An "I Am" Poem - last one for today =)

I Am…

I am a modern, Mormon woman.
I wonder if I am doing enough to please God.
I hear a voice telling me to be more, do more.
I see the vision of where I am going and it is awe-inspiring.
I want to be with my family forever in God’s presence.
I am a modern, Mormon woman.

I pretend to have it all together.
I feel like my life is as fragile as a bubble, it can fly or pop at any moment.
I touch my soul when I sing hymns of praise.
I worry about my children every single day.
I cry when I see them struggle and go through pain and heartbreak.
I am a modern, Mormon woman.

I understand the divine plan God has for me, for us.
I say “Stand for What is True” and “Be Strong in your commitment to it.”
I dream of the peace and joy found in Celestial Realms.
I try to teach my children righteously and to be a light to the world.
I hope someday to hear the Lord tell me he is pleased with me.
I am a modern, Mormon woman.

~Lori Bottomley 2011

An Onomatopoeia Poem

This poetry form requires the use of words that sound like what they are. You be the judge of how well I incorporated that into my poem! =)

Bowling for PE Credit

Bowling with my daughter is such a fun experience!
First, you pay the cashier with a swipe of your card to
get your shoes and a lane.
Then off to pick a bowling ball, with a thump and a
heave ho to pick the right size.
They clunk and
clatter as she tries each one. Oh, this one feels
just right!
In the background you hear the other bowlers and it
can be a little intimidating.
The noise is loud and balls shoot down the lane
and end with a clash, a smash, a bang!
Pins falling here and there crack through the air.
And over the top is the occasional exclamation of other
bowlers squealing with delight as they bowl a
strike or a spare.
You must watch carefully, as you won't hear the
silent disgust or the bitter disappointment of a
gutter ball...the sound is short and hollow, but
the faces say it all and a pounding of the air with fists
confirms the defeat.
So there she goes, rolling her first ball down the lane.
She tiptoes carefully, taking a few practice swings to
get her aim right.
Then, lets her RIP! A strike? A spare? A gutterball?
Let's just say... she's done them all!

~Lori Bottomley 2011

I'm a bit frustrated with blogger as it won't get my formatting right on this poem. So far, this is the best I've been able to manage. I have some fun indents that add to the imagery. Darn it all!

More Poetry

I've been participating in a little poetry challenge on one of my email lists. It's really been a lot of fun. I had forgotten how much I enjoy writing poetry. When I was in high school I wrote a poem that was entered into a national contest. I was one of only 2 chosen from my school to enter. Over the years, I've written poems to express the deepest feelings of my heart. I remember watching my older 3 children playing in our backyard one day, and instead of getting some chores done, I sat and wrote a poem about how I felt watching them. Tom has been the recipient of a love poem or two from time to time as well. As have other family members. Anyway, these short little ditties I've been writing this week, needed a place to be shared, so I am posting them here for your enjoyment. And...so that I will have them documented somewhere until I can archive them. LOL You can tell what my week has been like just by reading my poems. They read like an intinerary of what I've been doing this week. hahaha Starting with the Sleeping at Gramma's poem and moving forward from there. =)
This is a Cinquain Poem:

Field Trip

A noisy bus

Loud singing, kids chatter

Thrilled my son wants me to be there

Rare times.

~Lori Bottomley 2011

Spring Senses Poem

Spring looks like the dawn breaking out of the night.
Spring sounds like the chatter of children playing tag.
Spring feels like the freedom of going without shoes.
Spring smells like freshly mown grass after the rain falls.
Spring tastes like strawberries and cream.

~Lori Bottomley 2011

The FHE Limerick

Tonight was Family Home Evening
We play games and watch Chuck routinely
Then a lesson for you
From our dad and mom too
Then we end with prayer and some singing!

~Lori Bottomley 2011

A Tanka Poem:

Music from my heart,
is the purest expression
of my love and soul.
When words are not enough to
tell the deepest parts of me.

~Lori Bottomley 2011

Sleepover At Gramma's

A little Haiku for your enjoyment:

Sweet giggles erupt

She smiles as she hushes them

Sleeping at Gramma's

~Lori Bottomley

In the picture are my three grandsons, Carson, Aiden, and Danny, along with my daughter Brianna. Not every gramma is lucky enough to have 3 grandsons who are less than 5 months apart! Life is good!