Remembrance For A Beautiful Poet Friend~ James C. Hartsell ~ Wintersong

Celebration

The morning sun burns through the gray,

billowing clouds majestically

and all those winter days

when fog crept thought the flats,

like sorrow,

yield in celebration.

My nostrils suck the pungent smells

of green-grass fields

and winter's brown decay.

My soul soars high,

an eagle circling earth and sky

in self-enhancing rapture.

And in this mystic place where all things rush,

like prayers,

the world is such a lover.

@James C. Hartsell ~ Wintersong

Excerpt from Jim's book ~ Visions From The Trail

I wanted to celebrate the vast work of a beautiful Poet friend, who I met years ago on the Lovestories forum. Sadly Jim passed last Spring, totally immersed in networking urgent dogs to rescues, I just got wind of his passing. The poem above is a favorite of mine taken from his book Visions From The Trail, which Jim sent me years ago. Jim always went by the pen name Wintersong.

Jim was my mentor, every writer's friend, and celebrated life in his humble and wonderful artistry of words, stories, and photography. Jim had an uncanny eye for imagery, beauty, and a wonderful humor that left a smile to all of us here in the internet writing world. Jim had many admirers, including me who was like a kid with candy reading all his new writings.

Jim was an inspiration to many poets, and will be sadly missed by all his writer friends. He had a special way of seducing words to draw you into his exceptional free spirited mind. You can read more of Jim's beautiful work here at his last writing stomping ground The Peaceful Pub ~ The Poetry of Wintersong Also the beautiful memorial pages created for Jim by The Peaceful Pub here: Wintersong's Memorial Pages Some great poetry and memorials wirtten there from some old and new friends!!!

In 2004 I wrote a poem for Jim, and had the pleasure of posting it on the Gypsywriter's forum. You must let people you love know how you feel about them. Never let a day pass by, and not tell someone how much they mean to you. I was very inspired by Jim's talent, and I let him know that he was special to me as a Poet friend. I'll never regret that, he was grateful as usual for any praise of his writing which he truly deserved.

My heart goes out to Jim's family, knowing he is still missed and will forever be! Here is the poem I wrote for my Poet friend Jim~

The Maestro

His
voice
speaks
tongues
of gold,
glimmering
sweet refrains,
painted from memory.

His
eyes..
seek
depths
immeasurable,
in perfect
sculpted metaphors,
integrated silver linings.

His
wisdom..
inspiring
literary
incantations,
eloquent words
of gifted verse,
eternally..
quilled upon my heart.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2004
In Loving Memory of my Poet Friend
James C. Hartsell ~~ Wintersong

Jim will always be that "eagle soaring earth and sky," and now he's flying in Heaven blessing the whole dang universe with his humorus, artistic and talented verse!!

Stunning Minature Rose Photo & Haiku

A real stunning photo of a minature rose from my beautiful flower garden!!

PA Twilight ~ Sunset Photo And Haiku ~ Mother's Day 2010!

Unveiled

Life's beauty unveils

memories become moments

withering in twilight

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2010

Mother nature like many women cannot make up her mind! In the 80's yesterday and in the 50's today! Typical crazy Pennsylvania weather. I took this twilight shot right out my front door, the first part of February. We had rain, and temps dipped way down to zero, and the rain froze during the day covered by a light snow! One of my favorite shots with the sun in the backround! We're close to freezing tonight!!

Talking about Mothers, Mother's Day is bittersweet for me, because my mother passed four years ago. I've many great memories of her, filling our home with great cooking smells. It was my mom who made our house a home. Her mere presence always brang a smile into our lives and always will. Her talents and love were unprecedented and irreplaceable. To say I miss her would be an understatement. The years haven't been the same without her, and I can say my life hasn't been the same either.

Yet life truly goes on and all mom desired most was for her family to be happy. Holidays seem to be the hardest to celebrate, even years later. It's almost if I miss her more the longer she's been gone! If you're lucky enough to have your mother, treasure her for every moment that you have. People say it, yet few realize how short our time here on this lovely earth is. Embrace life with every breath, and never regret a moment you have together loving each other. Memories are everything, never cease making them.. Lastly never stop taking photos. You don't know when our loved ones will make their final exit far into the twilight.

I'll be planting my Mother's day flowers soon, picked out 42 little flower gems to brighten my Spring flower garden. Happy Mother's Day and stay Literally In The Moment!

Read my other Mother's Day posts here:

My Mother's Day Flower Planting Ritual

Siberian Crabapple Blossoms ~ Tree Sappling For Unique Mother's Day Gift

Summer's Close~ Summer Poem And Photo!

Summer’s Close

Lone endless roads I walk along,
lay always outstretched to greet me.

Sweet Summer enshrined in all her green,
bounty enraptured warmth and beauty.

For her brief encounters pass by swiftly,
wild bitter Winter winds will soon blow.

I’ll yearn for life’s sounds to bide me,
reflecting my world within her sun’s glow.

Season upon season relentlessly ceasing,
gazing on nature’s flawless exuberance.

Year after year my eyes never grow weary,
eagerly waiting capturing one more glance.

Lone endless roads I walk along,
radiance withering closing shadows dispel.

Witnessing Summer’s incessant rebirth,
reluctantly I bid a melancholic farewell.


©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2009

My photo "Summer's Endless Road," I shot of the road beside my home before Summer season is gone! I'm sure going to miss the hot weather! We put the winter cover on our pool. The weather is in the upper and middle 70's, but the nights are too cold to keep the water temperature warm!

I caught a cold from my nephews, so it's my first Fall cold! Time to check for remnants from my vegetable garden! Tomatoes are still turning slowly!

Money Pitfalls And Dreams ~ Poem

Money Pitfalls And Dreams

Money for many a high status thing
may yield fruition to a lifelong dream

huge fortunes kill sometimes maim
thrust in the spotlight of unwanted fame

money only merely ink paper after all
bitter root of greed’s sudden downfall

money can offer future security
purchases important daily necessities

money given morally can help the poor
open wide new opportunities door

others cope as needed thriving without
while others drink from a pouring spout

society has governed we can’t survive
the wrath of green moolah to stay alive

but can money buy freedom or happiness
or garner the rich feeling of self respect

only you choose your destiny...


©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2009

Response to Ozymandiaz: What is money? Thanks for the inspiration!

Three Year Remembrance ~ My Tree Of Life

The coming of Spring leaves me bittersweet. The season which brings vibrant life to the earth, brings forth memories of death to my heart each year. While robins fill the air with chirping song, my sweet mother lies six feet under the ground.

Death gives life, and life in return gives death. April 6th marked the three year anniversary of my mother's death. I still remember the last night I was with her, as if it were yesterday. We were very close. more like sisters than mother and daughter. Someone stole her small budda, I left there last Summer. Budda will bring theives much bad luck!

We decided on purple daisies, and yelllow daffodils this year for moma's black vases. The purple daisies have a yellow center. My nephew rolled his little red tractor on top of moma's shinny black headstone. When we buried moma that evening a full moon lit the darkness. I hated leaving her there all alone, yet it was as if the moonlight had welcomed her! In fact this week we had nights of glowing full moon!

The tree above was taken at our cemetary, which grows only a few feet away from our plots. When I die I'll be looking up at this big ole tree. Towering high to the sky, the tree of life barely makes it's branches in my photo. Much life scurries above thousands of headstones in this beautiful typical Pennsylvania country like setting.

I believe you can miss a person more, the longer they're gone! We hadn't even celebrated the first Easter when moma died. In fact holidays are the hardest without her presence. Yet her death brought the first two wonderful baby boys into our family. They've become our main focus now. Moma was the strong deep rooted tree, and we all continue to live on through her ever guilding loving spirit!

Read past tribute posts to my mother here:

A Poetry Tribute To My Japanese Mother

Two Years ~ A Tribute To My Japanese Mother

March ~ Cinquain

March

March brings
warmer sunshine
wind blown skyward kite strings
longer days promise sweet springtime
seedlings


©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2009

Inspired by Terry from The Shamgar Report! He writes one every month! The flower above is actually green given to me from my sister on my Birthday last weekend. I forget what it's called, but I thought it was fitting for March.

My tulips and dianthus buds are already budding, with tips of green coming through the ground. Spring is just around the corner, can't come too soon! We were at 15 below windchill this morning, schools were delayed all over the area.

My Sweet Valentine ~ Poem

My Sweet Valentine

My sweet valentine,
our love has only grown in time.
A love which continues strong,
though the daily grind goes on.
I kiss your lips so fine.

We face the world side by side,
with you my perfect guide.
In spite of life’s storms,
you stay in my arms,
along for the ride.

My sweet valentine,
where the sun brightly shines,
down on our harmony,
together we are complete.
Remain forever mine,
my sweet valentine.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2009

A Valentine Poem for all you romantics out there! I've always loved all the romantic and mushy stuff! Love poems are what makes the world go round. "My Sweet Valentine," is one of my favorites from my poem archives. Read another classic favorite poem of mine here in my blog archives: A Day For Lovers!

Literally In The Moment turns a year this month, and after over 100 posts I have to say it's been a blast. I've met so many wonderful writers, and enjoy reading all your blogs very much. Thanks to all of you for your presence here!

We've finally had a break in the weather in PA! The thick ice is rapidly melting with temps in the 50's! With the sun, it almost feels like Spring. The geese were flocking today, and the birds chirping. I haven't heard many birds in the thick of the ice cold weather we've been having! The warmer weather makes me feel invigorated!

One last note, I'm so excited! I was finally able to download my photoshop onto my new computer! Yes I'm back in the photo creative saddle again, another one of my passions. You can see my newest creation "Dual Colorsplash," on my blog header!

Word Catayst ~ Valentine Issue! Bring It On Home Pittsburgh Steelers!

Word Catalyst has published their February Issue. The magazine never disappoints with all the wonderful writing energy delivered by well seasoned writers. I especially enjoyed the Love Lines section Editor Shirley Allard added in this time! Another one of my poems made the poetry section, here is a snipplet:

In The Shadows Of The Night

In The Shadows of the night,
our busy day is put to rest,
Beneath the soft moonlight.

Beautiful his vision to my sight.
I heed his beckoning call,
in the shadows of the night.

My caress to his skin of ivory white,

The rest can be read Here:


On another very important note:

Steeler Nation is extremely PSYCHED for Sunday's game! Pittsburgh Steeler merchandise is blowing off the shelves in record numbers. You can't find a fanbase more dedicated in supporting a football team, than the Pittsburgh Steeler Fans! We love our football team from the bottom of our hearts! A day of celebration, and partying will be going on all through Pennsylvania, and other states too! Pittsburgh even has a two hour delay for school Monday, in honor of the late night game!

Good Luck Pittsburgh Steelers~ Bring it on home Black And Gold!

Gloaming ~ Quintilla Sunset Poem

Gloaming

Glorious roads journeyed upon
horizons outstretched to greet me
sunrays glow rare intensity
twilight mist conclude days foregone
golden paths light eternity.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2009

Quintilla ~ Word Catalyst Prompt

Photo ~ Evening Glory by Steven Mitchell

Which City Are You Quiz ~ December Word Catalyst Poetry Publication!

The Word Catalyst Magazine is out for December with some great stories, articles, and poetry. Two of my newer poems were accepted for the magazine publication. Thank you Shirley! All the writers there are wonderfully talented!

Also cool quiz I found on Nan's site: take the quiz and see what city you belong to! Here are my results:

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

Human Rage Out Of Control ~ My 15 Minutes Of Fame!

As if school shootings, and road rage are not enough for our society. We have another madness to add to the rage list~ parking rage. We've all been in the situation where we eye up a parking space in another lane, and when we get around the spot is taken by another driver coming down the other side! Most of us just go on with our lives and find another parking spot, but not a man in a neighboring county! He was so outraged at losing his parking space, he followed the other driver around the parking lot with a hammer! The full story appears here!

Things are getting pretty tense out there folks, better be careful you might end up getting shot over a prime parking spot! I remember one time getting yelled at by a couple, because we didn't park our sports car by their sports car. Go figure! People are so finatical, I swear it's getting worse by the day! I think some folks just need some plain anger management, or major counseling! Parking rage is nothing new, it's been going on for quite some time!

In fact when I worked in retail, we had to park our vehicles in the middle or end of the parking lot. This gave our customers the best spots to park in. I always thought it was better to park near the end, because there was less traffic buzzing in and out at the further parking spots. So I still follow this ritual today, parking my car away from others to protect it from getting doors slammed into it, or damage of any kind.

I did this one day recently at my regular grocery store, they were running a great meat sale, and knowing the upper parking lot would be packed, I used the lower further away parking lot! And you know, my car was still side swiped on the back bumper. The other car gone of course. I hope that person has a guilty conscious, what goes around - comes around! You can't have nothing nice, or keep nothing nice.

I agree with the fellow officer on the fact that it doesn't hurt any of us to walk that extra few feet, unless we are elderly and unable to do so. Stress levels are so high this time of year, it's better to avoid peak shopping hours! Check out the parking rage video that was featured on the news below, boggles the mind! With the economy so bad, folks are becoming even more greedy in their ways!



Good luck and be safe on your holiday shopping endeavors!

On another note, I wanted to thank Billy Jones from BloggingPoet.com for featuring my poem "Words From A Female Sow," on his site on November 13, 2008. I just recently found the link. Thanks for my 15 minutes of fame, even though I didn't know about it. Mr. Jones site is very entertaining, love it!

Proposition 2 Campaign ~ Words From A Female Sow ~ Poem Prompt!

Words From A Female Sow

Seweeeee I was born a female sow,
a lifetime spanning merely 3-4 years.
My factory farm life conditions now,
could bring many a human to tears.

Living in miniscule gestation crates,
with no area to turn around or lay.
Standing room only is my fate,
until I’m slain on slaughter day.

I can deliver you up to eight litters,
quickly growing wide as my enclosure.
Still considered one of God’s creatures,
my plight finally gaining public exposure.

Find pity in a hog’s short life measured,
as you eat my meat from your dinner plate.
My brief swine existence truly treasured,
with passage of Proposition 2, 2008!

©Jo A. True-Burkholder

A poem for Jo's Word Catalyst Prompt. My poem was also featured on BloggingPoet.com November 13, 2008.

Did any of you catch Oprah's show on animal factory farms? I can surely empathize with both sides. But as an animal lover, I agree with Wayne Pacelli president of The Humane Society of The United States, on ethical treatment for all animals including the ones we eat! Makes me sad to see how tightly cramped in these cages the poor animals live! As seen on the show, there are farmers who do use space to animals advantage. Proposition 2 can make a difference in the short lives of all factory farm animals. Below is a video I found on Proposition 2, loved it! Please Vote yes on Proposition 2!

Sow Photo credit: Farm Sanctuary More on Factory Farms here: All Creatures.org , and lots of information on The Humane Society of the United States.

9-11 Reflections Forever Changed ~ Poem

The above photo was taken at the flight 93 crashsite in Somerset on our visit in 2003. The wide open fields and treelines are distinctive traits of beautiful Pennslyvania landscapes. We weren't actually allowed real close, but near to the treeline is where the plane went down. I found a site with arial shots which I thought were interesting here: 9-11 Reseach They have since moved the memorial across the street from where it was. A poem I wrote for 9-11 past to present!

9-11 Reflections Forever Changed

September 11, 2001

Not a plane in the sky,
I wipe a tear from my eyes,
I cry.
the nation cries..
I embrace my child,
glued to the TV set,
haven’t found everyone yet.
Part of the world died today,
a part of history,
which will leave us forever changed.

September 11, 2003

A gapping wound which won’t heal.
the lasting effects have rippled down.
Gas prices have shot way up,
big corporations have shut down.
Lives continue to be lost,
in a war which seems endless.
yet we are a proud and free nation.

We remember..
so many broken hearts
so many tears cried.
As our nation grieves.. for those
who gave and still give their lives.
A deep sadness remains..
reflecting on a day...a day,
which left us forever changed.

September 11, 2008

We reign as land of the free -where all
come to capture the American dream.
Great fountain yields equal opportunity,
building upon our own prosperity.

Modern times may appear bleak and gray,
no foreign evil can take our freedom away.
We honor those who give us that right,
surrendered lives in war’s untimely plight.

Citizen heroes we profoundly remember,
perished one bright Autumn September.
Fiery flames persevere on a horrific day,
reflections of tomorrows forever changed.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2008

Heaven Aligns The Earth

Heaven Aligns The Earth

Here
where Heaven
aligns the earth,
where God and I
silently consort.
Lone hawk soaring
perched upon treetops.

Here
where life exists
unjudged,
untouched,
exuding
simplistic beauty.

Here
where locusts,
and melodic cicadas
lull a summer day’s end,

Here
where Heaven
aligns the earth,
fiery Twilight
glorifies
sullen rain clouds,
billowing
a breathless sky.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2008

Last evening a summer storm left this beautiful piece of sky. You see through my eyes, how Heaven touches the earth. I often wonder if there’s a better paradise than this. The here and now of our living lives. Perhaps only a prelude of what’s yet to come!

To The Man I Love!

He's no modern day Casanova.
He's a man
in every sense of the word,
an intelligent man possessing,
a young boy's ornery humor.

Iron hands to handle any daily task,
yet so gentle when making love.

A hard working man
who never requires more,
than a long strenuous day
he constantly puts forth.

A big, strong man
who's embrace makes me feel,
like a woman,
in every sense of the word.

A proud stubborn man
who walks this earth,
with a generous heart
spanning just as vast.

And the rare tears
I have seen him cry,
brings me ever closer...

To the man
I love..
in every sense of the word.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2004-2008.

June 2, 2008 marked my husband and I's 18th anniversay. I wrote this poem for him for Valentines day in 2004. 18 years is a milestone in our present day and age. I'm one out of three sisters still married. I see it as the norm ,1 out of 3 marriages lasts these days. The luster has not gone out of my marriage after18 years. In fact we have only been drawn closer to each other especially over the past two years. We've lost our parents, my mother, and his father. Two really great parents, who loved to party and enjoy life to the fullest. It is our deep love that keeps them alive in our hearts. We've had our ups and downs, no one is perfect or should have to be. Life is a hard enough journey, let alone not being able to be ourselves.

I married my best friend and the man I still lust for to this day. I hope we never become a statistic. I can see us as that old couple only separated by death, and not even then. He still buys me flowers, opens doors, and carries heavy things. But most of all, he is always at my side when I need him. In this modern day when marrige is no longer an institution, ours continues to thrive. We awake to beat the odds with every passing day, and every daily hurdle we have to cross. Like they say the grass is not always greener on the other side, and a good partner is even harder to find. Trust is the key to a great marriage. Trust, patience, and a whole lot of love! Long live us hopeless romantics!!

What I See

I walk along cow pasture horizons, greeted by a young herd of black Spring heifers. Lush green grass carpets hilltops, as far as the view can conceive. Serenity surrounds me with only the sounds of sweet songbirds, and two bull cows mooing.

I walk along an old dirt railroad track, through rows of giant sycamore trees. A purple spotted monarch flutters ahead, resting on dead fallen leaves. I capture her beauty as she spreads decorative wings.

While white tree blossoms reach for a twilight sky, grateful am I to be here alive. To witness all I see, as Spring sheds her bounty.

I never grow tired of the world's beauty, I can never get enough of all I can drink in with my eyes. I could write, photograph, and envison it all in my mind forever, until my dying days.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2008

Two Years ~ A Tribute To My Japanese Mother

Two Years

Two years has slipped away from us,
cried a thousand tears
hardly a day passes, I don’t well up
missing you in a particular moment.
No more phone calls to hear your sweet
accented voice talking on the other end
No more telling me “Please don’t put
black pepper on the mashed potatoes!.”

Two years of empty holidays missing
your extraordinary smile, reminiscing
gazing into your dark soulful eyes.
Two new beautiful grandsons you
never had the chance to see or spoil.
Not sure where to place all the grief
as time relentlessly continues on.

I’ve gone on...
but it’s as if I just merely exist,
like life transcends right through me.
Feeling numb down to the bone
stripped away by painful raw emotions,
which have turned hard as stone...

A cold shinny black stone
all that is left of a vibrant lifetime,
a whole lifetime loving you.
Two years reliving bygone memories,
two years relinquishing you to death.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2008

How fast time passes! Sunday April 6, 2008 will mark two years my mother has been gone. She was not only my mother, but my father, and every relative I never had. Spring is a celebration of rebirth, but now it has become a sad commoration of the day my mother passed away. She died with her small family keeping vigil all through the night.

She always had a touch of class, incredibly neat in all she did. She raised three daughters in a foreign country, and she hardly knew anyone. She was strong and endured many hardships throughout her lifetime. She loved Mcdonald's cheeseburgers, and Kentucky fried chicken. We should have been born as sisters, for we had so much fun hanging out together. I have started to work on a memoir of her life, her passing has been an immeasurable loss to our family.

A Poetry Tribute To My Japanese Mother

Momma

She took her last breath on a beautiful
windswept April morn, the Spring she
so long awaited for.

She is the voice which lives inside me,
the essence of the woman I've become.

She was the epitome of everything
good and grounded in my life.
She had a simple yet clear cut wisdom.

Bred in her native Japanese culture filled,
with pride and strength, always selfless,
respectable, and compassionate.

She taught me how to laugh at my faults,
and rejoice in every single moment.

Though her journey here has come to an
end, her free and loving spirit will always
live in the words I write.

She was and always will be my lifelong
inspiration, and I will miss her immensely
for the rest of my living days.


©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2006
In loving memory of my mother
Kimiko Monma True
July 1, 1930- April 6, 2006

This also appeared on my
website in 2006.

Heavenward

Winter's fine webbed

branches stretch heavenward

reaching for the sun

©Jo A. T.B.