Publication

Yesterday I received word that one of my newer poems titled "Just Out of Reach" has been accepted for publication in "Blood Lotus," which is an online journal.  Yay!  Though I have come to deal with all of the rejections as just a part of the process, it's always great to have an acceptance once in awhile:)  As well as the publication of the poem, the editors have offered to add my chapbook to their "BL Authors Library."  That will include a link to where people can purchase it.  I'm happy about that.

All of my poems are special to me in their own way, and for mostly personal reasons.  I wrote "Just Out of Reach" about a woman I took care of when I worked as a Home Health Aide.  She has been gone for close to 15 years now.  I hope she will be happy to know that she is remembered.  I will put a link here on the blog, when the issue is up. 

Easter Sunday and Psalms

Easter Sunday is a beautiful time to celebrate our Savior and his resurrection. 

A wonderful poet once said to me that there are no better prose poems in the world than the words of David in Psalms.  I love them also.  Here are two verses for today:

"When I consider thy heavens,
the work of thy fingers, the moon
and the stars, which thou hast
ordained;
What is man, that thou art
mindful of him?  and the son of man,
that thou visitest him?"

               ~ Psalms 8:3-4

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;
in whom shall I fear?  the
Lord is the strength of my life; of
whom shall I be afraid?"

              ~ Psalms 27:1

Easter and pajamas

We have had a crazy week around here.  I had yet another job interview.  The kids all had eye and vision check-ups.  We've had meetings at Provo High for Dakota.  A weird week at the library.  Let's just call it good.  It makes me tired to go over it again:)

I'm not feeling well, but this Easter weekend has already provided a few of the combos I love:  Indiana Jones movies and popcorn, Easter festivities and pajamas, Dr. Pepper and Peeps, hamburgers and grill, and many more.  Most of all, three whole days to spend with my favorite boys!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Maizy notices me taking her picture.  The Indianapolis 500 stops, and she calmly chews on her toy.  "There's nothing going on, just me and my nice little rope toy."  Just like a kid.

Speaking of Maizy, just one more pic of her and Dakota (and we can't forget her favorite blanket).  Too sweet!

  

Puppy teeth

My disclaimer is simply this:  I never thought I would be talking this way about a pet.

Having said that, Maizy lost her first baby tooth this evening.  A really tiny cute one.  She lost it while chewing on a brand new teething toy we bought her today. The kind that keeps her occupied and not teething on our hands:)  I wonder if there should be a tooth fairy for dogs.  Hmmmm. This could be a whole other problem.

Words

Last night, along with my poetry group Word Weavers, I read at the library for our annual celebration of National Poetry Month.  It was a nice evening.  There were 13 of us who read, and we enjoyed sharing some poems with others.  We missed one of our own, but know that she was there listening. 

Once again, and I know I've covered this subject on a few occasions . . . I was reminded of the true changing power of words.  The range of emotions I feel when I listen to, or read someone's words.  The way I can oddly feel . . . understood.  This time around, my boys didn't even ask to go out to the restroom, get books, etc.  They were caught up in it as well.  Their faces sometimes silent as they listened to the images, the rhythm.  A couple of times they even laughed outloud. 

As for me, reading second was a blessing.  I got the scary part over early on, and was able to sit back and enjoy the poems.  Here is a poem that I particularly enjoyed, and so did my children.

Introduction to Poetry

Billy Collins

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

For Helen

I've spent the last few days since your death, reading the notes and poems you gave to me, Helen.  When I  was first lead to Word Weavers, it was your kindness and your eloquent words that became a light ahead for me.  Those things never changed or wavered through the years.  You are one of the best poets I have ever known, truly.  Your words never ceased to amaze me.  However, it was your encouragement and faith in me that ultimately became so priceless.  We have had such good times together, all of us.  Though I miss you now painfully, I know that your journey continues.  I'm sure there are many more wonderfully beautiful things to write about where you are, and somehow I'm sure you will do that.

I could go on with memories and lists of the things you taught me.  But those things will stay in my heart.  It seems fitting that I let your own words express it here.  I love you, Helen.  You will be so missed.

In memory of Helen Keith Beaman, mentor and friend

Largo

 . . if something does flash before your eyes
as you go under, it will probably be a fish . . .
             --Billy Collins' The Art of Drowning

No matter the cause, death turns
its telescope toward your life.
That flash of scenes embracing
all experience is possible,

not that life speeds up,
but perception expands time,
transforms your puddle
into an ocean.  Waves wash

against memory, lapping
each grain of life, catching
its irridescence the way
a single speck of sand collects

the sunlight, prisms it into shattered
colors.  Seen through water, moments
magnify.  Details of your days
dance before your eyes

in languorous legato, the Largo
that sings you home as you slip
through the fissures in the web
that veils eternity.  You see

through stretched awareness
and do not miss the silver
flash of fish that slides
before your drowning eyes.

            --Helen Keith Beaman
               from her book "Edges Disappear"

Blessings

Yesterday morning, we took Carson to Primary Children's hospital for his annual check-up.  He didn't have to have an Echo this year, and was happy to skip that part.  He had an EKG and an exam by Dr. Williams.  Being at Primary is always a reminder of so many things, lots of emotions that I have no words to describe.  Mostly the love I have for God, and for the many people who take care of children every day there.  Carson enjoys seeing Dr. Williams, who has known him all his life.  After all, Carson did spend his first two weeks there.  The news about Carson is good.  He is doing well and is a happy and healthy child.  Thank you, God!

A poem and more . . .

Those of you who read this blog often, know what April means.  Here is my first poem of the month.  I love this one because it showcases what Ted Kooser does so well, in just a short prose poem. 

A Happy Birthday

This evening, I sat by an open window
and read til the light was gone and the book
was no more than a part of the darkness.
I could easily have switched on a lamp,
but I wanted to ride this day down into night,
to sit alone and smooth the unreadable page
with the pale gray ghost of my hand.

                               ~ Ted Kooser

This weekend has been Conference weekend, and we have enjoyed it.  We watched most of it as a family.  We also gave Maizy her first bath, and had her nails filed.  To celebrate her 12 week old birthday, we bought her a new tag with some bling!  After all, a girl's gotta have that.

Maizy has been living with us for almost a month now.  Though it has not been easy (which is an understatement) she has gone from a homeless puppy, to a very adored one.  In turn, she has given much to all of us.  It's hard to believe that my boys, who were once so afraid of dogs, are so in love with this little puppy.   It has been a beautiful thing to watch them learn and bond with her.  I just have to post some photos.

April Fool's Day

Usually, nothing really exceptional happens to me on April Fool's Day.  I mean, people tell me a few jokes and a few untruths, but not much more than that.

My day started out as usual.  I did some shopping, school with the kids, and prepared for work.  I also took treats and drinks to work.  Upon arriving there, I found that my friend (David) had come in early and had fun.  He taped our boss's office door closed, disabled the phones in Circulation, and changed all the Tech departments screensavers to mice.  There's more, but we'll leave it at that.  Whew!  All before 9:00 a.m.  Bless his soul.

I had only been at work, enjoying the holiday, for an hour, when I receive a call saying that Carson had wrecked on his bike.  I told my boss and took off for home.  Carson was a little scraped up and his hand was hurting him. The Pediatrician thought he should take a look at Carson's thumb, because he was in some pain when he moved it.  From there, it was the doctor's office, and then the Radiology department.  No broken bone, but a bruised finger and miserable boy.  Ibuprofen will be his friend for the weekend, and he should feel much better.

What a day!  I'm going to bed now.  Goodnight.