Ramblings of an Old, Romantic Soul

Tomorrow marks the eighth month anniversary of my brother-in-law's death.  And of course, today my thoughts have been of my sister, nieces, and nephew. I find that words fall so short, and so often I am at a loss as to what to say.  What is there to say that will comfort them, that will ease the ache in their hearts, the emptiness in their lives.  I talk to my sister and I hear her pain, feel her grief, and yet, there is nothing I can do.  Kate, this is for you. A Sister's Love If I could try, I’d take away, the loneliness day after day; I’d kiss your tears, erase your pain, would make you laugh and smile again. Mere words fall short, then disappear, next to your sorrow, and your fear; would that I could, I’d take your place, but I cannot, this is your race. With every teardrop that you cry, or every time you want to die; with every day you weep and grieve, I am beside you, I’ll not leave. A sister’s love, deep as the...

As a writer, one of the worst things to happen is 'writer's block'.  I've been suffering from such for some time now - years, actually.  Oh, periodically the muse would sneak through and I would create something, but for the most part my writing pallet has been blank. Since 2009, we've had some very traumatic family events.  There has been revelations of sexual abuse and two trials, ending with the conviction of an ex-brother-in-law; there have been major surgeries - most unexpected surgeries; and then there have been deaths - my beloved father died in January 2011, and my brother-in-law in January 2013.  Not to mention friends and extended family members, and beloved pets, who have also passed away.  It's been a hellish and mentally exhausting couple of years. Yesterday, I was able to write.  And on the poetry site I belong - poetsforintegrity.org - someone commented on one of the poems.  She said 'sometimes the spirit is frozen'.  And a lig...

On 21 January 2013, my beloved brother-in-law suddenly passed away.  He went out for his walk, and never came home, having had a massive heart attack.  He left a loving, devoted wife and three children behind.  Not to mention a grieving extended family.  My heart aches for my sister and my nieces, and nephew; wanting to comfort and console, but knowing my words fall short so many times.  Some hurts are just too hard to write about.  But today, I was able to pen some words - imagining how my sister feels, and the emptiness that is now in her life.  This poem is dedicated to my dearest sister, Kate; my nephew, Matt; and my two nieces, Molly and Maggie.               I Cry I cannot face this world alone,  not sure I want to try; the future now so damned unknown,  with every tear I cry. You left me here, without a word,  not even a goodbye; now every day is just absurd, ...

I truly believe there is not one soul who cannot, who is not, affected by what transpired in Connecticut yesterday.  Words seem so shallow, hollow.  But below is my humble attempt to honor those who were killed. Children’s laughter rang through the halls, then silence ~ eternal sleep Families now torn asunder, forever ~ sorrow too deep Twenty-six souls heavenly bound, tears for them ~ the angels weep     @ Kristina M. Hooper, 12/15/12    

I actually started listening to Christmas carols again...and on the way to work the other day, I thought about writing a poem using the titles of some of my favorite Christmas songs.  I love the more christian, traditional songs.  Of course, I couldn't fit every song in the poem, but below is what I created using a few (song titles are capitalized). Sing Sweetly Unto Thee Silent Night, Oh Holy Night, the angels’ voices ring; O Come All Ye Faithful ones to worship new born king. Little Town of Bethlehem, to you a child is born; Ah, What Child is This, sleeping so humble and low born. Now, Do You Hear What I Hear throughout the endless night; Hark! The Herald Angels’ Sing His praises they recite. As With Gladness Men of Old, rejoice! be full of joy; He Smiles Within His Cradle, Mary’s kingly boy. @ Kristina M. Hooper, 12/12/12

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything to this blog.  Actually, have done very little writing in the past 8-9 months.  But my Mom was here visiting not long ago and she encouraged me to start writing again.  So, Mom, this is for you. Christmas time is here again.  When I was younger, Christmas was such a special time of year ~ loved everything about the season.  As I have aged, a certain sadness comes over me, and the season is a difficult one for me.  Of course, I am missing Daddy and thinking of him quite a bit.  And I am trying to focus on what this season is all about.  Christ and his birth, and his love for each of us.  Since we've been in Florida, we've wanted to do an outdoor manger scene.  For the past three years, we could not find a manger set.  A couple of months ago, our neighbor gifted us with a set - someone from her American Legion was getting rid a set and our neighbor remembered we were looki...

I read a poem yesterday by a fellow poet and was inspired by a line from her poem...‘You left my heart with little or no care, but I still see you everywhere’.  The inspiration led me to to write the following: Still Everywhere I wander where we used to walk as lovers, hand in hand; remembering each little touch, upon my heart, a brand. I see you everywhere I go, I feel your spirit near; your voice a whisper in the wind, tickling my ear. And yet you left me, all alone, oblivious, I’m sure; to all my pain, my memories, the hurt I still endure. So little was your love for me, such truth is hard to bear; and yet, it seems I can’t let go, I see you everywhere. @Kristina M. Hooper, 2/17/12 For more wonderful poetry, check out poetsforintegrity.org.