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A Funny Thing is Happening - Joe Flach's Blog

About Joe Flach
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I WAS ME


First I was me,

Selfish as can be,

Wanting everything from A to Z

And wanting it all for me.


Then I became we,

A part of an us.

I learned to share, give and take

I learned how to trust.


Next I was you,

Believe me it's true.

I would rather give than receive,

It was you I wanted to please.


Now I am them,

A family man.

Giving my children,

All that I can.


If you look real close,

It is easy to see,

I am older and wiser,

And no longer a me.





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A Funny Thing is Happening

Blog Posted:6/22/2010 4:09:00 AM
 

A funny thing is starting to happen to me – and I happen to like it.

In my bio I admit that most of my creative writing has been, well, creative.  I state that most of my poems and narratives come from my imagination and are not true.

Now, all of a sudden, as I challenge myself to respond to your challenges in these many, wonderful contests, I am looking deep inside and, indeed, writing true stories about my past.

My poem, written for the Just Art contest, "It Hangs in My Office", is a true story.

My poem, written for the Images contest, “At Top of the Stairwell”, is a true story.

My poem, written for the Sweetheart contest, “Medals Around my Neck”, is a true story.

My poem, written for the Edge contest, "Heart Attack", is a true story.

My poem, written for the African contest, “My African Sister”, is a true story.

So, basically, I just wanted to publically thank all of the contest sponsors for helping me tap into my inner-being to apply my poetic self to telling a bit of my story.  These postings may not mean much to you and may not even be all that good, but they are having an amazing cathartic impact on me and I just wanted to say…

Thank You!

Sincerely,

Joe

(Just in case you are wondering - my poem, written for the Ankh contest, "I Have the Ankh to ThanK"...not true!)



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Date: 6/24/2010 7:52:00 AM
Tirzah, thanks for your input and your compliment. Yes, it is the different dimensions that keep this interesting and fun. Joe
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Date: 6/23/2010 3:52:00 PM
Joe-I agree wholeheartedly. I love the challenge that these contests present. I love exploring different dimensions of my mind and being! Writing about truths or fantasy or mixing them together and seeing what comes about! BTW I love your poem "Medals Around My Neck"~Tirzah~
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Date: 6/23/2010 12:22:00 PM
Thank you all for weighing in on this topic. Joyce, I agree that my poems reflect who I am and what I have experienced, I just mean to say that I write a lot of poems in first person voice which are not truly biographical. Many times people comment they are sorry for my loss, or hope that the relationship gets fixed, etc. - and I almost feel apologetic because, even though based on my experiences, the story is FALSE, FALSE, FALSE. Now, the poems I referred to above - are TRUE, TRUE, TRUE. Some folks, knowing my tendecy to fantisize have asked if they were really true, and I am glad to confirm they are. Adelke, I think your comment applies to all the poets on this site ;-) Joe
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Date: 6/23/2010 9:16:00 AM
great!
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Date: 6/23/2010 8:19:00 AM
Most of my poetry is based at least partially on the truth. Even "The Blue Rose which is an obvious fairy tale was dredged up from childhood memories of knights in shining armor stories.I believe that even the most imginative come from where or who you are or where you have been or want to be. Just my take on the situation. Love, Joyce
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Date: 6/22/2010 10:41:00 PM
You and me both, Joe--stumbling upon this site sure unleashed another dimension to my creativity that I never knew existed--I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I suppose that is one of those reasons, and of course to also find other kindred spirits that you mentioned ;) keep on writing! btw thanks for your comments in that poem for my brother--it really meant a lot and believe me it was more than enough. thank you :). --nikko :)
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Date: 6/22/2010 9:57:00 PM
It is an amazing thing, Joe. Finding that special poet within one's self. Keep on truckin Man! Agape, Moses
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Date: 6/22/2010 7:11:00 PM
Kirstie, if you think about this blog referring to a metamorphosis then your comment is right on. And I think yours is an interesting transformation as well.
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Date: 6/22/2010 1:55:00 PM
You know, this makes me wonder. I myself have always written poetry based on my life and true experiences. I think I will take the opposite from this and try my hand at fiction. I may suck at it, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try. I know it is not what you intended with this blog, but thanks for the idea all the same. Kirstie
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Date: 6/22/2010 1:19:00 PM
Andrea, Deb, James, Carrie, thank you so much for adding to my blog. Seems like I have ventured on a journey that others before me have taken. James, I am with you man, I have some of those poems and stories that are never to be shared. Joe
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Date: 6/22/2010 10:29:00 AM
I do think many of us have experienced this surprising development after beginning this poetry journey. We could save a lot of money in therapy...simply by pouring out our deepest thoughts...(which I have many time in my poetry). Great observation, Joe! ~ Carrie
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Date: 6/22/2010 8:26:00 AM
Hi Joe! my experience with truth....when the urge hits me to filter raw feelings that expose more of myself than I want...either....I tell the story in a metaphorical way....or....submit the poem to my "eyes only" vault....I got only a couple in there! can't soup'im! too many victims!!! good blog! Joe! jimbo
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Date: 6/22/2010 8:11:00 AM
You are too funny as are we all when we are at our best and realive we are NOT the center of the universe! Fantasy is fine (avid sci-fi, fantasy reader here!)but writing from experience gives the best results for ..you and the reader who can hopefully learn from us without the pain & with the pleasure! Welcome to the "grown-up" ;)club?
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Date: 6/22/2010 6:48:00 AM
It's wonderful when it playes out that way. I have managed to get about half my entries based on personal truth to some extent! and everything we do is based usually on life experience whether it happened to us or not. That was a nice thing you realized about your poetry. LUv, Andrea
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Date: 6/22/2010 6:39:00 AM
Constance, nikko, it actually makes me feel even happier to hear that the same sensations and transformations are taking place in others here as well. It seems there truly are some kindred spirits here. My poetry was a part of me unshared (and, perhaps unappreciated) by those who surround me. I am blessed to have found this site. Joe
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Date: 6/22/2010 6:26:00 AM
It is so true, Joe, the contests have also inspired me to go places within myself, I would not have gone. I have seen myself grow as a poet and a person, because of these contests. Even you titles, are beautiful, Joe ... and, I wish you continuing success with your writing endeavours... Love Constance
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Date: 6/22/2010 5:38:00 AM
Wow, Joe-- that is really something --and I'm really happy for you--that is amazing that so many of your recent writes are now based on your life :) I really can relate to what you're saying here, since I myself delve more into my imagination when it comes to writing but one poem in particular that I revised for Frank's Images contest hit me the hardest, since it's true--and I feel that it has been truly cathartic to just bare a genuine piece of your heart and soul for others to read...these contests sure have been inspiring!
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My Past Blog Posts

 
A Voice from the Past with Hope and Encouragement
Date Posted: 1/29/2018 10:58:00 AM
Another Short Story
Date Posted: 1/11/2016 6:59:00 PM
A Short Story
Date Posted: 1/7/2016 7:38:00 PM
Imperfections
Date Posted: 8/6/2014 6:32:00 PM
A Promise to Myself
Date Posted: 7/23/2014 10:21:00 AM
A Question for My Fellow Poets - Men and Women
Date Posted: 6/24/2014 9:00:00 PM
Everybody Has a Holy Grail
Date Posted: 6/22/2014 3:37:00 PM
Maya Angelou
Date Posted: 5/28/2014 10:01:00 AM
Very Punny Stuff
Date Posted: 5/21/2014 6:47:00 PM
Seeing Your Child Off to War
Date Posted: 5/9/2014 1:04:00 PM
Tears for Oso
Date Posted: 5/6/2014 5:52:00 PM
A New Milestone
Date Posted: 4/29/2014 12:46:00 PM
Walk A Mile in Her Shoes - Today's the Day - UPDATED WITH PICTURES FROM THE WALK
Date Posted: 4/25/2014 10:42:00 AM
Walk A Mile in Her Shoes - Contest Winners Posted
Date Posted: 4/21/2014 12:32:00 PM
Strangers Helping Out - One Donation at a Time
Date Posted: 3/31/2014 11:23:00 AM
An Update on the "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" Contest
Date Posted: 3/27/2014 3:25:00 PM
If I Could Enter My Own Contest - Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
Date Posted: 3/12/2014 12:27:00 PM
Walk A Mile in Her Shoes
Date Posted: 3/12/2014 12:38:00 AM
Harder Than it Seems
Date Posted: 3/7/2014 5:02:00 PM
Taking a Stand
Date Posted: 3/4/2014 10:46:00 AM
The 12th Man Includes Women Too
Date Posted: 2/22/2014 3:51:00 PM
Excuse My Brag
Date Posted: 2/20/2014 2:19:00 PM
Walking Fools
Date Posted: 2/17/2014 12:26:00 PM
Finding Evidence that Someone Found Use for One of my Poems
Date Posted: 2/10/2014 1:31:00 PM
What a Super, Super Bowl
Date Posted: 2/3/2014 2:20:00 PM

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