Thursday, December 31, 2009

Final Blog for 2009

This is my final blog for 2009. It has been a year of change, pain, and growth. As I look forward to this next year, I do so refreshed, renewed, and alive. It has been several years since I have felt alive and like Serena. I am pleased to have made some new friends in 2009 and I am grateful for the old ones that still linger. Gratitude has been truly felt this year.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Black Petal

This poem feels. I love this.



Black Petal


by Li-Young Lee





I never claimed night fathered me.

that was my dead brother talking in his sleep.

I keep him under my pillow, a dear wish

that colors my laughing and crying.



I never said the wind, remembering nothing,

leaves so many rooms unaccounted for,

continual farewell must ransom

the unmistakable fragrance

our human days afford.



It was my brother, little candle in the pulpit,

reading out loud to all of earth

from the book of night.



He died too young to learn his name.

Now he answers to Vacant Boat,

Burning Wing, My Black Petal.



Ask him who his mother is. He'll declare the birds

have eaten the path home, but each of us

joins night's ongoing story

wherever night overtakes him,

the heart astonished to find belonging

and thanks answering thanks.



Ask if he's hungry or thirsty,

he'll say he's the bread come to pass

and draw you a map

to the twelve secret hips of honey.



Does someone want to know the way to spring?

He'll remind you

the flower was never meant to survive

the fruit's triumph.



He says an apple's most secret cargo

is the enduring odor of a human childhood,

our mother's linen pressed and stored, our father's voice

walking through the rooms.



He says he's forgiven our sister

for playing dead and making him cry

those afternoons we were left alone in the house.



And when clocks frighten me with their long hair,

and when I spy the wind's numerous hands

in the orchard unfastening

first the petals from the buds,

then the perfume from the flesh,



my dead brother ministers to me. His voice

weighs nothing

but the far years between

stars in their massive dying,



and I grow quiet hearing

how many of both of our tomorrows

lie waiting inside it to be born.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Moving Forward

Moving forward is a good thing. I have chosen to reduce complaining to an all time low. It is counter productive. I am moving foward with new things, ideas, and motivations and I have decided to just lean into the things I value most and see what happens. A new Serena is emerging and I like her.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Circumstances

Wouldn't you know it. I am planning to go to the studio this weekend to record some poems and I get a sore throat. Reading out loud is a new discovery into sound and what can be done to rearrange the unexpected to fit the circumstance.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Happenings In My World

Well cool weather has made its way to Georgia. I detest cold weather but it is necessary to sustain life. I am presently working on a chapbook and preparing to record some audio tracks of my work. I am looking forward to that. I also plan to get my schedule in order so that I can have more time for the things I love. As a creative creature, time is so important and I admit I have not been the best steward of it. This is going to change. I plan to be more discipline with a writing schedule. I am going to post some essays to the site concerning my feeling on different issues that I care to give commentary too as well post more information to a little more insite into who I am and what I am about.

Monday, September 21, 2009

It's Flooding In Atlanta

Believe it or not it is flooding in Atlanta! We have been in a statewide drought for some time. I guess the flood is over. My son is ill today and so I had to call in to work today. I will be posted at my computer all day catching up on my writing.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Stumbling into Sepember

This summer has been intense. I had a lot of growing pains professionally and a major creative download. I am learning to rest more and live more for what matters to me. I am reflecting on the dreams in my heart and what really matters to me. Basically, I am cutting the fat. I look forward to presenting some new projects and ideas on this blog that will showcase what I am talking about. Stay tuned...

Monday, August 10, 2009

Coming Soon

I am going to add some of my poetry and links to places where I have published as well as other poet's work I appreciate. Stay tuned....

Monday, August 3, 2009

We are getting a film!

I have worked in Africa for ten years. It has been a wonderful growth experience for me. We have two really talented film producers who will be going to Kenya and Tanzania in September to video our work and put together a documentary. We will be having events in NYC and Atlanta so if you are interested in finding out more please email me.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday! I plan to spend the day happy and grateful that I made it another year. I pray that I will never spend my life on foolish things, but continue to be a drink offering to the One I love.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Disrespect

Disrespect is a weapon I would like to permenantly disarm. Really! In the words of Rodney King "can't we all just get along?" I don't know Rodney.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Building Global Citizens

Here is a link to a video session where one of our schools in Kenya is having a meet the author day and sharing classroom time with children in the UK. Enjoy!
https://sas.elluminate.com/p.jnlp?psid=2009-05-08.0301.M.6AEDA209F969F97704D3A43ED9EDAE.vcr

Friday, June 5, 2009

Musings

Last week I found out that we have been awarded a wonderful grant that will allow us to begin our farm project in Tanzania. The goal is to develop a 60 acre farm that will allow us to feed our kids and staff as well as sell to businesses, gov't, etc. to make money to put back into our project. I am really excited about this.

Monday, May 25, 2009

A New Primary School in Tanzania


I can't believe that we are building our 3rd primary school.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I'm Back

I made back safely from Africa but I am so tired. I will have photos to post tomorrow.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Lonely World of Writing

For the last past several months I have been able to produce 15 poem and 2 flash fiction pieces. I think pecking away at this computer is getting to me. So I am going to take my son out to play and try to invision what it was like to be a simple child again.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

New Beginnings

I am leaving next week for Tanzania. I am going to visit some work my organization is doing there. I am hoping that I will have some fresh material for my poetry and fiction. I will also post lots of pictures.