Reading What I Wrote

Reading What I Wrote

Feed back about my work has been mixed lately, those that liked it read it aloud; those who didn't like it didn't. Once my poems were read aloud, those that didn't suddenly did. So, I post this advice: read my poems out loud, you might just hear something you didn't know was there...

Monday, December 31, 2012

Ringing In The Year

Sitting here watching the evening pass
Waiting for the next year to start
Reading what others are saying
As the year begins to depart
Reliving things they have done
Or hoping for what next year will bring
All this seems so important
As the new year is about to ring
Why are we not like this on other days
In the middle of the year
When the calendar changes from June to July
What is it about January that brings this fear?

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Free Mixed Nuts!!

Mixed Nuts is free for the Next 5 days!! This book is a Kindle exclusive, so if you don't have a Kindle, please visit here for a Kindle app - all platforms including PC's and Macs!


© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Being Cut Off

My smart phone's brain died
My computer left miles away
How am I to communicate
As I do every day?
I find myself reaching
For the phone that doesn't work
Especially when waiting too long
(The guy in front of me - a jerk)
I want the distraction of the internet
Or some texting to be done
Or that stupid bubble game
That I think is so much fun
Anything but being here
In a line alone
Stuck without a thing to do
Without my "smart" phone

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

New Kindle eBook!!! Mixed Nuts



Hey all!! Just completed another collection of poetry. Mixed Nuts is available on Kindle now, for just $0.99 per download (or free with Amazon Prime membership!). This collection rounds out the "Box of Chocolates" series, which may or may not make it to paper - still debating on that!

I know I should be telling you how great the poetry included in Mixed Nuts is, but while I may be a prolific poet, I cannot for the life of me SELL it. I don't want to tell you what is in it, because I want you to experience it through your own reading, as "It Is Yours" will signify completely. While I believe what I have to offer is good stuff, my opinion isn't the one which matters, because in the end, the story is just words on a page until a reader transforms it into the story it becomes.

Please enjoy! (Reviews welcome!!) :)


© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Taking a few days....

Since I started this blog of poetry, I have been trying to keep to a new poem every other day, or every third day, or as close to that as I can come. The holidays are upon us, and I am now surrounded by family and friends to the point that my time is very limited. Therefore, I can't keep to that pace for this week. I will be back next week, with a new collection as well as some new poetry for you to read here.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Memories

Triggered by something
Haunting in their approach
Can't be contained
Always beyond reproach
New ones form
Old ones relived
Twisting into a past
Waiting to be forgived
Why do we keep them
To relish in the pain
To expound in the joy
Or to try to regain
The past we want to remember
Instead of the one we lived


© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Clear Path

Sometimes you just need a roadblock
To keep you from doing
That really stupid something,
The one that will be screwing
You for the rest of your life
The roadblock blocks your path
And keeps you in the clear
It holds back the wrath
Of the evil thing you could do
Or the stupid thought
It keeps you out of harms way
And from being caught
So why be angry
For something in the way
It could just be the one thing
That just saved the day

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Twisting, Turning, Upside Down

Emotions running amok
Around the heart and through the head
Can't see the light
So filled with dread
Over the end of the world
So soon will come
Freaking out
Over what will become
Of this world after the day
The Mayan calendar ends
Emotions so coiled
Over the media trends
Twisting, turning
And upside down
Freaking out
About to drown
Within the hype surrounding
Over the end of the world
That may never come

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Monday, December 17, 2012

Very, Very Bad Thing

Shut it down
Shut it out
I can't take it
Without a doubt
There is such a thing
As too much feeling
I feel it now
I hate it
Shut it out
I can't take it
There is more
I just know
But I can't see
Need to let go
But I can't
Shut it down
Shut it out
It is everywhere
It is everything
That is wrong
With this world
Rolled up in one
Very, Very bad thing.

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Saturday, December 15, 2012

In a Funk

Well, I logged onto facebook yesterday to find the most horrible news being posted over and over and over again. I turned on the tv and the same - the same bad news over and over and over again. I turned off both the computer and the tv.

My heart still hurts.

I don't know what else to say because I shut down. I don't want to feel, because it hurts too much. And without feeling, there isn't writing. I will wait to feel for tomorrow.

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

#121212Concert

Here I am on my couch, watching some of the best poets perform for the world in order to raise money for the people affected by Hurricane Sandy. I am in awe. I am overwhelmed. I am crying. Granted, most people would look at this concert performance so outside the world of poetry, because of the music, but it isn't. If you look at the song choices, the words, and the emotions they invoke, well, it is some POWERFUL stuff.

I am so far removed from any of the devastation, I might as well be on another planet. It's not that I didn't know about it - I just don't personally know anyone directly affected and it is in the part of the country I have never been. Seeing this, especially though the scope of music, well, I can't even begin to figure out how to explain it. The tears streaming down my cheeks do that for me I guess.

So moved, I logged onto the 121212Concert.org website to donate, just as most people must be doing. The webpage is down. I bookmarked and will be back, but in the meantime, I am writing this:

Sing me a song
Make me forget
The devastation we face
And this mess
Sing me a song
Make me smile
Past the heartache
That will be here a while
Sing me a song
Let others hear
Let them feel enough
To send money here
We need so much
But will never just ask
We help each other out
We finish our task
Your help is great
Don't get me wrong
Please sing just one more
We need another song
Before we go back
To clearing out our streets
Thank you for raising us up
Within these tiered seats
We may still be in the dark
Without sound
While we don't see, or hear,
We feel you all around

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Writing Something...

I must write every day
Or so all the experts say
But what will I write today?
Please not the same as yesterday
Make it something grand & new
Something no one else can do
Make it read, or green, or blue
Take it from that other clue
Give it a twist, make it smile
Read it, laugh, give it a while
Read it again, then beguile
The essence of writing style
Give the readers a good read
Send it out there, indeed
Bring it back in, at speed
Rewrite, redo, knead
Question all of the motivation
In the midst of innovation
Out of the conversation
That started from writing something.

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Holiday Cheer

Singing Christmas carols in the middle of the store
Loving life, while finishing the shopping chore
Wondering if this holiday cheer
Is better or worse this year
It feels different, somehow
As if time contorted now
Being as good as times past
When I enjoyed Christmas with my siblings last
Lemon meringue, spiked egg nog, and matching pj's
All the little, silly things we did, in all these special ways
The ache has lessened even if the distance hasn't
Because I found the perfect present.....

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks
All Rights Reserved

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Fiscal Cliff

Those of us working, can't see past tomorrow
Those of us not working, can't see past today
They throw this term at us
Fiscal Cliff
We don't know what it means
Fiscal is an accounting term; cliff is a terrain
They say we can't survive going over
Our government will go down the drain
We don't know why they fight
We just want it done
Give us some certainty
Come together as one
Before the end of the day
Gather round, give a solution
Don't fight over little stuff
Fix it for absolution
Because if we go over
And we don't survive
You'll be left to blame
Especially if we thrive
The anger is growing
Heavy in the air
Just make it so that we can endure
And live beyond compare


© 2012 Deanna Oaks

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Poet Laureate... A dream come true!


Last night, the Paulding County Writers' Guild (PCWG) named me their Poet Laureate. I am truly honored, and am blown away by how much my poetry means to the Guild.

I just don't know what else to say! Thank you to the PCWG!

© 2012 Deanna Oaks

Monday, December 3, 2012

Challenges...

Something of Nothing


A guy with a blog challenged me to write
Create something of nothing, right?
Well, I'm trying and trying for something
Coming up with absolutely nothing
The page stays blank, just like my stare
Wanting to rise beyond with this dare
But the harder the try, the less I succeed
At this writing thing, indeed
I wonder what happens when nothing happens twice
Will the page remain blank or something as nice
All of a sudden, the page starts to fill
About nothing, the topic begins to spill
Then the thoughts become so much more complex
Like poker, it is more about the cards in the decks
Rather than the substance in your hand
A thought, an idea, understand?
Wait, maybe I can make it more clear
You read this poem, it is here
This something of nothing that I wrote

© 2012 Deanna Oaks

Saturday, December 1, 2012

THANK YOU!!!

As a writer, I am always thinking everyone out there will hate me for what I write, or judge my writing in an unfavorable way (because let's face it, when it comes to what we read, we are ALL critics), or somehow figure out a way to keep me from writing. I write in my own little world, that no one (not even fellow writers) understand, as writing is such a personal endeavor  Given those things, I regard the writing I do with a sense of awe and wonder - and now I have some people to thank for pushing me in the write direction.

First, I have to thank Peggy of The Book Shelter in Hiram, GA. When I took several copies of my first  book of poetry (Lost Loves...Found Strength) to her store in 2008 and asked if she would sell them for me, she said "Yes" immediately. There were no questions about how it got published, if they can be returned if they didn't sell. The only question she had was, how much do you want to sell them for? After she read it, she proudly displayed my books right next to the register, so that all her customers can see them. Then, she invited me in for a reading. The reading didn't go over well, having only an audience of one person. Peggy didn't care about the lack of attendees; she kept inviting me back. Over the years, I have attended several of her author events, started mingling with other writers, and even formed a writer's group in her store. Peggy is the reason I continue to write. She keeps telling me how I shouldn't give up  as she wants good books to read and she can't have those books if the good writers stop writing. Every time I am about to give up, she contacts me with another wonderful event. She just KNOWS when I need a boost, and I am so very grateful for all of her support.

Then, I have to thank the members of the Paulding County Writers' Guild. Special thanks goes to founder Dana Richard Freeman - as his editing has kept me true to English, correct spelling and all. Without the insight and inspiration, my Kindle Books would not exist.

Lastly, I have to thank the readers out there...without you it is all for naught!

© 2012 Deanna Oaks

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Autumn Colors

Trees in Sunlight

In the Summer, these beautiful trees
Are green and glorious with all their leaves
But the Autumn lends such a better view
Oh such colors, changing hue
Blues from the sky, now clearly seen
And a little sprinkling of some evergreen
Reds, oranges and golds
And all the beauty they behold
Simmering sun with all of it's light
Shining this day with all it's might
Browns from branches and quick little squirrels
Give motion to this quiet, little world
So inviting and quiet within
Please enjoy - dive right in!

© 2012 Deanna Oaks

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Never Be Again


Visions of the falling sky, stuck in my head
Filling my mind with all sorts of dread
What will become of us, when the world crumbles apart
(Not all of us are zombie killers at heart)
While I feel, way deep down
That soon the world will be upside down
I don't know we should all prep
(Because some of us aren't adept)
Then the question arises, where to begin
What happens to the children who always win
The ones we never taught to lose
The ones who have everything they pick and choose
With little work, and all the pay
From the government and it's silver tray
Do we keep lifting them higher til our backs break
Because we never thought to take
Them through the school of hard knocks
(and keep them there with heavy locks)
We don't teach them to stand on their own
So they keep falling, even after they're grown
When the world crumbles down, they'll continue to pull
Upon our survival, as they did all through school
Then we will have a feeding frenzy for sure
Because we never taught them to endure
The world as it is, as it was, as it will never be again.


© 2012 Deanna Oaks

Monday, November 26, 2012

Thru the Woods

We go a bit further than over the hills
And through the woods
Usually uphill both ways
In snow
To get to where we need to be
Sitting in traffic
Fussy
Why do we gather?
To complain to each other
About the lives we lead
Or fail at
About the jobs we do
Or don't
The weather
The changing world around us
Faith, God or lack thereof
Trying to make sense of it all
When we are so connected through
Computers, TV, video conferencing, phones
Why do we still gather?
To energize ourselves
With the energy of others
Both those that charge us up
Or drain us out
Because the exchange of energy
Cannot be replaced
By the machines we make


© 2012 Deanna Oaks

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Rejection Letter....

I received a rejection letter yesterday. Can't say I am all that surprised, even though I was hopeful about my chances. Funny thing is, I'm not all that disappointed about the letter. I am not crushed, nor does it prevent me from doing what I have been doing my whole life. It is just a letter from a publisher. A letter which tells me that this particular publisher doesn't want to risk their effort (money) on my writing at this point in time. This letter does not tell me that my writing sucks, or that my writing isn't worth reading - it only tells me that this one publisher doesn't want to gamble with me this year. I could try the same publisher next year, or the other zillions of publishers this year, or wait, I could just continue doing what I am doing and publish straight to Amazon....

Yeah, I'm doing that. Screw getting letters. Rejection letters suck, even though I know it isn't me they are rejecting. Besides, it takes months & months to get some of these letters... I don't have time to wait for all 100 before some publisher decides I am worth their time. I am worth my time, so that is where I will be investing most of it.

Better to do it on my own, be "rejected" by those who don't read me, and earn money (even it if is only $0.35) while I am doing it. I don't write for the paycheck anyway, I write because I can't help it. I write because it is the only thing in the world that helps me to understand how I am feeling and why I am feeling it. It helps me get though the ups and downs of life. Even if no one reads a single thing I write, I still write it, because it is a part of me and who I am.

Thanks for reading, I needed that.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Black Friday Is Upon Me

With the holidaze approaching
The world becomes a blur
Of rude people, "black Friday" sales
And parking lots a bit too full
Family gatherings
Too much whine
Calendars full of parties
So many, not mine
I'm wondering how
We find ourselves
Within the onslaught
Of overfull store shelves
Advertisements, capitalism,
And working too many hours
Does it surprise me
That no one stops to smell the flowers
Or appreciate the gifts we receive -
(The ones we don't buy)
Like the fact we breathe....

Monday, November 12, 2012

Missing Friends

We gather, monthly
To discuss
What really matters
At least to us
Missing the gathering
Hurt me bad
But I couldn't help it
Given the choices I had
Sitting here, now
Missing my friends
Hoping they had fun
Before the gathering ends.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Wait a Minute....

That didn't work
Maybe this will
Start with something I know
Something real
An exciting event
or a bombed plan
Start with something I know
Something at hand

What am I saying?
Nothing.
Can't get this going
Totally blocked
All the rumbling
Am I completely xxxed?

Giving advice
Not following it
Can I be a writer
by wallowing in it?

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Writer's Block


I figured something out about the way I write. It seems that when I am in the midst of writing something and I stop from my own doing, I am able to pick up right where I left off hours, days, months, years after putting it down. However, when I am in the midst of writing something and am interrupted by someone or something – no matter if it is a guy at the coffee shop asking me for directions or my husband calling with an emergency – once I stop, I STOP. Dead stop with no going back. And, since that interruption feels like a failure (because my thoughts were interrupted, never to be regained again) the whole process has to be reset before I can start writing again.

So, here I am now, resetting myself because I made the mistake of trying to write using my cell phone when a call came in. I thought it would be easier for me to get my thoughts onto “paper” by having a handy writing tool right in the palm of my hand. Oh, how I wish I had never thought of that! I am much better with pen and paper… The paper doesn’t “disappear” when the phone rings.

I haven’t written much of anything, except a few notes on facebook and a few scribbles of garbage on scraps of paper I can’t even find right now. I need to write though, as my head is getting too full of things. I just can’t seem to get it down without feeling like I am failing in some matter because I lost that one thought about holding onto family traditions. I am still irked by the thought as well as the loss of that thought. It was something along the lines of losing family traditions because of changes within the family, and then I lose what I was going to say about it. A double whammy if I do say so myself.

Add to that a busy calendar and an increasing work load….and the block locks up my writing tighter than a cell at Alcatraz.

I just want to get back to writing the way I was writing a month or so ago. I couldn’t keep myself from writing. I think it is an addiction of some sort - here I am writing 390 words about how I lost my ability to write and now am trying to gain it back. Does that make me weird?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Sense of Belonging

My sense of belonging is dwindling every day
I guess that's what happens as you age
Family grows smaller, traditions become lost
Or they become outdated and tossed
Sadness has overcome me, in the worst way

For the traditions were all I had left
They were not given up but taken by theft

------------------------------- And that is were I was rudely interrupted by a person calling me on my cell phone. (More on that later.)

Monday, October 22, 2012

Credentials

So, I heard an ad on the radio today
Something about Lasik surgery
A doctor claiming "great credentials"
Because he was acclaimed by Delta Sky Magazine
It makes me wonder
What "acclaims" prove to be "great credentials"
Something so out of place
Like an airline giving a doctor kudos
Is it deserved?
Do people really believe this?
Can I do the same?
No.
Not worth the headache
Of putting up with the pretense
Of trying to justify
Something I think so untrue
What you see, is what you get
Good, bad, or ugly
Well, especially ugly
Because without the ugly
There'd be no beauty
And beauty is what we all seek
Even if we can't see it for what it is
Love of the deepest kind
Within everyone, everywhere, somewhere.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Unsure

Unsure if how to proceed
Especially of how you perceive
What I write of what I think
It's enough to make me drink
But I continue even though
Because of my desire to grow
Past where I am
                            to where I want to be





© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Day One

I have decided to add a blog
To my author's page
Hoping that I don't blow it
By trying to engage
In doing too much
Stretching too thin
Wanting to get the word out there
And the adventure to begin
So even though this day is the first
It will not be the last
And while I'll try post every day
Forgive me if one does pass
Without a word from me
Or on the written page
Because there is so much to do
Even at this early stage....

© 2012 Deanna Repose Oaks