Mother's Day 2011



Mother's Day 2011

A special poem for my children!

On this special day each year,

Cards, flowers, and chocolate appear,

But I want you,my children, to know,

I may not say it enough but I love you so.

Tried to live by the golden rule,

Taught you to never play the fool,

You in turn, taught me to live,

Together we learned how to forgive.

I know there were times you cried,

When you felt scared and confused inside,

Wanted to chase those feelings away,

Wanted to hear your laughter every day.

Sometimes I didn't know what to do,

I held you close and prayed for you,

Tried to show you understanding,

At times I was probally too demanding.

Called your names from our back door,

Swept broken dreams from the floor,

Watched summer sunlight kiss your skin,

How I'd love to do it all again.

I couldn't keep you young forever,

I encouraged your ambitious endeavor,

Now full grown and on your own,

You are the seeds of love I've sown.

I love you!

Mom

© Dianna Doles-Petry

5/7/2011

Rhyme or No Rhyme

I am a poetess. I desire to share my thoughts freely. Sometimes my poetry rhymes, very often it does not. Today, while speaking with another writer, the topic of rhyming poetry came up during the conversation. Does rhyming poetry add something desirable to the poem if it’s done well? Is trying to rhyme a poem actually restrictive? Inquiring minds want to know the answers to these questions.

Personally, I have read many good poems that have rhyming line endings. I have written many poems, although I cannot say they have all been good, with rhyming line endings. Occasionally, one of my poems will take on an almost musical richness because of the rhyming. My problem with rhyming poetry is the feeling that it is often forced rhyming that gives it an elementary school sound.

During a Creative Writing course in high school I was taught that a poem without rhyme was not really a poem; it was prose. Later, in college, I was taught that just about any words put together that leave the reader with the impression of having just experienced spontaneous thoughts and gratifying insight could be viewed as poetry.

Many songwriters, (Tim McGraw is one that comes immediately to mind), use rhyming lyrics that flow very smoothly with the music. Performers of hip-hop can create rhymes from words most of us would never consider using in poetry. I’ve tried to emulate that form of rhyming just to see if I can pull it off and let me assure you, the written version of that form of rhyming poetry just does not work for me. Reading it instead of listening to it makes all the difference.

Free verse is much easier for most poets to use and allows them to express what they truly want to say. Trying to fine tune a poem to force it to rhyme usually gives it a nonsensical feeling and in all honesty, the English language has few true rhyming words and even fewer that have not been used so often they have become fatigued.

This is just my thoughts on the subject. Most writers, I’m sure, will start to write a poem and only then know if rhyming is going to work for the piece or not. If you need to be more disciplined or orderly with your poetry then rhyming may give you that old school appearance and flow. As far as I know there are no rhyme cops that will take you away for using rhyming line ends or for not using them if free verse helps you unleash your thoughts more profusely.

I am just a poetess,

Sharing words as I go,

I like to believe,

I’ll find some answers.

Time is a precious gift,

Another is a friend,

Harmony and humility,

Captured with my pen.

© Dianna Doles-Petry
June 28, 2010

Early Morning Quiet

(Photograph by Kyle Pack-Doles 2007)

Early Morning Quiet

In the early morning quiet,

New blooms wait for sun's kiss,

Baby birds tweet for nourishment,

I cherish moments like this.

A second cup of coffee,

As I think of days long ago,

Tin lard pails holding blackberries,

There was much I didn't know.

Life seemed to hold a grand secret,

Shared with only a few,

Sunshine warming my shoulders,

My future was still brand new.

My pace is slower now,

But there's more I hope to see,

Maybe if I'm lucky today,

Inspiration will shine on me.

In the early morning quiet,

Wings flutter and flowers yawn,

Peaceful moments of my life,

Arrive as beautifully as dawn.

© Dianna Doles-Petry

6/8/2010

Questions for a Writer

Questions for a Writer

She asked me, “Why do you write poetry?”

I searched for a worthy reply.

I am driven by a need to be heard,

But answered, “I’m not sure why.”

I began a quest to comprehend rhyme.

I had many thoughts to convey.

The melody of a flowing river,

The sunshine I find along the way.


She asked me, “Why do you write stories?”

I write to touch hearts through open ears.

I create moments of pure delight.

I answered, “To chase away my fears.”

I used to be like this young girl,

With long hair spun from golden sunlight,

With no time for naps or worry,

I was eager to share a kiss by moonlight.

She asked me, “Why do you like happy endings?”

She is wise well beyond her years.

“I can keep people from turning to dust,” I replied,

Then I turned to brush away my tears.

© Dianna Doles-Petry

4/27/2010