These are a few of my favorite things....

I realized today that I spend a lot of time looking for inspiration for my stories.

I am also one of the most opinionated people I know. ;)

As such I decided I would create a spot online where I can share my musings, collect some of the things which spark my imagination and generally just say whatever I feel like. It's my blog, after all, and if you don't like it... well then, why are you here? :)

Let's see...

Favorite Music is an easy one; I'm a huge U2 fan. I had the incredible opportunity to see them in concert five times on their most recent 'vertigo' tour. I've also been fortunate enough to meet all of the band members except for the drummer, Larry Mullen Jr. I hope to change that, though, someday.

Their music covers so many topics and styles and genres - it transcends any sort of definition or pigeon-holing. You can't explain their music in one word, or even one sentence. That is precisely why I adore them so very much.

I have a deep interest in every type of music; I love Johnny Cash and Miles Davis, U2 and George Winston, Harry Connick Jr and Andrea Bocelli. I'm particularly interested in Celtic traditional music at the moment, as well, and have discovered rock-style groups with heavy Celtic folk influences, such as the Pogues and Flogging Molly. If you peek into my CD player you're fairly likely to find the work of an Irish band.

One thing I look for in music, as in just about anything in life, is that it sparks my imagination. The things which do this most vividly are my favorite things; and the products of my imagination I think of as my Emerald Sparks.

My Poetry

Darkness and daylight

You love the day,
worship the light.
You mourn the setting of the sun,
and hide from the night.

I? I curse the light of day,
though most would praise and cheer.
I say if there were no light,
The dark would hold no fear.

How would we feel about the dark
if the harsh bright sun had never shone?
We would not wish for light!
For we would know the dark, alone.

It is the harsh, stark light of day
which makes the dark of night seem cold.
Dark is bad and light is good,
I have always been told.

But without the dark,
what would be the light?
What would a day mean,
if we had no night?

~L.A. Watkins





UNREQUITED

If this world we're in were perfect,
then I would never need leave your side
If this world we're in were perfect,
then in me you would take pride.

Our world is not perfect,
it's rarely even right.
To make your world easier,
I am leaving you tonight.

Perhaps without me, you will do well,
without me you will thrive.
I don't know how I'll do without you
perhaps I will survive.

I know you do not need me,
I know for each other we are wrong.
Even though I know all this,
I'm glad I had you for this long.

For a brief moment I got to hold you,
for a moment, you were mine.
Although that moment is over,
I'll have the memory for all time.

I know this is what's meant.
I hope your life is long and sweet,
and I look forward to the day
when once again we’ll meet.

~L.A. Watkins





Shadows

You see the shadows in my eyes
and want to chase them away
you think you can save me
and baby, I’m so afraid
because I been down this road
I know how it goes
You’ll give me your everything
But those shadows still show

I don’t want to love you
Because I don’t want to break you
I don’t want to see you cry
Really don’t want to make you

You think I’m sad, I need to be loved
Your love will fix me up inside
You think there’s something more
Something that the shadows hide
Someday you’ll realize there’s nothing more
The shadows are all that is there
Your heart will break when you see
And your love will fade in thin air

I don’t want to love you
Because I don’t want to break you
I don’t want to see you cry
Really don’t want to make you

I wish there was something more
Something beautiful hiding underneath
But I know the shadows are in my soul
And when you see that, you’ll leave
You believe in the power of love
Your soul shines so bright
But my shadows are deep,
and won’t be chased away by your light

Why can’t you believe me when I say
These shadows will never, ever go away?
No, babe, these shadows in my soul
They won’t fade, but they’ll swallow you whole
Run, run away and don’t try to save me
Don’t be the hero, please let that be me
I’ll give up any love that you feel
To know that from my darkness, you’re free

I don’t want to love you
Because I don’t want to break you
I don’t want to see you cry
Really don’t want to make you.

~L.A. Watkins