The Path of Pain NAPOWRIMO April 28, 2018

NAPOWRIMO April 28, 2018

The Path of Pain

A line drawn through nerves

electrical sensations that course

with lightning speed to the brain

cascading back along the same path

recharging at the source.

©2018 Noreen Braman

Thoughts After a 9/11 Memorial 5k NAPOWRIMO 4-23-18

Photo ©2018 Noreen Braman www.noreensdigitaldreams.com

Thoughts After a 9/11 Memorial 5k

Cushioned socks and sneakers

to take me 3.2 miles

on a clear sky, sunny day

to remember.

Staircases descended by those in fear

staircases ascended by the calm and brave

all who expected to see sunrise the next day

are remembered.

Upward looks take in the new building

far gazes behold Liberty

internally, visions of dust and debris

swirl in the mist of remembrance.

Walking in the shadows of restoration

much more that the raising of skyscrapers

powerless to raise the dead

the rebuilding of life is the duty

to memory.

©2018 Noreen Braman

The Sherperd's Tree NAPOWRIMO April 16, 2018

NAPOWRIMO April 16, 2018

The Shepherd’s Tree

As far as a Redwood reaches into the sky,

the Shepherd’s Tree sends down its roots,

supporting and nourishing all that rises above

that in turn supports and nourishes

the wildlife under its branches.

This is the tree to grow family on,

strong, resilient and firmly rising

From a deeply planted heritage.

©2018 Noreen Braman

The State of Things NAPOWRIMO April 15, 2018

NAPOWRIMO April 15, 2018

The State of Things

True Jersey girl

moods parallel the weather,

one day warm and sunny

Next day freezing rain.

One week sporting

boardwalk bravado,

another spent stalled

in the traffic of uncertainty.

Driven between bright city lights

and pastoral green fields,

working to integrate

Jersey’s split personalities

into a cohesive state of mind.

©2018 Noreen Braman

Under the Bridge NAPOWRIMO April 12, 2018

NAPOWRIMO April 12, 2018

 

Under the Bridge

The 12-foot bridge will not be moved

no matter how many trucks you slam into her.

She has carried trains upon her back

since the days of wagons and horses.

Her stone edifice resists weather and

silently endures the indignity of graffiti

while watching walkers and bicyclists

pass under her arches unimpeded.

The 12-foot bridge, and all her sisters,

stand resolute against the changing times

and will not be moved

no matter what wheeled conveyances

assault them.

©2018 Noreen Braman

Faking It or Making It NAPOWRIMO April 11, 2018

NAPOWRIMO 2018 April 11, 2018

Faking It, Or Making It

The imposter can speak with authority

having read and studied and listened and written,

learned how to charm and smile at a roomful,

turning metaphoric cartwheels if necessary

to generate approval.

Yet

The imposter lies awake many nights

having seen and heard and felt and suffered,

learned that deep inside is dishonesty

turning spasmodically in the brain

to generate unworthiness.

Yet

Is being an imposter real or imagined,

And will they all ever find out? 

©2018 Noreen Braman

So Funny, The Author and I Must be Twins - Oh EBWW, I Miss You So

NANOPOWRIMO 2018 taking a little break

Yes, I am still in Poetry Month land, trying to indulge the lyrical, beret-wearing part of me. But someone shared this column on Twitter. The author is a member of the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, an organization's whose sells-out-in-five-minutes conference I was so very fortunate to attend some years back. Years before that, I wrote for something called "Housewife Writers Forum" that gave awards for the "Best Imitation Erma Bombeck story." I wasn't too keen on the "Housewife Writer" part, but loved the idea of continuing the women's humor genre. I even just bought "Laugh Out Loud," an anthology of humor writing by writers in the EBWW (yes I am so jealous! and proud! 40 women writers included!) 

Reading this kind of hilarious work reminds me of my love for Shirley Jackson, who, best known for horror, was Erma before there was Erma. (And seriously, how blurry is the line between humor and horror! Think of what has happened with clowns lately!) So, please enjoy this essay by Dorothy Rosby, (linked below the photo) who was looking in my windows, FOR SURE.

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