365 Creativity Project-Day 323

Journal entry:

My poem today answers the prompts at Poetic Asides. I hope you will visit that site for inspiration.

Shooting Stars

There is light and dark
In everyone, but some are
More to an extreme
Being who we deem heroes
And villains, the best or worst.

We aspire to be
Heroes to our friends and kin,
But it is so rare
We achieve those lofty heights
In their true estimation.

Villains, we do not
Want to be cast as at all,
But sometimes we play
The role without intention
And no way can avoid it.

We best perhaps can
Only hope our lives are bright
Less left in shadow,
Living life courageously,
Whether heroes or villains.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   Penny is doing well.
2.   Mom is feeling somewhat better.
3.   I have an internet connection here at home.
4.   There are wonderful programs I can use on my computer.
5.   I have a computer, which opens up the world of creativity to me.

Tuesday passes by and I hope you enjoyed it. I tried to take it easy today and recuperate. I devoted some time to my creativity and I urge you to do the same. I know it is not always easy to engage the imagination, but if I can do it, so can you.

As a prompt, write about an impossible dream. Maybe you have one, maybe you have conquered one, if so write about it. You have nothing to lose by putting your words into permanent form, and perhaps much to gain. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thanks so much for reading my blog. I would love your input, so please leave a comment. It is easy to follow Chronicles, and then you can get daily updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 311

Journal entry:

The following poem is prompted by Poetic Asides. You might want to go visit that site for a bit of inspiration.

Tradeoffs

I do not have much,
I have given up a lot,
My disease hurts me,
But I am very well blessed
Because I am still serving.

I have given up
Many opportunities
Over time’s passage,
But I have gained as many
In the life that is left me.

Life is perfected
On an ongoing basis
Even though I lack
Some ability because
Of my own mental illness.

I could have been great
If not stricken with disease,
But I have learned that
Hardship brings many prospects
And occasions for triumph.

I am fortunate –
God chose me to be special,
Touched by His wonder,
A vessel filled with His grace,
Overwhelmed by His mercy.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, November 15, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I have wonderful books to read.
2.   I was able to call the AARP Nurse-line and get some advice.
3.   Mom felt well enough to get a bath this afternoon.
4.   I am a little less sore.
5.   I have read twenty-eight books so far this year.

It has been a good Thursday for me and I hope it was for you as well. I know the day can be challenging, but I encourage you to take time to engage your imagination and use your creativity. You will accomplish great things if you simply make the effort.

As a prompt, use some or all of the following words in a poem, story, journal entry, or other creative writing: reading, investment, time, factual, fascinate, intense, condition, immediately, helped, strong, appointment, and primary. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so grateful you took time to visit my blog. I hope your time here has been pleasant. Should you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, please leave me a comment. If you would like, please follow Chronicles for daily updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 310

Journal entry:

The following poem is in response to the prompt at Poetic Asides. I hope you will visit that site if you need inspiring today.

Moot Point

I surely do not
Have the proper words to write
Another poem,
The syllables are stuck in
The labyrinth of my mind.

Imagination
Dwells in silence not speaking
Its sentences to
Me, I am left with nothing
From which to spin worthy lines.

Language’s magic
Does not open itself to
My wondering brain
I am stuck, stuck, stuck, without
Any verses to share with you.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   There are antibiotics.
2.   Pain does not last forever.
3.   I have an active imagination.
4.   There are books to read.
5.   Technology advances.

It has been a quiet day here. I hope your Wednesday has also been low stress. Now you should apply yourself to doing creative work. Making something beautiful to share with the world. I believe you have all the talent and ability you need to accomplish each of your dreams. Get busy…

As a prompt, use the words: reminder, excellent, fascinating, history, masterfully, and recovery, in a poem, story, or journal entry. You should have no problem with this if you just engage your creativity. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am so glad you chose to spend some time exploring my blog. I hope you will share any comments you may have with me. If you enjoyed your visit, please consider subscribing to Chronicles.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 258

Journal entry:

Emily Dickinson’s poem and my essay:

I taste a liquor never brewed —
From Tankards scooped in Pearl —
Not all the Vats upon the Rhine
Yield such an Alcohol!

Inebriate of Air — am I —
And Debauchee of Dew —
Reeling — thro endless summer days —
From inns of Molten Blue —

When “Landlords” turn the drunken Bee
Out of the Foxglove’s door–
When Butterflies — renounce their “drams” —
I shall but drink the more!

Till Seraphs swing their snowy Hats —
And Saints — to windows run —
To see the little Tippler
Leaning against the — Sun —

Emily Dickinson

The Poem As Liquor

In the first stanza I believe Emily is writing about language in the poem. How it tastes new, is precious, and is uncommon. The poem is contained in a form which is not of baser materials. It cannot come from other minds, but is a distillation of the self. No one else could make such a potent use of language.

In the second stanza she relates her intoxication with the elements and how she breathes in endless warmth from the environment. This gives her the ability to write authoritatively from her own experience. She shares her self with we readers who visit from the wider world.

In the third stanza she scoffs at those who would place restrictions on her freedom to express herself. She states she will all the more enjoy herself because of those who wish to govern her use of language and form. She is breaking the rules with abandon.

In the fourth stanza she seems to be saying the heavenly hosts will rejoice with her in exuberance. Everyone will see her as outstanding in her presentations, which are shining with originality. She believes her work is life affirming and nurturing. She leans on beneficial elements supporting her and those who read her work.

The poem is so rare and fine readers can enjoy it on its surface or in a deeper reading. The language is rich and inviting. The images stand out convincingly.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, September 23, 2012

My poem was prompted by the wordle at The Sunday Whirl. The words in italics come from that site. If you are in need of inspiration you may find it there.

Preventive Measures

I remain trapped by
Bundles of words in corners
I climbed to avoid
Damp storm winds and thunder bolts
Which shook me like a corn husk.

You bring sweet relief
Through your reading what might have
Only become ash
Scattered upon the flooring
Of this lonely shut off room.

I break away from
My own limitations to
Grasp your hand across
The gulf of space and moments
Separating each of us.

You return to me
Over and again making
Some sense of my words
Bequeathed to your fine estate
Without any condition.

I know without you
I would be resigned to such
Bleak obscurity
I could never escape this
Hugely restrictive sentence.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, September 23, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I have a home.
2.   I have comfortable clothing.
3.   I have food to eat.
4.   I am well educated.
5.   I have a good computer with internet access.

I hope you have had a wonderful Sunday. Now you should take some time and exercise your creativity. I do this every day and I know absolutely that you can write something with meaning. You are so creatively gifted.

As a prompt, write about a poem you enjoy. You could pick any poem you have ever read and do a close reading, or you could simply tell what the poem means to you. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit here. If so, please consider following Chronicles. I am very interested in your thoughts, suggestions, or criticism, so please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 215

Journal entry:

Balancing Act

I ride the high wire
Stretched over the gaping chasm
Of certain defeat.

I make the better
Of the opportunities
Each day presents me.

Creativity
Makes me always active in
Accomplishing goals.

I attempt touching
The hearts of other people
With my own lifework.

I live each moment
To its fullest extent with
Total engagement.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, August 11, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I slept well, though I had some crazy dreams.
2.   Penny is a little better.
3.   Jeremy came by and found the tractor malfunctioning, so he fixed it.
4.   I managed to mow the whole of the five acres that we cut.
5.   My shower was very refreshing.

I hope you had a good Saturday. It was another non-stop day for me, but I am very thankful I am able to do all the activity required. I would like for you to set aside a few moments to work creatively. There is so much you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.

As a prompt, write about the dangers of your day, this may be figurative as in my poem above. Think and write. Engage your imagination. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I apologize for posting late again. Maybe tomorrow will allow me time to get this project completed earlier. I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. If you have something to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 203

Journal entry:

I visited Trifecta for inspiration to create a poem today. It was a bit a challenge, but you should see if a visit to that site would help you make something.

Abnormality

I am not strictly
Normal, as in a standard
Interpretation
Of the word, but it is fine
To deviate a little.

Normal is easy,
Being unique is really
A bit challenging,
It takes special skill to stand
Out beyond the usual.

You want a normal,
Look for another person,
Because I do not
Belong to the class, I am
One who lives outside the norm.

Normal is a game
I rarely have any wish
To join in or play,
I am happy with myself
Doing everything my way.

Insanity does
Not conform to the normal,
But are we not all
Just a little bit crazy
In our own particulars?

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, July 30, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I lay back down this morning and took a nap.
2.   I have completed reading more than half the Bible aloud to my Mom this year.
3.   I am enjoying reading Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness.
4.   Our ballots were already mailed for the election tomorrow.
5.   Mom and I enjoyed the supper I cooked this evening.

This Monday has been a quiet day for me. I hope your day has been good. Now you should take a little time to do something creative. Every day is an opportunity for you to exercise your talents. Do not waste your chance.

If you need a prompt, write about the beauty that surrounds you in the world at all times. No matter where you may be or what you are doing there is undoubtedly some beauty. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments.

I thank you for visiting my blog. Your comments would be much appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 196

Journal entry:

I used the words from the prompt on Three Word Wednesday in the following poem. The words were feel, shade, and tangle. If you need a bit of inspiration, you might find it at that site, so go visit.

Prosperity

I feel the world with
Me a bit too much at times,
But I would never
Give up my sweet connection
To the onward flow of life.

I live in the shade
Of those who passed through tangle
Of life’s diverse paths
Before my own present time;
I respect their great struggles.

While I am living
I want to be so involved
I know everything
Going on in and around
Me, without any skimping.

I want to succeed
In such a wonderful way
Others will find some
Encouragement for their lives
In my active example.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, July 23, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I have read 23 books and one full book draft this year.
2.   I slept extremely well.
3.   We had no appointments or errands to run.
4.   Mom enjoyed the supper I cooked.
5.   Tonight is the 1000th RAW and I am finishing this in time to watch it.

Monday, Monday, what a challenging day that begins the working week for most. I hope yours went well. Grab your imagination and create something now. You have the talent to accomplish whatever you turn your will upon.

As a prompt today write about something that may not be quite what it seems. This should give you fertile material for stories, poems, or journal entries. It should not be too hard to depict in visual art if that is where your gifts lie. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments so that we may enjoy your creation.

I hope your visit here has been pleasant. If you like, leave a comment expressing your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 179

Journal entry:

The prompt for today’s poem comes from Carry On Tuesday. I am getting to this a bit late this week, but I have been otherwise inspired. I hope you will visit that site should you need a prompt.

I Listen To The Silence…

After midnight hours
The house is quiet, resting,
Retired from action,
I listen to the silence…
As you do also, alone.

The daylight demons
Of many harried moments
Find peace in darkness,
I can drift on soft currents
Of my sweet envisioned dreams.

I accomplish much
While the world is slumbering,
There is no racing
From one anxious notion to
Others, for struggle eases.

I communicate
With my innermost spirit
Finding harmony,
Tranquility, often in
The soothing ebony night.

All conflict ceases,
I listen to the silence…
As you do also,
I gather all my forces
To complete my deep desires.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, July 6, 2012

Photographs:

Mom painted this lemon plaque…

Mom painted this pepper plaque…

Mom painted this peach plaque…

I am thankful:

1.   I finally got up after the alarm had gone off for thirty minutes.
2.   We got the estimate on the air conditioner and it was not as bad as I expected.
3.   I reached Sam’s Club just in time to pick up Mom’s medicine before the pharmacy closed for lunch.
4.   We ate Whoppers for lunch.
5.   I finished reading The Age Of Miracles by Marianne Williamson.

If you are approaching or have reached midlife, I highly recommend you read The Age Of Miracles by Marianne Williamson. This is an inspiring book with much wisdom about later years.

I hope your Friday has been rewarding. Mine was very busy and I am now sitting with a fan blowing on me because I overheated again. I hope you will take my advice to heart and engage yourself in working creatively. You can do something wonderful if you work at it.

The prompt I have for you today is to write about your creative challenges. Tell us what keeps you from working and what you can do to overcome the blockage. Assert your ability to accomplish your aspirations. If you use this prompt please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope something here has touched you, if so, please tell me about it by leaving a comment. I appreciate your reading my blog.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 151

Journal entry:

Explanation

My mind fields do not
Lie fallow under bright light
Of close inspection,
They are planted fully well
With such acute construction.

Concepts grow strong free
Undaunted by strangling weeds
Of dark repression,
Words crop up that with great force
Contend for their expression.

My explosive thoughts
Lie buried near the surface
Where interjection
Will have the most positive
Effect without a question.

Words are my weapons
To conquer the negatives
The opposition
Presents to overcome all
My thoughts on exposition.

I fight the good fight
If only within my mind
To decommission
Everything that leads toward
Creative prohibition.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, June 8, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I got up early this morning.
2.   I wrote a poem without a prompt.
3.   Mom got up with me.
4.   There is much beauty here on our property.
5.   I enjoy exploring my creativity.

It is a beautiful Friday here. I hope your day is enjoyable. Get your camera out and take some pictures, write a poem or story, journal, draw or paint something… You get the idea, I want you to do something creative. I know you can because you are at least as gifted as I am. It does not have to be perfect, just make the effort, practice will lead to improvement. Every day gives you an opportunity to exercise your creative license.

I would love to read your comments…

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 145

Journal entry:

I was reading about repetition in poetry and poems by some poets who had committed suicide. The ideas coalesced into the following poem. I like that it developed in rhyme, even though there is no formal scheme to the rhymes. It was not exactly prompted, more like inspired…

May They Rest, Blessed

Tell me please
That all these
Who were among
The best of us
But died so young
By own hands slain
Did not die in vain.

For I wonder
At their voices
And I ponder
That their choices
Left the world
So much bleaker
And us so much weaker.

Their facility
Such talented ability
To weave such art
Should not have
So quickly depart
Leaving us no salve
To mend our souls.

God bless them
And gather them
To His breast
In sweet congress
To create for Him
Some sweet hymn
Or glorious work of art.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, June 2, 2012

Photographs:

My new books…

The book I chose to read first…

I am grateful:

1.   My books arrived.
2.   My sister-in-law, Linda, has retired.
3.   I think these books are going to be very helpful.
4.   I have discovered some very good blogs.
5.   Although Mom was sick earlier, she is feeling better, and has eaten.

I hope your Saturday has been satisfying. Think of something that touches your heart and write a poem about it, or do something else that engages your mind creatively.

Please leave a comment expressing your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

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