A Storm Within
by Laurie Kolp

The silence is deafening
as thoughts of you
twirl in my head
creating a
tornado
I can't
stop.

Keeping my eyes on the light

When I was drowning in exhaustion from having three children under the age of four, it was hard for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I knew it would come and that the kids would become more independent, but sometimes it felt like I would never get any sleep.  I would often remind myself to "keep my eyes on the light."  This helped me through some challenging times.

Sometimes I get to feeling that way today, but for a different reason- deadlines.  As a writer, I am basically self-employed.  I love that aspect because it allows me to work while I keep up with the tasks of running a family of five.  I have so many projects I have to keep up with, though, I don't even have time to finish up the book I have been working on for several years.  I guess I need to remember to "keep my eyes on the light," which today is when my book finally gets published.  Until then, I will trudge through this busy time and revel in the fact I am happier than I have ever been.

Serenity Island
by Laurie Kolp



The boy has a place where he can go
to escape reality,
a tree house in his backyard
nobody else can see,
nestled away in a big old oak
away from family,
Ben goes there when troubled or sad-
a place to break free;
Ben’s secret oasis, his secret place
recharges his energy.

His parents are keen to where Ben goes
hiding in the tree.
They keep the secret hidden
knowing that’s the key,
witnessing Ben begin to boil
then disappear quietly,
Mom and Dad await his return
now bright and happy;
so they call Ben’s hideaway spot
the Island of Serenity.

Not another turtle

Some of you may remember last May when a turtle got lost in our house.  That's why I was so surprised yesterday when Pete carried in another turtle for the kids to see.  Of course, they all wanted to hold the wee little thing, but all I wanted was for them to get it out of my house!  Pete took the kids outside for a while and they got to see it up close.  I don't know how, but somehow the turtle ended up back in our house.  Shortly after the turtle came to visit, Pete went back outside and left us alone with him.  The kids began fighting over who was going to hold the turtle.  They all took turns and began asking if they could keep it for a pet.  I don't think so, I told them.  I asked Nicholas to put the turtle down, as I was looking for something to put it in.  Nicholas heads over to the kitchen table and is about to put the reptile down.  Luckily I noticed and could yell "NO" before that happened.

So the turtle stayed in a big blue bowl last night, sleeping with the dogs in the back of the house until Pete and I went to bed, and then he went in the garage for the rest of the night.  This morning Pete took him off to set him free; a sad day for the kids, happy for me.

Observations

I just got back from a writer's guild meeting about blogging.  Jessy Ferguson, an accomplished author, educator and friend, shared some helpful hints.  She stressed the importance of posting frequently- something which I have fallen short on lately.  I am going to try to post more often than I have been, so please keep checking and leave a comment. 

Today has been a much better day for me.  I was able to publish an article for my writing gig at the online Examiner.  I had a nice visit with my mom and treated myself to a pedicure (my favorite thing now, thanks to a friend).  As I sat in the chair relaxing I noticed that the ladies who work there all speak more than one language.  They talk to the customer in English and then they start holding conversations with each other in their own language.  Are they talking about me or someone else?  I wish I had my own secret language with friends that I could use for discreet observations.  Wouldn't that be fun?

Another interesting thing that happened is the turtle-in-the-house incident, but I will share about that, with photos, next time.

The Last Straw
by Laurie Kolp


Temptation got the best of you
and undeniable frustration wells within;
as you divorce yourself from the family
I see you giving in to lustful sin,
unpeeling layers of lies and betrayal
as you fall into a deep abyss,
refusing to come around without her
this is the last straw- why did it come to this?

IF
by Laurie Kolp

Last night I had a dream;
I picked out a denim shirt
for your birthday present.
I searched the store
for a short line
until I came to the last
place to check out.
There you stood
with HER-
her arms around your neck
planting kisses on your lips-
it made me sick.
I walked up to the line
and all the pent up
emotions came bursting forth
like the levees during Katrina.
I yelled at her-
How could she destroy
a family,
children and spouse?
How could she steal
my sibling
away from me?
I pushed the wench away
until she finally left,
head sagging
like a wounded puppy,
and then I gave you a hug.
If dreams were wishes
everything would be
just like it once was.
Dream on, right?

Introducing...

Welcome Jonathan Major Kolp, our nephew.

Jonathan was born on his mom's birthday March 31, 2010.  I had the wonderful opportunity to go and help Jonathan and Chelsea (who had a c-section) for a few days.  Jonathan is a wonderful and beautiful baby, and we are all truly blessed to have this healthy baby boy in the Kolp family.

Catching my breath...

Wow!  It feels so good to finally sit down and relax.  The past two days have been crazy.  I feel like I have been running around like a baby chick that has been died green...

...or like someone being chased by Big Al, the largest alligator in captivity in Texas...

...maybe even someone who visited friends from Turkey and had Turkish food made with mutton..

...in between dying Easter eggs...

                     ...and making the infamous Easter Bunny cake...

...not to mention mass, Easter egg hunting, visiting with an old friend and making homemade potato salad.

               It feels so good to finally sit down and catch up again.  Happy Easter everyone!                        

History of the Easter Egg
by Laurie Kolp

Dying eggs at Easter,
an age-old tradition,
fresh colors of spring,
showing life’s fruition.

Pre-Christian spring jubilees
used colored eggs as symbols of
new life and resurrection,
promises of eternal love.

King Edward 1 of England
in 1290 ordered eggs gold-leafed,
presents for all at Easter
who in the resurrection believed.

Eggs were buried in tombs
by Egyptians and Greeks;
“All life comes from an egg,”
a Roman proverb speaks.

Dying eggs at Easter,
an age-old tradition,
fresh colors of spring,
showing life’s fruition.

April is National Poetry Month

Do you like a challenge?  April is National Poetry Month and in honor of this historic literary form, you can participate in a poem-a-day challenge.  Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides hosts this wonderful writing opportunity every year.  This is the third year and my third time to participate.  Each day, Robert gives a prompt to write a poem about and then you can either post it on his blog or not.  But keep checking back to the blog because at the end of the month, Robert will tell you how to submit some of your best poems to be considered for a chapbook (a collection of poems).  I would love to read your poems if you choose to participate.  You can post them on my poetry blog Conversations with Laurie.  Hope to see you there.

April Is National Poetry Month and I am celebrating my favorite form of writing by participating for the third time in a poem-a-day challenge.  Sponsored by Writer's Digest, Robert Brewer's Poetic Asides is posting a topic everyday.  You can find my poems there, but I will share some of them throughout the month.  You can participate, too!  If you do, I'd love to read your poem in the comments below.

Yesterday we had to write a "lonely" poem.  Here is a version of my Haiku:

The eye of the storm
a lone seagull sits ashore
and dives in warm waves
@Laurie Kolp

I's never too late to start- just go back and click on the previous day's comments and post anytime.  You do not even have to post your poems, just write a poem daily and get those creative juices flowing!