Hello readers,

 Here is another video poem reading called “Cupid & His Arrows.” It’s a humorous love poem that I hope you can enjoy. Just in case you don’t hear all of the words on video, the poem is posted below as well…

Enjoy!

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Cupid and His Arrows 

Who is that fella?

You know…

The overgrown child in those silly pants.

He who carries the arrows

Who claims to make a man and woman give love a chance. 

All around his name is known as Cupid

He plays love games

And shoots his arrows.

Lots of people think such a sighting is quite stupid. 

Whoever heard of a man that could turn love into such a game?

A man and woman simply falling for one another because of an intoxicated love arrow? 

Cupid and those silly love arrows.

 Why love is so much more than that. 

Love is a force, brought by something else from far beyond.

Perhaps a gift from our great power-maker 

Love is the mind of our souls which… 

OUCH!! Whoa…who is that blonde???

Darn that Cupid and his arrows!-

Ariana R. Cherry

A different look into the way we dress up for Halloween and what it could possibly mean….

 

Enjoy!

 

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THE MASKS OF HALLOWEEN

 

In the midst of dark Halloween night,

I can be somebody else for some time,

Fetching after delicious candy treats,

That is lucky to last maybe a week.

 

Floating down the sidewalk,

I can be a scary little Casper ghost,

Or be a princess dressed up for a royal ball,

All delicate and beautiful with a golden crown,

In a ruffled dress that I may only see in

A romantic old-fashioned fairy tale.

 

But yet, only for one night…

Then it’s back to just me.

And only me.

 

It’s a chance to pretend

Be free with imagination and dreams.

And see beyond that mask,

Of just what I could be,

While I walk down the night sidewalk runway,

Showing off my next style.

 

Look around those costumes of the dark Halloween night,

And see who or what catches your wandering eyes,

With the bright colors, a flash, fancy dresses, football helmets,

Or even the ghosts that haunt in the night…

 

It could just be the door,

Letting you see the future,

Of what those people,

Just might be.

-Ariana R. Cherry

Did you ever battle with your parents over the Halloween candy after trick or treat? Seems like all the time, they had to get their hands all over it and say they were “searching through your candy to make sure it was safe?”  Then when our parents thought they weren’t looking-they would swipe a piece of candy or two from your bag -especially after you did all of that hard work of trick ortreating!?

  

The poem below kind of reminds us of our candy battles back at Halloween-and how we liked to try to eat it up all in one night!…  This poem may give you some chuckles…

 

Enjoy!

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THE HALLOWEEN CANDY BATTLE

 

 

Candy bars, tootsie rolls, m&m’s, suckers, bubble-gum, and candy corn

All collected inside my Halloween trick or treat bag,

Ready to be devoured within the coming hour.

 

My mouth is watering, the hungry tummy is growling

For some of these delicious spooky holiday treats.

Oh how my hands can’t wait to unwrap the first golden piece of candy

Of this treat filled evening…

 

The growing excitement draws near, as I run happily on home

All dressed up and floating in my white sheet ghost costume,

Feeling rewarded in my successful Halloween candy searching night.

 

With the turn of the doorknob in my warm family home,

Those sneaky parents of mine greet me with a smile

And begin to reach out their arms for my precious tote of candy…

 

They shall not take it away for me!

Numbers of doors were knocked upon,

With plenty of repeats of the words ”trick-or –treat”

As I smiled through my anxious awaiting teeth.

Long hours of trudging through the dark cool moonlit night

On the search for that perfect taste.

And now, THEY want me to hand over my treasure!

 

Furiously, I refuse, and run on up the stairs, with door behind me, locked closed.

Threats of stomachache and rotten teeth are heard through the walls,

They can’t scare me on my Halloween night!

I’ve worked too hard for my paycheck!

 

Like a little candy monster, I gobble up all of my favorite sweet chocolate bars,

And then challenge myself to see how many pieces of gum shall create

The big bubble of my sea

 

Before I know it,

Those tummy ache cramps begin-rumbling in the pit of my stomach…

They have poisoned me!

For this time, I guess they must have been right, as I ignored the fair warnings…

Perhaps they weren’t after the golden candy treasure after-all!

 

Sadly, in defeat,

I slump on down the stairs to hand over the precious candy cargo-

With the chocolate stains still swiped across my mouth,

 

In defeat, I retreat

To turn in for the night, with only

Delicious memories of those Halloween candy-searching nights…

 

-ariana cherry

 

Hey Readers & Poets!….

(WE NEED LINES!)

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If you haven’t’ already-or if you want to add a second line, please add some more lines to our Thanksgiving poem! Add a few lines of what you would say at your table, or something that you favor about Thanksgiving. You do not have to be a professional writer to add your lines to these poems-It’s all just in fun! Right now, the poem I believe still falls short a few lines, and there could be more. —If I finish it, it will ruin all the fun Everybody come participate in our fun Thanksgiving poem….Here’s what we have so far:

THANKSGIVING POEM…

At the table of Thanksgiving,
Family gathers ’round….

To give thanks and their blessing,
as they bow their heads down.

Singing praises
to the heavens above

sharing this feast
with ones they love.

Children at the table laugh and giggle in delight,                                                                 their smiles lighting up through the shadows of the flickering candlelight.

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• (NOW ADD YOURS BY LEAVING A COMMENT IN THE

“CREATE A POEM” SECTION  

Sometimes poets may want to try to recite their poems to others.  I have recited my poetry to children, my church, the members of my poetry club, and also to residents at a nursing home.  Something I haven’t done is recite one of my poems by video.  Each week, I am going to try to take a moment to post a poem that I have written and recite it on video to share with the readers of this blog.

This poem may be a bit rocky, as this is my first “live performance,” reciting poetry to my webcam.  So please excuse this first try.  Later on, perhaps I can get a little bit more creative as I do more of these.  So as you read through my blog, be on the lookout for any “live poetry performances,” and feel free to leave comments on how I did–or how I can be better

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 RECITING: DRIFTING POEM

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DRIFTING POEM

Laying down in the grass in the shade,

I listen to the wind blowing and dancing through the trees.

 

Above, the bright sunlight glistens in my eyes,

And I lay back and enjoy the peace my wandering mind has found.

 

In my heart, I feel the words of wisdom,

Heard through many times ago.

In my head, I put together the phrases of a poem that I know.

 

A touch of spring,

And a flicker of a butterfly upon my nose inspires me to

narrate the sentences which now have bloomed into a beautiful colorful poem.

 

And oh, that sun, so sweet, and so warm that it sprinkles my face.

Its rays relax my entire soul,

As I drift into my wonderland,

Forgetting that beautiful poem that I used to know.

 

(ariana cherry 2008)

In just a little bit over a month, we will be sitting down to friends and family, reciting what we are most thankful for this year.  With the economy in overhaul, and figures moving up and down-I am sure some of us are just thankful to have food, a place to live, and clothes for our body.  I don’t even want to think of asking for more money. I am just happy that our bills are being paid for now.

When we sit down to prayer with our family and friends, in a way-it’s like a poem from our heart. A prayer is somewhat like a poem.  There’s not really anything that is hard to say, because it’s from our heart. When you sit down to write your poem/prayer-only write what you feel.   If you compare a poem and a prayer-there really is nothing to it.  So if it’s your turn for the prayer at the table, remember what you are thankful for, what makes you happy, and if there’s anything special about the day that brought you and your family together.   I’d like to share a Thanksgiving prayer with you…..

Enjoy…

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FAMILY THANKSGIVING PRAYER 

Today, I sit amongst my family and friends.
Thank you Lord, for bringing them safely to my table,

We are about to break bread together, as you once did with your disciples.

Lord, I know the world is at odds, and there is so much poverty, loss,
and many that go each day without a home, clothes for their family, and even food to eat.
I am so thankful that you provide those needs for my family, and friends.
Please help us all learn how we can help those who are less fortunate, so that they too,
can go to sleep each night in a warm bed, nestled in cozy pajamas, and a heated house.

Please bless this food we are about to eat,
and let it nourish our minds, as well as our bodies.

Protect us from harm, and any danger that may step in our ways,
and please control our tempers, amongst any family quarrels, that could possibly
develop throughout dinner or the day…

We all do remember that we love each other,
as you have taught us to love.

…and lead us not into temptation, as we fight for that last piece of pumpkin pie…

AMEN.

(ariana r. cherry: 2008)

With the days begin to cool, the sun is also starting to set earlier.  Have you ever taken the time to see the majesty of a sunset?  It’s magical how all of the colors in the sky seem to blend together to create an oil painting of nature.  A sunset is something that brings you close to nature, and gives you a reminder that there really is a higher power out there.  Sunsets have also been described as endlessly romantic, as two people may end their night, hand in hand, admiring the power of a glowing sunset.  If you haven’t taken the time to watch a sunset, or perhaps even a sunrise.. take a moment to experience the moment.  It’s definitely a great way to begin a day, or end a day-especially one of those stressful days.

In the awe of a sunset, I have composed a poem for all to read….Enjoy!

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A Sunset Performance

Sunshine splashes over the waters,

Cascading a radiant reflection, echoing beneath the surface.

 

The skies bow down to the sun,

Giving the okay for the “light-show” to begin.

Angels from beyond, join hands and sing joyous

choruses as the sun inches further downward.

 

Each passing ray and every dimming streak slowly dances away,

Letting another star join and take its place on “stage.”

 

Gracefully and majestically, the sun takes its final bow and

Drops into its cradle, while a tear slowly lets loose in hope for another spotlight performance for the next day.

 

And then, just like tiny candle lights,

The stars take their place-

Lighting up an entire world from the darkness,

As nature’s friends applaud for their evening show.

 

ariana r. cherry

 

Have you ever taken the time to really appreciate the outdoors?  Sure the winter can get us down, or the heat can really make us uncomfortable-but there is so much more to nature than temperatures. Sometimes its just fun to watch the squirrels frolicking, or the birds flying overhead-stopping at the bird-feeder or bird-baths.  When the leaves change color in the fall, the results are just absolutely beautiful at times….  There is so much going on with nature, and it is a great stress reliever to just take a moment, and stop- It’s a reminder that there is life out there-there’s so much more to life than money, necessities, bills, and just the every day events that seem to bring us down.  Life does exist. And I am thankful for it…. Read the poem below to see how I am thankful..for beauty and nature….

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Thanks for Beauty and Nature
Walking outdoors within natures open arms,
I embrace the bright sunlight as
It splashes my face with warmth.Nearby,‭ ‬squirrels are frolicking through‭
The trees and lawn.
Overhead,‭ ‬a group of birds squawk with joyful music,
Flying to their designated place.

Flowers,‭ ‬rich with every color in sight.
Red brilliant roses,‭ ‬dancing yellow daisies,‭ ‬sweet pink inpatients,
And violets with many shades of purple.
The aroma of their sweetness tickles through my nose‭…

I breathe in every moment of this outdoor‭ ‬kingdom,
And my heart fills with an overwhelming love that just‭
Bursts from my chest,‭ ‬begging to be heard.

Each time,‭ ‬my feet walk this precious land,
I thank my creator for this beauty and nature

Without life‭…
Without beauty-

There is no reason to breathe.

by ariana r. cherry

 

Thanksgiving is on it’s way and it’s time to start thinking about what we are most thankful for.  Every day I am just thankful to be alive and have a family.  I give thanks every night that I have a job, home, and food to feed my family.  While the economy and the stock market may be failing, it’s hard to keep our heads held high.  I try to just be thankful that I am here. After-all-money isn’t something that I will be taking to heaven.

When you are down on life, or things don’t seem to be looking that great, take a piece of paper, and write down the things that you are thankful for.  It can give you a better lookout and realize that you perhaps may just have it better than you think you do.  Or visit a soup kitchen, or help the homeless. Then you really will realize that your life may just be alright. Helping somebody else will also make you feel better that you are contributing to society as well….

I have wrote a poem called “THANKFUL FOR LIFE,” for just this occasion….

Enjoy:

THANKFUL FOR LIFE

Life….

Love…

Laughter.

Live life to its fullest

Cherish each moment, each second; every breath.

Living in God’s beautiful creation.

And embracing it with warmth and happiness.

I thank God for each new day

That I get to spend on his earth.

I am thankful for this life,

And am most thankful for his love, and forgiveness to me.

I realize Halloween hasn’t’ quite passed us yet, but I thought it would be nice to write a Thanksgiving poem to get us all in that “turkey mood.” A few readers have begun to add their lines, and I wanted to let everybody know that the poem is still open for contributions! So if you can reach into the future just a little bit and get into the mood of Thanksgiving, go ahead and contribute some of your thoughts and things to be thankful for on the Thanksgiving holiday.

Here is our poem so far:

THANKSGIVING POEM

At the table of Thanksgiving,
Family gathers ’round….
To give thanks and their blessing,
as they bow their heads down.

Singing praises
to the heavens above

sharing this feast
with ones they love

To contribute to our Thanksgiving poem, just click on the “create a poem ” tab on this page and add your lines in the comment section