Lyric Fire

Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Modulation

This week was like a roller coaster. There were many dips, twists and turns. I often felt like I was a music producer behind the board manipulating tracks and directing artists to belt out their best musical pitches. But when my fantasy dissolved the only person I was commanding into place was myself and at the end of the performance I could only wonder whether what I had produced would be a hit record or a forgotten flop. That's life in a nutshell huh?

Well, as I rewind the tape on the week that was, I have decided to select Modulation as my favorite word for today. To modulate is to adjust, change or control something. Most often we are used to seeing this word associated with music as it can describe the change of strength, tone and pitch of the voice or the switching of keys in a song. But we seek to modulate the things and people in our lives on a daily basis. Sometimes it is for the betterment of things and other times we do it because we are bored and think we need change.

Modulation is good most times as it adds flavor, range and depth to our lives, but we must remember that sometimes it is best to position our internal equalizers to the preset position and coast after a certain point. Too much emotional and physical adjustments can wipe us out! When you have done all you can do, just sit back and let your Life Master do the rest. My Life Master is God, the highest power and leader of all. For you it may be something different. 

So as you ease into the weekend, take some deep breaths. Look back at what you've accomplished. It doesn't matter if it was a small or large achievement. Acknowledge the adjustments and changes you made to achieve a goal. Then allow yourself some time to listen to some good music or do whatever you find pleasing. Take note of all of the miraculous modulations in EVERYTHING as you go forward and learn to balance the role you have in your life as a producer. There is a larger power who is always working on your behalf and when you let him do his job, your job becomes much easier. Agreed? 

What is your favorite word for today and your take-away for the week? Please share! 

Check out this video of singer Ryan Leslie in his studio as he lets us look in on his production process. His modulations are crazy good! - Cheers! Happy Friday!

 

Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Closure

Life can be just like a book or a film. Whether your existence is filled with drama, comedy, fiction or fantasy, you are in charge of the structure of the chapters and scenes. But just as a story begins, it must also end. So in light of this thought, I chose closure as our favorite word for today. Closure can conjure up images of personal freedom and tranquility, but sometimes it sure can be a hard pill to swallow. 

When a basketball player hits the game winning shot, that is good closure. If he clangs a deciding basket off the side of the rim and the time runs out resulting in a championship win for the other team, that my friends is the worst closure of all. But is it?

Sometimes when we say goodbye to a friend, family member, a job, a city, or see the sun setting on a dream the feelings we have inside duel and dance with one another. Even when you know that closing a certain door is healthy, wise and necessary for your growth, it can be one of the hardest things you ever have to do. 

I am at a crossroads where I may have to do all of the aforementioned. Actually, I have already closed one door. It's threatening to creak back open, but I must make the decision to keep it locked which will not be easy. 

I can not let the fact escape me that I do feel a sense of calm which is overriding my sadness at this point and it's a little scary. But I guess at times your mind and body know things that your heart hasn't accepted yet.

Whatever door you decide to close in the future make sure you allow yourself the time to linger on the outside of it for a minute. Reflect on what you left inside and ask if you can truly live a more authentic, joy-filled and accomplished life not ever seeing what is behind the door again. Be totally honest in your answer. If you can, it is the closure you desperately need. Don't look back. Move forward with the assurance that your future holds great treasures and trust that your past life experiences have prepared you to accept what is rightfully yours.

In some cases that tarnished silver you needed to leave behind may just turn up later in your life as a gold piece. But make sure in your time away that you're developing your own sparkle. If the fates allow, you might be able to shine together one day. If not, no matter, you'll still be a precious jewel. 

 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Denouement

What a week! Whew! I am so happy that Friday is here. I've decided to select DENOUEMENT (PRONOUNCED: dā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ) as my favorite word for today. French in it's origin, denouement is defined as being the outcome of a complex sequence of events, or the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a literary work.

This word has been my "theme song" for many weeks as I've been battling to stay in my apartment where I have lived for the past 17 years. It got to the point where I was forced to leave for a short period and during that time I was sleeping on a good friend's couch. In those moments I had to come to grips with the fact that I may not be able to move back home and that would have truly been an emotional ending for me. I of course would have loved to move into a new home, but the circumstances were not ideal so this ending would not have been on my terms.  Thankfully after many prayers, help from friends and relatives and hard work on my part to fix things, I was able to go home again. So all of the stress over the situation has now ended.

It was amazing to me that during this difficult period, I learned that a literary agent I queried was interested in reading a partial of my manuscript and I had won a poetry contest! My prize was that I would be able to read my poem (six-word memoir)  in a live event as part of a line-up of uber talented writers and performers! Imagine being on the verge of losing almost everything you have and then being onstage following the former press secretary for President Clinton, Joe Lockhart in a poetry slam! Life is truly amazing isn't it? That is an ending that I can live with for sure and I will feature more about my amazing night in an upcoming post. 

There have also been some major denouement's on the national world stage as well. Osama bin Laden's reign of terror is now over, bringing hopefully some closure to the many families who lost loved ones in the September 11th attacks and other terrorist plots he and his followers had managed over the years.

On a much lighter note, due to the so-called changing demand of afternoon TV viewers some landmark soaps that we've grown to love over the years will be taken off of the air soon. How we'll live without Erica Kane and Nikki Smith, I have no idea. All My Children and One Life to Live will certainly be missed won't they? 

It also seems that perhaps an end of an era in basketball may be in the works as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles won't be playing in the NBA Finals this year. It was mind boggling to see the Lakers get swept and my Celtics bounced from the playoffs in just the second round this year. 

In probably one of the most storied endings in all of TV history, The Oprah Show will be a distant memory after May 25th, leaving afternoons a lot less interesting. 

Endings are sometimes sad, cruel and bittersweet, but they are necessary in order for the next phase of growth to begin. I look forward to the next chapter in my own life, which I pray includes a career as a full-time author and speaker, the ending to terror and violence all over the world, the revival of my favorite soaps on cable, banner 18 for my beloved Celtics and a personal meeting with Oprah Winfrey herself on one of her new shows on OWN. A girl can dream of new beginnings in the midst of a denouement can't she? ;-)

SHARE YOUR STORY: Are there any endings that have blossomed into positive new beginnings for you? How did you transistion from the loss of one thing to learning to accept the newness in your life? 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Perseverance

Hello Lyric Fire Readers!

I know I've been neglecting you, but I swear I had a good reason. I would share it, but I'd rather focus on the future as what I've been dealing with recently really needs to stay in the past! Whew! What a worrisome couple of weeks! 

Now that I'm getting my bearings back, it's time to get back to blogging! So let's jump into today's featured favorite word Perseverance. Notice how your mouth and tongue get a work-out just saying this word? To keep chipping away at an obstacle and know that you will succeed takes faith, hope, trust and that special stuff we have within us that fuels us even when we are beyond being fatigued. To persevere is to simply continue even though something is hard.

How many times have you kept trying to complete a goal only to fall flat on the pavement? Tiresome isn't it? But didn't it feel good when you finally broke through? I'm sure my Boston Celtics felt that way in 2008 when they won the championship. Even though they seem to be floundering now, they still have that special juice that allows them to keep trying. Rajon Rondo our heady point guard had his elbow snapped out of it's socket and still came back to solider his team to the only win they had against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals this year. We faltered down the stretch ultimately, but I'm sure most people will remember Rondo literally playing with one-arm during that classic game. With that kind of fortitude I'm sure Boston will win another championship. So even if you're currently facing an uphill battle, take a deep breath and power through because you have what it takes to get to the finish line. Trust me, I know of what I speak. I have broken through quite a few times in my life and most recently too. 

Never give up! You're too special and precious! Cheers and Happy Friday! 

 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Security

Hello Lyric Fire Readers!

I managed to put forth 20 poems to celebrate National Poetry Writing Month - NaPoWriMo and due to some unforeseen personal challenges, I will not be completing the 30 day challenge. It has been really thrilling seeing what I could come up with and I hope you were able to get something from each work I presented. I know some of them were short and some may not have been my personal best, but I think the point of the challenge was to remain in a poetic state and really luxuriate in the art and loveliness of poetry and I most certainly did that. Thanks for reading and commenting. Your feedback is so valuable and very welcome especially in such stressful times as I am having right now. 

Now, let's focus on Friday's Favorite Word Feast. I'm choosing security today as my favorite word as it is a current theme in my life at the moment. Feeling safe, being in a warm home and having food to eat are just a few things we often take for granted, but when those things are in jeopardy, our world seems to get smaller and we question our past choices and our most uncertain future. 

But, during such times, I'm learning that how we handle uncertainty and adversity builds character and brings us closer to the ones we love. I'm also learning that God gave us all shoulders so we can lend them to others in times of need. I thank everyone who has ever lent me theirs. I also pray that when my own get a little stronger again, that I too can be of service to someone else. 

Happy Friday and remember to be thankful for EVERYTHING you have. Even if it's just a little bit of something. Cheers! 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast/NaPoWriMo #15-News

      

Happy Friday! Well, maybe it isn't such a jovial day since our taxes are due. Oh, what's that I hear? We actually have a three-day extension? Taxes are now due on Monday, April 18th at midnight? Whoo hoo! Feel better now? No? Why not celebrate Friday with a favorite word and a poem? Let's do this!

One of my most favorite words in the world USED to be NEWS! Growing up I wanted to be a writer and a journalist so I was obsessed with watching, reading and listening to newscasts. I tried to emulate the voices of the anchors and news people I admired and even tried to look like them too! I carried a reporters notepad with me everywhere I went and asked a million questions of anyone I saw that looked interesting. After majoring in media studies in college, my first job in the business was that of a desk assistant at WCBS News Radio 880. I then moved on to be a segment producer and then a publicist. I was living my dream. 

I'm still an info junkie, but after being in the business for a while and being a vast consumer of news, my feelings have waned a bit. The race to be first and get the highest ratings has soiled the soul of many a newsroom. I was inspired to write a poem (15th poem of 30 to celebrate National Poetry Writing Month!) that reflected my feelings and I've entitled it:

The Evening News

cyber world

plastic girls

ken dolls

emotional walls

 

microchips

collagen lips

fake hair

drunken stare

 

entitled kids

dirty wigs

broken homes

fragmented bones

 

cheating man

family van

drowned dreams

familial themes

 

lost hope

velvet ropes

battered Dem's

mad Republicans

 

sedated fate

filtered hate

self implosion

world explosion

 

soul request

chest to chest

united nations

love vacation

 

In Memoriam:

The director of one of the greatest films about the news business ever made, died on April 9th. RIP peace Sidney Lumet, your work will be forever relevant:

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast/NaPoWriMo #8 - Cadence/Chocolate Soul

 

In addition to another poetic sampling to celebrate NaPoWriMo, I'm also bringing you the featured favorite word for this week. Cadence has always been one of my lost loved words because it's inherent in all of speech. The beauty of music and poetry is usually illustrated by the power and passion of the rhythm and delivery.

So to pay homage to cadence, here is a poem I wrote called Chocolate Soul.  Enjoy! Happy Friday! 

Chocolate Soul

Finger popping

Heart stopping

Toe tapping

Hip slapping

Chocolate soul

Buttery riffs

Boom-bop-bip

Caramel covered lips

Chocolate soul

Swaying trees

A cool autumn breeze

A lover’s kiss

An afternoon of bliss

Chocolate soul

An intense beat

Sultry hot heat

Rhythmic feet

Chocolate soul

A pimp’s lust dance

A gamblers last chance

A hipsters prance

Chocolate soul

A child’s hungry wail

A ships lost sail

A warden’s infested jail

Chocolate soul

An African American’s side profile

An Italian’s smooth sleek style

Puerto Rico's pumped up pride

Slapping five on the black-hand side

Chocolate soul

Indian’s land untouched, preserved

Africa’s history undisturbed

Malcolm & Martin resurrected

Racism, murder and war rejected

Chocolate soul

 

 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Poetry

It might be a little cold and dreary in the northeast, but that won't stop me from celebrating one of my favorite words on this blustery yet beautiful Friday! 

I've selected one of the most gorgeous words ever uttered for our feast today. Poetry. Let's sit with this one for a minute. Ahhh. Sink into it like your favorite couch. Think back to the first time you've ever read a poem from a loved one or wrote one for someone else. The feeling was magical wasn't it? 

Poetry has power. It can provoke, titilate, enlighten and warm hearts. Without poetry, words on the whole would have a lot less lustre. 

I also wanted to celebrate poetry today because April is National Poetry Month. What better way to kick things off than to reflect on the impact and importance of lyrical lines. 

To further the celebration, starting tomorrow, I will only post poems on Lyric Fire for the entire month! If you would like to submit an original poem to be featured, please e-mail it to me as text within the e-mail message (no attachments please) at lyricfireblog@yahoo.com. Please include your name, blog or website URL and a JPEG photo (attachments are fine) of yourself. You can also include a link to a video of yourself reciting your poem if you have one. 

I'm open to all topics except for matters of extreme depravity and abuse. I like to keep things beautiful and brief here so please be careful with length as well. 

I look forward to your submissions, but in the meantime, let me know your favorite word of the day!

 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Amor

Don't you just love Thursday's future and Saturday's past? Of course I'm talking about FRIDAY! There are so many reasons to love today and one of them is Friday's Favorite Word Feast! It's time to celebrate another word we love!

Speaking of love... A word that warms my heart is Amor, which is another name for Cupid and also means love in English translations. I could go on endlessly about why this word means so much to me, but I'm sure we all have some amazing and perhaps some not so amazing stories to tell about amor. Okay, I'll share one thing. I feel mucho amor when I'm writing and I love the way Latin men say this word! 

I usually ask you guys to share one of your favorite words and please do so, but today can you also share what the word amor means to you? 

Have a wonderful weekend and remember that to receive amor you have to give it. Cheers!

 

My Blog Lyric Fire: Friday's Favorite Word Feast - Albatross

We're at the end of the week and whoo hoo! We've made it! Happy Friday everyone! Time to zone in on another word worthy of high praise. Today I've selected one of my personal favorites: Albatross.

Most people think about negativity when they hear the word albatross and that's understandable because the dictionary defines it as being something that has become a burden or causes persistent deep concern or worry. But it's also the name of a large seabird known for their webbed feet and long narrow wings. These birds are graceful gliders and are also called sea eagles. 

I like saying the word because I think it drips wonderfully from the tongue. Albatross. 

In essence, I love how a word with a negative connotation can also describe something that symbolizes beauty and freedom. 

What other words do you love that also double in meaning? Please share!

In the meantime, I wanted to leave you with a video ditty (Alphabet Street- by Prince) from one of my favorite artists, but he's a control freak and won't allow his music to be posted on Youtube, so here is a clip of More Than Words by Extreme instead! Enjoy!