#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

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

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

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

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

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

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