Words and Pieces

There are pillows waiting for heads to fall. As night time is lowered, the sandman called. With a sigh, a blink, a yawn, and a stretch, the day is gone yet... there are dreams to catch.

I started this simple blog as a way to share the poetry that I write and the occasional writing of observations.  Sometimes I share my writing on Facebook but I wanted it on a site that was more accessible to the public.  I did some research about blogs and the rules of what makes a blog “successful", one of which is to offer up something that people need.  This one stuck with me because I remember questioning if sharing my poetry was something that people need?!  Is poetry reading a need?  Is my poetry, Beth Achenbach’s poetry something that people need?!  I mean, I’m not offering any fabulous recipes, am I? I’m not helping people look more fashionable, am I? I’m not an expert telling women how to apply their make-up better, am I?  Can I tell folks how to declutter their closet?  Help parents to raise their kids better?  I’m just sharing words that I have selfishly written down to get some thoughts out of my head!  After fretting over this for a while I came to the conclusion t

Last week I turned 50 years old, the big FIVE OH!  It has been difficult for me dealing with the aging process.  It hasn't been just about turning the number 50 but more about seeing my body change in ways I really have not been happy with and, of course, I blamed it on that number!  For the few weeks before my birth date I knew that there was a big birthday party being planned and so I wanted to write a poem to read during the festivities about turning 50.  The problem was every time I tried to sit down and write I just couldn't go there, nothing was coming out!  I tried writing down just words or phrases associated with turning fifty but when I looked down at the page I just saw a lot of negativity!  Pfffft!!!  On three separate occasions I tried to get my thoughts flowing for this poem but it just was not happening!  The night before the party I was sitting on the couch with my composition book in my lap and pen in hand!  I was determined to free form some words!  I jus

Today is World Poetry Day my friends!  It is a day to pull out your favorite poetry book, pay tribute to your favorite poets, read a poem to your children, your family or your Love!  It's a day to promote the writing and teaching of poetry and to appreciate the local poets in your own community.  I've been writing poetry since I was an angst ridden teenager in the 1980's.  I really felt so alone and really depressed and it was just a way for me to get the fear and helplessness out of my head and onto a page.  I never really showed anyone those writings but I do visit them sometimes and realize how far I have come.  Thank goodness for poetry!  Today I'm going to share a light hearted piece I wrote about people that writes songs.  I am very jealous of songwriters because I love music and writing!  I got a guitar a few years back for my birthday and I've tried to learn how to play that thing but I just don't make the time for it really.  I know so many talented s

Happy 15 year Anniversary Lovey!   The card Lovey gave me today.  It looks like us! You are my love. EL-OH-VEE-EEE your smile, your touch our fingers entwined. Going through life side by side. In sickness and in health we stay together. Two souls  on a high wire now and forever! Moments after moments so many “have a good day”s. A kiss before we close our eyes, that is our way. You are my love EL-OH-VEE-EEE dancing, thrifting, singing together living our story you and me.

Sometimes I have that thing they call a "monkey brain".  Its when you have all these thoughts in your head and you can't concentrate on just one thing.  It's not productive at all!  A few months back I had been really just living on auto-pilot from day to day.  I was going through the motions and allowing my brain to live it's crazy monkey existence and not caring all too much until one day I realized I needed to pull my head out of my ass!  I wasn't happy and I wanted to bring back what was not  going on in my life, like creating art, or laughter or hanging out with family & friends!  Important things were missing! One day on the walk to the train I decided that I would make an attempt to actually stay in the moment to tame that monkey brain.  So as an exercise I would recite things that I saw around me.  The first morning I tried reciting into my iPhone but I found that the spell check gizmo made too many errors.  The next day I just tried plain ole'