Post1: Oldmgastudent

When I read poetry I tend to be as immersed in it and I absorb its' contents like a sponge absorbs water. This allows me to feel the words and interpret the meanings which resonates best with me. 

I think the metaphor of my life would be "Dance like no one is watching." This is the way I choose to live by doing what makes me happy regardless of how others may feel about it.

Ruth Foreman evoked vivid pictures of the inner city life with the imagery she provided in her poem "Poetry Should Ride the Bus". I lived in Brooklyn for part of my youth, and related to the things described such as, "for all the fine young men with fades shootin craps around the corner", and "n hold your hand when you walk past the yellow crackhouse". These lines took me back to the days on the block of East 55th Street in East Flatbush. Poetry and music can use imagery to enhance your past or present experiences. It may even help you visualize your hopes and dreams as you would like them to be. Jill Scott makes you picture an ideal date with the right person with her song A Long Walk. Or maybe we can see a movie Or maybe we can see a play on Saturday (Saturday) Or maybe we can roll a tree and feel the breeze and listen to a symphony Or maybe chill and just be, or maybe Maybe we can take a cruise and listen to the Roots or maybe eat some passion fruit ...

I think the perfect image that sums up my life so far is the Phoenix. It represents not only the dying of my past, but the beauty of living this current life.

In Mary Oliver's Oxygen, I found the mythological reference to life and death being referenced. She stated "  Everything needs it: bone, muscles, and even,  while it calls the earth its home, the soul." She is referring to love, which is one of our basic needs like air. It gives you life and without it we die.  I thought this was a very profound and true statement. 

I consider myself to be like the mythological creature the Phoenix which is a beautiful bird reincarnated from the ashes of its predecessor.  My life reflects in my eyes a reincarnation of the old me to the new more vibrant, confident me. In my former life I lived as a typical heterosexual woman within my culture. I denied my sexual orientation because it was considered to not only be deviant, but also immoral behavior. I stayed within the shadows and basically did what was expected of me from my family and friends. I finally died in 2008 and was reincarnated as the person I am today. A driven woman who will conquer her dreams no matter the obstacle. Oh, and yes, I am a lesbian. I feel as if my coming out was the birth of my new life. Now as the Phoenix, I can and will soar. https://www.google.com/searchq=a+phoenix+rising+from+the+ashes&source

I chose my verse in January, 2008 while living in Pordenone, Italy. I looked at my surroundings and how beautiful it was, and at my possessions, which most strive for. I was not happy. This verse from Tamia's Me became my mantra: And her name is me And she loves me more than you'll ever know And I finally see that Loving you and loving me just don't seem to work at all So patiently She's waiting on me to tell you that she needs love And to choose between you two Boy you know if I have to choose I choose me..

One of my favorite song lyrics is from Crisette Michelle's song called "A Couple of Forevers". They are as follows: Me and you, I look like I might Nothing can stop love from love And our love You know I'm not asking for much Just a couple of forevers A couple of forevers.... The theme of this song to me is lifetime commitment. I have always wanted the type of union I saw my grandparents, who were married for 65 years until death, and my parents who have been married for the past 47 years have. These lyrics state exactly what I was looking for within my own marriage and was used by me to tell my current spouse of my expectations. 

I would say the theme of my life so far is resilience. I have proven to myself, and made others aware, that I will not give up on my dreams. I will continue to push for my success as a person in all aspects of life. My career, my family and my home are all within balance no matter how hard it may be to do so. I live everyday as a new experience and I have no regrets. For every no I will get a thousand yes's. Every stumble will be replaced  by a million steps toward my goals. Every obstacle will be dismantled. I am strong and I will continue to strive for what is mine.