The confidence to use my words...

I have a goal this year. I want to record an album (or at the very least get started on one). I am a singer. A singer that is tired of Musical Theatre, btu who still wants to sing. So with the help of my close friend, a brilliant musician, this goal could actually be accomplished. I have the whole thing planned in my head. A forties themed album, with old standards, some covers and some originals. And I even have the title and album photography and artwork in mind (but I certainly cannot give away all of my great ideas, you will have to see them when the album is released) So my friend says to me, "Get me some lyrics". These words made my dream start to fade and my goal seem further. "I can sing but writing lyrics?", I thought. "How is this not going to be awful". So, I would write a song, tear it up, write a song, tear it up. This went on for weeks, and I almost gave up on this brilliant, earth shattering idea.

Since we had the poetry reading in class I have written two songs. I discovered a new hope for my words as I watched and listened to words that created poetry. I was inspired. I was hopeful. I became able to write lyrics without immediately tearing up the page. On that Monday evening, I was given the confidence to use my words.

"I Waited Too Long", she says

It's a room like any other room but it's smaller and colder than you last remember

"Tell me to leave" she says, "Or say that you won't."

One day you wake to see
the cracks
in the ceiling
that were always there even if you closed your eyes

"Tell me to leave", she says

She filled them with 2:00 p.m rises out of bed

On the first date he was on time

"Tell me to leave", she says. "You left long ago."

A bit less scared of poetry.....

Last weeks class was the one of the most entertaining classes I have ever been to. I loved listening to every single one of the pieces and it made me realize that poetry is not so intimidating. Each and every poem was so different and yet so entertaining, touching, and impressive. It is amazing to have seen the vulnerable side of every one in class and I was seriously impressed.

I have been doing theatre all of my life and yet I was really nervous to go in front of the class and read my poem. It is such a different arena. Everyone is so close and it seems inappropriate to picture everyone naked, so it is a bit nerve racking. But once the ball started to roll and people took there turn being vulnerable I was more excited than nervous. I was now looking forward to reading my poem and getting some feedback and response. I think we are all lucky that we have a class where all of the people are supportive and not threatening. This can make all the difference in the world. After the last class poetry became for me, something not so scary. I now want to write more, and realize that poetry is not a rigid, judgemental arena, but one with the potential to enlighten and build confidence.

I loved that each poem/poet had a different style. Every poem was different, but had something in common..they were all poetry.

It was also so obvious that everyone shared my enjoyment on this day. You could tell that even the most frightened left the podium with a positive feeling. We have so much talent in our class, so much humor, much fun. I could not stop thinking about this class session for days, and when I got to my car I immediately wrote a new poem. It is refreshing to be inspired at school.