Author Archives: Dr. Crystal Grimes

BEE

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I’m about 6 years old, and my family and I are on a Summer camping trip. This is nothing new; I was 3 when we took our first trip. But this one is different.

I’m standing near the grill, hungrily waiting for my dad to make some burgers. To this day everything tastes better to me on the grill! But my excitement turns to pain and panic when a bee stings me, right between my fingers. I’m blind, so I don’t see it coming. The sighted kids get stung all the time anyway, but this is my initiation if you will.

I stand still, then burst into tears, clutching one hand with the other. Lunch is a little delayed while my hand is taken care of. After that it’s back to the suddenly serious business of camping. And I learn to respect bees. So small, yet so powerful!

Best camping darkens
Explosion of pain and fear
Enormous bee stings

—
A Haibun for
dVerse.

Newly Wed Blues

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I can’t tell you how hard it seems,
This newly “wedded bliss.”
Depression takes the place of dreams.
Already come to this?

I give Me up and put Me out;
I wrap myself in you.
But losing Me, without a doubt
I never want to do.

I can’t go out or anywhere,
Unless you’re there with me.
I have so many things to share
With others, can’t you see?

You pledge your faith; you speak of trust.
But you don’t seem to know.
For me this love will turn to dust
If you don’t let me go!

—
“ABAB, interlaced, heroic” Quatrains for
dVerse.

The Magic of Music: One Universal Melody

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The Magic of Music: One Universal Melody

by Frederick Douglass Grimes, III

With all of life’s trouble and turmoil in the world today,
It’s always nice to know, music can help take the pain away.

Music often times is so soothing to one’s ear,
Sensuous melodies, simple harmonies for all to hear.

Music will gently rock a baby to sleep with a sweet lullaby.
A song filled with memories will most certainly make us cry.

That spirited power of song arrangements composed so neatly,
The feeling that overcomes you is beyond your control.
It fills the heart with such joy
And eases one’s mind ever so sweetly.

Couples go out on a date;
Dinner, wine, and much food.
He brings her home and places on a song to set the mood.

Years down the line, after two people meet,
They still remember their first song
That had them dancing to the beat.

Music truly is universal in each and every land.
Music is eternal;
Strike up the band!
–The Blind Poet, Freddy G.

Power of a Song

by Dr. Crystal L. Grimes, Msc.D.

Someone Else’s Song

by Dr. Crystal L. Grimes, Msc.D.

What Peace Means to Me

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A morning cup of coffee,
Hot and strong and sweet.
A comfy pair of jeans
With sneakers on my feet.

Thanking my Creator
Before I start this day.
Affirming I can make it through
When things don’t go my way.

A hug, a laugh, a smile
From one who understands
That it’s OK to deviate
From all our best laid plans.

Just knowing that the hard times
Cannot last too long.
And hearing unexpectedly
A joke, a poem, a song.

Peace is doing better
Than I did the day before.
It’s never all the big things,
But the small that mean much more.

—
For today’s
#Ragtag Daily Prompt #RDP #Peace.

Music is Poetry

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I’m a songwriter and poet, and my husband writes poetry and inspirational stories. He is also the only person who has read my lyrics before hearing the accompanying music; that means a lot to me. We collaborated on the following poem to bridge the gap between music/songwriting and poetry. –C. G.

Music is Poetry

by Frederick Douglass Grimes, III
and Dr. Crystal L. Grimes

Music Is Poetry. There Is no doubt.
Some hear a song, not knowing what It’s all about.

Songs tell stories of love, life or pain,
Passing on a message for listeners to gain.

So many forms of storytelling, personal and true;
Music and Poetry get us through.

Sweet melodies of songs, special word’s in a poem
Capture the heart and lead the mind to roam.

No music or poems? What a sad world indeed!
With nothing for the mind and spirit to feed.

A blessed combination and a treasure to behold,
More valuable than riches, more precious than gold.

Some people fear what they don’t understand,
But our stories live on, connecting our hands.