Addicted to Disney

Posted on February 20, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

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.

art, poetry, writing

Awkward

Posted on February 18, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

…yeah.

And on that note, follow me on Twitter?

art, poetry, writing

Steam

Posted on February 17, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

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.

art, Music, poetry, writing

In Return

Posted on February 17, 2014February 17, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

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!

art, Guest post, poetry, writing

Endless Remembering by Lori Ortbals

Posted on February 14, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

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!

art, poetry, writing

Popcorn

Posted on February 13, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

art, Guest post, poetry, writing

Guest Post: Nathan Mizrachi

Posted on February 11, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

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!

art, Music, poetry, writing

Ignored

Posted on February 9, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

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.

art, Music, poetry, twenty one pilots, writing

Lovely

Posted on February 8, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

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!

http://youtu.be/Q2Vf-ujUF-Y

art, poetry, writing

But Seriously

Posted on February 7, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

art, poetry, writing

Fading

Posted on February 5, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

art, poetry, writing

The Little Things

Posted on February 4, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

art, Music, poetry, writing

Distraction

Posted on February 2, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

If you’ve never tried writing under the influence of a song, I highly recommend it. Turn the volume up, hit repeat, and lose your soul for a minute as you let the vibrancy of the melody steal your physical body. Don’t just listen, but absorb. Internalize the lyrics and drum your fingers with the beat as you let your imagination run. What do you see if you close your eyes? A memory?

Write it.

Whatever you feel, just write it.

As per my usual Sunday series inspired by songs on my playlist, today’s poem is inspired by “The Great Escape,” by Boys Like Girls. I’ve been utterly obsessed with this song for about a month. Sure I heard it when it came out years ago, but rediscovering it has deepened my connection beyond the initial admiration of dancing along to a catchy song. Anyway, give a listen below and come back again next week for another round of celebrating the camaraderie of music and poetry.

art, Music, poetry, twenty one pilots, writing

Taxi Cab

Posted on February 1, 2014 by SHE'S IN PRISON

Today is Twenty One Pilots Saturday! This poem is inspired by the song title “Taxi Cab,” and is written in memory of my dear cousin Lucy. She was a light taken too soon by tragedy.