Nothing is sexier, to me,
than the sharpest end
of self-understanding
Your quiet control,
excruciating stare,
command of movement,
voice,
self-direction,
and true intention
You are
where the stage ends
and life begins
Everything else is chaos
The maddening gnats,
the people too,
who never learn direction
or anchored purpose
You make me believe
in possibility!
That I were Clarice!
Your eyes waiting for me,
breaking me down
to the seed of existence!
Hold the muscle of my heart
in your hand
and rename love
“Would you ever say to me stop?”
This morning we jogged early
I was back in my flat by six-thirty
From my tenth floor view of the Charles River basin,
The morning was incandescently flushed by the peach-colored sun.
The transparent clouds seemed stylistically stained, artfully workshopped,
which offered a softened, Tiffany glass effect wholly worthy of worship.
I can’t stop to admire it. I’m jamming things into suitcases.
Cramming things into boxes, giving things away.
I had a second interview Monday afternoon, for Johns Hopkins med school. They put the question to me:
“The semester starts in 18 days - can you do that?”
“Yes,” I replied, and just like that, I'm a Blue Jay.
Of course, I had to withdraw from the masters program but Harvard gave me a full (95K) refund - I think they’re more excited about my med school admission than I am.
I’m not afraid of discordant notes.
They change the landscape.
Take us to new emotional places.
Any major work is going to have them.
.
.
A song for this:
Hang on Little Tomato by Pink Martini
It's Amazing by Jem
ONE:
Is our Near East in Asia? Are Israelis "Asians"?
People from India are called South Asians
The same folk in Caribbean are East Indians!
Fancy that: West Indians being called East Indians
STOP: DON'T BLAME COLUMBUS
He simply said, Indios! You say South Asians
But I don't see North Asians, East Asian, or West Asians!
Two (2):
Now, Arabs are classed WHITE in USA
These South Asians are not
I guess Near East is WEST enough
Unless you are bad, bad Saddam - cast out
I means Indians being called anything but!
What gives?
The labelling police got me bad
(At John's Hopkins University way back when
I was a "meek Hindu." I did sue @ JHU)
Jesus made me a "meek" CHRIST-ian
Following the Meek of the Middle East
Holy Land's Meek Moses, man of God
THREE (3)
IN A NUTSHELL
This South Asian is really South African
A nutty situation: I'm not African African
Here they don't use ASIAN, but "Indian South African"
Yet if Whites can be "Afrikaner," why cant I?
I speak Afrikaans
Even pray when i evangelize, in daardie Taal!
Dankie Here, in die Naam can Die Vader, Seun en Heilige Gees amen
"The world is charged with the grandeur of God."
Quote by _ Gerald Manley Hopkins
(1844-1889)
I look at beautiful nature and I am awed,
And though my life has been one of sorrow;
I always look forward to my tomorrow _
Though broken- I have created a lovely facade.
Sadly, I have lived a life doomed to be flawed,
But, I lose myself among bird echoes in a meadow:
And within the peace and quiet of falling snow_
Oh, look at nature! How can you not be aw'd?
___________________________
November 13, 2022
Poetry/Rhyme/Awed By Nature
Copyright Protected, ID 11-1501-995-13
All Rights Reserved, 2022, Constance La France
Written for the Premiere contest, 2022 Poetry Marathon, Mile 20
sponsor, Mark Toney, Judged 11/24/2022
If we can’t agree on fifty-one percent
of what affects us both
we’re doomed
Like the baby and the bathwater
our future lost
in critical disdain
All politics of division
a self-imposed, self-righteous
Armageddon
The brotherhood of humanity
sacrificed
—on its dying altar of shame
(Tribute To Anthony Hopkins: July, 2022)
The dominoes fall, yours or another’s, life
hurts your heart, your brain - feels insane.
Where does one turn - do you make calls,
run to church, grab a blanket, roll into a ball?
The call went out to the saints of God… I am
surrounded by the Holy Spirit-filled faithful. The lamb
had his eyes on me. Why me? Why not? I’m his…
I give him my heart, as he teaches me what is.
His word keeps me going, and prayer; and Him.
A relationship with Jesus keeps me going. Slim
was my fullness, now I’m fat with mercy and grace.
My joy I am showing, knowing I’ll move into his place.
What keeps me going when times are tough?
Savior who gave his all for me. He is enough!
4/9/2022
Sponsor: Cecilia Hopkins-Drewer
My faith moves me
As much as it moves
Mountains
Past obstacles,
Past gargantuan roadblocks.
Sometimes,
I'm a stalled old jalopy
On a frenetically busy freeway,
Out of gas.
It's a challenge
To push ahead
When there's no one
To fuel your engine
With the magic phrase...
"Don't give up."
Words of encouragement
Give me the impetus
To keep propelling forward,
No matter how punishing
The journey.
What Keeps Me Going Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Cecilia Hopkins-Drewer
Date written: 04/08/2022
Every drop that falls from the sky
Can transform into a pearl;
Every leaf that falls from a tree
Can turn out to be a greeting card;
If you have faith in God and yourself.
The more you live in faith,
The better you make your way in the world.
No doubt, pandemics and wars are disturbing;
Leading your life unaffected is challenging.
But, it’s your faith in future that keeps you going.
What keeps me going Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
Date: 09-04-2022
Place: 9th
ENJOY LIFE
I keep going on being strong and optimistic.
I meet morals melting mind in modesty
I admit that Life is reflection of a game
Rare chance to win or fair chance to lose.
Ready for conflict to confront at each front
being cool, energetic, or aggressive.
I approach running, rippling
in symmetry or asymmetry
leaving rhythmic charming patterns.
I respect ruthless truth,
morals on journey of life,
at ease or at strife.
In drama of life I play role
of dauntless warrior.
I keep going on erecting my head.
04/08/22
'What keeps me going on'
Contest by Cecelia Hopkins Drewer
What keeps me going in these cruel days?
Feeling my dogs' warm bodies next to mine.
Reading a poem that makes my heart sing,
or one so beautiful, it will bring tears.
Talking with friends as hours pass like minutes
Laughing over an old joke we've all heard.
Reading a beautifully-written book.
Listening to music, lost among thoughts.
Catching breaths of a gentle rain shower.
Listening to mockingbird sing refrains.
A gentle breeze that tickles face and flower
Finding new buds on young plants of summer
Searching stars on a quiet, moon-filled night.
Feeling the lightness of spring in the air
Letting soft evening lift my worried mind
hoping the World will find its long way home.
April 3, 2022
for What Keeps Me Going Contest ~ FIFTH PLACE
by Cecelia Hopkins Drewer
Syllable check: howmanysyllables.com
The hope that comes alive
On the inside
When I allow God to smile
Through my life
Forever alive, a light
Shining bright, glimmering
On the inside…
The faith that sings of thanks
On the inside
When I allow God to inspire
My heart and soul
My entire life and spirit
With belief that is so tender
On the inside…
The love that dances to life
On the inside
When I allow God to stir
The wonder of His adoration
His gift of affection
His blessings of protection
On the inside…
This hope, faith and love
From God above
On the inside of my heart
Where I know He is alive
Burning out a promise
That He will always keep me going!
What Keeps Me Going Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
April 3, 2022
If last year really sucked for you,
my guess: likely this year will too.
For happiness in circumstance
can prove a vicious little dance,
A trap that you cannot improve,
because a rut looks like a groove;
you try to force your luck to switch,
and slide off in another ditch.
For joy depends not on a place,
but on a person full of grace
who came into a world on fire
to rescue those whose need is dire.
Do trials in life just disappear?
Ahead lies toil, this much is clear,
but being anxious is a waste
of time with which we have been graced.
So don’t place hope in a new year,
but in a savior who’s drawn near.
Then all your days will turn to bright;
yes, all is well, all things made right.
————-
Second Place Winner
for the What Keeps Me Going Poetry Contest
sponsored by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
written on 04/01/2022
Similar to Noah's, and in an analogous way,
That was the catalyst for the rise of the rainbow.
After the flood, Noah has warranted the decay,
This pledge will be obvious on the display.
Each dream we extol deserves deeming.
Depict a slew of rainbows into your living.
Our chimeras will bedim if we don't believe.
Each one reiterated faith and perspective.
We will be unparted from our everlasting love.
And the congruence warrant will not once shove.
God granted us a rainbow that glittered in the sky.
So that he could corroborate his powerful allay.
In the midst of the most hallowed light.
Though doubt frequently gives way to sight.
And consider living by faith rather than trust
That's what keeps you going and it is a must.
Sobbing may continue throughout the night.
As of yet, delight will return shortly after that.
In all its splendor in the early morning light.
There'd be no affliction if the stain had not spat.
Written: March 31, 2022
What keeps me going Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
I ask the Lord, as I look high up above
What keeps me going....Is it just love?
I love- The sun, smiling...and the floating snow
I love- To watch the swirling winds...........Blow
I love- The oceans, the mountains and all trees
I love- The feel of nature's....................breeze
I love- To watch the full-moon..................sink
I love- To see the North Star....................wink
I love- To wake up..........and stretch and yawn
I love- To see the sunrise at the brink, of dawn
I love- The animals, the creatures and the fish
I love- removing rose petals.....to make a wish
I love- My family and I love....all of my friends
I love- We get wings, when one's...,...life ends
I love- My grandkids, my children and my wife
I love- All the people, that are part...of my life
I love- All these things, it just keeps my love growing
I love- My life, and that's what's keeping.....me going
What Keeps Me Going Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
3-29-2022
My mind bubbles over with happy thoughts
When all is down, I think all systems are go,
I refuse to let myself get tied up in knots
There are two sides to every coin, you know,
You can flip it to heads or you can flip to tails
Being sad and gloomy is a personal choice,
Choosing to be happy and uplifting never fails
Select a happy tune to sing with your voice.
For most of two years I’ve been in quarantine
I used that time to hone some writing arts,
And made many friends while doing so, e’en
While learning a lot from welcoming hearts.
So, even though much is wrong in our world
And we have ample opportunity to despair,
I chose to keep my better spirits unfurled
Living my days with joyful pizzazz and flair.
THIRD PLACE WINNER
Written March 29, 2022
for "What Keeps Me Going" poetry contest
sponsored by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
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