Poet of the Fortnight #6: Maple Tree (July 28 - August 11)

Craig, I am at an 8 as well..... very little focus I feel and the ones who are speaking out are getting pushed aside, one thing I know, Mother Nature will prove herself, regardless....

Ok so I didn't realize this went on the next page lol

I agree, with you, Andrea: "Mother Nature will prove herself, regardless..."
Whether or not humans are around to see it is another question.

Set up: You Are 87 years old, forty years have gone by since you were "poet-of-the-fortnight." You look back on your life and are able to say with satisfaction that you have truly accomplished writing your three most important literary works.

Questions: 1) What are they about? 2) What medium/genre (video, poetry, novel, play)? 3) What inspired them?

It would be Poetry....and it would entail the meaning of my life entertained with a nature statement. This poem will be my legacy...read at my funeral I feel....there is a poem inside of me that will say it all...and when people read it they will feel my words.

okay one question.
In all these yeas reading your works , one can see a variety of themes or leitmotif, such as: your favorites, nature, love, sadness sorcery, magic... But one subject that never interests you is "Social Justice." knowing how kind you are and the deep humanism that you portray in real life and your poetry, I wonder why ?

In say 10 years from now:
1) what is something you'd like to see change whether it be something you would change about you or something within the world
and 2) is there anything new you'd like to try?

I have done a few, but not many at all. I get so passionate and emotional about social justice that when I go to write... I sound like a rabid activist ready to scream. I would however be interested in writing a collaboration with you Mr Swan!

I would like to see less violence and ear more laughter.

I would like to sky dive...it's in my bucket list!

DO IT!
You cannot imagine the experience. More than a thrill, it's just satisfying. Mind you, I tandemmed, but I'd love to go solo.

Ohhh yes!!!!!!!!

I will do it!!!! Thank you for sharing Larry, I hear it's amazing!

Andrea, you rock.

What's your favorite dish?

You rock as well, my switcheroo Queen!!

I love chicken riggis....they make it here in New York with this yummy italian sauce...ugh....it's just wonderful....and greens, with bacon and spices...ohhh my!!

What is your favourite word?

Do you have any favorite animals or even any pets that have ever distracted you while writing? How does this make you feel towards whatever you're working on in the moment?

Allow me to barge in so rudely to say my educated guess is :
It would be owl ( her favorite animal)

Question #4: What fictional place would you most like to visit?

Question #5: How did you get into the work you are in now? Are you where you want to be professionally?

Question #6: What are your favorite smells?

Within....

I love that word...

I use it all the time in my writing

Owls and cats...

Cats are my calming effect...they are beautiful,lovely angels

Owls are my spiritual guides

You are correct :-)

Jane,

Your question is going to require me to have two cups of coffee.... I will answer in a few hours! Whooooot

I would like to visit westeros...game of thrones!

I am right where I want to be!

I have been in the nursing, mental health feild since 1987. I wouldn't be in any other feild. I currently am a licensed counselor...working with homeless, drug and alcohol addiction and mentally ill. It's been stressful, dangerous and yet fullfilling...

My favorite smells are

Banana bread baking, apple cinnamon and lavender!

Banana bread is baking right now in my kitchen! It is a wonderful smell, especially on gloomy days like this one. Funny thing is I never plan to make banana bread when I buy bananas. I buy bananas thinking, "I should eat healthier breakfasts," then I don't eat them and they start to get brown and mushy and I'm *forced* (lol, yeah right) to make banana bread, banana muffins, or banana cake! So much for being healthy.

Question #7: What are foods you find yucky, icky, gross, and/or you just won't eat them?

Question #8: How are you different now versus 20 years ago? Have any of your beliefs or tastes changed drastically?

There is only one food the I refuse to eat....Liver...gross!

Twenty years ago I was depressed and rotting in a shell..... I was sad and afraid to be me......now, I speak my mind and I'm honest.... I don't back down easy...but I was born compassionate and understanding, respectfully....and that will never change. I love who I am today!!

I am the least fussy person you could meet; give me food, and I'll eat it. But liver is the only thing I can't stand, so I fully understand you there, Maple. Funny thing is, though, I do love pate...

Gross!

All gross! Gigggggles

Liver is totally un-appetizing, but I've never tried it.

Question #9: Who has had the biggest impact on the person you've become, and who have you had the biggest impact on?

Question #10: If in 1,000 years just ONE of your poems is discovered and becomes internationally famous, which poem would you hope it to be, and why? The why part is optional. Please post the poem here :)

Have you ever considered vegetarianism or veganism?

I have three friends who have helped guide me, and who have supported me, unconditionally Angela, Britt, and Kireasha. There is one person however who pulled me out of the gutter, showed me tuff love and helped me get my head out of my butt...that person made a huge impact within my life... I shall never forget him.

My husband Jim, has taught me strength and love...

I feel I have made a huge impact on my daughter Robyn...she tells me daily.
My bird is an alcoholic and an addict, she has a mental illness...and I will never leave her side nor will I ever give up on her.

My daughter Rita and I....have this strength and drive...and I feel I have taught her paitence, to deal with me...lol

Jane, I feel this one poem would be it....

Split in Half; Trapped in a Closet
by Maple Tree Dec 12, 2015

I gazed outside a fog, flamed window.
There were things within a dark sky
that very few could see; but I could.

They stalked a slumbering dream, drenched with favorable
sugars, tasting lies with promises.

Laying a weary head upon a lithium pillow,
stars became evil and ritualistic, trapping
my emotions; They never forgave me for
being innocent, the hunters never forgive.

Cracking paint chips hold cryptic monologues,
the message of night whispers are going to kill
and torture me. I hear them, beyond a realistic
sunset that never dies.

Addictions become obsessions, I no longer care
about you and this tainted memory of a happy life
becomes non existent.

You are society;

Shunning my imbalance off the tracks of rainbows
and I no longer care to live, what is living when my comfort
zone is sleeping between the cracks of life.

Voices lead me to hell, there is nothing you can do to save me;

Lips become numb from the words I scream inside this closet, I yearn to be heard, but the shadow people walk away,

they always walk away...

Abby,

I was raised on a farm in Kansas, meat and potatoes was what I was raised on. As I am slowly approaching age 50.... I have been thinking more and more about eliminating meat from my diet....maybe just stay with fish only.....

Kind of upset that i missed all the question asking, but i loved reading your answers! <3

Wow 6 daughters,

Tell your guy absolute respect dealing with seven little ladies.

He's a legend.

Never really got the stones apart from two songs (paint it black being a favorite). More of an iron Maiden fan. Got into marrilion a couple of years back when introduced. Will never listen to em again now.

And a wiccan? many would dismiss such as fancy, but I've a little old friend who's warm hands do wonders for my shredded shoulder

Glad I popped in tonight to read your things

Regards Craig

OK next question is.

With regard to the wiccan thing, how did it find you and what does it bring to you.

Craig

Thank you my sweet!

I was raised in secrecy sort of speaking....my great aunt Elsie and grandfather....taught me our spirituality.....being Wiccan and being able to share publicly about the beauty of it all is breathtaking....it's who I am...

Thank you Craig for asking

Re game of thrones, I watched the latest episode last night, it was bloody brilliant.

Craig

You're just too cool,

Yes it was!!!! Danny and her dragon, swooping in and cooking the Lannister army!! Whooooot

I've always wanted to sky dive it's just so bloody expensive over here

Craig