Category: Uncategorized
Dark Room
I wish I could chart my feelings
like and equation, but I was
never any good at math.
I’m a star pupil in self doubt.
My inner little demon stomps
all over my heart in her red boots.
My spirt has been left
to air out in the sun.
I find comfort between a rock
and stone, developing a self
portrait of a soul still unknown
who survives on parlor tricks,
and a floating photo frame.
Patterns of wants and desires
on pale face illuminated in the
ghost light of lost years.
I’m trying so hard to negate a negative space,
posing in black and white. Finding color
in the multiplicity of things. I transcribe
the image maker script into what I meant to say.
-Tosha Michelle
All American Girl
I wish I could look through fog,
live the serene life
be content to catch
the sun I can.
I, who’ve been pressed
and molded into
some American dream,
feel more confined
than liberated.
The back story- I’m more
a wanderer than a watcher
More enticed by the exotic
than familiar. I confess.
I’m unsettled.
Today’s wind tugs at me.
The sky urges me to fly.
My mouth hungry for the nectar
of fallen fruit
Inside my heart, an escape plan.
Outside my body glued
to habit and structure.
Rebellion turns my head.
It clings to me like mist.
Briefly, my ribs expand and
I flutter before reality
pulls me back.
Heaving then settling.
Leaving me with
the sticky aftereffects
and in that interlude,
I know my soul would soar
if my mind would only
let it.
-Tosha Michelle
My cover of “Underneath” by Adam Lambert. This song has so much meaning for me. (Dedicated to Heather, Niles, Jane, Terry, Larry, Jennifer,Ian, Diane and all my lovely friends. Thanks for putting up with me.
Nothing but Treble
Two covers by yours unruly.
I Wish
I wish I could shield you,
from sorrows.
From the broken candy dish,
the alarm clock
that always rings too early,
the frayed ends
of a doormat,
Donald Trump’s hair,
the economy that
never truly recovers.
I would save you from
endless bills, the sink
that always leaks.
Depression that leads
to pill filled mornings.
The inglorious path
to old age.
The trumpet’s ominous sound.
You say that’s life, baby.
Make love and music
while you can.
Praise the rhythm of living.
Follow the wind
of your heart.
Happiness starts
when we leap, when we fall.
When we infuse our
bodies with sugar and
spark, squeaky hinges
and all.
-Tosha Michelle
The photo and cat are mine.
The Soul Collects Thorns
The soul collects thorns.
The heart hoards regrets.
The mind feast on memories.
The rose profligates.
We were a mutation,
a fender bender, a war
yet some piece of you lingers
in me and I won’t give it back.
The shrapnel remains in the wound.
Think of the stain
that never comes off a shirt.
The burn mark on an empty pan,
left too long on the stove.
Just because we’ve had more than we could take
doesn’t mean we wanted too much.
-Tosha Michelle
My cover of “Love Yourself”
Kindergarten baby
Her poetry so simple.
God, strictly elementary.
Sometimes the poet wishes
to sing what she means.
She has no time for red velvet stars
or a cinnamon moon.
The flash of alliteration
or wandering couplets.
She prefers the bunny
in the hat.
She’s not trying to entertain
or get your cash.
She doesn’t mix her ink
or words.
She sometimes speaks in doubt,
she writes with her crayons out.
Her instructions are easy to read
but this isn’t some syntax
by numbers kit.
She cultivated metaphors and
coordinates for her mind.
Schooled in sadness,
she attempts enlightenment.
Prays to the paper on her desk,
while turned to some interior
door covered in blue.
Offers her soul in heartstrings
and unencumbered truth.
Sometimes the poet wants you
to understand the music
under the air,
to notice the
Milky Way
of scars.
The complexity of cotton.
that goes beyond shimmer
and lace.
She doesn’t need you to toss her
a rose or two.
She just hopes you understand
the subtle cadences of her bird song,
spinning in hope’s current,
looping back art
to a natural sound.
-Tosha Michelle
The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award
My thanks to the lovely and talented Geetha B for this nomination. Please check out her exquisite poetry at:
https://geethaprodhom.wordpress.com/
The Rules
Say “Thank You” to the person who nominated you & link their blog to your post.
Answer the 10 questions given to you.
Pass the award on to 7 other bloggers and let them know they have been nominated.
Include the Award Badge in your post.
The Answers. (drum roll, please)
What made you want to start your blog?
– My friend Niles held a gun to my head and made me. No, really, he was always going on about how wonderful WordPress was. I finally decided to see what all the Niles buzz was about. I have to say, I am extremely grateful that he directed me here. The blogging community is so supportive. This is my favorite place to be on-line. People are so kind. It’s such a drama free environment
2. What have you wanted to do on your blog but haven’t yet? Why not?
– win a Nobel Peace Prize:) Honestly, I can’t think of anything. Perhaps, posting nude photos. I kid!!!!
3. Name one item on your bucket list, or more if you like?
– I would love to meet Jon Stewart. I’m a tad obsessed with him and James Purefoy. It’s totally innocent. I just want Jon to feed me grapes while Purefoy (with his lovely British accent) recites Shakespeare.
I would also like to get my MFA in creative writing. I already have one Masters degree, what’s one more? Oh, only a few thousands of dollars more in student loan debt. Meh.
4. What is your biggest fear
-the loss of my children. I never want to outlive them.
5. What is your best moment in life?
– the birth of my two daughters.
6. With New Years fast approaching, do you make resolutions? If so, name one. If not, why don’t you like to make them?
– I don’t. I think you should resolve to be better everyday
7. If you could host a challenge on your blog, what kind would it be?
– one to see who could pay off my student loans the fastest. 😉
8. What was the name of your first pet? What do you remember the most about them?
– it was a cat named Squirrel. In hindsight, kind of a silly name for a feline. I remember as a five year old, I thought it would be neat to see if he could swing. He couldn’t, but he was a superb clawer.
9. Did you ever go to a high school reunion? Was it fun or not?
– I went to my tenth. It was fun. I was such a nerd in high school. People were shocked by how much I had changed. Note, I’m still a nerd, I just dress better.
10. Do you have a pet peeve?
-so many but the main one- rude people. Manners matters. Kindness matters. Validation matters. It take so little to say thank you, you’re welcome, please, etc.
Now for the hard part.
The nominees
There are so many amazing women here. It’s hard to pick only a few. I love you all!
1. Stephanie from http://boldblindbeauty.com/
She’s truly an inspiration.
2. Meg from http://megdekorne.com/ an absolute delight.
3. Sarah from https://thesarahdoughty.wordpress.com/ She writes beautifully
4. L. T. Garvin from https://broussardlana.wordpress.com/ Author and word goddess
5. Sanghamitra from https://sanghamitrachakrabarty.wordpress.com/ Poet and just a lovely human being.
6. Rachel from https://findingrachelsway.wordpress.com/ Her writing is so raw and real.
7. Cooper Cranes https://coppercranes.wordpress.com/ One of my favorite poets on WordPress.
Questions for Nominees
What made you want to start your blog?
2. What have you wanted to do on your blog but haven’t yet? Why not?
3. Name one item on your bucket list, or more if you like?
4. What is your biggest fear?
5. What is your best moment in life?
6. With New Years fast approaching, do you make resolutions? If so, name one. If not, why don’t you like to make them?
7. If you could host a challenge on your blog, what kind would it be?
8. What was the name of your first pet? What do you remember the most about them?
9. Did you ever go to a high school reunion? Was it fun or not?
10. Do you have a pet peeve?
Dragon Tales
I’ve been nominated for the Dragon’s Loyalty award by The Passionate Shepard. If you like your poetry on the romantic and sensual side, be sure to follow his blog
https://thepassionateshepherd.wordpress.com/
I am usually terrible at following up on these awards but when the shepherd calls,. I answer. I’m just a humble sheep. 🙂
The rules are:
•Display the award on your blog.
•Announce your win with a post and link the blogger who nominated you.
•Present 6 deserving bloggers with the award. (Scroll Down)
•Link your awardees in the post.
•Write 7 interesting things about you.
Facts (I’ll let you decide if they are interesting or not):
1. I always mishear lyrics. For example, the song Caribbean Queen. The lyrics ‘She brushed by me in painted bluejeans”. I heard. “She touched my mink and blamed it on me”. That doesn’t even make sense.
2. I’m bit OCD when it comes to cleaning. Sadly, I live with a bunch of slobs. Lucky for them, they happen to be adorable.
3. I was a nerdy, awkward kid. I’m a slightly less nerdy adult, but still incredibly awkward.
4. I’m gullible. My family finds this amusing. They are always trying to trip me up with outlandish stuff Example The Fonzie bird. Don’t ask. Just know I fell for it. I’m not stupid. I always excelled at academics. I’m just susceptible to nonsense 🙂
5. I appear to be meek, soft spoken, and sweet BUT I can be stubborn and temperamental. I’ll cut you! Kidding (hides knife)
6. In college, I had a band with my boyfriend Matt. We played festivals, wrote our own music, and thought we were the sh**. We weren’t 🙂 However, I’m free to sign autographs after this blog post. 😉
7. I love people and have many acquaintances. I give freely of my time. I’m often overwhelmed. However, when it comes to friends. I only have a handful. I open myself up to a select few.
Now for my nominates. 😉
1. Geetha her poetry is beautiful (as is her heart)
https://geethaprodhom.wordpress.com/
2. Christian- he’s a wonderful writer I’m hooked on his prose. His face isn’t bad either.
This is My Therapy
3. Niles- Southern gentleman, Arsenal fan,tea drinker, lover of women and books. He’s also one of my best friends.
http://jamesdennard.com/
4. Eric- poet extraordinaire and a really lovely human being.
https://myswordandshield.wordpress.com/
5. Deb- the Midwest wonder. This woman can write her pen off.
http://cdogco.com/
6. Jane- the queen of snark, condos, goldfish, and photography. (also a one of the chosen few) Check out her beautiful photos here.
https://perceptionsphotographybyjane.wordpress.com
The Bliss of Madness
I always find meaning
in madness.
It’s hard to know
who we are at times.
Our attention wavering
before the buttons are undone.
Plans run off with good ideas.
The future -crumbling paper mache
Our art supplies scattered
on the floor.
Now what will we do
with our hands?
Let’s put on
our mad hatter shoes.
Lose the map.
No phrase book needed.
Grab your backpack of
sin.
Take my arm.
I’ll be the voo doo
you do.
Try and not trip over my
tangled spirit.
Come with me
and let’s stroll down
a road that
will never lead to Rome,
but might lead to precinct
of hell.
Don’t worry, darling,
we can play king of the hill
on the torrid slope.
We can rattle the gates
Break the windows.
Take all that’s nimble
Dine on crumb cake
and bitter tea.
Jazz up the day.
Sun up the night.
Trust in chance and
let the cocoon unravel.
Afterwards, we’ll
distract the unmoored
shadows, and frolic with
sanity’s debris, while
madness steals the sky.
-Tosha Michelle
Everything I Never Told You 