Thursday, December 22, 2011

"I Am Not Fluent In Squawk" Published in Issue 52 of SGVPQ



Here is an excerpt

...How long do we have to
Keep on patting his tiny back,
To get the burps or gas
That we currently seem to lack?
Make this sad boy happy,
How can I nurture him to grow?
I hold you and rock you,
Give you meds, but still you cry “No!”

I’m trying to do this,
I need your help, wish you could talk;
I don’t know what you want
Since I am not fluent in ‘squawk’;
Always monitoring
Your breathing, watch you huff and puff;
Turning up oxygen
To make sure you will have enough.

The monitor does beep,
All of the lights are flashing red;
Looking at the numbers,
They show you’re actually dead!...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Submissions Chicken Soup for the Soul

I just submitted quite a few poems and 1 story to Chicken Soup for the Soul, they have a couple of issues coming out in the future, one on Parenting and also on New Friendship...so I submitted

"Slowly Unfolding" Here is a snippet:

Our new friendship is something…kind of like a cloud
Needed for covering when the sun is too loud.
It is like a rare book, aged, you don’t want to touch
Curious of what’s inside, kept safe in a hutch.

For their Parenting Issue, I submitted "You're a Mommy Now", "Never Refuse a Cuddle", I Am Not Fluent In Squawk", "Return on Investment", Welcome to Motherhood", "Discombobulated", and "Shape Up or Ship Out"


Here is "Welcome to Motherhood"

Welcome to Motherhood

Hocking loogies, feeding baby, trying to cough in the other direction;
Mother’s do not get days off, even when they’re full of infection.
The job is demanding, the boss never takes ‘no’ for an answer;
There’re no days off, even if you happen to be dying of cancer.
There is no debating allowed here, no could, would or should;
This occupation is for life; welcome to motherhood!



Photo taken by: Peter Lang (From the Mass Mutual Commercial Shoot October 2011)

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

100 Thousand Poets for Change - DRIVE BY

I completely spaced it off and didn't even let you guys know that I was asked to read my poetry at 100 Thousand Poets for Change in September. The great poet that asked me to read is Christian Elder (he saw me perform at a book store earlier in the year and saved my info.) So we were in Venice, and event was sponsored by Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center. They had so many poets there were 2 stages going at the same time...and this was happening all over the world.

I did a new piece that I'd never done before (it wasn't memorized) Because I didn't want to go with something standard, but as the show was about changes that needed to happen in the world I chose this one.It's tentatively titled DRIVE BY and talks about how the neighborhoods used to be before all the gangs became prevalent and how one little old granny is doing her best to clean up the streets using prayer as her main weapon...here is a portion of it.

To be accepted, you began to bang,
Deaf to her voice, influenced by your gang.
She’s done sittin’ back, just saying a prayer,
Lettin’ you know she’s not easy to scare.

Makin’ sure great grandkids can play outside,
Prays over each barred up house on her ride.
Covers the block with her flock, when they pray;
You’ll see changes happen day after day.

Employment increase and murder decrease
And fear ridden households soaking up peace
Dad’s will come back, screams and anger are hushed
Parent’s get sober, crack and meth are flushed

Crimes in progress, that are set with cocked gun,
Will stop abruptly, then watch the perps run,
Kids will respect authority, they’ll obey moms
Clean up their language –stop dropping F-bombs

Monday, December 12, 2011

Published in Issue 51 of SGVPQ


I was published last quarter in Issue 51 o the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly.

The poems was Indigestion and Red Fingernails

Here is an excerpt of part of it:

My husband is holding my hand
As I am writhing in the bed;
Wait! I can’t have a baby now,
It’s too early, he might be dead!
And now that I’m thinking of it,
I’ve not felt him move for awhile;
I’m dilated to seven?
I react with a confused smile.

I guess it’s true, we’re in labor,
That explains this horrendous pain;
Still not quite aware that my life
From now on will not be the same.
The nurses prep the tray and tools,
Ready for precise incision;
I yelled “You’re not cutting on me!”
That is my final decision.

They say “But the baby is breech,
And that is what we have to do”;
I wanted a calm water birth,
So he could then just ease on through.
My husband had to leave the room
In order to make each phone call;
I scream “Why do people do this!!!”
My hubby hears me down the hall!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Eyes Wide Open - Eyes Half Closed






How can you stay and keep your marriage thriving or even sustained;
When running from your dating relationships is how you were trained?
Love was blind when you were dating but now your eyes are open wide;
And these terrible and annoying habits are ones they no longer try to hide.

Your friends warned you about them, though all the red flags were there;
But you blindly ignored them or at the time you didn’t seem to care.
Listen to their warnings, eyes wide open, then when marriage is proposed,
If you can say yes, then avoid divorce by having your eyes half closed.

Monday, September 12, 2011

A New Song

I wrote a song this weekend (tentatively titled "All work No play"... I don't do it often because I don't really feel like it's my strong suit, since I am not musically inclined; but every once in a while an a hook will strike me or a concept and it won't due as a poem. This one is about a slave driver boss lady who's all hard edged work by day, but all warm and fun at night.

I'm sure one of these days I will actually have time to do something with the songs, but until then I'll just enjoy them when they come and let them tumble around in my head and when people ask what I'm singing along to, I'll just smile and say nothing yet. :)

Thursday, August 11, 2011




I finally received a copy of the book several of my poems were published in...this was put together by cancer survivors and their loved ones, the proceeds go to help the non-profit group weSpark. You can find out more about his organization and how they provide FREE cancer support services for those dealing with cancer and their loved ones at: www.weSpark.org

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Featured Poet

This Saturday the 23rd I will be one of the featured poets at the Santa Catalina Branch of the Pasadena Public Library on 999 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena. It's from 3 til 5pm there will be an 'open read' time for any one who comes as well if they have a poem to read.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

"Heavy Load Hurts" published in Issue 50




My Poem Heavy Load Hurts was Published in Issue 50















Heavy Load Hurts


Knees hurt
Because of the outside beating
And pounding that they take
In shoes without proper support,
Standing on cracked cement too long;
Plus the weight of the body
Pushing down on the joints
Which were not meant to carry…
Such a heavy load.

Souls hurt
Because of the outside beating
And pounding that they take
In flesh, without proper support,
Standing on false cracked expectations;
Plus the weight of the life’s burdens
Pushing down on the hearts
Which were not meant to carry…
Such a heavy load.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Parent Child Love


This is an excerpt from the poem: PARENT CHILD LOVE



...Selfishness runs away instincts now heavily press,
To bind that brokenness and heal with each warm caress.
Children bring out in you a side you didn’t know could exist
Suddenly skinned knees in muddy gravel begged to be kissed
A parents life on hold, surprisingly with no resentment in sight
Fighting for your pleasure that no longer seems to be right...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Stubbed Toe



I have been thinking for the last couple of years of putting a new book together, one that deals with every day obstacles in life that seem to keep us from getting where we want to go. How do we keep going the extra mile after our toes have been stubbed and stepped on? How do we turn our stumbling blocks into stepping stones? That is something I will be exploring, using examples from my own life and ones I've also observed.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Issue 49 of SGVPQ DRUG OF CHOICE



Last month I got another poem published in the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly, issue 49. This is an excerpt from that poem:

I feel so dangerously close to you,
You are this addict’s drug of choice;
Though my body attempts to shut you out,
It reverberates your smooth voice.
Thoughts of you plague my psyche so much more
Than I’d even like to admit;
I’m ashamed to ask for intervention,
Though I don’t know how else to quit...

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Song for Documentary. "Shared Needles"


I've been asked to write some lyrics for a documentary that is about the A.I.D.S. crisis that happened with the children of Romania in the 1990's. I turned in two songs so far which the director said he liked. I have written two more, soon to be turned in. He will pass them on to the producer and if she likes them, they go to the composer. I'll keep you posted.

Here is a little section of one:

Bridge:
I am a fighter of freedom
I now fight for mine and for yours
I do not fight facilities
Or rules; those aren’t my type of wars
I engage in battles to free
People, mostly just from themselves
To pick up the dreams that they have
Abandoned on too high of shelves
I believe in a saving power
That’s much greater than our own Gov.
I use shared needles to inject
And infect everyone with love.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Live Performance Tonight

I'll be performing poetry tonight at 8:15 at a place they call "The Basement" the even is put on by Latch Key Studios, here's the blog for more info: http://latchkeystudios.blogspot.com/ the address is 14506 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, main cross street is Van Nuys blvd.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Reality Fright Night got Distribution



Just heard the word the Reality Fright Night got distribution. We went back in to do some pick up shots last week...to give it a little more blood as suggested. It was good to embody that character again, if ever so briefly, and get to see the hard working cast and crew again. I will keep you posted when I find out where you can rent it!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Lyrics for Films

I was asked a few months ago to write a creepy little poem that children would sing like a nursery rhyme for a horror film. I wrote 3 different renditions for the writer. I believe they put that project on hold though because I have not heard a thing about it since. Yesterday I received a DVD of a documentary that the creator of wants me to watch to see what lyrics it would inspire. So I will watch it with paper and pen nearby. I know the subject matter is difficult and I hope to do it justice.