Creativity Project Year Two-Day 125

Journal entry:

Quiet Desperation

I’m treading the edge
Where the urge to die almost
Trumps the will to live.

I want to give up,
All the platitudes are vain,
They give no relief.

Pressure continues
To bear down on me without
Any real surcease.

I have to go on,
But have no heart to sustain
Me throughout the fight.

Tears flow down my face,
I cry out for someone’s help,
But no one aids me.

Must overcome this,
Defeat the desperation,
Somehow, I’ll make it.

I’m treading the edge
Where the urge to die almost
Trumps the will to live.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, May 13, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I had food to eat.
2.   I had clothes to wear.
3.   My dog loves me.
4.   My Mom loves me.
5.   I don’t have to sleep outside with no shelter tonight.

This has been a devastating Monday, please forgive me for being down, perhaps tomorrow will be better… perhaps I will feel like resuming the war. Right now I want to retreat and keep retreating until I cannot be found.

I hope your day was much more successful than my own. I usually encourage you to do something creative at this point, but I can understand if you feel creation would be better deferred. I felt that way tonight, but I laid my heart out anyway. Perhaps you should do the same. Who knows, it might brighten your day.

As a prompt, write about a time you felt defeated by circumstances beyond your control. The examples are above, pour your heart out on the page. If you would like to share your work and you use this prompt, please leave a link to your creation in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way back here again. You can follow Chronicles by entering your email address in the space provided above so you get regular updates. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 123

Journal entry:

The following poem evolved into a revelation of personal truth. It tells a story and I hope you like it.

Where Memory Leads

He does not know, and
I suppose that is better,
I thought of him once
Again today, as happens
Often when I am alone.

I really should not
Let him linger taking space
Within my thoughts, but
Occasionally I miss
Him still, though I ought not.

He moved on, and so
Did I, but his memory
Haunts me at times when
Loneliness overtakes me
With its cruel clutching claws.

I am prisoner
Of the love we shared in days
That still glow brighter
Than they have permission to
Within my wayward conscious.

He was always much
Better in my brain than in
Reality, so
I will just compare the truth
With the image and forget.

It was my success
Which imposed a golden hue,
For I was doing
So much better then than now,
Money flowed without restraint.

I made those times my
Own perfect fairytale days
Because I was on
Top of the world with reason:
My grand outstanding efforts.

That experience
Can be mine once again if
I will only try
And go beyond the edges
Of my dissatisfaction.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 11, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I was once a publisher in my own right.
2.   I have the ability to do that work again if I so choose.
3.   I have the equipment to do most processes.
4.   I have the software to complete many vital tasks.
5.   I can usually accomplish what I set out to do.

My Saturday went very well. I hope your day was filled with smiles. Now I want to encourage you to lay aside your other concerns and make an effort to do some creative work. You have a vivid imagination and that is all required to make something wonderful.

As a prompt, write about a personal truth that you rarely reveal to yourself or others. You might do this in a poem, as I did, or you could write a story or journal entry. If you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below. I would love to read what you create.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed your stay and will come back often. If you have comments to share don’t hesitate to leave them below.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 121

Journal entry:

Unappreciated

You take it all away
With your ignorance
Of everything I do
To make your life
More pleasant.

Sometimes I almost
Give up trying
Because you never
Notice my efforts
To enrich your days.

I have to remain
Hidden in the shadows
While you bask in
All the glory,
Darkness must suit me.

One day perhaps
You will notice
Everything does not
Revolve around you
And all your drama.

I work in the background
Without any credit
Wondering why I must
Continue when you
Do not even say thanks.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 9, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have plenty of paper.
2.   I have lots of clothes from which to choose.
3.   I still have my Mom with me.
4.   I have a variety of books to read.
5.   My computer allows me to do things I only imagined a few years ago.

Thursday was an interesting day. I hope your day was enjoyable. I went to the Sweetwater Camera Club meeting this evening. The speaker, David Fisher, gave a great presentation. As usual, I want to encourage you to engage your creativity and make something wonderful to share with the world. You can without doubt do work that touches other lives.

As a prompt, write about creativity in a way that encourages or provokes others to action. Your poem, story, or journal entry can be shared by leaving a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so thankful you chose to spend a few of your precious moments reading my blog. I hope you will find your way back here often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. Any comment you have to share would be much appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 118

Journal entry:

Beyond Bearing

Could it be magic?
This feeling uncontained by
My normal restraint,
Running wild across my nerves,
Shaking up my sheltered life.

I glance so quickly
At you and then away with
Eyes that cannot bear
More than just momentary
Contact with your fair visage.

Your voice causes me
To tremble with deep longing
Consuming every
Vestige of my strong resolve,
Making me completely melt.

I am overcome
By overwhelming feelings
Of desire and love,
I want you within my arms
Cradled to my beating heart.

Could it be magic?
This feeling uncontained by
My normal restraint,
Running wild across my nerves,
Shaking up my sheltered life.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, May 6, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to stay up all night.
2.   Mom was able to have her procedure even though somehow the office had not scheduled it.
3.   She did well despite us not having proper preparation.
4.   I went to Sam’s Club and picked up a few things we needed and got a sample that made me want to prepare a recipe.
5.   I remembered to renew my library books.

I had a decent Monday and hope your day also went well. There were moments when I thought the whole thing was going to fall apart, but it held together. I encourage you to engage your creativity and make something wonderful to share with the world. You never know all you can accomplish until you put forth effort.

As a prompt, write about your hidden talent. I hope yours is more pleasant than mine! Write a poem, story, or journal entry and leave a link to your work in the comments below so we can enjoy your revelation.

Thank you very much for reading my blog. I hope you will visit often, but you might also wish to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. I welcome any comments you may have to share, so please leave one.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 117

A letter I will never send:

The following poem was prompted by The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics were found in the wordle there. Should you need a bit of inspiration visit that site.

Traffic Control

Thunderous pulsing
Of a thousand messages
Coming across wires
Moving almost without count,
Definitely without charm.

Others dish them out
With the thick spit of red rage
Drowning words in soup
That pours down the front of each
Person’s fine dressing like mud.

We are strained, stained, left
Flinching under deluge of
Communication,
Taxing imagination,
Killing creativity.

Overcome by thought
Travelling extremely fast,
We cannot compete
Within our own simple minds,
We have to exit the stream.

To find sanity
We must limit the inflow
Of information,
Working to place some order
Upon continuous flood.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, May 5, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Dreams in slumber are not reality.
2.   Mom was able to get a bath despite her pain.
3.   Jeremy came by for a few minutes and took off a bag of our trash.
4.   Reba called and has our reborn babies almost ready.
5.   Life sometimes has rewards beyond our expectations.

This Sunday has been relaxing, although Mom is still in a lot of pain. When she sits still it abates somewhat. I hope you have enjoyed your day. If you feel inclined, spend a few moments exploring your creative impulses. There is much you can accomplish if you only make an effort. I have faith in your ability.

As a prompt, write a letter to someone who deserted you. You do not have to send the letter, but you might find material in it that you could otherwise use in a poem, story, or journal entry. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way back here often, but you might also like to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you might offer would be greatly appreciated, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 113

Journal entry:

I actually wrote the following poem on Monday and had already posted my blog, then I forgot to post it yesterday. So I hope you enjoy it.

Unsung Heroes

They’re the ones who stand
Backstage, out of the spotlight,
With quiet support
For every flamboyant act
Performed before the rapt crowd.

They’re the ones who say
Constant prayers for those who brave
Terrible dangers,
A hot line to God’s power
Is kept open by their pleas.

They’re the ones seldom
Wanting any credit for
The sacrifice they
Ever so willingly make
To keep everyone else safe.

They’re the ones who will
Never mention quitting in
The face of defeat,
They have hope and faith to keep
On fighting despite the odds.

They’re the ones who don’t
Voice their doubts in the hearing
Of others who might
Then lose heart, they continue
Believing to the finish.

They’re the ones who make
Other lives worth living with
Their dedication
To lifting up their fellows
Helping them their tasks complete.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, April 29, 2013

Today’s poem, which is actually a rap song, follows:

Nonsensical Rhythm

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
That’s how it goes
When I am trying
To think of a song
To make into a poem
To write for me and you.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
I got the music
In me and want to
Get the music inside
Of you too, so I keep
Writing until I do.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
It does not make a lot
Of sense, but it is not
Necessary that it does,
It just has to reach out
And grab ahold of you.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
Get yourself up,
Jump, shout, and move,
Sing out the song
I’m sharing with you,
Making it a part of you.

Ooo la la…
Di op, dippity, whop, do…
That’s how it goes
When I am trying
To think of a song
To make into a poem
To write for me and you.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, May 1, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   It was only cloudy and did not rain.
2.   I was able to get the x-rays from Doctor Desai’s office.
3.   I was able to get an appointment with Doctor Patel’s office.
4.   Mom saw Doctor Bueno and he helped her some.
5.   Carrie Leigh cut the grass in our little yard.

I had a stressful Wednesday, but it turned out alright. I hope you had a blissfully happy day. Now do as I have done and let your creativity loose to make something that can enrich your life and those of your readers. I know that you can do wonderful things if you only make an effort.

As a prompt, write a rap that begins with some nonsensical words in rhythm. I had never done this before today, but I quite enjoyed it and suspect you will too. Should you use this prompt, leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you found encouragement in it. Come back often, but you might also want to enter your email address in the space provided above and subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 74

Journal entry:

Stormy Weather

Thunder
Rolling over
Us like they are bowling
In Heaven and my poor puppy
Dog, Hope, is frantic with apprehension.
She wants me to make room for her
In my lap, but I am
Busy just now,
Thunder…

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, March 23, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Penny seems a little better.
2.   My computer is not broken.
3.   Best Buy had a workable power adapter.
4.   Mom rode to town with me.
5.   I am able to post tonight.

This Saturday has been a bit taxing, as always happens when my technology does not work as it should. I hope your day was relaxing and filled with happiness. Get yourself in gear and create something. You have unlimited resources of imagination at your disposal. Do not waste time in self doubt. I believe you have the talent to do marvelous things if you only apply yourself.

As a prompt, write about the weather where you are. You know we often converse about the weather in small talk, so just create a poem, story, or journal entry that explores the subject. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog. I hope you will return often, but I also suggest you enter your email above and subscribe to Chronicles. I cannot stress enough how much your feedback means to me. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 62

Journal entry:

On Purpose

I suppose I am
On mission even here at
Home because no one
Else is willing to take on
The responsibilities
That I have with Mom.
I made a promise I will
Not break, but I thought
Mistakenly that others
Might step up and do their part.
I have to trust God
That if there is something else
He wishes me to
Do, He will make a way for
Me where there is not a way.
It is my duty
To be open to His call
Willing to do His
Work wherever I can be
Used by His almighty hand.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, March 11, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have the opportunity to attend this World Missions Conference.
2.   My Mom is able to stay home without me some.
3.   I was able to eat at church and the meals were delicious.
4.   I am learning a lot from the speakers.
5.   I went to my Photography 2 class this evening.

I enjoyed my Monday and hope you also had a fulfilling day. I am getting this done very late because I was out until almost 10:00 this evening. I encourage you to do some creative work while you have the opportunity.

As a prompt, write about a time when you found yourself at cross purposes with someone. This could be a boss, a spouse, a child, a friend, a family member, or anyone. Write a poem, story, or journal entry and post a link to your work in the comments below.

I am very thankful that you took time to visit my blog. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave a comment. I welcome your opinions. I hope you will visit again, but you might also want to subscribe to email updates from Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 59

Journal entry:

Abilities On Display

Everyone has gifts,
Individual talents,
Which make them special;
None of us is exactly
Alike in propensity.

It makes the world so
Much the richer that we are
Each so different,
God created us to be
Distinct personalities.

We are handiwork
Of the Creator who makes
Our character so
Completely singular we
Are total originals.

So honor each one
As perfect expression of
Creativity
Unleashed by Divinity
Into the wondering world.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, March 8, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I had Krispy Kreme doughnuts for breakfast.
2.   I decided to go into town to meet the group even though I planned on driving.
3.   The drive went safely.
4.   Starr’s Mill and Senoia are beautiful places.
5.   I got home in time to prepare something for Mom to eat for supper.

I had a very intense Friday, there were highs and lows, but overall it was a fabulous day. I hope your day also went well. Celebrate another day of living by creating something to share with the world. I know you have the ability to make a wonderful contribution to the world.

As a prompt, write about how our individuality makes us precious in the universe. I see so many ways, and am sure you can write a poem, story, or journal entry about it. When you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I greatly appreciate your visit to my blog. I hope you will find your way back here often, but you might also want to enter your email above to receive email updates from Chronicles. Your comments help drive my productivity, if you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please share them with me.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 57

Journal entry:

Thoughts

I am wondering
Why no one ever mentioned
That there possibly
Could be detrimental side
Effects to my prescriptions.

I thought these drugs were
Kinder, gentler than those of
Past generations,
I was hopeful that they were
Safer for my long term use.

If the disease does
Not get me through suicide,
I guess the meds will
Through their slow destruction of
My body’s physical health.

I am not going
To let it constantly haunt
Me with its looming
Inevitable ending,
I surrender to God’s hands.

I have been letting
Him carry me the longest
Time and now is not
The point to lose faith in God’s
Ability to preserve.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, March 6, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   My appointment was in the afternoon.
2.   Mom went with me.
3.   My Droid was not broken, just turned off and there was operator error.
4.   I liked Debbie, the new nurse practitioner.
5.   I do not have to go back for six months.

I had a pleasant Wednesday. I did not have to wait as long as usual for my appointment. I hope your day went equally well. Turn your mind to doing something creative now. The present moment can be best used instead of procrastinating. Your imagination simply awaits exercise.

As a prompt, take something that happened today and turn it into a lament or a celebration. Even small things can be used to inflame your creative fire. Write a poem, story, or journal entry, then leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will return often, but you might also wish to subscribe to Chronicles to receive email updates. Just enter your address in the space above. I would appreciate your comments should you have something to share with me.

Always,
Jo Ann

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: