The Untruth in the True Story
Tag: poem
Autonomy
I’ve said this before, I know, but I love using music for inspiration, especially when the song evokes something that isn’t obvious, like in the case of today’s poem. I doubt anyone would read the words above and see the direct correlation between the Fall Out Boy song and my words, but that’s the beauty of it. Songs have so many layers and I love finding my muse between them, whether drawing influence from a single word, the underlying harmony, a single guitar riff, a drum transition, etc. Long story short, I promise the verse above is inspired by “Young Volcanoes,” which happens to be my favorite song off their Save Rock and Roll album.
Thanks for rockin’ with me! Check back next week for more musically inspired poetry. Have any good song suggestions?
Kitchen Sink
In the moment emotions can cripple, shooting searing pain throughout the entire body, but no matter how hopeless that instant in time feels, distance not only helps ease the pain, but offers understanding and perspective. I implore you to never give up.
I also implore you check out the Twenty One Pilots version of Kitchen Sink. I admit I’ve listened to this song too many times to count. Don’t be ashamed to hit repeat.
Thank you for taking a moment out of your Saturday to stop by and read a little poetry. I appreciate the support and I’d love to hear from you in the comments below or on Twitter. Come back next week for more TOP inspired poetry!
Eating My Feelings
About a year ago I went through a heavy rhyme phase, playing with integrating it within the lines. Most of it turned out awkward…but some of it turned out kinda fun. This is one of those examples that I hope fall in the latter category. Happy Friday. Now, go eat some chocolate and whatever you do, don’t regret it!
Moving On
Cacophony
S/O to Charlie Unger.
Trapdoor
The funny thing about writing is that it’s impermanent. It’s just thoughts we cast on paper or in word processors, easily deleted or lost and impossible to recover in word for word accuracy. I wrote one version of “Trapdoor” last summer but today when I looked at it, I hated it, judging every line until before I knew it, I’d written an entirely new version. The only line that remains from the original is the first one.
This poem is inspired by “Trapdoor” by Twenty One Pilots and per usual, I implore you to listen to their music. It’s no secret they’re my favorite band. You can check out the archives of my other pieces titled after their songs in my TOP archives page and come back next Saturday for another post in the series!
Are there any bands that inspire your creativity?
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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.
Awkward
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!
Popcorn
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.
Lovely
How do you make someone believe they’re lovely? More importantly, how do you make yourself believe that you are lovely? It’s a question that no one can answer for you but I encourage you to explore it. And in the meantime, check out the song “Lovely” by Twenty One Pilots below (it’s one of my favorites!) and peruse the archives of my other TOP inspired poetry HERE! Happy Saturday!
She's in Prison 