Friday, January 26, 2018

Welcome to Ann Christine Tabaka!


Tonight the widely-published poet Ann Christine Tabaka brings us a whole record store of poetry inspired by various musicians, starting with Leonard Cohen.

*(Inspired by Leonard Cohen’s song “The Future.” From the line “There is a crack in everything,
that's how the light gets in)

A Healing

 

There is a hole in each of us    

Some are as tiny as a pin

Others are gaping wounds

A time of healing must begin

 

What it takes to fill that hole

Is different for each one

Some need love and friendship

Others the warmth of the sun

 

Some need gainful employment

Some need peace and rest

Still others need self esteem

And some a pinch of zest

 

Some need meaning in their life

Or to mend a broken heart

Others need relief from strife

Each needs a different part

 

These holes are what make us

Just who we are right now

No matter what the size

They are as big as we allow

 

Some holes are meant to be

While others need to mend

Whatever it takes for you to heal

I pray it be yours, my friend

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*(Inspired by the Beatles “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”)
Marmalade Sky
 
A marmalade sky at sunrise
Bursts into shards of gold
As overhead colorful birds
Flock toward the marshes
The atmosphere breaks forth
With the sound of wings
As I look ever skyward
My heart sings
The earth is waking up
She throws off the cloak of winter
The sun kisses her with warmth
Today is a day like no other
Can spring be far behind

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*(Inspired by John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High”)
Mountain Magic
 
A fiery star
Shoots across the sky
A wish in the palm of my hand
The firmament is alive with
Sparkling lights
Endlessly dancing in and out
The Milky Way
A shining highway in the heavens
Guiding me ever on
To a new adventure
The warm glow
Of a crackling fire
As sparks spiral upward
To join in the celestial dance
At ten thousand feet
The mountains give up their magic
There is no sleeping
On a Rocky Mountain night
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*(Inspired by the Beatles “Eleanor Rigby”)
All Alone
 
Afternoons alone
And lonely
Empty hours
Filled with endless memories
Of a life that used to be
All her dreams have turned to dust
She sweeps them under the rug
Along with her shattered hopes and ambitions
Words are now her only friend
As she loses herself
In romance and adventure
Living what is left of her life
In her books
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*(Inspired by The New Christy Minstrel’s “Green Green)
Shades of Green
 
Green
I see green
Everywhere I look
The grass, the bushes, the trees
My world is green
Green
Tints and shades
Various hues delight my eyes
Celadon, laurel, pine, and moss
Cool and calming
The perfect color
To engage the senses
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Ann Christine Tabaka was born and lives in Delaware.  She is a published poet, an artist, a chemist, and a personal trainer.  She loves gardening, cooking, and the ocean.  Chris lives with her husband and two cats.  Her poems have been published in numerous national and international poetry journals, reviews, and anthologies. Chris has been selected as the resident Haiku poet for Stanzaic Stylings.

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Let's start with a live version of Leonard Cohen's "The Future":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCRf2rfq19I

Here is the Grateful Dead's version of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U99KKaiSuYk

I remember hearing "Rocky Mountain High" all the time back in the 70s:

And here come the Beatles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuS5NuXRb5Y

I'll finish with the New Christy Minstrels' "Green Green."  I wonder if Gene Clark was on that recording:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfxgbsXeTdE

Enjoy!