Florida Sunshine• Show poetry

About Me

I am a single mother living in Tampa Florida .  I moved to Florida ‘escaping’ a previous marriage. When I first arrived here it was difficult. I was depressed and only had the support of two brothers.  The rest of my family was in Maryland .

Since arriving in Florida , I've made a promise to myself to believe things can be better than it ever was.  Sure, I was carrying 'some' baggage from the last relationship.  [If you knew the circumstances surrounding it you would understand.  However, since that is extremely personal and painful I won't go into here.]  But, I don't think it’s the type 'baggage' you'd expect.  

My baggage is in regards to my expectations I now hold for myself. My thoughts are in improvement in all areas. A part of me believes a low self-esteem may had wrote a portion of the path I traveled. It was time for a new road. I wanted the man I date or marry to have the same respect for me, that I would have for him.  This means in order to expect a change, I need to change myself.  I will no longer accept the sub-standards that has been given to me in my life.

To begin this change I took a hard look at myself.  I started working out with kick-boxing.  The first night I thought for sure they’d kill me. [They didn’t]  I also started exploring every avenue I could, regardless how crazy it may had seemed.  This included flying lessons.  Currently I have 22 hours of flight in.  I need 40 hours to get my pilots license.  Flying is an incredible experience and I highly recommend everyone give it try at least once in your life.  You truly get a feeling of ‘freedom’.  

How I introduced to poetry. 

This all started through my 'depression' stage. A friend suggested I take my mind off my problems by playing Final Fantasy XI [This is an online role playing game.] At first I thought this was only for teenagers. When I first began playing I was taken back by how 'real' the game is.  I've played with people all over the world.  This became a driven part of my life devoting almost every available hour playing.  Okay, an obsession.  Then one day my character was stolen.  That tore the world apart at the seams for me.  My escape from reality is gone and now I'm back having to deal with 'real' life.

My game brother told me to try poetry. I laughed when he said it.  I told him I didn't know how to write anything poetic.  As a matter of fact I felt like I didn't have a poetic bone in my body.  My first poem strongly reflects this moment in my life. http://allpoetry.com/poem/2788526.  I did feel lost. Well, until coming to ALLpoetry.

You can see my earlier work was that of someone who was just penning 'feelings'.  Sassylilpoet showed me there are many different kinds of poetry and opened a door for me.   I just couldn’t write fast enough.  I was eager to try every form of poetry that I could find.

When I entered contests I learned judges would comment this is good however, if you used proper grammar it could be better. I realized I ‘was’ lacking skills in grammar.  I started looking at the class list the AP had to offer hoping this could help improve my writing skills as a poet.  I signed up for all the ones that looked interesting.

Here is my current Class list: [You can find any of the classes listed under the link for classes in ALLpoetry] 

Course A Punctuation Usage and Grammar by Terry-too  is an awesome class.  The first lesson I took one look and wanted to run the other way.  [I kid you, not!]  It looked overwhelming and I immediately sent a message to the 'teacher' saying I don't think I can do this.

She replied back, why not just try to do what you can and we'll see what we get.  I really wanted to understand grammar; I knew it is important for me as well as my skills as a poet.  So, I gave it a try.  The lesson wasn’t as difficult as it appeared. I now know I just need to slow down and read it a few times, it is clearly written.  I try to move so fast I tend to make errors.

Terry is the type of teacher that is understanding and compassionate.  She has never tried to belittle me, but educate and encourage. What more could you ask from any teacher?

I’m really thankful to the good Lord; he has sent me toward Terry’s class.  I know if I take the time, slow down and not give up [on myself.] I will make a great change in who I am, for me.

 [If you find errors in grammar through this, your welcome to tell me.  Remember I can only learn if I see the mistakes I’m making.]

Next:

Rhyming for Beginners 1 by Frodofan  when I signed up for this class, I was looking for something ‘fun’ to do while ‘learning.’  This class isn’t exactly what I thought it was.  It is a serious class for those who want to learn about rhyming.  Honestly, I never thought there was so much ‘thought’ that went into rhyming. I certainly has given me a better appreciation for previous poets and the skills of rhyming on a higher level.  

Finally:

The Basic Elements of Poetry by Little Feather  This class is my most difficult class.  I am very thankful Little Feather has great patience and has mentioned my grammar seems to need some work.  I told her I was taking the grammar class above.  Little Feather is willing to give me the time to fulfill the assignments.  Hopefully Terry-too's class will make the big difference in getting me through this class.

By the time I finish the classes I hope I can express my thoughts in the manner a poet should.  My life is ever changing and growing.  I don’t think I can stop learning; the world is constantly opening new doors for me. 

I’ve also joined ‘Toastmasters’ in Tampa Florida .  This is a public speaking group.  My first speech I thought the heavens had opened up and was ready to take me up.  I spoke for a whole one minute and twenty seconds.  Really that was an eternity!  The next time I made it one minute and forty seconds. I finally did my ‘Ice Breaker’ and spoke for seven minutes. [WOW, even I'm impressed.]

I hope maybe my life experiences so far, might give you food for thought… and maybe instead of saying ‘no’ to something, try saying ‘YES!’

Now that's enough about me....

                                                  I want to hear about you!