thank you for your well wishes. 

I'm sure the more you attend school the easier it will be for you, and your anxiety will eventually diminish. 

Happy Bug Collecting!

~RG88

[ento23]

retrogurl

The weird thing is that it wasn't (just) my anxiety lately.  It was my whole outlook on life.  I just got so depressed.  I put all of that energy into a poem.  I think that plus the award and this book I've been reading ("Peace is Every Step") made be do a complete 180.  My anxiety didn't go away, it's still there.  It's manageable.  Every day I suffer from GAD symptoms and on top of that a few episodes (usually they don't escalate into attacks).  But, I'm just more content with myself now.  My anxiety is now just a part of my life, it doesn't define me, and at one point it did.

-ento23

ps I feel like I should post another poem b/c we've gotten far off track on this thread

[St Michael]

A Profession of Faith to the Raging God

There is no need to be afraid,
Ever.

Though depression wraps itself around me
Like a blanket soaked in gasoline
I will not fear the match.
For what is the blanket but a cocoon,
What is the match but a way to spread my new wings?

I will not fear to show my face,
Though society might not characterize
My voice, my shape, or my ideas as beauty.
For what is beauty but a word come up with by a man
Too weak or too stupid
To realize the wonder of all things?

Though this Glass World has made True Love,
Innocence,
And Faith into nothing more than greeting cards,
I will not fear to search for them.
Within you all these things grow.

Even on my bed of death,
As my breath is set free from my chest,
I will cry out in your glory,
Oh Raging God - Oh God of Life
Let your fire never cease to be within me.

I look in my reflection one last time,
In my crystalline gray lines of eyes I can see you.
I know that you dance to my pulse,
I know that you drink of my blood,
I know that you weep with my tears,
I know that you,
Oh Beast of Anger - Oh Dove of Peace,
Live in my heart and nowhere else.

[retrogurl88]

ento23--

retrogurl

The weird thing is that it wasn't (just) my anxiety lately.  It was my whole outlook on life.  I just got so depressed.  I put all of that energy into a poem.  I think that plus the award and this book I've been reading ("Peace is Every Step") made be do a complete 180. 

Well, I'm glad things have turned around for you! 

My anxiety didn't go away, it's still there.  It's manageable.  Every day I suffer from GAD symptoms and on top of that a few episodes (usually they don't escalate into attacks).  But, I'm just more content with myself now.  My anxiety is now just a part of my life, it doesn't define me, and at one point it did.

-ento23

ps I feel like I should post another poem b/c we've gotten far off track on this thread

   Great point!  Anxiety does not have to define us. 

LOL, I guess I'm kinda responsible for getting this thread off track.  Sorry about that...   

(Feel free to PM me then, if you would like to continue this dialogue.)

I suppose I should post a poem now, too:

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

St Michael--

A Profession of Faith to the Raging God

There is no need to be afraid,
Ever.

Though depression wraps itself around me
Like a blanket soaked in gasoline
I will not fear the match.
For what is the blanket but a cocoon,
What is the match but a way to spread my new wings?

I will not fear to show my face,
Though society might not characterize
My voice, my shape, or my ideas as beauty.
For what is beauty but a word come up with by a man
Too weak or too stupid
To realize the wonder of all things?

Though this Glass World has made True Love,
Innocence,
And Faith into nothing more than greeting cards,
I will not fear to search for them.
Within you all these things grow.

Even on my bed of death,
As my breath is set free from my chest,
I will cry out in your glory,
Oh Raging God - Oh God of Life
Let your fire never cease to be within me.

I look in my reflection one last time,
In my crystalline gray lines of eyes I can see you.
I know that you dance to my pulse,
I know that you drink of my blood,
I know that you weep with my tears,
I know that you,
Oh Beast of Anger - Oh Dove of Peace,
Live in my heart and nowhere else.

Wow!  Very powerful and inspiring! 

~RG88

[ento23]

retrogurl88

the turnaround has been incredible and the anxiety definitely better as well.  i'm just going to continue with what's working- meds, meditation, exercise, tuning into my breathing, self-hypnosis, and just a different outlook on each day.

i'm equally responsible for getting it off track.  same goes for you as far as PMing.  definitely keep me up to date with your job hunting- either via PM or through a thread.  i really hope things turn out well.  everyone here deserves something to go in their favor.

btw.  i'm not good at quoting parts of messages.

-ento23

[ento23]

RG88,

Awesome poem and thanks for the compliment.  I definitely edit my writing a lot but I honestly wrote 6 poems from scratch in a span of 11 days.  I have no clue how.  It all just came out.  The one I'm working on now I've been editing each day for the past 5, really trying to make it flow.  The longest of the bunch thus far.  When I started writing poetry I didn't begin with how I was feeling (e.g., point g), I started with point a and covered much of the ground between.  I can do a decent job of recapturing situations and emotions- some better than others.  Plus, despite this creative outlet, I still have a very analytical mind.  Anyways, I would love to read whatever you come up with.  I think I should PM you my last complete poem which is full of negative emotion.  Very depressive stuff. 

-ento23

[retrogurl88]

ento23--

RG88,

Awesome poem and thanks for the compliment.  I definitely edit my writing a lot but I honestly wrote 6 poems from scratch in a span of 11 days.  I have no clue how.  It all just came out.  The one I'm working on now I've been editing each day for the past 5, really trying to make it flow.  The longest of the bunch thus far.  When I started writing poetry I didn't begin with how I was feeling (e.g., point g), I started with point a and covered much of the ground between.  I can do a decent job of recapturing situations and emotions- some better than others.  Plus, despite this creative outlet, I still have a very analytical mind.  Anyways, I would love to read whatever you come up with.  I think I should PM you my last complete poem which is full of negative emotion.  Very depressive stuff. 

-ento23

Your welcome.  Nice, 6 poems in 11 days!  I don't think I have ever written that many poems in such a short time span.  Me too, I analyze everything... 

Well, I actually did write something last night.  And just as I thought, it is very negative and dark, but after writing the poem, I felt kinda relieved to get all of that out of me.

Here it is:  (It has no title yet.)

A beast of darkness envelops the light of a dream,
withering away the petals of a rose,
casting blood upon the books of time.
Crying out, reaching out, falling.
No arms for comfort as the sobs overwhelm her body,
paintings of past facades flowing slowly down the drain.
A stranger to the soft morning dew which graces the green grass,
a bird shielding a single broken wing.
What is determination, when the opponent has sucked life out of my very being?
That sense of foreboding has become a constant state of mind.
Vines grow tighter with each passing day, pressing heavy on her heart.
Release me!  Release me! The prisoner laments to the dusty window which clouds her view.
Pieces of hope and laughter leak through the cracks,
and empty promises of fortune fall short of an echo.
Again fooled and a fool, she has been slain by the sword.

~RG88

P.S.  Feel free to PM me that other poem if you'd like!