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Rhonda Johnson-Saunders | + Follow Poet |

Fa-Lal-La, Finding Enthusiam

Singing in the Rain by fodyne By the time I teetered on my first bike I learned to fa-la-la sing through life suffering smothered by stories in song I found friends on the B-side of my sorrow in lyrics I transformed from pain to poetry lost myself in music secluded in elusion numb to disappointment grounded in melodies my world kept spinning but I balanced with my fa-la-las on flimsy foundation Enthusiasm mounted in fantasy With every fa-la-la I survived one more day even if my insides weakened warped wounded I could feel sure shielded unshackled or like someone else with a fa-la-la If the arms that held me let me down I would sing and the storm stopped squalling I existed between a fine line of quietude and emptiness On dark days I still sing in the rain A childhood of - I would rather be in control than face my day I would rather be singing than feeling anything My fa-la-la fairytale enthusiasm and escape written 6/18/20 Contest- Enthusiasm Sponsor – Caren Krutsinger

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Sam Kauffman

Date: 7/6/2020 8:20:00 PM

I will never again be able to sing Fa-La-La-La-La with anything but seasonal enthusiasm - at the of my lungs! Congratulations, Rhonda! Fa-La-La forever!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 7/6/2020 10:38:00 PM

Me too! Just discovered that singing releases endorphines! You are a wise lady. Blessings

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 7/6/2020 8:30:00 PM

Thanks, Sam. I still play music and sing when I'm sad or stressed. :) Rhonda xx

Aditi Mishra

Date: 7/5/2020 1:59:00 PM

This is such an inspirational poem Rhonda. Love how you have woven powerful emotions of sadness, faith and hope in a musical rhythm. That fa-la-la leaps hopes in every verse. This is a fave for me. Congratulations on your win. Blessings and love :)

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 7/6/2020 8:27:00 PM

Thanks so much, Aditi...so sweet of you, and I'm grateful for the fave. :) Rhonda xx

John Watt

Date: 6/27/2020 11:16:00 PM

Music makes such a wonderful escape, whether it's listening to it, singing along with records, or attempting to make it on whatever instrument is nearby. I always enjoy writes about music, but you brought so much depth to this with personal history and using music to combat personal struggles and memorialize triumphs. Sing through life! Well done, Rhonda, GL in the contest ~ John

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/30/2020 8:03:00 PM

Thanks, John. It's amazing how music skips the senses and goes straight to the soul. I still escape to favorite songs when I need a break. Blessings, Rhonda xx

Arturo Michael

Date: 6/19/2020 11:31:00 AM

You did a good job with this one... with only words and spaces...

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/30/2020 7:59:00 PM

Thank you, Arturo! Blessings, Rhonda xx

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 6/19/2020 9:41:00 AM

This is such a dreamy poem with a twist of fa la la thrown in to create the makings of a beautiful song. I love your talent, friend. Many prayers and blessings, Gina

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/30/2020 7:58:00 PM

Thank you, Gina! I was trying to bring a lightness to a serious subject. Blessings to you, Rhonda xx

Gershon Wolf

Date: 6/18/2020 8:46:00 PM

Great!!f What fun! And such a sensitive write too... Deck the halls with... ha,ha! I don't even know the real words anymore. Can you imagine? I turned a lot of Christmas carols into silly Jewish/Yiddish rhymes, such as Deck the halls with Hanukka latkes, fa-la-la... Tis the season to light oiled shmatkes (old rags), etc. Anyway, as Julie Andrews taught us: A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, in a most delightful way ('Mary Poppins.') Cheerio, Rhonda! :) gw

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/30/2020 7:56:00 PM

Thanks for the kind words and laugh, Gershon. I'll never sing Deck the Halls again without thinking of your latke variation. Blessings, Rhonda xx

Rico Leffanta

Date: 6/18/2020 1:40:00 PM

Edith Piaf is a wonderful example of a woman happy to sing - for her supper, or otherwise! As it came from her heart, she achieved international acclaim! Best to you! Aloha! Rico

Rico Leffanta
Date: 6/19/2020 1:34:00 PM

Before your time, I suppose, but even if you don't speak one French word, she is worth listening to. You know her songs, e.g., "Autumn leaves", "The Three Bells", "No, I regret nothing" "Hymne a l'amour," " La vie en rose", "Milord" et al! Aloha! Rico

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/18/2020 6:32:00 PM

Another singer I'm not familiar with. I cannot sing a note, but it has never stopped me. Thanks, Rico! Blessings, Rhonda xx

Jan Allison

Date: 6/18/2020 12:00:00 PM

such an emotional piece Rhonda I think many find solace in music especially at difficult times in their lives as music can be so uplifting even during the darkest days, hope this poem places well for you in the contest:-) hugs jan x

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
Date: 6/18/2020 6:29:00 PM

I'm a terrible singer, Jan, but I love music. When I was a kid, I knew every word to every song on the radio. I loved my records and going to concerts. You already know about my Andy Gibb crush. :) Thanks for the visit. Rhonda xx