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 122

A meditation on pain and suffering:

This poem is in answer to the prompt at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics are from Wordle 108, I got the words early on Facebook. You could visit that site for inspiration…

Vitriolic Outburst

I open my mouth and
Say the words that come to mind
Allowing them space
Under the blistering sun,
I will not yet be broken.

I will not cave, but
Shake my fist in defiance
Despite your constant
Drone raised against my judgment,
You will find actions binding.

I will continue
Circling subjects voicing
Chants and quiet vows
Unceasingly, using all
My force quite efficiently.

I would call you crook,
But the name is much too good
To describe you well,
You’re an absolute bully
Deserving name enemy.

My anger boils so
Riotously I cannot
Contain it within,
It overflows determined
To impact our history.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 10, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I went to town and did our weekly shopping.
2.   I picked up a Papa John’s pizza for me and Krystals for Mom.
3.   Laura called and rescheduled our dinner together.
4.   I talked to Richard Nichols this evening.
5.   Reba called and reported on her condition. She is recovering from her surgery.

I had a reasonably good Friday, although I stayed up all night. I hope you also had a good day. While you have a few moments, concentrate your energy on doing some creative work. I know you have the ability if you only set your mind to it. Your skill will grow with practice and inspiration will find you if you make a consistent effort.

As a prompt, write about a situation or person that maddens you. I find this is a great stress reliever. Leave a link to your poem, story, or journal entry in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way here again, but you might also want to subscribe to Chronicles by entering your email address in the space provided above. Any thoughts, suggestions, or criticism you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.

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 115

Journal entry:

Better Left Unsaid

It is
Absolutely
Useless to complain, but
Sometimes a word or even two
Escapes your lips without your permission
And you immediately think,
‘No, I should have never
Let that thought get
Outside.’

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 3, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I have a comfortable bed in which to sleep.
2.   I have clean water to drink.
3.   I have plenty of food to eat.
4.   There are people who love me in the world.
5.   I have a computer with which to communicate.

This was a very busy Friday, but it went fairly well. I hope your day was good. I encourage you to make an effort to complete some creative work. I know this can seem difficult, but it is worth your time. It will add contentment to your day.

As a prompt, write about something better left unsaid. Maybe you want to come at this from the perspective of what happens afterwards, maybe you want to write about what to avoid. Do it your way. Leave a link to your poem, story, journal entry, or other writing in the comments below.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you will make coming here a habit, but you might also like to enter your email address in the space above to receive future updates from Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, 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 112

Journal entry:

Reach Out, Grasp Success

Hold out your hand,
Take mine in yours,
Let’s learn to fly above
The cares of this world.

Ours is the freedom
To reach into the sky,
Find what we’re looking for
And continue with life.

We have the blessing
Of God’s love upon us,
We can reach higher
Than we’ve ever guessed.

Ours is the talent
So generously given,
We can accomplish
Whatever we dream.

Hold out your hand,
Take mine in yours,
Let’s learn to fly above
The cares of this world.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, April 30, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I went to bed early last night and slept well.
2.   I wore a new shirt today.
3.   I was able to help Mom with lunch because she did not feel like doing for herself.
4.   I wrote my journal entry before going to class tonight.
5.   The potatoes and salad I prepared for supper were very good.

I had a fairly good Tuesday, although I am stressed because Mom is in so much pain. She can hardly walk and I hate seeing her this way. I hope your day was pleasant. Take a few moments to exercise your creativity. It will no doubt enrich your life and give you something to share with the world. Your contribution is very important.

As a prompt, write about the path to success. You may write a poem, story, or journal entry and leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you will return often, but you may wish to subscribe to Chronicles by email for future updates. Should you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 108

Journal entry:

Casting Out Crazy

It is time to put
All these unreasonable
Thoughts away and shut
Them in a box where they can
Stay, forever and a day.

I wish it was that
Simple to take back control,
But wrestling with thoughts
Is not an easy game to
Play, especially today.

Casting out crazy
Is much harder than I thought
It would ever be,
Because I am unsure of
Myself, not trusting of me.

There is no one to
Talk to who I believe can
Fully understand,
Because it is all plainly
And surely insanity.

I do not have such
Answers as will put my mind
Finally at ease,
So I am casting about
For another fantasy.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, April 26, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I was not rushed this morning.
2.   Mom was able to have her appointment with the PA today.
3.   The technician was able to increase the strength of the stimulation Mom receives.
4.   We had a nice lunch at Wendy’s.
5.   I was able to do what was needed for my test so I do not have to return to that office anytime soon.

My Friday has about driven me out of my mind, but parts of it went well. The parts that are messed up, are some upon which I choose not to dwell. I am hoping my mind will somehow let them go. I hope your day was much less stressful and more enjoyable. Right now I encourage you to busy yourself doing creative work. If I can manage it in my present state of mind, I am sure you can do something of greater worth.

As a prompt, write about a time you did not trust in yourself. This might be sometime your self confidence was low, or a time you did not feel quite sure you knew how to act. Just write… If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for reading my blog. I apologize for the material being a bit bizarre this time, hopefully I will regain some stability soon. I do hope you will visit again, you might also consider subscribing to Chronicles by email. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

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