My thanks to Suzanne Burke for this week’s fiction in a flash challenge. The photo prompt is beautiful and from it I was inspired to write the following Tanka poem.
I'm falling, falling
My fears hold me back from life
I'm trying, trying
To overcome and be free.
I'm praying, praying
Til fears are gone and I'm free
While angels guide me
To a life free from falling.
Like a waterfall
I now bring joy and beauty
To those who see me
Living life fully with love.
When you look at the photo prompt, what thoughts, emotions come to you? Does my poem speak to you in any special way? Have you experienced times of feeling lost and afraid? I welcome your comments.
Each week, award-winning author Suzanne Burke provides a photo prompt from which we are invited to write a one-liner, short story, or poem. Everyone is welcome to participate.
This week I wrote a Tanka poem, which is a Japanese form of poetry with 5, 7, 5, 7, 7 syllables. I hope you enjoy this week’s entry.
THE BINDER IS OLD
JUST AS I AM ALSO OLD
WE ARE BOTH WORN OUT
TATTERED, TIRED YET EMBRACED
BY STRAPS OR YOUR LOVING ARMS.
OUR SKINS ARE WRINKLED
TORN, FRAGILE, SCARRED, YET HOLDING
US TOGETHER WHILE
HIDING SECRETS, LIES, AND DREAMS
NEVER REVEALED TO OTHERS.
NOW THAT I HAVE PASSED,
ONLY GOD’S JUDGEMENT MATTERS
BUT I PRAY YOU WILL
LOVE ME WITHOUT CONDITIONACCEPTING MY HUMANNESS.
READ THE WORN PAGES
KNOWING THEY COME FROM MY HEART
WHILE BARING MY SOUL
SO YOU WILL KNOW WHO I WAS
STILL LOVING, ACCEPTING ME.
WHEN YOU CREMATE ME,
DO THE SAME TO THE BINDER
PUTTING OUR ASHES
IN THE GROUND OF THE OAK TREE
TOGETHER, FOREVER MORE.
If you have not yet visited Suzanne Burke’s website and purchased one of her books, I encourage you to do so. One of my favorite books are “Empty Chairs” written under the pseudonym of Stacy Danson. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate any and all comments. And, if you are not yet a follower, I invite you to become one by simply clicking on the box in the upper right corner.
Award-winning author, Suzanne Burke, has presented a photo prompt for which everyone is invited to write a short story, poem, or one-liner. Join the fun and time of creativity.
This week’s photo prompt brought several ideas to mind, but I chose a poem in Tanka form. This is a Japanese style that consists of 31 syllables, divided in 5-7-5-7-7 format.
THE EMPTY SADDLETHE BREAKING OF DAWN
OF YELLOW, GOLD, AND PURPLE
PAINTED BY GOD’S HANDS
SYMBOLIZED NEW BEGINNINGS
AFTER A STORMY, SAD NIGHT.THE EMPTY SADDLE
WHERE SHE ONCE RODE HER HORSE, BABE
WITH ME BY HER SIDE
IS NOW SLOWLY LED HOMEWARD
WITHOUT THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.
I STAYED BY HER SIDE
I HELD HER COOL AND FRAIL HAND,
I KISSED HER SWEET LIPS
THEN SAID GOODBYE TO MY LOVE
ALWAYS TO LIFE IN MY HEART.
WITH EACH NEW SUNRISE
I GAZE UPWARD, SIGH, AND PRAY
FOR STRENGTH AND COURAGE
TO LIVE EACH DAY WITHOUT HER
‘TIL MY SADDLE IS EMPTY.
I invite you to go to Suzanne Burke’s website, learn about this amazing woman, become a follower of her blog, and buy one or more of her books. I highly recommend each and every one of them. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/
I enjoyed writing this poem inspired by the beautiful photo prompt. Your comments are welcomeand appreciated.
This week’s photo prompt brought many different emotions and story ideas. I was inspired to write another Tanka poem.
A SHATTERED LIFEMy life before you
Was in shambles and lonely
But now it's healthy
Because your love and goodness
Give me strength, joy, and courage.
I hope you enjoyed this Tanka poeminspired by the photo prompt. Ms. Burke offers these writing challenges on a regular basis. I encourage you to let your imagination go and write a short story, one-liner, or poem based on each photo prompt. Go to her website at https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/and explore her amazing books as well as her blogs.
Please leave a comment or question. I look forward to hearing from each of you.
Welcome to this edition of my blog. I usually do not write about anything socially or politically sensitive. Today, my stance is not a political one, but a plea for us all to be more understanding, accepting, and loving. There are many things to be changed in this world for the betterment of all. With that said, I am passionate about art in all its forms, I love all people, and I dream for the day when we can all live together in peace.
Art reflects events and people. History is the story of those events and people. Each person has his or her own life history.
All forms of art are interpretative. Not everyone will like, agree, or understand certain art pieces. It is important to understand the message that the artist is conveying. Personally, I often have difficulty understanding some pieces of modern art, but I accept and respect the artist’s work.
I may not agree or support certain actions, social behaviors, or laws, but I will not harm another person, destroy monuments, nor burn buildings. I will follow the examples of such people as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, the Dalai Lama, Leo Tolstoy, Susan B. Anthony, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa. These are just a few of the people in history who brought positive changes to the world in peaceful ways.
History is not always pretty. It is too-often filled with killings, torture, invasions, subjugation, and domination of the few over the masses. Yet, with all its faults, history has produced some of the world’s greatest artists which arose out of the Middle Ages (Michaelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, to name just a few).Inventions and medical advancements historically have come from various countries answering the needs of people.
In 3500 BC, the wheel was invented In 1600 BC, modern alphabet invented In 20 AD, printing was invented In 105 AD, the first use of paper. In 1088 AD, the first university was founded. In 1215 AD, the sealing of the Magna Carta In 1509 AD the watch was invented. In 1825 AD rocket steam locomotive built, the start of railroads. In 1905 AD, Einstein’s theory of relativity was published.
I believe that we are to treat everyone with respect, dignity, and kindness. All religions teach the basic concept of the Golden Rule:
Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that for you would find hurtful. Christianity:Do to others as you would have them do to you; \ Confucianism: Do not do to others what you do not want to be done to yourself. Hinduism: Do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. Islam: Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself. Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. Native Spirituality: We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive. Zoroastrianism: Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
It is important for me to ask myself, “what am I doing to help others? am I respectful of those with different opinions? do I not harm others?” In the song, Imagine by John Lennonthe lyrics are my mantra: Imagine all the people living for today…Imagine all the people living life in peace…Imagine all the people sharing all the world…You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.
I welcome your comments. Thank you, Karen Ingalls the dreamer.
It makes no difference what name he goes by, a father’s role is the same. In his book, Iron John, Robert Bly uses a Grimm Brothers fairy tale to describe what it means to be a manand a father.
The more involved a father is in his child’s life, the more likely his child will be a responsible member of society. In my opinion, three important roles of a father are to be a protector, leader, and teacher all with love in their hearts.
Studies on father involvement and child well-being found “significant associations between positive father involvement and offspring well-being…” (Paul R. Amato and Fernando Rivera, “Paternal Involvement and Children’s Behavior Problems,” Journal of Marriage and the Family 61 (1999): 375-384.)There are many cases where the biological father is absentdue to divorce, death, or single parenting by choice.Yet, daughters and sons need a mother and a father or male role-model to provide important psychological and emotional development.
“A loving and nurturing father is as important for a child’s happiness, well-being, and social and academic success as having a loving and nurturing mother.” (The Importance of Father Love: History and Contemporary Evidence,” Review of General Psychology 5.4 (2001): 382-405.)In the television series, This is Us, the father is portrayed as a sensitive, strong, loving man who teaches and listens to his children.Despite his untimely death, his influence continued in their lives.
Fathers spending regular time alone with their children translated into children who became compassionate adults. (Richard Koestner, et al., “The Family Origins of Empathic Concern: A Twenty-Six Year Longitudinal Study,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 58 (1990): 709-717).A common activity between fathers and sons is throwing a baseball to each other. In the movie, The Natural this is an activity when life and personal growth were taught.I know fathers who took their daughters out for a meal, on a short get-away, or a few hours spent togetherat a sporting, cultural, or music event.
On this Father’s Day, let us focus on the traits of a kind and loving father, who protects, leads, and teaches his children. Let’s bring these traits to our own family issues, our community’s problems, and our country’s challenges. Martin Luther King, Jr., Charles Darwin, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas More, Nicholas II, George Bush, Sr, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are just a few of many who were and are fathers that exemplify how a man needs to fill the role of fatherhood.
It is important to celebrate those in our lives who have been our fathers or positive role-models every day. Let us honor their roles not by just buying them neckties, shirts, books, etc., but by living our lives with dignity, compassion, peacefulness, and love.
Thank you for spending time reading this tribute to fathers. I welcome and appreciate your comments.
WELCOME TO MY BLOG THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY. I AM HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE. EACH DAY LIVED WITH A STRONG SPIRIT WILL BE A DAY OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE, IRREGARDLESS OF WHAT IS OCCURRING.
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” A. A. Milne
There is a college student in my city who has been battling ovarian cancer for five years. It does not seem fair that as a teenager she has such a difficult challenge. Her classmates have not lost their hair, spent weeks in a hospital, missed sporting events or suffered with extreme fatigue or nausea. Her strength and courageget her through those tough days of chemotherapy and its side effects.
A friend has cancer of the vulva which is the rarest form of the gynecological cancers. Despite radiation burns and severe side effects from the chemotherapy, she is never without a smile and has encouraging words for others.She had no symptoms and her diagnosis was the result of a pelvic exam. From her experience each woman can understand the importance of yearly pelvic and rectal exams. A woman needs to be proactive in checking EVERY part of her body.
“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our nation and other countries are facing a serious health crisis due to the Coronavirus. We havebeen challenged with wars, other epidemics, and financial crises, yet we have persevered because of what lies within us. It is not a time to play politics, blame, or hide in fear. It is a time to be wise, compassionate, and use our inner strength and spirit to get through this difficult time.
“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.” Confucius
In all my books, there is the message of how the spirit of one or morecharacters helped them to rise above a challenging time or a fall. It is the spirit of love, determination, strength, and faith that is essential for overcoming any fall.
ALL BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON. ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH. FROM MARCH 18-24, THERE ARE SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE. THANK YOU.
Gratitude means being thankful. I have been thinking about those people or events for which I am grateful. I challenge myself to express my gratitude on a daily basis. Melody Beattie says gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
I am actually grateful in many respects that I was diagnosed with cancer. I am sure this statement shocks or surprises the reader of this blog. Here are the reasons I am grateful: it pushed me to publish my writings and journals that I had kept secret; it introduced me to some of the most amazing survivors and care partners; I am actively involved in spreading the word about ovarian cancer, and I have written articles and done presentations. My life is richer and more meaningful as a cancer survivor.
Many of our social issues stem from a lack of gratefulness. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol to find happiness and peace, but that only create more problems. Some people of meager means might turn to stealing rather than be grateful for what they have. Anger and envy often are feelings preventing people from seeing all they could be grateful for.
Gratitude is riches, complaint is poverty. (Doris Day)
I am recommending two books about gratitude. Grateful Life: The Secret to Happiness and the Science of Contentment is written by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons. Each inspirational story shows how practicing gratitude can have a positive change in a person’s life. The authors have included exercises, quotes, and guidance.
Rave Reviews Book Club author, Yecheilyah Ysrayl, in her book Keep Yourself Full writes about how one’s life can change for the better when it is filled with love. Then that love is shared with others and each person experiences a sense of gratitude.
Keeping a daily journal of those events or people for which you are grateful is one way to cultivate gratitude into your life. When we write down the names or events, it stimulates us to practice gratitude and therefore make positive changes in who we are and those people around us.
From The Network of Grateful Living the newsletter states grateful living reminds us that when we take nothing for granted, we can wake up to the wealth and wisdom of life as it is.
This time of year brings to mind joy, family, and giving. Unfortunately, for some people, it also can bring sadness, loneliness, and greed.Here are five practices to create an abundant lifeall year.
GRATITUDE:
When we are grateful it expands our life into one of joy, kindness, and openness. It opens our hearts. We see life through sunshine rather than clouds. Our mind shifts from negativity. We speak with love and compassion.
RECEIVING:
As we give so shall we receive. There is nothing wrong with wanting something as long as it comes from the heart. When we receive something as simple as a compliment, it lifts our spirit. Receiving is not about the newest gadget, toy, or article of clothing. It is about receiving gifts from the heart or soul.
ACCEPTANCE:
An important lesson many of us must learn is to accept or recognize what a situation might be. It does not mean you agree with it. It means that once we accept, then we can choose to change. For example, once I accepted the fact that I had cancer, I chose to live with a renewed purpose of helping others with cancer and advocate for awareness and raise money for research.
COMMITMENT:
Making a commitment to a person or a cause opens us up to success and joy. We will set goals, establish methods, and surround ourselves with others of like minds. Commitment comes from the mind. We must have positive thoughts and believe in our ultimate goal. Frustration or negative thoughts can be changed through the practice of meditation, using imagery by seeing ourselves succeeding, and seeking support from others.
EXPRESSION:
When we express our passion or our commitment, we open ourselves to abundance. It is a success based on how we live with grace, how we give and receive, accept, and commit. A favorite expression is doing the right thing for ourselves and others. Only then will we have abundance and grace.
May the blessings and the true meaning of the Thanksgiving season be with you.
Books take me to places imaginary and real. To promote awareness, I wear ribbons and bracelets of teal. Time is ever-changing. It challenges me to live with each day with zeal. (Karen Ingalls. 2019)
Teal is the color for ovarian cancer just as pink is the color for breast cancer, and purple for all cancers. Cancer ribbons all began with the song, Tie a Yellow Ribbonby the Old Oak Tree popularized by Tony Orlando in the 1970s. The yellow ribbon was started by Penelope Laingen, who tied a yellow ribbon around an oak tree as a symbolic act for the return of her husband who was an Iranian hostage. In 1992, the first health ribbon introduced was a red ribbon symbolizing AIDs, and then in that same year, a pink ribbon for breast cancer was promoted by the Susan B. Komen organization. The teal ribbon is for ovarian cancer.
Why are the many ribbons important and so popular? For the simple reason, they bring awareness about any health or social issue. Societies advance, treatments and cures for diseases are researched, laws are passed to protect, funds are raised, and people are informed.
Thoughts of what to do with time remaining became known as the bucket list. It was popularized in a movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Once I came to the acceptance part of my cancer diagnosis, my husband and I put together our bucket list.
We have done a lot of traveling: Costa Rica, Caribbean cruises, Great Britain, a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, France, Spain, Alaska, Hawaii, and now to Italy for three weeks. We can check that off of our bucket list!
I have been blessed to live 78 years which equals 28,000+ days, 683,000+ hours, and 40, 996, 800+ minutes. I look back at how I have lived these 78 years and I look forward to each moment I have in the future. The clock never stops ticking, but we choose how to live each moment. Hopefully, we will fill each minute with a purpose such as supporting an important cause, follow our dreams and passions and make each moment count.
Love of self and others is an important key for any health or social issue. Having dreams and pursuing them fills one’s life with joy and fond memories. My motto: Live the moment!
KAREN INGALLS, AUTHOR, BLOGGER & SURVIVOR 