Tag Archives: Poetry

Extraordinary

Posted on February 28, 2016 by vanbytheriver

“What makes a life extraordinary?” Laughing when scared Singing when lonely Loving when abandoned Yet Never turning away from the future Never ceasing to be better Never shying away from the difficult, the dangerous , the delicate chores of living … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Writing | Tagged Extraordinary, Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Poetry, Tribute | 29 Comments

Silenced

Posted on June 28, 2015 by vanbytheriver

According to longtime friend David Crosby, Joni Mitchell suffered a brain aneurysm in late March, and has not been able to speak since. “Nobody found her for a while. She took a terrible hit,” Crosby says. To me, she represents … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Music, Writing | Tagged Brain Aneurysm, Canada, David Crosby, Folk Music, Joni Mitchell, Let's Sing Out, Poetry, Songwriter, Urge for Going | 33 Comments

Celebration

Posted on May 10, 2015 by vanbytheriver

“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.” Khalil Gibran Happy Mother’s Day

Posted in Family, Photos | Tagged 1990's, Children, Khalil Gibran, Mother's Day, Poetry, Siblings | 21 Comments

Love in 10 Lines

Posted on April 7, 2015 by vanbytheriver

The lovely Angie at Family Love Does More has presented a poetry challenge. https://familyanswersfast.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/love-in-ten-lines-challenge-poem-blog-family/ Love in 10 Lines Paternal love eluded. Maternal love exalted. Love awakened by attraction. Love promised in commitment. Love united in marriage. Love expanded with children. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Inspiration, Writing | Tagged Challenge, Father, Love in Ten Lines, Poetry | 6 Comments

Songwriter

Posted on February 4, 2015 by vanbytheriver

“Leave tonight, or live and die this way “ Tracy Chapman From the coffeehouses of Boston to the Grammy Awards, she told a story that still resonates. Released in 1988, her premiere album featured the song “Fast Car”. A haunting … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Inspiration, Music | Tagged Acoustic guitar, Blues, Breaking the cycle, Fast Car, Folk Music, Hope, Lyrics that matter, Poetry, Poverty, Singer-Songwriter, Soul, Tracy Chapman | 2 Comments

A Reason. A Season. Or a Lifetime.

Posted on October 18, 2014 by vanbytheriver

There is a lovely poem, author unknown, that has been around for quite a while. The poem alludes to the fact that every person who comes into our life is there for one of these three purposes. The season and … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Depression, Education | Tagged Bipolar Disorder, Child Abuse, Depression, Empathy, Friendship, Moving, Poetry, Rapid Cycling, Reason Season Lifetime, Suicide, Volunteering | 22 Comments

Kodachrome

Posted on September 24, 2014 by vanbytheriver

One of the most iconic photos of my generation was this one, called “Afghan Girl” by Steve McCurry and featured on National Geographic Magazine’s cover in 1984. It is often referenced in the world of photography as a perfect example … Continue reading →