Friday, December 13, 2019

New Poem Birthed at Breakfast

       
          At breakfast with two artistic friends this morning, we discussed the importance of encounters, either unplanned or planned (like ours), in nurturing creativity. Artists create works for the purpose of catharsis or connection, and too much alone time can lead to blocked artistic flow. Our meandering discussion touched the topic of worrying, and the notion stayed with me for the next few hours, finally crystallizing into the new poem below. I don't usually post a first draft, but I am doing so today to convey how connections can catalyze creativity and compel communication (not to mention excessive use of alliteration). So, here's the poem that enables me to justify a fun morning off with extraordinary friends. I hope you'll let me know if it moves you. And if you do connect with my words and wish to read some more polished poems, check out my newest published book, Disillusions of Grandeur--and Other Eye-Openers (click title for more info).


Worry Walls
by Susan L. Lipson

                       

Worrying is a symptom 
of our sick need for control—
control over all that occurs outside of our own actions.

Worrying has no power to change circumstances, events, or others’ decisions; 
no power to heal, show support, or remove pain; 
no power to maintain a dependence upon our input. 

Worrying disempowers us,
erecting walls around our crumbling castles of control,
blocking our view of the reality beyond our courtyards. 

If we summon the strength 
to climb over those Worry Walls, 
pausing on top to regain balance, 
we can see what IS,
not what “should” or “could” be,
and if we the summon the faith
to take a leap into the reality,
causing the walls to collapse behind us,
we can leave our castles to erode into dust,
and land on our feet--
shaking, perhaps--
but ready to walk forward.




Thursday, October 17, 2019

Have You Seen My New Book Yet? Poetry for Adults and Young Adults!


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So excited to share my news:

New poetry collection about sometimes ironic, and always eye-opening realizations...
[Please click on the words above to shop for this book online! It costs only 9.99 and is guaranteed to compel you to either read one aloud, or smile or chuckle, or raise your eyebrows at least three times!]

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Tuesday, March 26, 2019

WANTING (a new poem to be read aloud after a deep inhalation)


                        
Wanting 
                                            by S. L. Lipson                                



     I am sick of mediocrity
     and superficiality 
     and damn conditionality 
        rewarded by society,
        more so than humble piety
        or dignified sobriety,
     or earnest dedication,
     while valuable education
     is devalued in this nation,
        and money is equated
        with all that’s highly rated 
        by teachers who have stated
     that they define what’s best
     with mere numbers on a test,
     scores higher than the rest,
        as if that is a measure 
        of what we all should treasure
        over intangible pleasure—
     like laughter shared with friends,
     warm hugs that make amends, 
     mere awareness that transcends
        the tangible into gratitude,
        becoming a blessed attitude;
        and this is no mere platitude!
            It’s a call to all to reassess
            the key to peace and happiness:
            to value more while wanting less.