Category: poetry

Gumball Machine Ring
Humor · poetry · Writing

Gumball Machine Ring

Amy37 Comments

I’m sure you don’t remember

That day when I saw you at the grocery store

It was three years ago

I had just seen you somewhere else

Sometimes I like to spend quarters

At the gumball machines

(High stakes finance these days)

I was trying to get a real gemstone ring

(They’re real to me)

But I kept ending up with plastic

Claddagh

Puffy hearts

A slug (?)

And initial rings that looked like candy

I was concentrating

Crouched in front of the gumball machine

Turning the silver knob

Hoping for the gemstone

Just like when I was a kid

And I got a real mood ring

Anyway

I heard

“Two times in one day?“

I knew your voice instantly

I turned my head to look at you

Standing there with a grin

As you blocked the egress

And old ladies tutted you

You were oblivious

Your cart filled with toilet paper

“I’m busy getting a gemstone

And you’re blocking traffic“

I couldn’t help but smile

My tone fake stern

The people behind you were forming a 15 person queue

You left and I went back to spinning the silver dial

Kind of like Russian Roulette with quarters

Anyway

The next spin got me a puffy plastic blue initial ring that looked like candy

It was your initial

I had no more quarters

I went to my car and loaded it up

I saw your car still there in the parking lot

A thought popped into my head

I giggled and grabbed the ring

I ran to your car

You were surprised

Out of breath

I said

“Here, this is for you

It’s a real gemstone”

You were perplexed, but took it

I turned to run back to my car

Smiling

You yelled after me

“Hey, does this mean we’re engaged?”

I turned around

Far away now

“Yeah!” I yell-laughed

I giggled all the way back to my car

Maybe we should get married

At the playground?

©️2024, itsamyisaid.com, all rights reserved

That I’m a Talented Writer
chick lit · daily prompt · fiction · poetry · tennis · Women’s literature · Writing

That I’m a Talented Writer

Amy45 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What was the best compliment you’ve received?
View all responses

From the first time it was said to the present, I am truly humbled and appreciative. There is no greater feeling than releasing what lives in your mind and heart to the outside world, and having people identify, relate and enjoy it. Even if it’s not feel-good reading material – perhaps especially then: when the subject matter is dark and from deep within, yet people absorb, reflect and are sometimes without words – stunned, overwhelmed. It is a risky venture to share one’s work. It can be met with unfavorable comments. There is a level of vulnerability that one must accept as a writer. In the beginning it was very difficult to be vulnerable, to risk being not enough, and to accept criticism as well as praise. I appreciate everyone who reads my words, regardless of their opinion of them. But for the ones who do enjoy reading my words, and for those who do identify with them, it buoys my soul. There is no greater compliment.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate you all.

* featured photo is of me holding the author’s proof of the first version of my book. I made many changes and from those changes became what the novel is now. But, boy was I so proud to have that book in my hands.*

La Vie en rose
poetry

La Vie en rose

Amy32 Comments

“Life in Pink”

Art by Kevin – beginningatlast9.wordpress.com

This is my submission for beginningatlast9.com No Theme Thursday 3/14/24 thanks for the art inspiration once again, Kevin!

She lives her life in pink

A little bit of red

Lots of white

In the city of light

If pink had a sound

It would be the song

La vie en rose

Life in pink

She hums the tune

Right before she turns toward me

For the portrait

She has said,

“You don’t need rose-colored glasses

To live your life in pink,

mon cœur”

La vie en rose

Eyes that make mine look down
Des yeux qui font baisser les miens

A laugh that is lost on his mouth
Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche

Here is the portrait without retouching
Voilà le portrait sans retouches

From the man I belong to
De l’homme auquel j’appartiens

When he takes me in his arms
Quand il me prend dans ses bras

Let him speak to me quietly
Qu’il me parle tout bas

I see life in pink
Je vois la vie en rose

He tell me love words
Il me dit des mots d’amour

Everyday words
Des mots de tous les jours

But for me, it does something to me
Mais moi, ça me fait quelque chose

He has entered in my heart
Il est entré dans mon cœur

A lot of happiness
Une grande part de bonheur

That I know the reason
Dont je connais la cause

It’s him for me, me for him in life
C’est lui pour moi, moi pour lui dans la vie

He told me, swore it for life
Il me l’a dit, l’a juré pour la vie

And as soon as I see him
Et dès que je l’aperçois

So I feel Inside me
Alors je sens en moi

My heart beating
Mon cœur qui bat

Nights of endless love
Des nuits d’amour à plus finir

A great happiness that takes its place
Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place

Troubles, sorrows fade away
Des ennuis, des chagrins s’effacent

Happy, happy to die
Heureux, heureux à en mourir

When he takes me in his arms
Quand il me prend dans ses bras

Let him speak to me quietly
Qu’il me parle tout bas

I see life in pink
Je vois la vie en rose

He tell me love words
Il me dit des mots d’amour

Everyday words
Des mots de tous les jours

And it does something to me
Et ça me fait quelque chose

He has entered in my heart
Il est entré dans mon cœur

A slice of happiness
Une part de bonheur

That I know the reason
Dont je connais la cause

It’s him for me, me for him in life
C’est lui pour moi, moi pour lui dans la vie

He told me, swore it for life
Il me l’a dit, l’a juré pour la vie

And as soon as I see him
Et dès que je l’aperçois

So I feel Inside me
Alors je sens en moi

My heart beating
Mon cœur qui bat

And as soon as I see him
Et dès que je l’aperçois

So I feel Inside me
Alors je sens en moi

My heart beating
Mon cœur qui bat

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Édith Piaf / Louiguy

La vie en rose lyrics © Beuscher Arpege

There are many versions, but I believe it being sung in the native French is most authentic
Poetry, Music
daily prompt · music · poetry

Poetry, Music

Amy24 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?
View all responses

This prompt is underwhelming. For those who want to read my poetry, check it out. It’s all here on this blog.

My musical taste is eccentric, just like my personality. The only thing that isn’t my jam is country music. I do like Chris Stapleton, but that is where it ends.

I don’t have a poem to accompany today’s prompt.

I’m going to leave this video and lyrics here. The song sums up my poetry journey so far this year, and I love Jason Mraz’s music.

Details in the Fabric

Jason Mraz

Calm down
Deep breaths
And get yourself dressed instead
Of running around
And pulling on your threads saying
Breaking yourself up

If it’s a broken part, replace it
If it’s a broken arm then brace it
If it’s a broken heart then face it

And hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way

Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
And everything will be fine

Hang on
Help is on the way
Stay strong
I’m doing everything

Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way

Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way

And everything, everything will be fine
Everything

Are the details in the fabric
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts results of static cling?

Are the things that make you blow
Hell, no reason, go on and scream
If you’re shocked it’s just the fault
Of faulty manufacturing

Everything will be fine
Everything in no time at all
Everything

Hold your own
And know your name
Go your own way

Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts results of static cling? (Go your own way)

Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)
Are the things that make you panic (Go your own way)
Is it Mother Nature’s sewing machine?

Are the things that make you blow (Hold your own, know your name)
Hell no reason go on and scream
If you’re shocked it’s just the fault (Go your own way)
Of faulty manufacturing

Everything will be fine
Everything in no time at all
Hearts will hold

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Dan Wilson / Jason Mraz

Details in the Fabric lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Goo-Eyed Music, Word Collections Publishing

(Un)Invited
poetry · Writing

(Un)Invited

Amy15 Comments

The gentle rain hitting the roof

Reminds her of

Gentle hands

cupping

her face

As if it were

a fragile bird

Lips tentative

Barely touching

Become more

Deliberate

(she needs a moment to)

©️2024, itsamyisaid.com, all rights reserved

Poem inspired by one of my favorite songs, and certainly my favorite song by Alanis Morissette (official video below the lyrics):

Uninvited

by Alanis Morissette

Like anyone would be
I am flattered by your fascination with me
Like any hot-blooded woman
I have simply wanted an object to crave
But you, you’re not allowed
You’re uninvited
An unfortunate slight

Must be strangely exciting
To watch the stoic squirm
Must be somewhat heartening
To watch shepherd need shepherd
But you you’re not allowed
You’re uninvited
An unfortunate slight

Like any uncharted territory
I must seem greatly intriguing
You speak of my love like
You have experienced love like mine before
But this is not allowed
You’re uninvited
An unfortunate slight

I don’t think you unworthy
I need a moment to deliberate

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Alanis Morissette

Uninvited lyrics © 1974 Music, Mca Music Publishing, A.d.o. Universal

Official video for Uninvited – Alanis Morissette
The Wooden Cross
Love · poetry · Uncategorized · Writing

The Wooden Cross

Amy32 Comments

I found you in the cabinet

Outside of my office

You were in there with prayer cards

and Craftsman tools

I wonder how many patients you met

I wonder how you got there

I’m sure you belonged to a nun

But I don’t know who

I took you home

I’m not much of a cross person

But your simplicity is soothing

I also took the Craftsman screwdriver

It was a really nice one

There you go again

Making me confess

I’m not sure why, other than the name of the song, but when I was composing this poem, and looking at this photo of my wooden cross, I thought of the song Take Me To Church by Hozier. The title is a metaphor, which you can probably glean from the lyrics. This is a great song. The official video is worth a watch, but I’m not posting it here, as it tells a story within itself. I posted below a video that displays the lyrics.

Take Me to Church

Song by Hozier

My lover’s got humor
She’s the giggle at a funeral
Knows everybody’s disapproval
I should’ve worshiped her sooner
If the Heavens ever did speak
She’s the last true mouthpiece
Every Sunday’s getting more bleak
A fresh poison each week
“We were born sick”, you heard them say it
My church offers no absolutes
She tells me, “Worship in the bedroom”
The only Heaven I’ll be sent to
Is when I’m alone with you
I was born sick, but I love it
Command me to be well
A-, Amen, Amen, Amen

Take me to church
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
Take me to church
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

If I’m a pagan of the good times
My lover’s the sunlight
To keep the Goddess on my side
She demands a sacrifice
Drain the whole sea
Get something shiny
Something meaty for the main course
That’s a fine looking high horse
What you got in the stable?
We’ve a lot of starving faithful
That looks tasty
That looks plenty
This is hungry work

Take me to church
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife
Offer me my deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
Take me to church
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife
Offer me my deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

No masters or kings when the ritual begins
There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin
In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene
Only then I am human
Only then I am clean
Oh, oh, Amen, Amen, Amen

Take me to church
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
Take me to church
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Andrew Hozier Byrne

Take Me to Church lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Noir
poetry · Writing

Noir

Amy10 Comments

This poem is my submission for Kevin’s No Theme Thursday – 2/22/24 . Thanks for the art inspiration, Kevin.

Art by Kevin

Do you Remember

when you called me

Dame

And I called you

Sweetheart?

Those times are here

Where I find you now

It’s black-and-white

And shades of gray

Where you’ve always wanted to be

I can’t stay

I live in color

My dress is bright

Blue

Like you always were

I don’t belong

I just wanted to say

I remember

When you called me

Dame

©️2024, itsamyisaid.com, all rights reserved

Let Me Call You Sweetheart
Time
daily prompt · poetry · Writing

Time

Amy9 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.
View all responses

Can’t get it back

Can’t go forward

(or can you?)

Waits for no one

Will tell

Is of the essence

And time again

Is on my side

The song I thought thought of when I was pondering this prompt is Hazy Shade of Winter, The Bangles version:

Time, time, time
See what’s become of me

Time, time, time
See what’s become of me
While I looked around for my possibilities

I was so hard to please
Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hear the Salvation Army band
Down by the riverside
There’s bound to be a better ride
Than what you’ve got planned

Carry a cup in your hand
Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hang on to your hopes, my friend
That’s an easy thing to say
But if your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend that you can build them again

Look around
The grass is high
The fields are ripe
It’s the springtime of my life

Seasons change with the scenery
Weavin’ time in a tapestry
Won’t you stop and remember me?

Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Look around
Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground

Look around
Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground

Look around
Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Paul Simon

Hazy Shade of Winter lyrics © Sony/atv Songs Llc