In Case You Missed Them...Oh. And an Internship

So there you have it folks! The poems I wrote about each of my family members. Hope you liked reading them! If you missed any of 'em, I have compiled a little list for you to go back and read them all easily. 

You're welcome.

Dad

Mom

(I fit in right here, but obviously I didn't write myself a poem. That'd be dumb.)

Sapphire

Steele

Shylo

Sequoia
(Aren't my parents just the best for giving their kids names like Sapphire and Steele? Seriously. If I was a boy, I would want to be named Steele. How B.A. and by that I mean bad attitude.)

L to R: Sapphire, Me, Dad, Mom, Steele, and in front there's Sequoia and Shylo

Forgive me for the poor quality of the photo...it's a phone picture but the most recent one that we have together.

Anyway, for some more exciting news on my life...I just got an internship writing for a bridal magazine! I'm actually interviewing people and having my articles published and everything! How blessed am I?! Most people have to start making copies and getting the coffee or whatever but I get to jump straight to the writing. Dreams do come true. Thank you thank you thank you, Heavenly Father! I'm gonna be a real live journalist after all! (Which is good because I hear being one of the dead ones isn't that great.)

Daddy--Norm

Evolving Wealth

I found a treasure in an old shoebox today

Worn edges and faded color,

The snapshot was like gold in my hands

Taking me back and making me rich…

Pink satin heels

Five sizes too big

Cover my tiny feet

As we dance across the hardwood floor

They make no sound

For daddy lets me stand on his boots

Spinning us both in rhythm

To the silence of our kitchen

His calloused hands hold mine

He smells of concrete and dirt

And his sun-beaten face smiles down at me

Mom comes down the stairs to find

I’m borrowing her shoes

And her dance partner

But she doesn’t mind

She smiles as she grabs the old Kodak

And the flash captures this moment in time

Life is simple when you’re five

How was I to know how long his day had been

Or how exhausted he already was

As he picked me up

And gave me butterfly kisses?

Those heels silently taught me

That dad would always let me stand on his boots

Carrying me when I didn’t know the steps

And guiding me when I clumsily got off beat

It’s now that I see,

I found a treasure hiding in mom’s closet that day

Madre--Amy

Hand in hand

She glances over at me

And her eyes smile

Tires swallow asphalt

As we sing our hearts out

Like old friends

And we are

I’m four years old

Crying at the door

When she has to leave

Donning her shirt

I lay in her bed

Closing my eyes

And breathing in

Her scent

While I wait for

Her return

I’m ten and

I can’t seem to

Stay awake

To finish my paper on

The Boston Tea Party

In the morning

The last few sentences

Are in place

But they aren’t my words

I’m a whole seventeen

And my heart was

Just broken for the first time

She strokes my ratted hair

The curly mess

Which we share

Without so much as

“I told you so”

I’m twenty and

Living in my own apartment

She comes to visit and

We both can see

How much I have grown

As we share stories

Late into the night

We are now equals

She respects my

Opinions and advice

As I do hers

The only friend

I’ve always had

She’s helped me transition

From Barbies

To books

To boyfriends

And now

To becoming an adult

No matter how many

Years pass

I will never be too old

Or too busy

To tell her secrets

And take her hand

She has never been too busy

To take mine.

Sapphire

So I clearly couldn't pick one picture. We have a lot pictures together and I love them way too much to not include them in this post! But seriously, look at the one of her by herself. Isn't she just gorgeous?

(Check out her cute self over here!)

Warning: This poem may or may not, but most certainly does, contain many inside jokes.

Gnomes That *Thump*

I have never had my own room.

Except for once.

After a fight.

I moved to the basement

For ten minutes.

I have never had my own room

So when my world seemed to be ending

I had someone to talk to

Someone who hugged me tight

And rubbed my back

Until I fell asleep.

I have never had my own room

So if an interested boy placed a phone call

He had to be prepared for a conversation

With the both of us.

I have never had my own room

So I never got much sleep

Sharing laughter and inside jokes

Of *thumps*

And gnomes in the wall

Until the early morning.

I have never had my own room

And I suppose that accounts

For who I am today.

Because I have had

My best friend

My sister

Beside me the whole way.

I have not always appreciated

The fact that

I have never had my own room.

I do now.

Steele

“Little Brother”

When you were younger

You used to say

That you wanted to

Marry me

I thought you strange

But according to mom

That’s what little kids say

When they admire someone

We grew older and

You had no other brother so

I filled the role

Football, basketball, baseball,

And a “Wanna wrestle?”

When I came home

A handwritten letter

I wrote

Still tacked onto your wall

I never realized

Just how much

It meant

Now that you’re in high school

And I’ve moved away

There’s something

You should know:

I respect and admire you too,

More and more

Each passing day

I no longer have to

Dress you and

Teach you how to act

You seem to have

A feel for it

And the girls sure noticed fast

I almost wish

I hadn’t taught you

How to be so cool

For, in my eyes,

No one will ever be

Good enough for

My little brother

I guess “my little brother”

Is not so little anymore

You outgrew me long ago

But I will always,

Always

Be protective of the boy

I love so much

A great athlete

You now dominate in sports

And with a name like “Steele”

Others are intimidated

But I know better

I know

You really wanted

To be named “Trixy”

For the longest time

And I know,

Though mature for your age,

You still manage to

Slip away to

A magical land of

Batteries

I know

That you have

A heart of gold

I’ve seen you

Play with children

And I’ve watched you become

The greatest brother

I have ever known

I admire you,

“Little brother,”

And all the potential

 That you have

I look up to you,

“Little brother,”

Quite literally now

I wouldn’t change you,

“Little brother,”

Not one little thing

And I cannot

Wait to see

The man you’re

Meant to be

Shylo

Continuing on with my Christmas gifts...this poem was written for my second youngest sister, Shylo.

I Know You

Like the book

In which you

Are absorbed,

You’re easy to read

I know that

You care for us,

Your siblings,

Enough to

Defend us

Against all odds

I know that

You act as though

You are untouchable

In order to protect

Your fragile emotions

And soft heart

I know that

Your mound of books

Has gifted you

With intelligence and

In a world

All your own

Your imagination

Often runs wild

I wish I could

Escape with you

Because I know

How enchanting

It must be

I know because

I have been there

In my own mind

I know that

People say

You look like me

But I was

Much more awkward

At your age

I know how

Excited you can get

Over the same things

That I am passionate about

I know that

When I look at you

I see

A younger version

A smarter version

A kinder version

A better version

Of myself

Sequoia

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm a terrible blogger. Getting into the groove of things here in good ol' AZ has really thrown off my blogging. I'll work on that.

Anyway, as promised, here's the first  of the seven poems I wrote for my family members for Christmas. I'm going to start at the youngest and work my way up to the oldest so this one is about my 10 year old sister, Sequoia.

Baby Sister

Following ten years

Behind me in age,

My youngest sister

Doesn’t follow at all

With a mind all her own,

She is

Lively, Spirited,

And too often headstrong

But she is also

Gentle and kind

And eager to help

That fact becomes clear

When she realizes that

I’m a poor college student

And offers

All of the money

She has collected in

That little pink purse

I cannot take

 Her dollar bills

And pennies,

Though she’s pushing them

Into my hands

Like the mite

Of the widow,

My sister is willing to give

All that she has

She’s the first

To greet me

When I return

And always the

Most excited to hear

My voice on the phone

Her handwritten letters

Let me know she

Wants me home

And emotion-filled hugs

Tell me

It’s here I belong

The Flight annd...The. Best. Christmas. Ever.

Hey, girls, hey!!! I'm back! Sorry it's taken so long but I'm finally settled in here in Arizona. Saying goodbye to my family was hard and we all cried as if one of us had just died...luckily that's not the case. I just won't see them until May. Anyway, once I flew into Mesa I was greeted by Misty, James, and the girls. They were excited that I was there and that made everything so much better! It makes such a tremendous difference when people can't wait to see you. And I've skyped people every night so that has made things easier too! (My awesome old roommate Stephanie...cried saying goodbye to her too, my sister Sapphire and the rest of my family, and Candice!) So, long story short, the move went well and now I'm just chillin down here enjoying the 80 degree weather.
Now, I'm ready to tell you all about the Best. Christmas. Ever.
Are you ready?
Here goes...
So, as you know, Christmas was on a Sunday this year. We decided that we weren't going to open any presents before church that day and so off we went on our merry way. Our church Christmas program was awesome and the spirit was super strong! There were some really beautiful musical numbers that just about made me cry. Then we came home and opened gifts and I received a beautiful Canon T3 for my birthday/Christmas present! (Thanks, Mom!!..er....Santa) After everyone was done opening their gifts I told them to hang on, I had something to give them all. So I went and grabbed what I have been working on for awhile...poems I had written for each one of my family members. I handed them all out and, as they read them, my family began to cry. Omygoodness. Can I just say how much I love my family? It was one of those things that you will never forget and, though it sounds cheesy, now it's definitely the most special Christmas memory that I have. After a few more hours of just spending time with my family I received an amazing surprise, a phone call!!!  That was the cherry on top of my awesome Christmas.
It was just a really incredible day filled with all things good.
I can't even express what a great Christmas I had.
I love my family.
And I'm going to be sharing the poems I wrote for each one of them so that you can get to know them a little better and love them too. Keep your eyes open for them and enjoy!

Life is Good...and Poetry

I realize it's been awhile. I apologize. I think I may have bit off a little much this semester with 18 credit hours sooo I've just been trying to stay on top of that. It's been great though! I love love LOVE my roommate and life is good. I've decided I am going to share some more of my poetry with ya'll so hope you enjoy! Still rough drafts though...that's a very important detail to keep in mind. lol If you have any suggestions or advice or anything whatsoever let me know! =)


 Who I Am

As I ride on the back,

The green beast grumbles.

We’ve named it John and labeled it a deer

But neither fit as the tires roll along.

I wipe my face with my t-shirt:

Black.

Every inch of me is covered,

Covered in that which gives us life.

That which, in a way,

Gives everything life.

Bright green sprouts are born from it

Each day.

My eyes scan the land I work.

Like opening a crayola box

A myriad of green fills my view

Violet wild flowers and grey-blue rivers are thrown in.

It’s as if I’ve been in a toaster,

My skin is browned and it’s radiating heat

As the sun beats down,

Bleaching strands of my dark hair.

My body is tired and worn

But I don’t want to go inside.

This is my land, this is my home.

This is my pride.

I’m a girl doing a man’s work

But I don’t mind.

Covered in soil,

I’ve never felt so alive.

I Couldn’t Help but Notice

I spot her sitting

There, her beneath the tree.

Her dark hair is salted with grey…but just a little.

Olive skin peppered with sun spots…but not too many.

A black skirt and white blouse

Cover her features and

Reveal her secret:

This is no ordinary day.

Muscles rigid,

Only her brown eyes move

Darting, searching, waiting.

Is he coming?

Is he coming or will she be left,

Alone?

Stood up

Like every time before.

Still…she waits.

Maybe he’ll come.

Maybe this time they’ll fall in love.

Maybe.

Happiness in Poetry and Song

This semester I am taking a poetry class and we had to read a myriad of poems and then choose one to which we would write a response of sorts. I really liked one called The Secret by Denise Levertov.

The Secret
Two girls discover
the secret of life
in a sudden line of
poetry.

I who don't know the
secret wrote
the line. They
told me

(through a third person)
they had found it
but not what it was
not even

what line it was. No doubt
by now, more than a week
later, they have forgotten
the secret,

the line, the name of
the poem. I love them
for finding what
I can't find,

and for loving me
for the line I wrote,
and for forgetting it
so that

a thousand times, till death
finds them, they may
discover it again, in other
lines

in other
happenings. And for
wanting to know it,
for

assuming there is
such a secret, yes,
for that
most of all. 


And here's my attempt at poetry...


In response to:
The Secret


There is a truth
universally known:
We want what we 
can't have.


Ageless beauty, endless life
sought after by all
and lost looking for
the Fountain of Youth


Temporary fix, forgotten troubles
late nights drowning in that liquid gold
but with the morning light
regret comes knocking.


Every cupboard and corner
is meticulously scoured
searching for that awe-inspiring treasure:
the key to happiness.


It is accepted 
that such a thing
does not exist
but...what if?


What if there was
a key to happiness, a secret
and we could have it?
Would we take it?


What if happiness was 
as simple as 
loving your neighbor:
your friends, your family, your God?


What if happiness was 
not about having what you want
but wanting what you have?
What if.


Well there you have it, my first poem of the semester. Keep in mind it's only a rough draft. Anyway, hope you liked it! Smile and be happy today! Remember, your Heavenly Father loves you and is always there for you if only you're willing to ask. President Obama gave a very good quote during his inaugural address. He said, "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." That's how our Heavenly Father works. He is willing to help us, he is begging for us to let him help us, carry us even. We just have to ask and allow Him into our lives. If you need a little something else to brighten your day, play the following song. It's a sure-fire way to put that extra bounce in your step and give you that feeling of "I'm awesome and I can do this!" 

Make it a great day! =)

P.S.- Yesterday I switched to the College of Journalism, I mean I'm still at UNL and all I'm just no longer in Arts and Sciences. Anyway, I've been contemplating this for quite a long time now...and after a lot of prayer I finally decided to go for it. I'm so happy about my decision I feel like I'm literally floating right now! If you have the time read about it on my other blog.

 http://missionarygirlfriend-sierrashanea.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-is-wonderful.html  If you don't have time...Well read it anyway. It's good for you. And builds character. And all that jazz.