Cover of Dusk
Tag: family
Holding On
I’ve been MIA. I know it. You know it too and I owe you an explanation:
I’m currently editing a poetry book that has been a couple years in the making. It’s nearing the stage of “completion,” which I put in quotations because I’m not sure I will ever be able to say I’m 100% satisfied with my writing. Poetry is a process that takes time and evolves as we grow and change. Anyway, I’m throwing myself into the collection and sadly as a result, I’ve held my breath on here.
I’m sorry!
Posts might be sparse in the upcoming weeks as I work through the editing process and enter into the nightmare that is the publishing world. I promise I will never forget you and even in the silence, I hear you.
Thank you for your patience.
–Leanne Rebecca
Intertwined
Did you notice that my name isn’t the only signature on this poem? I’m proud to share ownership of this piece with my mom. It was a collaboration not without frustration. We’re different writers. I like sentences. She likes stand alone images. I like verbs. She likes describing words. But somehow it worked and in the end I think we both learned something. Thanks mom, for sharing your wisdom and treating us all to your poetic beauty.
Smile, it’s Tuesday.
–Leanne Rebecca
Endless Remembering by Lori Ortbals
I know today’s guest poet well. She’s my mother and happens to be the most selfless person I’ve ever met. Let this poem be a reminder that love abounds in multiple forms: the love for yourself, the love for a partner, the love for a friend, the love for a parent, the love for a sibling, the love for a daughter, and the love for a memory glistened in tears of bittersweet heartache. Today as you eat your candy hearts, don’t forget to also love the one beating inside your chest.
My mom, Lori Ortbals, founded the Missouri Chapter of the Children’s Heart Foundation in 2010 in memory of daughter Rebecca Lyn. Becky died of a congenital heart defect at 16 months old. Lori started the chapter with the hope that no other parent would have to feel the loss of burying their child from a CHD. All funds raised go directly towards research to develop new technologies and techniques to save lives like Becky’s.
When she’s not volunteering at a fundraising event or running board meetings, my mom enjoys spending time with our family, cherishing every moment to its fullest potential. She’s an avid reader, moviegoer, and superhero.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
White Tennis Shoes
Special thank you to the gorgeous Becca W-H for this writing prompt:Â write about a time you wore someone else’s shoes, literally.
Marks
Trust
Fall Away
This piece jumped out at me this morning as I scoured my Word document of poems named after twenty one pilots tracks, my ongoing Saturday series on She’s in Prison. Something about this poem grabbed me as I reflect and recover from a car accident a couple days ago.
As always, check out the twenty one pilots version of “Fall Away” below and find the archives from my other TOP titled poems HERE.
Truce
It’s Saturday, which means it’s time for another poem titled after a twenty one pilots song, as per my usual Saturday series. Find the previous posts on my new TOP TItled Poetry page. And, as always, check out the original version of “Truce” by twenty one pilots below.
Serenity
Today is day 7 of Heart Week on She’s in Prison. This morning I walked in the St. Louis Congenital Heart Walk in memory of my sister that died from a CHD as well as in honor of friends that have fought and are still fighting for their lives. I felt utterly blessed to volunteer side by side with my family, friends, and an entire community that has been impacted by CHD. Somehow it feels right that this last post is also a Josh Dun Poetry Corner poem because the music of twenty one pilots has touched my heart in a way I can barely describe with a metaphor. Thank you to everyone that has shown their support over the past 7 days!
Simple Counting
Today is day 3 of Heart Week on She’s in Prison in honor of all those born with congenital heart defects. On August 25th, I am walking in the St. Louis Congenital Heart Walk in memory of my sister Rebecca Lyn and in support of friends, new and old, and their families. Please help me raise awareness and funds for CHD research by donating and/or finding a walk in your city!
Go HERE for more information.
Wonder
On August 25th, I am walking in the St. Louis Congenital Heart Walk in memory of my sister and in honor of friends that were born with congenital heart defects. As such, this week on She’s in Prison will be Heart Week in celebration, remembrance, and support of all those that have died, those still fighting, and those that are thriving with CHDs today. Please help me support them and their families by donating and/or joining us at the walk!
Go HERE for more information and to find a walk in your city. Thank you!
The Youngest
Guilty
She's in Prison 