Poetry – Page 2 – Sharon Vander Meer

WALKING IN OCTOBER

October 26, 2021January 11, 2022 Posted in Books, Poetry6 Comments

Walking in October

There, clouds riding high
in a brilliant blue, blue sky.
Further along black birds cluster,
feathers flap with wicked bluster.
A shedding tree bares its limbs,
dropping leaves like floating gems.

A pumpkin here, scarecrow there,
a ghostly presence to give a scare!
The air is fresh with a little bite,
wood smoke smells of fireplace alight.
Oh, the joy of an October walk,
listening to Mother Nature squawk and talk.

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This is Day 175 of my 365 day self-imposed poetry challenge, which will culminate at the end of April (poetry month) 2022. The photo is one I took today, which inspired, in part, Walking in October.
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I am an indie author of six books and two chap books of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I’m also a member of the Las Vegas Literary Salon, a group committed to sharing the work of local writers. Follow LVLS at lvnmlitsalon.org. Thanks for reading and sharing this post.

Taking on the Challenge

April 30, 2021January 11, 2022 Posted in Inspiration, Poetry, She said...4 Comments

Write Now I just completed the Writer’s Digest 30-day Poem-a-Day challenge. I posted a poem every day – based on a prompt provided by Robert Lee Brewer – and loved every minute of it. This isn’t the first year I’ve done this challenge, but sometimes I’m playing catch up from the get-go or rushing madly to get all the poems done by April 30. I found doing them day by day so much better and way more satisfying.

So, why can’t I write poems every day the rest of the year? Why do I need a prompt kick in the pants to sit down and compose poetry? It’s not a lack of inspiration. I often convert my spiritual practice of writing devotionals into poetry based on Bible verses. Life generally is full of poetic fodder. With that in mind, I plan to continue the exercise of writing a poem a day until April 30, 2022.

Let it be said, my hand hovered over the delete button as soon as I typed that last sentence, but I stopped myself.

For a variety of reasons, I’ve neglected my writing in recent months. The poem-a-day challenge ignited the flickering embers of banked creativity into a flame. It’s not that I haven’t been writing, but it’s for external projects; not the kind of writing that feeds the author within.

In the comments, let me know what you think of the poetry posted below, three among the thirty I wrote in April, AND if you have a prompt you would like to see a poem about, leave it in the comments and I’ll see what I can do.

Just a reminder, the Las Vegas Literary Salon is publishing a book of short fiction, essays, and poetry. Read more about it here. And now for some Vander Meer poetry.

The Day 4 prompt was to write an active poem. How do you think I did?

POETRY ACTIVE
Why is my brain
a runaway train?
I write my thought,
will it come to naught?

I dither and stir,
mind in a whir.
Words flow out,
like a garish shout!
I want to sleep,
but will they keep?
These words, I pray,
will be good, another day.

The Day 7 prompt was to write a villain poem. I rather enjoyed writing this one, and if you don’t know who Natalie Goldberg is, you might want to check her out. She is a writing guru!

VILLAINS
The thieves of creativity
chew me up and spit me out.
Self-created villains,
gremlins of doubt, fear, anxiety,
chip away at my confidence,
and then, I Natalie Goldberg them,
and write anyway, as though someday,
someone will read my words
and smile… or not.

Day 11 had to be a prime number poem, which of course, begged the question, what the hell is a prime number? Math is NOT my strong suit. As it turns out, 3 is a prime number. So here’s my Haiku in tribute to the prompt.

THREE LINES
Two wings and a beak
tiny talons grip a fence
merry spring arrives.

If you’re a writer, happy writing. I hope this post is an inspiration. If you’re a reader, THANK YOU! Please follow this website, like this post, comment, and if you’re moved to do so, share.

KQRE Website interview

April 13, 2021 Posted in Books, fiction, Poetry, Profile2 Comments

Thanks to my Southwest Writers membership, Anna Padilla connected with me for this interview. Click on this link to read an interview KL Wagoner did a while back. I’m so appreciative of these opportunities.

On the Shelf: Northern New Mexico author encouraging others to ‘write that book’

HOLY WEEK

March 31, 2021 Posted in Poetry2 Comments

The greatness of our God
cannot be imagined by us;
our minds simply are not big enough.
We can’t praise him enough,
thank him enough,
worship him enough.
Remember this,
God can make much of the little we have.
Give him all you’ve got.
He is present in every day.
Live life accordingly,
share
– by your actions –
your deep and abiding faith
in God.

Shout His praise with joy! For great is the Holy One. Isaiah 12:6 NLT

MOON NIGHT

February 10, 2021January 11, 2022 Posted in Poetry2 Comments

Moon Night

What is that I see
chasing the moon?
Wispy clouds,
bare dark tree limbs
reaching up, up, up
into a darkening sky.
It is a moon night.
All nature points
to luminous lunar beauty.

Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. Your likes, shares, and comments are welcomed. Click the BOOKS tab to find out more about my work and to order my books. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I frequently write about my town, Las Vegas, N.M.Occasionally I use interesting and helpful content from other sources. I also invite guest posts. If you have a topic you would like to share, send to fsvandermeer@gmail.com.

OPEN AND CLOSE

January 24, 2021January 10, 2022 Posted in Inspiration, Poetry4 Comments

Silver Lining

I pray to live into God’s promise,
and embrace the gifts of life and opportunity
with joy and optimism,
living in hope and grounded in faith.

I thank God for mercy and compassion,
the comfort of his love that
brings peace to a troubled soul,
and opens doors to joy.

May I have the wisdom and strength
to close the door on disappointment and anger,
and instead, thank God for love without measure,
forgiveness without limits.

SNOW

January 19, 2021January 11, 2022 Posted in Books, Poetry

Snow fell today,

…pristine

beautiful…

Creature tracks
break the crust.
Moisture gives us

…hope

…expectation

of a spring
blooming and lush.

Thank you for being a reader/subscriber. It is my goal to present informative, interesting, and creative content on this site. Your likes, shares, and comments are welcomed. I am an indie author of six books and two chapbooks of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central. I frequently write about my town, Las Vegas, N.M.Occasionally I use interesting and helpful content from other sources. I also invite guest posts. If you have a topic you would like to share, send to fsvandermeer@gmail.com.

REFLECTION ANEW

December 26, 2020January 11, 2022 Posted in Arts, Poetry5 Comments

More than meets the eye

Look beyond
what you see,
look at you,
look for me.
What seek you
in the days ahead?
Health and hope,
not fear nor dread?
It starts within
each gentle soul
as we look
to be made whole.
It is not so simple
is it now,
as we look for
the why, the how?
Do one kindness
on this day,
a smile, a laugh
to pave the way.
See beyond
what is there,
look for joy,
everywhere.

I watched a commercial featuring an elderly man doing a seemingly foolish series of exercises using – I think it’s called – a kettlebell. His actions are a curiosity to his neighbors and downright alarming to some, but he persists, always using as inspiration a photo the audience is not privileged to see, until the end. You can view the ad here. The commercial inspired me to write this poem and served as a reminder to identify what brings joy and focus on that. Happy New Year!

PEACE

December 22, 2020 Posted in Arts, Poetry11 Comments

Peace

Peace on Earth
seems far away
as we muddle about
from day-to-day.

Sing the song
of Peace on Earth,
see each person’s
gifts and worth.

Pass not judgment,
hear instead the sighs
of Peace on Earth
from he – or she – who cries.

May I make time to think
of a kindness I can birth
to bring about
Peace on Earth.

2020 has left us reeling and maybe a bit rattled about what lies ahead. I wrote this poem with hope in my heart.

–Sharon

REFLECTION

December 14, 2020January 11, 2022 Posted in Arts, Poetry2 Comments

Christmas ornaments reflect light –
iridescent, glowing,
bringing joy,
lifting spirits,
and lighting faces
– young and old –
with smiles.
Like stars alight
in the swirling dark,
their colors shine sublime.

Sharon Vander Meer

vandermeerbooks.com

Category: Poetry

WALKING IN OCTOBER

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Taking on the Challenge

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KQRE Website interview

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HOLY WEEK

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MOON NIGHT

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OPEN AND CLOSE

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SNOW

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REFLECTION ANEW

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PEACE

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REFLECTION

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