What Damon has shared in this YouTube short from a recent interview will remain with me for years to come.
How apropos is this right now at this very moment?!
Millions of people will have to accept what has occurred, endure it as best as we can, and eventually come out on top.
Hold on. Be strong. Don’t ever let go.
an unscheduled day off
enfolds my screaming body.
the mind stays strapped to
the foam of an
inviting mattress.
the soul cannot move.
I know these days . . .
mentally, I’m challenged,
and freeing myself from
the depths of this dark
space is often harder
than I’d like.
bedbound for the morning,
I watch news of Western NC
as cities lay underwater,
roads are washed away, my
friend’s brand new home
drowns before her eyes.
food and supplies have to be
air-dropped to designated
places.
“these are the last days.”
I turn over to reach
for someone to hold
and forget, momentarily,
that I live alone.
1. The Sheltering by Khaya Ronkainen is a book of poetry I read recently. I knew I would love every minute of this read, and I DID!
Below is the review I left for the book via Amazon:
“Not Fooled By the Cover
At first glance, regarding the cover, I didn’t know what to expect. My first thoughts were, “Will the poetry be gentle and childlike?” Or, “Will I actually need to take cover from its power once I’ve read it?” And after reading this work of literary art, it’s clearly the latter.
There is nothing lacking here. Every poem is a hard-hitter, dragging you down a rabbit hole of reminiscent recollections of pandemic’s past while battling the many paths we walk with grief.
A few haibun and visually structured poems struck several chords with me.
I knew the author would share something poignant and superb, but “The Sheltering” is practically flawless.
At just under 80 pages, there are various opportunities to connect and be alerted to spend more time with one’s thoughts while devouring the words shared in this book.
I agree with another commenter, “The world should read this book.” We were all there, and we still are.”
2. Teddy Pendergrass‘s Latest, Greatest Inspiration is such an incredible song. It’s the second share for this post, and if you listened to it via the YouTube video above, you’ll understand why I chose this song.
First off, I am a huge Teddy Pendergrass fan. I really hate that he’s not still around anymore to belt out beautiful ballads such as this one.
He died in January 2010 at the age of 59.
Why do I love this song so much? It is in the lyrics, the melody, and Teddy’s “Smooth-Like-Buttah” voice. One particular part melts my heart every single time,
Things never looked clearer, peace within never felt nearer
My burden’s gone, it’s turned to a song
Tender as a baby’s touch, I needed you, oh, so much
At last, my load is so light.
Now if that doesn’t connect with you, I can’t help you.
Latest, Greatest Inspiration will always be a top contender on my favorite songs list. I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to it just as much as I do each time I hear/play it.
You inspire me,
Inspire me!
Don’t you know it?
My latest, my greatest inspiration.
This concludes the Two Things Thursday series. Thank you for joining me every week for it.
Pooja Gudka, at LifesFineWhine, first book of poetry was recently published, and I knew I would enjoy the content.
I read it in one sitting; took me about an hour to absorb everything and connect with a few of the gifts she has given us with this debut book of authentically vulnerable & expressive poems.
Below is the review I left for it on Amazon:
“First, I’ll say if you have a problem with the explicit truth about depression and anxiety, and how the two combined can be incredibly damaging to a human being, this is NOT the book for you.
However, if you can appreciate someone digging deep within themselves to bring you the most vulnerable parts of themselves in the form of poetry, then sit back and revel in the short ride of a most exquisite debut book of poems.
I felt so many emotions while reading ‘All The Words I Kept Inside.’ Pooja did a phenomenal job with the placement of the poems in every section of the book. One thing is for certain, you WILL FEEL something.
And however you feel afterward, will stick with you for years to come. It is as though the depths of her very soul lie in the lines of this book.
You will walk away embracing the damaged version of yourself.
And that’s an incredible accomplishment.”
After I read Pooja’s book, I dove into Michele Lee Sefton‘s first two books of the “Being a Woman” project: Overcoming & Becoming.
Both are light reads with just under 18 and 25 pages, so consuming the content was not a time-eating issue.
Below is the review I left for the first offering on Amazon:
“The author, Michele, is intentional with this book about her message. She is free to be who she is regardless of what society and the many men who make the rules believe she should be.
Her coming of age and into the human being she wants to be took place during the rise of a global pandemic in 2020. Not only was she able to still be creative, but she produced this work of art.
My only dislike is that it’s much too short.
If you’re looking for a quick read, with poignant poetry and brilliant artwork as an accompaniment, I recommend Being a Woman: Overcoming.“
As I stated above, after I finished the first book, I thumbed through the second one and knocked it out as well.
Here is the review for the second offering of poems by the writer:
“Michele has a knack for tackling tough subjects without making the reader feel burdened. As the second body of work for the “Being a Woman” project, “Becoming” isn’t what I thought it would be, but definitely what it should be.
It is a compilation of tiny reminders, cultural embraces, and acknowledgment of the women who make this world go ’round. The accompanying artwork by her daughter, Sammi, is also something to be admired.
If you’re a stickler for completing serial works just as I am, you’ll want this book to add to your collection.”
We are surrounded by a deluge of talented writers and thinkers in this WordPress community, and I’m happy I have a chance to delve into the words of so many of your productions.
Peace and blessings.
He answered the call at 12:47 AM in a panic. “Next of Kin” meant waking up at all hours of the night when your big sister has done something unthinkable.
“Can you come in to identify the body?”
Can I do what?! She did what?! How was her mental health?! If she jumped from the 14th floor of her building, what is left for me to identify?!
Thunder roared, and the midnight rain poured like it would be the last.
Maybe she wanted to die first . . .
Maybe that’s why she did it.
Her days were never about her. She worked twelve-hour shifts for a measly $6.25 per hour plus tips.
In Pensacola, Florida, the stress from her job is as hot as the weather. She hated her boss. She hated where she lived. And her boyfriend, Rick, finally confessed to cheating on her.
To make matters worse, her baby brother, Jake, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma two weeks ago.
Killing herself seemed appropriate . . . it seemed right. She’ll die so others can live.
A Cornered Gurl 
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