Mighty Oaks

By Cynthia Queen

Mighty Oaks is a collection of carefully selected poetry and short stories meant to be enjoyed curled up by the fire on a quiet night or criticized under the magnifying glass of the most intense college professor. It is a collection that will profoundly affect the inner depths of its readers and bring to the fore the wonder of self. In its pages one will find inspiration, provocation and realization.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cynthia Queen
• Release date: Apr 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301611126

Cynthia Queen

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1971 Cynthia Queen spent her childhood growing up in the backwoods of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Williamson High School, and studied at Penn Tech and Thomas Edison University. Cynthia’s family always seemed one step ahead of the bill collectors and one penny short of paying the bills. Her writings reflect her hardships and lend to her work a sense of “down-to-earth” reality. She is the mother of two daughters who are now grown and settled with their own soul mates. Currently she has a small farm of seventy acres; a childhood goal since the age of four. After driving freight OTR she and her husband, Don, purchased their rundown farm in 2007. On this farm Cynthia has found new purpose; fixing everything including several run down rentals; raising goats, rescuing animals from time to time and helping others around her as she is able. It is her giving nature, quick-wit and positive attitude she attributes to her next dream becoming a reality; that of a recognized published author. In her own words Cynthia states: “It is time. The farm needs me to push forward. The people here need me to push forward. My family needs me to push forward. What has held me back is that which locks many unknown books in attic trunks; the petrifying fear of criticism. I no longer have the luxury to worry. I can only hope I have brought to my readers my very best work. My literary goal is to create laughter and provoke thought. My family has laughed, my friends have laughed. It would be a sin if I did not allow the world to laugh, too. Admittedly, as well, I hope to make enough income for a new barn. My readers will get to laugh and my animals will get to curl up in a warm stall on a cold winter night. A fair exchange, I believe.” You may learn more about this talented author at her website cythiaqueen.com.

Book preview

MIGHTY OAKS

Edited, Illustrated and Written

by Cynthia Queen

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Copyright 1996 Cynthia Queen

Smashwords Edition 2013

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Smashwords Editions License

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment

only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.

If you would like to share this book with another person, please

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for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com

and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting

the hard work of this author.

~ ~ ~

Discover other titles by Cynthia Queen

at Smashwords.com.

About the Author

More Books by this Author

Cynthia Queen.com

My Blog: Whatz Happenin’ Now

This book will be available in print at some online retailers.

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DEDICATION:

Mighty Oaks is dedicated to my lively daughters Crystal and Samantha

and to my beloved Grandma Tillie.

Mighty Oaks

Mighty Oaks is a collection of carefully selected poetry and short stories meant to be enjoyed curled up by the fire on a quiet night or criticized under the magnifying glass of the most intense college professor. It is a collection that will profoundly affect the inner depths of its readers and bring to the fore the wonder of self. In its pages one will find inspiration, provocation and realization.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MY TODAY BUT NOT MY TOMORROW

PEACEFUL PATHWAYS

THE MAKER’S BRUSH

FROM UP THERE

CONJOIN

WHAT AM I?

WITH or WITHOUT

MOTHER’S EYES

TUMBLING CROWN

THE BROKEN SAIL

INDECISION

THE VICTOR

TEMPTER

DISCONTENT

MISTAKES

RECLAMATION

APRON STRINGS

RINGS ARE FUNNY THINGS

A LITTLE BOY

SING ME A SONG

SAIL WITH ME

TRUE INFATUATION

FIRE TO ASH

THE GOLD AND THE DIAMOND

I STILL DO NOT KNOW

FROM THE ABYSS

INNARDS OF A STONE

WHAT IS- WHAT COULD BE

SILENCE

THE DAY YOU LEFT

I PRESENT MY LOVE TO THEE

ONLY THE LONELY

FREEMAN

HANDS OF TIME

GOLDEN MEMORIES

WHEN MARY WAS TOO BUSY

LET ME KNOW THE SECRET

THE PEARL

THE CHAINS REMAIN

IT’S JUST A CAT!

THROUGH OPEN EYES

THE LONELY FIGURE

MIGHTY OAKS

by Cynthia Queen

MY TODAY BUT NOT MY TOMORROW

Down the Wilderness Path-

Narrow and twisted-

Places very constricted-

I walk eternally forward.

Many an inspiration-

Many an illumination-

Have I,

as I walk through Sunny Patches.

Many a delusion-

Many a sullen moment-

Have I,

as I walk through Shadowed Patches.

Around each bend-

A different scene-

Better or worse

than the day before.

A fork along the way-

Never to be chosen again-

At this same time-

At this same moment.

(May 6, 1993)

PEACEFUL PATHWAYS

As I wander through the forest’s path,

strong is the scented pines intoxicating my soul,

rendering to me enlightenment,

to bubble forth in song.

A bluebird catches up the tune,

echoing it back to me.

A jay bird screeches zooming past-

Chirr-up! a chipmunk sharply sounds-

A doe blasts,

its fawn stomps,

with lifted tail they bid me farewell.

Peepers sing deep in the forest.

A hidden marsh in secret lies.

Amid thick stands of evergreens

a stream softly trickles.

A shallow pool-

some circling water beetles’ home.

Thunder-

stops my heart-

the thunder of wings.

Ruffled grouse rise with startling force,

darting through spindly trees.

From above-

comes an attack!

A fat grey squirrel-

dropping hickory shells on me!

Ferns grow along the path-

taller than my knees-

wider than my palm.

Soft and gentle,

they ripple and tickle

between the tips of my fingers.

The smells, the sounds, the sights,

the peace.

(May 6, 1993)

THE MAKER’S BRUSH

Brilliant heavens-

Sun-streaked sky-

What are you

trying

to say

to me?

O- burst forth your colors!

Display the beauty of your creation!

Come alive

according to

the magic of

your Maker’s brush.

Let Him dust your cheeks-

Let Him paint your lips pink-

Let Him line your closing lashes purple-

Let Him sparkle your raven tresses-

Song birds have found their nests-

Crickets are on the stage-

Awesome might and power!

Glorious dwarfing of my being!

What small and meager accomplishment

am I,

In view of the beauty of the Maker’s brush

and balanced eye?

(1988)

FROM UP THERE

I am a bird flying-spiraling-

Up through the center

Of the treetops.

I will imagine what it is to see-

From up there-

Looking down on me-

From up there-

What I appear to be-

From up there-

As I lay on my tiny bench-

Compared to the wind

That lays on the lake.

(April 1993)

CONJOIN

I reach out

but no one hears.

I touch

but no one feels.

Loneliness-

life’s embitterment.

Happiness-

the unattainable dream.

Stretch out your hand to me,

lift me from the depths of my despair.

Touch me

that I may feel.

Reach out

that I may hear.

(October 1993)

WHAT AM I?

Compared to a tree

What am I?

Compared to the sky

What am I?

Compared to the sun

What is the soul?

Compared to a bird in flight

What are my successes?

Compared to a flower in bloom

What are my troubles?

Compared to an ice-capped mountain

What is my physical make-up?

What does it mean to conquer?

What does it mean to surpass?

What is the meaning of strength?

What is mere man’s intelligence?

(August 1993)

WITH or WITHOUT

Without the clouds, what storm

can produce rain?

Without the seed, what tree

can produce fruit?

Without the sun, what day

can be light?

Without the smile, what face

can produce goodness?

Without goodness, what worth

can belong to man?

(October 7, 1993)

Author’s Note:

(Replace the word without with the word with.)

MOTHER’S EYES

Johnny, get out of the cookie jar! Mother yells from upstairs.

Johnny, you pull the cat’s tail and I’ll give you the broad side of a switch, Mother warns, her back turned; a mouth full of clothes pins.

Johnny, don’t even think of jumping into the mud puddle with your Sunday clothes on, Mother