A new book in the works

Happy to announce that I have begun work on a new book: "The Writer Within; My First Fifty Years as a Writer". Although it is several months from completion, I wanted to give everyone a heads up on it. This book is designed to be a primer for anyone with designs on being a writer. Not necessarily instructional, but I hope it will inspire.
At the same time I am continuing work on my next book of poems, "The Times of Our Lives" which celebrates life events that we all share. I will be posting poems for this collection here as they are completed. Hope you all enjoy.

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Charade

Who is that hiding behind the mask
Of civility?
Claiming to understand
As the flames of misfortune
Come searching, seeking.

You shall not touch my shining
White armor.
My inoculation against your wrath
Yields me immune to your foul breath of fire
Though you aspire to drive me insane.

Speak not of frailty
Nor meekness of purpose.
Waltz proud and loud
Marching out, unafraid,
Brandishing sword and shield,
Searching for dragons,
Tearing down walls
To unmask the charade.

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Another Parade

Standing quietly in a crowd
Brimming with anticipation,
Humbled by the celebration
Soon to amble into view.

Politicians press the flesh
Or wave as they go rolling by.
Part-time soldiers stepping high
To carry the red white and blue.

Suddenly the calm erupts
As sirens blast and engines roar,
Banners wave and streamers soar
While drums and bugles fill the air.

Flowered floats go sailing past with
Girls in flighty, frilly fare,
Jugglers juggle by the pair and
Happy thoughts race everywhere.

Joy is beamed across the sky.
Another parade is passing by.

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

The Wedding Vow

Hopeful hearts hurry to capture the moon as
Melodies dance to a willowy tune and
Feathery clouds dare the daffodils swoon
As two become one life together.

Avid adventures audaciously dared with
Singular passions wistfully paired and
Coveted secrets become secrets shared
Through serene or calamitous weather.

Giddy with glee, just a wayfaring child
Awaiting the instant she walks down the aisle to  
Gracefully honor the moment with style.
Now is forever.
      Forever is now.

Promises made with the warmth of the sun
Enfold and enchant, blending two hearts in one.
One chapter closed, a new one begun as
True love embraces our wedding vow.

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Happy Birthday To Me

Oh great!
Just what I need,
Another reminder – Time swiftly passing –
Alas, once again to reflect on the ages
And celebrate “Me” with cards, cake and candles.
 
Well-wishers? Abundant.
Amazed that I’ve endured the quest,
Survived the test of father time.
Methuselah, beware.
Your record in jeopardy.
 
Don’t mind really.
Just another year older,
Thankful for the chance to see
The dew drops of a brand new day,
Sit quietly with the one I love
And reflect on my blessings,
Memories collected,
And to know with a certainty
That life will continue
Long after I shed this mortal shell.
 
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Are We Cold Yet?

It’s there
     In the air,
You can sense the hawk sweeping.
Soon,
     Very soon
It will wake from its sleeping
To bite and to nip
To claw and to rip
To haunt and to halt
In its bone-chilling grip.
 
Good sense says to hide,
To keep safely inside
Secure by the fireside
To weather the tide.
But fate bids me go
On my trek through the snow,
And suffer her wrath
As her glacial winds blow.
 
And the taut winter breeze
Brings the strong to their knees
As autumn surrenders
To deep winter’s freeze.
 
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/