Author: jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

Encouragement: A Quote

While browsing the internet, I came across this really inspirational quote. I would like to share it with you.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.”- Mary Anne Radmacher.

In this hectic and sometimes hostile world it is easy to feel discouraged and succumb to negativity.

But, peace can be found in the silence. Just a few moments without a cell phone and without a computer screen can reduce stress. Being in the silence can do wonders for our souls. In the silence, we can listen to that “quiet voice at the end of the day” that Radmacher is speaking about.

Life, of course, is not easy. Nobody has an easy life. There is always something that could potentially upset our lives. The most effective strategy is to not give into the negativity. Another effective strategy is to have faith that tomorrow is another opportunity to reach your goals. Keep in mind that you are in control of your decisions in life. Choose to look forward to the promise of tomorrow. No matter what is troubling you, remember that with faith and courage you can succeed.

Just never give up.

If you give up, you will never know what might have happened if you had continued working towards your goals.

So, “I will try again tomorrow.” I will have courage no matter how discouraging this world can be. I, after all, am in charge of my decisions.

In order to reach my goals, I must try again tomorrow.

I encourage you, as well, to listen to that quiet voice that tells you to try again tomorrow.

After all, there is always a tomorrow.

Periphery

You are.

on the periphery.

Just out of focus.

Miles beyond my scope.

There. I feel you.

There. Your voice whispers in that space

where memory

multiplies

itself

with

you.

I originally wrote this poem in 2015. As I’ve said in my previous posts, I am currently going through my old journals and notebooks in order to organize a collection of poetry. I simply love words and creating images on the page.

Please let me know what you think about my poetry. (But, please, always be kind). Thanks.

Haiku

Treasure

Long ago treasure

hidden inside cedar chest

grandma’s wedding ring.

Daddy

Cedar tree hides him

midnight he stands alone

lost in a dark world.

Sister

Painful beauty screams

sees the world in shades of gray

robs herself of joy.

My Lord

Does not condemn me

sees all my sins and mistakes

loves me anyway.

White Rose

Delicate petals

White like snow in late winter

Eternal beauty.

Nature photography: Finding Joy in the Silence

I’ve been organizing my poetry all week, so I decided to take a break and enjoy my rose garden. The photo I’ve included here is a cluster of my lavender roses. They are so beautiful in their simplicity.

It’s my opinion that we can find peace and joy in the simple things that this life has to offer us. Far too many times, people are in a continuous state of angst and worry, always striving for the next thing to do, the next item to purchase, et cetera and so on.

So, in the past few years, I’ve learned to slow down and take the time to walk in my garden and enjoy the simply beauty of sunlight on rose petals and the simple joy of listening to birds singing in the trees. Also, I can’t forget the family of squirrels that scurry around first thing in the morning and leap around my privacy fence. They entertain me with their antics when they chase each other across the fence and up into the leafy oak tree branches.

Silence brings rest and peace. Early morning before the birds awaken and sing, I like to just simply listen to the earth’s silence.

There is joy, peace and rest in nature. That’s the reason I love to capture a snapshot of my garden.

I hope you enjoy the photo.

And I hope you take the time to find joy in the silence.

Poetry: Still Looking over Old Notebooks

As you know, this week I am going through old notebooks to find poems that I’ve written over the years. Perhaps I will compile a self-published poetry book. In the past I did self-publish with Amazon, but I removed my self-published books from Amazon for a variety of reasons. If you have any suggestions for self-publishing avenues please leave me a comment. Thanks.

Here are a few of my poems.

From 2019, “Vows.”

“Vows”

Endured. Distant, dark hills aflame with summer’s wrath.

More sickness than health; health turned into sickness.

Cherish morphed into tolerate.

How could we have just walked away with those broken promises and resentments real and imagined that we bore like a bagful of rocks on our backs that finally toppled us to our descent into our nothingness?

From 2020, “Memory Stalker.”

“Memory Stalker”

Your memory has followed me

down all the roads

I have taken to escape.

From 2020, “Passage.”

“Passage”

Letting go.

Of him.

Darkened day, clouded over by time’s cruel passing; my powerlessness at its slipping away.

Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment.

Poetry Revisited

As I’ve said in my last post, I am going through old notebooks and journals to review my past writing. I’ve always thought of myself as a poet (regardless of what writer’s group critics might say). I simply love the freedom of expression that captures emotion and imagery in poetry. Everyone has an opinion and that is fine.

Here are a few of my favorite poems over the years:

From 2019, “Just Being.”

“Just Being”

Little lavender flowers wet with early morning dew drop their petals into the green grass; dragonfly flitters past.

God glances between ancient oak branches; birds rustle in their nests.

Breezes swirl around brown and gold leaves.

God lifts his fingers to touch the sky; clouds drift by.

I turn my face skyward for the benediction; God blesses me with the gift of just being.

From 2019, also, “Options.”

“Options”

Cold rain in early May.

God has left it up to me to decide which way to go.

Live or die?

Laugh or cry?

Cold rain in a present year I decide.

Sunlight breaks through the clouds; the warmth refuses to hide.

I lift my hands towards God who loves me; I accept the laughter and the pain.

I rejoice in the sunshine and the rain.

From 2021, “Squirrel: A Snapshot

Squirrel: A Snapshot

Chilly morning, a squirrel sits atop the wooden privacy fence and munches on an acorn.

His fat, little cheeks vibrate with joy.

He drops the acorn and scurries along the length of the privacy fence.

Thanks for reading. Please comment and let me know what you think.

Poetry

It’s Memorial Day and it’s cloudy, unseasonably cool, but the birds are chirping in the oak branches so all is not lost.

I’ve been writing on my draft for a novel. Yes, I am back to writing. It’s apart of me and I will always write.

I’ve also been looking over some old notebooks in which I have a lot of poetry. I am trying to make another compilation of my poetry of which I plan to self-publish at another date.

Here are a few poems I’ve found from the past in my notebooks.

From 2018, entitled “Buddy.” It’s about my dog Buddy who was cocker spaniel and poodle. He lived for sixteen years and absolutely loved buttered toast.

“Buddy”

Little white dog barks.

Scavenges for buttered toast.

Leaps into my heart.

Also from 2018, entitled “River.” I live a few miles from a river that during that time has been absolutely breathtaking because it was wild with lots of massive oak trees. Now, greedy real estate developers have swooped into this area and cut down the trees and built hideously drab gray and brown high rise condos on the riverfront blocking access to the citizens in this area. Of course, if you have a yacht you can utilize the private yacht dock, but if you’re a regular working class person forget if. The river is evidently now meant for the obscenely wealthy. (Sorry, didn’t mean to rant).

“River”

Lapping waves sing song.

Birds dive into cool waters.

World washed in sunlight.

Also, from 2018, entitled “Anxiety.” I think it speaks for itself.

“Anxiety”

Fear ate up my life.

Imaginary monsters.

Took root in my head.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Random Thoughts in a Coffee Shop: Part II

It’s a rainy, cool afternoon. I see large raindrops pelt the coffee shop window; cars are a blur in the watery world. The past few weeks have been difficult because someone I love dearly has a major mental health issue that no amount of love can rescue this person from. I’ve tried; I’ve failed. But, in my previous post I’ve already gone over that. So, I won’t repeat myself.

Below are a few random thoughts that have occurred to me over the past few weeks; please, do not judge me for these thoughts. These thoughts have bubbled up from a place of hurt and disillusionment. Some are rather humorous, however. Feel free to leave a comment and share some of your random thoughts.

Here goes:

Love isn’t a game, although some people treat it as if it were.

Pretending something is okay doesn’t make it okay.

Pretending isn’t living; it’s lying.

Sharing kinship with someone can be poisonous.

Forgiving sets you up for further abuse. Hard. Stop.

Just because it is the truth doesn’t mean it should be said.

Lies can be the kindest mercy of all.

Dogs are healers.

Cats really get you when you say you want to be alone.

Broken relationships can’t be fixed; broken is broken. Period.

Family is not, is not everything.

Mental health is everything.

You are not obligated to rescue everybody.

Caring for yourself is not selfish; it is necessary.

Random Thoughts in a Coffee Shop

Ok.

It’s a cloudy cool afternoon in late spring. Sweet scent of jasmine is wafting through my window. Rain is approaching; clouds the color of steel mass in the darkening distance.

It has been a long week. Someone I love dearly is struggling with mental health issues. After decades of trauma and abuse, this person’s life has finally boiled over into that dark abyss from which it is doubtful this person will ever recover. I am an optimist usually; but, I am also a realist when the brutal truth sucker punches me.

I honestly tried to save this person by standing with them, by never retaliating no matter how abusive their words and actions were to me. I thought that I could somehow lead them out of the dark abyss of mental illness. I prayed for them; I gave them a prayer card; I listened to their endless tirades and angry accusations. I attempted to have a servant’s heart; I attempted to be God’s hands. I attempted to lift this person out of the darkness of mental illness. Alas, I know that it was hubris to even entertain the notion that I have the power to achieve such a thing. Truth is mental health issues are often about brain chemistry coupled with environment, nature, nurture, et cetera.

I am exhausted.

I am exhausted by the storm that is this person’s life. I have had to walk away to stop myself from being pulled under along with them. I cannot bear the brunt of this person’s rage. I cannot, simply put. I have to put the life jacket on myself to keep myself from drowning.

Growing up I remember seeing signs that said “Jesus Saves.” I truly believe that he does. However, there are those situations and circumstances in which we have to step back and let Jesus save those whom we love. Sometimes, in our deep love for others, we get it twisted and think that we can save someone whom we love.

We can’t.

I can’t save this person whom I love dearly. I tried, and I failed.

I commend this person into God’s hands and pray that angels surround them and give them the peace that surpasses all understanding.

I have used the pronouns they and them to protect the identity of this person.

Please pray for those who suffer from mental illness. And, for those of us who loved them dearly.

My heart is broken.

Prayers.