Impressionable Youth

By Jen Selinsky

"Impressionable Youth" is a book containing some of Jen's early poems, written on a variety of subjects. The themes from this collection range from joy and love to hatred and despair, which provide the reader with a full range of emotions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jen Selinsky
• Release date: Aug 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370618446

Jen Selinsky

Jen Selinsky was born in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2003, she earned her bachelor's degree in English from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. In 2004, she earned her master's degree in library science from the same school. Jen has worked as a professional librarian for over twelve years. She has published more than 170 books, most of which contain poetry. Her work can be found on the following sites: Lulu, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Smashwords, and Pen It! Publications. She has also been featured in publications such as: The Courier Journal, Explorer Magazine, Liphar Magazine, and Indiana Libraries. Jen lives in Sellersburg, IN with her husband.

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Impressionable Youth

Jen Selinsky

Copyright © 2005 by Jen Selinsky

All rights reserved by the author. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright holder.

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 purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased 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.

Cover Art Copyright © 1996 by Jen Selinsky

ISBN: 9781370618446

*Not every poem included in this book is dated in chronological order.  This is not an oversight on my part. Rather, I have made changes and substitutions over the years.

-J.L.S.

As long as the sun’s shining down

In our direction, I know that I may

Find sanctuary.

In world of many, different opinions,

I often find it hard to express myself.

No gesture is the same to others

Because all values are not shared.

Individuality is what’s stressed here!

12/25/96

All along the road we bind,

Searching for the distorted me.

Exactly who am I,

And what determines the direction

In which I wander?

The sun’s burning down onto my face

As I walk the desert sand.

Rocks and caverns call out my name,

As I explore the thoughts

Running loose in my mind.

12/25/96

Let the delight spread itself out

Among us;

Let the message of the day come forth.

Find us in a peaceful bind—

A tiding which brings us together.

12/25/96

Oh, golden star from the tree

Set up in the living room;

Bring us the joy that is

Your everlasting glow.

Oh, radiant light, who so

Brilliantly burns;

Let us throw ourselves in your skies

In which we fly free.

An ideal that will never die!

12/25/96

You know that I became

A different person

When I committed myself

Away from our society.

I shoved myself out,

Pushed myself away

And ignored any ridicule

That happened to come my way.

But, these people—

I cannot ignore them.

God wants me to help

Heal all their wounds.

12/25/96

Brilliant, powerful musician,

You have touched so many hearts;

Inspiration is your middle name.

Hands furiously pumping

Down on the organ keys.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Is not superior in my mind,

As you were back then—

A myth to come.

You strike fear into the hearts

Of the unsuspecting, giving them

True personification.

What a brilliant mind you have,

So inherent in your works

Please help me find a way through

Your music

Because I am dying to tell your tale.

You give us all such a dramatic ending;

You help me be still through the night

That sets forth your journey.

Inspire through the fruits, (of your labor)

Which call out my name,

Yet I am one of the collective

That naturally binds to you.

Live on through your name

Which defines the many minds.

Our generation needs your insight

To serve as a key to The Doors,

Which open up to thought,

At least to those who want it!

*dedicated to Ray Manzarek

12/26/96

When your lips reach

To touch mine,

Blissful thoughts

Run through my mind.

How long since our last embrace,

How easy can my words erase?

Hold me again

With your tender arms.

Alarms

Go off inside my head

To banish these moments,

Which I always dread.

4/14/97

Mentor, Mentor

I see you in the sky,

Flying high.

Take me away from

Burden’s name

And envy to end the game.

What have you taught me,

Oh, wise chief of knowledge?

Perhaps I’m to fear for the better,

And the best is never to end.

4/14/97

We reach the path to foolishness

Through extreme nonsense—

Asinine, absurd thoughts

That we all tend to laugh at.

Our souls bellow,

Like the free, cackling fools

That we are.

4/14/97

Were you outside, in my yard,

As I was pondering my intangible being?

A lost soul came by me,

Aloof, afraid, and bewildered.

Times before when I aimlessly wandered—

Hearing noises is just as strange,

But nothing is significant.

Your great distance

Both astounds and frustrates me.