Tag Archives: poem

Mar 9 2014

Oh Precious Hour

Clock

Everyone is so busy and stressed these days,

One hour is a highly prized commodity.

Already feeling a dollar short and a day late,

We’re now another hour behind our deadlines.

▪

Are we really saving daylight with this?

Will our energy use be slightly reduced?

Do people exercise more with daylight savings?

Shall we enjoy more sunsets this way?

▪

Or will the cons outweigh the pros:

Do we get more stressed, anxious, frustrated, and depressed?

Will increased stress lead to more health problems?

Would keeping our hour leave us happier?

▪

Time seems greener on the other side:

Arizona and Hawaii, oh how I envy you,

Rebeling against the pains of daylight savings.

Enjoy your extra sixty minutes today.

▪

They tax us when we make our money.

They tax us when we spend our money.

They even tax our time by stealing our hours.

Why not just take the whole day away?

▪

Copyright © 2014 Chris McMullen

Mar 7 2014

Waiting

Waiting

Waiting…

for traffic to slowly clear up.

for the light to turn green.

for the car ahead to run a red light because you will too.

for others to get out of your way.

…

Waiting…

for the line to move.

for some sign that you won’t stand still for an eternity.

for the person at the front to hurry up.

for the wonderful privilege of being next.

…

Waiting…

for your next break to come.

for your work day to end.

to finally get home.

to be even more bored at home than you are at work.

…

Waiting…

for the weekend to arrive.

to party Friday night.

to sleep in on Saturday.

to do work at home that you couldn’t finish during the week.

…

Waiting…

for an opportunity to present itself.

for luck to pay you a visit.

for special treatment.

for your dreams to come true instead of going after them.

…

Waiting…

for this poem to reach its end.

to move onto another blog.

to finish your daily reading.

to express your thoughts in the comments.

…

Waiting…

to meet the perfect someone, who doesn’t exist.

to live your life once you find someone to share it with.

for an external force to pull you away from the wrong someone.

for a reason to make a change.

…

Waiting…

for life to come to an end?

to discover you’ve wasted much of your life waiting?

to regret not making better use of time spent waiting?

for tomorrow to come? Yet it will always be today.

…

(You could read several good books in the time spent waiting…)

…

Copyright © 2014 Chris McMullen

Feb 12 2014

Counting with Clichés (a Poem)

Peas

Counting with Clichés (a Poem)

  1. When the fair maiden, Belle, laid eyes on the tall, dark, and handsome stranger, Beau, it was love at first sight.
  2. The more they got to know each other, the more the happy couple realized they were two peas in a pod.
  3. Although things were rough at times—leading to two separations—the third time was a charm.
  4. Their passion for one another was the one constant to persist through all four seasons.
  5. One day, when Belle found the scent of another woman on her man and questioned him, Beau pleaded the fifth.
  6. Beau was lucky Belle chose to bury the hatchet and not plant him six feet under.
  7. So grateful, Beau sailed all seven seas with Belle; they were in seventh heaven.
  8. The stork delivered several babies, until they decided that eight was enough.
  9. Although they went the whole nine yards for their kids, for every inch they gave, the kids demanded a mile.
  10. Their eldest daughter, Fair, was a perfect ten, but more spoiled than their youngest child.
  11. In every argument, Fair would hold out until the eleventh hour.
  12. Eager to get Fair betrothed—and out of their hair—they invited suitors to meet and greet her with a dozen roses.
  13. The thirteenth suitor, Jinx, finally agreed, but it proved to be an unlucky number.
  14. He literally broke a leg, had to put in his two weeks’ notice at work, and called the engagement off.
  15. The next thing they knew, Fair was fifteen and pregnant.
  16. Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), it wasn’t a very sweet sixteen for Fair.
  17. To make matters worse, Fair’s seventeen weeks ultrasound revealed triplets.
  18. Her parents fought with her like cats and dogs; it sounded like the War of Eighteen Twelve.
  19. Fair wanted an abortion, but her parents refused; she cursed them for living in the nineteenth century.
  20. Each of Fair’s brothers and sisters played twenty questions with her.
  21. Fair was one girl who was not hoping to be forever twenty-one.
  22. Then one day, Jinx showed up on her doorstep and proposed with a twenty-two karat diamond ring.
  23. Suddenly, Fair felt not twice, but three times a lady.
  24. The triplets made more work than there were hours in a day, yet Fair loved every minute of it.
  25. Of course, everyone lived happily ever after.

Copyright © 2014 Chris McMullen

Jan 18 2014

Powerful Words

Powerful

Twenty-six different symbols arranged in different combinations.

Forty-five different sounds put together in different ways.

That’s all they are.

Yet, when we see these words or hear these words, they can be so much more.

.

String three ordinary words together and they can cut like a knife.

“How could you?”

Add in an accusatory tone; one that you’d never heard before.

Introduce them in the right context.

They can etch into your mind. Torture you.

Powerful words.

.

When three ordinary words slip out they can ruin your life.

These words weren’t even on your mind.

They were buried deep down in your subconscious.

“I don’t care!”

But you do care. You didn’t mean to say them.

You can take back money, possessions, almost everything.

But you can’t take back the words.

Powerful words.

.

Three ordinary words can bring peace.

They can save a world on the brink of war.

“I promise you.”

It’s a simple vow. But it carries much honor.

You give your word.

It can be the greatest thing you ever give.

And when you keep it, it can be the greatest thing you ever have.

Powerful words.

.

Three ordinary words can give your life meaning.

When you say them with passion.

When you realize you’ve met your other half.

“I love you.”

They might be the hardest words you ever utter.

But if they’re reciprocated, they might be the best words you ever hear.

Powerful words.

.

Copyright © 2014 Chris McMullen

Jan 16 2014

Go, Indies, Go!

Three Cheers

Look at that indie author go!

She’s writing chapter thirty-four.

See how wonderfully her words flow,

So motivated to write more.

.

Look at that indie author go!

His cover is quite fantastic.

He went the extra mile, you know,

To get a cover that would click.

.

Look at that indie author go!

Three editors have had a hand

In shaping her story just so.

Now her writing is truly grand.

.

Look at that indie author go!

This is the tenth book he’s published.

He has a lot of sales to show,

Approaching what he had once wished.

.

Look at that indie author go!

She has written a top seller.

Although things began very slow,

They turned into something stellar.

.

Look at that indie author go!

He wrote a book straight from his heart,

Not concerned about making dough.

Readers called it a piece of art.

.

Copyright © 2014 Chris McMullen

.

Afterword

Many indie authors are doing great things.

I’ve seen some of the most amazing covers on indie books. Those authors clearly believe in their books and have invested to give their books an edge. Not all indie books have great covers, but those with fantastic covers are worthy of our cheers.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few very well-written, well-edited, and well-formatted indie books. These authors didn’t have the benefit of a publisher’s editing team; they recruited several readers or hired editors. When the result shows high quality, the effort is quite commendable.

I see many diligent, self-motivated indie authors undertaking a wide variety of creative marketing strategies. Many of these authors show much passion for their books, and market their books to share their passion. It’s a wonderful sight to see.

I hear about indie authors with excellent sales ranks, hundreds of reviews, winning awards, and otherwise succeeding in the publishing business. Go, indies, go!

It’s quite a challenge to perfect every aspect of book publishing. When an indie author does something splendid, it merits our applause.

You can find books with lousy qualities and focus on those if that’s what you wish to look for. Or you can choose to find features that are remarkable; indie authors who made the right choices to do something above and beyond. Personally, I prefer to think of the positives.

Go, Authors, Go!

I have nothing against traditionally published authors. I support authorship, in general; I support good books. The indie author doesn’t have the benefit of a publishing team, but any author who achieves something great deserves recognition for it. Go, authors, go!

Publishing Resources

I started this blog to provide free help with writing, publishing, and marketing. You can find many free articles by clicking one of the following links:

Chris McMullen, Author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers

Follow me at WordPress, find my author page on Facebook, or connect with me through Twitter.

Dec 29 2013

Why Do You Write?

Why

 

Is your writing fueled by passion?

Is it a hobby that’s much fun?

 

Do you possess knowledge to share?

Do you give help because you care?

 

Perhaps you write to entertain.

Maybe you do it to heal pain.

 

Please don’t say you write for money,

Although sales are sweet as honey.

 

Are you just a muse’s vessel?

Are you writing to soothe your soul?

 

Could your books be your legacy?

Could they be art for all to see?

 

Copyright © 2013 Chris McMullen

Dec 23 2013

The Cheer of the Naysayers

No

The critics stand on the sidelines, watching over our shoulders.

They tell us what can’t be done.

They explain why it won’t work.

They describe what’s wrong.

They can’t wait to tell us, “I told you so.”

What satisfaction those four words will bring to them!

In the meantime, we generate ideas.

We carry our ideas out, transforming our dreams into reality.

We do our best to ignore the critics.

Our results are feeble at first.

The critics are smug about how right they were.

But we gain experience and wisdom for our mistakes.

We try again and again and again, better each time.

We become a little better known, start to make names for ourselves.

Eventually, people begin to recognize and appreciate our efforts.

We find ourselves starting to accomplish what was said couldn’t be done.

Then we realize that the advantage was ours all along.

Only those who have ideas can carry them out.

Only those who try to carry them out can accomplish anything.

Only those who work hard can get meaningful results.

Those who stand on the sideline to criticize are the only ones who CAN’T achieve.

The best they can hope for is to discourage those who otherwise could have achieved.

What kind of life is that?

(You can learn a lot from Nike’s slogan.)

A Yaysayer

I’m Chris McMullen, and I’m a yaysayer. You can do it. It might take hard work. It might require some learning and research. You will probably make mistakes. Hopefully, you will learn from them. You can improve in time. Things may start out very slowly at first, but you can grow in time. The first step is self-belief. The second step is self-motivated diligence. If you wish to achieve, you must do what the naysayers say you can’t do and what the naysayers themselves don’t do. Be a yaysayer. Be a doer. 🙂

I started this blog to provide free help with writing, publishing, and marketing, and to provide encouragement and motivation to authors. You can find many free articles by clicking one of the following links:

Follow me at WordPress, find my author page on Facebook, or connect with me through Twitter.

Author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers

Dec 19 2013

ISBN Poem

ISBN

Eye Ess Bee Inn

Eye Ess Bee Inn

I love to shop for books by their ISBN.

No browsing, no keywords, no searching.

Find the book instantly with the ISBN.

#

Eye Ess Bee Inn

Eye Ess Bee Inn

It used to have ten digits, now it has thirteen.

It’s like a license plate for your book.

Identify your book by its ISBN.

#

Eye Ess Bee Inn

Eye Ess Bee Inn

Not sure how to spell the title or the author?

But need to find the book instantly?

There’s no need to worry: Use the ISBN.

#

Copyright © 2013 Chris McMullen

#

What kind of a fool would try to write a poem about an ISBN?

A song can have the most ridiculous lyrics, but be amazingly popular if it simply has a good beat.

I’m guessing the same isn’t true with poetry…

Just get the song “YMCA” stuck in your head, then give this poem another shot. 🙂

(Yeah, okay, this poem doesn’t have a good beat, either… it’s just one of those days.)

Nov 24 2013

A Chance for Indies to Show Them

Show

 

What can indie authors do?

We have a chance to show what we can do.

 

With every book we publish, we show our individual talents.

When we band together, we display the power of teamwork.

 

Not all indies are participating in Read Tuesday,

Though all are welcome and joining is free and easy.

 

Yet Read Tuesday, a Black Friday event for book lovers on December 10,

Has a chance to show what indies can do when we unite.

 

It’s not just a great day to buy books at great savings,

To spread the joy of reading and promote literacy.

 

It’s something more; an opportunity for indies to do something grand,

To promote an event worthy of its own day.

 

Department stores created Black Friday and Cyber Monday,

But indies have come together to produce Read Tuesday.

 

Readers have a chance to demonstrate their support for all good books,

Not just those books with a particular stamp on their covers.

 

Read Tuesday won’t be like any other Tuesday;

It will be a Tuesday with many opportunities.

 

Book lovers can find great discounts on books,

Authors can find a free resource to help promote their books.

 

May you have a wonderful Read Tuesday. 🙂

Love books? Check out Read Tuesday, a Black Friday event just for books (all authors can sign up for free): website, Facebook page, Twitter

 

Chris McMullen, author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers, Volume 1 (formatting/publishing) and Volume 2 (packaging/marketing), Facebook page, Twitter