A Writer's Struggle

I've selectively shared my writer's process until now. The image here is simple and yet complex. Sometimes, the ideas come with a few words. Other times, it's a sentence or two. Regardless, there's more to what you see in the poem you read or story I write. This is just a sample. If you have something handwritten from me, count yourself among the few. Many times, the words get crumpled into wads of paper and thrown in the trash before hitting the digital page.

A Writer's Struggle 

By Annette Camp

June 24, 2024

With each letter

I write not just

words, but a

heartfelt 

message.

I crossout 

words.

I stop and

restart.

The struggle 

for just the 

right word to 

express what 

I feel is real.

I write and

rewrite words,

edit and

rearrange.

I sometimes 

wonder if you

hear my heart

in between 

the words.

Life's Fragility

In the wee hours of this morning, I faced, not one but, two head-on collisions - one an immobile police car blocking the road and another automobile in motion towards me. An experience I did not encounter alone. I do not know that my reaction time would have been as responsive, as I had just gotten off my flight from Seattle at 12:45am and had a good hour and a half drive home. I am so thankful for Freedom. She saved my life and I am forever grateful.

Life's Fragility

By Annette Camp

June 22, 2024

In this moment,

a near-death car 

crash of oncoming 

headlights haunts me. 

The bright illumination in 

the darkness of the night.

The jarring of the SUV to the 

right and back to fight calamity.

Chaos in that suspended moment.

A cascade of emotions defines 

my existence and the delicate 

beauty of precious life itself.

Enduring lessons carried forward

from the brink of disaster.

A renewed appreciation for 

life's fragility.

Sweet Dreams

How common is the night closed with the expression sweet dreams? 

Sweet Dreams

By Annette Camp

June 15, 2024

Last night, I had

the sweetest of

dreams about a

precious moment

when my spirit

whispered to you.

As you laid your

head on my lap, a

poem flowed from

my hand through

your hair, each

stroke a silent

declaration of love.

Time stood still as

my heart conversed

with yours, knowing

that each caress

expressed the most

sincere and tender

feeling imaginable. 

The Leisurely Journey

Tonight, I spoke with the one who has a space in my heart about the need for me to do things differently than I have in the past. Rushing into relationships and my addiction to the honeymoon phase has been quite disastrous in my previous relationships. There's nothing I can't experience in time...and time with her is what I long for. I don't just want her for a few days, weeks or months. I want to invest in the relationship over the long haul, the last haul, not the U-Haul. 

The Leisurely Journey

By Annette Camp

June 11, 2024

I have a profound 

awareness that a 

symphony of 

chemicals ignite 

when the veil of 

intimacy is lifted, 

swirling like a 

fragrant mist 

around us.  

In the tender 

dance of touch, 

endorphins and 

oxytocin weave an 

intoxicating 

tapestry, often 

blurring the lines 

between genuine 

connection and 

the euphoria of 

the moment. 

May we find delight 

in the sound of 

laughter, the joy 

of gratitude and the 

quiet moments of 

tranquility that 

build a foundation 

of trust and 

sincerity.

I envision

our journey to 

physical 

affection not 

as a hurried 

sprint, but 

as a gentle, 

meandering 

stroll through 

a sun-dappled 

forest. 

In this leisurely 

journey, let our 

souls intertwine 

long before our 

bodies do, creating 

a bond resilient 

to the fleeting 

buzz of physical 

closeness. 

Together, let us 

relish the art 

of gradual 

discovery, 

allowing our 

connection to 

blossom in its 

own time, 

nurtured by 

patience and 

peacefulness.

With a heart 

full of hope, I 

tread these waters 

carefully. Let 

us savor the 

anticipation, 

cherishing each 

step and every 

shared glance.

Hearts Unite

Last night, we shared a painted scene our two hearts will always remember. A moment of togetherness despite the miles separating us. 

Hearts Unite

By Annette Camp

June 11, 2024

A visual bridge

of color arching

across the heavens.

The blending of

hues, born of

sunlight and rain.

Beauty following

the darkest 

of clouds.

The sky shifts

into a tranquil

sea of fire.

A farewell dance

of amber, tangerine, 

and creamy white.

Bathing the night

in a warm

embrace.

Upon departing,

nature whispered

a secret.

A silent song

of connection 

in the quietude.

Under the

same sky,

two hearts unite.

Patchwork of Feelings

Patchwork of Feelings

By Annette Camp

June 9, 2024

In this image, my heart finds its home. 

Patchwork of feelings inside me roam. 

With each day, a cherished gift. 

Thoughts of you, my spirits lift.

Blossoming daily my affection takes flight. 

To me this day, every thing feels right. 

With every moment, our bond does grow. 

You are in my heart, this I know.

Take One Step

Disclosure: This is NOT a call to join a church. Simply, a woman telling her story of how not to give up if you have a dream.

For those that do not know, I identify myself as a spiritual kaleidoscope. I am religiously fluid in that I do not belong to, behave according to, or believe in any one faith tradition; rather I flow among them. I have been religiously persecuted and suffered from PTSD at the hands of many religious and spiritual bodies. I have been excommunicated, disfellowshipped and asked to never return from various religious and spiritual organizations, even in my home state of Colorado. 

Today, I write about my experience after reading an exert from Jim Harmer's book Work Energy: Finish What You Start and Fearlessly Take on Any Goal. It said "Imagine I'm sitting in front of you, talking with you face to face. You tell me the goal you've dreamed, and I tell you this: 'PROVE IT. YOU WANT IT SO BAD? I DARE YOU TO JUST TAKE ONE STEP.' People can dream all they want, but the vast majority of people will dream the rest of their lives away. Do you have a goal and you really mean it? I dare you to actually do one tiny thing about it today."

I have dreamt of finding a new spiritual home. One where I feel safe and loved. After roaming in and out of places throughout the world, I took a step in yet another faith community today. I am drawn to its mission "to unleash courageous love." So courageously, I step out onto a new path. 

The Heart Dance

I can't remember a more perfect first date. Paint swirled and my heart twirled. 

The Heart Dance

By Annette Camp

June 1, 2024

The beauty of her smile.

The sound of her laugh.

The fragrance of her perfume. 

The touch of her embrace. 

The taste of her kiss.

A communication

of connection that

caused my pulse to

quicken and my

heart to dance.