Happy Valentine’s Day!

I just got married this past weekend so I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things. I’ll be back soon.

A Valentine for My Mother

Upon the hour in which you’ve gone

I sit and cry until the breaking dawn

Memories of your life overflow within

Anger and sadness, sometime turn to sin

The curls you wore, as a child

Grew out, moved down, into a smile

You taught me love, you comforted pain

If I needed saving, you’d open a vein

I smile when thinking of your daily calls

How I wish I had them during my falls

Now you look down at me, full of bliss

When I close my eyes, I still feel your kiss

My favorite Valentine, who I dearly miss

Chocolates and Memories,

Bea

‘Til Life Gets Better

Memories of you constantly

slap my brain, squeeze

my heart—so I make a wish

to rewind time.

To a time when I didn’t feel so

lost because I knew you

were here—but now

lost is where I am.

A time when all holidays, birthdays,

and special events included you,

the constant in my life—but now

my constant is sadness.

A time when your voice

and laughter made me smile

inside and out—but now

I hear silence.

A time when you gave my life

purpose because you depended

on me—but now my purpose

is full of memory tears.

A time when you would say,

“You’re going to miss me

when I’m gone”—and now

I admit that you were right.

So now I must struggle with the

here and now—what was and

what might have been—‘til life

gets better.

Imagination is a Beautiful Thing

I recently watched two movies written and directed by James Cameron—The Abyss and Avatar. At first I didn’t know Mr. Cameron wrote the screenplays, but I waited as the credits rolled because I had to know whose mind created such great stories. It’s James Cameron’s imagination that leaves me awed, along with his ability to bring these stories to life on the big screen. Even those I watched the movies with feel James Cameron’s abilities are endless.

We all have our favorite writers no matter what genre, because there is something about their talent, their achievements that move us. Many people favor Stephen King, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and I’m not disagreeing with their incredible gifts, yet it’s James Cameron that leaves my mouth hanging with admiration. He has become the key to unlocking and releasing an intense need for me to become a better writer. 

The first novel writer who stopped me in my tracks is Carlos Ruiz Zafon. He wrote The Shadow of the Wind and after reading his cravings that poured onto the pages, I knew I wanted that. To create a different voice with words that render the reader emotionally drained because my characters and story brought them on an everlasting journey. Now I know I will never reach the height and depth of both of these writers, because realistically my talent only goes so far. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make myself learn and craft my imagination to its highest potential—where readers can taste, feel, smell, see and hear my soul. 

Everyone should reach for the difficult so they have something to strive for instead of just existing. At least, that’s what I believe life is all about. Imagination doesn’t just apply to writing—it applies to life. It’s our imagination that gets us through adolescence, adulthood and retirement. And because we use our imagination to achieve the best life, it’s that which leaves us with the greatest of memories.

Happy Sunday! I wish you all a wonderful week.

I Salute You!

A Soldier’s Wish

“How long have I been here?”

I asked of my dirt-covered hands

that weren’t the only thing of filth.

My head is so heavy

from the fear. From worry. From pain.

Stuck in this rat hole of misery.

Trembling hands touch pocket

to ease this growing anxiousness

and to know my family’s close by.

I cry out, “Please save me!”

only the wind takes it away.

Hushed moans buried in this retched space.

Clock ticking in my head

drags on this war and good-byes.

Blood splatter with dirt coats my comrades.

Still, strangers I sit with

divulging information about precious gems

in case we’re swallowed by enemy.

In our darkest hours,

pray, we feel God’s abandonment,

or is it the country left behind?

If I had but one wish

I’d wish a wish for you my love,

you deserve joy that comes your way.

Unsure how I’ll come home,

Crippled, or in a wooden box,

your faithful words kept me company.

My wish I wish for you.

Find love if our time ends soon,

continue to breathe life into our memories.