Lyric Fire

My Blog - Lyric Fire: Teach Me You

The banging of the radiator made sleep a distant memory and yes, you were my first thought.

At this time of year your spirit and essence is always quite near.

Why that is, I have no idea, as I didn't know you at all.

I only know what I've been told, glimpsed your image on a fading photograph taken in the 60's way before I came into existence.

I see me in your eyes and wonder what it would have been like to know you. To hear your laugh, to place my little hand in yours. To look up at you with admiration, to share an ice cream cone with you. To say, "Hi daddy."

My heart has healed over time and I have traded pain, frustration and anger for poetic memorials. They suit me best. Frowns don't wear well on my face. Hurt gives me heartache. Lyrical lines are my life line now. They soothe me.

All I can do is pray that I can make my way to you in the proper time. No rushing on this end because there is much I would like to do here. But when that time comes, I will meet you at the majestic beach, transformed back into a child. Take my hand and walk with me across the white sands of heaven. Tell me your story. Make me understand. No judgments, no demands. I will listen. I long to soak up your voice as you tell me your tale. 

Make my thoughts reality with truism. Teach me you. 

Til then.

T.

 

My Blog - Lyric Fire: December of my Distraction or Destiny?

December is a month where just about everyone can become distracted. It's filled with holiday preparations and parties and also signals the close of a year. For me it's even more distracting because it's my birth month. I'm also blessed to have quite a few December born friends in my life as well so guess what? Even more distraction. 

It can be pleasantly overwhelming as you celebrate birthdays and milestones and also look back on the year that was. But it is also important to stay on course even during this busy time. For writers and other artists December can be a great month to become inspired. I am the queen of the notebook scribble. I'm always writing down the first few lines of a poem, ideas I have for novels, notes for blog entries and much more in my trusted little blue and brown notepad that I carry everywhere with me. 

The holidays can be a playground for creative expression. Even if for a few moments a day, jot down some thoughts to be fleshed out later. Don't let the craziness of the month overpower your inner artist. Harness the holiday energy and build on it in January when it slows down. Stay focused during this busy time and allow December to be a month not only of delightful distractions but of determined destiny. 

Happy Holidays! 

                                               
 

My Blog - Lyric Fire: Letting Go

Letting go is a must 

when there is a lack of understanding, respect and trust

Don't worry it can be done in a way 

that soothes your soul and brightens your days

When you know you've been a vessel for connection and love

It makes it easier to release the dove

Sometimes things or people you've longed for all your life

may not be good for you so it's okay to give up the fight

When you are not the priority of the other

whether it's a lover, sister, brother or even your mother

painful decisions must be made

you were not built to drown in neglectful waters, but to wade

A glorious creature is meant to fly

and not always be in pain and wondering why

So let go with a prayer and a promise

that when you give your love it will be honest

treat others not as you have been treated

but extinguish the flames of abuse and defeat it

Love should be the easiest thing we do

extend it to others who deserve it but most importantly keep some for you. 

 

My Blog - Lyric Fire: I'm Speaking To You

When art and real life collide

one feels the dissolving of the great divide

use one to feed the other

choose not to let life smother

the creative well in which you dip

dreams are gifts don't let them slip

from your arms and into the abyss

for this chance you will surely miss

to showcase and express your greatness

if you do this

It only takes one idea, one notion, one creation

to inspire and awake the nation

you have millions underneath your cap

all you have to do is tap, tap, tap

watch it pour 

don't be afraid 

you have more

so paint, sing, write, dance and design 

complete oneness and joy you'll find

Yes, it's you I'm speaking to. Go be a creative being.

There's nothing wrong with being an art fiend. 

My Blog - Lyric Fire: Art Consumption

I saw this while food shopping recently and had to pick it up. Oddly enough, I was thinking about an idea for a poem as I browsed the aisles. I guess this is what happens when you eat, sleep and DRINK your art! 

 

My Blog - Lyric Fire: New Word Cloud

Here is my new word cloud from http://blog.grader.com. I love how it reads like a poem... 

art blog brain cherish chyna cry deep dream 

eyes feelings find fire

flow flowing food free hold

idea inside inspired journey letters life light line

love lyric man music pen phone

poetry princess put rose silence singersoft song 

step stop surround sweet time times travel

warrior wine word writing

My Blog - Lyric Fire: Six Months Since Submission

Looking over my notes I realized it's been six months since I submitted my novel Letters to Chyna to the publisher who requested it. 

In that time I've started this blog, fleshed out an idea for an art showcase (more to come on this soon), became a volunteer for a wonderful organization called Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, which helps people with print disabilities achieve their goals and dreams, and have on a daily basis along with millions of others, pursued landing a full-time job in this troubled economy.   

Each day I wonder, will this be the day my phone will ring with good news from the publisher? I have even constructed in my mind the telephone call exchange from start to finish. Creative visualization is good for the soul. Thinking positively can have a great impact on one's mood and outlook in uncertain times. Of course you need to put in the work necessary to achieve success as well because thinking without action is fruitless. 

So I write these words to encourage and inspire other writers who also may be waiting on good news. Notice how I say that. Waiting on good news. Not waiting on uncertain or bad news. Remember to keep writing and stay active in other projects in the meantime. Also, follow other leads and stay open to new ways of getting your work into the hands of decision makers. Most importantly, envision your book bound and on shelves. When you are passionate and positive, your goals will be realized. 

Trust and believe it. 

For information on how you can become a volunteer for Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic visit: http://bit.ly/2U5W7v

My Blog - Lyric Fire: Short and Sweet

Love me with a light that shines

Lose the strangle-hold that chokes and binds

Let your trust in me be the tether that keeps us together

I'm miles away, but with you so close

It's when I'm roaming free that I love you the most

Come now, cherish me

Lyric Fire: Pen Meets Canvas

The world of art for me includes writing, music, paintings, photography, food, travel, nature and much more. My main form of creative expression involves the pen and I'm always inspired on a deeper level by non-literary influences.  

What can be a better creative conduit than art? The colors, shapes and dimensions of a drawing, water color or painting can take you on a full-scale journey in just the time it takes for your eyelashes to meet in a blink. 

If you have the resources to travel, try exploring one of the museums that Fodor's features in their recent listing of the 11 European Museums You Should See In Your Lifetime: 

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3698.html?ref=69

If you can't escape right now, inspirational art is just a wheel-click or touch-screen tap away on your iPod. You can listen to a gallery tour or view video clips of actual art pieces by visiting the Museum Room on iTunes. 

http://www.apple.com/ipod/tours

Color up your imagination and paint deeper hues on your own creative canvas of choice by taking an artistic journey. 

Lyric Fire: Word Fun

According to http://blog.grader.com, the following words have been used most often so far in my blog.

Also, if you hover over the word, it shows how many times it's appeared. If you click on a word, it takes you to a post where the word was used. How cool! 

Word Cloud

begin brain chyna deep dream eyes feelings find fire

flow flowing free health hear home inside kings leon letters life light line love

lyric lyrical man music news phone plans poetry put retrieving

revealed rose sex silence singer soft song stop suddenly surround sweet takeaway times voicewine word words

Lyric Fire: Warrior Princess

Just steps away from greatness, but the journey is tedious, brain-breaking and hard

Tunnels of light just beyond the door threaten to pierce its way through,

but tired eyes only see darkness

The sound of success is slowly traveling to the eardrums

but they are about to shut down because of the recent silence

Staying steady, focused and faithful is a daily chore and the warrior princess

feels guilty, ashamed and unworthy for faltering in the beliefs she knows are true

What should she use as encouraging food?

When the phone rings

but only brings news of another bill

and no dream fulfilled

it can wear a spirit down,

chip away at the armor of confidence

A hush washes over the landscape of the mind

taking it back to a time of wonderment and possibilities

Happiness was in a song

joy a butterfly's wing

a poem penned

a good grade on an English paper

knowing that you were wanted by colleges

admired by teammates, classmates and the boy who lived two blocks over

the walk to the pizza parlor to buy a slice

a sprint around your high school track

a letter in the mail from your best friend away at school

your cat's soft meow

your fish slowly approaching the top of the tank waiting for you to feed them

Renewed strength can be found

in a deep breath

a memory

a slowing down of the scattered mind to a time of innocence

It's no different now

There are always new things to marvel over

Free yourself warrior princess

There is no war

The fight is only within you

Call a truce

Sit back, relax

Drink life's juice

Know that the reality of goals is concrete

Smile at the possibilities