Poetry in Motion

Ever since childhood I have written poetry and songs. I used to make cute little cards for my parents on their birthdays and anniversaries. Little diddies like:

roses are red, violets are blue

I love my mom, and I love my dad too

OK, nothing profound there, but I was 5 years old at the time. They liked it!

In my teens I got my first guitar and fell in love with folk music and ballads. Joni Mitchell was my favorite singer and songwriter and still inspires me. I learned to fingerpick and play classical style, then went on to write many songs that describe the moment, or a lost love. This is one I wrote for a fabulous dog:

Jesse

I see a tree leanin’ on into the sky,

A hawk’s up ahead givin’ his loved one a cry,

A snake’s on a stone, a fly’s on a bone

While I’m sittin’ right here with

My green tennis shoes on.

Sunflowers, daisies, are growin’ up fine,

So pleasin’ to be here just passin’ my time

And writin’ poetry, melodies and rhymes,

And watchin’ the sun,

Nightime is comin’, the lighttime is done.

I had a good dog, she loved to be free

We went lots of nice places, just her and me

One day I came home but she wasn’t around

And my mamma cried “Honey, Jesse is gone.”

Car city is no place for a dog to be

For they’ll only get killed, just tryin’ to be free.

Darkness surrounds me and I’m all alone

I guess it’s ‘bout time for me to head on home

Silent eyes watchin’ from behind all the trees

So pleasin’ to be walkin’ along with the breeze.

You can hear this song at my space - myspace.com/susannajadeband

So, although when I write poems they usually do not have that rhyming quality, my songs tend to flow in that way.

Here is a short one about the "moment."

Green Lawns

She waits for twilight to watch the water

Water flowing over lawn over flowers

Over earth over life over so much more

Nothing more to know

She knew it at once so long ago

She picks dry leaves off the rose bush,

Pale light lingers, then quiet darkness

I'm especially fond of children's verse. The whimsical comical lines of Dr. Seuss always brings smiles and joy. Then there are all the profound little songs that are far above children's understanding but all of us know and love.

Row row row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is but a dream.

Yup, so true.

How about Oh Susanna -

It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry.

The sun so hot I froze to death, Susanna don't you cry ---

Yet we sing them over and over and love them still!

I'll end with a little Haiku - a favorite format of mine.

I walk down the road at night

Quiet eyes listening

Golden yellow orbs look on