Self Reincarnation (Made from articles from O, The Oprah Magazine)

Self Reincarnation

I've made all

the best mistakes.

I created

flares from flaws.

Learning to fix

to thrive.

I am more than a

victim.

Unstoppable,

Fearless,

Bold.

I'm the survivor.

El diario de un romance primer (made from Somos Así 3, a Spanish textbook from high school)

I don't speak spanish, but I studied it for years. This is my attempt at a Spanish love poem- I understand it might not be 100% accurate but I wanted to try something new. The intended English translation follows the Spanish poem.

El diario de un romance primer

Cuando se enamora …

No seas mentiroso

Se generoso;

no seas egoista

Siempre me equivoco

Pero eres una maravilla.

Créeme, por favor

Le digo la verdad

Cuando digo cuánto te quiero

Mi amor

Dame la mano

Ven conmigo

Para siempre

English Translation:

The Diary of a First Romance

When you fall in love.../ Do not lie./ Be generous;/ Do not be selfish.

I always make mistakes/ but you are wonderful.

Believe me, please/ I tell you the truth/ when I say how much I love you.

My love/ take my hand/ come with me/ forever.

Check out the video that documents the creation of this poem:

Portraits of Resilience (made from several different copies of People magazine)

Portraits of Resilience

My idea of paradise is

to wake up and

say 'I love you'

To join you

Holy Ghost Girl

So we could be at one.

I don't give up.

I remember

YOU

everywhere I go.

Together! (made from Unified Society's pamphlets on Mutual Responsibility from Occupy Wall Street; picture from Bao's takeout menu)

Together!

 An exchange of words,

and smiles,

which draws you closer

and closer,

until you begin to feel

strangers who suddenly

feel like home.

We find ourselves in eachother

We become one common body.

nothing but unity

the only thing we need is connection.

together we learn how to fly,

together in thought and in heart.

colorful, strange, and beautiful

hand in hand

together

no one will rule over us.

Chance (digital collage from NYtimes.com)

(created from http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/thomas-langmann-the-man-who-took-a-chance-on-the-artist/?ref=arts)

Chance

I guess I was dreaming

about passion, love

everything.

Everything at the same time.

I saw the light

I was so afraid.

I started at the bottom

Someone asked me to move to the other side.

I needed a miracle.

It's silent

It's beautiful.

All the weakness of this life

Became strength

Passion, love,

everything.

Everything came

from this

miracle.

The Painted Dolls On The Move (made from the children's book "The Big Book Of Indians" by Sydney E. Fletcher)

The Painted Dolls On The Move

Young children prove fearless

They were dusty stars,

A band of warriors

massacred.

Their very existence

was considered

the greatest gift.

The warriors returned

Running from evil spirits.

Dance as memorials to the dead.

Dance the War Dance.

Tragic Crash (made from an article from The Putnam County Courier, the local paper)

Recently, I was in a car accident, which I'm still both emotionally and physically recovering from.  On August 11, 2011, I lost my best friend in this accident. I created this poem in the hospital, using an article from our local paper on the accident and her death. This poem is for you, Caitlyn.

Tragic Crash



A horrible accident,

Massive injuries

The vehicle rolled.

Lost control

We drifted into a ditch.

unresponsive,

not breathing.

The young woman

Wonderful, caring,

her short time

rushed.

She was pronounced dead.

We are heartbroken mourners.

Caitlyn was laid to rest

and I love her like she is returning home.