poetry

Dedication: Maya Angelou

Alone by Maya Angelou

Today’s devotional post is to the late, great Maya Angelou. Please read the poem “Alone” in the above link. Copyright prevents by sharing it directly. I am most grateful for Poets.org doing the work to post beautiful works of our poets.

Following is my attempt at writing to this poem. It in no way begins to touch what Ms. Angelou wrote, but by studying and writing to a poem it helps take us to another level of understanding. I invite you to try this challenge.

Inspired by Maya Angelou 1928-2014

Never Alone

Thoughtful of silence,
Living life at a snail’s pace,
Isn’t it better?
Living life alone, just one,
Could it possibly be best?

Watching the rat race,
People run hither and yon,
Breathing heavily,
Keeping pace with the latest,
Fantacizing about things.

How about catching
All the rhythyms of the rain,
Watching suns melting,
Feeling the steamy rising,
Is this better-after all?

Shadows of darkness
Comforting the fearful man,
Why does it matter?
Is he better off alone?
Does he feel the onlyness?

Fearing the sunshine
When the drink is not enough,
When shoes fall apart
As hot asphalt burns the soles,
His stomach rumbles often.

Best thing I can tell,
There’s no need to fool ourselves.
It’s not happening.
There is no way to survive
Believing we are all alone.

Take the busy man,
Spirited to run the race,
Thinks his road is high,
Sun still finds his balding head,
Rain still trickles on his face.

Silence is for breaking.
Ceilings breaking, glass released,
Life is made for each
Making it better for all.
Otherwise-we all suffer.

Taking paces back,
Influencing these hard times,
Making the changes
Needed to resolve the needs
Focusing on peaceful ends.

by Lisa Tomey

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C – Part 3

Susi is up to something. She always gets me with these monthly stores. We are on day three but you can catch up. I can promise it is always a good experience.

Unknown's avatarI Write Her

Part 1

Part 2

“How could I forget him? We lived right next door for four years!” The vivid memories of her childhood crush flooded her brain quickly. Caroline grabbed the railing to steady herself. She began to feel slightly flushed as well.Oh, grow up, Caroline, she thought to herself.

“Well, I ran into him recently. We chatted about our lives for a bit. He was a cab driver for a while, now works at a lab as a chemist. Eventually, I shared with him that you were coming for a visit with us. It seems he was quite excited to hear that you would be in town!” Katja gave her friend a knowing nudge as they walked up the staircase. “So much so that he asked if he could come to say hi. He’ll be coming here tomorrow night for dinner,” Katja said…

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Souls for Loaves

In dedication to the late, great Toni Morrison

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld's avatarProlific Pulse Blog

I found this wonderful site with 5 Poems by the late Toni Morrison

And this is my dedication:

close up of wheat Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Souls for Loaves

In gratitude for souls
who wish to share their words
making life treasured
by simply placing their thoughts
in ways that challenge our lives

She speaks of the grains
simply stated yet so poised
touching deepest thoughts
and making the soul wonder
if there’s more to this blessed life

Weaving rich entwined
wheats own natural beauty
designed to enrich
more than the stomach but souls
as the heart strengthens its match

…..

This is in response to the Living Poetry prompt: Gratitude

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poetry, Poets & Events

Poet Talk with James Anthony Ellis

Writer Talk with Emma L. Sembly From Classroom to Children's Books — An Interview with Emma L. Sembly Prolific Pulse Press Podcast

For Emma L. Sembly, every story teaches a lesson, and every life is a story.Emma is a life-long storyteller and lover of stories. As a child, Emma loved telling fantastical tales, starting with a captive audience consisting of her little sister. After she grew up, Emma continued to create stories that her students loved.With a bachelor's degree in psychology from Elmhurst College and a master's degree in reading from Johns Hopkins University, Emma set out on a thirty-seven-year journey as an educator in the Baltimore City Public School System, where she taught children with different abilities on both elementary and high school levels. During that time, she also created stories for her own daughter and niece, then for her grandchildren and great nieces.Now, Emma creates stories for children of all ages, especially the young at heart.Emma also has a podcast, Just Folks: Conversations with Emma, in which she provides a platform where regular, everyday humans can share their own stories with listeners of all persuasions. Life lessons shared.Drawing and writing poetry are among Emma's favorite things to do. She also enjoys planting red flowers around her home. And when she's not chatting it up with her kitty of thirteen years, she's having a blast with both of her Favorite Number One Grandchildren."What I have learned as a writer and podcaster, is that our stories, our bedtime stories, our fables, are the gateways to life's lessons," Emma says, "and we all have a story to tell."https://emmaleesembly.com/https://www.prolificpulse.com/emmalsembly
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