For this assignment we are asked to write a Found Poem. For my first poem, I chose to do an Erasure. This will be followed by a Free Form excerpting and remixing.
- Why I Write
- This I Believe
Let me start of by introducing myself. My name is Melissa; I’m a single mother who lives in Drexel Hill with my handsome 4yr old son Nicholas. We have been living in our house for 4 years now and we really love our little street. I have been working full time in a local hospital for close to 15yrs now. I’m currently back in school with the hope of furthering my career upon completion.
The topic is why I write. Well when I was younger I wrote all of the time. I used writing as a release from stressful situations or just as a kind of therapy. My high school English teacher would act as an editor for the poems and stories I felt were really good. As I’m writing this, I’m remembering how much I used to enjoy writing and wondering why I ever stopped using it as a form of release.
When I write I feel as if all of my problems escape me. I feel better with the every word that hits the page. As I start to write, I worry I may never stop because there is so much to say. Writing for me is definitely a freeing experience. These are the reasons I enjoy writing. I’m finding out a lot about myself through this paper. I should buy myself a journal and write a little every day.
In closing I would like to point out that this was a spur of the moment writing session. I feel confident in this paper and have learned a little something about myself as well. I look forward to learning more and becoming a better writer. It’s finding the time to do so that will be my biggest obstacle.
Erasure
I’m a single mother.
I have been working full time.
I’m currently back in school.
When I was younger I wrote all of the time.
I’m remembering how much I used to enjoy writing.
When I write I feel as if all of my problems escape me.
Writing for me is definitely a freeing experience.
It’s finding the time to do so that will be my biggest challenge.
This I Believe
I believe in the power of prayer. Having faith in God has carried me through some of the toughest times in my life. Whenever I have felt completely broken down in my life, prayer has lifted my spirits back up again.
When my son was very young, I had to endure one of the most heart wrenching battles of my life. His father and I were at war in the court system. The battle being fought was over child support and the custody of our son. This tug of war went on for far too long causing me a great amount of stress and heartache.
Everyone around watched as this battle attacked every fiber of my being. One of those people was my lovely neighbor Diana. One day, I heard a knock at my door, as I opened the door I could see Diana standing there with something in her hand. Diana handed me the piece of paper stating that it was a novena to St. Therese and that it had gotten her through her domestic abuse. She continued on, explaining to me that I must say the prayer every night for nine straight nights in order for it to work. I thanked Diana and immediately started saying the novena every night.
There is no doubt in my mind that it was St. Therese of the Child Jesus who stood by my side, holding my hand, walking me through those difficult court hearings. I know it was her, who was there to embrace me, every time my baby was ripped from my loving arms. Without St. Therese to lift me up, I would have been nothing but a casualty of this war. Instead, I was triumphant!
So you see I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that God made sure St. Therese’s’ novena was delivered directly into my hands. I believe if that prayer did not work, than I would be writing a completely different story. Simply put, I believe in the power of prayer.
Free Form Excerpting and Remixing
I believe in the power of prayer.
Broken, hopeless, empty, lost.
Prayer has lifted my spirits high.
Faith, worship, religion, God
Empowering my soul to survive.
Attack, fight, battle, war.
Armed as a soldier of the Lord.
Novena, saint, implore, petition.
Triumphant I was through God’s recognition.
Melissa A. Barry