The Window To The World Week 21 On Life Of A Poet from Poetry Rallys

Poetry Road and his family, keep it up!  :)

Can you tell us about yourself? Which country do you live in now? What’s your profession? be general, no need to specify your location...

I am a 47 years old and I live in Jacksonville Florida.  However, I am originally from Michigan.  I have a son (18) and a daughter (10) .

I am employed by the school district and work at a High School where I work in the Student Services Department.  I have a degree in English Literature and only
just recently graduated from college in May of 2009.

We’re happy that you have been part of Poets Rally as a participant, what has driven you to where you are in this particular community?

Thank you, I am happy to be part of such a great group of talented people.

I was originally drawn to the site to share my own work but that has developed into the opportunity to experience other people's view on life through poetry.

How long have you been blogging? Do you think being part of a poetry community contributes to your creative writing?

I have been blogging for almost 3 years.  Although I also keep a journal and I have been doing that for over 20 years, I guess that is what we

did before "the blog"..ha ha

Yes, I have really grown in my writing since joining.  My favorite aspect is the prompt's because they give me the opportunity to go outside of my comfort zone of my normal writing.

Why poetry? Do you write fiction too?

I like poetry because it’s like a quick fix.  I can sit down and write about my experience that day or week and get a sense of relief that I got it out there and it is being heard.

I do write fiction and have been published in some teen magazines.  I am currently working on a novella. ( but aren't we all!!)

Please share 3 to 5 blog links you enjoy reading most, give 1 or 2 sentences to tell why you love their creative process.

http://booguloo.wordpress.com/

Okay this guy is amazing and I read all that I can by him because of his uniqueness and sometimes intriguing topics.

http://beccagivens.wordpress.com/

I have been following becca since I started coming to the site.  She would be someone who would be my close friend if we grew up together. Her writing is often short but so to the point and it seems to flow from her pen quite effortlessly.

http://memoirsofyoungheart.wordpress.com/

This kid is crazy talented and so prolific in his writings it is hard to believe he is so young.  I am drawn to him because he is the exact opposite of what I know a teenager to be and I like that, pushes me to be more creative and perhaps younger at heart.

How do you know when a poem is done? your own experiences need to be shared here...

Good question...a poem is NEVER done in my opinion.  I can't even count the number of poems that I have changed over and over again.  Sometimes within the same week of writing them, sometimes years later.

How do you decide when a poem is "good"? Do you redo your own poems after they’re posted? it could be poem someone else written...

I don't think of my poems as being good or bad really.  I think of them as just being me in that moment, I write from personal experiences most of the time so I just think they "are what they are".

Do you think music and poetry are related? Why?

http://poetryroad.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/bob-dylan-for-2011-nobel-prize-for-literature/

Wrote a whole article about it that was published on Bob Dylan's personal website.  Answers your question.

What issues are closed to your heart? Women’s rights, child abuses, etc.…name one…

Injustice

What’s your other hobbies besides writing? Do you have pets?  

Baking and yes, three pets. Two cats a new puppy.  All rescues!  They love you no matter what!

Please list your blog links below, share 1 or 2 poems that represents best of your poetry talent…

 My blog links:

http://poetryroad.wordpress.com/

http://youngheartspoetry.wordpress.com/

My most talented poetry:

http://poetryroad.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/joplin/

Joplin
by

Poetry Road

Moving overhead
clouds suffocate
into turmoil
and despair
my soul mirrored
their stirring
silent
compelling
noise
non-existent
until…
The roar
grew louder
ever changing
my soul turning
the clouds
churning
the twisting
upon us
rage heavy
and then…
the new day
came despite
the horror
of yesterday
and so
shall
Joplin

http://poetryroad.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/hiding-from-spirits/

Hiding from Spirits

By

Poetry Road

Anxiety stretched across a painted sky
Emotions run from screams
Shadows dance upon the graves
Behind the stones I hide
From the ancestors left behind
Mindless thoughts turned inside out
Regret fills my soul
Words never spoken cry
Pages of a book never turned
Lessons too late learned
The stone grows cold
Against my back
Darkened like the sky
Time was not the reason
Nor was the change of season
Just life in a young girl
Selfish whims and vanity
Questions chase the shadows
Regret fills the empty hole
Forgiveness seals the broken soul
The arm of death stretches
Wrapping itself around so close
The sky brings mornings light
The tears dry and I am alone
Reminded of a place called Home