Response to "Post Secret"

This site reminds me of the song video by the group All American Rejects called "Dirty Little Secret" where they have random people holding their various secrets, also written on postcards, for the world to see. I wonder if this Post Secret site was inspired by the All American Rejects video or vice-versa. With that being said, I did like the website. It takes a certain amount of courage to be able to post your secrets for the wide web to see. Some of those secrets are embarrassing to admit. Like the woman who has to shave her face or the guy who has boobs. Some deal with issues of guilt or loneliness. Some are very sad to read.....

An Elegy For “M”

A scarf the color of wild berries and roses drapes across your graceful neck…..

Your silk pantsuit gently embraces your curves…..

Your hair is impeccable, not one strand is out of place…..

Your elegant poise, one of strength and courage and endearment…..

Is a breath of life in a room so suffocated with grief, so overflowing with sorrow and mourning…..

But all these mourners do share one thing in common…..

They have come to say their good-byes…..

Good-bye to a woman some called a friend, a sister, a mother, a wife…..

Good-bye to a woman who elevated and inspired so many people…..

They have come to say good-bye to you…..

Written by Marisa Miller

Intro into the haiku......

Winter tree branch bare......

Cold wind blows your leaves away......

Tree searches for spring......

Four Poems

The first poem that caught my attention after listening and reading it was Hattie McDaniel Arrives at the Coconut Grove, written by American poet Rita Dove. It is about Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel's, who was the first African-American to win an Academy Award back in 1940, and what might have gone through her mind as she arrives at the Coconut Grove. There is a lot of reflection about her past, how far she had come to get to where she was at that time (there weren't really any acting roles available to African-Americans back in those days) and the aftermath of her success. I liked because it served as a history lesson and I really admired Hattie's spirit as portrayed through Rita Dove's words.

The second poem I liked was called A Blade of Grass by British Poet Brian Patten. I enjoyed reading this because it shows how the intended recipient of the blade of grass fails to grasp the poetic meaning behind being offered a simple blade of grass. It becomes more difficult to offer simplicity and as we grow older and it becomes more difficult to accept simplicity. Also I like this poem because it would go beautifully with the painting by Albrecht Durer that I love so much.

The third poem that caught my eye was written by Jamaican poet Valarie Bloom titled: Granny Is. I liked listening to Bloom read it because I love her Caribbean accent and some of the words which describe things native to the island of Jamaica. Plus who doesn't love a warm hearted poem ode to their grandma? I always had a very close relationship with mine and my children also have a close relationship with their grandma. "Only de best fe de gran' children." That has been my own mother's motto since I brought each one of her grand-babies home from the hospital.

The final poem I enjoyed reading was called Hair-Raiser by British poet Judith Nicholls. This poem is HILARIOUS to listen to. My daughter Rachel and I got quite a kick out of it! In fact at the dinner table she did a little improv of the poem on my husband who wasn't too amused especially since 1. He wasn't aware of what we planned, and 2. The last paragraph of the poem concerning hair loss was quite a sensitive subject for him LOL!!! But none the less we still had fun with it ;)

Something Inspirational

This picture by Albrecht Durer titled, "The Great Piece Of Turf" inspires me to want to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon on my stomach in the grass closely examining nature's detailed craftsmanship. I could never draw something this beautiful but I sure would love to try....

Often we tend to overlook the most simplest of things that nature blesses us with everyday. That recognition and appreciation is evident with every brush stoke Durer makes....