My First Book Is Now Published

Let me offer my thanks to all of my followers on this blog, and to wordpress for offering an outlet and proving ground for writers and poets to express and to learn what resonates with others.

As of today my first book of poetry and photography “Gleaming Beneath the Rust and Weeds” is available for purchase.  An independent publishing company offered a wonderful opportunity and as of today, it has come to fruition!  In 5 days the book will also be on Barnes & Noble’s online store and on Amazon’s online store.  In about a week or so it will also be available on Kindle’s store.

I would be most grateful if those who follow me might consider purchasing my poetic and artist endeavor.  You can find it at http://amzn.com/1495462250  It is also available on Kindle! http://amzn.com/B00IVOMQ7M  In another day or two it will be on Barnes and Noble again – i pulled that to fix a type.  But it is fixed now.

What an exciting day for any writer, but for me – it is a life dream realized.  Thank you friends who have commented and asked “are you published” and “I hope that you get this published”  you are one of the biggest reasons I have seen this through.

Book 2 will be out this year as well – by December.  “Shards of Metal and Shimmering Lace” will offer a bit darker darkness and a bit brighter brightness – just to keep it interesting!

Thanks!

Marriage – A Cinquain Poem for My Spouse

Marriage

Lovely Struggle

Giving, Trusting, Sharing

Self Sacrificed for Another

Complete

Forever Acrostic Poem – Happy Valentines Day

Forever

F inding another spirit whose hand when placed in your own fits perfectly

O nly happens in the lives of the lucky hopeful seekers hoping to find

R oaming the world seeking that rumored missing piece of their own heart

E arnest in their belief that once found they will be entwined in completeness

V irtually every emotion, sense, feeling made somehow better in their union

E ach part of love’s perfectly crafted pair healing and strengthening the other

R eveling in the knowledge that this thing called true love is meant to be forever.

Karen Quinn 2014

A Haiku on Love

Wrapped in silk and warmth

Embracing deeply my spirit

Your love fills my heart.

Karen Quinn 2014

Tis Naught But Tattered Cloth

Such an over-worn tattered cloth, edges frayed, many miles hard traveled

stretched and straining to carry its burdens, keeping safe and protected precious things

small rips and yellowed with stains it is weary, yet refuses to be unraveled .

 

Such an over-used tattered cloth, silent companion, doing its job as expected

unfailing and uncomplaining it works on, carrying others load to and fro dutiful and proud

only the seams giving testimony to its struggle, its will giving way undetected.

 

Such an over-handled tattered cloth, pattern faded, not so lovely as it had been long ago

left behind in the sunshine it has weathered, feigning vanity it seems not to notice its age

somehow diminished by loss of vibrancy, and in the faded, wrinkled fabric sorrows show.

 

Such an over-looked tattered cloth, they hunt for it, but only when they are in need of aid

sought and needed when purpose to serve, too easily left on the shelf, unseen and forgotten

knowing its only value lie in what it can do, realizing it will be easily replaced, little fuss to be made.

 

Such an over-worn tattered cloth, feeling its softness, under kind yet offhand reminiscent caress

so many memories in this vessel, helping and protecting, giving of itself in spite of cost to itself

understanding that as it is with this satchel, it shall be with life, in the end but memories do we possess.

Karen Quinn 2014

Always, Once, No more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always a part of my world,

Gentle wordless creatures, of fur or feathers

Unconditional and loving, ever present and near

Seeking only a little affection or food, and in return,

Giving more than human ever could give.

Always a part of my world,

Kittens and puppies, horses and birds, companions

Filling the empty places hidden away, making me whole

Not judge and jury but warmth and acceptance, a friend

Believing me to be better than I could be.

Always a part of my world,

Animals they say, just pets, yet so much more human

Than so many humans whom I have known, they are pure

Knowing only that you are theirs, and so happy in that belonging

Never turning away, rather pulling always closer.

Always a part of my world,

But in this moment, only in my memory, over quiet

The familiar brush against my thigh has passed away, too still

Hours passing away as though missing piece or opened wound

Have left me diminished, longing for what is lost.

Karen Quinn 2013

Appreciate Moments

Complaint

Feigned objection

Woefully busy days

Filled with necessary tasks

Painfully soon they fade away

Lamentation

Sleepless night

Racing minds query

Thoughts loudly waking thinker

Shockingly and suddenly comes stillness

Imagining

Unscheduled day

Nothing needing doing

Just sitting without movement

Sadly those days are approaching

Seeker

Of silence

Place without people

Less meeting or discussion

Such shall come surprisingly soon

Regretting

While recalling

Those hurried times

That should be savored

Once gone they don’t return

Wishful

Such activities

The noisy mayhem

Would stumble upon me

With age however comes stillness

Knowing

Endings come

Permanent and final

New doors ever opening

While those closed beg consideration.

Determined

To appreciate

Whatever is now

Because once passed away

Memories made are what remains.

Karen Quinn 2014

Naught without You

And what about you, do you bear a share? Question yourself…

What could you do,

To be the game changer, to help another.

What have you done,

To lend to the problem, to make it worse.

What was your part,

To contribute to sorrow, to add into happiness.

What have you given,

To ease a burden, to make heavier a load.

What have you provided,

To nourish good growth, to wilt what once bloomed

What have you shared,

To build a relationship up, to tear it asunder.

What have you offered,

To mend a broken fence, to topple a fragile wall.

Question yourself, for surely nothing around you ever happens, good or bad…without you.

Karen Quinn 2013

Remembrance of you

Beyond my touch, yet ever present

you are right there in front of me, my mind plays tricks

letting me see moments in time, as though they had not passed away, with you.

Beyond my touch, yet ever present

you are right there in front of me, I can hear you

quietly walking along beside me, as though still a part of each day, a ghost.

Beyond my touch, yet ever present

you are right there in front of me, feeling you brush past

gentle pressure against my thigh, as though able to greet me, invisible.

Beyond my touch yet ever present

you are right there in front of me, my spirit senses yours

your soft brown eyes locked with my own, unconditional, even in death.

Beyond my touch yet ever present

you are right there in front of me, if only in remembrance

gone yet with me, in my thoughts, as though missing you could bring you back.

karen quinn 2014

At What Point…

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Wondering at what point it would matter

Giving care and love over years, open hearted

Meeting your needs, and planning for what is to come.

Wondering at what point it would matter

Giving time and effort over years, open hearted

Helping and providing for you, praying for your success.

Wondering at what point it would matter

Giving materially and spiritually, open hearted

Wanting only that which makes you happy, and fulfilled.

Wondering at what point it would matter

Giving without expectation of return, open hearted

Knowing that this path was of my choosing, glad for the journey.

Wondering at what point it would matter

Enough that you might think of another, understanding

Offering a kind word and a little time to build up those who love you.

Wondering at what point it would matter

Enough that you might consider your actions, your inactions

Planning a thoughtful moment, a gentle hug, ways to share yourself.

Wondering at what point it would matter

Enough that you would see how much the distance hurts me, and care

Turning toward those who have lifted you up, instead of turning… your back.

Wondering at what point it would matter

Saddened that in all the years spent, I left something undone

Teaching you that your family is what remains, after all else has walked away.

Karen Quinn 2014