Little Calf, Little Calf, Why Do You Hurt?

More poetry, just for fun...

Little Calf, Little Calfby Jenni Bielicki

Little calf, little calf, why do you hurt?
I hurt because I walked ten miles up hill and through the dirt.

Little calf, little calf, why are you sore?

I'm sore because you only walked six miles the times before.

Little calf, little calf, why do you ache?
I ache because you didn’t stretch, forgetting pain’s at stake.

Little calf, little calf, why are you weak?
I’m weak because you’re on a CANCER FIGHTING frenzy peak!

Yay! I finished a 10 mile walk yesterday while training for the big walk in September. Today I celebrate my success with very hurt, soar, achy, and weak calves.

Owchie!
Was it worth it? Absolutely!!!! Every mile, every hill, and every single pain is worth it all!

There are women all over the world who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and in September, I’m walking for their cause. I’ll walk thirty-nine miles in two days and I can’t wait. NO PAIN, NO GAIN!!!!

How can you help me? Please take a moment and go to my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer page HERE to sponsor me today and help me fight for THE CURE!

Thanks for your support! And thanks for reading my silly poem!

Jenni

Patience is a Virtue

Merriam-Webster defines patience as the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient.

Let’s face it. Being patient is hard for everyone. Some fake it better than others, but it can be quite challenging for all of us at one time or another.

How does this apply to writing? Well, if I’ve learned anything this year, I’ve learned that writers play one of the hardest waiting games in the world....

You wait to get an idea... You wait to write it perfectly... You wait for feedback... You wait to revise it perfectly... You wait for more feedback... and more revisions... You wait to find a publisher/agent who might like it.... You wait to find out what they require in order for you to send it to them... You wait to hear back... You wait to open the email or envelope to see “NO”... Thus... the cycle begins again (hopefully skipping the idea part because you really believe in your story).

Hmmm.... Patience. What a virtue!

As for my publishing process, it is still... well... processing. It’s just that I’ve run about on several rabbit trails.

Rabbit trail #1:
Before beginning my publishing house search, I actually started an agent search. This was inspired by my SCBWI Agents Day (which I still owe you a part 2 post for). Although I didn’t feel the agents present were the best fit for me right now, it did give me a peek into the role of an agent and how cool and real agents can be.

I researched, studied, read, drank coffee, studied, researched, drank more coffee and read some more. After several weeks of agent searching, I came to a point where I absolutely fell in love with a specific agent... Well, I fell in love with his WORK as an agent, of course. After reading every interview with him I could find, I’ve concluded that he stands for everything I want my career to reflect. He knows the market for the niche industry I write in and loves his work. One thing that he often says to new writers is to be patient and not rush the process. Every publisher is not for every book and every agent is not for every author’s career.

Knowing this, I am sitting patiently...

Rabbit trail #2:
About a month ago I started the first few lines of another project that grabbed hold of my heart. Of course, my heart is singing in verse lately, so it came in rhyme. It took a while to catch up with the voice of those first lines, but once I did, it once more took a hold of my heart. I just finished it this week. Since it is a non-fiction piece about Africa, I had to do lots of research along the way. The story is only about 250 words, but the facts that support the story are over 400 words.

Yesterday, I sent it off for a critique from the lovely picture book author, Kristy Dempsey. I took 'the dare' and won a critique auctions on Cynthea Liu’s website which raised money for school supplies and books for some amazing kids in Oklahoma.

I believe with every stretch, an athlete is better able to reach further for her highest potential. Writers aren't any different. With every project, good and bad, I’m stretching my ability and learning more. Instead of setting my goals at being rich and famous (which few writers are), being MY BEST is my goal. I shoot for today’s best, then tomorrow’s best, then next year’s best, and on and on, day by day and year by year. I'm in this for the long haul, however long it takes.

Patience... It really is a virtue.



(photos by Mauspray, Lucas Janin, Oshi, and Donjdz at flickr.com)

True Freedom and the Power of Words

As we approach Independence Day this weekend, I’ve thought much about my blog’s upcoming post and historical report on our holiday. My notes include the date of our birth as a free nation, July 4, 1776. I planned to link my readers to a copy of the Declaration of Independence as a source of reflection and study. And, as usual, I searched Flicker.com for some great photos.

Then I began to think deeper. I couldn't help but be reminded of all that is happening in Iran. The suppression of voices echoes through my mind and I’m thankful mostly right now for my freedom to speak.

Words are power. They equip the speaker to encourage, defend, calm, motivate, and move their audience. One speaker with an encouraging word is more powerful than a thousand people in silence.

Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the coarse of history through his words spoken from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the freedom march on August 28, 1963. That moment in history when he delivered that famous speech titled, “I Have a Dream” was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. A Congressman, John Lewis, said “Dr. King had the power, the ability and the capacity to transform those steps on the Lincoln Memorial into a modern day pulpit. By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations.”

King spoke words that gave vision. They inspired change. They evoked passion and faith. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"

This speech, spoken by one man, made an impression on our country and United States history. Together with the participants of the march that day, pressure was put on the presidential administration to advance civil rights. Lyndon B. Johnson was able to get the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 passed, followed by the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Words are power. Words can change the course of history for millions. Words can change the course of history for one. The number of people listening is not what makes the words powerful. What makes the words powerful is the outcome from which is spoken. What is one life worth? What is one word worth?

As an American I celebrate my freedom to speak through the democratic process we call voting. As an individual I celebrate the liberty I hold every day as I live my life to its fullest, without hesitation and without restraint. As a writer I celebrate my freedom to write the words I so choose while simultaneously celebrating your freedom to read them.

I wish you all a happy fourth! Enjoy your day. Enjoy your freedom.

Sincerely,

Jenni B.

(photos by e-strategyblog.com, Malik ml Williams, Drew Myers, and B Tal on www.flickr.com)