Inspired by one of my favorite quotes by Theodore Roosevelt:
Comparison is the thief of Joy.
Don’t let it trap you. Have a great Thursday! Feel free to say a quick hi below or on Twitter 🙂
Tag: love
Fascinated
My friend Becca and I like to exchange writing prompts as a way to keep in touch (she lives on the east coast and I in the Midwest) and also to encourage each other to stretch our poetic muscles a bit. The last prompt was mine, and it proved a challenge, taking me a solid two weeks to produce. We were supposed to write about the first time we’d “met,” or in this case, the first time we saw each other. The prompt also came with a catch…it had to be the truth, regardless of what kind of light it placed the other person in. It’s been 5ish years since that fateful day, and I must say, she’s just as cool now as when she captivated me from across the room in our literary method class freshman year of college.
I recognize that maybe it’s scary to exchange this type of poem with a friend, vowing to tell the truth no matter what, but I promise it’s worth it. I loved writing this piece and I can’t wait to read what Becca thought of me all those years ago.
What would your best friends say about you the first time you locked eyes?
The Untruth in the True Story
Moving On
Addicted to Disney
This one’s an oldie. I just watched Mirror Mirror, a silly take on Snow White starring Lily Collins and Julia Roberts, so it seemed like an appropriate throwback. It was published in Pastiche Magazine (a small online journal) last summer during my run as their featured poet for the month of July. It’s strange to look back at previous writings. It’s hard not to judge myself and also bittersweet to experience the emotions from a distance, especially poems that dive into dark scary places I never want to visit again. I think it’s important to look back though and see how far I’ve grown in so many aspects of my self and my work.
A question to my fellow writers:
Do you ever look back at old work and do you find it difficult to look at it objectively?
Oh, and follow me on Twitter. …please.
Steam
This poem would not be possible without the patience of the entire Frida’s staff. They put up with me taking up a table for hours at a time and constantly refill my water despite the fact that I don’t order any additional food…So to them, I say a big THANK YOU for accepting me week after week.
Happy Monday. Don’t forget to hit the follow button, leave a comment below, and party with me on Twitter for nonstop poetry and random Leanne tidbits.
In Return
When I started She’s in Prison almost a year ago, I promised myself that I’d be transparent in my writing. I vowed to share the tough stuff, even if it hurt or I felt exposed or uncomfortable. This is one of those poems, which may be a surprise because I recognize that the message is simple. I struggled in writing it, I admit. I don’t see the point in putting up a front that I’m uber confident in each and every one of my pieces. Truth is, I’m not, which I like even better. The words you see above are inspired by emotions I’m working through in this moment and I don’t feel I’ve been able to capture them fully. But as I was listening to “I Got You” by Leona Lewis, I knew I had to try.
Come back next Sunday for more poetry inspired by songs on my playlist. Also, don’t forget to hit the follow button on the left and hit me up on Twitter too!
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!
Guest Post: Nathan Mizrachi
About the author:
Nathan Mizrachi graduated from a prestigious liberal arts college in 2012 and spent his first year working a very unrewarding but well-paying job. He saved his money, quit his job, and has been traveling around Europe since August of 2013. You can follow his journey at lifeisacamino.com.
Want your poetry or art featured on She’s in Prison?
Submit a guest post!
Ignored
I recently discovered the band Conquer Divide and fell in love with their single “Eyes Wide Shut.” Though they haven’t yet released an album, I’m anticipating it will live up to my expectations. I wrote this poem while listening to their song on repeat, totally losing myself in the music, (and forgetting for a minute that I was sitting in public in a mall). Give a listen below and come back next week for more musically inspired poetry.
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.
Receipt Paper
An oldie I wrote for my friend Becca 🙂
Tomorrow
Sometimes when I need a little help in the inspiration department I ask my friends to recommend a song, and then I write whatever comes to mind as I listen to the vibe and the lyrics. “White Daisy Passing” by Rocky Votolato taunted my somber side but ultimately stimulated that crazy thing I like to call “hope.” It’s an emotion that’s easy to lose yet easy to find again with a little bravery. Anyway, give the song a listen and check back again next Sunday for my regular series–poetry inspired by music on my playlist!!
What is your favorite song right now? Send me an email at shesinprison@gmail.com or leave a comment below and I might choose your selection to inspire my next poem!
Reached
Oh Ms. Believer
Today’s poem is inspired by the title of the song “Oh Ms. Believer” by Twenty One Pilots as part of my ongoing Saturday series. If you have a second, check out the archives of my TOP inspired poetry and give a listen to their music below. Happy day!
She's in Prison 