Poetry is
devotion, as we all know, it’s written for love, not for money. Having
read so many poems by Skyline poets, as well as established, traditional
poets, it’s difficult for me to center on just a few! I tend to fall in
love with poetry. Each new piece I read will become my favorite until I
read the next! I become emotionally involved with ‘words’, beautiful
words, angry words, thrilling words, fearful words; free verse being my
favorite. But of course, I love Haiku, and rhyming if done well; and
there you see, you cannot pin me down to one answer here! I am an
open-minded individual, which is an asset while reading any type of
literature, leaving me open to all genres and styles. But if I must even
begin to make a selection, I would recall the first poem that sparked my
interest in 5th grade: Daffodils, by William Wordsworth. The class had
to memorize this poem as an assignment and read to the room. That was my
first encounter into the magical world of poetry and the excitement of
‘reading’. I appreciate the beauty and strength of psalms as poetic
text.
The writings
of Elizabeth Barrett Browning are splendid;
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
I adore
romance poetry, especially sensual texts.
For me, the
depth of devotion:
The Passionate Shepard to His Love,
by Christopher Marlowe.
Come
live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove….
The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning;
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.
This piece
renders me speechless and in tears! Oh to experience such emotion, such
love!
I admire the
writings of Lynn Lifshin, prize-winning poet and author. It was our
privilege and honor to have published many pieces of Lynn’s deeply
sensual and heartfelt work, as well as feature interviews with Lynn.
My current
favorite songwriter is Chris Martin of Coldplay. His lyrics are simple
yet powerful and very identifiable. This is one of the most important
aspects of any writing; to know your audience, as they will come to know
you, and have them identify with your words.
Another ear-catching group; have you heard The Reason by Hoobastank?
Have you listened to these lyrics? The irresistible music and dreamy
lyrics slice through your heart and soul. If you are a lover, of course,
or have lost someone dear, this song will have special meaning.
I'm
sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
Copyright
Hoobastank
Who could not
identify and fall for these lyrics? Pure, honest emotion.
And how about
Scripture quotes?:
Love is
patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves.
– Author: 1
Corinthians 13:4-7
The amazing
power of words, in a multitude of form and style.
I can jet
from rock to classical music within moments. As I work or write, my
music is almost always playing, a mixture of alternative rock, golden
oldies, classic piano and romantic 40’s instrumental and vocals. Music
is a big part of my life. I love soft music as much as I love hard rock.
Music can set, fit or lift your mood. I have written alternative rock
lyrics for the Eyes of Ash CD, for which the NY band, The Unintended has
written music and performed. Conversely, I have written lyrics expressly
for instrumental music sent to me by Russian and German musicians.
Stepping away from rock; lyrics I wrote for a Russian music composition
as well as lyrics for a German composer:
Then Came You
Walking thru raindrops
I'll find you again
Wandering in night mist
I'll wait till you're mine
Watching cloudy skies
Lost vision from my eyes
Searched but you were gone
Vanished into time
Doves flew out of sight
I swore I was right
Oh so very right
Mingling with twilight
I’ll wait for a sign
Screaming out in silence
You’ll hear me this time
Now that you’re gone
I'm here on my own
To never love again
Again again again again
Never…. without you
(breaking point in melody – crescendo)
Our World
Search
with me
Heaven’s flight
Take my hand
Share dreams tonight
Waken me my love again
From this slumber of my pain
Breathe life for an empty soul
I am yours, yours alone
Surrender love
I unfold
Teach me truth
Joys untold
Soaring to the stars
Destiny’s embrace
Take me with your eyes
Dance me thru this place
Glide with me
Lust with me
Linger here
Trust with me
Waken me my gentle one
From this tomb of timeless pain
Where I will rise to live once more
To be your love again again
breathe my life
take my soul
thru endless time
yours to hold
search with me
chance with me
dance with me
where pleasure’s free
Shower me
With ecstasy
Glide with me
thru my galaxy
dance with me
forever free
fly with me
into fantasy
Our World!
copyright
Victoria Valentine
In closing,
to my beloved fellow horror junkies & lovers; at the end of our tunnel…
where do we really go?
Shall we meet
again?
Gathering of Souls
Where
shall we meet then
On the corner of 5th and Park?
With those of our own age groups,
Or shall we all ban together
As one
Is that what becomes of all souls ?
5.
What is your opinion about the contemporary poetry movement in America Who
are your favorite poets and songwriters What do you think of ‘professional’
American poets who live to write and write to live?