My Journey Through Poetry

By Janice A. Smith

The poetry reflects her sense of the rhythm and flow of the topic. The form of the poem also is a reflection of its meaning. Each poem is unique on its own merit. Some poems rhyme; some use a recurring line or lines. Most are free verse and have their own musical flow. “The Time Was November” uses rhyme and this recurring line.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen House LLC
• Release date: Apr 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781951961213

Janice A. Smith

Teaching was Janice’s love. It brought out in her creative and analytic skills she didn’t know she possessed. Already possessing athletic skills; these skills led her to coaching girls sports. Creative dance stimulated within her a creativity she did not know existed. Her understanding of expressing an idea was non-stop. Along with this creative aspect, her analytical skills developed. Creativity and analysis were instrumental in her lesson planning for dance programs, sport teams, and in teaching literature and writing.

Book preview

MY

JOURNEY

THROUGH

Poetry

JANICE SMITH

My Journey Through Poetry

This book is written to provide information and motivation to readers. Its purpose is not to render any type of psychological, legal, or professional advice of any kind. The content is the sole opinion and expression of the author, and not necessarily that of the publisher.

Copyright © 2020 by Janice Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form by any means, including, but not limited to, recording, photocopying, or taking screenshots of parts of the book, without prior written permission from the author or the publisher. Brief quotations for noncommercial purposes, such as book reviews, permitted by Fair Use of the U.S. Copyright Law, are allowed without written permissions, as long as such quotations do not cause damage to the book’s commercial value. For permissions, write to the publisher, whose address is stated below.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN    978-1-951961-33-6    (Hardback)

ISBN    978-1-951961-20-6    (Paperback)

ISBN    978-1-951961-21-3    (Digital)

Pen House books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

Pen House LLC

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Sheridan, WY 82801

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Never Good-Bye

Love

Mayfair Students

Variety of Topics

Escape

The Time was November

Movie of Words

Ah-Ha!

Life Is

An Ancient Ruin

The Shoe’s Dilemma

Snowflakes

Intelligence?

Gone?

Tit for Tat

Another Era, Another Time

A Woman’s Adventure

Hopelessness

Assessment

The Wall

Are We Lost?

Heartbeat

Lingering Life

Fleeting Entity

Fli Back

Coastal Enticement

Rhythmic Profusion

There is Something

Embolden Picture 1945

Good Christian People

Wonders of Christianity

Expressions from a Grateful Coach

Team Success

The Goal

Victory

Woman Athlete

Champions

California Interscholatic Federation Softball Champions 1979

Silence Now?

Family and Friends

Remembering

The Empty Pocket

Mom

Fred

Eulogy For Mickey

Friendship

Canine Loves

Friends

The Dog

The Rabbit

The Bird

Creative Dance Groups

Thanks

Remember

A Reflection 1968

Thoughts

Of This Time…

Only Yesterday

Class of ’72

We Reach An End 1973

Thoughts 1975

Parting Thoughts 1976

My Journey Reaches its End

INTRODUCTION

My journey highlights my general thoughts, occasions, and beliefs as the writer. It follows my journey as an athlete, a coach, a creative dance teacher, and a fifty-two year career as a teacher of Physical Education and English.

My poetic endeavors began about the same time I started teaching. Up to that point I was too busy working and going to college to become a teacher. Mind you, I do not claim to be a great poet, but found it a way to express my thoughts. My first attempts were the usual not so perfectly rhymed poems. As I continued writing, free verse became more my style. Repetitive lines found their way into my poems as did metaphorical ideas. Imagery also