Tag: inspiration

Categories
Poetry Self Awareness Topic Words of Wisdom

Dreams to Light

Girl looking to the sky and dreaming
Can I be a nurse? 
Cure people so they can live 
Feed the hungry ones 
Provide homes to all people 
From my dream I awaken 

~Little girls with dreams become women with vision-unknown~

Now that I'm older 
Recruit all the helping hands 
Volunteer, I am 
My vision is bright and clear
Fight the good fight, persevere

Dreams to Light is about little girls who have big dreams of their own. Some are realized and some are merely a dream. Growing up and coming of age, into adulthood, womanhood, the vision forms. It can be as simple as gathering like-minded people together. Maybe even starting to act on those long-lost dreams as a child.

We all have different experiences in life and different ideas about what the world should look like, how people should live. It all starts with imagination and transforms to something bigger, more meaningful. If only we dare to bring those dreams to light.

Dreams turn to visions, then into movements. I pose this question to women who had dreams as a child; how has your dream shaped your life today?

Thank you for reading! 🙏🏽💞

Photo by Mustafa Omar on Unsplash

Categories
Topic

Can You Answer This? What Life-Altering Book Have You Read Lately?

What Life-Altering Book Have You Read Lately?

Reading is a wonderful pastime. There are stories that can transform the way we see certain aspects of life. Books that make us laugh and smile. Mysteries, romance novels, science fiction, memoirs, etc., so many to choose from. The fact that there are so many genres give us variety in picking what we want to read.

Reading can have a profound effect on us. We can read something that changes the way we look at things. Give us a new perspective on something that we may have formed an opinion about, before knowing more.

The reasons we choose to read vary greatly. Some of us read to broaden our vocabulary. Relax and delve into a murder mystery, science fiction, or romance novel. Others aim for an overall understanding and knowledge of different subjects.

Alternatively, some of us just love books! There are so many ways to get your reading in. Hardcover, paperbacks, eBooks and audiobooks. No matter how you choose to read, words have the power to transform.

Can you answer this? What life-altering book have you read lately?

Thank you for stopping by! 🙏🏽💞

Categories
Diversity Poetry Topic

Isle Of Enchantment; Summer Trip

Isle of Enchantment is written about my first visit to Puerto Rico. 

2013 was the year, in the month of July, my oh my
One of the hottest months to travel, by and by
A scorcher, nonetheless, I had a blast
Finally made it to my father’s place of birth, at last

In the summer we can be lively or carefree and idly
The humidity can hit you like a wet rag in the face
Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico is the place
Clothes clinging to the skin, feeling sticky and intense
 
Deplaning in San Juan the weather warm, humid and sunny
Cute, Burgundy, patent leather bag, or patent pleather  
Is no match for the tropical, summer and blistering weather
A better choice would have been canvas, jute, or linen  
 
Cruising through breezy Loiza and the beach, Isla Verde
Next day in Old San Juan taking in a refreshing piragua
Sitting and taking in the scene like a movie premiere
People coming and going enjoying carefree tropical living

Street vendors amass with food to seduce the palette
Fried codfish, aka Bacalaitos
Alcapurria, deep fried fritter with meat
And Empanadas filled with beef

Drinks that I never had before were enticing
Mavi for one, made from tree bark
Coquito, made with rum, condensed, coconut milk and spices
Coco Rico, a coconut flavored soda

Alluring me with its sound, the native frog, a Coqui
Serenading me at night, while calling out during the day
Music soothing the ears, the body and soul
People friendly making me feel right at home

Beautiful pastel-colored structures
At every turn, beaming with pride
Colors, sounds, people, food
The heartbeat of Puerto Rico

El Morro is the next adventure, such colossal grounds
History is tapping my shoulder as I explore
Too much ground to cover, the fort is too big
Have to plan this visit in more than one gig

Off to dance the night away at an outdoor restaurant
The wind current keeps us semi-cool
No matter, the music gets the feet and body moving
In rhythm, I dance till the music stops

Cascading friendliness and genuine warmth
Something that will remain in memory
The summer of 2013 is kept in rich treasury
Of my mind, now comes time to go forth

Heading back home with such vivid scenery
Surreal trip that will last like well-oiled machinery
The pictures, a keepsake for nostalgic moments
Summer of 2013

Thank you for stopping by to read 💕🙏🏽

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Through The Narrow Lens

Through The Narrow Lens

Through the narrow lens
is a big bad world
take a step back
sit for a minute
absorb
assess
process
the ways of denizens
in the big bad world
hurrying, night and day
bumping shoulders
not breaking stride 

Through the narrow lens
we venture to the street
no clear destination 
evaporation into the night

Thank you for stopping by to read my poem, Through the Narrow Lens! 💞

I drew inspiration from the prompt for WDYS by Sadje. Thank you as always for the prompts each week.

Image credit: Rafael Garcin @ Unsplash

Categories
Topic

Can You Answer This? What Are You Writing For?

Writing pad

Writing is therapeutic.  Whether you write for self-discovery or recreation is totally a personal choice.  Both are equally fulfilling. The process of putting pen to paper is an artistic expression. Everyone writes but not everyone thinks of themselves as a writer.  

Another reason that you may find yourself writing is in a professional capacity. Composing emails, sending text messages. Also, for careers such as a journalist, author, and educational professions too.

Writing also serves as an outlet, a way of journaling. Whether it be in the handwritten style or typed, it is definitely a valuable tool.

Can you answer this? What are you writing for?

Blog or Vlog and the Difference Between the Two
Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Hanging Onto Ifs

Questions of uncertainty
Hanging onto ifs
Restricts growth
It constrains

Hanging onto ifs
Breeds uncertainty
And doubt

Hanging onto ifs
Robs you of exploration
Stalls curiosity

Hanging onto ifs
Builds rifts
Stalls shifts in creativity
Takes all the lifts out of the sails

Hanging onto ifs
Can foster inner tiffs
Let go of the ifs

It helps to sift
Sift away fears and doubts
Lift hope and confidence

Let go of the ifs

The poem, Hanging Onto Ifs is about how our mind plays on us. It can let doubt creep in and stop us from pursuing our dreams. We question ourselves and ask, “what if it doesn’t work?” Well, what if it does. Injecting hopeful thoughts and believing in ourselves is a positive alternative.

The mind is very powerful, and it is important that we guard our thoughts. Every action starts with a thought. If we question and overthink, it stalls growth.

What do you think about the what ifs?

Thank you for stopping by to read.🙏🏽💞

Photo by Laurin Steffens on Unsplash

Categories
Info Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

30 Years Turns the Art of Poetry

April is National Poetry Month. The year 2026 makes 30 years of this celebration of art.

What does poetry mean to you? What is your favorite poetry form?

Is there a special way you like to commemorate the art form of poetry and writing? If so, share the most meaningful way you choose to celebrate.

Words are very powerful. They can inject joy and adversely, bring about feelings of hurt. The way we choose our words is very important. Words can be used to compose a song, convey an idea, express thoughts, and a plethora of many things. Both spoken and written words carry weight.

For National Poetry month, I have tried writing my first Trenta-Sei poem. Not an easy feat.

What is a Trenta-Sei poem?

-Created by John Ciardi, the Trenta-Sei poem is a poetic form that contains 6, six-line stanzas for a total of 36 lines.
-A rhyme scheme of ababcc.
-Lines 2-6 of the first stanza will be the first line of the stanzas to follow, in the same order.
-The cascading repetition adds to the complexity of this style.

Sounds simple, right? I’m joking. It was challenging for me but nonetheless, it was fun writing.

30 Years Turns the Art of Poetry

Artistry comes in many forms 
Creating ways to move 
Motion in strokes not the norm 
Writing that transforms and grooves 
Rhymes skillfully arousing the senses 
Poetry and prose in many tenses 
 
Creating ways to move 
Your mind drifts afar 
Riding words feeling the groove 
Inspiration shining like a star 
Don't stop, ideas abound, keep up the flow 
Intricate words flood the brain, page aglow 
 
Motion in strokes not the norm 
Acrylic, watercolor or oil 
Brushstrokes haphazard forming a storm 
Circular and abstract like a coil 
Collage of fabric in Pink, Yellow, Green 
Blending media, asking what it means 
 
Writing that transforms and grooves 
Taking you on a wild ride 
Explain the meaning a pen behooves 
Awing the reader, mouth open wide 
Scanning the page, delight and disbelief 
Vivid, exact, succinct and very brief 
 
Rhymes skillfully arousing the senses 
Cadence so crisp and clear 
No more dis songs, time to mend fences 
Harmony is music to my ears 
An art form transcending generations 
Lyrics infused with deep revelations
Categories
Topic Words of Wisdom

Trust the Waters, Secluded Not

the middle of the ocean
all alone it seems
no one in sight
east west north south

the sun is turning down
darkness on the cusp
pitch black abyss arriving 
deathly dark will soon settle

fear tries to hijack your thoughts
suddenly you remember
Isaiah forty-one, ten
slowly breath returning again

fear now ejected from your body
comfort and assurance ushers in
weakened sense of loneliness
sailing away and strength comes again

you see, being the lone ship in the sea
is not what it appears to be
just because the eyes can't see
doesn't mean his presence is absentee

the Creator is always there
no need to cast a life preserver
he is near to catch you
trust the waters

Trust the Waters, Secluded Not was written for the WDYS prompt by Sadje.

Image by softcodex from Pixabay

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Sidelined Sadness

Sadness be gone

A Triolet poem

Laughter cradles when sadness weighs 
A good belly roll brings oxygen to the brain 
endorphins stick around for days 
Laughter cradles when sadness weighs 
stimulating feel good pathways 
shifting mood to a higher plain 
Laughter cradles when sadness weighs 
A good belly roll brings oxygen to the brain

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read Sidelined Sadness.

Image by Sergei Tokmakov, Esq. https://Terms.Law from Pixabay

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Horizons of Light

Lighthouse shining over the horizons
Standing quietly, alone
No one in sight, solo
Commanding stance over seas
Views of water for miles

Alone, until people drift by
To and fro, ebbing with the tides
Suddenly you are called upon
Memory jarred that your light is shining

Light that draws them near, curious
Wonderment in their eyes as they pause
Pause, hesitant to ask 
How do you do it?

Ask, how do you continue to shine light
All while being alone, present
Day in and out, rain, fog and clouds
Hovering over your crown of light

Difficult task that takes patience
Being constant no matter what comes
Knowing that light is a powerful force
Drawing people into a place of safety

Sound the alarm only when danger lurks
Silent, stationary even when water murks
Pulsating light comes with many perks
Structure standing tall and firm
Navigating shores, signaling when to turn

Horizons of Light was written for the W3 weekly challenge. Unfortunately, I missed the submission deadline. The challenge was to be a lighthouse. You can choose to be a literal, metaphorical, delusional, illusory or false lighthouse.

The piece I wrote is from a metaphorical standpoint.

Standing quietly but not lonely. Drawing people in with your inner light. Just when you think that people do not see you or know you are there, it strikes you. Yes, they see me. It’s like the saying, ‘being seen and not heard’.

Only speaking and/or making noise when necessary. A lighthouse that is like a quiet force. Still standing even when the heavy tides of life roll in.

Thank you for reading Horizons of Light. 💕

Image created by AI with Copilot

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

To Be Called Mom

motherhood grows the heart and the mind
birthing a love like no other
do I deserve this bundle
a blessing to behold
small eyes so bright, pure
her smile, her laugh 
so tender
loving
sweet

To Be Called Mom is written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge.

Thank you for stopping by to read. 🙏🏽💛

Categories
Self Awareness Topic Words of Wisdom

Why Question It?

You are exactly where  
you need to be.  
When you land in a place  
that looks unfamiliar,  
why question it?  
 
You think you should  
be somewhere else. But  
in reality, the place you are  
today was destined for you,
only you. 
 
If you see a friend and  
they are ahead of you in their 
career, don’t fret. Go at your  
own pace. Maybe you are going  
slower but your reward will be  
greater when you arrive.  
 
We all have those years of  
progress, slow but steady.  
Bumpy roads that feel like a  
stop sign. The bumps are a  
test to see if we will 
keep going or quit.  
 
You are exactly where  
you need to be.  We  
can make all the plans in  
the world but, we are not in  
control; no, the Creator is.

You are exactly where 
you need to be

Thank you for reading Why Question It? 💖🙏🏽

The writing is in response to the prompt by Sadje.

Image credit: Nir Himi on Unsplash

Categories
Diversity Topic

A Triumph for Muslim Athletes

Who- Najah Aqeel, a teenager who was not allowed to play in a volleyball match. Why? Because of her hijab. A hijab is a head covering worn by Muslim women as part of their religious beliefs. It holds the meaning of identity, faith, and modesty, among other things. She turned her disappointment into triumph.

What- At that time, a rule by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association was in place. The rule stated prior approval was required by the National Federation of State High School Association. Prior approval to wear any type of head covering.

Can you imagine! Needing to get permission to practice your religious beliefs. Najah and her family, along with the American Muslim Advisory Council has changed the ruling.

Najah Aqeel has affected change, and now student athletes are free to participate and wear their religious head coverings.

Where- Valor Collegiate Prep, Nashville, Tennessee

When- September 2020

Categories
Diversity Topic Words of Wisdom

Trailblazer who Helped Shape History

Who-
Claudette (Austin) Colvin was an unsung civil rights activist. She helped to end segregation on public transportation, as one of the four plaintiffs in the federal case of Browder vs Gayle.

No stranger to the plights of Black people in an era when racism plagued the African American community. She was one of the first to protest for her rights. As did Rosa Parks, who also stood up for what she believed in.

What-
As a teenager during a time of segregation and oppression, she bravely refused to give up her seat on the bus.

Where-
Montgomery, Alabama

When-
March 1955

Claudette demonstrated her refusal of injustice by standing up for her rights. She lived until the age of 86. May she rest in love and peace. 🕊️

"I always tell young people to hold on to their dreams. And sometimes you have to stand up for what you think is right even if you have to stand alone-" Claudette Colvin

Categories
Info Poetry Topic

The Cotillion

A Memento



Learn dancing, greetings, table sets
Talking skills null and void
Lacking
Words like hello, please, and thank you
Take a back seat to sass
Slick talk

Social education for kids
Grace, respect, etiquette
Manners
Timeless skills to carry you through
Being a lady, young
Man too

A cotillion is an event for the youth, ages 11-13. It teaches manners, how to conduct yourself in public situations. Social skills that help them build confidence and conversation skills. Also, how to properly set the table, ballroom dance too. Young girls and boys learn etiquette that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Valuable skills to learn.

I am not sure if cotillions still exist, but it needs to come back. Sadly, too many of the youth of today are disrespectful and lack essential social skills.

The Cotillion is written in response to the prompt. Thank you for reading🙏🏽💕