Project 180

So I've been toying with this idea for a while now, but I am finally committing to it, which is ultimately a big deal when I think about it. Committing to something with no deadlines, no time lines, no bosses, meetings, scheduled check ups, or even anyone else involved to boot-camp me into finishing on time. But I am setting it out here, right here, right now, for you guys to follow, which should be enough motivation for any writer: If one person out there follows this progress, that'll be enough for me to complete this project. But I am getting ahead of myself here. What project am I talking about?

I named it: Project 180.


180 Days, 180 Poems to construct.
I know what you must be thinking...


Why 180 days?
Well, we are coming into June, halfway through the year. We have 217 days left in the year as of today, May 28. I will use that extra month to compile these works and prepare them for publishing (Even if I only think 1 or 100 of these are worthy of publication, so they shall be sent for consideration)



I wont post all of my poetry on my blog, but every week, I promise to choose my favorite 1-2 to share.
My Inspiration: My Main Man, Shel Silverstein
This poetry will be mostly children/rhyming poems, this is the form I find most fun to work with, so why not indulge in it for the next 180 days! I understand there are little pests I could run into, like Writer's Block, especially when it comes to writing rhyming poetry, but I know that this assignment will push me to move past that. What's a good writer without a few set backs that we must endure!




I would love to know what you all think! Shoot me a line via Twitter (@mkroxc), or let me know if you follow me via Facebook! You could even leave me a comment right here, on this blog! All comments are helpful, and I hope to keep you all coming back for your weekly dose of poetry! I promise, I won't let you down!

Project 180: Progress Update #2

So... Into week two with P180! and with some travel plans and school work, it has been difficult to keep up with some of my poetry writing. Not saying I haven't been writing, because that's not the truth! I have been, and have been writing some non-rhyming poetry as well. So, instead of some of the rhyming, here is just one I thought was one of my strongest I decided to touch up on. Hope you enjoy it, and look for more rhymes next week! Thanks to everyone keeping up with my progress, it really means so so much!

Happenstance

the terrifying tumble
in rabid lips of foam
I ‘m thrown among fallen comrades, basking
in a blanket of warmth and wafting saline
evaporation distills in me
gray, delicate ripples
a desiccating carcass
I am lifted against the sky
yet again, I am handled like glass
fingers like feathery kelp straws
nuzzling my brittle back
caressing my spine
not a sector of exoskeleton lay concealed
and soon, I see interest creep from their eyes
like dew
dripping, slipping soundlessly
down walls of mineral bedrock
I prepare for flight
like diminutive smooth-billed Ani birds
that scatter at the shore’s end
I soar
only to plummet
departing on yet another voyage
wading weightlessly
just another’s ephemeral
hollow treasure

A Winter's Poem

One of my favorite things about the Winter Season is the ability to sit back, enjoy some hot chocolate and just indulge in poetry. 

Today, I was able to find a quick 20minute break between studying for finals and located one of my favorite Winter Poems written by Robert Frost.

I would like to take this opportunity to share it with you, and hope it warms your heart with a simple winter’s story on this blustery day.

Christmas Countdown:

19 Days

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
-Robert Frost


Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Tuesday- A Poem

It's the week of the democratic convention- streets are crowded, police are blocking the road ways, work hours are scattered, and the grey sky is about to wail. So I'm sitting at my desk with a coffee in hand trying to keep my mind on work matters... but obviously it drifts to writing poetry...
She pops the top to a glass bottle coke, then
felt the fizz fall over her heart still broken
counting sidewalk tiles and bus line tokens
accumulating like all of her words gone unspoken

It's another day among the autumn clouds
lost in the pain of love not found
she has a hard time looking up while always falling down
wiping away bruises breathlessly without a sound

The flourescents flicker across tear stained cheeks
She'd been caught up in his memory for weeks upon weeks
but it's rare for her to listen when her heart speaks
reminding her of photograph-now certified antiques

Always blind to the lure of glittering gold
she found life was nothing like she had been told
possibilities came and went-some leased then sold
left her with nothing but the fear of being alone and old

They say girls before guys, like maturity is a race
but he gets the gold, every blue ribbon in this case
Time waits for no one in this crazy place
I'll sink below the shadows- dissolve without a trace

Project 180: Progress Update #1

So! Here is my first update of my poetry project! These two are my favorite I have chosen from the work I've completed this week. Read through and enjoy! (And of course, your feedback is most welcome!)

Poem #1: Willy Wander Seymor Stump

Willy Wander Seymor Stump
Is king of the City Dump
His thrown is made of moldy cheese
his court, of course, thrives with fleas
his crown is brown with banana peels
shoes that ooze rest on his heels
His pants are lined with old egg shells
rats dispatch just at the smell
curdled milk and coffee grounds
tarnished pipes scattered all around
soda bottles and silver cans
splintered blades from ceiling fans
starch stale crumbs from birthday cakes
mixed with oil sure taste great
Rubber tires, metal springs
holey sheets and apron strings
Balls of foil, combs of hair
Broken glass from kitchen ware
piles for miles of dirty rags
orange peels slip from garbage bags
Old headphones, cd cases
high top sneakers with long shoe laces
earring studs, necklace chains
rusty nails and oil stains
tattered books ripped at the spine
bread crusts mixed with apple rinds
mountains of trash that reach for the sky
keep growing and growing for miles on high
foul sludge pours out from sewer drains
upon all that makes up this king’s domain
So next time you pass the city dump
think of Willy Wander Seymor Stump
The sight and smell that bring you displeasure
It’s here that your trash is turned into treasure



Poem #2: Lasso

Itty Bitty Peggy Sue
Took the lace strait from her shoe
Swooped a Loop and crossed them too
Dipped them under and pulled them through

With care and might she held on tight
She swung that lasso into the night
The stars they laughed, all twinkling bright
As the lasso lassoed the blinking lights

Itty Bitty Peggy Sue
Knew exactly what to do
with that lace strait from her shoe
She pulled and tugged til’ her face turned blue

Closer and closer the stars became
As one asked her “Whats your name?”
“Peggy Sue!” the girl proclaimed
Well, Little Girl, You’ve got quite an Aim.

But I ask you a favor, to save our glow
untie this shoelace and let us stars go
For we shine so divine when our numbers do grow
We light up the earth and the people below

When in the night, the sun disappears
we, the stars, we reappear
To display the way both far and near
The entire world needs us up here
So Itty Bitty Peggy Sue
Untied the string from her shoe
They smiled as they said “Little Girl, Thank You”
And they continued to shine on the fresh fallen dew

So soon the sun began to rise
And the stars faded from the morning skies
Peggy Sue said her last goodbyes
And found her way back inside.



<3 rOXOXy

The Little Red Tree

One of the greatest hurdles I've had to overcome (and still tackle daily) is the fact that I am no longer within a reasonable driving distance from my family. Perhaps it's the holiday season approaching, or the fact that I moved to the city where the majority of my friends (new and old) are from... seeing them with the option to spend weeknights and weekends with loved ones only reminds me of the time I wish I could spend with mine. Either or... this girl is homesick.

One of the greatest joys of autumn in my hometown is the little red tree that sits outside of our home...
Every single year for about a week or less, it sheds its leaves for the fall... only after they turn the most violent red that blindsides you as you drive past. One day almost 16 years ago as I hopped off the bus, my awkward pigeon toed frame walked hand  in hand with my mom as I explained the poetry contest I wanted to enter at my school. The prompt was, "When I turn around I see..." but I couldn't think of anything grand enough to satisfy my tiny mind in the creative process.

My mom stopped me at my drive way, covered my eyes, and spun me around right on the spot- and when she released her hand from above my nose, the little red tree sat there in all its glory. I wrote about that tree, won third at the state level, and forever more held an inanimate plant so close to my heart, it soon became a tradition to admire its beautiful metamorphosis. This tree may not hold much significance to many on Winpenny, but to my family, it will always be the tree that inspired a blonde haired 6-year-old to write a poem that eventually turned into a passion for writing...

While texting with my dad the other night, he sent me two pictures of the little red tree, explaining that the weather had been see-sawing this fall and the tree just didn't get its normal shade of vibrant red this year.

He continued on to say that it may just be because it is growing up, much like his little girl. Needless to say, my heart began to hurt as I turned off my phone for the night and the homesickness grew on. Closing my eyes, I began praying to God to give me strength to persevere until I can return home for the holidays next month... After the little red tree shed all of its color and its magic was long gone.

Yesterday, as I was walking home from a long Monday at work, the pang in my heart returned... but not because of the sadness brought on by the longing to be back in MD... but for the surprise that greeted me outside of my apartment...

The brightest of all reds swayed in the wind and a familiar rustle wafted on the breeze. I snapped a picture and sent it to my parents, tears in my eyes...

Looks like God knew if I couldn't physically make it back home, he could provide a little bit of home to me. This little reminder that his warmth and sense of comfort in the traditions and beauty that surrounds us was exactly the kind of the strength I needed. And as my dad reminded me with his response... God's fingerprints are everywhere.

In My Head Right Now!

So much going on my head this morning, thought I'd let some of it loose on the bloggity!

Today is Christmas Cookie Day! Gotta pop an abundance of these things in the oven for Friday Night!

(CHRISTMAS EVE! AHHHH!!!)

Today is momma's Christmas Party Day, that little social butterfly. So as her official driver, I will be attending as well

  (And I am not complaining, since I will be enjoying their yummy food as well)

Getting my collection of poetry bound, covered and wrapped for Family Christmas Presents!

A night run with the most wonderful friend, Katie Frey! Looking at Christmas Lights in our running spandex and under armor (Oh, tis the Season!)

Dad keeps jumping in my room and telling me the forecast for this upcoming weekend
(Which as of right now, includes hopes for a white Christmas!! Keep those Fingers Crossed!)

Christmas Countdown: 4 days!!!

And PS! 

Tell this beautiful woman Happy Birthday! Cause she's WONDERFUL! <3

Bucket List Item... In Progress

So, In case many of you didnt know, I love to write. Sure, I take fiction writing classes, have books upon books about how to produce written film scripts, and have been writing poetry for contests statewide since I was seven... But overall, I just enjoy putting my ideas, stories, and experiences on a simple peice of paper for others to explore (and hopefully enjoy).

So its no wonder that one of the things on my Bucket List is to get something of my own writing published. I recently sent in a poem to a small local publishing committee to be considered for publication in a creative writing magazine. Even though just one poem, and the audience would remain local, I would be ecstatic if I recieved the letter, "Congratulations! Your poem will be published..."
One small step for Man! Wow, sorry for that...

But recently, aside from class assignments, I have been working on a side project. Something that I have had in my mind for quite some time now. First I went on a whim and thought about taking this idea and producing a script for film. I presented my idea to my aunt, an independent film writer in California, who was enthusiastic about my ambition to write such a story. She gave me ideas on how to go about starting, what to keep in mind as far as what the industry has tought her thus far, and of course, personal tips she had learned along the way.

But here I am, almost a year later, and all I have to prove for this "idea" is a ten page outline of the central conflict... Nothing to brag about. So what now?

After a meeting with a respected professor, I was told that this plot of mine had intense potential. "Intense Potential"... I thought just having "potential" was motivating enough, but add "intense", and that takes it to a whole new level.

So, thats where I am now. I have a lot of work to do, but definitely not an impossible task. And with a person to contribute my process to, I have even more reason to get this thing on paper, and fulfil yet another item on the list. I will keep you updated on any progress I make, and you never know! This time next year, You could be reading this "idea" on the back of a book jacket!

Happy Ways for Rainy Days

Why do we feel like rainy days must be dreary?

In fact, I think they can be just the opposite!

Here's a few rainy day blues-busters for anyone under those gray clouds today on the East Coast

1. Bake Something Delicious!

For this household, we have banana bread sitting in the kitchen. 

Perfect for something sweet and buttery and just plain-ol-tasty!

2. Make a Rainy Day Playlist!

Nothing is better by your side on a rainy day than your favorite songs. Make a playlist, then rock out inside (or outside if you wish)!

3. Have Coffee with Friends

A warm cup of Joe with some warm Hearts. Need I say more?

4. Write

Besides the fact that we do not have cable, I love to write in my free time. Poetry, fiction, even raps (yea, I can hear you laughing from here, thats o-k)

 Sit down and let the pitter-patter on your window let your pen go to work with whatever is on your mind at the moment

5. Feel the Best in your Sweats

Put on those sweat pants and sweatshirts. The baggier the better. Feel comfy, and feel warm. It's that time of year, so enjoy it!

Have a comfy, wonderful, all-kinds-of-fabulous Rainy Tuesday!