Life Experiences

[Marika11]

Hello, I am a student at Ohio University and am taking a class that requires us to create a literary journal. I have chosen to compile a journal filled with writing about various experiences and how those experiences have shaped your life's journey or helped to shape the person you are today. I will accept poetry, essays, non-fiction - anything pertaining to the above topic. It would be really great if anyone would be willing to submit work.

Thanks!!
Marika

[BienvenuJDC]

I write poetry...let me see if I have anything that applies. (I attended the branch in Lancaster)

[BienvenuJDC]

This one is about dealing with life's hardships. My daughter has Down Syndrome...

from early on you had a "fault"
what are the chances here
that this l'il egg be conceived
don't abort this one dear

she has a gap between her toes
bigger than the rest of them
the crease across her hand is straight
but I think that she's a gem

the extra skin upon her neck
is for the extra hugs she'll get
cuz her heart is full of love
she'll share it all, I bet

she might be slower than the rest
she may not get your jokes at all
but be sure that I will be listening
to the beckon of your cruel call

retarded does not mean stupid now
it means that she is might be slow
if you had a half of a brain in there
your vocabulary could maybe grow

she may be able to figure out
if not at the same speed
but solve the problem on the board
or understand the need

she'll understand the needed hug
that so many are without
when you are cruel to her then
she'll love you anyway, no doubt... 

[Marika11]

Oh awesome! I attend the main one in Athens.

Yes, thank you - this will be great.

[hillwalker]

I'm not sure if this is the kind of stuff you are after, but feel free to use:

It's a poem written a few years after discovering my mother had a premature baby girl who died in childbirth 18 months or so before I was born.

Strangely I did not discover this fact until more than 50 years later - and it felt so sad that she had hidden this from me and my brother, and that we would have had a big sister had she survived. Not your average run-of-the-mill subject when exploring life experiences but.....

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54467

H

[Marika11]

Great, thanks!

[BienvenuJDC]

This one is about being a father...

from the little giggle sounding
and the happiness abounding
the smile from ear to ear
from the sweetest one so dear
and her loving arms surrounding

...and her hand...
pat, pat, pat on my back


with a swipe of her hand aside
for her face to no longer hide
adorable grin will appear
happiness shown so clear
and glowing precious and bright eyed

...and her kiss...
smack, smack, smack on my cheek


her lovely voice sings out the tune
like birds their melody in June
her hands move to the beat
begins to tap her feet
from morning, evening, night and noon

...and her song...
speak, speak, speak to my ear


her softly spoken word is heard
from dawn the chords are slowly stirred
syllables pronounced aloud
makes an 'addy' oh so proud
she begins to make each small word

...and her mind...
dear, dear, dear to my heart

[BienvenuJDC]

This one was about losing a parent...and the legacy that parents leave...

Although she is gone from here
I hear her lovely voice so near
her laugh rings through the air
and fills my heart with peaceful care


His life was dedicated to me
sacrifices made so I'd be happy
since I was bouncing upon his knee
even now he in the mirror I see


it's more than DNA within my flesh
not just chromosomes in their mesh
but even chastity given by a thresh
built character and made me fresh


spoken of with tense of past
my memories will always last
not by pictures on walls hung fast
but images on my heart done cast 

[Marika11]

Thanks!

[xtianfriborg13]

I think this is the most personal thread I read here on this site. Thanks for sharing everyone!