Black and White

Your black and white is showing
It is as clear as night and day
The line is drawn to mark the spot
No space for gray to play.

Sure, things went a bit awry 

Our emotions went astray;

Yet gray is where our hearts did meet

While black and white were kept at bay.

Gray was the expanse of love

Where songs and poems grew wings

The place in time where fairies swept

The place where angels sing.

The white was where your spirit lived

Light and free and soft

Above the lurking shadows

Where dreams were kept aloft.

Black, a dark foreboding place 

Where shadows dwell at large

The dim veil of a promise broken

Flowed above and fully charged.

Return to gray where beauty blooms

Transparent in its all

Safe from the depths of a colorless world

Oh, listen deep and hear the call.
The End.

 

Marilyn Ashe Wilson
 

 Creator, Producer, and Facilitator of Transformational Events and Workshops for women of all ages; Founder of JustABeatAway, The Wisdom Roundtable, and co-founder of Blondes Drum 2; Writer, Songwriter, Musician/Drummer 101; Change Agent; Firestorm of Divine Creative Energy; Manifesting Generator; Lover of Life, Heartbeats, Dance and anything rhythmic.  Two co-recorded CD's can be found on CD Baby and Reverbnation under her former business name of Blondes Drum 2 and is currently working on developing a path for her songwriting and video projects.  Married with 4 children and 5 grandchildren, she lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and is committed to building community one beat at a time.

http://www.cdbaby.com/CD/blondesdrum2

http://www.reverbnation.com/blondesdrum2

www.JustABeatAway.weebly.com 
www.TheWisdomRoundtable.weebly.com 

Precious Moon

I started writing Precious Moon many years ago while I was travelling around South East Asia, having spent the previous few years alternating working in the UK with long trips backpacking around Europe, New Zealand, India and Asia.  I was on my way to Japan, where I’d just accepted a job teaching English.

The primary theme of my story was displacement - that feeling of not quite feeling at home anywhere, and not really wanting to settle down in your place of origin either.

In Precious Moon, Katie and Alex both feel this, for different, fascinating and touching reasons.  Katie won’t go back to Kenya, Alex stays away from England, and both decide to stay in Argentina, despite warnings from the British government that they should leave.

I initially chose to set the story in Argentina because it was a country I was fascinated with in a romanticised way, probably because of books I’d read and films I’d seen and music I’d listened to.  As I researched more, I realised just how deep and profound the country’s history, and in particular recent history, was.  Argentina was the perfect setting and backdrop for the story I wanted to write and themes I wanted to explore.  The wars I wanted to incorporate in my story tied in perfectly with my aims, as well as the time frames linking it with the back flashes to Katie growing up in Kenya.

The story is set in 1982 and the Falklands War has just broken out.  Living in a remote Andean village far from the hostilities down South, Katie and Alex can have no way of predicting how bitter the war will become, and how it will affect their lives, now that they are citizens of the enemy nation.

The Argentinean military Junta supposedly re-ignited the animosity with Britain over the sovereignty over the islands as a way of distracting its people from their disillusionment with their military rule, and to garner popularity.  Argentina had been suffering under their rule of fear since 1976.  Thousands of innocent civilians disappeared in the dead of night, never to be seen of or heard from again.  The Junta denied the existence of any of The Disappeared, and any involvement with the missing people.

Precious Moon explores the traumatising affect of inexplicable disappearances on those left behind; children, parents, lovers all suffer this unanswerable loss.

But Argentina surrenders in the Falklands War, and its people are left bruised, bitter, humiliated, defeated, and anger towards the Junta leads it to step down, and a new nation free of fear can now rise up.

Katie and Alex’s friendships with some of the Argentinean villagers are tested and strained as they insist on remaining in the Andes, despite the fighting in the freezing South Atlantic Ocean.  Precious Moon’s cast of strong characters are fiercely loyal to the country they believe in, and are prepared to fight for liberty from its oppressors.

As the story unravels with unexpected twists providing suspense and intrigue, the characters reveal their complexities, strengths and motivations, as ordinary people who survive and find a way forward in extraordinary circumstances.

Precious Moon is a light and easily readable read that deals with heavy and powerful issues of war, loss, disappearance, courage, escape and exile.  It fluidly takes you backwards and forwards from Kenya in the 60s to England in the 70s to Argentina in the 80s in a manner evocative of the times and places.

It took me about seven years to complete writing, researching and publishing this story as I had an overwhelming necessity to get every detail right, out of respect to the countries and history I wrote about, and the people who would have lived through these eras.

Writing Precious Moon was a wonderful experience; challenging, enlightening and satisfying. 

Now that I’ve published, I’m enjoying interacting with other readers and writers.  Please feel free to connect with me on www.facebook.com/siobhanprattauthor  or on twitter @siobhan_pratt

Siobhan Pratt

LOVE’S FRAGRANCE

                                                             GIVING A HOOT  

Love is like a fragrant Rose
Whatever shape or form                            
As solid as the first new bud
In the light of perfect dawn
And when the morning takes its flight
As noontime sets the stage
This Rose unfolds its petals
On Nature’s scenic page
Then as the twilight lengthens
And darkness settles in
Its fragrance lingers in the air
To cheer our hearts again

By Jackie Hand in memory of her husband Berkley (6/11/12)
Member of NLAPW, Jacksonville, FL
Jackie has been a member of NLAPW since 1974. Jackie has won numerous awards in  her branch and in FSA for her music, poetry and short stories.Pen Woman of the Year  at the FSA 2003 Biennial Conference in 2003, and won First Place for the newly named Jacksonville Review newsletter. Two of her patriotic songs were recently used by National on two occasions, for the 200th Birthday Celebration of Abraham Lincoln 1809-2009.

Published on Front Page oft heir newsletter Giving a Hoot

5 SONGS GIVING COUNTRY MUSIC A BAD NAME

I get it. Everyone loves to hate country music.

But, despite the fact that my disdain for most trash on the radio has gotten me called a “musical elitist” before, I actually love it. Chalk it up to the fact that I drive on windy backroads all the time and have cows hanging out right behind my neighborhood. Fine. I don’t care what you think.

Country music actually has a lot of things going for it — it’s just a matter of what you’re looking to get out of a song. When it comes to this genre, songs are simple, relatable, catchy and rewarding. You can usually know most of a song after listening to it one time through. And if I tune into other stations, the odds of me knowing a song are much slimmer than when I turn to a trusty country station. My friend left the country for nearly five months and said she could still listen to country — and not feel like an alien — when she came back.

I agree with Chuck Klosterman, who wrote in Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs that, “The most wretched people in the word are those who tell you they like every kind of music ‘except country.’ People who say that are boorish and pretentious at the same time.”

But then there are times when I flip around country stations and come across songs that really are just. plain. terrible. And I realize that if I wasn’t really into country and came across one of thesesongs, I would hate it too. And my hatred — or maybe even pity? — of the genre would probably be irreversible.

So, for all you country-haters out there, don’t judge the genre by songs like these — five of the worst I’ve ever heard:

5. Dirt Road Anthem, Jason Aldean

Based on all the swerving, I’m going to guess that the ice cold beer sitting is his console wasn’t the first. I guess drinking and driving is legal if you are driving through a field. But, more importantly, why is Jason Aldean rapping?

4. Something Bout a Truck, Kip Moore

This song is the ultimate cliff-hanger. He goes through all these things and never tells us what exactly it is about any of them. Tell me, Kip, please! What’s is it about your truck? I think that Kip didn’t quite know how to explain it to us and decided to just repeat himself over and over again instead — creating this awful song in the process.

3. Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, Trace Adkins

Ohh wee, shut my mouth, slap your grandma?

2. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Taylor Swift

First of all, I don’t think rhyming never and ever counts as songwriting. Second of all, does anyone else remember Taylor Swift’s first single that was actually really good and didn’t sound like it was written by a twelve-year-old? Things have all gone downhill from there. Sure, she’s making bank, but I could be doing exactly what she is if I wasn’t tone deaf and still believed in fairy tales. (I know, we’ll never know if that’s true, but me saying that is no different than all the people that say they’d be really good at basketball if they were taller. So ha.)

1. Truck Yeah, Tim McGraw

This one breaks my heart the most because it’s by one of the most respected names in country music. Come on, Tim. Don’t do this to me. Truck yeah? What the truck were you thinking?

By: Alyssa Oursler

Blog: alyssaoursler.wordpress.com (version on blog includes videos)

Portfolio: alyssaoursler.weebly.com

Twitter: @alyssaoursler

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alyssa-oursler/48/215/791

The Top 5 Ways to Overcome your Fear of Crowds

Many people all over the globe suffer from severe anxiety when in the middle of a large crowd. If you feel that way, you are definitely not alone! You may have been through a traumatic experience or you may have been afraid of crowds for as long as you can remember. If you live in a city or are going somewhere like a theme park soon, then it would be helpful to remember the following five tips – they can be very effective in helping you overcome your fears.

1. Small Events
Going to a party or a get together is a great start to overcome your fear of crowds, because you are taking it one step at a time, instead of placing yourself in a huge gathering without preparation. Start hanging out with a few people at a time in a quiet place, and then the next time, join a few more, so you are easing your way into a large crowd. A crowded restaurant where you can find a spot of solitude would also be a great further step.

2. Companions
A lot of people cannot stay away from theme parks, clubs, or other large gathering places. It could help to go with these people, so you can talk to them about the fun parts and keep your focus on the positive. That way you are not paying attention to anything that is going on around you.

3. Deep Breaths
One symptom of fear is anxiety. If you feel your heart start pounding or a big headache coming on, then take a deep breath and close your eyes. If you have to escape to a quieter area where you are not in the middle of a crowd, then you should definitely do so. You may want to try some breathing exercises or simply close your eyes and count to ten. This is often exactly what people need – to just take a step back and get some perspective. Remind yourself that in a short amount of time, you’ll be heading home to your cozy home, and that this is not the end of the world.

4. Relaxing Music
Bring your iPod with you anywhere that you’ll encounter huge crowds. This will help you calm yourself. Listening to something familiar and happy can do wonders, and this trick is especially effective if you are listening to relaxing tunes, such as classical music. It is very soothing and you will feel much better, since you will not be able to hear any chaos around you.

5. Reassurance
When in a crowded area, you may feel unsafe, for a multitude of reasons. If you feel that way, reassure yourself that you are safe, and do whatever you have to to reassure yourself of this, such as being aware of your surroundings. Friends can also help with these feelings, because they can help you take care of any problems, such as familiarity with a specific area or more.

These five common methods will help anyone who wants to overcome a fear of crowds. It is important to not rush the process though, and take your time going through each method. If you feel that nothing is working for you, then you may want to see a counselor and see if they can come up with a better solution.

Rebecca Ford likes to write about health, saving money and visiting www.lifeinsurancequotes.org.

Guest Post U

The University of Great Content

Makin' a Living

KAAA  BOOM!
The lights blaze
The music blares
The fireworks fly

From behind the curtain
The magnificent man machine of muscle and might
Steps onto the stage and faces the mayhem's glare
He pauses, poses, scowls
And transfixes the audience with the knife of his laser stare

All the Saturday screamers are here packed with a month of hoots and howls
        anticipating the night's event
They leap to their feet

Flail the air with fists and shouts and wave a confetti of homemade signs

A blaze of fireworks scorches the air etching his bulk to the atmosphere  
        "Great audience,"   he thinks to himself
        "Got 'em goin' tonight."

He rips his signature power pose that pops his pecs to perfection
        "Grab these babies, Granny!"  he chides
Then moves to his stacked and racked six pac stance 'cepts bulging for all to awe
The rowdy crowd responds its wild approval
His bronzed body - waxed and stacked to the max glows in the spots
Somebody stokes the volume and the music pounds

The countless hours of workouts, sweat, pumping iron
And chugging protein shakes spiked with secret mystery brews pay off
He is the mortal wonder of the moment
The adoring fans scream in admiring frenzy
        "Back in action, baby.  You ain't seen nuthin' yet.
         I'm a living breathing force of destruction."

He locks his jaw and assumes his offended god glare for all to behold
Then begins the notorious march of doom down the catwalk
STOMP        STOMP        STOMP        STOMP

In that body that never quite felt at home in the button down suits
And the bland hallways that snake through the elevator office world
He lives free here
He struts his stuff
He's got the style
He knows the script
He plays for keeps
And he holds his own among the reigning god idols of wrestling
        "Give 'em what they want, baby
         Let 'em tear their hearts out."
The fans respond in a sweat soaked roar
And gleefully speculate on the coming war   
Rehearsed, yeah, but plenty can go wrong!

With the grip of giants he grabs the lower rope
Slides into the ring
Rises menacingly to his full height in a single move and scans the room

Daring all comers
Oblivious to an announcer's prattle and the blue shirted insect in the corner

It's his day
His show
His rule
He stalks the ring in controlled disdain
Flexing and posing that smooth groomed sculpture
Sending ripples from shoulder to shoulder with the quick flicks of his neck
        "We got it on, baby.  Let's move.  Rock 'n roll."

With the stealth of cats
He leaps to the top of the ropes at the turnbuckle
Stretches high on splayed beefed thighs to his full glory
The ultimate answer to a promoter's prayer

Then whips the championship belt from his waist
Spreads his feet to the ropes like a living Colossus of Rhodes
And in his towering Statue of Liberty pose
Triumphantly brandishes the golden prize to adoring fans

       “It doesn't get any better'n this,” his mind screams to the fever
       "Eighteen minutes baby.  Give 'em eighteen minutes.
        The best damn eighteen minutes of their puny little lives!"  

       “What a hell 'ava way to make a living!"

c  10/07
Sandy Hartman   
           

 (Batista- heavyweight who is no longer with the WWF)

Celebration in Music

                                 (To my lifelong friend Linda, who is a musician) 

When I think about celebration especially around holiday times, I think of music.  Our hearing sense, stimulated can summon emotion.  A sound can alert us to a sense of all-rightness, or not, or even a memory.  When we hear a song from our youth or one we first heard at an important event, we are transported back to that time by our memories.  Yes, it can be a sad memory as in the passing of a loved one or the marriage of a young relative with the inevitable moving away.  But more so we interpret it as being so personal as to be specific to our history and a reflection of our feelings and personality, alone. 

Everyone has a favorite song.  It may change through time, but at a given moment you do have one.  The song seems to have been written just for you.  You may even think that by some strange twist of fate, the writer has “tuned” in to your feelings and crafted this piece to reflect your on-going trials and tribulations; and maybe even to “guide” you.  My favorite song now, is “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry.  Although I knew this song was perfect as soon as I heard it, I tried very hard to NOT like it.  After all, the theme is about a young woman’s death and her Mother carrying on.  To any Mother, there isn’t a more emotionally charged issue than something that affects her child.  Then I have to ask myself, if it wasn’t the subject matter that endeared me to it, what meant so much more to me than the words meanings?  I decided it had to be the voice of the singer.  So beautiful, clear and even a little haunting, it “spoke” to me, a person with limited technical musical skills, by joining with the unkind words into a delivery that was received as personal and heartfelt.

Is it something that is “wired” in our brains that makes us feel like this?  And here I am assuming that everyone is touched by a particular song.  A song that they identify with more than any other, that perhaps was written and performed “just for them”.  Or is it just human nature to be sentimental or “weepy” when we are audience to a particular musical piece.  Is it perhaps the combination of instruments, skill of the conductor, or the perfect acoustics that can bring on our emotion?  I think we make it personal because some of us realize that music can feed our souls, nurture our desire for these specific feelings, and make that part of our mind whole again for a while, by these alternating cravings and sustenance.

And what better to feed ourselves on than something so “high minded” and eternal as music.  Yes, eternal.  After a song is born it lives on through other artists and performers.  We all have strong feelings about “remakes” of music we are attached to.  When a musician passes, we all know whose song it really is when we hear it in its updated or reworked forms.  Now with electronic and web capabilities of clarifying, storage and “global” transmittance, it seems music is indeed eternal.  What better than music not to stand as a memorial to its creator, but to be a moving inducement, a shared celebration from its creator out to everyone.

Connie Neff

Clear Path Writer (her website is under construction;see Facebook link to contact her.)