tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14026810258485229802023-11-15T06:13:44.962-08:00Laura's WritingLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-73777034223184856372015-04-19T19:47:00.002-07:002015-04-19T19:47:49.806-07:00#18 Another 17 syllablerI'm really not feeling the poetry flowing this year. Here's another haiku, quick and neat, to catch up yet again.<br />
<br />
the sun sets glowing<br />
as rays recede, the hearth cools<br />
spring warmth is now hereLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-47668755678749012972015-04-19T19:41:00.000-07:002015-04-19T19:41:24.796-07:00#19 - A LandayFrom today's prompt: <i> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">And for today’s prompt (optional, as always!), I’d like to challenge you to write a </span><a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/glossary-term/landays" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #e3610b; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">landay</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">. Landays are 22-syllable couplets, generally rhyming. The form comes from Afghanistan, where women often use it in verses that range from the sly and humorous to the deeply sardonic and melancholy. </span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">In breeze her spirit, haunting, withdraws</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;">Time stands still where last she gave in to her tragic flaw</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-32942309058928318842015-04-17T16:57:00.004-07:002015-04-19T19:22:14.914-07:00#17 - Nine Minutes<div class="MsoNormal">
I can slowly wash my hair</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lather, rinse, repeat</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nine minutes</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can boil an egg and enjoy</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Toast or cream of wheat</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nine minutes</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can change a diaper, fix my hair,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wake the kids and get them to their feet</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nine minutes</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can make myself a lunch</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And lunches for the kids to eat</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nine minutes</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can check my email, zip off a note</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sip slowly, a caffeinated treat</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nine minutes</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scrape the frost off of my car</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drive slowly down the street</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nine minutes</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our mornings could be brilliant</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Organized, efficient, sweet</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nine minutes </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the alarm goes off at seven</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And jolts me to my feet</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I press the oh so tempting snooze </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And morning, once again, you have me beat!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nine minutes.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eighteen minutes.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twenty-seven minutes</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-59330275549552968432015-04-16T21:14:00.002-07:002015-04-16T21:14:52.790-07:00A terzanelle (from the prompt)To Do<br />
<br />
What does it take to be free?<br />
Free of the bonds of the mind<br />
The voices that call out to me<br />
<br />
A constant barrage of the kind<br />
Drive out thoughts continous<br />
Free of the bonds of the mind<br />
<br />
A mental list, completion a must<br />
The guilt when one tries to be bold<br />
Drive out thoughts continous<br />
<br />
Stories can't be left untold<br />
Tasks can't be left undone<br />
The guilt when one tries to be bold<br />
<br />
No time to relax, no time for fun<br />
And sensing continuous drain,<br />
Tasks can't be left undone<br />
<br />
I can't tune them out, they remain<br />
The voices that call out to me<br />
And sensing continuous drain,<br />
The voices that call out to me<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">© </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-43197549270560351482015-04-15T21:17:00.002-07:002015-04-15T21:17:21.356-07:00#15 - I was going to write a sapphic... but... what the hell, Google?<span style="font-size: 9pt;">This
day, I was going to write a sapphic,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Somewhat
late, it's the prompt for day eleven</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">But
when typed sapphic into my search engine</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">I
became confused.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Sapphic,
a poem with a strict syllable count,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Eleven,
eleven, eleven and five</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">And
an even stricter rhythm of which I</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Cannot
get the hang</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Instead,
apparently, sapphic pertains to</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The
art of love, l'amour, sexuality,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Between
a woman, and her sensual lover, </span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Love
between women.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">So
now I'm confused as to how this poem style,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Has
come to be eroticized, and I can't</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Write,
too distracted am I imagining</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The
lesbian sex.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">© </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-26537959820054663772015-04-15T20:01:00.001-07:002015-04-15T20:01:59.493-07:00#14 A Limerick<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">There
once was a mother of four,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Who's
life was anything but a bore,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">With
constant background noise,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Drowning
in books and toys,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">When
did relaxing become such a chore?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">© </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-9344663434354519932015-04-15T19:53:00.002-07:002015-04-15T19:54:15.244-07:00#13 A Haiku (yup, still playing catch up)<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">A
Haiku</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Sunset
glowing gold</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Arches
into fiery red</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Fading
to black</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">© </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-90037500940756643302015-04-15T19:49:00.000-07:002015-04-15T19:49:10.613-07:00#12 - The Riddle (from Day 13 prompt)<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The
Riddle</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">It
causes one to stop and ponder,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The
direction to which it's leaning</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">It's
neither inert,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Nor
does it breathe</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">But
pulses with life and meaning</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">A
conundrum, it is mysterious</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">With
much strife, we find it teeming</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">It's
good for the soul,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">But
offers anguish,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Without
someone intervening</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Answer
me this, clever one</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Tell
me of that you're gleaning,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Whether
it comes quick</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Or
not at all,</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">What
is my hidden meaning?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-5424808709162795362015-04-12T23:54:00.005-07:002015-04-12T23:54:45.551-07:00When one falls behindCinquains - not my favourite type of poem. They always felt like a cop-out to me. The kind we were assigned to write in elementary school so that every kid gets a chance to feel like a poet. But... here I am writing one (or two) in an effort to play catch up.<br />
<br />
Listen<br />
The night air hums<br />
A not so quiet house,<br />
As children sleep; White noise surrounds<br />
Silence<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-83663508523144152302015-04-12T14:51:00.000-07:002015-04-12T14:51:05.577-07:00#12 d – Acrostic<span style="font-size: medium;">Dogs
are man's best friend</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or
so I've heard several people say</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
puppy hasn't got that message yet,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead
she keeps me hopping every day,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly
always leaves a path of chewed up toys and in</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our
yard, a maze of holes she digs to run away. </span></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-15926658659192992672015-04-12T14:34:00.002-07:002015-04-12T14:34:52.686-07:00#12 c – Another Senryu<br />
Cold spring winds blow hard<br />
Battering my children's skin<br />
Chasing them indoors<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></span></span></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-4116825779030357432015-04-12T14:08:00.001-07:002015-04-12T14:08:27.818-07:00A senryuBecause it's late, I never sat down to write the poem during the day, and I want to go to bed... 17 syllables seem like enough of a challenge tonight. :)<br />
<br />
A haiku exists<br />
Because I spent the whole day<br />
playing with my kids<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-62372679456929543952015-04-12T14:08:00.000-07:002015-04-12T23:55:04.564-07:00Four days behind... going to try to play catch up!#12 b – Fallen behind (a tanka)<br />
<br />
<br />
Oft when life gets occupied<br />
with daily chores, multiplied<br />
or family comes socialize
<br />
poetry is compromised.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-76013893200429900812015-04-12T13:42:00.004-07:002015-04-12T23:55:16.625-07:00For Eric and his passionDay #12 - A partial collection<br />
<br />
the four Seasons<br />
pass by quickly<br />
i am an Old Maid<br />
transformed by rules and strategies<br />
competitive, i become<br />
when i leave my Magic Labyrinth<br />
i take a Risk<br />
travel by Camel Up in the hills<br />
discover a Pirate's Cove<br />
visit a Guild Hall<br />
with only my Wits And Wagers<br />
to assist me<br />
for 10 Days in Asia<br />
with my Ticket to Ride<br />
i see 7 Wonders<br />
and it is good<br />
no Spite And Malice<br />
as i travel. Only a Bohnanza<br />
of sights; a Dominion of Splendour<br />
the world at my disposal<br />
when we branch out
<br />
from Dominos and Monopoly<br />
Sorry to see you leave so soon<br />
we don't play enough games<br />
when it's just us<br />
Checkmate<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved .</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-32680056188198367972015-04-05T21:27:00.000-07:002015-04-05T21:27:11.388-07:00A limerick...There once was a family named 'Freeman'.<br />
They had so many kids they were screamin'<br />
When they took a small pause,<br />
They discovered the cause,<br />
So they cut off the source of his s --- port!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-64381247657035070562015-04-04T17:08:00.003-07:002015-04-04T17:08:22.334-07:00CoupletsYour musical proposal choked me up,<br />
As you were overcome with happiness.<br />
<br />
<br />
I watched the song your father sang for you,<br />
As you stood sobbing in your satin dress.<br />
<br />
<br />
You announced the baby's gender proudly,<br />
Blue icing in the cake, hidden from your guests.<br />
<br />
<br />
I watched your family shriek with happy shock,<br />
To meet the new babe, wrapped in soft pink dress.<br />
<br />
<br />
His first wobbly steps, her first shocking curse,<br />
I laughed at your children's innocent progress,<br />
<br />
<br />
I watched the baby giggle in hysterics,<br />
And the tot arguing, who's tireless.<br />
<br />
<br />
I watched her as she howled in frozen glee,<br />
Ice reigning down on her tousled tress,<br />
<br />
<br />
The choreographed high school dance routine,<br />
Methodically captured by the local press,<br />
<br />
<br />
I watched you lip syncing in the front seat,<br />
Your back seat pals jumped in, with planned largess,<br />
<br />
<br />
I watched these all; your precious memories,<br />
With your family, I shared your happiness,<br />
<br />
<br />
Sitting in front of my computer screen,<br />
Clicking random links on youtube; mindless.<br />
<br />
<br />
I can't help but wonder where we're heading,<br />
Society's disdain for privateness,<br />
<br />
<br />
And I think back to simpler days gone by,<br />
When the world was still mysterious,<br />
<br />
<br />
Back when “going viral” meant an illness,<br />
And not a grab for instant famousness.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-31093088455533398862015-04-04T00:06:00.002-07:002015-04-04T00:06:47.527-07:00A cinquainA Cinquain – A five line poem with ababb or abaab, or abccb
rhyme scheme<br />
<br />
<br />
The first extended weekend of glorious spring,<br />
With anticipation, eagerly I rise,<br />
The day anew, my heart, anticipating sings,<br />
I throw open the curtains, welcome sunny skies,<br />
A blanket of white, mocking, greets my eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-61189331768079766762015-04-02T21:43:00.001-07:002015-04-04T00:07:20.188-07:00My WhyMy Why<br />
<br />
Children sitting in a row,<br />
Carefully turning pages,<br />
Of scrapbooks I have made.<br />
<br />
Precisely designed arrangements<br />
The photos of our yesterdays,<br />
The stories from their pasts.<br />
<br />
Off of the memory cards,<br />
And out of the dusty boxes,<br />
Photos hide between the pages,<br />
<br />
I see them studying faces,<br />
And I remember for them<br />
Times before their memories start,<br />
<br />
When my life gets too busy,<br />
And I don't take the time to create,<br />
Where will their stories live?<br />
<br />
In boxes or on the camera,<br />
Instead their precious albums.<br />
Who will remind my children.<br />
<br />
As I watch them reminisce,<br />
Over the stories in my head,<br />
I understand. This is my why.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-17962437374960259262015-04-01T23:28:00.001-07:002015-04-01T23:28:34.342-07:00It's National Poetry Writing Month again!!!I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two Aprils. This one, I'll admit, has crept up on me. So, without any inspiration, I turned to the prompt on the website: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 24.6399993896484px;"><i>Today’s prompt is a poem of negation – yes (or maybe, no), I challenge you to write a poem that involves describing something in terms of what it is not, or not like. For example, if you chose a whale as the topic of your poem, you might have lines like “It does not settle down in trees at night, cooing/Nor will it fit in your hand.” Happy writing!</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
1. <u>Happy Hump Day</u><br />
<br />
<br />
You are not the slow, sleepy build up,<br />
Nor are you the thrill of the release,
<br />
People don't disdain to face you,<br />
Nor greet your arrival with relief,
<br />
<br />
<br />
While they don't exude enthusiasm,
<br />
They don't fervently wish you on your way,<br />
You're somewhere in the middle,<br />
You're just kind of, sort of okay.<br />
<br />
<br />
You fall somewhat short of greatness,<br />
Landing this side of resignation,
<br />
You're not all that exciting,<br />
You're weak with anticipation.<br />
<br />
<br />
You're not the beginning of the work week,
<br />
But you certainly don't signal that it's through,<br />
I can't say that you're all that bad, and yet,<br />
No one ever says, “TGIW.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">2015 Laura
Freeman All Rights Reserved</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-20380244646227583812014-12-31T17:52:00.002-08:002014-12-31T17:52:44.967-08:00The collection from my first attempt (2013) at National Poetry Writing Month<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have a friend named April,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">at least that's what she's called online.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">She wants to be a novelist,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Also a dream of mine.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I got her writing in Novembers,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My favourite month to sit and type.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">She wrote a book, of novel length,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It lives up to its hype.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now it's "April", two years on,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And its her turn to inspire me.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You see, her month to write is now,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's a month of poetry.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">They call it NaPoWriMo</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A poem a day, not much, that's it.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's not prose, it's hard to do,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm crazy to attempt it.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So here you go, my April pal,</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My first poem, it's pretty chic,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For our month of creative writing...</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'll probably fizzle out next week!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="">April 1, 2013</span><br />
<span lang=""><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>Dear Lily</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You meow and meow, my indoor cat.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You pace across the floor.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The birds outside, they beckon you,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You crouch beside the door.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The kids come home, and you slip out,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I swoop and bring you in,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You cry at me,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So pitifully,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Imprisoned once again.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You sit at our front window,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Scowling at the chirping prey.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I remind you that, last time you roamed,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You ended up</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">At the SPCA.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So you'll stay inside, </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">we'll keep you safe,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You'll probably resent us.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But Lily, dear, you had your chance,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before you even met us.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I wouldn't let my cats run loose,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With all the hazards that await.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Please understand, the indoor life,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For a cat, it can be great!</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You perch upon my counter,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I sleep, you walk across my hair.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You trip me in the hallway,</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You steal my warm spot on the chair,</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You sleep all day, you play all night,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You go randomly berserk,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You can be the biggest sweetheart,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Or act like a selfish jerk.</span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You are waited on, both hand and foot,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Food at your beck and call,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You sleep right on our pillows,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Leave hairballs in the hall.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So when we tell you, "Stay inside,"</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I really wish you could,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Understand that we're not being cruel,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It is for your own good.</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div>
<span lang="">April 2, 2013</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span lang=""></span><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; widows: auto;">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><u>It Doesn't Have To</u></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
What is that?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
He asked</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
sneering.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
A poem,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
She grins.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
No.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It doesn't rhyme.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It doesn't have to.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It's free-verse.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
A poem?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
A poem that doesn't rhyme?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Free verse.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
I don't like it,</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
He grumbled.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
You don't have to.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It's mine.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Make it rhyme!</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
No.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Please?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
No.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It doesn't have to.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
I don't like it!</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Scowling.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
She laughs.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
You don't have to.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
I don't get it.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It doesn't rhyme.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Glaring.</div>
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It doesn't have to!</div>
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He pleads,</div>
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one more time.</div>
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Make</div>
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It</div>
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Rhyme!</div>
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It's free verse,</div>
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It doesn't have to.</div>
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He</div>
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S</div>
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T</div>
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O</div>
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M</div>
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P</div>
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S</div>
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away.</div>
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She smiles.</div>
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Tomorrow,</div>
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A Haiku.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
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<span lang="">April 3, 2013</span></div>
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<span lang=""><br /></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u>Bright Eyed</u></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u><br /></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Big brown eyes that light,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sweet excitement from within,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wiggling, kicking legs,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cooing, drooly grin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Alert and ready to begin.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">She wants to play with me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">She tries to tempt me in,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">She flaps her arms, calls to me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Except, it's two a.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Caffeine, you'll be my friend,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
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<span lang=""></span></div>
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<span lang="">April 4, 2013</span></div>
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<span lang=""><br /></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u>Mother Nature</u></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u><br /></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mother Nature is a cruel mistress,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Who taunts then takes away,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">At nightfall, dusts the world in white,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The spring promise of today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Winter throws us one last backwards glance,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As we watch him finally go,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And leaves us in his awful wake,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A Spring of ice and snow.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
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<span lang=""></span></div>
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<span lang="">April 5, 2013</span></div>
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<span lang=""><br /></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u>It's Grocery Day!</u></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u><br /></u></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u><br /></u></span></div>
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Two of them vote pizza,</div>
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<br /></div>
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One wants mac and cheese,</div>
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<br /></div>
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One suggests spaghetti,</div>
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<br /></div>
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How `bout Fruit Loops, please?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Candy, cake, and cookies</div>
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<br /></div>
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The fourth just smiles at me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Two suggest waffles,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Grilled cheese shouts the third,</div>
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<br /></div>
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One suggests PB and J,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fruit Loops, again, I think I heard.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Three agree on crackers,</div>
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<br /></div>
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The fourth one doesn't say a word.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Pizza is now unanimous,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Rice Krispies would be fine,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Please can we have ice cream</div>
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<br /></div>
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Chocolate milk is so divine.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Pasta, bagels, tacos,</div>
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<br /></div>
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The fourth one starts to whine.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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I envisioned broccoli,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe chicken, rice or fish,</div>
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<br /></div>
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So much for group consensus,</div>
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<br /></div>
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On the weekly grocery list.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Next week I`ll plan it myself,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang=""></span></div>
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The family nutritionist.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
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<span lang="">April 6, 2013</span></div>
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<span lang=""><br /></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u>The Indigestible Truth</u></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u><br /></u></span></div>
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Three short months of working hard,</div>
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And the mind wants what it wants,</div>
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A reward for twenty lost pounds,</div>
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Dinner at the local restaurant.</div>
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</div>
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Wholesome out the window,</div>
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We called it our cheat meal.</div>
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Laughter, games, desert,</div>
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A lovely family deal.</div>
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</div>
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With the spirit of a teenager,</div>
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A cheeseburger, fries, and pie,</div>
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Now the body of an older woman,</div>
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Utters its punishing war cry.</div>
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</div>
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In the wee hours of the morning,</div>
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My stomach rebelling from the score,</div>
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I come to the sobering conclusion,</div>
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<span lang=""></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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I can't eat like that anymore.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div>
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<span lang="">April 7, 2013</span></div>
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<span lang=""><br /></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u>No Regrets</u></span></div>
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<span lang=""><u><br /></u></span></div>
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My four, my children are my legacy,</div>
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The worn jewel in my crown, that shines bright,</div>
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A mark of that which is the best of me,</div>
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No regrets have I; I have done this right,</div>
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I live for them, and they exist for me,</div>
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Dreams unachieved, my four children still might,</div>
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Accomplish all that they set out to do,</div>
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Pursue their talents, true happiness, too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Alex, our first, nine before summer's close,</div>
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The bud of an artist runs in his veins,</div>
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Quick with numbers and a new love of prose,</div>
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Sensitive, carefully we hold the reins.</div>
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Connor, six now, his social circle grows,</div>
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Daring, he trusts, collects bruises and stains,</div>
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Creative, he sketches with clarity,</div>
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Gentleness beneath the fire that is he.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Kirstin, big sister, feminine, and sweet,</div>
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At four, a dancer, a singer, friendly,</div>
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Verbally blessed, Affectionate, and neat.</div>
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Baby Brooklynn, completes our family,</div>
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Bright and alert, gummy grins are our treat,</div>
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Skills undiscovered, my fourth prodigy.</div>
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To watch my heart beat on in another,</div>
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<span lang=""></span></div>
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No regrets have I to be their mother.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div>
<span lang="">April 8, 2013</span><br />
<span lang=""><br /></span>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Play the Classics</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">An honourable opponent,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She chose the thimble, I the shoe</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She lived for the moment.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She rolled the dice, her roll was true,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She chose the thimble, I the shoe,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thimble moving in a blur,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She rolled the dice, her roll was true,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The dice, they favoured her,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thimble moving in a blur,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Properties collected,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The dice, they favoured her,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was as I suspected.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Properties collected,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She played the banker, too</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was just as I suspected,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As her hotels and houses grew,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She played the banker, too,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I watched from my spot in jail,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As her hotels and houses grew,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Roll doubles; epic fail.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I watched from my spot in jail,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Gleeful, she grabbed Park Place,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Roll doubles; epic fail,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Smug grin upon her face.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Gleeful, she grabbed Park Place,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My heart sinking lower every roll,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Smug grin upon her face,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Her stack of money flush and whole,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My heart sinking lower every roll,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I slowly approached the blue,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Her stack of money flush and whole,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What was one to do?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I slowly approached the blue,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So close was I to losing,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What was one to do?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A final act of poorest choosing.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So close was I to losing,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I stood and tipped the table,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A final act of poorest choosing,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The legs must have been unstable.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I stood and tipped the table,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">She knew what it really meant,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The legs must have been unstable,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For, I'm an honourable opponent,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<span lang=""></span><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Laura Freeman -</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">April 9, 2013</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>Post-Partum</u></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Weathered</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stretched to limits</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ungodly and profound</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Skin deflated, silver road map</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sagging</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Navel</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once an innie,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then became an outie</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Never restored former glory</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Taunting.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Skin clear,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eyes less tired,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Movement easy, restored</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sleep comes quick now, it refreshes,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pain-free</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Hair loss</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Alarmed at first,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Falls out in thick handfuls,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Clogs the shower drain and the brush,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thinning</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Nursing,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now established,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Efficient, quick, wiggly,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">She loses interest, the world calls</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">To her</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Trophy,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of sorts, scars tell</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stories of a decade.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bringing forth life, seeing it grow, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fam</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">ily</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Laura Freeman -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">April 10, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Midnight Exchange</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the dark of night,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She slips in to my bedroom,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Promising pleasure,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is satisfied and she</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaves money, the Tooth Fairy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 11, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>A Poem in Twelve Frames</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The first ball thrown,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Warms the lane,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Sets the</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Tone.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It hits its target,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">With a crack,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">The pins</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Upset.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The screen flashes bright,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Displays its “X”</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Team applause</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Polite.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The pins want to,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Fall in sets,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">The strikes</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">continue.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The team is pleased,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Now there've been</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">N</span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ine. Flawlessly</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">R<span style="line-height: 16px;">eleased.</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The crowd falls silent.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">The lanes quiet,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Attentively watching,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Expectant.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As the first ball,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Hits its mark,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Ten pins,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Fall</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">All eyes on him,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">The alley silent,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Strike eleven,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Jubilation.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With coolness, he inhales.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Wipes his palms</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">And slowly</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Exhales.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">He checks his feet,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Eyes the lane,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Steps forward</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Neat.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Release. His throw distinctive,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">The ball navigates</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">It knows</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">Instinctive.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Loudly, the crash came,</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">announcing, he bowled</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px;">another perfect</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">game!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Laura Freeman -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 12, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span lang="">A Supplication to Spring:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span lang="">(In the form of a Shakespearian sonnet)<br /><br />Oh Spring, once here, have you forsaken us?<br />Shunning our corner of this northern world,<br />This morning, covered in a white canvas,<br />Serenely, our houses in snow, lie furled.<br />A robin, bright, calls from the covered tree,<br />Paradoxical and out of place here,<br />We hear, too, the trill of the chickadee,<br />Signs that once foretold of your being near.<br />The sun, now out, shines on the cold morning,<br />And warms; The land now sheds its winter coat,<br />The last trace of Winter, out with warning,<br />It turns to slush; Now Spring, do take a note,<br />Hope returns to this winter wonderland,<br />We ask of thee Spring, are you now at hand?<br /><br />- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span lang="">April 13, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span lang=""><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>#14 A - The Sound of Silence</u></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Silence Fills the air,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">No hum of background,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Groaning in my ears,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Just the coos of a babe awake,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An absence of noise,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Recharging me.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dim light, naturally</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Through the window illuminates the morn,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And it is adequate.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The air is cool, but not cold.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Natural fibres warm,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Recharging me.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Chores can wait,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unable to run appliances,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Books and toys to rediscover,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unplugged family time,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A spring walk perchance?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Recharging me.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Random uncertainty,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When the air will come alive,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We wait, candles ready,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We entertain ourseves,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Eat foods raw and whole,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Recharging me.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An absence of noise,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An absence of responsibility,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In the early morning hours,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Of a crisp spring day,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The absence of power,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It recharges me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
- Laura Freeman -</div>
<div>
April 14, 2013</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#14 B - Restoration</span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The sudden hum,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A return of white noise,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Background fills my ears,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Children awake now, require care</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The house, buzzing currents</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Draining me.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Artificial light restored,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The house comes ablaze,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Excessive it seems.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The furnace hums, smells of heat</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Layered clothing,</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">heavy with warmth,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Draining me.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Suddenly,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The carpet needs vacuuming,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The laundry, utters its beckoning call,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Children need bathing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The treadmill calls to me.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Draining me.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Less than two hours,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And the air comes alive,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The children, relieved</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Electronics restored,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Cooking for them again,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Draining me.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The return of noise,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Means the return of responsibility.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weekend oppression,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I'll tackle my to-do list,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The return of power,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span lang=""></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It drains me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
- Laura Freeman -<br />
April 14, 2013<br />
<br />
<u>What She Does Instead</u><br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">The laundry collects on the bathroom floor,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">A hamper, over full, spews clothes.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">In the morning she writes just one poem more,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">In her evening hours she writes prose.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">The food in the fridge is a guessing game, </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Weekly grocery shopping undone.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Her photos and pages call out her name,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Scrapbooking another passion.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Vacuum unused, there's crumbs on the carpet,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">They're tell tale signs that don't lie.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">She's learned to crochet; a baby blanket,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">The nephew is due in July.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Layers of dust indicate furniture age,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Fingerprints, like the scene of a crime.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Currently in a "Jodi Picoult" stage,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">She's reading three books at one time.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Outgrown clothes, boxes in various states,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">Some to donate and some to pitch.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">She sits and she wonders, while she creates,</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.62px;">When did she last do her cross stitch?</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Laura Freeman -</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
April 15, 2013</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<u>How Long?</u></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The six o'clock news, full of despair,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Reports another bombing attack,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The country responds, in stunned disbelief,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How long 'til they call to "Fight back?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Children go hungry, their parents unemployed,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Families losing the clothes off their backs,</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The wealthy get richer, the poor stay oppressed,</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How long 'til they call to “Fight back?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yet another school shooting, a class</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Young children will no longer come back,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The gun-lovers lament their right to bear arms,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How long 'til they call to “Fight back?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A doctor is killed for his pro-choice belief,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The babe's born addicted to crack,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A life is a life, no matter the cost,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How long 'til they call to “Fight back?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Two men fall in love, not free to express it,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Judging zealots, mud-slinging attacks,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A youth takes his life, he just can't embrace it,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How long 'til they call to "Fight back?"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A violent sexual assault,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Young men, at the front of the pack,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The victim is blamed, the boys are consoled,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How long 'til they call to “Fight back?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How many innocent people must die?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Or suffer traumatic attacks?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Violence assured when you live the beliefs,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Of a nation whose cry is “Fight back!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: start;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: start;">
- Laura Freeman -<br />
April 16, 2013<br />
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>#16 B – Family</u></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what makes us a family,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When first you pledged your love to me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two sons came first, a family of four,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then our girls, we added two more,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now we're six, gendered equally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A smaller branch of a larger tree,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our parents still living in P.G.,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siblings we wish we could see more,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what makes us a family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A nephew and niece in Southern B.C.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another expected in Calgary,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reunions chaotic, more so than before,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A sister next summer, the wedding in store,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sisters and brothers, friends are we,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what makes us a family.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Laura Freeman -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">April 16, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>A Spring Villanelle</u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><br /></u></span>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The robins call out in cheerful refrain,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hopeful of a new start, they welcome in spring,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The morning air is cool, promising rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Snow covered patches of sodden terrain,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dotting the landscape, thaw in full swing,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The robins call out in cheerful refrain.</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The sky is dreary, wears a white wash stain,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Brooding, unfriendly, what news will it bring?</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The morning air is cool, promising rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The call of the geese as they form up their chain,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">From their riverbed perch, the swans also take wing,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The robins call out in cheerful refrain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To wash away winter, let green grow again,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With anticipation, my heart starts to sing,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The morning air is cool, promising rain.</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The peal of the moose, signs that prove certain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Restored optimism, of seasons changing,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The robins call out in cheerful refrain,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The morning air is cool, promising rain.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 17, 2013</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>Genetics</u><br />
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Trying to guess, as our children's quirks shine,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Is that trait from him, or is that one of mine?</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Alexander James, full of creativity,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sharp mind and quick wit; he must take after me!</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Connor Nicholas, loves Kindergarten,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Daring and social, must be a Martin.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Kirstin Elizabeth, sweet as a flower,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Chatty and charming, full of “Girl Power!”</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Brooklynn Christina, what a delight,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Inquisitive nature, takes in every sight.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The best of each one's personality,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Look at that, they get them all from me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Laura Freeman -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">April 18, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>The Fog</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><br /></u></span>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Fog settles in and makes plans to stay,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How long since the way was clear and bright?</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Slowly swirling, it steals from the day.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A half-life; It rolls in with the night,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Every task attempted, sluggish and slow,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Fog torments daily, no end in sight.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Fog stretches and further it flows,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And fills every corner with heaviness,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Weighs down the weary, continues to grow.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How long until clarity's due caress,</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Comes to replace Fog's sleepy decay,</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And cleans up the dregs of the weariness?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Still, the Fog fills my head, intent to stay,</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Damn, am I ever tired today!</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Laura Freeman</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">April 19, 2013 -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>When Inspiration Strikes</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One handed while her infant feeds,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In quiet hours, she chooses to write,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A stolen moment meets her needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One handed while her infant feeds,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Or when children, in sleepiness, recede,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She stays up far too late at night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One handed while her infant feeds,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In quiet hours, she chooses to write.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">April 20, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>A Limerick Quartet</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Alex enjoys playing games with his siblings,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He's helpful when they need entertaining,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He's quick with the puns,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Talented with crayons,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But his lack of sportmanship remains challenging.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Connor is impulsive and daring,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But mostly he's just sweet and caring,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He'll draw pictures you ask,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And help out with most tasks,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But he sometimes lacks skills in sharing.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Kirstin loves everything that's princessy,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She likes to wear clothes that are dressy,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">S</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">he dances and twirls,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">nd sings as she whirls,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Despite the fact that her castle is messy.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Brooklynn, the baby's, one dear little child,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She likes watching her siblings go wild,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She shrieks and she wiggles,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And occasionally giggles,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Getting herself quite adorably riled.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 21, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>On Earth Day</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Nature, in all her glorious beauty,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Innocent, believes her faith to be true,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She chooses them to take on the duty,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To care for her world as she needs them to.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A work of art, of pristine wilderness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Rich with life, and her bounty resplendent,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">They receive the gift of her blank canvas,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Then consume her stores, over dependent.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">They grow stronger with Nature's nourishment,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Taking power, which turns to resource greed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Spreading out; A plague of development,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Turn their backs from her in her time of need.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Death and decay in technology's wake,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hungry, they consume every living space,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Nature, too late, comprehends her mistake,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In trusting her care to the human race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Laura Freeman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">April 22, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#23 - The Ballad of the Unfinished Novelist</span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It started so small, just five years ago,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And idea that spread like a weed,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Or like a young seedling,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It started to grow,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Writing filled in her, some unanswered need.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She wrote it in spurts, over the years,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mid-life crisis, perhaps? Perhaps not?</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In spare moments,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With blood, sweat and tears,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All that's left, one tiny bit of the plot...</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does one kill off a character,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who's a fine make-believe friend?</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does one kill off a character,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The only thing in the way of “The End.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It's finally done, at least the majority,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Long in planning and longer to pen,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Babies were birthed,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Her job a priority,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The book completely ignored, months on end.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The problem now is she's become attached,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To every flawed character,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And she's avoiding the plan,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The one she once hatched,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">That would wrap up the story for her.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does one kill off a character,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who's a fine make-believe friend?</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does one kill off a character,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The only thing in the way of “The End.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">She likes to write scenes that are fluff,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The happy, the funny, romantic,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But she also avoids,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Puts off everything tough,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Conflict, apparently, not her best schtick,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">JK Rowling can kill, she killed off a Weasley,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And that other “Martin” author can, too,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Old Yeller, Charlotte,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">They make it look easy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For other writers, the death tolls accrue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does one kill off a character,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who's a fine make-believe friend?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does one kill off a character,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The only thing in the way of “The End.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">No one wants to read claptrap anymore,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Where the prince, at the last moment, rides in,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And swoops in to save,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">From certain horror,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unless you're a fan of the ol' Harlequin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So sometime this week, she'll just have to do it,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bite the proverbial bullet and then,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sit down and flesh out,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All the conflict unwrit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And finally tie up all the loose ends.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How does one kill off a character,</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who's a fine make-believe friend?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Just do it, you sap, it'll suck of you don't,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It's the only thing left 'fore “The End.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">- Laura Freeman -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">April 23, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>A Bug Sonnet</u></span></div>
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Today I sat and watched some children play,</div>
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Wood chips became rafts, sailing run-off streams,</div>
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Dammed up to divert water's preferred way,</div>
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They conquered nature with their playful schemes.</div>
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I see a lone bug and it fascinates,</div>
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It floats in the stream, aware of its plight,</div>
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And catches their eye; Their game terminates,</div>
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Now they wager on its survival fight.</div>
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The dam looming up so perilously,</div>
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The bug flutters helplessly upside down,</div>
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Ripples spread as he flaps vigorously,</div>
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Swirling ever nearer the makeshift ground.</div>
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The children watch and wait with baited breath,</div>
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He hits the dam, he rights, and conquers death.</div>
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<br /></div>
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- Laura Freeman -</div>
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April 24th, 2013</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>The Morning Routine</u></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She gets up at the crack of dawn,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">At least it feels that way,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Nurses the voracious one,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Begging sleep come her way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Nay, babe's up, and ready to play,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's time to start the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She slips out of bed, babe in arms,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">No one else woken up,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Change a diaper, enjoy babe's charms,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Belch! She's covered with spit up.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Aye, she's dripping in milky spray,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's time to start the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The six year old pads out, blinking,</span></div>
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“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Can I play before school?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe. It's early, she's thinking,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">So she breaks their usual rule.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Aye, computer on, she let's him play,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's time to start the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She smells like barf, a quick shower,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She hands the babe to Dad,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In and out, shined and scoured,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But her son's day has just turned bad.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Nay, computer froze, it won't play,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's time to start the day!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">He bursts in to deafening wails,</span></div>
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“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">You said my turn to take!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">His bonus computer time fails,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Now everyone's awake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Aye, thanks to Connor's obnoxious bray,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's time start our day.</span></div>
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“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Don't comb through my hair!” Screeches one,</span></div>
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“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I hate jeans,” says another,</span></div>
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“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Where's my socks?” Look for them,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">What am I, your mother?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Everyone's finally dressed, Oy Vey!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Time to start the day.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The babe is crying “pick me up!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">As toast goes on the plate,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Put toys down Connor, do eat up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We're going to be late!</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Aargh, we're not going to make it today,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Time to start the day!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Babe on hip, needing love from someone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She struggles with one hand,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">To quickly get school lunches done,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">If you made them at night, it'd be grand (dumbass!)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Well, I guess we'll go with PB and J...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's time to start the day.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Your nose is bleeding, go wipe it now,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">No, no, not with your shirt!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">You still need to wipe it, do you not know how?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Here, I'll do it. “Ow, that hurts!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Ugh... filthy, slimey little vertebrae...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Time to start the day.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Hurry up and finish eating,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We're running low on time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Put the toys away, she's pleading,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">As baby screams in her ear </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(I know, that doesn't rhyme!)</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(Insert a lapse into free-verse here)</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Connor, time to go and brush your teeth,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Where's my toothbrush? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">On the counter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Where on the counter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Right in front of your nose. You know, the one that's still bleeding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Put that toy down, brush your teeth...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">BRUSH YOUR TEETH!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">If you don't brush your teeth I'm going to brush them for you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Okay!</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And here comes tantrum number four,</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She's made everyone's day. Great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The eight year old falls to the floor,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Mad that he's going to be late.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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Oh c'mon, why are you crying now?</div>
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Time to start the freakin' day!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, boots and jackets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Connor, put your coat on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Where's my coat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Where did you leave it last night?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The closet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Check the closet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I don't see it. Where's my coat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In the closet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Where.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR NOSE!</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(The one that is still bleeding!)</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Oh. There it is.</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">They arrive at school, the bell has rung,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">They're just a wee bit late,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">You'll still be on time if you run!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">So Connor walks at a snail's gait.</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Now everyone's crabby and grey,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Way to start their day!</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Today was not atypical,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Although this morning sucked,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Can't get to school before the bell,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">When I go back to work I'm....</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">... in big t</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">rouble!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">April 25, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Laura Freeman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Erased</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
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Once I, weary, and curious<br />
nodded<br />
as I muttered nothing.</div>
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<br />
Distinctly I remember<br />
Dying upon the morrow</div>
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vainly;</div>
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lost, rare, and radiant.</div>
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The angels nameless,</div>
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sad,</div>
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uncertain.</div>
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<br />
Filled with terrors</div>
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before the beating of my heart</div>
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entreating late</div>
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entreating nothing.</div>
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<br />
Presently my soul no longer,<br />
said truly forgive<br />
the fact I gently<br />
And so faintly</div>
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scarce heard.</div>
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Darkness.<br />
Deep into that darkness</div>
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fearing,<br />
doubting,</div>
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mortal before.</div>
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<br />
The silence broken,</div>
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darkness whispered;</div>
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Whispered an echo,</div>
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nothing.</div>
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<br />
My soul burning,<br />
louder than before,<br />
then nothing.</div>
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<br />
Here in saintly obeisance</div>
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above nothing more.</div>
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<br />
Then sad smiling,<br />
grave and stern countenance,<br />
Ghastly, grim and ancient.</div>
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<br />
Tell me much,</div>
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I marvelled plainly,<br />
its answer meaning little.</div>
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Living was blessed.</div>
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Lonely soul,<br />
nothing further uttered</div>
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scarce.</div>
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Leave me my hopes then!</div>
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Stillness broken,<br />
caught from some unmerciful disaster;<br />
One burden,</div>
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melancholy burden,<br />
my sad soul cushioned</div>
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then sinking.</div>
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Ominous.</div>
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Grim.</div>
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Ghastly.</div>
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Ominous.</div>
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No expressing the fiery burn in my core.</div>
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<br />
Divining ease that gloated,</div>
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gloating.</div>
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Unseen by God,</div>
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these angels sent memories;</div>
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Forget evil,</div>
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or devil sent desolate horror;</div>
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Haunt this soul with sorrow.</div>
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</div>
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Rare, parting,</div>
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a black soul.</div>
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</div>
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Loneliness broken,</div>
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pallid dreaming.</div>
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</div>
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My soul floating<br />
Shall be lifted !</div>
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- Laura Freeman-</div>
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April 26, 2013</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>An ABECEDARIAN Mess</u></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Ample toys my children own,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Because we're idiots,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Cluttering up every surface,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Damn, what rhymes with idiots?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Everything is all about,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Fu...dge, there's dishes in the sink!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Garbage needs to be taken out,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Heaping piles are starting to stink!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In crevices or under beds,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Just get it out of sight,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Keep it or throw it out,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Let's start the weekly fight.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Messy messes, everywhere</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Nary a tidy spot, I'm reeling...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Oh wait, that's not entirely true</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Please stop to admire the ceiling!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Quickly pick up all this crap,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Really need to wash the floor,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Shove the laundry in the hall,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Toss the rest behind the door.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Unless we go on one of those home makeover shows,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Verily, this is how every Saturday goes.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We're raising little hoarders,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">X'actly like us, hanging on to shit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, we can't keep our house in order...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Zoos would even have a fit!</span></div>
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</div>
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- Laura Freeman -</div>
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April 27, 2013</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>Happy Birthday</u></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's the twenty-eighth of April and I know</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">that on this day, thirty-seven years ago,</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">a couple had cause to celebrate</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the birth of someone great.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">First the babe became a daughter then</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">she next became a sister when,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Tegan was born. Through the years, a Guide,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">a scholar, a friend, and a bride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">She's a mother of two. And the list</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">goes on; Shes's an environmentalist,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">a writer, a teacher, a gamer, a leader,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">even a backyard chicken breeder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I hope that on this birthday, my old friend</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">knows what she means to all she's met. In the end,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">what matters most is that one always gains,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">by having known the likes of April Raines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Laura Freeman -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">April 28<sup>th</sup>, 2013</span></div>
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#29 - April Showers Bring May Flowers (A Pantoun)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">April, as a month, is dreary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The earth is dank and spoiled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The sky opaque, the air is bleary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The snow, too slow, recoiled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The earth is dank and spoiled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Green growth yet to appear,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The snow, too slow, recoiled,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">An undecided time of year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Green growth yet to appear,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Trees still proudly bare,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">An undecided time of year,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A chill pervades the air.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Trees still proudly bear</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Leaves, grow lush and bright,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A warmth pervades the air,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The sun shares its precious light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Leaves grow lush and bright,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Grass sprouts green and nourishes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The sun shares its welcome light,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Life abounds and flourishes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">May as a month is sweet.</span></div>
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- Laura Freeman -</div>
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April 29th, 2013</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u># 30 – To My Handful of Blog Followers</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The challenge to write thirty poems,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Seemed like an arbitrary one,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But I learned a lot of new techniques,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In this poetry 101!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I tried my hand at sonnets,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Free-verse, tankas, and pantoums,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I threw in a couple ballads,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But skipped those pesky short haikus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Turns out I like my poems to rhyme,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I like consistent metre too,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Some took me quite a bit of time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Others, I whipped off in a few,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Minutes, that is. While my baby naps,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Or after she's in bed at night,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Or while I'm feeding her; turns out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">There's lots of stolen time to write.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Some poems were silly, some were sweet,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Some just bad, I'm sure that you agree,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But I hope that I amused you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">While I blogged my poetry,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">National Poetry Writing Month,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A challenge to write creatively,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">No prize except the awakening,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Of a long dormant part of me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">If you liked reading all my poems,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Then please check in again back here,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I might post a few more, once in a while,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And I'm signing up again next year!</span></div>
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<li><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Laura Freeman -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">April 30, 2013</span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-79650871443007155752014-12-31T17:18:00.001-08:002014-12-31T17:18:49.083-08:00A little spring inspirationWarm breeze teases my pale winter skin,<br />
As sun beams dance across the yard.<br />
The sky is clear, a dusty powder blue,<br />
The covered ground, still cold and hard.<br />
<br />
The geese call out as they fly overhead,<br />
Home from their winter's long sojourn.<br />
A robin brightly greets the world, a sign<br />
Of hope, of nature new reborn.<br />
<br />
Tulips poke out from the frosty gardens,<br />
To drink, thirsty, the new spring air.<br />
Children emerge, and happy, greet the sun,<br />
Boots and t-shirts, clashing outer wear.<br />
<br />
I stand there on this lovely springtime day,<br />
I smile at the welcome scene,<br />
I inhale deep; the scent of damp, sweet morning,<br />
It smells like dog poo.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="">- Laura Freeman -</span><br />
<span lang="">March 28, 2013</span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-65419773184472300762014-12-31T17:14:00.000-08:002014-12-31T17:14:19.706-08:00My Review of Windows 8We replaced our hard drive when it fried,<br />
The programs froze, the tower died,<br />
Prolong its life, we really tried.<br />
A dinosaur, or so they say,<br />
Windows XP will no longer play,<br />
Programs that are designed today.<br />
I remember when DOS gave up the ghost,<br />
Leaving a collection most,<br />
of Cd Roms, completely toast.<br />
We thought this one would last somehow,<br />
Outlook Express, where are you now?<br />
Send emails? I no longer know how.<br />
My folders vanished to the abyss,<br />
Sorting by groups, oh how I miss.<br />
Try Windows Live Mail, it takes the piss!<br />
Now it's apps, and apps, and apps galore,<br />
Need a program? Try the store!<br />
Want the start menu? Ha! It's no more.<br />
At least, I can't find it anywhere,<br />
I've looked. I think. It isn't fair.<br />
It makes me want to pull out my hair.<br />
Try Windows 8, said the salesclerk,<br />
A pimpled lad of part-time work,<br />
It's sleek, its quick, it has more perks.<br />
We took it home, we plugged it in,<br />
Updated it so we could begin,<br />
To enjoy the world of applications.<br />
Now, six months in, and I still don't know,<br />
Why Windows 8 makes me feel so slow.<br />
Windows 8 you really blow.<br />
You make no sense, you're hard to use,<br />
It's not fair, we didn't choose,<br />
We just didn't know what we would lose.<br />
I miss you already, dear Windows XP,<br />
Your start menu was good enough for me!<br />
Your newer son will never be,<br />
As good as you, nay, I'll say it, great,<br />
You're defunct and replaced by Windows 8,<br />
An interface I fucking hate!<br />
<br />
12/05/13 - Laura FreemanLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-41427348862876085282014-12-11T23:25:00.002-08:002014-12-11T23:25:50.828-08:00April 2014 - National Poetry Writing Month - 30 Poems in 30 Days - Part 3<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet; text-align: center; widows: 1;">2014 </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet; text-align: center; widows: 1;">Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet; text-align: center; widows: 1;"><br /></span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Craft Room</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Within my home, there exists a place</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Where quietly slows life's chaotic pace</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, 'lucida sans', helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">A place that brings me great tranquility</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">When I lose myself in creativity</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Peace overwhelms me with her calming grace</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">As I cut and paste in my crafting space</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Or when I write my stories, and lose the race</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Lost in the fiction that lulls with reverie</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Within my home there exists a place</span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">An organized mind is a shameful waste</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">If imagination has no space</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">To blossom and create such grand beauty</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">A room with no walls for my children and me</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Where quietly slows life's chaotic pace</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Within my home there exists a place</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">-Laura Freeman-</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">April 21, 2014</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>To Our Children We Bequeath</u></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Listen children to the story I share,</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pay attention as I tell you my tale,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've entrusted you with the task to repair,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What we've abysmally failed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The earth was ours for the taking,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fruits of her garden were grand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once rich with life in the making,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unspoiled and pristine was the land.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Children, are you listening to me?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is important, take heed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take a breath and a moment to see,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have to stop all this greed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The planet used to be healthy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lush, green and freely growing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We harvested her and grew wealthy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reaped the rewards she was sowing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, alas, we took her for granted,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grew self assured and arrogant,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We developed more than we planted,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ignored the dire warnings she sent,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Filled her air with soot and debris,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Culled her species to extinction,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poured our waste products into her seas,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Children, I speak with distinction.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its unfair, to be sure, what we ask,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your generation has debts to be paid,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We bequeath you the challenging task,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To clean up the mess that we made.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
April 22, 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
There once were some children, all four,<br />
Who liked to create art out of doors,<br />
They took sidewalk chalk,<br />
And marked up the walk,<br />
Which was preferable than marking the floor.<br />
<br />
-Laura Freeman-<br />
April 23, 2014<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Watch and Learn</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The mirror is my enemy, it reflects,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An aging woman where once a girl stood,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flabby and greying, the image infects,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And they watch and they learn, as they know they should.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I can't eat that," I say, "it's not on my plan."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They nod in agreement and take it in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I poke at my stomach, adjust my waistband,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Count calories by day and by night I binge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So many flaws, and so much to detest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A constant struggle to love what I see,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To ensure the generational bequest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is what I want them to inherit from me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need to see beauty, regardless my size,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I see myself through my daughters' eyes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
April 24, 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
I stared at the screen, my brain in a haze,<br />
It's easy, they'd said, it's online these days!<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Just fill in a few details, point and click,<br />
But when I try it, I'm missing a trick.<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Login failed... do a password reset,<br />
A jumble of numbers and letters, and yet...<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
What? I'm sure that's the password, that's got to be it!<br />
I just finished resetting, you piece of shit!<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Now the wheel keeps endlessly spinning,<br />
The webpage is frozen, the computer is winning!<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Information is missing? Are you kidding me?<br />
What field did I miss? Why are you screwing with me?<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Email support then wait days for a useless reply,<br />
Or go back to the office and tear a strip off the guy!<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Aah, customer service, in English, back in the day,<br />
Meant speaking to someone who knew what to say<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Now everything is online and the assumption is that,<br />
Wifi is in every house and in every flat<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Instead of standing in line for the next available clerk<br />
I sit on my phone, at my screen, like a jerk!<br />
<br />
Error, Error, Error<br />
<br />
Technology is the way of the future? Bullshit!<br />
Oh, how I miss carbon paper in triplicate!<br />
<br />
Laura Freeman<br />
April 25, 2014<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>April Showers</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u></u><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The air stagnates, heavy before the rain,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dark crowds roll in obscuring my vision,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of the sun, so welcome in April morn.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I find myself wishing for light again</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we scurry to complete our mission</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Intent to beat out the impending storm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before the clouds release on us their wrath,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Swirling, and gathering; We quicken our pace,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And race for home taking the shortest path,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A spring walk cut short; Droplets tease my face,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before the rain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laura Freeman</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
April 26, 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We watched tv in black and white,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Cartoons on Saturday morning,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And occasionally Disney</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On Sunday night.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I knew how to dial a phone,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And I had my conversations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Attached to the wall,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not wandering cordless through the home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My teacher wrote with chalk,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And when we wanted to chat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With one another,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We actually had to talk.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My running shoes had laces,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My bicycle had three speeds,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And we didn't own a helmet,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To protect our precious faces.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We passed notes folded elaborately,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Skyping was a thing of science fiction,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And my pen pal </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Actually wrote to me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tweeting was something </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Only birds would know,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A face book was my High School year book,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And pinning was something</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You did before you sew.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There were prizes in our cereal,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Restaurants were for special treats,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And we washed with ordinary soap </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not labelled</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> anti-bacterial.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I had to pay a quarter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To use a phone that wasn't mine,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But heck, it could have been worse,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Your father had a party line!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thirty seven was practically geriatric,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I never imagined youth would leave me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And that Father Time would play</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This rather dirty trick.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I was your age,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Life was a little less convenient,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And yet we still survived.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I used to dream about the wonders of the future,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And, my children, that future has arrived!</span><br />
<br />
-Laura Freeman-<br />
April 27, 2014<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today on Facebook</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No one announced their pregnancy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or bad-mouthed their boyfriend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No one posted a funny quip</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
about their children's quirkiness,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or slung offensive thoughts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
About abortion or gay rights.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead, I learned that:</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Your chocolate shell is a vessel</i></div>
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In search of music</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To my fetal family,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Celebrate</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Pickled ram testicles</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Does anyone else's skin crawl?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This has got to stop,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It's only been twenty-four years</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For a long time</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I didn't even notice.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Blame your sister!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I always enjoy those afternoons</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Supported instead of judged.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Time to get a move on'</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Love is louder.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If you want to interrupt, feel free,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What's the worst that can happen?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a slow day on my wall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Time to socialize with real people.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alas, they're all sitting front of their screens</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Knackered now</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From their status updates!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
April 28, 2014</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px;">
<span style="line-height: 24.0000019073486px;"><u>A Tanka</u></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px;">
<span style="line-height: 24.0000019073486px;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div>
Today's prompt scares me</div>
<div>
Twenty challenges, one poem</div>
<div>
No one can do that</div>
<div>
At least not without more time</div>
<div>
Tonight I would rather sleep.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
... aww, what the hell, I'll give it a whirl...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>I'm a little too tired tonight to attempt the prompt:</u></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.6em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
<span style="line-height: 1.6em;">Sleep is an elusive mistress</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
I haven't slept in eighteen days</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
My bed beckons, it smells of fresh laundry</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
It is soft, colourful, tastes like lint, and rustles</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
The blankets smell blue and fuzzy.</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Laura doesn't understand synesthesia</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
When she's in Vanderhoof</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Last night while I slept,</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
I dreamed that I was flying</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
I'm flying to Newfoundland in July</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
For a wedding</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
I am practicing my Newfinese</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
If I'm not well versed in the local slang,</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
The lobster won't taste as sweet</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
And I won't be able to wish the newlyweds</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
A hearty "Long may your jib draw."</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
The province, it beckons with its</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Salty air of friendship</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
I had to google abstract noun</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
on my typewriter</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Which I immediately dismantled</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
and put back together in</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
alphabetical order</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Mommy doesn't have a nickname,</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Just a title.</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Mommy will be amazed by all the sights that</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
She will see in Newfoundland</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
The land surrounded by the</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
Uncoordinated Atlantic</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
C'est la vie</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
While the airplane laughs in the sky</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
And I sleep.</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: start;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.6em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
April 29th</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<dd style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><u style="background-color: white;">A Farewell to April</u></span></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">It is difficult word to say</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">When one must summon an honest farewell</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Farewell to April, welcome sweet May</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">It does not pay to consistently dwell</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">On the sodden grass and cool damp air</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">When one must summon an honest farewell</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">April rolls out quietly, brown and bare</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Signs of life emerge, so tentative</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">On the sodden grass and cool damp air</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The birds return and the flowers live</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">As the month comes to a final close</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Signs of life emerge, so tentative</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">There's poetry in spring, sweeter than prose</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Ceasing with the last of winter's remains</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">As the month comes to a final close</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Farewell dank earth, farewell melting rains</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">It is a difficult word to say</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Ceasing with the last of winter's remains</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Farewell to April, welcome sweet May</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">-Laura Freeman-</span></div>
</dd><dd style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">April 30, 2014</span></div>
</dd></div>
</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-74688396274107357772014-12-11T23:17:00.001-08:002014-12-11T23:18:57.197-08:00April 2014 - National Poetry Writing Month - 30 Poems in 30 Days - PART 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet; text-align: center; widows: 1;">2014 </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet; text-align: center; widows: 1;">Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Friday</u> </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
A rhythmic ticking</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paints melodies in my head</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Marking time’s passage</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
The weekend draws ever near</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is it only twelve o’clock?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
April 11,2014</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Late</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The hour</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just sat down</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
No time to write</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cinquains!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Eleven</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Good poems</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Too tired tonight,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Time for a dud</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cinquains!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rhymes</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Are overrated</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
These are easier</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Poems can be quick</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cinquains!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
-April 12, 2014-</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Not a Sonnet</u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried to write a sonnet today,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shakespeare was famous for this brand of rhyme,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have three solid starts I've cast away, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried to write a sonnet today,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's getting hard to think of things to say, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to mention how this consumes my time,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried to write a sonnet today,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shakespeare was famous for this brand of rhyme.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Laura Freeman-</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 13, 2014</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>The Road Trip</u></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Racing the clock in the morning,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Organizing them to get out the gate,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Actively bribing and warning,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Don't turn on the t.v., we'll be late!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The highway, it stretches ahead,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rocky and dusty, but dry and bare,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I reach back, hand out snacks, keep them fed,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pass back toys, trade books, make them share.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
When will we get there? It's cacophony,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm bored. How much further? Not much more!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
That one's thirsty; That one's hungry; She's looking at me!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have to go to pee! ... but I didn't have to before!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Feet down, keep them off of my stuff!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or, mister, you can get out and walk!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Unfortunately, he sees through my bluff,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Really? I can? Nah, Mom's all talk.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Keep quiet, the baby just started to nap,</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I feel sick, hurry, pass me the bucket!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Didn't make it, oops, I threw up in my lap.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
So... road trip next weekend? Nah, F---orget it!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
April 14, 2014</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<u>Four Reasons to Brag</u> - a Terza Rima poem<br />
<br />
Our oldest son is sensitive and bright,<br />
With a sense of humour that makes me grin,<br />
Creative, loyal, and gaining in height.<br />
<br />
Our second son has a spark from within,<br />
He's ever trusting, though stubborn a bit,<br />
Poky in the mornings, but genuine.<br />
<br />
My third, sweet and loving, a kind spirit,<br />
Chatty, we have quite the conversations,<br />
Feminine, charming, yet wild, I'll admit.<br />
<br />
Then there's our baby, full of elation,<br />
An explorer, a climber, half monkey,<br />
Keeps us going until day's cessation.<br />
<br />
Our children make us a great family!<br />
<br />
- Laura Freeman -<br />
April 15, 2014<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Mommy Lies</u></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, that tutu looks good atop your pants,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, I would like to see your made-up dance,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I like the lovely mug you made with clay,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'll take it to work and use it every day,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not annoyed,, that stain will wash right out,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
It barely shows, I didn't mean to shout,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, I would love to read that book once more,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
And play with your toys for hours on the floor</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, of course Santa brought you that teddy bear,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, he also brought the socks and underwear!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
It isn't gross, it's special, just try it please,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's orange and white because it's giraffe cheese,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The tooth fairy didn't forget to come last night,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
She couldn't break a twenty, give it up, alright?</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Don't sit so close to the t.v. or you'll go blind,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Too many video games will rot your growing mind,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't know how that baby got in my tummy,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
She just decided that I would be her Mommy,</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
You ask so many questions, and that's not bad,</div>
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But Mommy doesn't know, so please go ask your Dad!</div>
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-Laura Freeman-</div>
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April 16, 2014</div>
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a quiet humming</div>
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bisects the silence rudely</div>
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the computer sings</div>
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whispers down the hall</div>
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interrupt concentration</div>
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children still awake</div>
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<br /></div>
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the fridge murmurs</div>
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steadily it's icy tune</div>
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the kitchen buzzes</div>
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<br /></div>
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a cough, a hush</div>
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the artificial silence</div>
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disturbing the peace</div>
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<br /></div>
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she craves the quiet</div>
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but gets instead night time noise</div>
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the house is alive</div>
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<br /></div>
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-Laura Freeman-</div>
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April 17, 2014</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u>Good Friday</u></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Why do they call it Good Friday today?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My curious children want me to say,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So I tell them why, today Jesus died,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Instead, they decide to call it Bad Friday.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">-Laura Freeman-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">April 18, 2014</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><u>She Sells Sea Shells</u></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Whilst out on the board walk, and facing the shore,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">With her strawberry top and Peruvian hat,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She calls to the men, invites them to adore,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Her snout otter clam, what do they think of that?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She stretches out on the beach, with her leather donax,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">They come in droves at her profession of love,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For the incised moon; Her patrons stop in their tracks,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When she bats her eyes, innocent as the sparse dove.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">They stroke her shuttlecock volva, sun-warmed and kept neat,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Her false cups and saucers, entice them further,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Her heavy bonnet on display, she smiles so sweet,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For she knows it makes the sale worthier.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">They fondle her prized striped engina, and meet</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Her Lazarus jewel box which is tempting and open,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">They greedily handle her unequal bittersweet,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">No piece of hers is off limits to them.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After a day at the sea, peddling pleasures,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For a dollar or two, in exchange for herself</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What eventually becomes of her priceless treasures?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Forgotten trinkets on some sun-seeker's shelf.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">-Laura Freeman -</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">April 19, 2014</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<u>Lily's Tanka</u></div>
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<br /></div>
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They keep me captive</div>
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Feed me dry food and water</div>
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Call me abject names</div>
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But I will tolerate them</div>
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Cats will someday rule the world</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-Laura Freeman-</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
April 20, 2014</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402681025848522980.post-55733594638289193092014-12-11T23:06:00.001-08:002014-12-11T23:18:00.659-08:00April 2014 - National Poetry Writing Month - 30 poems in 30 days - PART 1<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet;">© </span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet; text-align: center; widows: 1;">2014 </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet; text-align: center; widows: 1;">Laura Freeman All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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The gods of pestilence,</div>
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Have cast their grievous blow,</div>
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<i>Showing great indifference,</i></div>
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To the fateful few below.</div>
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A plague, in torrential rain,</div>
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Falls down upon their heads,</div>
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With despair, inflicting pain,</div>
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The infestation spreads.</div>
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The weak, downtrodden masses fall,</div>
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Succumbing to the plight,</div>
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Struck down, the young and small,</div>
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In seeming endless night.</div>
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Ever slow, the illness wanes,</div>
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It lifts then falls again in place,</div>
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The elusive end to the torrential rains,</div>
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Comes at an agonizing pace.</div>
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The weary few, in chorus sing,</div>
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Hope comes tentatively,</div>
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knowing in their hearts, <i>something,</i></div>
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<i>Will happen eventually.</i></div>
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Laura Freeman</div>
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- April 1, 2014 - </div>
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<br /></div>
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The Hurricane</div>
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She leaves destruction in her joyous wake,</div>
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Spins past them, tossing aside their treasure,</div>
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Showing no mercy, nor reprieve, nor break.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Debris cast away with random pleasure,</div>
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Chaos reigns in the quaking domicile,</div>
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At her will, the damage goes unmeasured.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Once again, they begin a task, futile,</div>
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Of cleaning up the gleeful destruction,</div>
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Wreaked by a toddler full of cheerful guile,</div>
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They've lovingly dubbed, “Hurricane Brooklynn!”</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Laura Freeman-</div>
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April 2, 2014</div>
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<u>Gravity</u></div>
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Grasping furniture, she climbs with drive,</div>
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Relentless in her quest to reach new heights.</div>
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At the summit, she waits 'til I arrive,</div>
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Very often, to my heart-stopping fright.</div>
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I, helpless, do not get there quite on time,</div>
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To rescue her from the possibility.</div>
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Yes, my baby learned what happens when she climbs...</div>
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The awful truth about the law of gravity.</div>
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-Laura Freeman-</div>
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April 3, 2014</div>
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Rain splatters pavement</div>
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Iceways form as I slumber</div>
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Spring is imminent</div>
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Sunshine hides behind</div>
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Dark and dreary cloud cover</div>
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Spring is imminent</div>
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Mud puddles pooling</div>
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Along roads and on sidewalks</div>
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Spring is imminent</div>
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Blue sky northerly</div>
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The clouds slowly blowing south</div>
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Spring is imminent</div>
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Brilliant clear overtakes</div>
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The clouds dissipate to wisps</div>
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Spring is imminent</div>
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Coat in morning</div>
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Shirt by the midday outing</div>
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Spring is imminent</div>
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Winter blues lifting</div>
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I feel happy and hopeful</div>
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Spring is imminent!</div>
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-Laura Freeman-</div>
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April 4, 2014</div>
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<u>More Paperwork</u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt;">Behind a desk I sit, ceasing never</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"></span></div>
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I tackle the to-do list without an ending</div>
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I dully fill in the waiting blanks</div>
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A chore that, at times, feels meaningless</div>
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Staring at the daunting empty lines</div>
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I know its purpose and</div>
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I dutifully fill the boxes</div>
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Ever planning and ever seeking</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">To find the efficiencies with which to </span></span></span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></div>
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Reduce what seems to be</div>
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Just time, waiting to be filled.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt;">-Laura Freeman-</span></span></div>
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April 5, 2014</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">As the weekend comes to a end,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">My to-do list remains incomplete,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Two days is not enough time to spend,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">There are deadlines that I want to meet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">My to-do list remains incomplete,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">They say good intentions “gang aft agley”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">There are deadlines that I want to meet,</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">weekend chores done inefficiently.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">They say good intentions “gang aft agley”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Starting the week right is the best way,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Weekend chores done inefficiently,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Leave us scrambling come early Monday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Starting the week right is the best way,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Lunches have to be prepped the night 'fore,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">We're always scrambling come early Monday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To find backpacks and boots by the door,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lunches have to be prepped the night 'fore,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Laundry done, floors washed, menu penned,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Backpacks and boots ready by the door,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As the weekend comes to an end.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">-Laura Freeman-</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">April 6, 2014</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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You fill my heart with your sultry kiss,</div>
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And warm me to my very core,</div>
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I gaze at you and feel naught but bliss,</div>
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I've missed you so; I've missed you more,</div>
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Absence makes the heart grow fonder,</div>
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And mine has ached so long for you,</div>
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Each time you leave and cruelly wander,</div>
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You leave me to doubt our love is true.</div>
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Now you wrap me in your warm embrace,</div>
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After our chilling time apart,</div>
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You plant sweet kisses on my face.</div>
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And I forgive you with all my heart.</div>
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And we go back to the way we were,</div>
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A year ago before you went away,</div>
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And I fall for you with all that's sure,</div>
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You temptress, you are a warm spring day!</div>
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-Laura Freeman-</div>
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April 7, 2014</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Not tonight, I have better things to do,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Then to sit and watch the blank screen taunt me,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">I will not have a poem to amuse you.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">My mind is blank, I can not follow through,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">With clever written creativity,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Not tonight, I have better things to do.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Perhaps, instead, I'll craft with pens and glue,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Or maybe I'd just rather watch tv,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">I will not have a poem to amuse you.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">After children sleep, my free time is due,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Time for household responsibility,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Not tonight, I have better things to do,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Wash floors, pay bills, or income tax is due,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Or I'll tackle the mountain of laundry,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">I will not have a poem to amuse you.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">After seven poems, am I really through?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">I just don't feel like writing poetry,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">Not tonight, I have better things to do,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">I will not have a poem to amuse you.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">-Laura Freeman-</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;">April 8, 2014</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, lucida sans, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u>My house, My Home</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This house is a house full of light,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It's chaotic and noisy and bright,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We've made it our own, we call it our home,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And I'll groan, it's an untidy sigh<span style="font-size: x-small;">t.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-Laura Freeman-</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">April 9, 2014</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why I Have Perma-Bags Under My Eyes</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was sound asleep when I heard her cry,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I picked her up, cuddled her to my chest,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beside me in bed, I was too tired to try,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To put her back in the crib to finish her rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We both fell asleep, we both love bed-sharing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, “Mama” he screamed! I ran to the fright,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s too dark, ” he said, tousled and glaring,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I grumbled and flooded the hallway with light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My son who is scared of the dark is awake,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I have to sleep under floodlights, sigh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I close my door,give my tired head a shake,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to block out the hallway light to get by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less than three hours ‘til dawn the clock taunts,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exhaling slowly I slipped back to dreamland,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then a familiar sound, my slumber it haunts,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A scritching and scratching relentlessly panned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Effing cat can’t handle the door not ajar,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has to get in to sleep on my head,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I threw a book at the door, really quite far,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It thumped and she scattered, yowling with dread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I sighed and closed off my brain,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It didn't last long, she wanted my bed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just seconds later, she was scratching again,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my sleep addled state, I swore, “That cat is dead!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, I’m a sucker, what can I say?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little feet in my ribs and a cat on my chest,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally I doze fitfull 'til light of day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The clock reminds me, two hours to rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My door opens a crack; in comes another,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What?” I snarl, as I sit up slowly and glare,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He warily eyes his impatient mother,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A sight with her eye bags and tangle of hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I had to get up now,” the little boy said, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He exhales slowly, “Mama, I wet the bed.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Laura Freeman-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 10, 2014</span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840960153344299627noreply@blogger.com0