Sunday's Theme At The Red Planet 06-29-08

"Independence Day"

The United States Declaration of Independence is an act of the Second
Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the Thirteen
Colonies in North America were "Free and Independent States" and that "all
political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought
to be totally dissolved."

In the United States, Independence Day (commonly known as the Fourth of July) is
a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence
on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues,
carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events
celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but is
often also viewed as simply a summer festival, apart from its patriotic
overtones.

Let's strike up the grill and spark up the night, shooting bright fireworks with
streaks along the sky...it's the 4th of July! Or soon will be, and for this
special occasion, folks, we'd like to know what this grand holiday of patriotism
means to you.

In poetic fashion, or even prose, words to the hearts of children, young, and
those of old, what are your thoughts on the history of Independence Day...how do
you and your loved ones annually celebrate this festive, national holiday? Fact
or fiction, false or real...writing's a passion, an art, and a thrill. See you
on Sunday, and Happy Fourth of July!

When October Ended

When October ended
the warm winds
really felt like Summer
I watched for the sun
to get high in the sky
so that it would
rise & set
on the other side.
All winter
it snuck past
the horizon
just peeking long enough
to thaw the grass
from under
the Golden Apple tree.
This Spring
I was ready
with portable gardens.
Its not summer yet
but I knew
it was all over
when October ended.
I still don’t know
what to say, to you.
Security alerts keep flashing
in some kind
of language
but I feel safest like this.
Playing the heat
to holding the flame. I watched
for the sun
to get high
in the sky as October
ended.

Hwy

Summer Twilight

Wisps of pink and blue clouds
Streak the sky at sunset
As descending of the rays
Shower land in golden light
The sun sinks below the horizon
With the promise of a beautiful tomorrow
While sweet Summer sighs, whisper soft
As he looks into pools of dazzling aura
Sparkling bright, mystic, deep brown eyes
As day makes way for night
Her hand feels the warmth of his face
And slowly moves to his chest and rests
Her hair flows freely, dancing in waves
And scents the air like daisies in May
Birds return home to their nests
While singing sweet lullabies
As flowers snuggly encase and embrace
Their delicate petals, gently interlaced
The night comes alive
As the moon starts to rise
All thoughts of tomorrow set aside

Poet & Demo...06-21-08

Sunday's Theme At The Red Planet 06-22-08

"Summer"

Describe what Summer is like, or means to you. What you like to do during this time of year...the things you see, as far as nature or people, during this warm season...or what it reminds you of, each time around.

Sunday's Theme At The Red Planet 06-15-08

"Hobbies"

One or more of the most favorite things you like to do, whether often or seldom...let's hear about it in poem or prose.

Examples: Movies, music, going to the beach, park, or the mountains, hiking or camping, horseback riding, pets, garden and landscaping...

Coin or stamp collecting, comic books and sports cards, memorabilia, dancing, jogging, running, model airplanes, video and board games...

Cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing, fishing, sailing, shopping, bowling, ice skating, rollerblading, bycicling, skate boarding, family recreation, hanging out with friends, etc.

Anything you've done and liked, whether once, a few times, or more...it's all acceptable.

Sunday's Theme At The Red Planet 06-08-08

"Sing, Sing A Song"

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
For anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a song.

That's right...sing your hearts out, people. If you can write poems, I have faith you're just as good a songwriter. You have five categories to choose from: It can be romantic, gentle whispers to the one you love...it can be dark and gothic, literally pouring your bloody heart out...it can be a soft, sweet lullaby, as a baby's touch...it can be funny, knee-slapping-silly (I'm thinking "Weird Al" here)...or it can be a song that tells of a personal, family, or well-known, tragic event. One or more from any category, is acceptable. Let's get those vocal cords in tune, and strike up the band.

Book Club Schedule

Discussion groups for "Anne Of Green Gables" will meet Saturdays at 5pm est. for one hour. (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th).

Discussion groups for "The Private Memoirs And Confessions Of A Justified Sinner " will meet Sundays at 5pm est. for one hour. (8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th).

I understand it may not be easy at times, but please try to have a quarter of the book you are reading done by the dates listed, otherwise you may be disappointed by spoilers mentioned at the discussion. Many versions of publisher's printings very in length of pages...

An example: If "Anne" has 320 pgs. and "Memoirs" has 200 pgs....

For those reading "Anne," you may want to have the first 80 pgs. read by the 7th, and 80 pgs. by each following date.

For those reading "Memoirs," you may want to have the first 50 pgs. read by the 8th, and 50 pgs. by each following date.

Immediately after each hour's session, The Red Planet's regularly scheduled two-hour "poetry reading and gathering" will commence...all are most welcomed to stay. Thank you.

Book Of The Month...June 2008

Two Books Of The Month (choose either)...June 2008:

Anne of Green Gables (320 pgs. paperback) by Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874 - 1942)

Anne of Green Gables is a children's book written by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery; it was first published in 1908. Montgomery found her inspiration for the book in a newspaper article describing a couple that was mistakenly sent an orphan girl instead of a boy, yet decided to keep her.

Amazon and downloadable links:

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables%20-Signet-Classics/dp/0451528824/ref=sr_1%20_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212449953&sr=1-1

Free-Ebooks:http://www.free-ebooks.net/goto.php?id=

The Private Memoirs And Confessions Of A Justified Sinner (200 pgs. paperback) by James Hogg (1770 - 1835)

On the surface, this novel is a simple tale of a young man who encounters a shape-shifting devil, an early manifestation of a doppelganger, and the various misadventures that follow. The devilish figure, known only to the reader and Robert Wringhim himself as "Gil-Martin," appears to Robert after being told that he is one of the Elect, a group of people predestined for salvation. Based on this assumption, Wringhim is coerced by Gil-Martin into murders and other crimes.

Amazon and downloadable links:

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Private-Memoirs-C%20onfessions-Justified-Sinner/dp/14346036%2079/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=12

Project Gutenberg:http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2276

Free-Ebooks: http://www.free-ebooks.net/goto.php?id=1165236406

Page By Page Books:http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/James_Ho%20gg/The_Private_Memoirs_and_Confessions_%20of_A_Justified_Sinner/

Wikisource:http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Confessio%20ns_of_A_Justified_Sinner/The_Private_Me%20moirs_and_Confessions_of_a_Sinner

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!!