Cinnamon Challenge

A game of dare, a fad.

Kids dare one another
to swallow a spoonful
of ground cinnamon
without drinking water.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Mars Mission

Wally Nelson,
retired rocket scientist,
documentary-film star.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Quilts Pay Tribute to Farmworkers

Aching hands,
thousands of stitches.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Recipes Tell the Tales

The Passover story
resonates strongly
for people who escaped
Nazi persecution.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Anti-Smoking

Seven out of ten smokers want to quit.
Smoking is the top cause of preventable death.
Half a million people die prematurely.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Arena Falls

A series of explosions.

A rumble that shook downtown.

Cheers from hundreds of people.

The demise of an Orlando icon.

A quick series of small blasts.

Charges severing the roof.

Flashes of flame.

The Amway Arena toppled.

A huge plume of dust.

A pile of rubble.

She didn’t go down easy.

She didn’t give up.

The Orlando Arena,

once known as O-rena

demolished to make way

for the Creative Village.

Sporting events, concerts,

family shows, high-school graduations,

Magic games and the circus—

The demolition was one last show.

The Amway Arena (that I will always remember by its original name O-rena) died so Creative Village (a center dedicated to the arts) could be born. The Arena is dead!  Long live The Village.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Please share this poem by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing" on google circles.

Please "follow" so you don't miss any of my poems.

Debris Flyby

A passing piece
of potentially dangerous space debris.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Obama on Trayvon

“If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.”
President Barack Obama chose a personal way
to join the debate over the death of Trayvon.

His remarks had a powerful influence,

His remarks drew new attention
to the way young black men are seen by society.

Being targeted for violence--

it’s the reality of being a black boy
in America-- a problem since slavery.

It is absolutely imperative

that we investigate to figure out exactly,
how this tragedy happened.

Obama called for an investigation.

Obama called for justice,
impartiality, and integrity.

Obama chosing his words, thinking,

digesting, waiting, gathering information,
to say it in just the right way.

His words were healing for the nation.

Obama was asked for an opinion on the case.  He sent his condolences to the family.  He asked that the investigation continue.  He gave no opinion on guilt or innocense.  I'm so glad we have a president who chooses his words with care.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Please share by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing." 

Please "follow" so you don't miss any of my poems.

Obama was asked for an opinion on the case.  He sent his condolences to the family.  He asked that the investigation continue.  He gave no opinion on guilt or innocence.  I'm so glad we have a president who chooses his words with care.

Click Here to Order a Trayvon Martin  Not Forgotten T-Shirt

Hunger Games

The movie magic is over for Harry Potter.

The is bite gone from “Twilight.”

Now the Hunger Games—

the next great film franchise.

The story of a future existence

already seen today in reality shows.

It’s a cautionary story

of what happens

when people start to lose touch

with their humanity.

The movie--set in the future.

The issues-- current.

Reality television, violence,

the 99 percent

versus the one percent.

A political allegory.

A powerful message.

An important story.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

I have been wanting to read the books for the longest time.  Tomorrow, I’ll see the movie.

Please share this poem by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing" on google circles.

Please "follow" so you don't miss any of my poems.

Love and Politics

Date night politics:
Political leanings are frequently reflected in our love lives.

Democrat priorities:

respect, sense of humor, comfortable with sexuality.

Republican priorities:

shares the same values, view on money, and religion.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Just Add Social Media

What can I do tonight?

Watch TV?
Surf Facebook?
Do both simultaneously?

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Condo Thrives on Cultural Ties

A gated community
caters to Indian immigrants.
ShantiNiketan—
a condo complex in Tavares.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Shock at Regatta

The second straight day of death
on the waters of Lake Dora
stunned thousands who watched
during an annual regatta.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Plant Sale at Leu Gardens

An assortment of plants
At the annual plant sale
At Leu Gardens.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

It Was Dwight's Night

Cheers rained down on Dwight Howard
from the Amway Center stands Friday.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Beach Dangers

The weather—perfect,

but there’s trouble in the water:

sharks, Portuguese men-of-war,

and rip currents.

Men-of-war

are washing ashore,

their stings, very painful,

worse than jellyfish.

Sharks

are scarier. Look out for

fins in the water,

sharks in waist-deep water.

Rip currents,

a great danger to swimmers,

a serious problem, swimmers

caught in rip currents.

All week

one challenge after another:

stinging creatures, sharks, and

powerful currents.

Enjoy the beach—

from the sand.

I’ll do my swimming in a pool, thank you very much.

© Catherine Giordano 2012

 Please share this poem by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing" on google circles.

Please ""follow" so you don't miss any of my essays.

Call for Justice for Trayvon Martin

Tragic and horrific.
The death of Trayvon Martin.

The slaying

of an unarmed black teen;
shot to death
because he was black.
The shooter—
not arrested or charged.

People packed the pews,

coming together in the name of justice,
standing as Trayvon’s voice.
"If there is no justice,
there is no peace."

The teen was visiting family

in the gated community.
He was confronted by Zimmerman.
Zimmerman shot Trayvon.
This is not in dispute.  Self defense?
The shooting was not self-defense!

This is a wake-up call

for the State of Florida,
and for any racist who has a gun,
and thinks it’s a license to kill our children.
What could happen if this killing
has no repercussion, no justice?

Trayvon Martin came to visit in an airplane.

He went home in a casket.

© Catherine Giordano 2012

Please share  by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing." 

Please "follow" so you don't miss any of my poems.

I wrote this with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. A teenaged boy walks to a 7-11 to buy candy, and is walking home with a bag of Skittles in his pocket. Zimmerman thinks he “looks suspicious” and calls the cops. Then Zimmerman goes into the street and confronts and shoots the boy. The boy is dead because he was “walking while black.” 

Zimmerman claims self-defense, but an eyewitness says it “could not have been self-defense.” It seems to me if someone is walking down the street and you run out of your house and wave a gun in his face, only the person being accosted can claim self- defense. Zimmerman must be arrested and tried (and hopefully convicted) if only to send a message to these “trigger-happy vigilantes” that there will be consequences when you recklessly kill someone.

 I send my condolences to the family. I wish I could do more than just write a poem.

Click Here for a Trayvon Martin Not Forgotten T-Shirtand other Trayvon Martin merchandise

I did many more Trayvon Martin poems because this story was in the news for a long time. 

Here's the list. 

Obama on Trayvon

Trayvon Martin Case: Whose Voice is Calling for Help 

Trayvon Martin Case: Relief After Arrest

"It Was All God's Plan," Says Zimmerman

Trayvon Martin: Gunshot to the Heart

Not Guilty

Dueling Stews

Irish Beef Stew
See the recipe at http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/irish_beef_stew/

Irish stew.

Make one for St. Patrick’s Day.
Slow cook meat, potatos, onions and water.
Authentic, traditional, and classic.
Mutton or lamb or beef.
Folks like to tweak recipes.
Carrot, celery, turnip, leeks, barley, and herbs.
Guinness stout giving it a smokey flavor.
Irish stews—no two alike.
Irish stews on St. Patrick’s Day.

Pick the recipe that appeals to you, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish stew made your way.

© Catherine Giordano

Please share this poem by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing" on google circles.

 Please "follow" so you don't miss any of my poems.

Afghans Grieve

Gunfire echoed in the darkness.

A night raid?
The safest course—
stay quiet, remain indoors.
But home was no haven.
The gunman found them.

Chanted prayers, muffled sobbing,

fills the air. Afghan villagers
were killed during a shooting
rampage by a lone American soldier.
 

The attacker approached on foot.

He broke into three homes,
shooting some victims point blank,
cutting down others
as they sought to flee.

A day given over to grieving,

and no small measure of anger,
but no furious riots,
no violent demonstrations.

The Taliban, meanwhile, vowed revenge.

Another reason to withdraw U.S. forces.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

This poem says it all.  I have nothing to add.

How to Beat High Gas Prices

Walk to work. Stroll to work.
It’s a chance to mentally
prepare for the day.
And, save a bunch of money. 

Simplify life--take the bus.

Riding a bus is not only
cheaper, but safer.
And, better for the planet.

Need a better way?

Switch to a bike.
And, it’s no problem
for a fitness nut.

 © 2012 Catherine Giordano

A fourth option: Work from a home office.  I have for the past 25 years.

Legislative Session

Tallahassee Delinquents.
Plum out of control.
Legislators acting like grade-schoolers,
Without parental supervision.

Hypocrisy,

Greed,
Unethical behavior,
The new norm.

Thwarting your vote.

Wasting your money.
Undermining ethical government.
 

An insult to good government,

An insult to voters.
It cannot be justified.

© Catherine Giordano

 

Scott Maxwell is one of the best reasons to read the Orlando Sentinel.  My short poem cannot do justice to the topic.  Read Scott’s full column at www.orlandosentinel.com.

Bike Week Opens with a Roar

Engines rumbling.
Classic-rock blaring.
Beers flowing.
It must be Bike Week.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Epcot Blossoms

Tradition,

front and center,

at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

A flower bed themed to “Fantasia”

Photo opportunities.

Dancing mushroom topiaries.

Buzz Lightyear and Woody

from “Toy Story”.

Sorcerer Mickey.

A Flower Tower.

A floating garden.

A fragrant garden.

A herb garden.

A peacock topiary

It’s pretty awesome;

Flower Power

at Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. 

 

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

 

The mild winter makes the flower display especially beautiful this year.

Flare

Solar storm,

Racing
Towards Earth.

Solar storm

Growing,
Speeding,
Outward from the sun.

Dazzling auroras,

Northern Lights,
Will peak tonight.
But a full moon
Will make them harder to see.
 

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

The solar storm may disrupt power grids, GPS, and cell phone service, and may also force the rerouting of some flights to avoid high levels of radiation. Our lives are always subject to natural forces. Enjoy the show.

Please share this poem by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing" on google circles.

Please ""follow" so you don't miss any of my poems.

This picture is from http://media.npr.org

Jewish Graves Desecrated

CLICK HERE

Jewish graves,

Desecrated,

At Florida National Cemetery.

Tombstones,

Knocked over, uprooted—
A hate crime.

Headstones

With a Star of David
Targeted.

Desecration

Of graves of Jewish
Veterans of War.

Our country,

Our community,
Should be outraged.

Defiling graves

In a cemetery—

A hate crime.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Last month I wrote about racism; today I’m writing about anti-Semitism.  It seems hatred continues to thrive in the United States.

Prayer Bill Nightmare

I’m not against religion.
I’m not against prayer.
I’m not against free speech.

I’m against

the school prayer
bill which passed Thursday.

It is a nightmare.

It is not a good idea.

Such a policy

risks religious bullying,
taxpayer dollars defending
lawsuits, divisive battles erupting,
and distractions from educating.

And why? Just to see

how close they
can get to reinstating
school prayer
without the Supreme Court saying
“No way.”

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

This poem was taken from a newspaper column written by a minister. With all the problems facing Florida, you would think the Legislature would spend their time working on important matters.

Almighty Suess

Money grew on trees
for Dr. Suess’
“The Lorax.”

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

Twisters' Wrath

A recent spate of tornados.                                           

Rescue crews in search of survivors.

Fears that the death toll will rise.

So much destruction.

Mother Nature’s wrath.

The Tornado tearing

 apart houses, stores, sheds,

and the school.

The Tornado tossing

cars, trucks, and buses.

The Tornado shredding,

toppling, thousands of trees.

The Tornado roaring,

 so loud, your ears hurt.

The Tornado driving

right through the town.

The Tornado ripping

roofs off houses.

Tornados.

Violent storms.

Deaths.

 I personified the storms as “The Tornado”, because it feels like the tornado is a malevolent entity, descending from the skies, cutting a swath of death and destruction.  It reminded me of the “smoke monster” from the TV series, “Lost”. 

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Please share this poem by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing" on google circles.

Please ""follow" so you don't miss any of my poems.

This picture is from www.zomm.com

This photo is from earthdata.nasa.gov

Words Clash

Sandra Fluke

“Slut!"

"Prostitute!”

Sandra Fluke,
a university student,

drew Limbaugh’s ire
when she testified
in favor of health plans
that cover birth control.

She's having so much sex.
She wants you to pay
for her to have sex.

CLICK HERE to look inside
Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot
by Al Franken 

Limbaugh mocking women!
Outrageous vicious attacks!
The Republican war on women!

Limbaugh as dismissed--
an entertainer?
Sponsors pulled their ads
from his show.

Inappropriate personal attacks.
A firestorm ignited.
Rhetoric spiraling out of control.

Limbaugh apparently does not understand that birth control pills are not like the Viagra he takes. For women, it's one pill a day whether she has sex once a year or ten times a day.  By the way, Viagra is covered by health plans.

© Catherine Giordano 2012

  

Highwaymen

In the days of Jim Crow,
two dozen black artists,
with depictions of Florida landscapes.

The book is coming out the end of April with a collection of 101 of the 2012 first quarter poems. I'm taking down the posts, but I'll leave the first stanza of each poem.

The Senator

"The Senator" burning

The whodunit

at Big Tree Park is solved.

It wasn’t lightning

or spontaneous combustion

that killed “The Senator.”

A drug user set fire

to the beloved cypress tree.

She needed

some light to see

while she got high.

But, there’s another culprit

in this tragedy.

Seminole County

let Big Tree Park become a haven

CLICK HERE

for drugs and prostitution.

“The Senator” was the most

ancient and majestic cypress tree

in the United States. And we let

our most ancient tree

become the victim of petty crime.

“The Senator” died at the hands of a druggie.

But it also died of negligence.

 

“The Senator” was the name given to a 3,500 year old tree, 125 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 17.5 feet.  It was destroyed by a fire on January 16, 2012.

 

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Please share this poem by tweeting, "liking" on facebook, and "+1 ing" on google circles.