Snippets of my Imagination

Snippets of my Imagination is a collection of the 30 poems from my book, Scrapbook of Poetry. This edition is for the digital reader. There is a magical touch to poetry that speaks or reads a different message to each new ears or eyes. Sometimes a poem will remind the mind of a cherished moment or of a person who is held close to the heart. A poem might even hold the words that one had searched for their entire life, only to find it in the pages of a book of poetry. Poetry can inspire, lend wisdom, and give strength to the subconscious. For me, poetry is little snippets of the poet’s imagination. The 30 poems within this book are the little snippets of imagination that I have transferred from mind to paper... I hope that in my poetry I have achieved at least one of the above magical touches for my readers. Which poem will speak to you? ------- Notes on selected poems (Page 32) Poet’s note: Remembering Home (Page 3) On September 2005, my Mother took me to see the house she was brought home to when she was born, and her old neighborhood where she was raised for 16 years. Thirty-four years later, she explained to me how it was like traveling back in time, being able to see her old home. We, of course, couldn’t tour the inside, but she can remember and describe the layout of the house so clearly it amazes me. Poet’s note: A Taste Down Memory Lane (Page 4) I wrote this poem for my grandmother because my mother would often call her for recipes. Childhood recipes that were made from scratch, with favorite recipes and creations from great-plus grandmothers, aunts and past generations. My mother rewrote them, referring to the instructions whenever needed. She has included some of her recipes, and I in turn have added some of my own. I feel that this recipe book has become somewhat of a treasure, an ancestral keepsake that allows one to share a meal or snack with long-past relatives. Poet’s note: Inner Peace (Page 2) I wrote this poem because there are so many battles which are caused by diversity alone. Whether between neighbors or nations, why do differences cause war? We fight over the color of skin, for the traditions wished to be kept sacred, for the God we choose to place our faith in…or for the right to lay our faith in science. We continue to argue with one another over which concept is the right one, when as long as it harms no one, how is it wrong to believe in what we choose, to be who we want? Poet’s note: Walking My Sidewalk (Page 9) This poem is based on one of my stories. We all have goals and dreams, and some of us are met with challenges and difficulties. Some see challenges as boundaries that stand in our way from possibilities. But where would we be without the courage of our ancestors? We need to learn how not to be discouraged by obstacles and to go after our dreams. Poet’s note: Wouldn’t It Be Sweet! (Page 23) I found it tricky writing a love poem, since I haven’t experienced the emotion in such a way. However, imagination is needed when writing; when forming characters I must first imagine each and everyone as real to truly bring my writings to life. This is what my poem really means, that when I write, I note down my characters as if I’m writing their true life story, not just my fabrication.