Wedding Poems

So I wrote a poem for each of my sisters and their respective fiances for their weddings. I was really excited about them, so I wanted to share.

The first one here is for Beth and Jake.

Enchanting Flame
by: Jennifer Nelson

It all started with an exchange
of looks while she worked
the front desk. Surrounded
by people all the time,
he wanted to know
this girl. Facebook
allowed him to find
more about her. Then
late night talks
in the lobby
and cafe visits
over spring break.
The pink glass flower
and day date to Tupelo
sealed the deal.
They were hooked
and wanted to know more.
The more time
spent the more the hearts
drew to one another. Family
meetings, holidays
together and the beautiful
pup who became a playful
part of their world.
Everything fit
like the ring
now on her finger.
This beloved
pair will say their vows
and promise eternity
to each other, while family
and friends admire
the affection they lavish
on one another.
They watch his gasp
as she floats
into the chapel
and her grin
as she walks to the man
who will love and adore
her evermore.

The second is for Christina and Bryan.

A Remarkable Love
by: Jennifer Nelson

My baby sister
is being given
away today. So full
of beautiful dreams
of a marriage and life
with the boy, no the man,
who captured her heart.
With a relationship
beginning as friends
and growing into a love
more beautiful
than I could have imagined
for her. He showers
her with heartening hugs,
kisses on the beach,
and flower bouquets
full of life just like her.
So young, yet so sure of love
which is amazing
to watch.
I love the joy in her voice,
the smile on her face,
and the way he looks
at her that tells the world
no matter what, I'll take
care of my girl.
So he stands
in front of the guests
waiting for the doors
to open. Both hearts
beating so quickly
ready to see each
other and take the step
onto forever.
Onto happily
ever after
plus so much more.

I'm so happy for my sisters. They are fantastic and marrying the men that they love. I wish them all the happiness in the world.

Found a treasure!

So, I found two "song lyrics" that I wrote at the end of my junior year of high school. I'm going to post both of them. Then I'm going to use them to test my editing skills. Yes, I'm going to see if I can take these priceless high school writing attempts and turn them into poetry that I don't laugh at when I read them.

Here's number one. I called it: "Independence"

Independence
by: Jennifer Nelson
written: May 20, 2004

I see it there, laughing right in front of me.
I see it there, humming a tune of independence.
I see it there, in front of me, calling out for someone to hear.
Your life is flashing in front of you.
Your dreams are coming true.
Your inhibitions leave and make you alright again.
But you'll really never know just what I am.
I see it there, I can almost touch it.
I see it there, so close I can feel it.
I see it there, in front of me, calling out for someone to hear.
Your life is flashing in front of you.
Your inhibitions leave and make you alright again.
But you still don't have me!
I want to break free and embrace this life of mine.
I want to run with wild stallions.
I want to break free and find out what life is.
I see it there, laughing out loud.
I see it there, humming that tune.
I see it there, right in front of me, waiting for someone to see!
Your life is flashing in front of you.
Your dreams are coming true.
Your inhibitions leave and make you alright again.
And you're so close to me!
I'm breaking out!
I'm leaving home!
I've found my new world, it's so close.
The next phase of my life is shining through.
It's right there.
Can you see it?
Go embrace it.
Go and take it!

Here's number two:

Hi...
by: Jennifer Nelson
written: May 20, 2004

Young woman
what's the meaning?
Young woman
what's the use?
Young woman
Alright, here it comes again
What two words hurt a girl more
None that I know
First of all, they call you young
To help you keep your place.
This word they make sure rings in your ears.
Then they move to calling you woman
A term used to show responsibility
Used t show that you should know
the consequences of your actions
Young woman
oh yeah right!
Young woman
don't make me laugh!
Young woman
okay, here it goes again
They call you a woman and you try to use that
You tell them that you've grown,
and they should give you more freedom
But of course they bring up the young part of the two
You're too young to go out
Too young to have a life
Young woman
no more please!
Young Woman
Let me be!
Young woman
What's the point anymore?
Those two heart breaking words bring any girl down
When you hear them, just proceed with caution
I just want to run away from them
Young woman
okay I give in
Young woman
I said I finished
Young woman, we just wanted to say hi.

Well, there they are. Let the editing begin!

Keep the Ring

Okay, so here is my short story "Keep the Ring." This is what I'm planning to enter into the short, short story competition. If anyone has any comments, please let me know. I have to submit this in the next couple of days.


Keep the Ring
by: Jennifer Nelson

I didn't know how to deal with school and my Mitchell. I loved him, but he wanted all the time I had. I figured that maybe if I made him understand just what I was dealing with in my classes, then he would get the hint that I needed some space.
He came over one afternoon while I was working on a big structural design project for an airport runway. It was a big project for one of my civil engineering classes, and it had my dinging room table covered with paper, books and coffee cups.
“Baby, I don't know what I'm going to do about this project,” I said as I threw my pencil down. “My group won't get together to finish it. I just want to scream.”
“It's going to be okay,” Mitchell assured me. “It can't be that bad.”
“It is that bad,” I insisted. “I've never had a group project with so many lazy people in my life.”
“Who's in your group?” he asked me.
“Bobby, Daniel, Melissa and Robert. Robert and I are the only two doing anything.”
I pushed some pages around and heard him shift positions on the couch. He leaned in closer and asked, “Robert? Your ex-boyfriend Robert?”
As I turned to look at him I felt all the questions he meant to ask me. I knew he was nervous about me being around my ex-boyfriends. Robert and I had a long history, starting back before high school. We went to every dance together, we spent all of our time together and he was my first kiss.
“Yes, but don't look at me like that, sweetie.” I took his hand. “You know that's over.”
“Does he still try to ask you out?”
His grip on my hand grew tighter. I tried to squeeze his hand back to show that I noticed, that I cared, but the hurt look was back on his face. I never knew how to make him feel that he was all I wanted.
“Every once in a while, but I tell him no. He's not a problem for you, don't worry.”
Even with those words, he pulled me a little closer to him, while keeping his grip on my hand. I didn't like this jealous side of him.
“Okay, I'll try,” he said.
“Good,” I said looking at him. “You know I love you.”
“I love you too.” Mitchell was staring at the ground.
He kept holding my hand without speaking. I turned back to my work but nothing could keep my mind focused on the perfect runway design. My eyes kept drifting to pictures of smiling faces, little angel figurines from my mother, and anything else in the room that pulled my attention away from my thoughts.
Everything in the apartment had a memory, some good and some bad. The pictures of my family, with my mom, my brother and my two sisters, I could not look at for long. It made me remember my father, and never wanted to remember him leaving us for his secretary.
The plaque from sophomore year that proved I was capable of doing my job shined amongst my books. I could have looked at that all evening because it made me feel the independence I longed for. The flowers that were wilted in the corner made my eyes start to water. Mitchell bought those for me a couple weeks ago.
“Have you thought anymore about it?” he asked suddenly.
I looked at him briefly and smiled. “About what?” I felt my eyes drifting back to the first edition section of books on the top of my bookshelf. I knew what he wanted me to say.
“My proposal.” He gently touched the place on my hand where he had tried to place a ring. I shivered and pulled my hand away. I felt like the flowers in the corner that were so full of life when he gave them to me that day. The excitement was best in that moment, but now weeks later it was dying.
I told him I needed to think. I made him take the ring back, even though he insisted I wear it. I wanted to focus on getting out of the semester passing with the stress of work and my dad trying to come back into our lives.
“Do we have to talk about this right now? I really want to finish this project and my sister wants to eat dinner with us tonight. Plus, I still have homework for two other classes.”
“It's been almost two weeks though,” he said. “You said you needed a little time.”
“So I need a little more. This is a big decision. I don't want to regret this.”
“Are you having regrets about us?”
I paused. In all honesty I was having regrets. I regretted becoming so stuck in a relationship. I wanted the independence my mother never had. I looked away and stared at a picture of the two of us at the park last year. It was just before we started dating, but we were so happy. The bench we were sitting on broke an hour later and we laughed about it for weeks. That laughter had been on vacation the past few months.
“Tracie?”
“No, that's not what I meant.” I turned back to him.
“What do you mean then?”
He had me on the spot again, just like that night at the park. Everything was perfect, the exact way a girl would expect her proposal to be and I told him I needed time. Now I had to add to my perfect proposal story saying that I made him wait weeks to hear my answer.
“I mean I don't want to talk about it right now. I need time. Twenty-four hours in a day isn't enough time to get everything done that I need accomplished.”
I pulled myself away from him and turned back to my work. I grabbed the pencil but had nothing to write down. He sat staring at me as I closed him off. I was hoping that he would just accept the answers I was giving him so I wouldn't have to think about it.
“I'm here to help you, Trace. Why won't you let me? Plus, Danni would probably help you with the wedding planning.”
“I know. By the way, what do you want for dinner? I need to call her.”
“Who?” he asked.
“Danni. She's eating dinner with us tonight, remember?”
“Oh, right,” he muttered. “I don't care. We can eat anywhere.”
“How about Tony's?”
“We just had that the other day.”
“You just said you don't care. Besides, I'm stressed and the cheesecake always cheers me up.”
“Fine. That's fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I said it's fine.”
He sat on the couch and turned the television on. I grabbed for my phone and dialed my sister's number. We hadn't always been there for each other, but I was counting on her to help me through this night. She didn't answer, so I left her a quick voice mail to let her know we'd be there soon to get her.
He continued to mope on the couch while I worked on the calculations for the appropriate distance of the runway. The tapping of my pencil was beginning to irritate me, so I set it down. I pushed the pages away and grabbed for another book.
“When is Danni getting here?” he asked as he stood up.
“We're picking her up in about twenty minutes,” I said, not looking up.
He came and sat down across the table from me. He fumbled through some of my work to try and keep himself busy. I felt his disappointment in my indecision, but I could not make my heart feel that any of this was right.
“Does she know?”
“I don't want to talk about it, Mitchell.”
I pushed the paper I was working on away, got up and went to the living room. I found my purse and went back to the dining room table to face more questioning.
“I just don't understand why you won't talk about it. Maybe I can help you process your thoughts.”
“I don't need this right now. Let's just go pick up Danni, please, can we just go have dinner?”
“Will you talk to me soon.”
“If I promise to talk to you soon, can we go eat dinner in peace?”
“Maybe.”
“Baby, please,” I pleaded with him. I just had to find the way to tell him no, that I couldn't accept him right now.
“Fine. I'll leave you alone a little while longer, but we need to talk this out soon.”
“I promise, I just need time.”
He hugged me and I pressed the send button on the phone as we walked out. He tried to take my left hand, but I began to fumble with my keys to lock the front door. We walked down the stairs, he was silent and I barked orders at my sister. She told me she would be ready by the time we got to her dorm room.
Danni made my thoughts of dinner so much happier. She already knew about his proposal, but she wasn't pushing me to say yes. She kept asking if dad knew about him yet, which he didn't. I never introduced them because I was trying to ignore my father.
We got in his car and I immediately turned the radio on. A rock song ended and the station shifted to a slower melody.
“It's our song,” Mitchell said, turning the volume up. I sat, listening to him attempt to meet the tune for kiss from a rose. I used to giggle and hold his hand, but now I sat staring at the street signs as the passed, trying to ignore the fact that he was so off key. “You remain, my power, my pleasure, my pain,” he sang.
“Stop,” I said, turning the radio off. “Mitchell, I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry.”
He looked from me to the street several times. We were about a block from my sisters apartment. We sat silent until he finally asked, “Was it that bad?”
“Not the song. I'm not ready to be engaged. I'm not ready to think about planning a wedding. I'm not ready for any of this.”
“Okay, then we won't be engaged. We'll just go back to being us. You and me, the way it was. You should have just told me.”
“Mitchell, pull over.”
“We're almost there. Don't worry, we can talk about this later. Take your time on it and just let me know when it's right.”
“Please, pull over. We need to talk about this now.”
“Seriously. Your sister's complex is right there.”
“Pull over.”
He pulled into the gas station across the street from Danni's apartment. He parked the car then turned to look at me. He grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze, but it just sat limp in my lap. I was fighting back tears because I knew it wouldn't be fair to him.
“What's on your mind?” he asked.
“I'm not sure I can do any of this anymore,” I said. “Not just the engagement. The whole thing.”
“Okay.” He pulled his hand from mine and put it on the steering wheel. I looked over and saw a tear escape from his right eye.
“We've had fun, and I do love you. I know that's not the right thing to say. Mitch, I'm just not ready for marriage, commitment, saying that someone else's life is more important than mine. I know that's selfish, but I don't want my marriage to end up like my parents.”
“I'm not your dad,” he said.
“I know that. You've proven that time and again. But you're having to fight against my warped sense of all this. I believe they married too young. They fought all the time and hated each other for what they gave up.”
“You don't have to give up anything. I've never asked you to.”
“But I'm making you give things up.”
“No you haven't,” he said. “What have I given up?”
“You've given almost two years of your life to a girl you loved that didn't know what she wanted. A girl who has wanted to be alone.”
“You've wanted to be alone this entire time? How long have you known this?”
“I'm not sure. I was selfish, I'm so sorry. I wanted to keep you and have my own life.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “I don't want this to end. I love you.” He looked down at the piece of plastic that covered his floor board.
“Mitch, I'm really sorry. You'll find someone else. Someone that can love you enough. I know none of this helps. I've got to go.”
I grabbed my purse from the floor board and opened the car door. I walked toward the street, careful not to look back at the car. When I got to the road it was clear so I headed into Danni's apartment complex. I headed toward the back and ran up the steps to the third floor of building G.
At door 349 I knocked and heard her say, “Just a sec.” I heard some ruffling in the living room and then the door unlock and open. “Hey, oh no, what's wrong, Tracie.” I just shook my head at her, not able to get words out. She took my hand and guided me into the living room. Danni grabbed a box of tissues from the coffee table and took a few out for me.
We sat for a few moments, her holding me on the couch while I sobbed into tissue after tissue. She ran her hands through my hair and let me cry until my eyes ran out of condensation. When the storm subsided, she asked again, “What's wrong, honey?”
“I just broke up with Mitchell. And when I got out of the car, he didn't come after me. He let me go.”
She sat quietly for a moment, and handed me another tissue. “Well, didn't you want to end things with him?”
“Yes, but I thought he would try a little harder to keep us together. He always fought to keep us working.”
“Well, you did have the boy waiting three weeks or so for an answer to his proposal. Maybe he finally understands.” She pushed her hand through my hair again.
“I didn't expect this. Why does it hurt so much?”
“You were with him for a long time. If it didn't hurt this much I'd be scared for you. At least now you know that our parents haven't killed all the feelings in you.” I laughed. “See, that's right. It is a bit funny.”
“He told me he's not my dad when we were in the car a few minutes ago.”
“Well, he's not. But it's tough for anyone to be as uncaring as dad has been.”
“Will I ever let someone love me, Danni?”
“Yes, you will.”
I looked at her. “That was short.”
“Well, it's true. Someday you'll fall in love.”
“I was in love with Mitchell.”
“No you weren't. You were comfortable with him. It was easy with him for awhile, then not so much for awhile. Someday you'll really be in love.”
“Thank you for being honest.”
“What do you mean?”
“Other people would let me sit and wallow.”
“Well, I'm hungry and I really want you in once piece to go get dinner. You still want Tony's, don't you?”
“Yes. That cheesecake sounds even better now.”
“Okay, let's get going then. Well, first go wash your face. I've got my eyeliner and mascara in the top drawer if you want to use it.”
“Do I look that bad?”
“No, but you should definitely at least wash you face. Your eyes are red and puffy.”
“Again, thanks for the honesty.”
“Anytime. Hurry up, I'm hungry.”
I walked to the bathroom to clean my face off and try to get some of the redness out of my eyes. I came back out and asked, “Better?”
“Much. Now let's go.”
“You're going to have to drive. I kind of walked away from Mitchell at the gas station, and we were in his car.”
“I'm glad I just got gas today. Come on, let's go eat some dinner and flirt with a cute waiter.”
I smiled and hugged her. “Thank you, Danni. I really appreciate this.”
“Oh, no problem. Anyway, dinner is still on you.”

Magazine Competition Entry

There is a Short Short Fiction competition, and the deadline is July 31. My plan is to enter it with a story that I began in my creative writing class. It can be no longer than 3,000 words, and this story does not exceed that. The winners will be announced in September and there will be a monetary prize and publication awarded to the winner. The monetary prize would be nice since I'm still looking for a job in Dallas, but the publication is what I'm truly after. Get published one place and it's easier to get published in another. Ultimate goal - publish a novel.

Here's a piece of what I'm working on. Working title - "Keep the Ring"

I didn't know how to deal with school and my Mitchell. I loved him, but he wanted all the time I had. I figured that maybe if I made him understand just what I was dealing with in my classes, then he would get the hint that I needed some space.
He came over one afternoon while I was working on a big structural design project for an airport runway. It was a big project for one of my civil engineering classes, and it had my dinging room table covered with paper, books and coffee cups.
“Baby, I don't know what I'm going to do about this project,” I said as I threw my pencil down. “My group won't get together to finish it. I just want to scream.”
“It's going to be okay,” Mitchell assured me. “It can't be that bad.”
“It is that bad,” I insisted. “I've never had a group project with so many lazy people in my life.”
“Who's in your group?” he asked me.
“Bobby, Daniel, Melissa and Robert. Robert and I are the only two doing anything.”
I pushed some pages around and heard him shift positions on the couch. He leaned in closer and asked, “Robert? Your ex-boyfriend Robert?”
As I turned to look at him I felt all the questions he meant to ask me. I knew he was nervous about me being around my ex-boyfriends. Robert and I had a long history, starting back before high school. We went to every dance together, we spent all of our time together and he was my first kiss.
“Yes, but don't look at me like that, sweetie.” I took his hand. “You know that's over.”
“Does he still try to ask you out?”
His grip on my hand grew tighter. I tried to squeeze his hand back to show that I noticed, that I cared, but the hurt look was back on his face. I never knew how to make him feel that he was all I wanted.
“Every once in a while, but I tell him no. He's not a problem for you, don't worry.”
Even with those words, he pulled me a little closer to him, while keeping his grip on my hand. I didn't like this jealous side of him.
“Okay, I'll try,” he said.
“Good,” I said looking at him. “You know I love you.”
“I love you too.” Mitchell was staring at the ground.
He kept holding my hand without speaking. I turned back to my work but nothing could keep my mind focused on the perfect runway design. My eyes kept drifting to pictures of smiling faces, little angel figurines from my mother, and anything else in the room that pulled my attention away from my thoughts.

Piece of "Finally" manuscript

This is a piece of my manuscript "Finally" (which is a working title right now). It jumped out at me today and I wanted to share it.

I leaned in when Eric put his arm on the back of the couch. He looked down at me and smiled. We both looked back at the t.v. while he flipped through to find something to watch.
When his arm fell on my shoulder I leaned in a little closer. “What do you want to watch?” he asked.
“I really don't care,” I said. “Just pick something you like.” I tried to get myself comfortable and just about found a spot when my phone rang.
I picked it up and saw Stephen's number. “It's been awhile since I've heard from him,” I said. “Sorry, Eric.”
“It's okay. I'll get us something to drink.”
As he walked to the kitchen I flipped my phone open. “Hello?” I asked.
“Megan? Hey, how are you?” Stephen asked.
“I'm good. How about you?” My brain searched for a possible reason he could be calling.
“I'm good. I've got something to tell you.” He sounded nervous.
“Okay, what's up?” I asked. Eric came back with a drink in each hand.
“You remember Nikki, right?” he asked.
“That's Johnny's cousin, I believe,” I said.
“Yeah, well she and I kind of been dating,” he said.
“That's real cool, Stephen,” I said. “You finally found someone you can stand longer than a day. I told you someone would eventually not suck.” Eric handed me a cup and I took a sip.
“Yeah, she doesn't suck,” he mumbled. “Megs, I asked her to marry me.”
“Wow,” I said choking on my drink. “Is she pregnant?” Eric gave me a funny look and started to ask what was going on. I waved him off and started pacing behind the couch. “Stephen, seriously, you don't have to marry her just because she's pregnant.”
I heard him panic on the other end and whisper to someone else. “Megan, it's not like that at all. I love her, as strange as that sounds coming from me.”
“Put Johnny on the phone,” I said. “I know he's standing there.”
“Okay,” Stephen handed the phone away.
“No, I don't want to, oh hey, Megan,” Johnny stammered. “How are you?”
“Johnny, what they hell is going on?” I asked.
“Stephen and Nikki fell in love, or some crap like that,” he said.
“So, she's really not pregnant?” I asked. “Be honest with me.”
“Megan, she is not pregnant, and I'm done talking about my cousin and Stephen. How are you doing?” Johnny asked.
“I'm actually busy right now,” I said. “Tell Stephen I'll call him later, or he can send me an e-mail if he's too scared to talk to me.” I hung up and sat back on the couch.
“Bad news?” Eric asked.
“Weird news,” I said. “My friend Stephen is getting married to the cousin of my friend Johnny.”
Eric laughed. “How is that so weird? People get married sometimes.”
“Stephen said the only way he'd ever get married is if the father was holding a shot gun because she was pregnant.” I took a quick breath. “So, I assumed she was pregnant, but apparently in a couple of months they fell in love.”
He pulled me to him on the couch and ran his fingers through my hair.
“Sometimes you know quickly, and sometimes you need time,” he said. I rested my head on his chest. “it really doesn't take much to calm you down, does it?”
“No, not really,” I said. “It is just a weird thought that they are engaged.” I enjoyed the feeling of my head oh his chest. “I'll call him tomorrow to apologize.”
“Okay,” Eric said. He started to move his finger back and forth along my ear. I twitched from the tingling feeling and shifted to look up at him. It had been awhile since anyone had kissed me, but I still knew the look right before. He ran his fingers from my ear down to my mouth and then back up towards the other ear. “You're beautiful, you know.”
“Stop it,” I said, turning my head away.
“So confident until someone compliments you,” Eric said. “Well, I don't take it back.” He kept brushing his fingers against my face. The only reaction I had was to close my eyes and enjoy it. Before I knew it we were kissing on my couch with the sound of the channel guide music playing.
When he pulled away and kissed my forehead I saw him grab the remote that had fallen to the floor. I sat straight up on the couch scared that I had done something wrong.
“Sorry,” I said. I stared into the television, not wanting to look at him.
“What do you have to be sorry for?” he asked.
“For whatever made you stop and pull away. I haven't really done this in awhile.”
“I stopped because I needed some air. Plus, I wanted to find a movie or something for us to watch. Or kind of watch.” He put his arm back around me. “You did nothing wrong. No apologies. I'm the one who went for it.”
“Are you sure I didn't do anything wrong?” I heard myself and knew I sounded ridiculous, but I felt so nervous around him.
He leaned back in and kissed me again. He pulled me forward to the point of being on top of him and held me there in an embrace while we kissed.

Weddings

So I wrote a poem in April of 2006 called "A Wedding to Be." It's funny that I just ran across it because I have two sisters getting married in August. While it's incredibly excited for the two of them, re-reading this poem I remember some of the things I was afraid of in regards to relationships at 18.

I thought that I guarded my heart to much to actually let someone in. Well, that's not such a bad thing. Then as it keeps going I am shocked when I find that I actually let someone in. Yeah, okay I can see that happening to me. It's funny how you can see the way someone thinks through their writing, whether the piece is particularly good or not.

I wish everyone out there giving relationships a try all the best in the world. It's tough out there sometimes. I'm excited for my sisters, for my friends, for everyone who is able to fall in love and find someone to spend their lives with. Maybe someday I'll need lace as well. :-)

Here is one of my attempts at a sonnet four years ago. Enjoy!

A Wedding to Be
by: Jennifer Nelson

My heart is guarded so steadfast
Many a man can surely see
I try to start a fling to last
But he and I shall never be

So there upon the satin mat
My mind was finding ways to run
I knew we soon would have a chat
These things tend to not be fun

As I run through the trees
He shouts to me a fond “Hello!”
And I have found me weak at the knees
When I realize this I think “Oh no!”

He pulls me to him and touches my face
With his kisses I know I’ll soon need lace

Sappy but I like it - unedited

Right Timing
by: Jennifer Nelson

Tripped into something I'm so glad
to find. You caught me before the ground
made it's imprint on my head
and caused the stars to rotate
around me. A little cartoonish
but it's like I'm in a fairy land.
Can't believe the luck
when you said you liked
me too. I enjoy your smile
your smell, the truth of your amazing
self. You found me in a time of change
when I loved myself, my memories,
my friends and every moment I had lived.
I would ask could this be true,
but I know it is. Your fingers trace my face
and cause chills to run through my body.
The butterflies fill my stomach
when I first tried to talk to you, but I want
you to know everything now. My mouth
fills with words and I fumble
through them. When I laugh
I want you to know why. When I cry
I want you to hold me. When I sing
I want you to be the ballad. And when I dance
I want you to be my partner. I know
this is true. So kiss me once
more and let the shivers in my body linger
as we say goodnight. I know once I leave
we'll both think and ponder the next
chance we will have to be together.
Never thought you'd find me so soon
but I'm glad you did. Goodnight, sweet
sir. I'll dream of you tonight,
regardless of how cliche. I'm thankful
to have you in my life.

My Happily Ever After - Poem

My Happily Ever After
by: Jennifer Nelson

I’m tired of hearing
fairy tales,
romance,
happy endings.
Snow white road off with her prince charming,
Sleeping beauty was awoken by a kiss,
but where is my happily ever after?
I continue through my days
with everyone smiling around me,
but I sit hiding behind a fake smile.
I want the shoe
to fit perfectly so my prince
will take me to the ball.
Maybe a spell
to turn me into the princess
of his dreams.
Instead I long for something that will never
happen. I want my Disney happy ending
that I’ve been promised.

Those fairy tales lied.

No one gets romanced
anymore. My friends got lucky
in finding each other.
Finding another person who wants
some sort of tale of their own.
Most of life leaves
you to fend for yourself.
The prince doesn’t come and you have to battle
the dragon all alone.
Some pretend you become stronger,
but all that happens is you lose
your princess effect.
Then your prince doesn’t see you
as his damsel in distress.
You fit into the new mold of woman,
the woman of the world,
the woman who is too independent
for her own good.

I just want my turn too,
but I don’t know who to be.
Maybe some fake,
whiney child who can’t live on her own.
I’ve been made much stronger
than that. Some day I’ll get a prince
who wants a princess
who travels with him.
A princess who will be by his side fighting
the evil witch.
That’s where I’ll find my fairy tale.

Dallas

So I'm in Dallas now, living here. Crazy, I know. Everything happened so fast and I'm so happy with the outcome. :-)

Writing has been kind of on a break, even though stories have been piling up in my head. This weekend I'm hoping to get a couple of chapters written on two of my books. I'll have time then. I've been getting things ready for the move so getting to a computer to write hasn't been the easiest. Okay, I know, that's just an excuse. I'll get back to it. I miss it, actually. It's like missing a part of yourself when you don't do something you know you are meant to do.

August is fast approaching, and then two of my sisters will be married. This should be lots of fun! I'm hoping that either Beth or Samantha can get my dress for Christina's wedding when they pick up their own. I'm sure they can. I'm so excited about that dress. :-)

More updates later, and hopefully some writing excerpts!