The Companion of Loneliness
by Laurie Kolp
The companion of loneliness appears in disguise
The lies and manipulation reflect in blind eyes
The companion of loneliness captures the weak
Persuades them to isolate, to feel incomplete
The companion of loneliness controls everything
Mollycoddles the victims with harness and ring
The companion of loneliness reigns terror within
Scaring reeds broken into deepening sin
ARCHIVES.....FIRST DRAFTS.....
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
TALL Tales
Nicholas has such an imagination. Ever since he was a toddler, he would make up elaborate stories about things. It started with trucks. We used to drive around town so he could see all of the trucks (cranes, tractors, etc.) Then he would tell me fascinating tales about them. Once we were parked on the side of a street looking at some trucks on a construction site when I heard a rap on my window. It was a friend's husband driving home for lunch. He wanted to make sure we were okay. I had to tell him we were just looking at the trucks!
Recently, Nicholas has been rambling on about his "night job." According to him, he wakes up in the middle of the night and goes to work in his basement. Here is an example of a recent conversation I had with him. (Jeannette McCurdy is a co-star on the TV comedy ICarly!).
Nicholas: Did you know that Jeannette McCurdy is serious in real life?
Me: How do you know?
Nicholas: I could tell when I talked to her on the phone.
Me: Really?
Nicholas: I fixed her studio when it was struck by lightning.
Me: Was that one of your night jobs?
Nicholas: Yeah. I have to ditch school sometimes, too, for my work. But my teacher doesn't care...she lets me because I tell her what I have to do.
And then there's the time Nicholas told me his teacher ordered lunch (and picked it up) from Luby's for the class everyday, but that's another story.
Hmmm...maybe Nicholas will be a writer someday.
Recently, Nicholas has been rambling on about his "night job." According to him, he wakes up in the middle of the night and goes to work in his basement. Here is an example of a recent conversation I had with him. (Jeannette McCurdy is a co-star on the TV comedy ICarly!).
Nicholas: Did you know that Jeannette McCurdy is serious in real life?
Me: How do you know?
Nicholas: I could tell when I talked to her on the phone.
Me: Really?
Nicholas: I fixed her studio when it was struck by lightning.
Me: Was that one of your night jobs?
Nicholas: Yeah. I have to ditch school sometimes, too, for my work. But my teacher doesn't care...she lets me because I tell her what I have to do.
And then there's the time Nicholas told me his teacher ordered lunch (and picked it up) from Luby's for the class everyday, but that's another story.
Hmmm...maybe Nicholas will be a writer someday.
Friday, September 10, 2010
A message to my children
Dream the impossible
Reach for the stars
Anything is possible
Wherever you are
Believe in yourself
Don't be a slave to fear
Have faith in your God
Your future is here
Reach for the stars
Anything is possible
Wherever you are
Believe in yourself
Don't be a slave to fear
Have faith in your God
Your future is here
A New Age Family, Part 2
by Laurie Kolp
This is our future, the here and now
the demise of the American family,
falling prey to technology bliss.
What will become of this madness,
no one knows,
but what happened to this family
I shall share.
Instead of the family they were meant to be,
these four people became a generic Unit,
spent their days in cold isolation,
away from human contact and interaction-
compassionless,
expressionless,
emotionlesss.
This Unit had no friends, no real love,
they knew not what love really was-
the affectionate kind, the physical kind
one gets from hugs and kisses,
no faith God nor trust in Him did they possess-
all trust was invested in computers
and the man-made world.
Mom and Dad, Sister, Brother
were stagnant, in poor health,
as one might expect from staying inside all day, everyday,
without fresh air, sunshine, exercise.
The Unit ordered everything online,
did everything online,
and became everything online.
Robotically they existed in lives mundane,
growing further and further apart
until The Day, D-Day,
everything changed:
because of a glitch in the system,
the world as they knew it exploded.
Yes,
not global warming,
not nuclear warfare,
not terrorism,
but technology-
computers destroyed the Unit's future,
the day the family died.
by Laurie Kolp
This is our future, the here and now
the demise of the American family,
falling prey to technology bliss.
What will become of this madness,
no one knows,
but what happened to this family
I shall share.
Instead of the family they were meant to be,
these four people became a generic Unit,
spent their days in cold isolation,
away from human contact and interaction-
compassionless,
expressionless,
emotionlesss.
This Unit had no friends, no real love,
they knew not what love really was-
the affectionate kind, the physical kind
one gets from hugs and kisses,
no faith God nor trust in Him did they possess-
all trust was invested in computers
and the man-made world.
Mom and Dad, Sister, Brother
were stagnant, in poor health,
as one might expect from staying inside all day, everyday,
without fresh air, sunshine, exercise.
The Unit ordered everything online,
did everything online,
and became everything online.
Robotically they existed in lives mundane,
growing further and further apart
until The Day, D-Day,
everything changed:
because of a glitch in the system,
the world as they knew it exploded.
Yes,
not global warming,
not nuclear warfare,
not terrorism,
but technology-
computers destroyed the Unit's future,
the day the family died.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Moments captured
 |
| A hummingbird stands at attention |
Now that summer is officially over, I am waiting for some cooler temperatures to make their way to Southeast Texas. Last week, we did have a two day reprieve where the temperatures stayed below 90, but that was only a tease. I find myself still having to wipe my fogged-up sunglasses each time I step out into the humid sauna-like climate.
But even though the temperatures are still high, I can tell the seasons are changing. The sun is positioned differently now as the days grow shorter. The fall allergy season is upon us. Even God's little creatures are acting differently.
Here are a few interesting pictures that capture nature at its best. The hummingbird pictured above was one of many who swamped the bird feeder all day. For me to capture a hummingbird like that is quite amazing. The frog pictured below stayed stuck to Katie's window for quite a while. Perhaps he was enjoying watching her dance around her room. Who knows?
 |
| Mr. Frog peeking into Katie's room... |
 |
| ...the outside view. |
A New Age Family, Part 1
by Laurie Kolp
One child sits alone in his Space room
diagramming compound sentences
and conjugating verbs on his laptop
for his online school homework
knowing if a problem should arise
his teacher is just a Skype away.
Sister sits alone in her generic room
reading Chaucer from a Nook
while listening to her iPod
and quietly mouthing along
to Not-So-Nice lyrics she hopes
Mom and Dad can’t hear.
Mom sits alone in the cold kitchen
testing her new Credit Card sized phone
as she chats with virtual friends
and waits impatiently for the delivery
of groceries she ordered online.
Dad sits alone in his office/study
working diligently on his computer,
typing away at the technology proposal
he hopes will move him up the ladder
so he can make ends meet for his family.
Part 2 - Next time!
by Laurie Kolp
One child sits alone in his Space room
diagramming compound sentences
and conjugating verbs on his laptop
for his online school homework
knowing if a problem should arise
his teacher is just a Skype away.
Sister sits alone in her generic room
reading Chaucer from a Nook
while listening to her iPod
and quietly mouthing along
to Not-So-Nice lyrics she hopes
Mom and Dad can’t hear.
Mom sits alone in the cold kitchen
testing her new Credit Card sized phone
as she chats with virtual friends
and waits impatiently for the delivery
of groceries she ordered online.
Dad sits alone in his office/study
working diligently on his computer,
typing away at the technology proposal
he hopes will move him up the ladder
so he can make ends meet for his family.
Part 2 - Next time!
Monday, September 6, 2010
SWINGING
by Laurie Kolp
Free as a bird
The wind
Sometimes cool, sometimes warm
Slaps my face
Tickling my nose with every breath
Opening my sleepy eyes
Free as a bird
My blonde hair
Sometimes long, sometimes short
Sails through the air like a kite
Sticking to my sweaty cheeks
Wrestling with my lips
Free as a bird
Inert muscles
Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly
Awaken with the motion
Bending and straightening my knees
Pumping back and forth like a piston
Free as a bird
A whirlybird
Sometimes dizzy, sometimes not
Spinning like a top
I twist myself up and let go
Invigorating my heart and soul
by Laurie Kolp
Free as a bird
The wind
Sometimes cool, sometimes warm
Slaps my face
Tickling my nose with every breath
Opening my sleepy eyes
Free as a bird
My blonde hair
Sometimes long, sometimes short
Sails through the air like a kite
Sticking to my sweaty cheeks
Wrestling with my lips
Free as a bird
Inert muscles
Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly
Awaken with the motion
Bending and straightening my knees
Pumping back and forth like a piston
Free as a bird
A whirlybird
Sometimes dizzy, sometimes not
Spinning like a top
I twist myself up and let go
Invigorating my heart and soul
Sunday, September 5, 2010
My bone to pick about some song lyrics
Remind me not to get on a soapbox today. I mean, I know it's Sunday and all, but I have neither the qualifications nor the desire to preach from the pulpit. But I do have something I need to get off my chest and would like to know how you feel about this poser.
My question is: Has anyone noticed how distasteful and trashy today's top music has gotten?
I mean, I am still as young as I think I am, so I still listen to the hits. The radio is on in my car at all times and you are likely to see me walking with my iPod attached somewhere. I love music. I always have and always will. Music awakens my senses and eases my mind. I can sit and listen to music for hours~ not the beat, but the words. In fact, when I am enrapt in songs, I can do nothing else. I guess it's the poet in me who loves to analyze and decipher the lyrics. Pete, on the other hand, listens to music to drown out the tinnitus in his ears. He works while he listens and pays no attention to the words.
So when I asked him what he thought about the singer who has a first name like my daughter (spelled differently though) and a last name that rhymes with scary, this is what he said.
"Who's that?"
"You don't know who she is? Her trashy album cover is all over and her songs are played every time you turn around. Have you listened to the words of her, um, music?"
"No. I don't know what she sings."
"Well you need to. I can't believe she drones on about going all the way tonight and she even talks about wearing out the sheets... AND THE KIDS ARE BEING EXPOSED TO THIS TRASH! Not to mention her sex on the beach crap. Drink or not, I don't care. She's sending the wrong message to vulnerable ears."
Big breath. I feel a little better now.
"I don't listen to words, remember?"
"Well, you better because I want the station changed when you hear it if the kids are in the car."
"I'll just turn off the radio, okay?" Pete said.
I'm stepping down now.
My question is: Has anyone noticed how distasteful and trashy today's top music has gotten?
I mean, I am still as young as I think I am, so I still listen to the hits. The radio is on in my car at all times and you are likely to see me walking with my iPod attached somewhere. I love music. I always have and always will. Music awakens my senses and eases my mind. I can sit and listen to music for hours~ not the beat, but the words. In fact, when I am enrapt in songs, I can do nothing else. I guess it's the poet in me who loves to analyze and decipher the lyrics. Pete, on the other hand, listens to music to drown out the tinnitus in his ears. He works while he listens and pays no attention to the words.
So when I asked him what he thought about the singer who has a first name like my daughter (spelled differently though) and a last name that rhymes with scary, this is what he said.
"Who's that?"
"You don't know who she is? Her trashy album cover is all over and her songs are played every time you turn around. Have you listened to the words of her, um, music?"
"No. I don't know what she sings."
"Well you need to. I can't believe she drones on about going all the way tonight and she even talks about wearing out the sheets... AND THE KIDS ARE BEING EXPOSED TO THIS TRASH! Not to mention her sex on the beach crap. Drink or not, I don't care. She's sending the wrong message to vulnerable ears."
Big breath. I feel a little better now.
"I don't listen to words, remember?"
"Well, you better because I want the station changed when you hear it if the kids are in the car."
"I'll just turn off the radio, okay?" Pete said.
I'm stepping down now.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Stones
Fiona Robyn's a handful of stones publishes one stone everyday. I am so proud to announce that mine is posted as today's, September 5, 2010, choice. It is a true recap of the time my husband sailed the flooded waters of our street after tropical storm Allison. (I must come up with another one depicting the time he navigated his model sailboat down the street after a hurricane).
Please click HERE, a stone's throw to my words.
Directly from the website: a small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention. A shiny new stone will be published here every day.
I will have another stone appear on September 22, 2010.
Please click HERE, a stone's throw to my words.
Directly from the website: a small stone is a polished moment of paying proper attention. A shiny new stone will be published here every day.
I will have another stone appear on September 22, 2010.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Ms. Aunt Gel (aka Ms. Angelle)
I've been thinking about Ms. Angelle lately. I really miss her. Today I went to a luncheon at the Women's Club with Mom. On our way, we passed by the cardiologist's office that I used to take Ms. Angelle to. I remembered how she always had people engaged in some sort of conversation about her Cajun dialect. I chuckled as I recalled the time she took her shirt off in front of the doctor to show him something and she had nothing on underneath. The look on that young doctor's face was priceless!
Mom and I had time to spare (she picked me up more than thirty minutes before the luncheon started), so we drove by Ms. Angelle's house. Two vehicles were parked in her driveway and a lawn chair was on the porch. I guess her daughter finally decided to move into the house.
Then, when Mom and I arrived at the Woman's Club (which is housed in an old historical mansion much like Ms. Angelle's), we discovered they would be recognizing a lady's birthday during the luncheon. She was turning 100 years old! She was as spry and agile as Ms. Angelle was, only this lady had trouble hearing. I thought how much Ms. Angelle would have liked the Woman's Club, as they have different groups to suit a wide variety of hobbies: music, books, sewing, cooking, gardening, etc. Gardening would definitely have been her choice of groups.
Later on, I was driving Nicholas to the store and he started talking about death. He was sad and got teary-eyed as he asked me if I would still be his mom after I died (I got teary-eyed, too).
I told him, "Of course, I will always be your mom. Forever and ever."
"Do you think we'll see each other in Heaven? Will we see Miss Aunt Gel (Ms. Angelle)? And your friend Mary? And everyone else who has died by then that we know? How do we know when we're going to die anyway?"
"Of course we'll see our loved ones! And nobody knows when their time will come. But you know what?"
"What?" Nicholas asked.
"We can't waste our precious time worrying about when that will happen. Instead, we need to enjoy each moment we have together. Okay?"
"Okay," ...and then back to the normal Nicholas... "well, in my next life, I'm going to be a superhero."
I looked toward the sky and wondered if anyone up there was listening.
When I sat down at my computer later, there was a cute cardinal figurine sitting above the screen. Amazing.
Mom and I had time to spare (she picked me up more than thirty minutes before the luncheon started), so we drove by Ms. Angelle's house. Two vehicles were parked in her driveway and a lawn chair was on the porch. I guess her daughter finally decided to move into the house.
Then, when Mom and I arrived at the Woman's Club (which is housed in an old historical mansion much like Ms. Angelle's), we discovered they would be recognizing a lady's birthday during the luncheon. She was turning 100 years old! She was as spry and agile as Ms. Angelle was, only this lady had trouble hearing. I thought how much Ms. Angelle would have liked the Woman's Club, as they have different groups to suit a wide variety of hobbies: music, books, sewing, cooking, gardening, etc. Gardening would definitely have been her choice of groups.
Later on, I was driving Nicholas to the store and he started talking about death. He was sad and got teary-eyed as he asked me if I would still be his mom after I died (I got teary-eyed, too).
I told him, "Of course, I will always be your mom. Forever and ever."
"Do you think we'll see each other in Heaven? Will we see Miss Aunt Gel (Ms. Angelle)? And your friend Mary? And everyone else who has died by then that we know? How do we know when we're going to die anyway?"
"Of course we'll see our loved ones! And nobody knows when their time will come. But you know what?"
"What?" Nicholas asked.
"We can't waste our precious time worrying about when that will happen. Instead, we need to enjoy each moment we have together. Okay?"
"Okay," ...and then back to the normal Nicholas... "well, in my next life, I'm going to be a superhero."
I looked toward the sky and wondered if anyone up there was listening.
When I sat down at my computer later, there was a cute cardinal figurine sitting above the screen. Amazing.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A playground mishap
I got the dreaded call today.
"Hello? This is the nurse from BlankBlankA-Blankell..."
Oh dear. Who threw up?
"...and I have Nicholas here with me."
Maybe he is just congested.
"He took a fall on the playground."
FLASHBACK. Six years ago. Preschool. Same words, different child. Andrew's nose is broken on rickety bridge. Oh dear!
Heart thumping. Palms sweaty. My poor baby. I must go get him and snatch him up into my arms.
"He's okay, Mom. I just wanted you to know."
"Hello? This is the nurse from BlankBlankA-Blankell..."
Oh dear. Who threw up?
"...and I have Nicholas here with me."
Maybe he is just congested.
"He took a fall on the playground."
FLASHBACK. Six years ago. Preschool. Same words, different child. Andrew's nose is broken on rickety bridge. Oh dear!
"Is he okay? What happened?" I blurt out.
"Well, he took a tumble onto the woodchips while he was playing on a piece of equipment. He scratched the left side of his face from his eye down to his cheek."
"He's okay, Mom. I just wanted you to know."
Did you read my mind?
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. He's being Nicholas- happy and chatting away."
"Well...give him a hug for me."
Letting go is so hard.
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