Thought Wheel

Ann Chiappetta

guest Post by Trish 😞

| Filed under Poem

If you like Trish’s post, email and let her know.

 

Facebook Blues

by Trish Hubschman

plutzhub@gmail.com

 

I’m off Facebook now.

For that, I’m not sad.

The frustration it caused was too high.
To rid of it, I’m glad.

 

I hope not to be gone forever.

And won’t be gone too long.

I hope to build my friends list again.

And not get the names wrong.

 

Being off is okay though.

It had become a tangled  mess.

Facebook was too controlling and didn’t care.

A result of today’s technology, I guess.

 

I have no way of contacting folks,

To say I am presently not there.

That is another thing that ticks me off.

For sure, it Isn’t fair.

 

I’ll be back,

Just wait AND SEE.

When you get my friend request,

know it’s me.

 

 

Trish Hubschman, author of the Tracy Gayle mystery series https://www.dldbooks.com/hubschman/

 

😒  🙎  ☹️

Writing to Heal and poetry 📜

| Filed under blogging Poem writing

Being a poet I often write and finish a poem and  shelve it in my mental library. When I pull it out for a poetry reading or some such project, my  reactions are sometimes surprising.

 

I recently dusted off an older poem about my Dad’s death and it got to me. I read it during a Get What You Need and Feel Good About It podcast.  The confusion, brooding tone and questioning feeling the poem elicited was powerful enough to get me all verklempt  and later the same night  resulted in a few dark dreams.

 

The poem’s meaning was meant to convey the frustration and helplessness we experience when losing a loved one. But I wonder if readers appreciate it like I do.

 

The poem, Salutations,  is in my 2020 collection, Words of Life: Poems and Essays. Vincent Lee Gracen narrated it. His performance is haunting and beautifully stark. The intensity of his talented narration evokes the emotions of grief and loss I could not convey and I am grateful he agreed to read it.

 

Salutations

By Ann Chiappetta © 2020

 

Goodbyes were said long ago

Although I couldn’t say why.

A life of 80 years has ended

And with it, the deal making begins

Preceded by melancholy

Preceded by guilt and  denial

And  anger, the funereal umbrella

A Black winged shroud

Flapping and snapping

Refusing to fold.

 

Preceded by watching my father  slowly die

 

A young girl’s fractured attachments

Brought on by divorce

A father’s quiescent avoidance

Built the wall in due course.

 

I know

Sad refrains and death’s bitter dirges

I’ve grieved since  age nine

Of death and dying, what do I really know?

I question

the purity of loss, the sanctity of morning

Because I surely haven’t achieved either

With the solemnity of a widow’s attire

Or baptism by fire

Though I’ve tried.

 

What I know

Flutters  like film strips

Time lapsed, monochrome, and silent.

In this heart and mind

All there is,

feather on stone

Wind on water

Gone.

book cover is a contemplative snapshot of a stack of stones each holding one word of the book’s title. To the right is a concentric pattern drawn in the sand.

 

  • 2013

Click here to listen to Vincent Lee Gracen’s reading of the poem.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7ytt0doeiqovb8bcklict/04-17-Salutations.mp3?rlkey=pzmlawybwddba918krhpro73p&dl=0

 

 

 

 

 

 

August Newsletter V 2.8

| Filed under blindness nonfiction Poem

Annie Shares News volume 3 Issue 8 August 2024

anniesharesnews@groups.io

Subscribe anniesharesnews+subscribe@groups.io

Visit my Website

Follow me on my Goodreads author page or my Amazon Author page.

 

🌻  🌄  🌅  🌆

I love this time of year, late summer is peaceful and productive for me. Pittsburgh, what I now call PGH, is filled with street fairs, farmer’s markets, and indoor and outdoor performances. What a great city. It is packed with historic locations, museums and sports arenas. I also heard a rumor PGH International airport will be adding a direct flight to Ireland. I hope it happens soon, I will be on a flight to the Emerald Isle as soon as possible. ✈️☘️

 

As you know, I am a poet and I am also a lifelong learner. Improving my poetry skills is and always will be a priority for me. I am currently in a small, focused poetry critique group facilitated by award winning poet, John Sibley Williams. If you are thinking about joining a small group of poets  and truly wish to step up your crafting skills, a group facilitated by john is the way to go. He offers affordable workshops on writing, publishing and crafting poetry, fiction and nonfiction.

 

I am always looking for opportunities to share  poetry with others. I would love to connect with schools, libraries and organizations who would like to consider me as a guest speaker either in person or virtually on Zoom. I  specialize in speaking to children, adolescents and adults on blindness and advocating for people with disabilities. I have over fifteen years of lived experience using a guide dog and  my knowledge base includes other types of service dogs and the organizations training them. My contact information is anniecms64@gmail.com or 914.393.6605.

Future plans change but I will share I am working on a new novel which will not be out until late 2025 or 2026.

 

 

Until next time, Yins –

 

Enjoy this poem.

 

TROPHIES

By Ann Chiappetta

 

Burnished figures on pedestals

Inscribed electroplate

Into households they gather, insidious

Conniving onto shelf and mantle place

 

They represent childhood paragons

Foster a competitive edge;

Rally spirits when called upon

As we leap and clear the proverbial hedge

 

They possess our emotions, sentiments

woven into beliefs

A bit of blanket, a toddler’s treasure

Photos that trigger grief

 

Even in death we cannot escape

Carved markers above bones underneath

Grassy knolls peppered with maudlin

Guardians, trophies the dead bequeath

 

Yet the living tend the reminders

While the dead are set free

What a breath holds dear

Spirits don’t need.

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annie Shares News May 2024

| Filed under blogging Poem

Annie Shares News Volume 3 Issue 5 May 2024

Subscribe: anniesharesnews+subscribe@groups.io

Web: www.annchiappetta.com

Email: anniecms64@gmail.com

Blog: www.thought-wheel.com

🐝 💐 🌸 📙

Hello readers, it’s wonderful to share some items of interest with you. I’ve been juggling the release of my second contemporary novel, Imperfections and the audio book release of my first contemporary novel, Hope For the Tarnished on Audible.com . Since cloning isn’t an acceptable work around my time management skills are being put to the test. 🕰️

 

Beginning May 8, 2024 my blog tour will promoting Imperfections. I’ll be posting the links on Facebook. I’ll be sharing inside information about my book, the characters, the plot points and the writing life. I like to surprise people with little known tidbits, so if you follow me on FB, why not click on the blog where I am posting at the time of the tour and get to know more about me and the indie authors who support independent publishing.

 

My gift to you for subscribing to this blog and my newsletter is an interview I did in March launching Imperfections. The link to the MP3 is

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jalpwnf1ncdm9lp52zrgx/2024-03-21-BBL-Ann-Chiappetta-Audio.mp3?rlkey=c6r7zm08o66jkzvye7pjwqkok&dl=0

 

Since moving to Pennsylvania,  Jerry and I got the birding and gardening bug. We hung up a few bird feeders and a fountain. The diversity of the types of birds who come to feed is remarkable. Plus the deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels and  a large rat snake provide some excitement, 😉

 

The poem below is a tribute to the songbirds we hear in our yard and neighborhood.

Until next time, happy spring! 🌻

 

Avian Speak

Ann Chiappetta

Wee-see, wee-see, wee-see

Tufted messengers

Spring’s here

black cap flitters

cuck tuk TukTuk

yeep peek chuckle

Perched Passeri

burbles and wing beats

 

cherry blossom promises

Cheer up cheerio chick burr

So pretty so pretty so pretty

Drink your tea

Photo is a close up of two eastern bluebirds side by side on a cherry blossom tree branch.

 

 

 

Remembering Bailey a poem for NPM

| Filed under blindness Guide dogs Poem

Your Name

Ann Chiappetta

 

Bathing my life in slobbery joy you

Accepted me unconditionally

If only love could  sustain you and

Let you live forever

Everyone knows a dog named Bailey

Yellow Labrador guiding  my heart

and memories.

 

For Guiding Eyes Bailey 1BB13 April 2013-March 2024.

 

Yellow lab Bailey lick's Annie's face. She is laughing.Annie and yellow lab Bailey licking her face

dreaming of a Dog

| Filed under blindness Guide dogs Poem

Double Dreams of My dog

Ann Chiappetta

 

I

Dreamt of

My dog’s escape

The door was open

Heartsick I panicked

Searched, begged

fruitlessly

for his

return. I watched

all those I   lost

drive off with Mom

Bailey Bailey Bailey

I called

Silence

But then

Someone called,  urgently

I have

him

My hand

Touches the leather

this collar  familiar but

Not my dog

Could this

Dream

Dog Be

my future partner

or is it merely

a wishful

thought?

Yellow lab Bailey one year old standing at the shor in Maine. Photo taken by his puppy raiser. Bailey died March 16, 2024, he was ten. We miss you buddy.

Yellow lab bailey posed with blue skies and clouds in the background. 

 

 

 

 

A publishing Success! 📕

| Filed under Poem writing Writing Life

I am sharing the acceptance letter with you.

If anyone reading this would like me to send the poem via email, please let me know: anniecms64@gmail.com I cannot share it publicly until after it is published in the anthology.

I’ve been working hard improving my craft and style. In 2023 I submitted my work to ten publications and was accepted to three.

 

Dear Ann,

 

It is Oprelle Publication’s great honor to congratulate you on being chosen as the

 

Third Place Winner in the 

2023 “Coming Home” Poetry Contest

This contest was uniquely challenging in that the competition drew awarded and published writers as well as complete novices …where so many times, we find diamonds! Needless to say, the Coming Home competition always draws some tough contenders. Our judges really enjoyed your poem, Where the Heart Lives. 

Your lines like,

“ Presence

Human touch

Holding hands before

Slipping off to sleep“

will not soon be forgotten. We really enjoyed your poem’s gentle journey in imagery and thought.

 

Your writing will gain excellent exposure because your poem and name will be featured in the upcoming “Coming Home” Anthology. The book will be in a 5.5 by 8.5 layout.  We are looking forward to a really beautiful paperback later this year.

 

by Ann Chiappetta | tags : | 0

Annie Shares News V 2 Issue 12 🧧🎁💖

| Filed under blindness Poem writing

Annie Shares News Volume 2 Issue 12 December 2023

anniesharesnews@groups.io

Subscribe: anniesharesnews+subscribe@groups.io

Web: www.annchiappetta.com

Blog: www.thought-wheel.com

 

🎅  🤶  🌲  💖

 

Christmas and holiday greetings, readers. In these trying times of war and strife, peace and joy are elusive and sometimes difficult to express. It is for these reasons I am writing this newsletter. My purpose, as insignificant as it may be, keeps me grounded and it is my hope it helps someone else to keep the hope going.

 

I am pleased to report my second novel, Imperfections, is being sent to the independent book publishing company, DLD Books  for formatting. The release is planned for spring 2024.  It’s been a long and rewarding path for the writing of this story. It is less biographical and  I hope different enough for readers to rave about. I’ll be telling you all more about it in the January 2024 newsletter.

 

Also in my Sharingdom, Smashwords/D2D is launching an End-of-year eBook sale from December 15 to January 1, 2024. The sale will include genres from children’s books to horror titles.    Upwelling: Poems, my first poetry collection is free and my other titles are discounted. eBooks make great gifts! 🎁🧧

Save this promo link so you can shop as soon as December 15 rolls up:

https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos

 

Of course, by now, being a subscriber to this newsletter, you are aware I am a person with a disability. I support other writers with disabilities as well as promoting my own writing and books. One such writer, Patty L. Fletcher, is the person who  had a role in assisting me to find my own path to independent publishing. I am excited to include the information for readers to check out her new book.

The Blended Lives Chronicles: Sides of the Order.

 

If you prefer an anthology, check out this one, hot off the indie press, Behind Our Eyes 3 A literary Sunburst. It is written and edited by writers with disabilities and the proceeds from the sale of the book go directly to funding the Behind Our Eyes organizational literary programs , most  offered  free-of-charge. Sales will also assist in the costs of publishing  their biannual literary magazine, Magnets and Ladders.

 

 

My gift to you is a recording of the poem, Little Tree by e.e. Cummings. Below is the text.

[little tree]

  1. E. Cummings

 

“little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower

who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see            i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly

i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don’t be afraid

look           the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,

put up your little arms
and i’ll give them all to you to hold.
every finger shall have its ring
and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy

then when you’re quite dressed
you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they’ll stare!
oh but you’ll be very proud

and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we’ll dance and sing
“Noel Noel”

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/miiljk17ugsupwqud79m9/little-tree-by-Annie-c.mp3?rlkey=1c9rsomli57qm8s5h05pudfao&dl=0

 

 

 

 

Christmas Poem 🌲

| Filed under Poem

Happy Holidays to all.

🌲    🤶  🎅

Below is the text of Little Tree, a poem by e. e. cummings. The reading of it is also part of this post. I hope you enjoy it.  As for the poet, e. e. cummings – he was a poet before his time. Born in 1874 in Cambridge, Massachusetts,  he experimented with  breaking literary traditions, hence the lack of capitalization and punctuation in  his work.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._E._Cummings

 

[little tree]

  1. E. Cummings

 

“little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower

who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see            i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly

i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don’t be afraid

look           the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,

put up your little arms
and i’ll give them all to you to hold.
every finger shall have its ring
and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy

then when you’re quite dressed
you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they’ll stare!
oh but you’ll be very proud

and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we’ll dance and sing
“Noel Noel”