April Is National Poetry Month

Every April I look forward with eager anticipation to National Poetry Month. Poetry has become a part of my spirit, my life force, if you will. Poetry is to be written as a way to release the pent-up emotions that I may possess at any given time. Let's say for example that you are a poet. I am sure that you write poetry for your own satisfaction. You and I may write poetry for different reasons. Nevertheless, poetry is written by the both of us with a different flavor or color. The poetry that I write are true-to-life. They are really autobiographical short stories that I can sum up into an autobiography. I can take the three hundred or so poems and write a book out of them.

This year, I am going to set a goal of writing thirty poems, even short ones. A poem a day. To add with my school work. It would be an enhancement, something that I would look forward to each waking day. The poem would be written in the morning and in the evening on alternate days. On the days that I walk in the morning, the poem would be written in the evening. And vice versa. Oh, I just love National Poetry Month. And to think, I have just been named Ambassador of Poetry 2006, International Poet of the Year, I have been privileged to have my poetry published in London and Paris, among a host of other privileges instituted by the Creator bestowed upon me. This is the month I am to hand in my review form with my poetry to Neshee Publication. I have already received a host of information in the mail and on the net concerning various readings being held in NYC and other places. So, as you can see it is going to be a very busy month. I hope all of you have a very busy month. Have a great week and Happy April, Happy National Poetry Month!

Your Passion for Writing-It's There!

You know what you have? You and I have that passion and love for writing. Regardless of whether we are students, work full-time in the corporate world or just stay-at-home moms, WE LOVE WRITING! Do you ever notice how many times a day you click on the link while you are at work to stay in touch with your friends in cyberspace? The ones that you are involved with in the writing arena. You don't want to wait until you get home, do you? If you did your poor inbox would be flooding like mine. Sometimes I don't want to wait until I get home to check my messages so away I go with the click of the mouse. We really do love writing more than our nine-to-five. Writing is like our vocation. We think about it when we awaken and before we go to bed. Sometimes we check to see if we have just one more email. Just one more, we tell ourselves.

Why is it that we are constantly working on projects, that book of poetry, a piece of fiction, a memoir or a screenplay? We are writers at heart. It is something that we are doing and a few of us, most of us, are not even getting paid for it. That is alright. It is a joy to behold. No one can take that joy away from you or I. We have a passion for it and when you have a passion for something, you are driven to do your very best to succeed, and you will!

Here are a few writing tips that I found on my writing cards. I hope you find them beneficial.

1. Sometimes we are so anxious to get to the end of what we're writing that we go too fast, skipping over parts that cry out for closer inspection or that offer up a truth so simple we hardly recognize it. There are so many points to make, characters to get from here to there, you zing from one to the next, a pebble across water, without taking the time to delve, to meander, to stay a while.

2. Expectations set you up so you're always ahead of yourself rather than being in the present moment. This is why it's good to dive right into the writing topic with no time to think of what you'll write or how best to shape your writing around the subject. For example, let's say something important has happened in your life and you believe you should write about it. Instead of the writing flowly freely, you can't get a word out, or if you do, it's a puny, shriveled little word, inadequate for the important subject you tried to write about. How do you let go of expectations? Before you begin writing, take a few moments to clear your mind. Settle into your place and breathe in and out deeply a few times. Let your mind be open and peaceful before you begin and let your writing surprise you. One of the comments most often repeated at writing-practice groups is "I don't know where that came from." It's usually said with some amazement.

3. Writers expose more of themselves than any other artists. When we write about what matters to us, we unveil our deepest feelings. Sometimes even to ourselves and often we least expect it. When we write about out human frailties, we are writing about the fragile scraps of ourselves. Our words tell more than the truth about what we're writing, they also tell the truth about us. No wonder writing often feels dangerous, makes you lurch from your chair, pace the room, and phone your best friend just to hear a reassuring voice. Meanwhile, the truth of your exposed and bleeding self spreads line by incriminating line across thirteen inches of cold white monitor. And that cursor just keeps blinking, reminding you that you are not finished yet. Your notebook lies open on your desk, yammering your secrets to any passerby. Being vulnerable on the page is one of the risks of the job-it comes with the territory, like performing a high-wire act with a new partner and without a net in a drafty circus tent. And in all likelihood, it's not something that will go away. You may become accustomed to the feeling, but you'll never escape the vulnerability. Novelist and short story writer John Cheever said, "I think that endeavoring to be a serious writer is quite a dangerous career." What to do? Take a drink of water, breathe deeply, stretch, go ahead and call a friend, then get back to the writing. A little distance may make you feel safer, but the very fact that you are feeling vulnerable means that you're writing close to the bone. Stay with it.

Enjoy writing, Enjoy your passion...it is something that we do daily and we want others to enjoy it as well. After all, it is your VOCATION!

diamond 2006 3/23

Fifty Precious Diamonds

Fifty Precious Diamonds

1. A Rose for Sharon, by Shai Davis
2. Red Rose, Crimson Beauty
3. Stars In Our Eyes
4. I'm A Leader
5. The Pier Street Strut
6. Night Shift
7. Games
8. Misrepresented
9. Little Red Tricycle
10. Dark Shadows
11. A Legend or A Legacy
12. Crack on Credit
13. Queen of Diamonds
14. Brave Hearts
15. Drug Dealers Diploma
16. We Lost Another One
17. The Gambler
18. Laundry Boy
19. In The Year
20. Saving Katie
21. At The Train Station
22. Stripped Identity
23. Baby Girl
24. Bride Doll
25. It's Too Late
26. Beautiful Brown Stallion
27. Don't Envy Me
28. Five Men In A Park
29. Back In the Day
30. Who Keeps Me
31. In One Room
32. Monologue of A Closed Womb
33. Only For A Moment
34. Will the Real Mother Please Stand!
35. False Alarm
36. Space Within
37. Words, Save My Soul
38. Silent, Just Like Maya
39. Flipped Switch
40. Nubian Princess
41. Chet Kincaid
42. My Daughter's Condo
43. Future Bliss
44. Jasmine Lily
45. Room Sixteen
46. Poetic Challenges
47. Junior High
48. Sisters
49. Where's The Peace?
50. The Crack Addicted Lie

These are just fifty gems that I have listed, the next time I will list fifty more. All of them have a special meaning in my life, for they have actually happened in my life. The same holds true of my memoirs-all true, no James Frey moment here.

special note: even those this is my last week in Prolific Writers, always feel free to visit my blog, here is the address.....www.pocahontaspeaches.blogspot.com I will be in touch with some of you precious gems by your personal email addresses which I have. When my book is published, I will let you know by your email addresses.
Sincerely,
Diamond

HANG IN THERE!

HANG IN THERE!, please......

Don't Avoid Life's Curveballs: Swing At Them!

Things are not always easy. Life has its share of unpredictables-throwing us into situations that we're not always prepared for, expecting more from us than we're able to manage, pushing us to our limits. The adversities can be quite overwhelming, leaving us often confused and disillusioned.

Yes, it's these challenges, these tests of fortitude, that keep us going, because the payback is great when we refuse to give in. By not giving in, we discover our own internal strengths, realize our self-worth, and connect to our spiritual selves.

We find that we're made of more than we thought, and that amidst the complexities of life, we can still strive to better ourselves and beat the odds.

Life is entirely about perception-our attitudes and how we choose to act upon our intentions.

So when life throws us a curveball, instead of worrying that we aren't ready for it or that it's unexpected, we sould see the moment as something to learn from and as something to incite us to grow. Most of all, we should see it as an opportunity to broaden our awareness of authentic happiness...the happiness that comes from seeing life in a whole new way. Debbie Burton-Peddle

You Have The Power to Make Your Life
Everything You Want It To Be

This life is yours
Take the power
To choose what you want to do
And do it well
Take the power
To love what you want in life
And love it honestly
Take the power
To walk in the forest
And be a part of nature
Take the power
To control your own life
No one else can do it for you
You deserve the best
Take the power

To make your life
Healthy
Exciting
Worthwhile
And very happy

Susan Polis Schutz


May This Be A Turning Point In Your Life

Each day opens like a door
Inviting us in to the wonders of life.
Step boldly over the threshold
Into the warmth of a welcoming dawn.
Come just the way you are.
The welcome is the same
No matter who you are
Bring a curious mind, an open heart
And a receiving soul.
Let the wonders of life fill your spirit
To the brim. Day after day, life flows
Endlessly onward, Searching for vessels to
Contain its blessings. Sometimes we do not
Hear the knock at the door of dawn.
Sometimes we are too busy to accept the
Invitation. But the offer still stands, for life
Must go on. Don't miss the opportunities of
Each day life calls you. You have been given
The desires in your heart so that you may
Answer the call to life. There is no need to
Regret the wasted moments of the past-
No need to be down on yourself. Each moment
Is a new beginning. Start now-a new day dawns
The moment you are ready to accept the challenges
That are presented to you.
Let nothing keep you from growing into the person
You wish to be. Do not take yourself for granted.
You are at the right place to make a change.
May this moment be a turning point in your life.
Others may point the way to the door, but you must
Be the one to cross the threshold. You have much
To offer. May there be many beginnings in your life.
Tanya P. Shubin

Just Do Your Best and Everything Will Be All Right

It's not always easy to know which path to follow,
Which decision to make, or what to do.
Life is a series of new horizons, new hopes,
New days, and changes that come to you. And we
All need some help with these things from time to
Time.

Remember these things: Dream it, Do it. And
Discover how special you are. Be positive, for
Your atitude will affect the outcome of many things.
Ask for help when you need it; seek the wisdom the
World has and hold on to it. Make some progress
Every single day. Begin. Believe. And become.

Give yourself all the credit you're due. Don't
Shortchange your qualities, your abilities, or any
Of the things that are so unique about you. Remember
How precious life can be. Imagine. Invest the time
It takes to reach out for your dreams; it will bring you
Happiness that no money on earth can buy. Don't be
Afraid; no mountain is too big too climb if you do it
At your own pace.
What 's the best thing to do? That's simple: Do your best.
And everything else will fall into place.
Collin McCarty

This Too Shall Pass

When the only thing we can see is rain
Sometimes it's hard to believe the storm
Will ever end. But the clouds will move on
And the sun will shine bright again.

Just because we can't see a solution
Does not mean there is no solution
Trust that things will work out
As they are meant to be. They will.
Know that I feel for you
And I would do anything
To make the sun shine warm
On your life again.

Until the rain passes, know that you
Have a safe place to share what's in
Your heart and a shelter where you will be loved.
Jason Blume



Life Will Get Better!

Hang in there and have patience
With yourself and the situation
Live in the moment, one day at a time
Not fretting about the past
Or worrying about the future
You have strength enough for the present,
And that is all you need for now.
Allow yourself the luxury of peace,
And don't take on more than you have to.
Learn to let go.
Refuse negative thoughts;
Replace them with positive ones.
Look for the good things in your life
And make a point of apppreciating them

Believe in yourself and know
That you have the power
You are ultimately the one
In charge of your life
And the only person in the world
Who can change it.
No matter how much others
Are pulling for you
Or how much anyone else cares,
You must do what needs to be done
To make your present and future
Everything you want
And need it to be.
You can do it!
Barbara Cage

ok folks, let me leave ya with a few quotes:

1. "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt
2. "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools" Dr. Martin Luther King
3. "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins

Take care this week, see ya next week with One Hundred Poems by Diamond, just the list now.