A Poetic Anniversary

As mentioned in a previous entry, I had a little surprise that ties in with National Poetry Month this month. (And only until now do I finally have time to post about it.)

Twenty-five years ago, I was in the 8th grade, about to graduate Junior High, and just remembering this really makes me feel old. Anyway, I remember writing a poem for classwork in my English class. Little did I know that when I gave my work to my teacher, it would also be considered for publication in a poetry book by the youths of the time. I don’t remember if it was mentioned that the poems us students wrote in class would be published somewhere. But it happened, and I ended up being one of the two students from my entire K-8 school that got their work published in that book you see above. I still have my copy, by the way!

Obviously, I won’t say which one is my poem as it’s under my real name. I’ll also say that this was not the first time my work has been published. The very first time happened in my local newspaper back in the spring of 1996; it was a prose piece I wrote in 6th grade. (Hot damn, now I really feel old.) Sadly, I don’t have a copy of that newspaper, but maybe it’s been digitally preserved by the newspaper. Since the release of this anthology, my work’s been published a few more times, the most recent being in an anthology of short stories written by women. I’d tell you more on that another day. One thing I’ll say right now is that I always get a little joy when my work gets published. (And speaking of, a project I’ve been working on for years is about to see the light of day soon. Stay tuned!)

Pic courtesy of an eBay listing; yes, you can also buy my work!

No, Really–Who Is The Playgirl?

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-retro-portrait-sexy-woman-image8900381

Happy holiday weekend, everyone! Last December, I posed the question “who is the Playgirl?” Here’s a bit of an answer (that should’ve been given sooner here but life and work got in the way).

She is not your mother’s or father’s version of a playgirl. She’s still a sensualist who enjoys the finer things and lovers in life, but that doesn’t mean she demands uninterrupted decadence in her life. She has no problem going sans fards, drinking cheap wine, and resting her libido (after taking it to the limit with one or two bedmates the night before). If anything, it’s about living her life her way, doing whatever and whoever she pleases. With the latter, after sizing up her potential bedmate, she likes to make the first move–an act that sometimes surprises her men that are used to a more submissive partner. This Playgirl is no docile doormat to her lovers whatsoever. And her assertiveness extends outside the bedroom. She side-eyes gender expectations and sneers at double standards. She knows you think of her as a slut, whore, bad girl, rebel, or even a bitch, so tell her something she’s doesn’t know. She’s sophisticated and gritty, but never unpolished. She pushes luxury cars and motorcycles and wears leather jackets from Allsaints with old cheap jeans and boots from Goodwill. (With clothes and lovers, if it looks and feels good to her, it’s hers.) She works–at her dream job, naturally, and happens to be successful with it; the Playgirl is a woman of substance, talent, and creativity with more influence than an Influencer. She is a beauty that’s all-natural, exotic, youthful, healthy, and inviting–never bland, plastic, and frigid. She is magnetic, hypnotic, but don’t get too close to her, for she doesn’t seek commitment or romance. Don’t worry–the Playgirl respects your boundaries, as long as you respect hers. She prefers to have the last word. And she’ll be coming soon.

Photo courtesy of Evgenia Nechaeva at Dreamstime.com