Penny The Poet

52 Stories in 52 Weeks: ## 45 Penny The Poet

(Dedicated to my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.)

By: Mr. George D. Patnoe., Jr.,s Ambidextrous Brain + Spiritual Mind.

Penny the poet lover never sang a song in her life, but she had learned to love romantic words anyway. Penny grew up in a house of few words; sometimes no words. Yet, her parents used words in the normal way that people used words, but Penny guessed that something was missing.

As a child, Penny always listened to her parents whenever they used words for their varied purposes. She always tried to figure out what they were really trying to say, especially when they were mad or angry. She would also listen to people talking to each other in school and the grocery stores and in the malls and even at the bus stop, all the while she was trying to figure out how they could used words better, for better results. She always felt like people were missing something when they opened up their mouths to speak, that is, to use words. But then again, Penny was not living in the age of Romanticism.

Penny was living in a age where many people cared more about watching pictures on televison or movies or games, than developing their word usage. Nevertheless, in her youth, she did not know a thing about poetry. But she felt its soul long before she knew poetry even existed. She felt that way because she thought that people did not speak from their soul, or even if they had a soul to speak from, they did not know how to express their soul to the world. As a youth, Penny felt like people opened their mouths with the crudest of mental abilities.

Crude and simple words for people who only wanted to eat and drink, but who did not want to study language. But Penny learned that there was a time when romantic people cared about words and how to use them. While other people cared nothing for words nor would they spend a dime on a word book or even accept a free word book, there were other people who knew words and that using words were very important for many reasons. That is what she thought as a child, even though she could not understand why she guessed it.

As a child, Penny would listen intently to the television and radio, to listen to the words that people used to express themselves or ideas of the day. She felt that people on television were missing something important, as if their words were a dead leafs, instead of the colorful leafs that expressed nature’s changing seasons, that expressed the life of the world, of its soul. Penny thought that people put no soul into their words because they lived life like simpletons who only repeated the simple words that they had overheard from their parents, family members, and society as a whole.

Even in school, poor Penny felt some deprivation from her teachers because they taught her the simplicity of words, as most grade school teachers do; teaching the young students words as if words were like numbers on a page. Yet, even numbers come alive when they are related to each other; so how much more so for words, with their varied meanings, from their international values for communication from the past, present, and into the future?

There had to more to words than their plain meanings from the dictionary, thought Penny. But Penny had no one to show and teach her how make words come alive with the magic she sensed they possessed. Everyday, everywhere Penny had traveled to, she listened to hear if any person knew how to voice words with the magic she guessed they possessed, but she could not find those people in her everyday world.

As Penny grew older, she began her search to find what she knew she was missing in the world of words, so she could turn her words into magical words. She searched all of the grammar books in her school library, with no luck at all. So Penny decided to ask her teacher about using words and the magic she guess that they must possess in the mind of a romantic writer. When she walked into her teacher’s classroom, her teacher looked up towards Penny and she asked Penny, ‘What can I do for you Penny?’

As Penny grew older, she began her search to find what she knew she was missing in the world of words, so she could turn her words into magical words. She searched all of the grammar books in her school library, with no luck at all. So Penny decided to ask her teacher about using words and the magic she guess that they must possess in the mind of a romantic writer. When she walked into her teacher’s classroom, her teacher looked up towards Penny and she asked Penny, ‘What can I do for you Penny?’

The smiling Penny looked at her teacher as she answered, ‘Well teacher, I know that I am only in grade school, but isn’t there more to learning words than repeating them and learning them by memory?’

Penny’s teacher put down her pen and she responded with, ‘I have never had a young student ever ask me that question, Penny. I am really amazed that you think that there is more to words than repeating them by rote, as in their dictionary definitions. There is more to words than their dry definitions. But I think you are thinking about poetry.

The young Penny responded with, ‘Poetry! What is poetry?

The teacher smiled at Penny as she stated, ‘People can use words for many reasons; like to present facts in their dry directness, as un-colorful as possible. But creative writers can use a style of writing known as poetry to express a different aspects of their human mind, or of their human soul, to express not logical ideas, but to express the depth of their inner being, for many reasons. Poetry is when words are used for a special intensity of feeling, like love, in a distinctive and rhythm manner.’

Penny asked, ‘Do you have any poetry to show me what you mean?’

The teacher stood up from her desk and she walked over to her bookshelf and she picked up a book titled, "WORLD POETRY"; by: Katharine Washburn and John S. Major. The teacher opened the book to page 750, to one of her favorite poems in the book. She stood up in front of the classroom, changing her composure, as if she was an actor. She held the book in one hand as her facial appearance changed. She seemed to enter into a different state of mind before she spoke the first words. Penny watched her teacher as she transformed into a different state of mind. Then, the words flowed:

WORDS IN THE SHADOW: by: Louis Simpson.

She said, "I am wrong to want something more, it is true.
The hours go by very quietly just so.
There you are. I never take my eyes off of you.
In your eyes I see your thoughts as they come and go.

To watch you is a joy I have not yet got through.
No doubt it is still very charming of its kind!
I watch, for I know everything that annoys you,
So that nothing comes a knocking when you are not inclined.

I make myself so small in my corner near you.
You are my great lion, I am your little dove.
I listen to your leaves, the peaceful froufrou.
Sometimes I pick up your pen when it falls off.

Without a doubt I have you. Surely I see you.
Thinking is a wine on which the dreamers are drunk,
I know. But sometimes I’d like to be dreamed of too.
When you are like that, in your books, all evening, sunk,

Not lifting your head or saying a word to me,
There is a shadow deep down in my loving heart.
For me to see you whole, it is necessary
To look at me a little, sometimes, on your part."

Penny sat quietly in her chair after while the teacher returned to her normal self. The teacher said, ‘Those are words are from the heart of a lady poet who used words to express her love for her husband. But anyone who has been in love can relate to it, because the words combine to form her love on paper, from her emotional mind and also from her personal experience. "For poems are not as people think, simply emotions (one has emotions early enough) - they are experiences."

Rainer Maria Rilke. (http://www.poets.org/)

Penny sat still as her teacher walked over to her bookshelf and she grabbed another copy of the same book, WORLD POETRY. Penny’s teacher place the book on the desk and she grabbed a ballpoint pen and opened the book’s cover. She looked at Penny before she signed the book with, "For Penny, May you love words enough to become a word master and a great lady poet. May this book be the beginning of a long love life with words. Signed, Teacher." She handed the book to Penny and Penny took the book as if she had been given the answer to her quest for creating magic with words.

Penny said ‘Thank you for the book and for the word/poetry lesson. I think I know what you mean. Maybe I will be a poet when I grow up, or at least a part time poet.’ She stood up and she started to walk towards the door. Her teacher said, ‘Penny.’ Penny turned her head towards the teacher as her teacher said, ‘Why wait until you are a grown up. You can start using words now.

You can become a poet now. You just have to explore your mind and soul and find the words and sentences that even so dimly reflect what you feel and experience. You can start to treasure words and their meanings and how to combine them to create your magic poetry on paper. A pen or pencil, some paper, a dictionary, and your thinking mind and intuitive soul. And when you obtain more life experience, with its loves and sorrows, you will become a better poet. But you can start now, with what you have already experienced in your life. I can help you along. You can also go to the library or bookstore and learn about poetry on your own. There a many books on poetry.’

Penny waved goodbye to the teacher as she left the classroom and she walked straight to the school library. She found a few books like: The Poets Handbook: by Judson Jerome. Creating Poetry: by John Drury. The Art and Craft of Poetry: by Michael J. Bugeja. There were many other poetry books in the library, but Penny’s book backpack was only so big. She proudly and excitingly walked home with the poetry books. When she entered her house, her mom was waiting for her. Her mom said to Penny, ‘Welcome home Penny. What did you do today?’

Penny walked into the kitchen as she took the poetry books out of her book backpack. She laid the poetry books on the kitchen table. I am going to study poetry, so I signed out these poetry books from the library. Her mom looked at her daughter with a bit of pride, but also with a bit of curiosity. ‘Why have you become interested in poetry?’ asked her mom.

Penny looked up towards her mom with the answer, ‘I want to learn how to use words. I want to express my soul and the treasures of life by words on paper.’

Penny;’s mom smiled and said, ‘Good for you Penny. Start now so when you fall in love with a young man, you will be able to write love poems.’

Penny did not reply to her mom’s statement about love poems. Instead, she opened the refrigerator door and grabbed some milk and a slice of apple pie. She returned to the table and opened up a poetry book and she started her personal goal of studying words, for poetry’s sake.

After awhile Penny stood up and excused herself from the kitchen so she could walk up to her bedroom. She opened the WORLD POETRY Poem book to page 750, to read the poem that her teacher had read to her. She read it aloud, trying to understand the meaning of the words, of the sentences, of the whole poem from top to bottom. Being a short and logical poem, Penny understood the words simple enough; but she knew that she had never been in love, so she would be missing some of the meaning in the poem. Still, it sound nice!

Penny finished her normal school days of reading books and studying for and passing her exams, until the last day of her highschool days. Penny did not date to much during her highschool days because she was using her mind to obtain good grades to impress college recruiters; along with the fact that her parents taught Penny that dating should not be her first goal as a young lady.

They did not want their daughter to be corrupted by the bad influences of highschool because they knew how so many negative elements can deter the human brain and human mind from obtaining its full potential in all areas of intellectual development.

But after the summer vacation, Penny was ready for college, and a new life away from her parents. But during her first college class, she quickly realized that she would have to study as hard as she did in highschool, for more important reasons; like to impress job recruiters after she had obtained her college degree. But first thing first! Penny began a new life of total independence away from her parents and highschool friends, as limited as they were. After all, how many highschool students fall in love with words? Usually, most highschool students fall in love everything but words; with another human, or with a musical band, or with a mirror, or with sports, or with something other than the English language, or any other language for that matter.

Penny perceived that she was going to enjoy studying in college even more than studying in highschool. But during her first visit to the student union cafeteria, Penny sat down to enjoy her first mocha coffee; which was the beginning of a love affair with the highly caffeinated mocha coffee. But within a few minutes of her opening up a book, another college student sat down next to her. She heard the words, ‘I saw you in class and I wanted to say hi.’

Penny closed her book and she started a conversation with her new friend, her first new friend of many new friends in her college life. For the next two hours, Penny and her new friend talked about their hometowns, and their new college lives, and other less important small talk. Penny began to feel more and more like a grownup when she realized that she would not be going home to her parents. Instead, she would be returning to the dormitory, where she would have to live with strangers. But nevertheless, she felt as if she was growing up more and more, by becoming an individual.

Living at the college, Penny’s studies quickly progressed and finished as one semester followed after another semester. But her true love was always with words; which is why she majored in the use of words from around the world. In one class, Penny had to recite a poem in front of the class. It was an easy choice for Penny. She read one of her favorite poems to the class from the book, ‘LOVE SONGS / SONNETS’ by Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets. Penny stood up in front of the class, as she began to feel a change in her soul; she began to recite the poem,

To My Dear And Loving Husband: by Ann Bradstreet.

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov’d by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye woman, if you can.

I prize thy love more than mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the east doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.

Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love, let’s so persevere.
That when we love no more, we may live forever.

(Ann Bradstreet (1613- 1672) was the first American female poet to have her works published.)

The class listened to the newly created romantic Penny, because Penny was beginning to dream of finding a lifelong soul mate; namely a husband who also wanted to begin a family life after her college life. In time, in an unexpected moment, Penny’s heart was touched by another word lover. She had been looking at a poetry book in the local book store, when a bright young fellow walked up to the book aisle where she was standing. She was reaching for a book when his hand tried to grab it before she grabbed it. ‘A little greedy there, aren’t we?’ stated a surprised Penny.

‘Not greedy. I just want that poetry book.’ stated her soon to be male friend.

‘Well it is mine now!’ stated Penny. ‘But we could discuss it over a cup of mocha coffee.’

Soon enough, the two poetry lovers started to explore the world of poetry together as one mind. They also begin a weekly exploration of watching at least one romantic movie either on DVD or in a movie theater. And of course, sooner than later, they considered themselves in love.

The wedding was grand. They each had wrote a poem for their wedding vows. Penny choose a poem by Elizabeth Akers Allen.

At Last:

At last, when all the summer shine
That warmed life's early hours is past,
Your loving fingers seek for mine
And hold them close—at last—at last!
Not oft the robin comes to build
Its nest upon the leafless bough
By autumn robbed, by winter chilled,—
But you, dear heart, you love me now.

Though there are shadows on my brow
And furrows on my cheek, in truth,—
The marks where Time's remorseless plough
Broke up the blooming sward of Youth,—
Though fled is every girlish grace
Might win or hold a lover's vow,
Despite my sad and faded face,
And darkened heart, you love me now!

I count no more my wasted tears;
They left no echo of their fall;
I mourn no more my lonesome years;
This blessed hour atones for all.
I fear not all that Time or Fate
May bring to burden heart or brow,—
Strong in the love that came so late,
Our souls shall keep it always now!

Penny and new her husband started a family soon thereafter the wedding. Yet, before their first child was even born into the world of words, Penny and her husband read children poetry to their unborn child. Poems such as:

All Things Bright and Beautiful: by Cecil Frances Alexander.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Penny knew that her all her children possessed a soul; and by learning the Soul of God Almighty, they too, would become bright and beautiful, no matter how great or how small. They too, would be wise and wonderful. And they too, would be able to tell it all!