This . . . Is About Life: Book I: Cherish Your Beginning

By Randi Owens

The poems in this book were written over a period of five years. Beginning as I was entering into high school and during a time when I felt completely at a loss in life. Poetry proved to be a valuable lifeline when I believed there were no other viable alternatives for dealing with my feelings. Poetry can provide therapeutic relief from worries and lifes excess stress. It invites readers to incorporate their thoughts and emotions into the words, creating the opportunity for temporary breaks from everyday life encounters. Through poetry I learned that it was okay to be upset, smile, laugh, cry, and to simply live. We can intertwine and cross whats real with fantasy ... if only just for that moment in time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jun 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781480861077

Randi Owens

Writing began as a form of escape for Randi from her world of reality, allowing for self expression while living in a foster home with biological siblings and several other foster children. Some poems were written without thought, while others were written as a form of communication without the element of verbal interaction on occasion. She joined the USAF upon graduation from high school, where she remained for 5 years receiving an Honorable discharge once her commitment was complete. She received an Associates degree from Anchorage Community College, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from Eastern Illinois University and a Certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor from the College of Great Falls. Her professional career consisted of working as a Youth at Risk Program Manager, Chemical Dependency Counselor, and Licensed Professional Counselor among others. Her chosen careers permitted her access to another of her passions in addition to writing and poetry, that of offering care and service to individuals in need of therapeutic intervention. Randi has lived in Alaska for over 27 years with her husband of over 40 years and their 6 adult children and grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2018 Randi Owens.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Archway Publishing

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Image credit: Kimberly Gallardo

ISBN: 978-1-4808-6105-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-6106-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-6107-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018905664

Archway Publishing rev. date: 5/15/2018

Randi Owens,

Author

Emily Autenrieth,

Editor

Kimberly Gallardo,

Illustrator

For every cherished life …

Introduction

I wrote the following poems over a period of five years, beginning when I was fourteen and in middle school. They proved to be a valuable lifeline when I believed there were no other viable alternatives for dealing with my feelings.

Poetry can provide therapeutic relief from worries and life’s excess stressors. It invites readers to incorporate their thoughts and emotions into words, creating the opportunity for temporary breaks from everyday life encounters. Through the poems, I learned that it was okay to be upset, smile, laugh, and cry, and to simply live. We can intertwine and cross what’s real with fantasy … if only just for that moment. I invite you to enter the world of an adolescent woman in the early seventies. Bring your imagination, thoughts, and emotions with you.

Contents

1969

The Unknown Girl

The Baby Sparrow

Little Proper Bobby

The Master Performer

1970

To Burris by Burro

Fuzz

A Flight to Be Remembered

Town Gossiper

The Golden Cannon

Let It Be Known

A Special Joy

The Month of May

The Soft Magic Ball

Who’s Who

Central Cabarrus High

Gooses and Mooses

The Wee Little Ones

The Jazz Band

Monnie

My Sister

Thanksgiving

1971

Halloween Is Coming

Let’s Join in the Groove

Sunny Benton

The Lonesome Tomboy

I’m the Champ

Sixteen and Still Pushing

Jackson

As the Green Grass Grows

The Mysterious Mystery

Rats Are Rats

Sleepyhead

Somber Generation Gaps

Poor, Sad Cherrie

My Horse Tale

Gay Tucker

Mr. Wensil

How Can I Hold My Temper?

Nobody Really Cared

The Falling Leaves

Typing I and Mr. James

This House

The Judge

1972

Listen

Soul People

It Takes Friends

The King of Nations

Sweet Blond Annie

Merry Christmas

A Small Poem of Wisdom

I Often Wish I Could Sing

Someone Listens Every Single Day

Emma Fish

Lessons about Work

A Very Special Easter

My Heart Within

We’ve Been Missing You

My Dreams

Typing II and Mr. Harris’s New Rules

In Hell

One Last Chance

No One Can Blow It Away

The Fog

Trouble

Prayer

Fighting

I Am an Outsider

The Onlooker

Mr. Barnes, Don’t Retire … Yet

Because …

Jenny Harris, Happy Birthday

Driver’s Education: Following Directions

While I Sat Here

Death Is Near

Life Is Dull

1973

Courage

Why?

I Often Wonder

Gretel at School

I Made a Fool of Myself

What Should I Say?

Don’t Monkey Around

Mr. Nicey

The Good Old Days

The Teacher of Bethlehem

Jolly, Jolly

Some Things Are Changeable

I’m Still Looking

The Alleyway

A Life of Your Own

A Guy Named Gary

Good Ole George

Togetherness

A Chance

Peace

People Are Different

Viking Team

An Outstanding Personality

It’s that Time Again

A Sudden Change in Life

Drawing Designs

4-H

I Thank You

GTO

My Living Angel

1969

The Unknown Girl

I met a very nice girl in the hall on my first day of school, to my delight.

I seemed to run into her every day for a while, but today she was out of sight.

She was the one who took time to show me to all my high school classes.

She introduced me to the office staff as she explained hall passes.

She paused to introduce herself and tell me her name before she left.

I was surprised by her kindness and overtaken by the emotions I felt.

No one else approached me or tried to acknowledge my head nod of Hi. They