Sunday, April 29, 2012

Poetry Picnic Week 33: Fortresses, Castles, Palaces and Royal houses


 
The timid kingfisher by s.s.e.b.

kingfisher, kingfisher
resting on the rooftop
I hear you are a well-wisher
have you any fish? 
none to give, none to give
but I have something more
a little bird you could forgive
for flying from your shore!


An abnominal for Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson

Þis      brig
      ninon   jib;

Þis      born ibis   rib
no brió   bring rós   iris

Þis      joss-gnósis
           bong-grin
           
            nó Þin jingo
sorb   orris   nigrosin

I join   in Þis song o’
gibbon-origin      

nó sin   Þorn      nog  
rosin   iron      sign

I join      bóÞ
griss—n—bison

bóÞ
job—n—boss

bóÞ
son—n—biro in Þis song

( )—n—( )   noÞings
rising   norÞ



 

A cento is a poem made up entirely of lines from other poems. In this case they are all taken from Shakespeare’s sonnets (the number of each is shown in brackets).

The worst was this, my love was my decay, (80)
Being your slave what should I do but tend (57)
As with your shadow I with these did play, (98)
The roses fearfully on thorns did stand; (99)
The perfect ceremony of love’s rite, (23)
That she that makes me sin awards me pain, (141)
Ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate, (64)
They that have power to hurt, and will do none; (94)
O cunning Love! with tears thou keep me blind, (148)
Who will believe my verse in time to come? (17)
For that same groan doth put this in my mind, (50)
Although I swear it to myself alone; (131)
A dateless lively heat, still to endure, (153)
Who taught thee how to make me love thee more? (150)


Or not. I’m not really sure. (“Old man at the South Pole” is a star.)

fishing

i was
crossing the river
a few years ago.
now i have a home
and on the banks
i can sit
looking up
at the old man
of the south pole
who shines red
in the evening
like the new year.



Methods of Submissions:

Share your work using InLinkz below, and leave a comment in case it is your first time!  It would be super great if you could link back to us on your blog.

Weekly poetry collection starts on Sunday, at 8pm, and will stay open until Sunday, 8pm, 7 days for you to share your talent with us!



 Please Follow Us on Twitter via Link Below  (700 or more Followers So Far)



Theme for This Week 33:

Week 33 Theme: "Fortresses, Castles, Palaces and Royal houses"!! Dig and write, you may be amazed at how creative you are, by simply trying without worrying about the outcome or feedback…best, hope to see you in the party, chicks…



Theme for Next Week?

Week 34 Theme: Next week, let's observe and cherish our beautiful mother Nature: Plants, Creatures,  and the Cosmos!!



Saturday, April 28, 2012

Poetic Reflection Week 33 on Aleza Freeman by Blaga (A Repost)



"There is something about poetry beyond prose logic, 
there is mystery in it, not to be explained but admired."
~ Edward Young

Hello Jingle girls and boys,
welcome to another Weekend at Jingle Poetry.

I am Blaga and today I will introduce you to one of our very talented members,
Aleza Freeman from "Beyond my Window" .

Enjoy the interview ... 


Tell us a little about yourself…

I live in Las Vegas with my husband, son, three cats, and an enormous goldfish that will probably one day rule the world. Seriously, this fish has super cosmic powers. He's most likely immortal.

I am a writer by profession and by hobby. I'm currently employed as an advertising copywriter, but I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, and multimedia journalist for years. More about that below and on my website/online portfolio,  http://www.alezafreeman.com/.


Please tell us about your blog and what it means to you? How did you come up with the name?


"Beyond My Window" was a manuscript I wrote for a college poetry class in 1998. After I graduated in 1999, it sat in a box in a green binder in my garage until I found it during spring cleaning about 2 years ago and started reading through it. Having enough time to distance myself from the words on the page, I was able to read it more critically. I could see what I did well, and what I did ... not so well... and it inspired me to start my poetry blog, http://azfree.wordpress.com/ I didn't know, or even consider, if I would have an audience. I just liked the idea of creating my own space online to express myself and play with words. I had no idea there was such a huge online poetry community out there when I first started, or that this community would be so welcoming and encouraging.

There are times I consider deleting my blog altogether, but the amazing people in the blogosphere rescue me from the edge of pressing the "Delete" button time and time again. You see, I've always written, but for most of my life I've been a closet poet. I thought I was a poet hack, and -- seeing as I write for a living -- I didn't want to embarass myself by letting people read my poems. But one day I decided to stare straight into the fierce eye of my cruel insecurity. I gathered all of my fear and frustration into a mighty fist, and with a hop, skip and a jump, I punched him square in the face. He still pops in from time to time, but scurries off with his tail between his legs at the sight of my raised fist. It's purple and calloused. I call it Spike.


Can you remember writing your first poem?


Yes, I was in second grade. I wrote it for my homework assignment, and it was about the many practical uses a unicorn has for its horn, like to tie a shoe or lead a band. It was silly. It rhymed. I got an A. I was hooked on writing immediately. Even at such a young age, I felt more at peace when I was writing than at any other time. It just felt natural.


Is there a style of writing you prefer?

I like to rhyme. I know it isn't the classiest writing style in the world. But I get a kick out of it.


Do you write more than just poetry?


Yes. I have been a professional writer for almost 15 years. I've worked as a journalist in Northern California (under my maiden name Aleza Goldsmith) and Las Vegas (now Aleza Freeman), writing news, features and entertainment stories for newspapers, magazines, and websites. I've written on just about every topic you can imagine, from adult circumcision to Area 51, to solar power, to suicide bombings, to hate crimes to hotel reviews, to interviews with celebrities like Hugh Hefner, Howie Mandel and Carlos Santana.

I am currently employed as an advertising copywriter. I write copy for ads, signs, radio, and even television commercial scripts.

I am also working on an anthology of humorous poetry for kids along with my husband, Howard Freeman, for our publishing company, Big Doodle Head Books. It's called "Candy Store at the Edge of the Galaxy" and we were hoping to release it for sale this year. I'm writing. He's illustrating.


What is the favorite poem you have written so far?


Dirty Laundry. It's a poem for kids I wrote for "Candy Store at the Edge of the Galaxy," but it infuses a good combination of both kid and adult humor. 

Dirty Laundry

Up the stairs
down the hallway
through the bedroom door
I left my favorite
pair of jeans
lying on the floor
my shirt balled in the corner
my coat turned inside out
my underwear atop the lamp
my socks strewn all about.
Do you have a robe I can borrow
by chance?
‘Cause I’m not wearing
any pants.
If only laundry day
were sacred
I wouldn’t be standing here
cold and naked.

On a very different end of the spectrum, I wrote a more adult piece about the harsh realities of the economic recession and foreclosures in Las Vegas. It's short, but also one of my favorites:

American Dream

What ever happened to the
American Dream?
The economy crashed,
smashed my
white picket fence
like the Hulk on a
rampage, indignant
and green.


When do you write the most?


I write just about 24 hours a day! Even in my dreams.


Do you have a favorite poet or a favorite poem?


Dorothy Parker, William Blake, Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein.


Do you enjoy reading books? What are the best books you have ever read?


I don't read nearly as much as I should, although a friend of mine and I are in the process of starting a book club. My all time favorite book that I can read again and again, over and over, is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.


What poets in the blog-sphere do you like to read or visit most?


My blog-sphere poet list increases everyday. There is so much cool stuff out there. But I am quite faithful to many of the blogging friends I met when I first started out, especially Jaymie Thorne http://jaymiethorne.wordpress.com/ and Blissbait http://blissbait.wordpress.com/


What are your inspirations? Where do you feel most comfortable to write?


I will write about any topic, anywhere, anytime, on anything. On the back of my hand. On the bottom of my shoe. On a rotten banana peel. I can't always decipher what I've written, but at least it's written.


You have been a part of Jingle Poetry. What are the benefits of participating in it? 


The encouragement of other writers is extremely powerful. It's also a lot of fun.


What advice would you give someone who is interested in starting a poetry blog?


Do it! Make it yours. Write away! Write on!! :)


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I will end this post with another poem from Aleza that I love very much.
All hail the drama queen

A drama queen?
Why, what do you mean?

I’m merely a princess
who’s making a scene.

My royal desire
spreads like wildfire
(doused in gasoline).
  
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wishing you happy and inspirational days.
Stay tuned for next Meet the poet on Wednesday with Christopher.
 
Peace& Love

Poem of The Week 33: Sweet Tweet By J. Binford-Bell


Image Credit: Author or Blogger via Google.com, J. B. B.

Hello, How do you do this Saturday?
We have poem of the week 33 up now,
I pick Jacqui Binford-Bell's Sweet Tweet,
The poem is original, playful, and smiling....
 to visit her original post, please visit here: Jacqui Binford-Bell 

Sweet Tweet
Tweet Twit
I've tried
Twice
Communicating
My life
in 140 key strokes.
Followers
I have galore
Doubled
by never tweeting
A single line
of 140 characters.
Twits
I attempt 
to translate
from time to time
On a dull day
Machine stroke hieroglyphs. 
50 monkeys
at random
with infinite time
are smarter
than infinite tweeters and 50 keys.
No one
can write a poem
as lovely as a tree
or as base as a tweet
for my taste
I will take the tweets of birds.
J. Binford-Bell
April 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012

Friday Poetry Blog Week 33 Review on Olivia By Someone Is Special (A Repost)


Three Hundred and Thirty Seven days of blogging career helped me to improve my poetic skills and learn different forms of poems by reading my fellow poets who I consider as special. I can feel a giant leap from where I was, the day I wrote my first verse for someone special in my life. It has been a sweet journey, I had travelled the “Few Milesto overcome several hurdles and am happy to stand here. And here comes my first official review of a blog that says “It's all in my mind” and yes, it whirls in her mind - Olivia's In- Mind Whirls

About The Author:

Olivia a strong-willed woman, optimist and passionate about life. She loves to own that entire woman would envy and everything else that a man would want to possess. She says that her blog is the place where her heart speaks and minds express her thoughts through words to reach out all. Born on August 11th, a sweet person, Human” as Religion (Lovely Olivia) lives in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. If you wanna know more about her, read her thoughts as she is writing about her, of things that she saw and that affected her.

She owns three blogs,
Olivia's In- Mind Whirls (where she pens down her dreams, verses and her beautiful sketches), Olivia's Life Instances (where she writes about her life instances), Olivia writes here (where she writes about her observation on our current societal trends).

You can catch her in FB,
Facebook or in Twitter. You can also write to her freakoutwitholivia@gmail.com

About The Blog:


In her blog not only the words whirls but also the design, a cute template with an introduction to her verses, dreams and sketches. She welcomes her reader with a simple yet cute image and followed by a Reader’s Guide. As per the site archives she pens down right from March 2010. She has a very good widgets collection and an image to prosper it. The blog totally looks cool with lots of attractive glittering images, outstanding poems and fictions. Anyone can share her posts through Social Networking Websites like Facebook, Twitter etc., or even you can vote or like her post.

About her Poetry:

She is blessed by God with poetry and her works are the result of sheer brilliance, a flawless creativity, and simplistic yet deep thoughts behind it. Her passion towards words makes it more beautiful and meaningful. The emotional quality in her poems is unimaginable and the images make it to prosper more. She rhymes in all her creations and it conveys a strong message to the readers. Stepping Stone, Frozen Fire, I am Fire, I am the Wind are few of her works that no one should miss to read them. Actually, you should read all her works, let it be verses or dreams or fictions or sketches, they are special in their own way. Once you start reading her works, you will get inspired by them. If you are a newbie here, then read her works to improve your poetic skills.

About Me:

Friends, this is
Someone Is Special, the author of Few Milesthe other half of the team hosting Tuesday Reviews here. Hope you enjoyed reading the review and of course about Olivia. Do visit her right now and enjoy her sweet verses, dreams and sketches. Enjoy the fun! Jingle Poetry Rocks!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thursday Poetry Form Week 33: The Alouette (Via Megzone and Jan Turner)


Fly away my dear
Towards blue skies clear
As stars whisper secrets sweet
Mellow dreams appeal
In pied shades of teal
Towards puffy clouds retreat        
Traversing afar
Wishing on a star
Skyward bound the solar way
Rosy Sun embarks
Sending fiery sparks
Ushering in a new day
Awaking from dreams
Of stars & moonbeams
Merrily the wind bellows
Kindling up all pores
Tiny eyes all sore
Sunrays streaming through windows
~::~::~::~::~::~

The Alouette

The Alouette, created by Jan Turner, consists of two or more stanzas of 6 lines each, with the following set rules:

Meter: 5, 5, 7, 5, 5, 7
Rhyme Scheme: a, a, b, c, c, b

The form name is a French word meaning ‘skylark’ or larks that fly high, the association to the lark’s song being appropriate for the musical quality of this form. The word ‘alouette’ can also mean a children’s song (usually sung in a group), and although this poetry form is not necessarily for children’s poetry (but can be applied that way), it is reminiscent of that style of short lines.  Preference for the meter accent is on the third syllable of each line  

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Poetry Picnic Week 32: Topics on Twitter.com




Well, Hello, Gorgeous by Very Most Good

In West Texas, you think of a song and you buy it

No not because there might be some rattler at your boot a moment later

There isn't some fear you're gonna die in the desert

I could put it down that way

Make a good read

West Texas desert voice

All boots and belts and hand-worked wooden handiwork

They made a shed that's shaped like a star ship because they could

This town is full of because they could -- that's why you should visit

I could say something about never going home, but I got this girl back east, you see

All kinds of reasons

But heads up, maybe a month?

There'd be a lot of sitting

Mixed in with some walking

+++

Except for this right here, I'm making it all mine


Yeah, Trees by Ada Limon’s

All the stars. All the ugh
of looking up, can't we just
say, "Wow!" with our mouth,
say, "Awe!" and point
to something moving
in the sky like trash
along the mile-markers.
I want to kiss everything.
Apparently that's uncouth.
I'm the after of aftermath
and the match going out.
Oh how all you people
want me to believe in
trees, but all I have ever
believed in was trees. 

I say, "Trees!" and, 
"Green sweet thing,"
I swear I will focus,
I swear I will try to understand,
about trees and the things
you say about them.
But what I want more,
is only to bow down, 

(knees under trees)
and not think of nothing.


Remarkable Thoughts by Bloof Books


You woke with a line in your head.
You tripped on a root. You lost the path
then found it again. Stories tend to go
like this, from simple fact to hairy conflict
and back, through thickets of evergreen description. 
You wore a cape, inexplicably in the warm evening.
The woods were scented of cinnamon, pine,
and something starchy-sweet like pumpkin. 
You didn’t know where the trail led.
You didn’t really want to follow it.
You found a book on a rock and sat to enjoy it. 
You forgot about everything else but the story--
thorny, as dark as pitch, pulsed with the shrill mewling
of the mammal snared in the loops of your chest.


oh yes you do

for Minnie & Seymour by Comment as Constant


if I can't speak of human love
without wincing
how will I begin to say about
my inhuman loves
what they do
how they love a human
without wince
surely their reason is above
my reason their love
conquers, enfeebling my love
their tempers for change
& unconcern humiliate
my grounding need
of affirming words, looks
I think fond words while mimicking
their little voices as if to say
you can hear my desperate
thoughts please say
that you can
my hole my kept
self mimics their self-kept
whole if I can't speak it
& they go on speaking it


Image Credit: Google.com, NAPOWRIMO 2012...
 
Methods of Submissions:

Share your work using InLinkz below, and leave a comment in case it is your first time!  It would be super great if you could link back to us on your blog.

Weekly poetry collection starts on Sunday, at 8pm, and will stay open until Sunday, 8pm, 7 days for you to share your talent with us!


 Please Follow Us on Twitter via Link Below  (700 or more Followers So Far)



Theme for This Week 32:

Week 32 theme is:  Visit twitter.com online, open an account for your blog if you don’t have one yet, find any headline or twitter contents that interest you and write a poem or prose starting with the twit or with first sentence, have fun! http://twitter.com

Theme for Next Week?

Week 33 Theme: "Fortresses, Castles, Palaces and Royal houses"!!




Make Sure to Check Out April Poetry Challenge Site and Invite Poets To Our community:


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Poetic Reflections Week 32 on Lovely Annie by Tracy Harris

             Greetings! Welcome to this wonderful Wednesday at Jingle Poetry. Every week Lovely Annie and Tracy Harris will be offering the chance to brush shoulders with the elite, the powerful, and overwhelmingly gorgeous at Meet the Poet.  We will be interviewing a different poet every week. To start this new endeavor, and our partnership, Annie and I decided that we would devote the first two interviews to each other. Lovely Annie, interviewed me, the charming (hillbilly) poet, Tracy Harris last week, and will be interviewed by me for this weeks edition. This way we all get to know each other right away!
Spending time chatting with Annie actually made me laugh out loud…something that I found quite refreshing, she is blessed with a wonderful sense of humor, and charm. But, then again, she is practically a Southern Belle seeing how she hails from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, just about 200 miles from where I'm sitting...heck, we're neighbors.
I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I have been enjoying the process of connecting with Lovely Annie. I'm sure the reader will find her just as charming and entertaining as I did.
Tracy H.
Meet The Poet: Lovely Annie



Tracy: Will you tell us a little about yourself?


Annie:
I am 33 years old and live in Louisville,KY. I was born here and lived here until age 18. Then I moved on to Bloomington, IN and attended Indiana University. I graduated with a BA in English lit and minored in poetry, creative writing and sociology.

I attended Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpenteria, CA for a MA in Counseling psychology (Marriage Family Therapy clinical training). The degree emphasized depth psychology (CG Jung, archetypal, dream tending).


I completed my MA thesis in 2005 on self harm (cutting as my focus). My approach was depth oriented and highlighted the concept of wounded healers.




Tracy: Can you remember writing your first poem?

 Annie: I started writing poetry very young. At about 8 years old is when it became a noticed presence in my life, personally and in my family. I would write a poem for the Thanksgiving prayer or for birthdays, to be read prior to the meal. By the time I was 8, my family, including extended were aware that I had a “gift”. At least, “gift” is how they (they being adults) put it back then.
My poetry had a spiritual energy to it then (as it can now, but in a different way). I often wrote about or to Jesus or God in my poems; usually asking for guidance during rough times or reminding my intended reader that they could ask for guidance, and were not alone. I wrote these poems for other people! My mom can speak to the number of poems tucked in a drawer or left by the books she read that I wrote. All reminding her of the fact that she was loved, the dark times would pass, and not to forget that Jesus/God had a plan.
 To this day my father would rather me write him a poem than buy him a gift! And it all started when I was in the single digits…wow! 
The first poem I ever “turned in” was in the 10th grade. It was about 4 pages long and rhymed. I don’t have the original on hand but can remember the very beginning of it…which is rare; I cannot remember my own poetry.
THE PASSAGE
Darkness prevails
Suffocating my heart
Ripping at my soul
And tearing me apart

How can I let go
And set myself free
Unleash this madness
Caged inside of me

There’s a boiling in my stomach
A pressure in my chest
Where is my release?
When can I put my mind to rest?
 Dark, huh? Well, the title does hint at a journey and the poem moves from dark to light. A passage through the dark places into the more spacious, light places of life…That is probably the most consistent theme in my poetry.
Its my own alchemical process of transforming the prima materia…the shadowed, dark, scary aspects of the psyche…into gold.

 Tracy: What style of poem do you write most often?
 Annie:  “Annie-Style”…ya dig? Just kidding. I really do not have a style I stick too. However, I do love haiku. Haiku has actually served a greater purpose in my life of late. About two years ago I was struck with a violent attack of vertigo while driving my car. The episode lasted for hours and only went away once the ER had given me their strongest meds for such into the vein. I have been on a bizarre medical/health trip ever since. I had vertigo every morning until this spring…I have other symptoms now, but don’t “spin” everyday! This experience has definitely had a cognitive effect on me. In fact; in May and June this year I actually lost my short term memory for a brief time…I wrote tons of haiku…some I don’t remember writing. I know that the structure of the haiku, the counting of the syllables helped keep me sane, and able to reach out for help before I lost the ability to do so. This spring was intense in regards to my cognitive ability, but the vertigo and other identfified health issues started causing cognitive problems two years ago. I had trouble recalling words (losing words that were on the “tip of my tongue”), my ability to spell has deteriorated…what I found was that when I wrote haiku my brain would clear…a fog would slowly start to lift and I would relax.
Does that make any sense?
Tracy: Oh, for sure. I use Haiku as a form of relaxation too, especially to help me write.

Tracy: Are there any styles of poetry you find difficult or annoying, and why?
 Annie: I find the idea of poetry irritating at times! I have read poetry that is written in such an obscure manner that I can’t get any feel from it…and that is considered ‘good” poetry in some circles. At least, I had a poetry prof in college who was like that. He told me my writing was too simple…my response “I use simple words to convey complex emotions”.  I am not a fan of any sort of writing that isolates its readers.  What is the point of words and weaving them into poetic form if the pure ‘feeling” is obscured?


 Tracy: Do you write more than just poetry?
 Annie: I cannot write fiction! I spend too much time writing about the fog on the window of the room…pages are written before the reader knows anything about location, character, plot! I wish I could write fiction.
 Despite that weakness I am a skilled writer outside of poetry. I actually enjoyed writing papers in college and graduate school! People actually enjoy reading those papers. I would take the book we were studying and write about the underlying patterns, symbols, within the story and how that could be seen as a metaphor for life…the journey.
 I also am interested in memoir. Part of my MA thesis was to be creative. I chose to try my hand at memoir. I would like to write more, yet have been intimidated to try since then. I mean, in school I had a guide, support, thesis advisor…now, I’m writing out here alone! And memoir is intense!

Tracy: What poem, written by you, do you like the most, and why?
 Annie: My favorite poem changes. From my college years one of my favorite poems is called Crush.

CRUSH (written in 2001)

"I've got something for you." I whisper.
He flicks his tongue
across his bottom lip,
as he fantasizes about crotchless panties,
hidden cam corders,
and my breasts.

I carefully remove my shirt,
allowing him to gaze
at my nakedness.
Moving my fingers across my chest,
I rest my palm over my heart.
Flesh parts with ease
beneath the sharp tips
of my fingernails.
Cupping my palm
around my heart,
I feel the beat
quicken.
With a swift ripping motion
I hand it to him.

"I don't want that," he sneers.

As he turns to leave
my heart falls to the floor.
Walking away
he manages to grind
his steel toed boots
brutally into it.

When he is gone
I pick my heart up
and brush off the dust.
I place it back in my chest
and put my shirt back on
©LovelyAnnie


And out of my current poetry I like Night 3 ( http://lovelyannie79.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/3-nights/ ) out of a three part poem made out of haiku (not traditional) called Three Nights.

 Tracy: Do you have a favorite poet?
 Annie:  David Whyte: Well of Grief, That Day, Easter Morning in Wales, and News of Death 9 (especially when you listen to him reading)
William Stafford: Your Reading This, Be Ready
I also like Robert browning…for some reason in high school I was taken with Porphyria’s Lover
It’s a dramatic monologue, which I do love as a poetic form! The psychology of self disclosure in poetry…now there is a book I should write!!
Then he popped back in my life when I was reading S. King’s The Dark tower series…King’s opus was inspired by a poem written by Browning: Childe Roland To The Dark Tower Came 

 Tracy: Do you have any mentors?
 Annie:  Yes. My thesis advisor Dorothy Boswell in regards to writing and writing as a form of healing. I consider a Joe Zorontanello to be a mentor in poetry, meditation, and bringing the two together. Check out www.looseleafhollow.com

 Tracy: Favorite place to write/emotions that inspire/trigger writing?
 Annie: I write poetry when the poem decides its coming. It’s always a birth of sorts. When its ready to hit the paper, I best be ready!
I write about suffering, healing, transformation, my own search, love: experienced in all ways from passion to loss to true containing unconditional love, and guess what? My poems are about me…and my life! Yet, I believe that what comes out on the page is universal and hope that the words I write can offer insight, comfort, healing, inspiration to others. I hope my writing is accessible to each on an individual basis. It is raw and honest.

Tracy: What is your favorite type of music?
I love music and would not be alive without it. It has saved my life time and time again.
Can I just make you a mix tape or something to answer this question?
Tracy: I think I'll be wanting one of them mix tapes (read cds) LOL :)
As a kid I had a Jukebox with 45’s on it…spanning Charlie Price, Dylan, Rolling stones, Tennessee Ernie Ford, to ‘My Boyfriend’s Back”. I loved it!
When I was 13 I fell in obsession with Pearl jam
At 19 the band Tool became a mirror for my insides, and served as a guide through my inner world (Especially the albums Aenima and Lateralus)
 Currently: David Ford, Neko Case, Otis Redding,
 Always always always love Loreena McKennit. The song Full Circle was my “walk down the aisle song”

Tracy: Your favorite book?
Annie:
Dark Tower series by S. King
Catcher in the Rye
Earthsea Chronicles by Ursula k Leguin
Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver
 To name a few. Reading fiction is my healthy escape. Still wish I could write it.
Oh, I need some new recs on novels to read, so any suggestions would be much obliged!

Tracy: Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you? Your life or writing?
 Annie: “At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and illusion, a point of pure truth, a point or spark which belongs entirely to God, which is never at our disposal, fr…om which God disposes our lives, which is inaccessible to the fantasies of our own mind or the brutalities of our own will. This little point of nothingness and of absolute poverty is the pure glory of God in us…It is like a pure diamond blazing with the invisible light of heaven. It is in everybody, and if we could see it we would see these billions of points of light coming together in the face of and the blaze of a sun that would make all the darkness and cruelty of life vanish completely…I have no program for this seeing. It is only given. But the gate of heaven is everywhere.”
-Thomas Merton

Tracy: Any other creative passions?
 Annie: I have just started drawing, with charcoal…I did not know I had it in me! I used to act in high school and college and I really wish I had the pipes to be a singer!
 I love to dance and have natural skills but that’s it.
I make the BEST mixes ever…tailor made for the individual…anyone want one?
Dreams. Working with dream symbolism as part of your journey to heal, to BECOME and continue BECOMING
My husband says I am a translator and a connector…meaning I have the ability to connect different aspects of this world with others and translate a “more personalized, deeper meaning to others”.


Tracy: If you could have dinner with any famous dead person who would it be, and where would you dine?
Annie: My favorite question!
I would have dinner with Carl Jung at bollingen…outside. We would eat pot roast. The Sweeney (my moms maiden name) family slow cook recipe. I am a vegetarian, but I would be eating pot roast and tater’s while dining with CG Jung. Pot roast symbolizes safety and comfort for me. Carl Jung is the most influential famous person in my life…He has brought safety and comfort in my life by merely existing.

 I wrote waaaaaaaayyyyyy too much didn’t I?
Tracy: Not at all, you were very forthcoming, and open, things many readers will appreciate.
Annie: This was a challenge for me. Answering questions about myself. The only way I can approach such a challenge is to let  what comes flow freely so this is really just that. Sorry so long, and I hope I made sense.

Tracy: Oh, yes, just three more little questions...If you had you own band:
What would it be called?
What would be the title of the first album?
What would the title of the first single be?

Annie: The band would be called “Annie and the Third Shift Shakers” with our first album, “Because I'm A Woman, Babe” featuring the hit single “Duces Wild”

Tracy: And there you have it folks; this weeks Meet The Poet...Lovely Annie
* * * * * * * * * * * *
On a personal note.
Annie, it was a delight to have you as my first interview for Jingle Poetry. Your poetry is a joy to read, and at times, a deep experience as well. Your sense of humor is wonderful, and makes being your partner in this exercise quite fun. Thank you very much for your kindness and friendship.
Sincerely,
Tracy Harris