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Overview
Author Jennifer Blake-Edwards started writing as a young girl. But it was a trip to Jamaica that allowed her to find herself after college. For two months, she weathered Jamaica’s rainy season by writing poetry while it rained daily for hours. It was also during this trip that she met a dark, handsome, and dimpled Caribbean man who not only ignited her love for poetry, but for warm showers and getting wet.
In WET, she shares an anthology of poetry with many of the selections carrying the themes of water and rain. In “The Threat,” Blake-Edwards writes, /Time… will we ever have enough? / I sit and wait for the rains to end, / for my day to begin its slippery/ slide to its inevitable end. / The day is overcast, the air thick / choking me… /
This collection puts a thirty-year-plus journey through life’s storms to paper. Like raindrops, Blake-Edwards’ words splattered on the pages and are given life.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781458218605 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Abbott Press |
| Publication date: | 04/21/2015 |
| Pages: | 50 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.12(d) |
Read an Excerpt
Wet
By Jennifer Blake-Edwards
Abbott Press
Copyright © 2015 Jennifer Blake-EdwardsAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4582-1860-5
CHAPTER 1
The Promise
Moving slowly thru the day ... feeling the
gentle warmth of the sun.
The sky peppered with clouds.
I search for you ... listening for any signs
of your return.
I see you creeping over some unsuspecting
clouds in the horizon ... blending into their
billowing softness.
I watch their color subtly shift ...
I see them swell and tremble.
I wonder what secrets you have shared and if
their movements indicate laughter or fear
You peek out at me as I continue on my path
and follow my every move ... stalking me.
As I move toward a door to enter, I feel
the earth shake ... I hear you rumble deep
and threatening.
Are you trying to frighten me or just get
my attention?
As I turn back to look at the sky, the breeze
blows me a wet kiss that comes to rest on
my lips it takes me by surprise, it brings no
pain but instead caresses ... I shiver ...
A single flash of lightening suddenly dances
across the sky just as the wind enfolds me
in its embrace and whispers your name ...
The Quiet Storm
I am the quiet storm ... slowly rushing
in, filling the skies with sheets of gentle
rains,
moments of rumbling, then streaks of
lightening
that zig and zag through the sky with no
definite
plan ... sharp etchings on a black canvas
quickly
slipping back into the darkness, seemingly
washed away by the steady stream running
gently to the earth that waits
eager and hungry to absorb it....
"Wet"
your cooling liquid cascades down me ...
millions of tiny streams that eventually meet
in one out pouring.
I taste the saltiness as you glide slowly
over me.
my tongue reaches out so as to catch every
drop,
my body moves upward, forward to
meet you ...
absorbing our moisture.
drenched, I shiver, completely filled....
Contradiction
Never ending ... you pound my world
Penetrating me deeply you seep into
my warmth filling me to overflowing.
Just as suddenly your pounding becomes a
caress
As you gently touch my world, refreshing me
with
your tender ministrations
My very core is touched by you....
I am drenched!!!!!
Continous
The trees sway, some bowing down with
the heaviness of the water, as it beats down
on the leaves and branches that are moving
as if to side step the lashes of the never
ending rain.
Each time there seems to be a lull, I hear the
sounds of birds calling to each other to
complain
or maybe cheer on the downpour
I sit wrapped warmly in soft blankets
shivering
as the world around me is soaked by the
never ending rain....
Memories
As the rain continues yet another day,
memories surround me....
I look through old writings and journals of
almost forgotten feelings.
Was I ever that hurt or sad? Did I ever
love that deeply? Did the joy I read of ever
exist?
A day of nothing but travels back to other
times,
not all of them memorable ...
some bring tears to my eyes of bitter sweet
moments that still can take my breath
away!!!!!
Inside Outnside Out
The rain beats on the world around me.
I am safe behind the window watching its
attack.
The trees sway, leaves and branches plastered
down by the force of the wind and rain.
pieces crashing haphazardly to the ground
As quickly as it came it stops.
The trees slowly come to a stop, gently
bowing
a farewell to the not so gentle intruder who
leaves
a spray of gentle mist as soft as butterflies
kisses....
and has no regard for the damage they left
behind.
Anticipation
You've stopped....
I listen fearfully for the evidence
of your return....
But there is only the grateful
chattering of tired souls, as they look
sadly upon the devastation
you have left behind.
I close my eyes and remember
the time, not so very long ago
when you were here
I hesitantly open them....
I stop holding my breath
and breathe deeply, wondering
when you will return and if I'll
be ready the next time.................
The Tease
Where have you gone????
I reach for you, my hand grasping only
air as you escape from my touch ...
Your silence deafening ...
And then a touch, so light like a whisper
that is almost not heard ...
Then you touch me again, pressing firmly
against my skin ...
I feel your moisture as you trail wet kisses
gently down my trembling skin.
I try to touch you but you retreat just outside
my grasp taking with you the warmth of
your
lips ... leaving me shivering and cold longing
for your return.
Our Story
As children we splashed joyously in
puddles left over from the rain ... giddy
as the water wet our shoes and clothes
Playing for hours till soaked to the skin
we were called into warm houses to get dry
and get back to the everyday of living but
we carried with us the giggle of the
water lands
As we got older, the rain became a romantic
escape with a lover hiding us away from the
world in a haze of intimacy ... the kiss of the
rain on love drenched lipsand we carried
the taste of it ... secretly turning our faces to
the rain, reliving the magic of a kiss ...
As we enter our twilight,
the rain is more a nuisance getting in
the way ... making everyday things harder ...
chilling one to the bone
then one random day, for no reason ...
the rain outside is so much more ...
Maybe it's hearing children's laughter ...
Or maybe seeing two lovers kiss ...
Or for no reason at all ... we just walk in the
rain ... our faces turn skyward ... our eyes slowly
close ... we feel the rains tender kiss ...
we smile, just sighing.....and remember!
Rain's Touchain's Touch
Drenched, my tongue escapes to catch
the water as it gently falls around me
I smile remembering another time ...
Another rain ... young still with the touches
of lingering innocence ...
Thinking of a future filled with so much
happiness
Untouched by life's misery and pain ...
Still able to play and sing in the rain ...
Splashing in puddles ...
Wet and unafraid
I am touched by the rain's tender caress....
Rain's Kiss
I hold your hand as we walk thru the
beautiful garden ... looking at the trees sway
and at the many splashes of colorful
flowers that surround us
Birds sing to each other
Is it love that they chirp about?
Can they sense what I feel for you?
It hits me so suddenly I am struck
speechless.....
Can you see it shining from my eyes as
I glance your way?
Suddenly a gentle mist enfolds us ...
And then we are tenderly washed by
the spring rain
Instead of running for cover you smile
and we continue to stroll, occasionally
turning our faces skyward to be caressed
ever so gently by the rain's kiss.
And then you turn to me or is it I that
turn to you ... you reach for me and kiss my
eyes,
my cheeks moving in a slow pattern like
the rain....landing on my lips which were
slightly
parted as I tasted, then licked the water
and now
your lips.....
We are cocooned in the gentle sounds of the
rain
washing the world away and there is
only us....
Then you look deeply
into my eyes ... and there is only you!!!!
The Symphonyhe Symphony
My heart echoes with the sound of the wind
The rain like a drum beats out a rhythm that
can be felt to my very soul.
I move to the syncopated rhythm, spun
around in a dance by the blowing breeze.
A song escapes my lips spraying its caressing
melody and there is a symphony of sound!
as the mist enfolds me in a lovers embrace
soaking me to my very core....
Morning Mist
The morning after you....
I lay buried beneath a cloud of blankets.
I reach for the empty space you left behind
and listen for any signs of you ...
only to be met by silence as sunlight slowly
dances toward me with its morning kiss.
I close my eyes and long for you.
I hear the rustle of the leaves ...
then feel your caress ... as the breeze
drifts through my window wet from
the night's rain.
My lips part I move toward you ...
and drown in your touch.....
The Threat
Time ... will we ever have enough?
I sit and wait for the rains to end,
for my day to begin its slippery
slide to its inevitable end
The day is overcast, the air thick
choking me ...
The threat of more rain.
Nature moving slowly ... hesitant
to commence it's usual Fearing
the sky will erupt again unable to carry
further its
heavy burden and drown us ...
Intensentense
The roar of the water, the howling of the
wind.
The flash of lightening cutting through the
blackness of the night.
A few minutes later the rumble of thunder
shaking the earth beneath my feet.
The lights flicker but don't completely
extinguish and I sigh with relief.
The music plays quietly as a
background to nature's symphonic
masterpiece ... a creation of sounds
interrupted only by my whisper ...
as I pray for the rains to end.
The Reprieve
Days of unending beatings.....
Whipped by wind and rain.
Some left broken and trampled by the
onslaught ... fearing it would never end ...
and that there would be nothing left.
Then as suddenly as it started it stops.
There is a hush and then a symphony of
sounds
as nature rejoices in the reprieve.
The sun is shining brightly.
The sky clear and untouched by even the
sprinkling of clouds.
I look around at the damage left behind
while feeling the touch of the sun.
The now gentle breeze whispering to me.
It is as if the horror was just a nightmare ...
A figment of mass imaginations.
I gasp trying to catch my breath.
I start to smile relieved it is over,
trying to enjoy the light breeze that
whispers to me.
In the distance a rumbling, and then
the skies darken.
Nature holds it's breath,
gripped by terror Long before it has
fully recovered from the last assault....
the pounding begins,
and I fear we may not survive it again.
Soaked
Will you never end.......
The steady beat of the rain continues
around me ...
The moaning of nature as it weeps soaked
through and unable to hold further the
overflow......
Still it continues to pour as if only at the
beginning ... eagerly touching all the beauty
around it never ending as if to quench the
thirst of a greedy lover ...
Unchecked
Everywhere rain. I hide inside
staying dry as it continues to pour.
Beyond my window
people run for safety, finding no
shelter from the never ending water as
it runs everywhere unchecked ...
Silence
Night has fallen, the sky black from the
storm.
There are no stars and no moon to lighten or
soften its starkness.
Alone I sit, but not lonely....
There is comfort in the silence, broken only
by the sounds of the night.
The whisper of the trees swaying ...
The gentle hiss of the rain that echoes
from the
storm as it fades away....
I enjoy the quiet and silently await the
welcoming dawn of the new day....
It's Wrath
I suck in my breath as I
look at the destruction all around me
Disbelief pours out of me ...
Unable to imagine that all of this was
caused by the wind and rain.
The storm had come upon us with all
its fury, ripping down everything in its path.
Then just as quickly it moved on ...
as if it had never been........
The Storm
The wind howls roughly pushing and
shoving everything in its path.
The leaves pulled ruthlessly from their
branches, cascade toward the ground
carpeting it quickly.
The echoes as the night rumbles and churns
with natures assault.
The sound of heavy raindrops as they patter
on the roof, running in patterns down the
windows around me. Tapping as if trying to
get my attention or maybe entry?
Just as suddenly the world grows quiet.
I sigh releasing the breath I never knew I
held,
grateful for the reprieve and hoping for the
promise of a rainbow.....
Sandy
The warnings blaring from every avenue ...
Between
songs of love came the doomsday claim of the
worst
storm, the hurricane of all hurricanes.
Between the re-runs of "Modern Family" and
the many reality shows, the stern look of the
anchor
as he prophesized the disaster and horror to come.
Stores with empty shelves as people run around it
gathering items to prepare for what is to come ...
People bringing in outdoor things and tying down
others in anticipation of what sounded like the
end of the world!!
And then it came.......winds and rains initially no
different from a heavy rain .... then changing ...
The sky darkening till it appeared the night had
swallowed whole the day!
The wind howling, grabbing and throwing
anything and everything in its way..
The trees being slapped, twisted, beaten
and shaken ... their branches and leaves violently
moving as if being dangled and jerked by a
wicked puppeteer limbs ripped and thrown ...
trees broken in half collapsing on cars and houses
unable to get out of their path.
The sound of popping as electrical poles were
ripped up and thrown tumbling everyone into
darkness The beating of my heart as I sat in the
darkness watching the world outside explode.
The crashing of nature....
The constant sound of rushing, beating water
all around drowning everything around it.
And then just as fiercely as it came with all its
anger and brutality it receded.
As the world slowly calmed watching it depart
leaving behind a devastation the likes of which
I had never seen nor want to again....
Sandy Part II
In the aftermath that was Sandy......
With no communication, limited means of
contact.... There was worry and relief ...
Slowly exploring what was left ...
Areas washed clean away as if they never existed.
Other places lay broken and mangled by
nature and mankind....
Humanity in the light of tragedy ... people
joined together providing helping hands.
While others using the weakness to
camouflage their greed, stole from those still
in shock from the slaughter that was Sandy.
Slow attempts at recovery....tiny steps
forward, repairing the never ending damage
Appreciating all that was not destroyed
no matter how small ...
Knowing now what really matters.
Re-discovering the importance of each
other and
the power from the joining of many hands.
As we the survivors transformed into the
victors ...
we knew Sandy had not won!!!!!!!
After
Driving rain beats down on the car, as I
maneuver down slick roads to my destination
Along the way I see fellow travelers as they
scurry ... some in cars, others running into
stores or houses to get out of the never ending
deluge ... jumping over tiny rivers running down
the streets and sidewalks ... splashes of water
hitting the walls of people, as cars speed through
water that has taken over the streets, making
them
small lakes and rivers ... Riding under
overpasses now
waterfalls ... water cascading down covering my
windshield momentarily blinding me till the
wipers
swish and I can see once again.
As I travel further there is quiet ...
The rains have not reached here yet
or maybe they have already departed ...
and I wonder why we suffered this devastation?
Was it simply a punishment from which only a
select few received a pardon?
And if so ... then who gets to decide ...
the next time ...
Remembrance
Today I walked in the rain ... and remembered
what it was like to be loved by you ...
As the water washed over me I remembered
us laughing as you loved me under the spray
of the shower we shared together ...
The water gently washing away any ugliness ...
A puddle soaks me ... and I remember warm
baths, holding each other as we kissed in the
glow
of the candle lights ... their fragrance floating
like bubbles around us, tickling our skins and
gently rubbing away any pains....
The splash as the rain becomes a down pour
soaking me to the skin ... and I remember
holding you tight as you kissed me in the
pouring rain ... the world disappeared,
leaving just the two of us and our love ...
Then the rains ended, and I looked
around but you were gone,
leaving me shivering and empty ...
longing for the return of the rains....
and to remember....
The Rainbow
The rainbow.....
A bright kaleidoscope of color
arching forward seeming to
have come from nowhere and everywhere.
Painting the sky as it dances thru the droplets.
Skimming past the clouds promising something
better ... hinting of possible adventures and new
beginnings!
Psycodelic lights that streak across the
darkened sky
proclaiming a promise of more sunshine
and marking the end of the rains ...
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Wet by Jennifer Blake-Edwards. Copyright © 2015 Jennifer Blake-Edwards. Excerpted by permission of Abbott Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
The Promise, 1,The Quiet Storm, 3,
"Wet", 4,
Contradiction, 5,
Continuous, 6,
Memories, 7,
Inside Out, 8,
Anticipation, 9,
The Tease, 10,
Our Story, 11,
Rain's Touch, 13,
Rain's Kiss, 14,
The Symphony, 16,
Morning Mist, 17,
The Threat, 18,
Intense, 19,
The Reprieve, 20,
Soaked, 22,
Unchecked, 23,
Silence, 24,
It's Wrath, 25,
The Storm, 26,
Sandy, 27,
Sandy Part II, 30,
After, 32,
Remembrance, 34,
The Rainbow, 36,