A Poet's Longing

by Cheryl Merrick

In a quiet room with a comfy chair
and large windows overlooking the world,
I found my poet's heart.

Within is a craving to experience 
the hours of intense focus,
and the exquisite beauty 
in the flashes of inspiration 
which connect me to the divine.

I long to be warmed 
by the energy of creating,
and to, at last, enjoy that tender moment
when I gently hold my new insight lantern high
filling it with light and hope,
then watch as it slowly rises 
to sparkle in the world's dark night sky.

Being Me

by Cheryl Merrick

Looking through others' eyes,
I tried to be as they saw me:
"sweet little Sherry"
endlessly giving love and support;
the ever "busy homemaker"
rushing around nurturing everyone;
or the "friendly neighbor"
chatty and helpful.

Continuing my act,
I'd push myself 
trying so hard to make myself into
what I thought others wanted and needed;
till, exhausted, my facade falls away
revealing a sensitive idealist
who thrives in those quiet moments
when I touch the heavens
and feel its power directing my words. 

Out in the Stillness

by Cheryl Merrick

When I was young, 
people who were quiet
were considered "defective".
They were seen as
malformed extraverts, 
"cold and withdrawn".
It was even whispered 
that they were "mentally ill."  
"Good", "mature" people were
friendly extraverts -- 
only they were truly loving.

For Us

by Cheryl Merrick

He shops, cleans, does laundry,
and pays bills "for us".
Allowing me the quiet time
I need to study and think,
 so I can write "for us".

A Writer's Life

by Cheryl Merrick

I thought I'd write in my spare time,
perhaps late at night
when everyone is in bed
and all my "work" is done.

So dutifully I pushed though the day,
doing all the little things which "must be done",
until I found myself too exhausted to write
when evening finally came.

Warden

by Cheryl Merrick

Appearing a sanctioned warden,
      holding his legitimate credential,
he enters the aviary
not to tame, as expected,
but to allow a few moments of freedom-
the freedom to strengthen
     unused wings
     and build their confidence
     that they are truly beings
of the sky.

Turning Around

by Cheryl Merrick

Filling my time with
study, writing, and contemplation,
I happily enjoy my day,

Occasionally taking a break
from the world of thought,
to accomplish some task,
then returning again
to my element.

But the question remains;
Is my life upside down
or finally
Right side up!

Talents

by Cheryl Merrick

Some can decorate a wedding cake,
grow a beautiful garden,
give an exciting party,
fix gourmet dinners,
build a cabinet,
program a computer,
reconcile an account,
or do back flips,
while I,
packaging them in poems,
create ideas.

Swan

by Cheryl Merrick

Clumsily pattering around the barnyard,
Never fitting in,
Different, but ever longing for acceptance,
time passes.

Til one glistening spring day
a strong, snow white swan
stretches out its wings,
and rises into the deep blue sky.

New Image

by Cheryl Merrick

Given approval for being
     “sweet and caring”
I filled my life with affectionate expressions,
     while closely hiding my
     “undesirable” traits.

As the years pass,
      I come to see myself as
     weak and incompetent,
til, finally,
     worn from repeated failures
     of trying to be this “loving person”,
I relinquish this dream.

Good Day

by Cheryl Merrick

A few notes to family and friends

A visit with someone I’m close to

Hours spent in research

and Gospel study

Watching over visiting teaching

A meditative poem

Moments spent in prayer

A little cleaning

Some cooking and laundry

Dancing and music

Managing my home

A touch of simplifying

and a dash of decorating

Time spent writing and

Enjoying the birds and sunshine

Monitoring my health

Spending time with Garrett

Savoring a soak in a hot tub

with a good book

Add these make a good day.

Explaining

by Cheryl Merrick

They express their admiration and amazement
at my “positive attitude”.
They try and console me
and sympathize with how difficult it must be to be
to spend all day alone in my home.
Concerned that I am lonely, unhappy, and at risk of losing my testimony,
they try and involve me.

How can I explain my life to them?
How can I express the joy I feel in having the solitude
to think and write.
Though being alone is draining and depressing to them,
it is replenishing to me and an opportunity to create.

Careers

by Cheryl Merrick

A  little unconventional
but tailored to my talents and needs
I’ve had my careers

My life has been filled
with teaching experiences,
I began teaching as a child
when I gathered neighbor children
to “play school”,
At ten I taught five-year-olds
in Sunday School,
In high school I took children with hearing problems on field trips,
In college I student taught in
a 2nd and 4th grade classroom for five months.

Anchoring

by Cheryl Merrick

Before I get far into my day,
I sit and ponder
Who I am and why I’m here.

I consider what is important
for me to do that day,
and gather my thoughts together
straightening them out in a poem.

Seeking Heavenly Father’s
guidance through
scripture study and prayer,
I am now firmly anchored
and ready to begin a new day

Writing

by Cheryl Merrick

Sharing my feelings
Expressing our thoughts
Recording my experiences
Supporting friends and family

Clarify thought
Providing closure
Revealing beauty
Conveying whimsy

Hope
Sight
Voice
Wings

Writers and Writing

by Cheryl Merrick

Writers Are Artists With Words

Writing is a Window to the Soul

Why I Need to Write

by Cheryl Merrick

I need to write because it is my element
It is how I relax
It keeps me from becoming over-tired
Writing helps clarify my thoughts
It strengthens my spirit
and helps me come closer to the Lord
It helps me to have the Holy Ghost with me
It is my responsibility to magnify the talent I have been given
Writing is a gift to be shared
It is how I inspire others and share the Gospel
It brings my husband and me closer
Writing is my journal
It is how I express my thoughts
I use it to work out problems,
which brings peace to my soul
Writing is how I express feelings and love.
It is how I be me.

Where Do Poems Come From?

by Cheryl Merrick

They come from
sun filled summer mornings,
glowing autumn afternoons,
silent snowy twilight,
and sparkling spring days.

They come from
unhurried moments
where thoughts deep within
have time to rise
to the surface of still waters.

Value of a Poem

by Cheryl Merrick

Is a poem’s value
only determined by
the number of people
who read it?

Is there value in
the  process of writing?

Through daily wrestling
thoughts into order,
the mind becomes
clear and sharp.

As words are carefully chosen,
meanings pondered,
relationships establish,
and inspiration sought,
 a poet is perfected.

Thought Prints

by Cheryl Merrick

My history lies in the pages,
my thoughts in the words.
Moments of time gently held
to remind of stages past;
glimpses of a past self,
of long ago concerns.

Pondering this process of change,
I move forward
recording my journey
in thought prints.