Recalled Life

*photo:   http://www.alpenanow.com/

Kerry came up with the challenge of writing a poem, based on the Charles Dickens novel, "A Tale of Two Cities"~   I found this one difficult to do; It was during this time, life as I knew it, completely changed.


Termination dust sighted
Spawning bed disturbed
Poison leaves permanent toxic scar
Fragile seaweed tears flow
Bitter heart shivers
Barren thoughts appear, permafrost path
How do I go on?

Dreams of Sterling Highway
Turquoise blue water n' Fireweed pink
Promise of pitter patter, unearthed
Tarnished silver moon's kiss fades
Big Dipper netting, catches haunted nightmare
Bittersweet conditions, balance tilted
Ladder of faith, broke
Fragile glacier heart slowly melts
Second chance, shuffled dreams

Pristine ebony blue velvet sky
Thick ribbons of green n' gold flutter, flirt and dance
like butterfly wings

Celebrate second chance, second birthday
back to the drawing board
Paint new memories
rocking chair evenings
lightening bugs dance
near porch of seasoned golden years.

I was medivacced off Adak Island,Alaska,  in the Aleutian chain, during my lst pregnancy. I lost my first child and gave birth to Type 1 diabetes. My life was forever changed, I spent 3 weeks in a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. The Navy wouldn't let me go back to the island to pack my stuff or say good-bye. I was kicked off the island.  They finally sent me home to live with my Mother, till my husband finished his orders on the island. I survived 1380 blood sugar and have two healthy children. It could have been prevented, there were signs that were dismissed.  I went to the ER every weekend. I was 5 months pregnant and weighed 106 lbs. My blood work was forever lost,it had been drawn 24hrs before.  I woke up to my Dr crying near my bedside.  He was going to go to Bethesda, the big Naval hospital (where the President goes for his check ups); He feared if I died it would ruin his career.

I tried to use words that described Alaska, Fireweed is a flower, Northern Lights, termination dust is the first snow appearance on the mountain peaks. A sign that winter will soon be here.

My Take on Wordle

Robb gave us a challenge; He scrambled up a poem in Wordle, gave us 30 words to rewrite a poem, with conditions. :-)
I still haven't figured out the poem yet, but my bet is it's a childhood favorite.



Here is my poem, I did add a few words; I put them in  (      ) so you will know.

Cool peppermint grass ends
(where) black asphalt begins
Children know winds blow
White chalk burns
dark smoke grows
Crimson sun (rises)
Measured arrows (take) flight~




My poem represents going back to school
Learning means winds of change
 A spark ignites a passion to learn,
When we graduate we point our arrows;
go in a new direction.

Synonym Roll

Try rewriting a poem using synonyms. The assignment is:

Print out a poem—yours or another writer’s—double spaced. Above each word write another word that is similar in spelling or meaning, until you have the makings of new lines above each existing line. Revise these into a finished poem.

I took my poem, based on Poets United prompt #33 Fire
Here is the original:

Green fertile mind grows,
Once a bit seasoned, the flame ignites.

Youth smolders, internal heat erupts
Blisters form, as passion roars.
Radiating warmth with fits of rage.

Scorched gifts, burn into furrowed brow,
Oppressive humidity, sucks oxygen out,
Slowly arrogant n' proud, dissipate.

Intensity sparks light of hope,
Enlightenment is kindled,
Passion's promise glows,
Best Wishes of future planted.

Oooh's and aahh's arrive,
as fiery rain dances,
Display breathtaking beauty,
Triumphant new birth
appears.

Now after assignment:

Lush bearing soul develops,
As an aromatic spark kindles,
Teen fumes, inner torrid flames,
Vesicle appears, desire bellows,
Emits white heat controlled tantrum explodes,
Parched favor scalds, ignites creased forehead,
Distressed heaviness engulfs air from within,
Languidly, high spirited ego scatters,
Force kindles illuminated dream,
Awareness glows,
Rapture's hope is brilliance,
Outstanding ambition, destiny implanted,
Pleasure enters,
as red hot torrent tango,
Exhibiting thrilling symmetry~
It is interesting to see how close you can come to the original thought or words. I think the intensity and heat is stronger in my 2nd poem. What do you think?