by Naomi L. | September 20, 2013 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
I feel peace as I walk to the edge of my world. The sun on my face, the wind in my hair, the smell of salty air, everything about this place calms me.
Winter is the best time of year to visit. Not a soul in sight, I can relax and be alone with my thoughts. A bird flies overhead, my spirit riding the breeze along with it. I smile as it disappears beyond the horizon. I’m content just to dream that I could follow. This is my sanctuary.
Out there, I’m a stranger, playing a part in a story that isn’t mine. There, I’m stuck in one place. But here, I am myself. At the brink of the other world, I can breathe and laugh and sing to my heart’s content. Here, I am home.
Waves upon the sand
Rolling up and down the shore
Flow out to the sea
Is there anything more peaceful than the sounds of the ocean in the morning? Where the warm earth meets the cool water, my feet stay buried under wet grains as my thoughts drift away over the waves like ships sailing out to explore unknown lands. My body, my mind, my heart, my spirit are one. Tranquility, curiosity, happiness, freedom.
Water clear and blue
And my dreams that flow within
Come and set me free
This piece was my entry for the Haibun Contest recently held by Writer’s Carnival. The rule was to write a poem about any subject as long as it was in the form of a haibun (a Japanese form of poetry that mixes prose and haiku), so I chose to write mine about the experience of visiting the beach in winter. With the contest now over and the winners already announced, I decided to share my piece here on my blog for others to read. Enjoy!
Special thanks to Writer’s Carnival for hosting the contest! It was a lot of fun!
by Naomi L. | August 16, 2013 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
Keep going!
This is great!
I really like that part!
You know you can do it!
What are you doing?
What is this trash?
No one else will read this!
Nobody would like it.
Don’t give up!
You can still make it better.
Try something like this.
Maybe rewrite that scene.
That’s even worse!
Couldn’t you go the other way?
What if this part were different?
Readers will want another ending.
Forget the readers;
You have to like it first.
Are you happy with it yet?
Are you ready for feedback?
Don’t go for critique yet!
You know you want to edit more.
You’re better than this!
Let’s see what else you’ve got.
I think it’s fine like this!
You’re already a good writer.
But you don’t want to be good;
You want to be great!
But you are great!
You love what you write!
No, you’re on your way to great.
Readers have to love what you write.
There you go!
That’s pretty good now.
That’s better.
You definitely improved it.
Is it good enough for you?
Is it good enough for readers?
Great! Now go and show it to the world.
by Naomi L. | August 9, 2013 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
I don’t know what I’d do
Without their support.
I don’t know where I’d go
Without their guidance.
I don’t know how I’d learn
Without their wisdom.
I don’t know who I’d be
Without their love.
If I’m intelligent,
It’s because they’ve given me sense
To run away from ignorance.
If I’m pretty,
It’s because they’ve given me confidence
That I’m beautiful inside.
If I’m good-natured,
It’s because they’ve given me respect
For the virtue of kindness.
If I’m talented,
It’s because they’ve given me encouragement
To follow my dreams.
If I’m idealistic,
It’s because they’ve given me hope
To make the world a better place.
If I’m romantic,
It’s because they’ve given me faith
That “happily ever after” is real.
But if I have all these qualities,
It’s because they’ve given me
The greatest gift of all:
Their unconditional love.
Dedicated to my parents, the greatest role models I could ever hope for. Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me! I love you both so much!
by Naomi L. | July 5, 2013 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
My love,
My life,
My music.
What would I do,
Who would I be,
How could I live
Without you?
I remember when I first saw you.
Your dark and light tones contrasting
Were a vision of perfect beauty.
The first time I heard your voice,
Singing sweet melodious notes,
You moved me to tears.
The first time I ever touched you,
I felt a spark like an electric wire,
And I knew I was finally whole.
Do you remember our song,
The first melody we played together?
It was sweet and gentle,
But there was passion in every note.
With every stroke,
A spark would ignite.
With every chord,
The fire in me grew.
With every measure,
I felt more alive,
And I know I felt life in you too.
For years you’ve enchanted me
With your spell.
Like a siren’s song
To a weary traveler,
Your sound has bewitched me
And lured me away
From the desolate banks
Of monotony
To ivory shores
Streaked with ebony
And singing of eternal bliss.
I could do nothing;
I would be no one;
I couldn’t live
Without you.
My music,
My life,
My love.
Pianoforte.
by Naomi L. | June 14, 2013 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
A little lump of coal
Is plain to any eye.
A star amid a million
Can be lost within in the sky.
Any loyal loving dog
Seems the same as all the rest.
And a man within a crowd
Needs to prove that he’s the best.
But place enormous pressure
On that little lump of coal,
And you’ll see that it will change,
Soon to play a different role.
No two stars are quite the same,
Each unique, a special one.
Some are small and burn out quickly,
Some are brighter than the sun.
The dog that seems so common
Proves a true and caring friend.
Through the greatest trials in life,
He’ll stick by you to the end.
So a man of endless value
Is a star in every way.
As a husband and a father,
He proves loyal every day.
Try to break him; he’ll survive,
And you’ll see when times are tough
That the man you thought was plain
Is a diamond in the rough.
Happy Father’s Day to my amazing dad! Thank you so much for everything you do for me; it means the world. You’ll always be a hero in my eyes, and one of my greatest role models. I’m so lucky to have you as a father.
God bless you always! I love you, Dad!
by Naomi L. | May 17, 2013 | J.C. Wolfe's Writing, Poetry |
Deep in the cavern it sleeps,
Silent as the shadows,
Still as the earth.
And as it lies in rest,
The land is at peace
And all is well.
But at the turn of the moon,
The creature awakens
And chaos reigns once more.
It emerges from its lair,
Eyes gleaming, teeth bared,
And emits a mighty roar
That shakes the earth
And the souls of men alike.
And a fearful whisper sweeps
Across the land,
“Beware the beast…”
Claws unsheathed,
It rampages through the world,
Slashing out at all
Who would cross its path,
Tearing through flesh
And spilling the blood
Of the innocent.
At the slightest provocation,
It rears its great head
And shrieks a piercing cry
That shatters many ears
And fractures many hearts.
It twists its body
To constrict its victims,
Forcing out their breath
Until they’re gasping for air,
Then leaves them broken
In its wake.
Yet when the moon turns away
The creature retreats.
Docile once more,
It succumbs to the control
Of its one true master
And withdraws into its lair
To sleep again.
The master sets about
Repairing the damage,
Healing the wounds
Of the injured
And fixing what the monster
Left broken.
Peace settles on the land,
And all is well again.
But the master never rests,
And stands ever ready,
For as everyone knows,
At the next turn of the moon,
The dragon will rise again.
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