When it is I look up,
at the nightly-lit sky,
I just can't believe,
how the world just disappears;
and memories of you,
like rivers that pass
through canyons,
start flowing from within.
The Milky Way cluster
of red and blue stars,
in your eyes, like mirrors,
they dance from afar.
Teleporting me back,
to a time where we began,
that where universal colors,
can be seen, just like then.
We dance the night,
on a summer's midnight tune;
as the air, the breeze,
carries out your sweet perfume.
We glide and sway,
arms well locked into place.
For you charmingly are,
held with beauty, and thy grace.
Your whispering voice,
it sends a fragile song,
that soothes my ears.
As your smile, so radiant,
can light the morning sun,
or put a glow to the moon,
as it does,
each day of the year.
T. Collins...01-10-11
Monday, January 10, 2011
Inevitible Loss
Some things we lose,
are not always
things that we choose.
Some things burn and fade,
and sometimes slip
or slither away.
In your heart is where I lived,
and nothing did I trade or give;
but somehow choices made our paths;
being good for one,
as the other took the bad.
Then time itself
had spelled defeat,
by taking most
of what I truly need.
Sometimes love becomes
out of our reach...
out of our hands...
and out of our grab.
That's when the shadows,
they take their form,
a despair, for certain,
dissipating the warmth.
T. Collins...01-10-11
are not always
things that we choose.
Some things burn and fade,
and sometimes slip
or slither away.
In your heart is where I lived,
and nothing did I trade or give;
but somehow choices made our paths;
being good for one,
as the other took the bad.
Then time itself
had spelled defeat,
by taking most
of what I truly need.
Sometimes love becomes
out of our reach...
out of our hands...
and out of our grab.
That's when the shadows,
they take their form,
a despair, for certain,
dissipating the warmth.
T. Collins...01-10-11
Sunday, August 29, 2010
“Scratch ‘N Sniff” County Fair
This is a small town we live in. The map likes to call it “Crescent Grove,” but us folk who know better, call it “scratch ’n sniff,” because with only 132 people who live in this town, you could close your eyes and scratch the nearest one, and I swear, just by smell, you’d bet the farm on who that person was. Although, the Midwest may not be as exciting as States that thrive and pride themselves on their glamorous, bustling cities, we still know how to have a good time. Like the “ventilation bag” contest last Summer at the Crescent Grove County Fair. Boy, I tell ya, that was a knee-slappin,’ doozey of a time. There were people of all ages; twenty-two happy-go-lucky folks, all sitting in a circle, huffing and puffing their brown paper bags.
Of course, the object of the game was to see who can huff and puff, inhale-exhale the longest without fainting or passing out. Well, everyone placed their bets on Hank, a young kid, 24, who’s parents own a farm down the road; a kid who lives to boast and brag on his silicon-looking muscles and good looks, which is probably the only thing working for him, considering the fact that his brain cells seem to deplete with every year that passes. Well, they say “two’s a couple, three’s a crowd,” words I swear his brain lives by. I bet if you took what he calls the “perfect brain” out of that web-infested, echoing coconut, it would find a new home and a much more perfect fit in a hollow pecan shell. Anyway, lets not get off track here.
They were all blowing in, sucking out, of their brown little paper bags, when the first of the group started to turn red, then a purplish-blue in the face. I can sure tell you, I’ve never seen eyes as big as silver dollars before in all my life; then suddenly she started to lean forward, in what was like a slow motion scene from the Matrix; and there it was: a loud thumping “smack,” as she hit, face first, into the warm, dusty ground. It was classic, I mean a freakin’ dust cloud formed in the air. Everyone begged Granny Beth not to join in on this particular contest, but no, she was not to be outdone by a bunch of young hooligans.
I tell ya, at 96 years old, wearing those brown, knee-high stockings she says matches that old, faded dress she likes to wear, which she thinks lures the eyes of all younger men, that woman’s got a lot of spunk. What she doesn’t seem to notice is the men, who punishably, it seems, take in the foul smelling odor as they pass old Granny Beth by, who nothing but smiles and flutters her eyelashes at them. As their eyes start to water, regurgitation sets into their throats and starts to blossom. If you ever come to visit our quaint, little town and see a good many citizens wearing gas masks or even those surgical masks that doctors wear, you will, no doubt, gather why.
As far as the “ventilation bag” contest went, the majority was right. After all had thudded and passed out onto the ground, Hank was the last one standing.
This year, the fair was a little more interesting, and very peculiar to say the least. Most of us lived in the area of the fairgrounds, so when it was all over, some of us walked home when the sun was about to set.
I passed along a fella wearing a pig suit. You see, us folks put on this little performance contest, imitating our favorite animals on the farm. It was Luke, and he sure did look uncomfortable walking in that pink, swine suit of his. Then I came upon Jasper, he was in a horse outfit, which, I must say, looked pretty damn authentic, if a horse outfit ever did. He was dripping beads of sweat, and I’ll tell ya, it was a helluva sweltering day.
They both looked silly, but I just laughed inside and kept my thoughts to myself. After all, Luke was 20, and his cousin Jasper was only 19. Being 43, I thought to myself, one day these kids will grow up, mature and all, move away from home, start their own family, and look back on things they did in life and have a good, hearty laugh about it all. Shaking my head and smiling at the innocence of these two youngins,’ I walked ahead when Luke suddenly called out to me from behind:
“Hey Jake, whatcha got in there; whatever it is, it’s leaking all over the goddamn road.” I stopped there, dead in my tracks, looked down, and started to pinch my nipples. That didn’t work, so I twisted them as hard as I could bare, but still they continued to leak like a damn faucet.
“Is that milk?” Jasper asked.
“Sure is,” I replied back, “and my mom was pretty cool about it, too. She wanted my costume to be the most genuine of all the rest, so she thought adding milk in hot water bottles and attaching them to the nipples would make this cow outfit more believable, then maybe I’d be guaranteed to win the grand prize. She also said, I might get thirsty on the way back home, so she made sure to fill ’em up full. Hey, you guys thirsty?”
I handed Luke and Jasper each a red, rubber pouch filled with the best milk of this old, sweet earth.
“That sure hit the spot,” Jasper called out.
“No kidding,” Luke said. “Your mom sure looks after you, Jake.”
“Yeah, It took her a few hours to fill ‘em up, though.
“Why so long?” Luke asked.
“I’m not sure…she was all red and sore from the squeezing and all; but after she was done, she nothing but smiled, attached the red bottles to my nipples, kissed me on the forehead, and wished me good luck.”
All of a sudden, my throat was parched and I began to feel thirsty in the simmering heat, realizing I had just given away all my milk to Porky and Pokey. I started to pick up the pace.
“Where’s the fire?” Luke yelled from behind.
“Oh,” I said, “no fire, I’m just thirsty, that’s all, and mama should be full and less sore by now. I gotta get home before Kate drinks it all up.”
Luke and Jasper looked at each other, ran to the side of the road and dropped to their knees with their heads stuck in the bushes. Something sure got their attention. Must have been a rabbit. I seen lots of ‘em running round just the other day.
Yep, Kate being the older sister, she always liked to control everything, even mama’s milk.
I ran as fast as I could, as the sun would set, shining it’s last bright, glimmering beam, on my first place, golden medallion, which dangled and swayed around my neck, till I reached my family’s front porch, and was finally home.
Trent L. Collins…08-28-10
Of course, the object of the game was to see who can huff and puff, inhale-exhale the longest without fainting or passing out. Well, everyone placed their bets on Hank, a young kid, 24, who’s parents own a farm down the road; a kid who lives to boast and brag on his silicon-looking muscles and good looks, which is probably the only thing working for him, considering the fact that his brain cells seem to deplete with every year that passes. Well, they say “two’s a couple, three’s a crowd,” words I swear his brain lives by. I bet if you took what he calls the “perfect brain” out of that web-infested, echoing coconut, it would find a new home and a much more perfect fit in a hollow pecan shell. Anyway, lets not get off track here.
They were all blowing in, sucking out, of their brown little paper bags, when the first of the group started to turn red, then a purplish-blue in the face. I can sure tell you, I’ve never seen eyes as big as silver dollars before in all my life; then suddenly she started to lean forward, in what was like a slow motion scene from the Matrix; and there it was: a loud thumping “smack,” as she hit, face first, into the warm, dusty ground. It was classic, I mean a freakin’ dust cloud formed in the air. Everyone begged Granny Beth not to join in on this particular contest, but no, she was not to be outdone by a bunch of young hooligans.
I tell ya, at 96 years old, wearing those brown, knee-high stockings she says matches that old, faded dress she likes to wear, which she thinks lures the eyes of all younger men, that woman’s got a lot of spunk. What she doesn’t seem to notice is the men, who punishably, it seems, take in the foul smelling odor as they pass old Granny Beth by, who nothing but smiles and flutters her eyelashes at them. As their eyes start to water, regurgitation sets into their throats and starts to blossom. If you ever come to visit our quaint, little town and see a good many citizens wearing gas masks or even those surgical masks that doctors wear, you will, no doubt, gather why.
As far as the “ventilation bag” contest went, the majority was right. After all had thudded and passed out onto the ground, Hank was the last one standing.
This year, the fair was a little more interesting, and very peculiar to say the least. Most of us lived in the area of the fairgrounds, so when it was all over, some of us walked home when the sun was about to set.
I passed along a fella wearing a pig suit. You see, us folks put on this little performance contest, imitating our favorite animals on the farm. It was Luke, and he sure did look uncomfortable walking in that pink, swine suit of his. Then I came upon Jasper, he was in a horse outfit, which, I must say, looked pretty damn authentic, if a horse outfit ever did. He was dripping beads of sweat, and I’ll tell ya, it was a helluva sweltering day.
They both looked silly, but I just laughed inside and kept my thoughts to myself. After all, Luke was 20, and his cousin Jasper was only 19. Being 43, I thought to myself, one day these kids will grow up, mature and all, move away from home, start their own family, and look back on things they did in life and have a good, hearty laugh about it all. Shaking my head and smiling at the innocence of these two youngins,’ I walked ahead when Luke suddenly called out to me from behind:
“Hey Jake, whatcha got in there; whatever it is, it’s leaking all over the goddamn road.” I stopped there, dead in my tracks, looked down, and started to pinch my nipples. That didn’t work, so I twisted them as hard as I could bare, but still they continued to leak like a damn faucet.
“Is that milk?” Jasper asked.
“Sure is,” I replied back, “and my mom was pretty cool about it, too. She wanted my costume to be the most genuine of all the rest, so she thought adding milk in hot water bottles and attaching them to the nipples would make this cow outfit more believable, then maybe I’d be guaranteed to win the grand prize. She also said, I might get thirsty on the way back home, so she made sure to fill ’em up full. Hey, you guys thirsty?”
I handed Luke and Jasper each a red, rubber pouch filled with the best milk of this old, sweet earth.
“That sure hit the spot,” Jasper called out.
“No kidding,” Luke said. “Your mom sure looks after you, Jake.”
“Yeah, It took her a few hours to fill ‘em up, though.
“Why so long?” Luke asked.
“I’m not sure…she was all red and sore from the squeezing and all; but after she was done, she nothing but smiled, attached the red bottles to my nipples, kissed me on the forehead, and wished me good luck.”
All of a sudden, my throat was parched and I began to feel thirsty in the simmering heat, realizing I had just given away all my milk to Porky and Pokey. I started to pick up the pace.
“Where’s the fire?” Luke yelled from behind.
“Oh,” I said, “no fire, I’m just thirsty, that’s all, and mama should be full and less sore by now. I gotta get home before Kate drinks it all up.”
Luke and Jasper looked at each other, ran to the side of the road and dropped to their knees with their heads stuck in the bushes. Something sure got their attention. Must have been a rabbit. I seen lots of ‘em running round just the other day.
Yep, Kate being the older sister, she always liked to control everything, even mama’s milk.
I ran as fast as I could, as the sun would set, shining it’s last bright, glimmering beam, on my first place, golden medallion, which dangled and swayed around my neck, till I reached my family’s front porch, and was finally home.
Trent L. Collins…08-28-10
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Friday At The Red Planet 08-07-09
"Summer Memories"
Summer, being the warmest season of the year, usually occurs between spring and autumn, consisting of the months of June, July, and August, in the Northern Hemisphere; however, the official astronomical dates are June 21 - September 22, the extension beginning from the summer solstice to the autumn equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, summer includes the whole months of December, January, and February.
Summer is a time when the weather is warm, the sun is bright, and families get together on outings such as: going to the beach, family picnics, lake fishing, boating, surfing the waves, camping at national parks, taking vacations, visiting the zoo, roller coasting at amusement parks, visiting friends and relatives, or just plain sitting at home, on the porch in your rocking chair, drinking a cool glass of lemonade.
Summer brings a lot of joy for most. Do you have any fond memories or funny experiences you'd like to share of a perfect day, or week of summer? Was there a terrible incident you cannot forget, and would like to express, which happened in the wake of summer? Or would you like to tell us in your own words, just what summer means to you? What you enjoy seeing all around you: it's natural beauty, how people, you observe, find their fun and entertainment, during this popular season. What does summer make you feel?
Let's share our thoughts and well delighted, or even saddened memories of our experiences, and what summer means to us. Let's write in poem or prose, and we can even discuss together, our most impactful memories and thoughts of the warmness of summer, under that bright, luminescent, orange and yellow sphere, emitting rays of light, which without, we could never survive.
Summer, being the warmest season of the year, usually occurs between spring and autumn, consisting of the months of June, July, and August, in the Northern Hemisphere; however, the official astronomical dates are June 21 - September 22, the extension beginning from the summer solstice to the autumn equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, summer includes the whole months of December, January, and February.
Summer is a time when the weather is warm, the sun is bright, and families get together on outings such as: going to the beach, family picnics, lake fishing, boating, surfing the waves, camping at national parks, taking vacations, visiting the zoo, roller coasting at amusement parks, visiting friends and relatives, or just plain sitting at home, on the porch in your rocking chair, drinking a cool glass of lemonade.
Summer brings a lot of joy for most. Do you have any fond memories or funny experiences you'd like to share of a perfect day, or week of summer? Was there a terrible incident you cannot forget, and would like to express, which happened in the wake of summer? Or would you like to tell us in your own words, just what summer means to you? What you enjoy seeing all around you: it's natural beauty, how people, you observe, find their fun and entertainment, during this popular season. What does summer make you feel?
Let's share our thoughts and well delighted, or even saddened memories of our experiences, and what summer means to us. Let's write in poem or prose, and we can even discuss together, our most impactful memories and thoughts of the warmness of summer, under that bright, luminescent, orange and yellow sphere, emitting rays of light, which without, we could never survive.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Friday At The Red Planet 07-10-09
"ABC's"
Here's something we may all find a little bit challenging, but lots of fun. Choosing one "letter" from the alphabet, every word in the poem you write, must start with that same "letter," and you may write as many as you want, as long as every word starts with the same "letter." This will take a lot of creativeness, but we know you have it in you.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday At The Red Planet 06-05-09
"The Pursuit Of Happiness"
What is happiness? Well, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it this way:
1. good fortune : prosperity
2. a: a state of well-being and contentment : joy
b: a pleasurable or satisfying experience
3. felicity, aptness
Happiness can be caused by quite a variety of things in life. You may derive it from love, going to a sporting event to watch your favorite team, or a family outing filled with cheers and faces full of joy. It may be caused by music of your listening pleasure, or that painting or sculpture that you just created. Writing can also be a satisfying form of enjoyment.
Let's focus on what it is that brings us the most joy and happiness in life, by sharing with our friends, in words, our most memorable experiences or things we're most fond of. Remember, comedy also brings happiness. So if you have a funny poem to share or write, we'd love to see that, too. Here are a few examples you may agree with:
Happiness is:
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favourite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake ... (or vanilla ... or strawberry!)
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach
16. Finding a 20-pound note in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Eye contact with a hot member of the opposite sex.
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful/good looking.
23. Laughing at an inside joke.
24. Friends.
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29. Playing with a new puppy.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies (and eating them...!).
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
38. Holding hands with someone you care about.
39. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
40. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
This list, along with the best "Happiness" quotes, can be found here:
http://www.boardofwisdom.com/Default.asp?topic=1005&listname=Happiness
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday At The Red Planet 05-29-09
"In Remembrance Of Soldiers"
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.
Memorial Day endures as a holiday which most businesses observe because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season." This role is filled in neighboring Canada by Victoria Day, which occurs either on May 24 or the last Monday before that date, placing it exactly one week before Memorial Day.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Let's acknowledge and remember our soldiers who have fought in previous battles, and those who presently serve our country today...soldiers from all nations around the world, especially those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and human rights, by coming up with a poem or prose that has to do with battles, wars, or soldiers, famous ones, fact or fiction. It can be something you wrote, a collaborated effort, or one of your favorites by another author.
I know you all have talent and creative abilities, which I'm very proud of. So let's get those creative juices flowing and have a fun and entertaining night of celebration for the dedicated ones who serve their country with heart and passion.
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