THE LIFE-CHALLENGE SERIES: THE SNEAK-UP OF THE GIVE-UP

This post is now available at http://honorthespirit.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-life-challenge-series-sneak-up-of.html

THE LIFE-CHALLENGE SERIES: PRACTICE MAKES YOU A WINNER

This post is now available at http://honorthespirit.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-life-challenge-series-practice.html

Sonnet #16 for February

CLUELESS

Young teenage couple, what’chu gonna do

With that baby you both swore not to make?

So full of lust, careless, now you two rue

Bun in oven with eight months left to bake

Foolhardy ones, thinking you’d be exempt

From “oops” moment just because of first time

No prophylactic in use to preempt

Sperm and egg, mom and dad fate before prime

This is what happens when guidance is nil

Kids running wild and loose, unschooled, naïve

Urgent facts no one around to instill

Too late now, blemished future left to grieve

Hope that one time was worth all that’s ahead

Good luck with ease keeping child clothed and fed

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #8 for February

DO YOU

Sometimes all that’s needed is sunny day

To let soothing rays burn clouds from cold heart

Life’s filled with so much confusion and gray

Steal away moments to garner fresh start

Have you ever dared play hooky on life

Packed mental bags and checked out for a while

Purposely left behind all of your strife

So that fresh perspective you can compile?

Can’t wait for your boss, lover, fam, or friends

To give permission to tend to your needs

Have your back first or control of life ends

Pencil-in putting self first with good deeds

You are in charge of loving yourself best

When you do, for peace you’ll no longer quest

Copyright 2014

Charlene E. Green

Sonnet #5 for February

SAFETY NET

Hand me your stress at the end of the night

Turn to me in place of others around

Let me be haven to your covert plight

Show you just how much you’re truly renowned

Don’t you ever tire of putting on airs?

Faking the funk so you won’t lose your cool?

They couldn’t care less about your affairs

Talk behind your back and call you a fool

What I deliver is true peace of mind

Safe place to examine your heart's decay

Enclosed in my arms where you can unwind

No filter needed for what you display

I’m the vessel for your overflowed cup

Always on post when you need lifting up

Copyright 2014
Charlene E. Green

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Next month will mark 11 years since I moved to L.A. from the Bay Area. When I arrived, I had a movie script, a half-written novel (One Man's Treasure), and the dream to be a successful writer. Yesterday, I published for the 13th time (books). When I look back at this journey, I'm amazed at all I've done and been through to get to this point. I didn't even start publishing until 2007 because I spent the first 4 years here stuck at my 9-5, dying a horrifically slow, painful spiritual death. I chose to resign at the end of 2006 to save my mental and physical health (NO joke), and so I could properly nurture my life's mission as a writer. But between the day I set foot here, and now, I've encountered more challenges than in my entire life. I had two major surgeries 3 years apart, one of them saving me from paralysis; I've lost all my major possessions; been homeless; endured the Universal System of Income (which means getting up every day not knowing when or from where income will appear); and stood up confidently in the face of being ignored and rejected in my career, and people's "encouragement" to get off my path and do something else because [clearly, to them] it wasn't working out. But through all of that, I have always done what I came to L.A. (and into this world) to do: write, create, and make a difference in people's lives while doing so. I can honestly, and proudly, say I've accomplished that feat, with much more to come.

A lot of what I've written over the years has derived from the lessons I've learned in the past decade. My sincere intention is for my words to teach and inspire (even my fictional novels are set up to do that). I invite you all to view and partake in what I've created. Yes, I write because I love it, but I publish for the public. My standards are very high for myself, so when I do, I take great pains to ensure that it's always my best at the time. Not all of my content makes it into the books. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me along the way. You've confirmed that I'm doing my job properly, and well. My appreciation for you runs deep.

What I've learned the most is how serious I am about my craft. Nothing has kept me from it. Nothing. This is what doing a life mission is about. You find ways to keep it pushing, no matter what. I'm thankful for everything I've gone through and learned, because it's only solidified me in my work, not deterred me from it. I couldn't be prouder of myself.

You'll find the links to my work below.

Poetry/Motivational Speaking

Editing/Consulting

Novels

Haiku #18 for January

OBLIVIOUS LIVING

Folks complain they can't
catch a break; life throws them one
every time they breathe

Copyright 2014
Charlene E. Green

Thanks for reading! Please continue to support my work by viewing my tour campaign, contributing to my cause, and sharing the campaign link with your networks! https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/ecUob/ab/0255N5 Thank you in advance!