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When was the last time you were at a carnival? You know, one of those signs of summer…the crowded, dark, and sometimes littered parking lots with the Tilt-A-Whirls, the Ferris wheels, the bumper cars, and those all tempting carnival games…Cotton candy, all sticky and sugary…Snow comes, so icy and and drippy…Corndogs so, well, so corn doggy…Each of these images rise to the top when thinking of a carnival. Use each line to share one sense of excitement, of wonder, of worry with your readers, your new friends, your connections to other carnivals that you have not visited…

If you are struggling, take some pictures of the one down the street. Hurry, because it is only there for the week. Are there differences between the carnival and the circus? Are there different attractions? Different people? Different reflections on your childhood? Create the images as you see them. Decide on feeling you wish to evolve and post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Happiness is a special emotion and unique to each individual. We each experience happiness in our own way. We relate to this word differently depending on our experiences and connections to others. We feel the word based on our internal dictionary. A dictionary created by our own sense of happiness. What is yours? Write about the emotions and post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Happiness is shared here through what we identify with…

Wondrous Happiness

My heart alone can not sustain this wondrous happiness,
But, together alone, the inner greatness may grow,
And emotions sealed long ago, will continue to show.
Stay with me as we share this special journey,
For then the true intensity we may see.
As we tread forward into the future we create,
Let this bond we make test the depths of fate.
Our love will undoubtedly blossom into a full and beautiful flower,
Until then, let us be immersed in the pulsing power
Of the sustained togetherness and wondrous happiness.

This verse is also found: http://www.storyinstitute.com/2008/04/14/poem-wondrous-happiness/

Peace is a concept with an opposite that provides more damage, quicker than peace can achieve goodness. A sense of peace is different than a state of peace. Calmness, solemnity, lack of violence are all parts that reflect this graceful word. When do we realize the true sense of the word? When do we have time to reflect on the concepts? When is it time to look into the eyes of country men, our family, our children, and share a sense of relief and hope that didn’t reside in their minds before.

Think of the simple words that align to the concepts of peace. Think of the connections you may make with your own country. Are you at war? Are you at peace? Perhaps, you are somewhere in between. What helps bridge the gap? What brings about the reality of peace for you? Decide on the vision of what peace is to you and post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

War has many faces. War has many situations. It never turns out as well as either side expects. It always turns out bad for someone. In fact, it never seems to live up to any billing. The nature and reasons for this demolition has changed over the centuries. The weapons have expanded and become more brutal than any of the tortures thought up by the ancients. However, they are quicker and take less time to inflict the damage.

We have much to be vigilant about. We have much to watch over. Where do the images begin? Are they with the buildings? Do they extend to the wildlife? Does it reach to the children? Where do the images stop? Can we stop them? Decide on the vision of what war is to you and post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

The crackle of the wood as flames strike the wood. The smell of greener logs emitting a film as they are tossed into the growing blaze. The light gray specks floating around randomly within the smoke and the sparks. The sights and sounds of a campfire excite little ones and provide memories and paths to new visions for adults.

Think of the start to the campfire. Think of the process it takes to build up the flames to provide a sense of comfort and warmth. Think of experimenting with the different litters of nature such as leaves, dried and fresh, twigs, dead and recently cut, and tiny rocks to absorb the heat and keep the dwindling sparks from going out completely. Think of the experiences you may have had with toasting, roasting, and telling stories or boasting. What ever your focus in this verse, draw from experience and build on the emotion and internal connections. Remember poems are simple, but have all the power of a story in a little, tiny space. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

No two seashells are alike, yet they group themselves in the same places. They float and they sink. They migrate and are migrated. Some are flatter than others. Some are smooth and others posses ripples and ridges. Many have various colors that allow them to sparkle in the sunlight and catch your eye as you stroll down the beach. A few others are dull in nature and blend into the glistening sand.

Do you think about hearing the ocean? Do you hear the ocean when holding up a shell to your ear? Are these the same seashells that cover the clam shaped beings that were lost somewhere along the way to the shore? Decide on the adventure these residents of the deep took to reach the surface and share the story in verse. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Thanksgiving is a time for family. A time for feasting. A time for remembering the bonds that brought us together as a country. We give thanks for what we have and what we share. We give thanks for what we hope for the future and what we have built in the past. We gather together as families, large and small, to eat large quantities of turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole.

Some times, our families can grow closer during these holidays. Sometimes, they can grow too large to make the day enjoyable. Sometimes, this is just what we are declaring our thanks toward. The food is just one aspect. The recognition of the togetherness with others who share our lives is the most important. Write about the emotions and post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Halloween is full of spirits and spooky creatures. It is full of princesses and princes. It is full of mystery and imagination. It is a great time of year to be a child. The candy, the costumes, the connection to creativity is all around during All Hallows Eve. Write of the visions seen and felt as young trick-or-treaters venture down noisy paths and up clutter sidewalks to get handed a caramel apple, a large chocolate bar, or even a rock.

Remember your last experience you just had. Remember the last experience your own child or siblings shared. Did you enjoy it? Did you enjoy the true spirit of the holiday? Did you take a step back into a world reflected in a foggy, eerie environment? Were you happy with your connection to the land of make believe? Would you relive the day and eat more of the sweets handed out by your neighbors? Write about the emotions and post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

The celebration of Independence for the US occurs on the Fourth of July…Many poems have been written about this day, but many of us take the freedoms for granted. When we think of this day, do we connect it to the wars that our brave troops delivered dedicated service for the protection of that freedom? Or, do we think of the rebellion always be legal in the fist person, such as our rebellion, and illegal in the third person such as their rebellion…?

When did the fireworks arise in our lives to recognize the importance of this connected freedom we share and cherish? When we reflect on the sacrifices our fore fathers made to establish a country rooted in values and bringing equality back into the lives of it inhabitants. What does this day mean to you? Is it all about the loud noises and pretty lights? Write about the emotions and post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

What role did your father play? What role did you allow him to play? How do you celebrate Father’s Day? Do you recognize your dad as a strong individual who can conquer any fear and help subside any worries? Do you remember your daddy for the fun times of playing catch or learning to ride your bike? What image have you created to share with others about the man who was a guiding force in your life?

When you think about celebrating Father’s Day, where did you leap in your memory? What moment did you wish to recreate? When did you decide to call him dad? Father? Daddy? Papa? When did you share what he meant to you? Pull from whatever vision you have made of him. If you do not have one, share the loss, share the hope, share the connection with a father figure. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

A day to celebrate and recognize those who sacrificed much of their lives and shared love with us unconditionally. Mother’s Day is a day to reconnect with those who provided us with shelter and examples whether we requested it or not. They knew who we were even when we were searching for our inner self. They have their own distinct opinions about our relationships. They become overjoyed and hopeful at the prospect of being a grandmother.

Do you remember her for the long nights spent as little ones recovered from the flu or a stuffy nose? Do you remember lunches being made and random items remaining in your bag, not knowing why or how they got there in the first place? Do you remember those fun games and crafts she created to keep you entertained and occupied, but encouraged your imagination at the same time.

When you think of celebrating Mother’s Day, at what moment did you return? How far back does your preference and memory retreat? When did you realize who your mother was to you? When did this memory form? When did you tell her? Remember poems are simple, but have all the power of a story in a little, tiny space. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

A hop, hop, hopping day that is celebrated by many world-wide for many different reasons. Easter is recognized commercially as the day of the Easter Bunny. Children go to malls of many shapes and sizes to see and take pictures with this happy hopper. The Easter Bunny is a rabbit who hides eggs for children to find and provides baskets of candy to munch on during a day celebrating new life. The children that partake in the candy definitely receive a new life as they mirror the bunny and bounce around the house, the yard, and across the lawns and flower beds of the recently blooming tulips.

What ever path you go down for this poem, stick strongly to the words that connect you most to your beliefs and experiences. Is the spirit of the holiday resurrected from your childhood memories or ones that you developed as an adult? Have you sat on the lap of the Easter Bunny and wondered how he could bring such wonderful candy and where his factory may be? You know Santa builds toys in the North Poll, but where is the candy created? Either way, choose your words well. Remember poems are simple, but have all the power of a story in a little, tiny space. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

The wearin’ of the green…that’s the day when all those who are not of Irish decent celebrate the lovely story of St. Patrick and his day. From marching in large parades to drinking green beer to eating corned beef and cabbage, this day is about celebrating life and enjoying it. This festive occasion brings about a brotherhood many don’t remember exists the rest of the year. This joyous occasion provides opportunities for grown adults to relive their youth and become a part of new traditions. And, don’t forget the beer.

Choose your path. Choose your subject. Choose your favorite memory of the day, if you can remember. Were you standing in a parade line waiting to march your way down Michigan Avenue hold a freezing piece of metal, praying and hoping that the cameras would not catch your step on the opposite foot from everyone else as you passed by the judging booth? Were you a bystander watching the people walk by, happy, chilled, and throwing candy? Either way, choose your words well, but don’t leave out the pot of gold. Remember poems are simple, but have all the power of a story in a little, tiny space. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Some believe that Valentine’s Day is the day of romance and love. Other s feel it remains a commercial driven holiday meant for card and flowers companies to sell their goods at double the price. What side do you hold? Where does love lie on the day meant for relationships? The verse here can create an image of pure joy or pure disappointment. The lines used can be rich with the flowing joy of a perfect day spent with your loved one. Or, they can contain simple slights of Valentine Days missed because of a poor relationship.

Choose your emotion. Choose your memory. Choose your thought on the day itself. Do you go back to the originator to justify the special implications of the connect? Or, do you believe that is the same as any other day you cherish and connect with your soulmate. Connect to the emotion or experience. Remember poems are simple, but have all the power of a story in a little, tiny space. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Ahh, that cute, furry little creature that determines whether the weather will be kind or severe. Yes, this creature is the groundhog. Tiny ears…small pudgy body…very timid…very predictive of the possible future. Sometimes he is correct. Other times he is no so much. Create a verse that ties in the semblance of this simple creature to his prognostications.

When did this craziness start? Does the groundhog know the story itself? Or, is he just along for the ride of being woken early and waits for extra food in a side dish that had remained dormant for an extended period of time as hibernation took over. Give your day and critter a personality that breathes life into the day and the events around the day. Think of how you don’t care about the outcome, yet somehow are always disappointed when he sees his shadow. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…