Painting With Words

I find that most of my poetic creations come to me late in the evening when it's quiet, and often when I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep. It can be frustrating sometimes when my mind is racing with words and won't rest until I write a few of them down, so it's ironic that I decided to write a poem about what it's like to write a poem. :-)

Painting With Words

If I were a painter

I might get more sleep.

But writers paint words,

And words seldom keep.

They run through my mind

At the end of the day.

If I don't write them down

They might fade away.

Words that describe

What I think, How I feel;

Giving life to emotion

That's hard to reveal;

Unlocking the gate

'Tween my head and my heart;

Releasing the tension

Where healing can start.

Worries and dreams,

Old memories past,

Feelings of hope

Disappear all too fast.

So I paint with my words,

Try to capture each thought,

Blend the colors together

With feelings it brought,

So I can remember

In days still to come,

What my heart and my mind

Felt together as one.

With each new experience

This life has to give,

I'll paint with my words

What it feels like to live.

Tell Me Your Story

When my Grandpa Bartschi passed away, I realized that one of my greatest treasures is a collection of stories written by him about his life. He was a very humble man, and rarely did I hear him talk about himself. But as I sat there and read through his stories, I learned so much about the experiences that shaped him into the man I knew and loved.
I have a deep appreciation for Family History and the impact it can have on our lives. Last night my thoughts were keeping me awake, so I decided to write them down in a poem. Thank you, Grandpa, for sharing your life with us.

Tell Me Your Story

Tell me a story

‘Bout when you were young.

Show me the place

Where your mem’ries are hung.

Take each one down

And relive the past;

Every sight, smell, and sound

From beginning to last.

Tell me a story

‘Bout where you grew up.

I promise to listen

And not interrupt.

Take me down back roads

And up in the hills.

Show me where childhood

Gave you its thrills.

Tell me a story

‘Bout your true love.

When you first held their hand

Did it fit like a glove?

What was it like

To have kids of your own;

To teach them the things

You wish you had known?

Tell me a story

‘Bout what you have learned

From trials and challenges;

Victories earned;

How you became

Who you are today;

The one I look up to

To show me the way.

Tell me your story

Dear loved one of mine.

For that is why God

Gave us life so divine;

To learn by example

And teach by the same,

What it means to bring honor

To Our Family Name.