The Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

IWSG Day, September 6, 2017, Have I Ever Surprised Myself In My Own Writing?






Hello Everyone,

It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time. 

IWSG is a writer support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help to others. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:


My report:

Submission August 2017

Three poems to the Lascaux Review

Outstanding Submissions
Lascaux Review – The Woman and Her Dream - Rejection
The Wigleaf - The Box in the Loft - Rejection
 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Anthology – Turn the Lights On – Still Outstanding
Death – a poem in the Rattle Poetry Contest – Still Outstanding









 Have I Ever Surprised Myself  In My Own Writing?

Yes, and a triple yes, yes, yes!  In fact, I find myself being continually amazed when I allow myself to remain open to the voice whispering inside me.

I have never thought of myself as a poet. Poetry is one of those avenues of writing where I sit and read and marvel at the viewpoints some poets in the past saw happening around them. Or, I am astonished at what some poets see taking place in our world today. However, participating in the April WEP Challenge changed my mind about my writing poetry.  I am no longer a lover of poetry but also a writer who also writes poetry.

There are hidden emotions deep within me that react to how humans are treating each other, and I release these emotions by writing poetry.

Change means surprise,
Sometimes shock,
Sometimes, it makes your temper rise,
Or your knees knocked against each other,
Forcing you to step up to  the challenge.
And like David facing Goliath,
You pick up your five stones;
You run toward your mountain,
And slowly you whittle it down to size.

You surprise yourself.
What you’ve discovered,
Has melted away a portion of the iceberg
That lies within you,
And moved you toward your dream.











Have a lovely month of September and walk peaceably through life if you can. 

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G






45 comments:

  1. Glad WEP stretched you into a new area of writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alex,
      Thanks. I'm happy to be a part of the WEP also.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  2. Lovely poem! I'm picking up my stones and running:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jennifer,
      Pick up those stones and start running. That the best way to move forward.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  3. I LOVED your poem! You are doing such a fantastic job of striding forward, stretching, and NOT giving up. You are such a wonderful inspiration. Keep up the GREAT work. HUGS to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi My Dear,
      I'm just getting around to responding but it's never too late. Thanks for your compliments. They really boost my me upward.
      Love you,
      Pat G

      Delete
  4. I love your poems. What a great thing that the WEP brought out a new talent you didn't know you had. Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Julie,
      I love poems too. Have loved them since I was a small kid. It's amazing what you discover when you decide to take a chance at something.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Hi Anna,
      Yes, poetry is a wonderful form of expression. I consider poetry as very intimate.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  6. I think the WEP has stretched a lot of us. Glad you stepped up and entered.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lee,
      I agree. The WEP has stretched a lot of writers. It is nice to be a part of it.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  7. Good for you for writing poetry! I wrote poems when I was younger - a VERY long time ago. Not sure if it's in me anymore but you never know....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Madeline,
      I sincerely hope you start back writing poetry. It is an intimate avenue with words that touch your inner core of who you are.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  8. Ooh, I'm glad that part of your iceberg melted. This post is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nicki. I am glad a part of my iceberg melted also.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  9. Nice poem! You make me think that maybe I could do that someday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go for it, Raimey. Of course, you can do it.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  10. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
    It's cool that the WEP challenge was able to help you get into poetry. I used to love poetry and even tried writing it for a while, but now I find that I only read it when I looking to address a specific emotional need.
    I like the piece you've written here and the one you did for WEP. I think you have a knack for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Toi. Maybe one day you might want to go back to writing poetry. It is definitely deep and releases freedom that we didn't think we had.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  11. Nice poem. It's great that you're stretching your writing chops, trying new and unexpected.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Olga. It's scary at times but it is a wonderful feeling to stretch.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  12. Wow - that's amazing, finding how something like poetry really changed you. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Poetry gave me one of my biggest writing surprises. I won a competion with a big cash prize! My writing friends were even more surprised as a lot of my poetry is dreadful - but I got that one right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patsy,
      I am so happy for you. It is for me amazing when a poet's poem is chosen to win a contest. I sit and read what he or she has written as the winning poem and I am astonished at the beauty and the flow.
      Congratulations.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  14. It's nice to see you are able to dive into an area you love. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the poem, Pat!
    Poetry IS my first love... it's been ousted by flash fiction. But I'm working on re-kindling the love affair.

    I love how you always challenge yourself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Michelle. I love poetry too.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  16. I love poetry. I unintentionally took a class in college that focused on poetry and learned so much from the experience about writing, words, and style. I feel like if you can write poetry well, you can write anything well.

    With Love,
    Mandy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mandy 'n' Justin,
      I so agree with you. I too think that if you can write poetry well, you write anything well.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  17. I love this poem. Well written and evocative.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Replies
    1. Thank you, Rhonda. I like the play with words.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  19. I have never been able to get into poetry outside of Haikus. Not sure why either, so it always impresses me when people can do it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. While I was working this morning, a song played on the radio. It was so empowering that I stopped what I was doing and listened. I realized that I was thinking about you while listening. The song was not a bubble gum happy fuzzy, it was an emotionally charged message of shoulder - to - the - stone - and - push - through- it message. Are you seeing the connection? .big grin. This is the spirit you hold. Through your thoughtful posts (and replies) we the reader, get to see the struggles, break throughs, learning curves, and joyous yay moments.
    You have a way to make me think through hurdles and push on.
    Thank you for sharing the little parts of your life. I wish you continued blessings as you journey forth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Dear Friend,
      It has taken me a month to answer my postings. Sickness has touched the life of my hubby and I have more irons in the fire. Thank you so much for your encouragement and your loyalty. Thanks for giving me that boost that I need, and you do boost me up even when you don't realise it.
      It is such an honour to be able to call you friend.
      Sending you a big hug and love.
      Shalom aleichem,
      Pat G

      Delete
  21. Your poem delivers a wonderful message. Poetry is an amazing limitless world that the poet creates first for self, but ultimately for others to enjoy.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete

Your comment is waiting approval. Thank you for dropping by. Shalom, Pat Garcia