Saturday, August 29, 2015

...on "Growing Old and Alone in the Big City"

                                http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/
 
 


 
 
             


               A CITY WINDOW

A lamp glows in a City Window
                high above echoing traffic,
                hidden by tall lurching trees…

The evening breeze taps at the windowsill
                rushing past the open shade
There she sits in her lonely room
                a dimpled smile; a memory fade
A cat nestled in her plump lap
                a twinkle in her pale blue eyes
Frail fingers sweeping strands of grey
                whimpering words and sullen sighs
Her purring friend prances off to sleep
                and meows a “good-night” along the way
But no other soul ever passes by
                not for one minute in one day
Yet she glances out past the trees
                still beckoning to passersby
But no one notices the elder one
                again she hangs her head to cry

…and a lamp glows in a City Window
                high above echoing traffic,
                hidden by tall lurching trees     


                

...on "The Beauty of the Sea"

                               http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/
 
 
 

 
 



        ALL IN A NIGHT

Whispering winds sing such sweet songs
Lingering chimes thrill the night
The sea roars wild in the twilight
Crashing its waves of foam white

Old sand castles fade where the shore wets its lips
Echoes of fog horns bounce off the tips
Of the rocks in the moonlight which shimmer so fine
Like the lustrous sheen of onyx divine

The deep-daring odor of seaweed is strong
Riding the waves as they tumble along
And cotton-ball clouds float ‘cross the sky
Ducking past moonbeams, then meet eye to eye

The melody heightens as deep darkness falls
The night will grow meek when the Sun Lord calls
And morning will open its arms to the sea
                --The waves will fall softly, the sand castles free.

...on "Insomnia"


 
 
 



THE WALTZ OF GHOULS

Have you known the torment from the darkest hours of the night?
                Where wicked, whirling skeletons dance ‘til morning light?
                                Their shadows breathe quite heavily
                                                as they tip-toe ‘cross your bed
                                                ascending to the ceiling…drifting overhead

Their melancholy hissing echoes in your ears
                Tapping at your heart, rousing all your fears
                                Blanketing your weary soul with rash, undaunted fury
                                                raping all your virtues
                                                playing judge and jury

The Waltz of Ghouls has just begun at this haunting hour
                For there is no refuge – nocturnal demons are in power!
                                You may close your eyes to their performance and force the curtain down                                                yet your soul will dwell amongst them
                                                they will offer you the Crown   

A Queen they seek to rule their haven as they gather where they may
But No!  This shall not happen while you turn and look away
                …the dark is gone!  The light has come!
                …now they are lost in “day”

Monday, August 24, 2015

...on "Writer's Block"



Writer's Block.  What is it exactly?  Let your imagination roll a bit.  Just think of those two words and see what you come up with.  Is it a paperweight?  Is it a desk ornament?  Is it just an ordinary block of wood used to write on?  Is it some sort of a block for writers to lean on?  Is it a city street named for writers? - Perhaps you live on "Writer's Block"?  No, it's actually a temporary ailment that incapacitates writers at one time or another.

Ask yourself, "Do I have 'Writer's Block'?"  Do I need medical or psychiatric intervention for this ailment?  Can I cure it?  Is there a cure?

"Writer's Block" is a temporary roadblock in your mind.  It's an obstacle that stifles you in a maze of pathways within your own brain.  It paralyzes your thought process.  It robs you of the ability to create great stories, develop strong characters, and exist in "their" world while you set the wheels in motion and control every darn thing that's happening in that world.  Once you can get back to accomplishing all of that again, you will soon be able to leave "Writer's Block" in the rearview mirror of your mind; as you drive off with your new masterpiece in tow, ready to introduce to the world a fabulous short story/novel that will take them by storm.    

Now that we have that out of the way - two questions you must ask yourself.  Where does "Writer's Block" come from?-  and how can I cure it?

In my opinion, "writer's block" comes from daily stress, all sorts of stress (financial, family, personal). Disorganization in your life and mismanagement of your time will add to your stress. Spreading yourself thin on a daily basis in order to attend to everyone's needs but your own will surely interfere with your creativity.  You decide what's causing your stress.  Identify it and embrace it.  Hold it close until you can annihilate it.

How do we annihilate our stress in order to rid ourselves of "Writer's Block"?  First we need to understand that "writer's block" is always there.  It's behind us, in front of us, above us, and around us.  Can we ever rid ourselves of "writer's block"?  I don't think so.  It just comes with the territory. However, I believe we can try to keep it at bay and/or control it once it reaches us, by controlling what's going on in our personal lives.

In order to accomplish this, let your friends and family know that you need some "alone" time.  If it helps you, then set a portion of each day aside where you can be totally committed to your friends and family.  Then be sure you set time aside for "you" as well.  After you've organized your bills, finished the food shopping, managed your everyday responsibilities, gotten a babysitter (if necessary), then find that space where you can be alone to think.  You MUST do this, in order to create and begin to write.  You may NOT allow any family or friends (partners, spouses, kids included) to enter that space and interfere with your privacy; nor may you make or accept any phone calls that will break your momentum.  You must become a dedicated "loner" in order to accomplish this, and your friends and family must respect that.

When you're finally in your private space, sit back in a comfortable chair; close your eyes, breathe deeply, and relax.  If you happen to have a cup of coffee, tea, or maybe a glass of wine by your side, well that's a win-win situation. A win for your well-being, and a win for your creativity.  If there is an open window in your space, look out and see what moves you, see what tickles your senses.  Maybe it's a sweet tiny bird flying by, or a garden filled with colorful flowers and perfumed scents; maybe it's the winter snow that's beginning to fall beneath the moonlight; maybe it's the autumn winds blowing the leaves off the trees, which dance past your window; or maybe it's the aromas from someone's backyard barbecue that excite you.  Find that special something that sets your heart and mind on fire.  Find that special something that takes you by the hand and leads you right back into your fantasyland...where suddenly you come alive again; where suddenly you begin to magically write; where suddenly you become possessed by the most beautiful words and phrases ever heard; where suddenly you realize you have left your "writer's block" in your rearview mirror.  Carry on my friends.  Be successful.  Write...create...share!  Good Luck!        

Before I go, I'd like you to know that I get "writer's block" too sometimes.  I think I have it now.  It creeps up on you when you least expect it.  It's like the flu. Once it takes hold of you, it doesn't let go. The fever gets worse by the hour.  But have no fear.  Take control and you will survive.  

...I think it's time for me to find my private space and look out my open window, to see what's there that just may shake me back into the world of "creativity".

Saturday, August 15, 2015

...on "Republican Presidential Hopeful"

 

 
 
 

 

           Yes, he may go over and beyond with his words.  Yes he shoots "fire" and lets you know he's there. Yes, he's a barracuda...Is he honest?  Is he strong?  Is he transparent?  Can he get the job done?  Is he a leader?  Absolutely.  He is Donald Trump.  He is not concerned with being "Politically Correct", he is not concerned about what others think of him.  He doesn't care about other politicians who consistently talk garbage to win an election.  He is not a "politician" seeking the Presidency.  He is a United States Citizen, an AMERICAN, seeking the Presidency.  His goal is to save this country from further destruction and to undo the harm already caused by our previous leaders.  He wants to "Make America Great Again".  He speaks with a "proactive" agenda, not a "reactive", sit back and wait attitude.  He doesn't want to make friends with our enemies or pat them on the back, while they walk away laughing under their breath, pulling the rug from under our feet.  No, Mr. Trump will prove to be a new breed.  One that will take this country out of the hole it's in and move us forward with dignity and strength.  He is a businessman who will run America like a well-managed business, and protect it from anyone and anything that is a threat to "his" business, to "our" business.  Wake up America! We need a leader.  If Mr. Trump puts people on edge, makes them nervous, frightens them, speaks his mind, tells the truth, intimidates some, refuses to apologize - then he's done his job.  He's the man for the Presidency.  Imagine what he could do to our enemies.  Imagine what he could do for our country - our economy, our healthcare, our military, our place in this world.  Think about it.  Do you want more of the same or do you want to "Make America Great Again"?  If not for yourselves, then for your children, for your grandchildren, for the future of the United States of America.  We should be a leader among all nations.  The "flagship" country that represents tenacity, democracy and freedom for everyone.  The "flagship" country that is respected by all and cannot be fooled/messed with; and that is just one opinion from one American - Me.    (May GOD bless this beautiful country in the process.)

Monday, August 10, 2015

...on "Brooklyn in the Morning"






Thought I could sleep a bit longer this morning until the deep aromas of someone's breakfast delivery rose up from the noisy Avenue, right through my third-floor bedroom window, waking up my senses. I wasn't quite ready for the pungent odors of onions and peppers travelling up my nose when I hadn't even had the chance to sip some orange juice or brush my teeth.  If I was sitting in a diner, ordering breakfast, those aromas would have been welcomed.  Not this morning, however.  They were too strong, too early, and too stinging; and not the best "wake-up" call.  So as those food scents slowly dissipated, I rolled over, pulled the sheets back up to my neck, and fell asleep to the symphony of harmonious birds singing, neighbors laughing, and the crescendo of loud honking horns; as the traffic rolled down my Brooklyn street.

This is New York, this is Brooklyn, and I will always love it no matter what...Actually this is a great beginning for my next writing project...waking up to the aromas of onions and peppers...Hmmm....you never know where the story can lead.  Have a great day everyone.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

...on "Writing"






Hi.  I'm a freelance writer from Brooklyn, New York, pursuing my passion for writing fiction now that I have entered the "retirement" phase of my life.  Since retiring in 2011, I have written two ebooks on Amazon.com.  I am currently working on a third.  My earliest title is "The Hand She Dealt to Me".  This is a mystery/suspense storyline encompassing love, friendship, family and betrayal; with a bit of humor and an ethnic slant.  It takes one stranger to turn everyone's life upside down, and then lead them into a dangerous world of deceit and trickery...

I thought I'd try a different writing style approach with this ebook, so I wrote in "dialogue-only".  The characters speak to each other from beginning to end and have the great ability of reeling you into their lives so they can take you by the hand, on their journey, every step of the way.  My goal here was to place the reader in the middle of the action, so that they could see, hear, smell, taste and feel, along with the characters, as each sentence is read and each page is turned.

Has anyone read a book in a "dialogue-only" style?  I would love to hear your comments/feedback on that.

My second ebook titled "Voices" is another mystery/suspense storyline that happens in a Brooklyn basement.  Are the voices coming up from the basement, through the air shaft, real?  - or is the house haunted?  The protagonist, Rosalie, must come to terms with those voices and determine what is real and what is not, while her relationships with her one true love, Franco, and her best friend, Maria, fall apart in the process.  Only one man comes to her aid.  Can he save her?

Writing is wonderful...A writer writes from personal experiences, and then paints images and pictures through colorful words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs and pages; telling great stories about extraordinary characters. An artist paints from personal experiences as well, drawing from the heart, but using vibrant-colored paints to create images and pictures for all to see.  The writer captivates you with words while the artist captivates you with color.