poetry top ten 2018

Every year, I round up all the stats for what you, my wonderful readership, have enjoyed the most throughout the previous year. And, every year, it brings me such surprise. Some poems were absolutely taxing to write, yet I felt as if I needed to put forth the effort, and then I see how it reaches some people, and I understand why. Something I loved about this year is that a haiku made it in. So wonderful.

As always, I am thankful for you. Having readers who support my writing proves to me that poetry is not dead no matter what some people might say. I look forward to sharing more of my inspiration with you in this new year, 2019.

Enjoy!

Top Ten Poems for 2018:

1. Lost

2. The Crack of Noon

3. Let's See

4. A West Texas Boy

5. Where I Live Now

6. Their Love

7. Never Thought

8. Treasured Relics

9. A Piece of Peace

10. slipped


Honorable Mention: Elegant Warrior

2019 better be good

I know and know of too many people who say 2018 was a rough year to think I'm special. It was chock-full of change, both hard and happy, but so much, too much. I don't necessarily long for status quo, but man alive it would be nice to have a chance to breathe for a bit.

Resolutions are not my thing, but I do love to work on improving myself regularly. So this year, I'm looking toward the future with an expectation of garbage loads of change and working on my perspective toward it. I want to take it in stride instead of crying or getting resentful. I want to see how far I can go without giving in to negativity.

One thing I also hope for in this year we have in front of us is for my family to grow in love. I am very hopeful for this year to be the one where we have so much positivity and love that we never doubt that we care for one another. I want to have so much love and kindness that other people can see how much we love each other.

I have high hopes for this new year, 2019. Don't let a lady down. 

new year's day 2018

What a start to the new year!

Broken sleep, sleeping in, no sleep really. Vitamins to save lives. Cancelling plans for good yet unjustified reason. Gift giving when I really did not need to help with it and it gave me joy. Eating my absolute favorite ice cream right now: Baskin-Robbins Bubble Gum. Fixing up my turtle's UV light issue. Going bowling but not getting to bowl, so we did arcade games. Getting a movie to substitute for the cancelled plans but not getting a movie. Getting Just Dance 2018 because we needed (justified getting) it. Playing the crane game and not winning but my little guy did—after many attempts with his own money. Hurrying home to play our new game and watch a movie we rented only to leave to go crack open a manuscript that is not being cooperative for publication. Stressing out about the manuscript. Digging in and realizing how competent I am while realizing I am merely rusty on a very few skills. Working hard. Eating cheese and crackers and chocolate with my boss. Wrapping up sooner than expected. Making arrangements that will work in order to make progress. Mint hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. Wishing I had put the fresh sheets on my bed. Not caring that I am sleeping on blankets with blankets on top. Writing this list of reality and wondering how I made it through. Praying all day long. Praying more right now that I can do all that is required of me each day and find joy no matter what like I did today.

Poetry Top Ten of 2017

I didn't write nearly as much poetry as in years past, but that didn't stop all of you from reading and sharing! I am blessed with immense support, and I want to be sure you know how thankful I am for your time you spend reading my words. 

While I want to, I can't promise getting back on track poetry-wise, but I will promise that I will always write authentically whenever I do let myself get poetry out onto the page. 

Thank you for making each of these poems stand out and rise to the top. Each one has a story behind it laced throughout every word you see. 

2017 Top Ten Poetry: 

1. Without Even Trying

2. He Made Me a Real Teacher

3. Caught in the Fray

4. Thoughts on Destitution

5. I Want You to Know

6. Now or Never

7. Shine

8. True Love

9. Picking Myself Up

10. False Imprisonment

Three-way tie for Honorable Mention: 

Parallel Lives

Needs

My Real Self

Top Ten Reader's Choice 2017

If you've been around me at all, either in person or on social media, you'll have heard me mention that I anticipate healing change and growth during 2018. What I didn't realize though in all my anticipation is that this year has been one of great change and growth as I look back on it.

My children reached milestones galore. I edited two novels and one textbook, so my editing skills are getting sharp! My family home was sold, and I was able to help some family members. I found more ways to serve others.

One thing that made me step back and recognize my willpower is how I got through major heartbreak stronger than I thought I would. I truly couldn't see how I would get out of that grief actually, but I did make it out.

In all of these writing pieces, you have gone through these times with me. You have all been so supportive and kind to me. I have learned from you. Thank you for reading these selections and sharing them, and I am thankful for all of the ongoing support of my many other writings. I look forward to seeing what is in store for 2018!

I hope you enjoy this look back on 2017 with me.

Top Ten Readers' Choice:

1.  Twenty People: Part One

2. To Every Teacher

3. Fourteen Years

4. Empty

5. Be Brave

6. Christmas Music

7. Working on Sunday

8. Destitute

9. Friends

10. Three Things


Honorable Mention:

9 Things

Poetry Top Ten 2015

To write the poetry within my heart is a pleasure I hope I never lose sight of. Each poem holds morsels of my joy and pain, love and loss, hope and sorrow. As the new year begins, I have great anticipation for both the adventures to come and the things that will be written because of them. 

Thank you for reading my work and sharing it. Thank you for being part of my dream coming true. 

All Things Purple: Poetry Top Ten 2015

1. Stitched Kisses 

2. This Race 

3. Sitting Down with My Friends 

4. Never Spring 

5. Uncomfortable 

6. Because It's Us

7. Ink and Chalk 

8. Not Ready 

9. Missing 

  

10. Sanctuary

Honorable Mention: How I See Heaven 

Previous Years: 

2014

2013

Readers' Choice Top Ten 2015

Each year, it seems like there is always some obstacle I can't see how to overcome, yet I always do. This year was no different. Many challenges came my way—some aren't even resolved yet—and I still can appreciate how the process of overcoming always finds a way to win. 

I'm excited for the year to be over, but I don't want to leave 2015 behind without expressing my deep appreciation for every lesson learned over its course. Each of the selections that you, my readership, have loved holds a piece of my lessons learned, a part of my journey of becoming who I can be. As you read over them, I hope the things I have gained offer you insight, hope, and comfort. I know that your time spent reading, commenting, and sharing my writing has offered me those three things throughout this year. I appreciate each of you.

All Things Purple: Readers' Choice Top Ten 2015

1. Self Absorbed Emotions

2. Sometimes

3. Making Room for More 

4. The Big Prize 

5. My Sad Summer

6. For The Love of Treats

7. Perspective Shifts

8. I Feel Joy

9. Dental Appointment Epiphany

10. Divorcedness

Honorable Mention: Questions of the Heart

Years Past Top Ten Lists: 

2014

2013

2012

2011

Poetry Top Ten 2014

When I look at how far I've come with my writing of poetry, I have to sit back and wonder at whence these words came. My darling muse, strife, and everyday life worked their way into the lines creating this lovely magic, and I give thanks for every single bit of it. I also have immense gratitude for my ability to seize the moment when inspiration would come even though I never seemed to have enough time for everything. There is no telling what the new year will bring, but after seeing the goodness that came my way in 2014, I can hardly wait to experience what lies in store.

My sincerest gratitude goes out to each of you who have given my poetry life. Without anyone to read and appreciate them, words fall silent on the page. You are their breath. Thank you.

All Things Purple: Poetry Top Ten 2014

 1. To Survive

 2. Find Me

 3. Ode to the Early Responders

 4. Safe

 5. Take My Heart

 6. Entirely Insufficient

 7. Time to Hide

 8. More Than a Dream

 9. Together

10. It Started With Goodnight



Honorable Mention: A Resounding Yes


Poetry Top Ten 2013

Top Ten Readers' Choice 2014

Another year gone by, another list showing me what you've enjoyed the most.

Now that I've done this list making thing a few times, I realize what a treasure it is to capture this moment in time when one year ends and another begins. I'm not into making New Years' resolutions; however, I very much enjoy reflecting on the past year in order to see how far I've come and take stock in how much further I still need to go with all that I want to do with my life. And this go around has given me a large measure of joy as I went through the several musings, remembering where I have been and comparing it to where I find myself today.

It is always a pleasure to share the very best slice of my year (in your estimation).

All Things Purple: Top Ten Readers' Choice 2014

 1. To Survive 

 2. Find Me 

 3. Be the Change 

 4. Uninvited 

 5. Ode to the Early Responders

 6. Getting Back in the Saddle 

 7. Exquisite Beauty 

 8. Seeking to Become: January 2014 

 9. Safe 

10. On Thin Ice 

Honorable Mention: Texan Sunshine

Previous Years' Top Ten Lists:

2013
2012
2011

Poetry Top Ten 2013

1

Light Now Dimmed 

2

No More Pretending 

3

View From a Train Wreck

4

PURPLE: an acrostic poem 

5

The Moon 

6

Broken Hearts 

7

What You Look Like To Me 

8

There Are No Words 

9

In the Middle Forever 

10

For My Long Time Ago Lover 

Honorable Mention: Out of Nowhere

Top Ten Readers' Choice 2013

Another year gone by and I still have barely a clue as to what I'm doing here. We seem to have a pretty good racket going on though: I write. You read. We share. 

Without all of your encouragement, I might have quit writing at a few points during this past year. I seriously owe each one of you—whether you comment or not—for showing up to read and share what I have to offer. My confidence as a writer continues to wax stronger every day because of you. Thank you for being a part of this dynamic year of red, blue, and the ever-present purple moments. 

Without further ado, I give you the All Things Purple: Top Ten Readers' Choice 2013: 

1. Light Now Dimmed 
2. Ten Years Ago Today 
3. My Baptism Day
4. Life Lessons 
5. The Best Things Come From Texas 
6. View From a Train Wreck
7. No More Pretending 
8. Laura and Oscar: The Complete Series 
9. Emotional Terrorism 
10. Grammar, Usage, and Paranoia 

Honorable Mention: PURPLE: An Acrostic Poem

Top Ten Readers' Choice 2012

Reading through these ten blogs, I realize how my words are not my own. Each one has been inspired by someone else. I give each of you who have made these rise to the top my thanks for being, recognizing, and sharing my inspiration. 

As in all truly fabulous countdowns, we shall start with ten in order to lead up to the Number One Readers' Choice.

Enjoy!

10. Purple Pancakes

9. Without Them, Life Would Be Miserable

8. Sunlight and Supernovas

7. The Best Mostaccioli Recipe Yet Written

6. Thirty Days of Gratitude

5. Top Ten -licious Words Every Geek Should Know

4. My Heart Exposed

3. WANTED: Awareness, Respect, Acceptance

2. Short People Problems and Painting

1. Heartbreak Hotel: Lunchroom Edition

Word of the Year: Broken

image by The Savvy Sage

If I had to choose just one word to describe 2011, it would be broken. The entire year was spent examining broken down parts of my life and seeing what might be done to fix them. Several broken aspects will not be mended; they are broken beyond repair. Yet, many of the dysfunctional and seemingly broken areas were looked at, broken down into more manageable parts, and rebuilt in new, more practical ways.

All Things Purple Top Ten of 2011

For your reading and viewing enjoyment, click each title...

TEN.  I Will Survive!

NINE.  Everlasting Hopefulness

EIGHT.  Another Chapter in My Project


SEVEN.  A Few Things I Cannot Photograph


SIX.  An Angel Has Flown

FIVE.  The Best Pumpkin Cookie Recipe Yet Written

FOUR.  A Bit of Small Talk


THREE.  The Best White Bread Recipe Yet Written

TWO.  My Hope For Eternity

ONE.  In Her Footsteps

When I began this adventure, I could never have known how well-loved my poetry and other musings would become. All I can do is look forward to the approaching year and what is in store for All Things Purple: the blog. Knowing that people like what I share causes me to hope more than I dared to before and to see that I can reach farther than I thought possible.

Thank you for reading, enjoying, and sharing these pieces of my heart.

Reflection and Resolution

I will preface my list with an explanation...

I don't really believe in making New Year's Resolutions. There is something all too shallow about a practice so widely unsuccessful and, in reality, hailed for its ineffectiveness. Statistics, comic strips, jokes, etc. displaying the ridiculousness of the practice keep me from participating. I am a goal-driven sort of person, and if I make the effort to set a goal, creating a joke out of it just bothers me and it is not worth my time. I take my goals seriously; probably too seriously at times, I am sure.With all these things said, I would like to take the opportunity to share some of the hopes I have for this coming year.