"An Author's Page (A Literary Journey)" (NEW BOOK DESIGN)

    Working on 2nd Poetry (plus) book "An Author's Page...(A Literary Journey)". (A work in progress) - just an idea for the book cover right now, which I've been designing/playing around with. Would love some comments (good or bad), like it, don't like it...improvements??? What do you think? Appreciate it, my friends...Thank You ! 😍

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00VMU8B44

 

Here is the first Poem in my New Poetry (and so much more) book. Hope you like it:

 

“Author”

(May, 2022)

 

One who brings the written word to life

through the stroke of a pen

or the tap of a keyboard

A writer; a poet; a storyteller

Who writes by night

Who writes by day

and follows that dream

which leads the way

 

Even while asleep, the pen does talk

With body at rest, an “Author” manages to walk

For the little writer in one’s head

tells enchanting stories beyond the bed

‘til morning light tips its hat

The “Author” awakens, just like that!

 

Yes, the one who adorns the blank page

with characters that speak to us;

Characters who perform literary dances

 before our eyes, with little fuss

Just promises of unique journeys

to new lands and wonderful places

Where love, loss, smiles and tears

transpire into images of striking faces

Both bliss and woe it often brings

attached to our very own heartstrings

 

New romances, new lovers, new families, new friends…

New lives, new thoughts, as the winding road bends

New hopes, new dreams

Entwined within a book cover;

Bound by the name of a “Stranger” -

The Literary Lover

…And a title of unknown origin…

No direction; just a hunger from within

Until we turn each page,

and taste life’s glory and taste life’s sin

 

That Stranger is an “Author” you may want to know

Who turns words into magic

and offers you a ticket to the show

Whose only desire

is to befriend and to please

to teach and to guide

and put your mind at ease…

The “Author” invites many

to take that ride of a lifetime

Piloting upwards,

on a lofty, cultured climb

 

An “Author” asks for nothing in return

Perhaps a bit of warmth; a hint of appreciation

…a deep understanding of painstaking efforts,

…daunting sleepless nights,

with ne’er a time for vacation

While they toil away to create phenomenal stories

in worlds of wonder for you

Their one true hope

is that you’ll enjoy the exquisite voyage too

 

“Authors” strive only to connect

and share a literary love affair with All

They wish to introduce you

to “their” enchanting characters from faraway places

whom you may one day call

…Soon to become your newfound friends,

in your many “homes away from home”

Where you may visit any time -

to simply marvel, stroll or freely roam

 

Life, through eyes of an “Author”

is a myriad of images;

A hodgepodge of puzzles, collages

and multiple scrimmages

Blazing with melodramatic scenes

fit for stately Kings and Queens

Collected, studied, interpreted just right

Pieced together and created in ultimate delight

 

Now a masterpiece fit to be shared with the world

So the human spirit may exist

Through eyes of the readers who come back for more –

Clearly within their midst

That “Author” hopes to captivate

through each word to the very end

Brushed with a kiss, sealed with a hug

  and most certainly lovingly penned

 

So, if you love “Authors” -

Simply remember who they are and what they do

the next time you pick up a book

…For that “Stranger” on the book cover

desires only to meet you,

and hopes you stop by for a look…

 

 

"The Mighty Pendulum" (Spillwords Prompt: The Clockmaker's Rebellion)

                     (Photos from Pinterest)

 

        Magnificent! I have created “The Mighty Pendulum”. Yes, just one of its kind. The most spectacular clock in the world…An invention that tells time, lives within the beauty of an old wooden Grandfather Clock, yet will change the world. Yes! Just one push of a unique red button, hidden away in the back of this magical structure that lives and breathes by its “Mighty Pendulum”, I will be transported back in time...to an era of my choosing. I will change lives and, perhaps, change the course of history. I am in full control of humanity. It will be the scheme of the Century, unbeknownst to the World. Surprise! Surprise!

         Hmmm…Let’s go back to the year 1492! So much controversy over who really discovered America. Well, I will stick with Christopher Columbus. He is the Man I believe started it all...this should be fun; but first, my little red button must be pressed, then a new story will begin. My finger is shaking...hope this works. There is no turning back...Okay, done!  There it goes! “The Mighty Pendulum” on the move...back and forth...swinging slowly...swinging swiftly...faster...faster...faster!

        Oh no, where am I? ... I guess my invention worked... I think that is him! He is approaching me! With a big sword too! What the hell have I done?  -   “Who are you? Get off my ship! You’re dressed like a fool! Where are you from? Speak up now or I’ll cut your throat!” 

         I was shaking in my boots. I knew I had better say something... “Ah, hello Sir. You don’t know me, but I know you. You are Christopher Columbus. We are now on the ‘Santa Maria’, I believe, and you have two more ships – the 'Nina' and the 'Pinta'. I read about you in history books. Word is you discovered America.”  He looked at me like I was insane, then asked, “How do you know my name? Who are you and what are you talking about you fool? What is America? I believe I have reached Asia.” I replied, “No Sir. I believe you have entered a ‘New World’, and it is called ‘America’. This is the Atlantic Ocean, and I know you are Italian, but you are sailing for the Spanish Monarchy; Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Trust me. I know what I am talking about. I come from America. In the year 2025.” 

         Columbus grabbed me by my throat and put his sword to my neck. “2025?” he yelled. I knew he didn’t trust me. Who would? I don’t know if he thought I was a prophet, a soothsayer or the devil himself; but I knew he was not happy I was on his ship. His crewmen surrounded me. They walked like drunken sailors and stunk like sewage. They were loud and boisterous, very intimidating, and dressed like merchants or sailors of their time. Columbus wore a heavy cloak, tights, soft shoes and a strange yet noble sailor’s hat. Just like in the history books. With his hands still around my throat, I begged him to let go of me through bulging eyes; and he did. He became just as curious about me as I was about him.

         Suddenly, he dismissed his crew and invited me to share a glass of wine with him so we could talk some more. He had more questions than I had answers. As we sat on a wooden bench in a corner of the Santa Maria, he stared at me while he tried to figure out who I was and what I was doing there. With a friendly grin on my face, I told him I meant no harm and that I was here for reasons I did not understand myself. He nodded with doubt in his eyes and gulped down his wine. I sipped my wine very slowly, then realized I truly had no way of getting back to 2025. The push of a red button and “The Mighty Pendulum” got me here, but through the excitement of my invention, I neglected to figure out how the hell I was to get back home. I was stuck here in 1492 on the Santa Maria. Columbus had called me a fool earlier, and he was right. Now what do I do?

         Columbus demanded to know where I came from. I kept telling him about America, and how he was instrumental in discovering that beautiful land through his voyages and expeditions. I told him how people in America, especially Italians and Italian-Americans, celebrated him every year. I said, “You are a celebrity and a hero from where I come from, Mr. Columbus.” He chuckled proudly and said, “Is that so.”  I knew I had just broken through that hard exterior of his, which allowed us to start somewhat of a friendship. The male ego amazes me. I learned Columbus had a huge one too, which I planned on using to my advantage. Then he asked, “How will you get home from here?” I replied, “I don’t know Sir. I was transported here for a reason, and that reason is you. I believe we may be able to work together for the good of the world, America and history.”  I was not about to tell him I arrived here through a red button and a “Mighty Pendulum”, and I have not figured out how to get back home yet. I was very afraid at this point, and I deserved to be. I played with fire. My plan was sadistic. I wanted to control the world, humanity and history through a clock. Now I will suffer the consequences for sure.

         Columbus continued to stare at me, and shook his head with uncertainty.  I could see the wheels turning in his brain. He had a plan for me. I waited for him to speak because I had nothing else to say. All I felt was fear at the moment...and then he spoke! He said, “You can stay on the ship until we figure out who you are, where you come from, what you want here, and what we should do with you. I will make you part of my crew for now. With your gift to see into the future, we can do great things together. If I find you are the fool I originally thought you were, and you prove yourself to be a fraud, I will slit your throat and throw you overboard”...He poured us more wine, we drank some more, he got up from his seat, patted my shoulder, and said “welcome aboard”. He then walked away without looking back. 

        I knew I had one thing going for me now in order to survive on the Santa Maria; and that was my knowledge of the future through history. Columbus will be amazed by it, and I will get back to America, even if it is in another time period.