million dollar bill

Last night, the news swept over Facebook like a slow wave generated from all the tears let loose my gay men and drag queens the world over...Ms. Whitney had died at the Beverly Hilton - only 48 years old.  Cause of death unclear, or not reported immediately.  Already beyond help when they found her at 3:55pm, they didn't even take her to the hospital.  Another sad, but somewhat expected, story from the music world.  I had to remember Amy Winehouse passing a few months back.  Another beautiful voice lost well before her time.  Another one lost to her demons who left us wonderful music to remember her.  I hope the media concentrates on her music and the good points from her life, rather than her troubles.  I hope she has found peace and that Bobbi Kristina & Cissy find solace in their family and friends.  I shared this video on Facebook when I heard and I'll share it here now, because Ms. Whitney's music always did make me feel like a million dollar bill...

Warning: Hetero Holiday Ahead

I've never been one for celebrating Valentine's Day, even during those years I have been in relationships when that hetero Hallmark holiday rolled around.  But I've got a smile on my face tonight thanks to the creative poets at FCKH8 and their latest video to counter those homophobes saying that gay marriage will destroy the sanctity of marriage.  I will warn you that some people may find the video offensive or too "in your face," but I say it makes a truthful and powerful statement.  I remember the intense criticism that people like Larry Kramer received early on in the fight for HIV and AIDS awareness with the outspoken radical thinking of groups like ACT UP!  Very different issues, but similar tactics.  I'll just cut this post short, get off my soapbox, and let you decide for yourself.  Watch it or don't watch it...your choice.



Leave a comment if you want.

haiku habit

Since February is National Haiku Writing Month (or just NaHaWriMo for those cool literary types into shortening & crushing everything into some fun little acronym), I challenged myself (and many of my friends – on & off Facebook) to take up the haiku habit for the month. I set a goal to write one haiku (at least) per day for the 29 days that make up February 2012. I have been successful (so far) and had the flash of brilliance earlier this week that I would begin sharing them more widely in my social media than just on Facebook. So here’s a quick recap of what you’ve missed if you aren’t my Facebook friend or following me on Twitter.  I don't usually post any of my poetry online because so many journal editors consider online self-publishing as "previously published," but I'm going to go out on a limb with these little gems.  They start with today and go in reverse order...and, yes, there are more than ten as I had a few days where one was not enough.  I hope you enjoy!

pious imbalance –

the bright shiny halo slips,

becomes golden noose

toddlers, tiaras:

poetry is go go juice,

haiku – my flavor

big fluffy snowflakes

I must steal a closer look!

intricate beauty

my morning surprise

yesterday’s warmth escaped quick

glistening blanket

dry asthmatic coughs

wading through ancient volumes

paltry price to pay

morning’s icy coat

weighs heavily on new buds

winter snuck back in

late night summer breeze

carries chapel friends voices

Appalachian bliss

rain falling gently

head tilted back, open mouth

cleanse my dusty soul

By month’s end, I’ll scream

I struggle in haiku hell

by my own choosing!

Phil saw his shadow,
but Buckeye Chuck, he did not!
Nature is confused.

Let the haiku flow –

my writerly friends let loose.

Nature knows we’re off!

Feel free to comment below and let me know what you think (or give me a suggestion for my next haiku!).  I'll keep posting them in batches (maybe one post each week).

a little Friday inspiration...as if you need it

Some days, if you are anything like me, you just need a little extra push to get you through the day...or just to get the day started off right.  I often turn to poetry - either writing it or reading it - as my motivational mechanism of choice.  For those of you who may need that boost this morning (or any time you may have stumbled upon this page), here's one of my favorite poems from an amazing poet.

I love her laugh...it is enough to fill my joy for the entire week.  Enjoy!

my go go juice

In my past, I've relied on some bad things and bad people for that so-called "go go juice" for happiness and motivation.  More recently, poetry has become my go go juice and for the month of February, haiku is my flavor.  I fell into another Na(insert your favorite genre, form, or whatever here)WriMo trap and decided to pursue the National Haiku Writing Month badge - write one haiku every day during the month of February.  I thought it's only 17 syllables a day...or 493 syllables for the entire month.  Yes, this year gives February 29 days.  I decided to do it for leap year - just for the added challenge!  Well, my writing has surprised me - not only in quality, but also in quantity.

Every morning (and so far, that's only eight of them), I have written a haiku with my morning coffee and oatmeal.  On two of those days (one of them being this morning), I composed two!  Today, I posted the second as just an added treat on my Facebook timeline.  The second one I did on the 6th, I just put away for later distribution...maybe I'll share it on another day.  It has proved a good exercise in building the writing habit and exercising our writing skills.  So, today, I venture out on my blog in hopes of reviving it and actually sticking with it for what remains of the month of February.  Here's my thoughts...I'll share my haiku habit here as well as on Facebook (maybe I should include Twitter and Tumblr, so they don't feel left out of the social media equation).  It will at least have me visiting my own site every day and I hope I can give a little insight into my writing process, some helpful poetry prompts, maybe some interesting background information from my class discussions, and just generally what's happening in my life and around this wonderful Commonwealth I call home.  That's my promise for today...now, back to the grind!