Stories & Poems = Happiness

This book is both a poetry book and a story book.

These are mostly stories written in the form of a poem. Of the fifty poems, thirty seven have won either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Nine are published in various poetry organizations with other poets. These stories are very interesting and can put a smile on your face. Some are true and some can be true.

Stand Alone Still

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing in this compelling exploration of resilience and forgiveness.

Have you endured unimaginable hardships, surviving what feels like hell on earth, only to realize that the path to salvation lies not in entering heaven, but in healing your own wounded heart? In this poignant tale, you will discover that the true meaning of home extends far beyond physical walls – it resides within the depths of your own being.

As you navigate the challenging terrain of self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others, you will uncover a profound truth: the battle lies not in the external world, but within yourself. It is through this internal struggle that you find the strength to grow and transcend the limitations imposed upon you.

Somnambulist Chronicles

months of wondering what the hell happened, and if it was a dream or not. finally arriving upon an affirming decision, only to second-guess myself again. all those things they say about emotional young women: rape accuser, attention whore. why am i the one at fault? you did this to me? all i did was type it out. but you are the one who wrote me this. and you know what? let the blood boil. it was never ego going to my head. it was blood rushing to my head. just like it happened then. and all the nerves permanently stained by emotional memory; the ones that are supposed to be sacred to a woman. the ones that were mine, but you made yours. a tragic haunting: they speak to me in the night. and after years of waiting, wondering what can i do? they whispered to me, closely in my ear: write the book.

Soldier's Poems

In this powerful and moving collection, Vietnam War veteran Every Man bares his soul through poetry that vividly captures the fear, anguish, camaraderie and haunting memories of war. With stark imagery and raw emotions, these verses transport the reader to the jungles of Vietnam, inside the mind of a young soldier thrust into unimaginable horrors. His words give an unflinching look at the brutal realities of combat and its lifelong aftershocks, including the challenges of returning home to a society that doesn’t understand.

Covering his tours of duty and the decades that followed, these poems grapple with themes of survival, grief, alienation, and the struggle to heal from the physical and psychological trauma of war. While the Vietnam War is the focal point, many of the poems draw parallels to other conflicts and deliver a thought-provoking commentary on war in general. This timely and timeless collection is a must-read for veterans, their loved ones, and anyone seeking to better understand the true costs of combat and the resilience of the human spirit. A Soldier’s Poems ensures that the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and the realities they faced will never be forgotten.

Softness and Steel - A Poet's Way

Karlene Logan’s debut collection of romantic poetry reflects the deep feelings and emotions of hearts in love at every age.

Strong, beautiful, and heartfelt, her poems will leave a hopeful mark on your mind and heart long after the last page is turned.

Singing Down the Rain

Poetry can be viewed as a reflection, a song, if you will, of society in the time it is written, but at the same time, it is timeless in the continuum of past, present, and future. In the dance of words, the reader will follow the Rorschach Ink Blots in the dance of words to find meaning in the visual imagery presented here.

She Said!

In the end, life is but memories of time. The time we are given to form these memories are very limited. Yet, most of us get stuck in our loop of beliefs, thoughts, and actions, that we write and rewrite the same story, with the same ink. And at the end, we realize our life is not the story we hoped to read, or it is just a page in an otherwise empty book.  

This poetry book reflects life that resonates with most of us. It is a book that attempts to see and review each life through each own lens. To embrace growth through failure, to learn from mistakes, to champion self-acceptance and self-love, to embrace our differences and to accept change. It is a book of awareness of self and others. 

Serenity

Can we find within ourselves the ability to achieve serenity?

Serenity, I’m told, is the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. But how do we accept the things we cannot change, muster the courage to change the things we can, and gain the wisdom to know the difference?

Join Melanie on her tumultuous journey from chaos and destruction, navigating the highs and lows, hitting rock bottom, and striving to find that elusive state of serenity. Some will stay by her side, while others will leave, each playing a role in the boundaries set and the solutions, if any, discovered. Who will offer help, and who will bring pain and sadness as Melanie traverses these challenging times, places, and seasons?

Will she learn to accept and let go? Will she find the courage needed? Will she be wise enough to make the right choices? Ultimately, who really wins – the person holding on or the one letting go?

Searching Home

Something good isn’t always good. Something bad isn’t always bad.

Good thing then isn’t always good now. Bad thing now isn’t always bad later.

Something good for you isn’t always good for me.

Something bad for me isn’t always bad for someone else.

A good choice isn’t always the best,

A bad choice isn’t always that bad.

And sometimes it’s better to make bad choices than only good ones.

Some bad choices are detrimental, but even that isn’t the end. 

Some reach their destination sooner than others.

The destination is when you are no longer dreaming,

When you’ve achieved and accomplished,

And when you are good, you’re left with this question: ‘Was this the best?’

I stop trying to reach the destination.

I made some bad choices.

I made some good choices.

I lost some things.

I gained some things.

And then I pause, and think,

‘It wasn’t that bad after all.’

- Shiona Lee

Rushing to Red Lights

Never stop looking at the beauty in ordinary places! How often do you allow yourself to really look at the divine in the world around you? Take some time to connect with your soul, with your loved ones, with the trees and water.

Poetry helps us find our place in the world. It lives in our bodies and desires to be expressed. We are all poets once we learn the diverse ways in which we can express ourselves. Today more than ever I believe we need to find our creative outlets to deal with feelings of isolation, disconnection, and rising fears of unrest in our world.

This morning, I had to take a little time for self-reflection. This morning my heart was too heavy to hold back my tears. I knew my heart needed grace and balancing in a time that felt overly troublesome. There are times when the information coming in from every place outside my head feels unsafe as a response to social media, TV, the continual stream of angry sad hurting people pointing fingers with no grace in their hearts.

Rearview

Rearview unfurls a tapestry of America’s transformative canvas during the evocative epochs of the sixties and early seventies. Amidst the burgeoning tides of a new era, the nation navigates through the growing pains that intricately intertwine with the hopes, ideals, and lives of a generation predestined to redefine society’s blueprint.

As the pages turn, readers are transported through a time-lapse of evolving ideologies and lifestyles that not only mirror the nation’s metamorphosis but also herald the dawn of a reimagined social landscape. Through the rearview mirror, the essence of an era that reverberated through the corridors of history comes to life, painting a vivid imagery of a time that sculpted the contours of modern-day America.

Prose and Conflicts

Prose and Conflicts is a collection of poems dealing with everyday questions and observations on life and beyond, nature, entertainment and other poignant issues, such as religion, politics and more. A myriad of ideas, the poems span different styles to guide the reader on a journey of thought with reality, humour and angst, all written while taking time to smell the roses.