Friends Life Forever in Our Hearts - Poem

This is a poem that I wrote when I was 14 years old an had recently moved away from many dear friends. I wanted to share it now, because I think it's something that is always true no matter how old you are, where you live, or how many friends you've said goodbye to over the course of your life.

Friends Live Forever in Our Hearts

Poem and Illustration
by Melanie James

Sometimes life presents a rocky road,
A path not easy to take.
And I am forced upon this road
With no other choice to make.

When life seems hard to face
And I feel there’s nothing more,
I think of a warm embrace
From a friend which I adore.

This friend and I parted long ago,
But in heart they are still near
Which gives me strength to go,
And I know I never need fear.

Whenever I feel like giving in,
I remember the good things
And always find a reason to grin
And feel better about what life brings.

Friendship is reaching for a hand
And touching a heart.
Friends hold your heart and hand
Whether together or apart.

A Complete Story in Fewer Words Than This Title?

Yes. It's called Skinny Fiction. It's an awesome concept I just came across recently when I visited this blog, and I've been having a lot of fun with it ever since.

The idea is to write a story in as few words as possible. Potentially, try to get the story across in 10 or 25 words, but definable less than 100 words. This turns it into a poem, of sorts, but the key is that it must have a storyline. A character, a beginning, a middle, and an end.

A great example of Skinny Fiction is by the famous author, Ernest Hemingway. He wrote:

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Now, tell me that doesn't give a whole story. Yes, a lot is implied, but that's the power of Skinny Fiction. It engages the imagination, and can lead each person down their own little road based on the connections and understandings they form.

The following is my Skinny Fiction story which is inspired by my novel, IN AN INSTANT, which I am currently having beta read and doing some edits. It's no wonder that it was on my mind.

Diagnosis
by Melanie James

Uncertainty. Heart races.
A look. A sigh.
Answers.
We cry.
I’m still me.

This story, I wrote a few days before Easter.

Salvation

by Melanie James

Darkness surrounds me. 

I walk toward him; he walks toward me. 

Morning blooms.

And this one was inspired by my precious little one-year-old daughter, Allie.

Little One

by Melanie James

Awake; her face is the dawn. 

Sticky fingers, tears, hugs, kisses, mysteries solved. 

More hugs and kisses.

Away into dreams.

I watch. She doesn't know.

Can you write a story in 25 words or less? 

Bet you can't. 

Recalling A Lesson From the Flowers

We had a fun little activity at my house recently. As a family, we started a little garden, planting seeds in bowls that we will later transplant outside when they grow big enough in a few weeks. It was fun showing Allie how to plant the seeds and letting her help. I doubt she really understood what we were doing, but it was still fun playing in the dirt, and we'll show her the plants' progress as they sprout and grow.

 

Our little activity inspired me to pull out a poem I wrote years ago. It is called "A Lesson From the Flowers". Even though we were planting bell peppers, not flowers, I'm sure you can see the connection.

So now, I'd like to share my little poem with you.

A Lesson From the Flowers

by Melanie James

The wisdom of flowers is so often overlooked. 
Flowers are quiet and still and subtle yet can bring so much joy.  
They don’t get discouraged if people don’t stop to take notice.  
They just stay there and wait until someone comes along
 who needs the joy and peace that they have to offer.

Flowers are so pure.  
They don’t change themselves to impress others or pretend 
that they are a different color or kind of flower than they are.  
Holding their petals high, they take pride in what they are and what they bring to the world.  
In so doing, they bring beauty, happiness, and peace to a green meadow or a wild or lonely heart.

 

Flowers are friendly. 

They don’t pick and choose which flowers they will grow next to.  

A rose is perfectly content to grow next to a poppy or a dandelion. 

One flower never views itself to be better than another.  

They all are different, but they recognize that in reality they are all so very much alike.

What would the world be like if we all paused and took a lesson from the flowers?