Lara D. Elliott - Inspirations

Photo by Adrianna Calvo from Pexels Today someone confided in me how poor their mental health is. They were so amazingly brave, telling me the things they told me. Because of this bravery, I was able to get them to someone who has the expertise to help them. I am so honored that they trusted me. Though I have worries and struggles, I have a lot of things to be thankful for. Days like today remind me that I need to keep an eye on the bright side of things. But also to persevere when things are glum. I've survived depression. I know what it feels like living through the storm. But God gave us rainbows. Rainbows wouldn't be possible without rain. If you're feeling down, remember that your rainbow is waiting. But also, be brave. Ask someone for help if you need it. They can be your umbrella in the storm. Photo by Isabelle Taylor from Pexels When the storm is raging Be brave When the rain is pouring Be brave When the lightning strikes Be brave When t...

This is my first time entering the Halloweensie Contest and I am so excited! The Halloweensie Contest is a writing contest run by Susanna Leonard Hil. The challenge is to write a children's Halloween story in 100 words or less using the words potion, cobweb, and trick. Enjoy! Maggie Mermaid’s Halloween Bash by Lara Elliott Photo by Mysticartdesign on Pixabay For Maggie Mermaid’s turn to host The Halloween Big Monster Bash,  She didn’t know just how to make  Her underwater bash a smash.  Jack-o-lanterns wouldn’t light, Candy melted in a lump, Her costume of a spooky ghost Became a saggy, soggy frump. “Instead of pumpkins, happy clams Will surely work much better here. Seaweed, just like cobwebs, draped To make a spooky atmosphere. “Ocean potion ‘stead of punch; A pirate’s patch for me to wear; Instead of candy, pearls and shells Become the trick-or-treaters’ fare.” The friends swam in and had a blast At Maggie’s...

Good job! You're awesome! You get a gold star! Display it on the fridge. A plus! Honor roll! Top of the class! Graduate with honors. Get to work. Be on time. Repeat tomorrow. Here's your paycheck. I do a good job Day in, day out With no recognition. Where's my gold star? This piece was written at 3:00 in the morning, after a couple hours of sleeplessness, stress, and tears. The problem with caring too much about grades and praise from teachers is that you don't get that in real life. I get appreciated in thank you cards from my students. But I'm in a position that doesn't make it easy to receive any professional accolades. Many of my friends in the same field as me have earned professional accolades. Their position makes it possible and they've done a great job. I just wish that doing a good job in my position could get some recognition too every once in a while. Like this poem? You might like this other poem about the struggles of wo...

There was a lot of negativity in the world in the past week. Made me sick to think about how much hate there is out there. When my online writing group posted the picture prompt for this week (below), my first instinct was to write about fighting and destruction. But something stuck out in the photo that really spoke to me. The word "hope." Despite the decay and crumbling of the building, there is still hope. I hope for a world without hate. And so I wrote this poem. (For Heather) When walls crumble and roofs collapse, Hope. Despite the hatred and the hurt, Hope. Amidst the dead and dying, Hope. When a battle is lost but not yet the war, Hope. Resisters rise up and fight for what’s right and Hope. Love will overcome with Hope. Like my poetry? Check out more  here !

The Mechanic The Mechanic chooses bits and pieces And carefully screws them into place. The machine resembles Him in form, And He has given it His face. The most astonishing of machines, It resembles Him in many ways. It has capability for compassion And a loving interface. The strangest though, it still does seek Its creator’s amazing grace Which already has been given To all the human race. Written in response to a picture prompt for my online writing group. Find the original image here: http://davidnelsonfox.blogspot.com.es/2016/09/masks.html  The original image was creepy. Metal faces over a blood red fabric with gears strewn about. I was tempted to write something gory or gothic but remembered that I don't want to be that kind of writer. The image reminded me of a poem I had written before, so I thought I'd go in the same direction. If you liked this piece, you'll probably also like that other poem: If God Were Steampunk . Wo...

If God were steampunk we’d all have gears, Sound receptors in place of ears, Hands with multifunction parts, Steaming boilers instead of hearts, And scopes for eyes to see ten miles. (We’d still have teeth ‘cause God likes smiles.) His perfect mechanical innovations: Like clockwork would run God’s creation. Another piece written for a picture prompt in my writing group. (Originally posted February 20, 2016) If you like this poem, check out my other related poem:  http://laradelliott.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-mechanic.html Would you like to read all of my poetry? Check out more  here !

I finally finished the sonnets for my novel-in-progress. The first is from the main character, Aria. She is quite the poet, and later turns that talent into songwriting. The second "sonnet" is from Zed, the goof-off character, as you can see by what he wrote. His full text didn't make the cut for the novel, so this is the only place you can see it in its entirety. Enjoy! Aria's Sonnet: When e’er the land is wrapped in ice and snow,  My heart does long for days of sun and warmth, But Winter hides from me the dear sun’s glow And forces me to warm beside the hearth. When Solstice turns the nights to longer days, New promises of warmth in Spring do rise, But Winter’s winds and cloak of snow still stay, Delaying fields of green and bluer skies. When e’er at last the friendly melt does come, My weary heart is slow to beat again, But Spring’s warm smile brings love under the sun, Reviving me, restoring life within. ...

Perhaps love is in the air with Valentine's Day just around the corner. Anyhoo, I finally had a wave of inspiration for the love sonnet which I needed to put in my novel. One of the characters wrote it for his English assignment. Funny thing is, my real life student was writing a sonnet for class just the other day as well. I love a challenge when it comes to rhyme schemes and syllable counts.  “My heart beats like a drum when she is near. Each part of her a wonder to behold: Her voice a tune that is so sweet to hear; Her laugh a melody that won’t grow old; Her face a perfect canvas for a smile With eyes that warm and sparkle in the sun. I cannot gaze but for so short a while, For she departs too soon when day is done. My heart sings out a song of endless love Though only stars do hear it in the night When darkness wraps around me like a glove And hides my love for fear she won’t requite. I dream of days when she at last loves me A...

Gazing out the window, waiting, Bated breath and pulse soaring, Blowing steam and sipping coffee, Only biding time, clock ticking. Then, when hearing steps approaching, Croaking, losing air, and choking, Lifting gaze to his bright smile, All the while can’t keep still. Will he say the words so loving? Hugging, kissing, and embracing? Blood racing through her veins, Then he speaks love’s sweet refrain… The poem was this week's writing prompt response winner on Google+ in the"Writer's Discussion Group" as voted by my peers. I couldn't think of a story to go along with the picture prompt, but I knew I wanted to evoke something positive and sweet. (Originally Posted December 7, 2016) Like my poetry? Check out more  here !

Smile. (No, really.) Smile. Did it hurt? Did it make you sad? Angry? Did it take very long to do? Did it take much thought? Smile again. (Bonus points for raised eyebrows.) Show some teeth. Did someone see you do it? Did they smile too? Maybe? Did you brighten their day? Did you brighten yours? Laugh. (Out loud.) Really guffaw. Now how do you feel? As I get ready to start a new school year, many teachers and students are depressed about returning. I'm trying to get through the endless meetings and paperwork and stuff that comes with returning to school. I'm trying to stay positive. I let my students know I'm trying to stay positive. They're smiling at me when I forget to smile. We're reminding each other to stay positive. It's funny how smiles are contagious. (Yawns are too, but lets not try spreading those around at the start of the school year.) *Edited to add final stanza. This was in the original version, but I had taken it out. It d...

Such early waking Shake it off with coffee making Shuffling feet Aching back and lack of sleep Then time to go In traffic, sick of driving slow The daily grind The stress that presses on my mind A thankless job Stuck in muck, an endless bog World caving in Trapped and have to go again Rinse, repeat Rinse, repeat Rinse, repeat Another response for a picture prompt in my writing group.  (Originally Posted May 7, 2016) Like my poetry? Check out more  here !

Every month Perhaps it's the moon I turn into a beast Raging I snarl and growl I gnash my teeth My enemies flee I snap The demon leaves me Under the blood-red moon I return to the woman I was Monthly This is one of my favorites from the old blog. ( Originally posted April 26, 2016) Like my poetry? Check out more  here !

Have you ever heard a song at just the right time and the lyric was something you needed to hear at that exact moment? It happens to me a lot. This past fall when I was debating what direction to take my novel, I heard the song “My Story” by Big Daddy Weave. A line from the song states “to tell you my story is to tell of Him.” I knew I had to make it a Christian novel. This impacted me so much that I actually included a scene where the male protagonist hears a song that changes him. Unfortunately, there are all kinds of rights and permissions you need to print song lyrics in a novel so I went the easy route: I wrote my own. Below are the lyrics to the song from my first novel. It was just what the character needed to hear at just the right time. (The character is blind which makes the lyric even more meaningful). Why are you questioning me? Everything has been for a reason. I control the tides of the seas. I command the changing of the seasons. You are broken and y...

When she came to their school they noticed her. “You’re pretty,” the boys would say. “You’re hot,” the boys would say. They whistled as she walked through the cafeteria. When she stopped eating they didn’t stop.  “Nice rack,” the boys would say.  “Nice ass,” the boys would say. They touched her as they passed in the hallway.  When she cut herself they didn’t stop. “Why are you wearing long sleeves in the summer?” the boys would ask. “Show us some skin,” the boys would say. They attacked her in the parking lot. When she looked in the mirror she saw a monster. “I’m ugly,” she said to her reflection. “I’m nothing,” she said to the face staring back at her. She dressed to the nines and left. When the train blew its whistle she didn’t move. “This is the only way out,” she said. “This is the only way to end the pain,” she said. The whistle blew again. When her body was found it was a shock. “It’s a shame,” the policemen said. “She was so pretty,” ...

#myliferightnow   (written Jan 28, 2016) Indecision Insecurity Indigestion # shadow  (written Mar 10, 2016) I am his shadow, lying on the pavement. He is the only one who notices me at his feet, but doesn't realize he walks on me with every step. Like my poetry? Check out more here !