Friday, December 25, 2020

Blowing On The Wind

 

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel9/30/2000 11:22:53 AM
7/21/2009 11:03:01 AM
228

Blowing On The Wind

Blowing On The Wind
-------------------------

It's been nine long months since it rained
And our earth is parched and dry
Yet with the big floods of last year
We watched as our wildlife drowned
Now the cattle are dying in droves
And our sheep are falling over where they stand
There's no water for the thirsty beasts
And only dry tears from the eyes of man

I watch as carrion crows clear the earth
Picking off meat to the bone
Screeching and fighting in the dry air
Leaving a carcass rancid and fly blown
While lying on grass so dry it takes but a spark
To turn it into a fiery red glow
Now everything runs frantically from it's path
As a firestorm ruthlessly spreads
Aided by hot northerly winds
And no water to put out the fire
We watch it jump from treetop to tree
And shiver in fear for our lives

Brave men too exhausted to go on
And so small in the face of the inferno
Beating at flames with wet hessian bags
Trying to win the fight with each blow

Just when despair threatens to take hold
And worried this time we won't win
A hint of rain rejoices our hearts
When we smell it blowing on the wind
Help comes at last from the sky
And a deluge of rain crashes down
Jubilently we dance with our arms in the air
Thankful our luck has turned around

After the last spark has gone
Devestation can be seen all around
Our tears freely flow from our tired, sore eyes
And not a bird, tree or animal can be found
But nature works silently like magic
And we start to rebuild our lives
A tiny green bud breaks the ground
And the Australian landscape revives

©Janine Daniel


By: Janine Daniel

Author's Comments

2005. Once again I've rewritten this poem. I've changed the name from Blowing In The Wind to Blowing On The Wind and also changed a few words. Our water situation has gotten worse since I first wrote this poem. Now our water restriction is critical.

2002. I've re-written this poem, changed it's name from "Life In Australia ....the Firestorm" and added another verse (No. 7).

2000. Life in Australia, we sometimes wonder how we can go on yet we do. You can't hide from a bushfire but only run for your lives. We're desperate for rain where I live. Our dams that feed our cities are critically low yet when it does rain it's in all the wrong places. We're losing our good top soil from our land. When it does finally rain the earth is packed so hard the water runs off and causes floods while washing the top layer away. What can we do except keep going and hope that things will change soon. It was 31 degrees celsius today (87 degrees farenhiet) yet summer is a long way off. Soon we might all have to live underground.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel9/30/2000 11:22:53 AM
7/21/2009 11:03:01 AM
228
AuthorEmailWeb
Janine Danieljanine@spinnys.comwww.spinnys.com

Total Comments: 25

Comments

Sue Alliebttfly9@yahoo.comwww.geocities.com/Heartland/Garden/98439/30/2000 10:03:38 PM
Many places all over the earth are affected.
Global warming, habitat destruction, ozone alerts, etc. We had more than enough rain here from April-July. Other places had wild fires, record heat and early snows. Where is this all going?
Claudklugecc@jps.net9/30/2000 11:43:37 PM
We can certainly relate to your plight.
We have a lot of the same here in the west.
Just yesterday a fire broke out about 15
miles west of where we live and fanned by
brisk North winds, It has already consumed
6800 acres and they say it is only 10%
contained. Nasty business, fire!
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.com10/2/2000 5:47:02 AM
Janine, this is a fact, the true power of nature is awesome and holds no
regard to anything. Your poem is a good, clear example of such.
I keep wondering what could be done, but every idea that comes to
mind seems small in comparison to the problem. If you turn the soil to break
the hard pack, how do you cover enough area, and the wind will blow it
away like in the dust bowl era here in the states in the 30's.
Perhaps your folk might research that time here and see what the farmers
here came up with or the relief was? I don't know if there's anything useful
to you and yours to be found there, but who knows. You and yours will be
in my prayers.
Shannon Wendlershannon7112@earthlink.net11/5/2000 1:00:56 AM
Goodness! Janine you captured it well cause I felt like I was there. Good work on this.

Shannon
Rachelle Wiegandrwpoet@home.com11/5/2000 1:31:27 AM
The fires must have been something terrible! How long ago was this, Janine? & have they recovered? Good piece, the part about the carcasses and flies...made my tummy do a flip flop....I am little sissy :) Very good piece, it conveys the devestation of draught and the fires very impactfully.

Rachelle
Mary Stonemid-lace@webtv.net11/5/2000 2:03:26 AM
Very good writing Janine:)
Sam Iam.6/10/2001 8:32:16 AM
Fantastic imagery! This pulled me along for the ride, bleak and desolate, then triumphant in the end! Wonderful stuff here...

Rachelle Wiegand6/10/2001 8:44:44 AM
Janine,

How devestating! You did well with this- something that is really affecting your reality.

This stanza is the one that I liked best:

Just when despair threatens to take hold
And worried this time they won't win
A hint of rain rejoices their hearts
They can smell it blowing in the wind


I like a sign of hope in a poem- It shows the optimism of the writer, also.

Great work!

~Rachelle
Janine Danielspinnys@hotmail.comwww.spinnys.com6/16/2001 7:53:08 AM
I won Topic of the Week at Literary Angels with this poem. 6/11/01
dhicks6/16/2001 7:55:04 AM
Awesome write Janine!! Congrats!!!

Dennis~
Spaz6/16/2001 8:07:22 AM
yes... yes... and congratulations to you my dear! Very well done!

Joveac6/16/2001 8:10:17 AM
go girl. goodonyamate!

congratz!

joveac
Shannon Wendler6/16/2001 8:17:23 AM
WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! Happy to see Ms. Janine in the winner circle again! Joveac said it best YOU GO GIRL!

I think I have a few awards that might belong to you! SHAME ON SHANNON SHAME ON SHANNON!!!
Silkie6/16/2001 8:30:55 AM
ROFLMAO@Shannon!

Congratulations Janine. This was an excellent piece. The story was fantastic and it's imagery very vivid. You definately deserved this win!
Blaque Velvet6/16/2001 8:35:02 AM
You're a good poet. I can tell you write almost everyday and a good poet always writes. Keep impressing the world with your talent.
Rachelle6/16/2001 8:37:59 AM
Great work, Janine! Congratulations & I hope that you guys get plenty more rain!!
Debbie7/20/2002 2:25:18 PM
Janine, this is brilliant! A very clear description of what a bushfire delivers! I had goosebumps while reading this brilliant poem! I could see the flames, smell the smoke, taste the rain!! Your last stanza put the smile back on my face... Nature, indeed, works like magic!!!

Great work!!
Rachelle7/20/2002 2:37:55 PM
Janine,

A very scary and sad disaster! I remember last year your poem about the floods, now brushfires.. the poor habitation!

Excellent great awareness for others that do not live in Australia, and aren't aware of all of the elements that can affect you all there.

I feel for those that have lost their homes, including the precious habitat and animal life!

Good poem, Janine!

~Rachelle~
The Songbird
Debbie7/20/2002 2:41:54 PM
Gidday, Janine! you're welcome!!!
Keep up the great work!!

Mark Woods7/20/2002 2:44:34 PM
First, very good!!! Yea, we get those in the Eastern all the way over to
Wyoming.. Not much to do when mother nature wants to clear the dried
brush off the landscape.. Just get out of her way. When she is done it
will rain and keep on like it always does. Little green buds popping out
of the ground.
Shiela8/25/2004 2:51:35 AM
That's really good Janine. I can picture those scenes you describe in your poem. It's sad and heartening at the same time.
Alaura dus8/16/2005 4:15:38 AM
Super write, Janine. Your descriptions and imagery are wonderful :) Enjoyed~

~Alaura
poeticpiers8/16/2005 4:16:54 AM
M'lady I am fast becoming a fan of your wordsmithing

Ivor
MysticWings5758/16/2005 4:18:09 AM
If it isn't one extreme, it's the other... glad you finally got some rain. Beautiful write, I truly enjoyed.

~Mystic~
whatup641068/16/2005 4:19:37 AM
I didn't just read this, I felt this. I feel hot like suffocated or something. Great writing.

Monday, December 21, 2020

The Trudie Story... a true miracle incl. photo {Photo no longer available)


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel6/25/2000 1:53:53 PM
12/18/2020 12:21:19 PM
397

The Trudie Story... a true miracle incl. photo



All I ever wanted was a baby to call my own,
For as long as I can remember of that I've always known,
Then one day I heard the nurse say,
"She's a beautiful baby girl" .......and then........,
.......she whisked you quickly away.

"Please let me see her!" I begged in vain,
"Just one look then I'll never ask again",
But no.......I was not meant to see,
"We have our rules....of this we're sure, it cannot be!"

Even though I didn't gaze upon your baby face,
There is somewhere inside me.....my secret place,
Where your soul merged with my inner being,
The memory of you .....my baby .....my dream.

Many years passed and a part of me went with you,
A deep longing for my baby.....my heart ripped in two,
A lot of tears and sleepless nights.........,
Lost in the morning.......eyes too bright.

A phone ringing............................answering in haste.

A girl called Trudie was searching for her mother,
My tears of joy I tried to smother.........,
"Do you want to meet her?" asked the voice,
"It's completely up to you, you have a choice".

"I've waited 18 years to meet her!" I cried,
"When they took her away I thought I'd died",
"How soon can I meet her?" I sobbed and laughed,
"Well.........as soon as we can arrange it on her behalf".

A dream has come true....a fairy tale end,
I found my daughter and gained a best friend,
I cannot find the words to say how,
Or understand why but I do know now.........,
That fate dealt a hand .............it was meant to be,
And when you were ready you came back to me.

~*~ I love you Trudie-Anne ~*~



By: Janine Daniel

Author's Comments

I met Trudie when she was 18 years old. You can read the whole wonderful story in my web site.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel6/25/2000 1:53:53 PM
12/18/2020 12:21:19 PM
397
AuthorEmailWeb
Janine Danielspinnys@hotmal.comwww.spinnys.com

Total Comments: 9

Comments

Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.com6/25/2000 8:56:25 PM
Janine, I can so feel the power of the moment in this poem, how much joy
you felt is clear as the ringing of the bells in a churchyard on Sabbath.
It makes me glad for you both.
Daniel A. Staffordaqmstaffo@mailbag.com6/25/2000 8:56:41 PM
Janine, I can so feel the power of the moment in this poem, how much joy
you felt is clear as the ringing of the bells in a churchyard on Sabbath.
It makes me glad for you both.
Christinatigris@primus.com.auhttp://www.geocities.com/tigrispoet/8/22/2000 3:57:05 AM
Janine - this is your heart talking....your soul....the innermost feelings that share with us your confusion as a young girl, your heartache at giving her up, and your joy at reuniting with your daughter....this is what poetry is about - expression and inspiration of the soul. You have touched my heart with this one....and I cry tears of joy for you....
Trudie Raphaelnirvana60@go.com9/12/2000 11:26:38 AM
You can imagine how i felt when I read this;
thank you and I love you too.xoxo
Shannon Wendlershannon7112@earthlink.net10/28/2000 3:53:42 AM
Sniff......soooooooo sad Janine. Touching very
touching.........

Shannon
Rachelle Wiegandrwpoet@home.com10/28/2000 10:02:23 AM
Janine,
I am so moved, that I can almost not speak.
A very unusual predicament for this blabber mouth (lol) but, your poem is so personal, and so touching. I don't know how to express to you just how much so.
Bless you for the trials that you have faced in life, and bless your daughter, Trudie , as well.
May you both find what has been void for eighteen years...looks like you have :)
This one made me cry.

Rachelle
Philip G Bellphilip@bell-redbourn.freeserve.co.uk10/28/2000 10:05:06 AM
Beautiful Janine. A Shared moment of Joy

Philip
Mary Stonemid-lace@webtv.net10/28/2000 10:07:28 AM
Janine this was touching.....I could feel your joy:)
Funda Arsoyoyaozel@superonline.com10/28/2000 10:11:16 AM
I don't know what to say. A wonderful poem, so touching. Sometimes dreams are more real than real life, and if you keep believing in your dreams, they do become real, at least some of them do. I am so happy for you. Bless you and Trudie.

Funda

 

Friday, December 18, 2020

Blackie

 

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel6/27/2000 2:36:46 PM
8/29/2009 9:45:11 PM
204

Blackie

I wish so much I could write like you,
To say what I think the way you do.....
I read your print and my heart starts smiling,
My mind opens up...imagination's flying.

I've never known someone who thinks like you,
Who can make me laugh the way you do,
If I knew how to write my words just right,
I wouldn't be scratching my head all night!

Tell me Blackie what your secret is,
Is there something magic you do this with?
Do you sing a chant by the light of the moon?
Did you learn all this by hanging out in Swoon?

When I grow up I want to be......
A poet who can write like thee,
Of course I must get the spelling just right,
I juss carn't remeber howe to tonite!

By: Janine Daniel

Author's Comments

I wrote this for my friend Blackie when he really needed a laugh.


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel6/27/2000 2:36:46 PM
8/29/2009 9:45:11 PM
204
AuthorEmailWeb
Janine Danieljanine@spinnys.comwww.spinnys.com

Friday, December 11, 2020

Birthday Poem for Karen, 2004

 

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel12/8/2005 9:41:08 AM
9/3/2007 7:40:12 PM
42

Birthday Poem for Karen, 2004

I chose this card especially
Hoping to show to you
How much your friendship means to me
To say thanks for all you do

You may not realize it
Or know just how I feel
But I thank the stars most every night
And hope these words reveal

You're more than just a good friend
I feel this in my heart
You're my very special sister
And I've felt this from the start

We have so much fun together
Our laughter's like a balm
Whenever we're together
Our smiles warm like a charm

So with this card I thank you
And just remember this
Whenever you're in need of a friend
I'm there for you too dear sis

©Janine Daniel

By: Janine Daniel


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel12/8/2005 9:41:08 AM
9/3/2007 7:40:12 PM
42
AuthorEmailWeb
Janine Danieljanine@spinnys.comwww.spinnys.com

Friday, December 4, 2020

Beyond The Horizon

 

AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel2/9/2006 3:41:52 AM
4/9/2006 8:15:47 AM
83

Beyond The Horizon

Beyond the horizon
just over the edge
where you can't quite see
lie all my used dreams

You might wonder
why I keep them around
but I figure you never know
when you might need
to resurrect an old dream
so I keep them handy
just in case.

You should see
how many there are piled up
because you see
I dream lots of dreams each night
and even some during the day,
these I have labeled primary dreams

I visit these dreams
every now and then
and I have my favourite's
like other people
have favourite songs
or favourite books
that they read
over and over again

I'm always asked about
how I mastered flying,
it's in these dreams
where you can follow
how I learned and
it wasn't easy at first
(quite a strain on my arms)
but over the years
I've persisted
and now I'm an old pro at it

I don't have to flap
my arms any more
but it's just a thought
I think fly........
and I fly!

I'll lend you a dream
if you promise to look after it
‘cos each one is precious to me
and I couldn't bear it
if something happened
or you lost it

Where are the dreams
that I'm yet to dream
did you ask?
they are just beyond
that cloud up there
can't you see them?


By: Janine Daniel

Author's Comments

A dream of a dream?


AuthorDate Entered/ModifiedViews
Janine Daniel2/9/2006 3:41:52 AM
4/9/2006 8:15:47 AM
83
AuthorEmailWeb
Janine Danieljanine@spinnys.comwww.spinnys.com

Total Comments: 13

Comments

lhrdina902/9/2006 3:43:14 AM
Janine that is so lovely and heart felt ...

Lori
Daniel A. Stafford2/9/2006 3:44:25 AM
Janine, this a masterpiece of imagination and spirit. It reminds me of the box full of wonders I keep under my bed and the basket of memories that are behind the lamp shade on my desk. Wonderful work, my friend, and a perfect example of why your works should be widely read. They inspire.

Dan
dhicks2/9/2006 3:45:53 AM
Simply Awesome write here Janine. Sorry it took so long for me to read and post, loved this one :)
poeticpiers2/9/2006 3:46:59 AM
Hi Janine I enjoyed this piece, I think perhaps we all have a stockpile awaiting revival at some point: Maybe two small nits………. I think line 4 of first stanza should be lie rather than lies and in penultimate stanza line three should read bear instead of bare.

Keep up this stream of work it gets better as you go on

Ivor
SandDollar12/9/2006 3:48:27 AM
Wonderful thoughts, Janine. I liked this concept very much. I'm in agreement with Ivor about the substituting bear for bare and lie for lies, if you want to tweak it just a bit. Everything else works well.

Annette
Namyh2/9/2006 3:49:27 AM
Janine - You've captured the essence of accomplishment in this well crafted scribe. First we make the dream and then in its pursuit it begins to form and remake us. Yes, I see yours. It's just over that cloud to the right.

Namyh
Killerkane2/9/2006 3:50:47 AM
Well, from the non-writer of the group, I loved it. It had me thinking a lot. Remembering dreams, I kinda stopped for a few minutes thinking about them and I have to say thank you for the moment.


-Jeff
AquarianM2/10/2006 3:03:11 AM
An absolutely fantastic poem, one that shows exactly the qualities that I find so endearing and unique about your poetry, Janine. This is one of the most magical examples of that vivid imagination and creativity you have. Dan
MrLeslie2/10/2006 3:03:52 AM
Lady, this piece of work is imaginative and inspiring.

Well done!

MrLeslie.
Blueberry Kitten2/14/2006 7:55:10 AM
You've got the curiosity of a child. Keep that flame alive, and you'll never get old. Can you dream one for me, Janine? It doesn't have to be anything spectacular. How about the great barrier reef? I love under water dreams.
solante aretino2/14/2006 7:55:45 AM
A great write.
Janine Danieljanine@spinnys.comwww.spinnys.com2/14/2006 8:00:39 AM
This poem nominated for Poem of the Week by AquarianM, 9th Feb 2006, Crossroads poetry forum, Flowing Quills.
amitabhmitra2/16/2006 10:25:27 AM
Dreams are what we are and what we will be. We dare to dream and with it conjure whispers that hold the dreams till eternity.

A beautiful poem

Amitabh Mitra