Hello Everyone -
First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my poetry. The comments and support have been one of the most uplifting experiences of my life.
Poem for the First Grade
The first time I wrote a poem it was an assignment given to the class by our First Grade teacher. I remember sitting cross-legged on the floor in the living room. We not only had to each write a poem, but we had to engrave it on a piece of tin that was wrapped around a piece of cardboard. We could also decorate our poem with pictures. I still have the original work to this day. I wrote the poem, stored it, and forgot about it for the next eight or nine years.
High School Poems
And then one day (probably when I was in ninth grade), for no apparent reason, I remember sitting down on the floor of my bedroom, back up against my bed, and writing three poems. It was in the afternoon, after school. I only showed them to my best friend at the time. Of course, she became my biggest fan...liking everything I wrote (whether it was good or not).
After that, I continued to write on my own. There were no poetry writing assignments in high school. However, there was a high school literary magazine. I started submitting poetry to that and some of my poems were published under my maiden name.
College Poems
I continued writing while attending college under a pseudonym - Marashi. Had a couple of poems published in a literary magazine. Took a couple of English courses related to poetry, but I have never learned as much as I have here at Poetry Soup.
Crevice of Illusion - Three Volumes
In 1973, two of my poems were published in Volume III of Crevice of Illusion under my pseudonym - Mararshi. This was a three-volume anthology that included poetry by United States college students. Publisher: Jay Elliot
Married Life
After my husband and I married, I wrote sporadically - and that's when I started writing limericks. The first two limericks I wrote were for a contest sponsored by a Mall in Michigan. Winning poems and other not-so winning poems were posted at the Mall (in the same way that artwork is posted) for people to read.
Life as a Parent
I continued to sporadically write after becoming a parent. There were always so many other activities and responsibilities that took precedence that finding time to write usually was not possible. My mind was into accomplishing a certain number of tasks one day to the next. I did take notes and store ideas as much as I could.
Life after the Discovery of Poetry Soup
Poetry Soup has been the most inspirational poetic avenue in my life...or rather the poets who frequent this site are...o.k. a combination of the site and the people are the most inspirational to me. After I accidentally found this site, I realized what I had been missing for many years - contact with people who see the world in poetic terms and feedback from those people. It is so inspiring to receive feedback from people all over the world and know that you have made some impact on their day. It is also enlightening and educational to read other poets' work. It's amazing to see how other people's minds view the different aspects of our lives and the world.
What's Next?
My goal is to continue to be part of Poetry Soup and grow as a poet in ways that I am not even aware of yet. May you flourish, as well.