Why I Love Poetry

By Laurie Epps

I've told this story before, but today I'll uncover what elements of poetry make it so endearing to me.

So join in, and let me know why you love poetry in the comments sections below. I'd love to hear from you.

Happy New Years everyone! I couldn't have done this without all of you.

Blessings,
Laurie

Apple Picking

By Laurie Epps

About this time every year, we head to the mountains of North Carolina to go apple picking. This quaint little poem brings the nostalgia of yesteryear, and the feel of the legend of Johnny Appleseed. 

We love the dividend of our labor. How many ways can you use your bounty of apples? Our favorite apple recipes include praline apple bread, and apple chicken stew. What are some of yours? Feel free to share them below in the comments section. Thank you.

Typical School Day

Intro by Laurie Epps

Now that we're back to school, we have school on the brain. Trying to curb the late nights, and paying for it in the early mornings we're getting back to a routine. So please welcome my daughter, who has just started junior college at sixteen years old.

As many of you know, I'm also a college senior, and my youngest has also started kindergarten. The moms out there will relate to my agony with getting reestablished in our routine. Three girls, three schools, and all at 8 am... it can be a logistical nightmare. They are just some growing pains. If you have the chance please tell me about your mornings in the comments section below.

So without further delay, I'd like to introduce my daughter's poem with a quote from my mom, "Now get out there and learn something!"

Back to School Wipeout

By Laurie Epps

Lots of kids nationally have started school this week. However, the transition from summer mode to school routine can be exhausting for everyone. Personally, I'm functioning on 3-4 hours of sleep a night and wondering why I'm still tired. But I look at my kids who in the morning don't want to get up, and in the evening are asleep before dinner.

Today's poem was a joint effort with my daughter Ellen, who just started junior college Monday, and my little one kindergarten. The end of the day is just as arduous. I have to wake them up for a bath and dinner. Chores are undone, and I'm struggling with concentration after being in a summer routine. But like every other school year, within two weeks we'll be back into the groove of things.

School Days

By Laurie Epps

Today's post is a little dark for me. It comes from a very special place in my heart. Recently, I had one of my women from Bible Girlfriends Online tell me her friend committed suicide. Though there are a few things they have out there for trying to talk the victims out of committing suicide, there isn't much I've found about what we can do emotionally to navigate the gauntlet of feelings for the victims. With a heavy heart, I want to reach out to my readers who have lost someone this way.

*****Note: May be inappropriate for sensitive readers

Time for School

Intro by Laurie Epps

It's getting to be that time again, where we say goodbye to summer, and children go back to the halls of academia. My own kids are so excited to go back to school this time, and both are embarking on a new academic adventure. My youngest starts kindergarten the same day my teenager starts at the local junior college. I know from experience, that they may be excited now, but a month from now they very well could be rolling their eyes about getting ready for school.

Today's entry is from one of my favorite local poets, Kenneth O'Shaunnnessy. Ken is an education major in addition to his job. Sometimes I wonder how the guy does it all, poet, dad to four, student, employee.... but he has been so gracious about giving me an original poem anytime I need it. Thank you so much Ken. Now let's get back to school.

Little Flicker

By Laurie Epps

I am dedicating the month of May to the unsung mothers out there.

Any woman who has been pregnant after 1992, has experienced the miracle of seeing their precious baby on the screen of the ultrasound sound machine. For most, this is a joyous occasion. But this poem is about when something goes wrong, and terribly wrong. In those quiet moments in a sterile hospital environment, panic sets in, and the mother's anxiety is both maddening and deafening. I attempted to capture those brief moments of sheer desperation.

Crying Myself to Sleep

By Laurie Epps

May is known for May flowers, Mother's Day, and honor to our military. But this month, I am dedicating to the unsung Mothers. There are mothers out there, that never got to hold their baby, or bring their baby home. Miscarriage is so misunderstood by those who have never had one. Nothing can prevent it from happening, and if you are past ten weeks of pregnancy it means you go to the hospital to have a baby that you never bring home. This is for the moms and dads who have suffered this loss.

Lost Child of Mine

Thoughtful Thursdays: A Poetic Column

This month I wanted to do a little something different. As a veteran, and mom to three living children, and grieving mother to yet another three babies: I dedicate this month's column to you, the unsung mother's of the world. Without my own losses, these poems would not exist. I open my heart, and my empathy to you.

With great homage, and my dearest sympathy, I wish you all a very Happy Mothers Day. 
~From one mom to another

Recovery

Thoughtful Thursdays: A Poetic Column

April is National Poetry Month

Not all poetry is happy. I think of tragedy as leading to the most powerful and sublime of all poetry. We have all had our struggles. The first five years I lived in South Carolina, I was always sick. I grieved three miscarriages, and had numerous surgeries. This poem is a reflection about one of them.