Author Page Archive 2--Nov 2005

Archived Author's Page--For your viewing pleasure
or disdain--You choose.

If you get a chance, check out my personal page.  It contains, of course, many of my poems, and a link to some of the music that has adopted much of my poetry .

asylumsmiles.com/

Quote of  the Moment

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

Pen Name

The name I gave unto my pen
Has come and gone and always been
It's own benign undoing.
Social stigma calls me weed
Tells me I'm not blessed seed of
Lillies fair or roses bloom.
Ever-present, I don't hide so

Take the thorn out from your side.
Hip to hat and this for that
I will bloom and spread the rays
Screaming my creators praise
Tempting all with prick or pat,
Living large as shiny tower,
Ever growing wildflower.

© Thistle

Welcome to the scary place I call my mind .  I write what I believe to be poetry.  Of course, there are occasionally those who beg to differ.  That is quite okay with me, though.  You see, my belief is that

ONE MAN'S CRAP
IS ANOTHER MAN'S
POETRY

© Thistle

I believe that, when we read poetry, we judge in by our own tastes, opinions, and frame of reference.  Sure, we can count syllables, meter or lines, but we still haven't a lot more to offer than our opinions.  There are many very good poets out there that simply do not fit my reading preferences.

Poetry is like music.  Different people prefer different styles.  I am pretty versatile in my taste in both music and poetry.  My poetry probably reflects that.  I like rhyming poetry as much as free verse.  I like syllable counting poetry.  I like lyrics.  I really like poetry that says something.  My influences are as varied as my likes.  I grew up on poetry.  My mother used to read it to me as a bedtime story.  Many of those poets on the Oldpoetry site are my favorites, while some of them, classic as they may be, make me long for duct tape over my eyelids.

I basically write pieces that I am happy with.  I have a voice and important things to say, so I say them.  I love the sound of my own voice every bit as much as you love yours .  I sometimes write with a touch of brutal honesty and a bit of --attitude--.  Sometimes, I am all mush and flowers.  I use my writing to --speak out-- quite often.  I figure, that if I can give even one single person something positive to walk away with in any poem, then it has been a good writing day.

I believe that God, as I understand him or don't, gave me the ability to string words together in a fashion I consider poetic  With that ability, I can either be a glory seeker and write purely for my own petty motives, or I can write to be a ripple in the pond of those around me.  I would say, I do a bit of both.

I am a child of God
I can make a difference
And so can you.

So now, I hand you the visine to sooth those red reading eyes and I leave you with my tribute to the late Rosa Parks.

one fine southern day

one fine
southern day
before i was
a concept
in my parents
dreams
you lived
the learning
of
sunday mornings
singing praise
in rhythm
the likes of me
would not hear
or comprehend
for many years
songs
of burdened souls
rejoicing unbroken
i am a child of God
i can make a difference
preachers words
planting seeds
that would make
history stop
and take a look
wicked tired
from life
you sat unmoved
still small voice
ringing in your
spirit's ear
i am a child of God
i can make a difference
No clammer
No riot
No rebellious indications
even when
they threatened
seat police
you may do so
was your
only resistance
you stayed your ground
in
uncertain circumstance
opening the way
for a nation
to follow suit
and say
i am a child of God
i can make a difference.

© Thistle

Link to all things APIdol

allpoetry.com/list/23969It's my birthday and I am changing my author's page.  I archive the old ones in case anyone wants to poke around my previous thoughts or in case my old age leaves me with a lapse in memory