Sarah Flanigan - Poetry Simply Put

stab, skip, flow,
do your job
suck the words from my
brain

make it work
take the junk piled in the
back of my mind
become something
anything

is it the music? what would you
like? jazz, blues, reggae, metal???
dance little pen of
mine
make me look good
make me look smart

there must be something
utterly profound about orange
metallic nail polish
never mind the beads
of sweat, they smear
the ink so nicely give them the words
(which you are in short supply of my friend) that nice
little flourish.

dance damn you!
Dance!

copyright 2008

Tags: Poetry, writers, writing

Captured the mind?
that constantly
ticks and
scratches
with pulse and pen
a furtive eye
sanguine wit
reStless soul

The thought ejects itself
like a factory second
and explodes into
laughter
splattering against the wall

And then it plays
the tune again
a silly ditty
that repeats over
and over in my mind
until I’d rather hear
teeth grating tin foil
‘til I’d rather be herding
cats in a tornado

But above the roar it
plays
and plays some more
and I daren’t wonder
at its truth
or its eyes
and can only be
a-Mused
until the music ends (will it?)

copyright 2008

Tags: a mused, catching rain, original poetry

My friend Evyl has posed a few interesting questions for me to answer. I thought I would share them here:

1. What is the most beautiful sight that you have ever seen?

This was a difficult question to answer because I don’t know if I could choose just one. And while there are many beautiful things I have seen in my life, the most beautiful are: The sun rising over the New Mexico desert as we headed to California. It was quite early and I was asleep in the car while my husband drove. He woke me quite suddenly because he needed to share the moment with me and I’m glad he did. Slices of light that gleamed orange, yellow, red and indigo, exotic cactus like hands pointing toward the sky as if to herald the new day, a kaleidoscope of nature. Breath taking.

Sealife in miniature, in a cove at Laguna Beach. Being from the Midwest, I’d never been to an ocean. The beach was white as snow, the water slate blue, tiny sea creatures caught in whirling pools, starfish, coral and what looked like flowers - we watched for hours, like children in our admiration and fascination.

The first time I ever went to San Francisco (by car). Northern California is a beautiful region, rolling hills, crisp blue skies, the seashore - the air is cold and feels wonderful blowing through your hair. We crested a hill just before we made our descent into the city - it was awe-inspiring, like a Disney creation. A perfect, beautiful city that seemed to have been plunked down for our enjoyment.

My sister in her wedding gown. She took my breath away. She has always been a beautiful woman but she was at that moment, the most beautiful woman in the world.

My mother’s hands. They are graceful, milky white, with long tapered fingers and perfect nails. When I was a child, I loved to stare at my mother’s hands and wished that I would have her hands when I grew up.

My father’s blue eyes. The color of the morning sky on a cloudless day. Startling and open. Kind and wise. They told you of his soul.

One spring morning, I rose early for no particular reason. It was cool and quiet. I went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of coffee, wrapping my robe tightly around me to ward off the chill. I don’t know why but I looked out the window and I saw what you could call an Irish Misty morning. A vaporous mist played and danced over everything, the trees, the hills and made my yard into magical forest where leprechauns and faeries played and laughed. I think I stood at that window for an hour just to stay in that world as long as I could.

2. How’s the garden going and what is your favorite plant in your garden?

The garden is doing wonderfully. I planted in March and it wasnt’ long before the plants started to flower. I have wildflowers, cucumbers, yellow squash, onions, radishes, lettuce, four varieties of tomatoes, herbs, turnips and bell  peppers. The birds and the insects have respected the garden, and have thankfully, left most of it intact. Amazing really when you think of it, I use no chemicals or pesticides, only organic fertilizers. My favorite plant is the bean plant that sprouted out of nowhere. Last year I planted beans but decided to forego this year. However, somehow a seed managed to travel to the other side of the yard and take root. Just two weeks ago I noticed it growing a few feet away from the garden proper, its broad glossy leaves gleamed in the sun, with the tiny white flowers that promise edibles in the future. I’ve no idea how it did that but I can look forward to string beans this summer.

3. Why ask why?

Of all the questions there are, why is the best question to ask. We learn from this question, we expand our knowledge and viewpoints. We gain understanding of our fellows and it is the door which opens onto the universe.

4. What written work are you most proud of and why?

Sad Songs. Because it is a tribute to my brother and reflects what I would have wished for him at the end of his short life. The opportunity to  have said, “I love you” and “goodbye.” The story is dedicated to his daughter and son, who did not get to say goodbye and I love you.

5. Now come on tell the truth, what would I find surprising in your pantie drawer?

This question was interesting because I had to look in the drawer to see if anything would surprise you. In fact, there was something that surprised me: a black…leather…wallet.

So, there you have it, probably more than you wanted to know about me. Evyl, thank you for posing the questions. I enjoyed our interview, it was fun.

Love,

Sarah 

I wanted to bring you some wonderful news. For those of you who know (and love) Jennifer - Winterland - there is an update.

Jennifer posted it on her blog here - so I will let you tell her in her own words.

 Jennifer, I am so very happy about the news. It seems our prayers have been answered.

Much love,

Sarah

I’ve been graciously tagged by A-Mum of Nanny’s Nook as a thinking blogger - and am quite flattered by the tag. The idea of the meme is to tag five other blogs that make you think. But the problem is, of course, that I think that my whole blogroll is made up of fantastic thinkers and writers.

So, I’m going to go against the rules.

In a previous post I lauded all those on my blogroll (at the time) and the kudos were very much deserved. But since then, I’ve stumbled onto a few more gems and I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about them.

I realize of course, this goes against the meme - but oh well.

Evan at Traces of Nuts is a young school teacher from down under, who tells the most delightful stories about his life and his students. Tongue is always firmly planted in cheek and whenever I need a lift, I  head straight over. He is just a delightful soul and you can never feel bad after reading about his adventures.

Lolly at Lovely Red Rose is like a favorite girlfriend who has invited you over for a cup of coffee and a chat. You never know what she will come up with but you always know that you’re welcome in her bright cheery corner of the blogosphere.

Kim at Good at Getting Better is a staggeringly talented poet. Her words speak to you, as though they are your own. An every-woman with whom you will identify, commiserate and celebrate.

Naughty Heather at Extemporaneous is a very new find for me and I’m loving her stuff. Sometimes funny, sometimes deep, always interesting. Of course, I’m coming back Heather.

Ozy at Ocellus is another new find and I am in awe of his use of language and metaphor. Modern and classic at the same time. His poems will give you pause and make you think.

Dave at Dave the Novelist is obviously, a novelist - but also does reviews of books and movies, is a self-published author and loves baseball (how could you not like that?).

Tom at Philnensia is another new find and a gem. He is quirky, spontaneous and full of love of life. I always picture him with a wide grin and a great idea lingering in the back of his mind.

Robert at Dragon Life is a man who is all about the dragons. He writes about them incessantly and truly loves what he is doing. A true bon vivant who you will find to be charming and fun.

So that is my version of this meme. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve broken the rules. But I really wanted to share all of my new finds and hope you will visit them and love them just as I do.

Sarah

In the spirit of the love I feel for each of you, I have written haikus for those of you whom I’ve missed previously. Hope you like them. They were written with love.
Sarah

Spaz:

nature girl delights
to see wild mama bird nest
on her patio

Evyl:

big handsome brute like
nobody you have ever
met in any life

Michael:

soft soul with good heart
defying the injustice
that life gave to them

Jennifer:

loving mother light
shines in her children’s sweet eyes
and makes the world good.

Lolly:

lovely red rose she
opens to the sun of life
and tickles our minds

Maureen:

kick ass mother earth
gives sage advice selflessly
and the laughs are free

Alison:

disappeared from view
her words haunt and linger still
come back to us please

Natural:

where’s the energy
pulsating and delightful
that we crave alone

Mark:

haiku master he
that gentle taps my mind’s edge
and takes no credit.

Kelly:

coffee fiend and friend
fiery passionate girl
so glad I know you.

copyright 2007

Sweet southern girl writes
Poems of conversations
With her heart and world.

Copyright 2007

Baby boy grasping
With tiny fingers fiercely
Hope springs eternal

copyright 2007

we’re trying to keep the angels busy in sean’s behalf, jennifer.
love,
sarah

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/tHM5IlmOV9s]

It is always amazing to me that artists can literally turn any element into a work of art. Enjoy!

sarah

Hi Everyone, I know many of you know Jennifer of Welcome to my Shoe and the difficulty she has gone through during her pregnancy. She recently sent me an update and I wanted to pass it along to you. I’ll just let Jennifer tell you in her own words, below: