Poem: "The Adonis": by CJ Heck

Loaded Birthday Cake

"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature; beautiful old people are works of art." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

How strange this whole aging thing is.

Every year we celebrate a birthday, then another, then one day, we are suddenly my age.

It seems like it all happened so fast, but the truth is, "life" happens.

Between the birthdays, life captures all of our attention, moment to moment, day by day, and in its grip, we are so emotionally invested, we are unaware of time passing.

I can't say I ever think of myself as "old".  The mind, which is supposed to be the smartest part of us, takes a lot longer to wise up.

I still feel the same age in my mind as I did at eighteen; however, a word of caution:  Avoid Mirrors!  Mother Truth hides in them.

Jimmy Buffett put this line in one of his songs:

"... wrinkles only go where the smiles have been ..."  

Smart man.  I must be a happy lady ...

Here is my new outlook on getting even older ...

An Adonis-Type of Guy

The Adonis

Young god,
head held high,
proud mane blowing
in the city's dirty breeze,
clothes just enough wrinkled
to make a woman believe
you just climbed out of a quickie
or stepped off of page 42
in this month's GQ.

Do you mind
that I turn and look
as you walk by?

No, of course not.
You don't see me as a threat.
You don't even see me at all.

But just give me
another ten years ...
by then, I'll be old enough
to reach over,
give your butt a squeeze
and say, "Mmmm ... nice buns."


... life is good.

(From the book, "Anatomy of a Poet", by CJ Heck)

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“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Poem: Full Circle

Playing Dress Up

If I was asked to name the one thing I'm most proud of, it would be my three daughters.

Being their mother was the most rewarding experience of my life, and they've grown into the most exceptional women that I know and have ever known. I thank them for such a prestigious honor.

For Carrie, Bethany and Heather, my 'mirrors' ...

Full Circle

by CJ Heck

A little girl clops in mommy's heels,
her dress, a floppy hat.
The borrowed pearls she's chosen
dangle halfway down her back.

Her face a shining rainbow,
ruby lips, cheeks tinted pink,
blue splashes on both eyelids,
powder snowflakes in the sink.

She'll go twirling in a ballroom,
a princess with her knight.
Or better still, be mommy
out with daddy Friday night.

In a child's imagination
everything is crystal clear,
yet the truth beneath the surface
is revealed in mommy's mirror.

That little girl is all grown up,
clothes and shoes are now my size ...
but the mirror of maturation
is now my daughters' eyes.


[From the book, "Anatomy of a Poet", by C.J. Heck]


I love you, girls.
Mom

“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

The Burning Letter

Table in the Foyer

The Burning Letter

Wading through morning's harvest 

of the mail reaped the usual 

bills, flyers and junk ads. 

Then I spotted 

the familiar lazy scrawl 

on the table before me. 

After all these years ... 

a pearl among the cow pies. 

I marveled at how the letter felt, 

tucked into the pocket 

of my blue jeans, 

first halved, then quartered, 

where misbehaving hands and mind 

won't breach ceremonial rules, 

not to touch 

or want to open it. 

I was unable to ignore the letter 

or throw it away. 

I'm not sure how long 

I walked around with it there. 

I only know 

it began to burn and blister 

and it scorched my self-control. 

It was not until I saw the jeans 

in the washer, letter and all, 

twisting and turning 

in the soapy water 

that I was even aware 

of what I'd done

just to find some peace. 

(From the Book, Anatomy of a Poet)

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“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Anatomy of a Poet: The Story Behind

New Book

"There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken. There is a shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable. There is a sorrow beyond all grief, which leads to joy. And a fragility out of whose depths emerges strength. There is a hollow space too vast for words through which we pass with each loss, out of whose darkness we are sanctioned into being." ~ Bri Maya Tiwari

That quote astutely describes not only my life, but the poetry in my newest book, "Anatomy of a Poet" .

One of six children, I grew up in a small Ohio town and married my high school sweetheart at nineteen. A Vietnam War widow at twenty, I went on to marry and then divorce two times. 

I made a lot of choices, some good, some not so good, but as one of the poems in the book ["Choices"] ends, "...at least I made choices. How sad for those who merely hitchhike along, never daring to choose at all."

I have three beautiful daughters, nine grandsons, two granddaughters, and a wonderful partner, Robert Cosmar. I have finally learned that true happiness begins and ends with myself.

"Anatomy of a Poet" was written over a period of nearly forty years. The poetry is rich with memoir, humor, fiction, and at times, it is sensual in nature.

Read an Excerpt of "Anatomy of a Poet"

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Reviews:

"I find in myself with most poetry an impatience, "Oh for crying out loud, just say it" leading to a lassitude and eventual cerebral failure." Not so with this work, her raw emotions and sensuality had my attention. I believe this is the only poetry book that I ever finished. " ~Henry Le Nav


"I would recommend this book to all lovers of poetry and, especially, to all who think they are not."
~Mrs. C. I. Campbell


"Totally open and honestly expressed in a variety of poetic styles, each matched to her emotions of the moment. No cutesy innuendos here. A damn good and honest work." ~John David Lionel Brooke

"I found this book to be a "quick read" on the one hand and yet I keep going back and rereading parts of it ... and then rereading the whole section." ~MaryAnn

"In the pages of this book you will find powerful, thought provoking, sensual, and beautifully written poetry from the heart." ~Susan L. Parkins

"This is a beautiful and touching book of poetry, which has at it's heart a mature, loving, but still raw and passionate woman. Many of the poems, and to be honest my favorites, are about beautiful femininity engaging with men, often rugged. The touch of men on a woman's heart and body features heavily, but not excessively; it's not soft, vapid chick-lit. It's well-rounded, and the works also include verses on urban conditions -- but it's love that makes this book tick." ~Alistair Baillie

"One fine author and a magnificent lady. I highly recommend this book with its compilation of meaningful and thought provoking poetry." ~Tom C.

"This is my kind of poetry. Direct, beautifully expressed and without a hint of pretension." ~Allison Cassidy

"I love this book. The poetry is sensitive and touching." ~Joanne "Joni" Taylor

"Here we have a collection of poems by a woman who writes from the heart; "Anatomy of a Poet" may have been written by a children's book author, but it's poetry for grownups." ~Byron Edgington

"I just finished reading C.J.Heck's, book last night. I enjoyed it very much. She definitely has a way with words, that will make you laugh, cry, and feel things very deeply. I can tell that she writes from her heart and soul, and her words will definitely make a lasting impression." ~Rebecca Carden

"The reader is drawn into expertly crafted poetry and wonders if the Poet has experienced all she writes about. If not, CJ Heck has fooled everyone. Anatomy of a Poet peels back the outer skin of the reader and gets into the heart. I highly recommend this book." ~Karla Dorman

"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck

Book: Anatomy of a Poet

You've probably been wondering where the heck I've been for the last couple of months, and for that, I do apologize.  I was working hard to get my first poetry book for adults finished.

Introducing:  Anatomy of a Poet:

Format:  Paperback and Kindle

Anatomy of a Poet - Poetry for Adults

About the Book

As Bri Maya Tiwari said,  "There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken; a shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable; a sorrow beyond all grief which leads to joy, and a fragility out of whose depths emerges strength. There is a hollow space too vast for words through which we pass with each loss, out of whose darkness we are sanctioned into being." 

That one quote astutely describes not only my life, but the poetry in Anatomy of a Poet.

One of six children, I grew up in a small Ohio town and married my high school sweetheart at nineteen. A Vietnam War widow at twenty, I went on to marry and then divorce two times.

I made a lot of choices, some good, some not so good, but as one of the poems in the book ends, "...at least I made choices. How sad for those who merely hitchhike along, never daring to choose at all." [from the poem, "Choices"]

Anatomy of a Poet was written over a period of forty years. The poetry is rich with memoir, humor, and at times is sensual in nature.

Poetry can be daunting and hard to understand, but it doesn't have to be. I feel a poet has an obligation to write in a way that everyone can understand. Poems should flow softly through a poet's words, their meanings easily touching the heart and mind of its reader. If a poem comes from the heart, it will reach other hearts.

Read a Preview of "Anatomy of a Poet"

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Book Introduction:

"Like a rose with many petals sharing its sweet aroma, this is how I see and feel about the love of my life, CJ Heck. She is my electric blue-eyed girl. 

She can be both a little girl, or a strong woman, whenever and wherever the situation calls for it. She is both sensuous and exciting, and soft and affectionate. 

Tragedy struck her life early with the death of her husband in Vietnam. This experience laid open the very core of her heart and soul and opened the channel to a well of compassion and sensitivity that waited deep within. Her pain was the fertilizer that helped her bloom as a writer.

CJ's poetry is not a surface observation, but a soulful interpretation of the events and people that inspired her. She writes both eloquently and simply of things that touch her heart, things she wants to share. She is gifted at painting a picture with words on the heart and imagination of others, thereby communicating not just an image, but a life experience. 

I feel very honored to have been asked to write this introduction and share my feelings about CJ Heck. She is the water for my soil, the sunlight for my petals and the nurturer of my growth. 

Sit back, open your heart and enjoy the journey as revealed through her words, images and emotions. You are blessed by this opportunity to know her in words, as I know her in life."  

~Robert S. Cosmar [Writer, Blogger, Astrologer, Author of four books]

Comments:

"This is my kind of poetry. Direct, beautifully expressed and without a hint of pretension." ~Allison Cassidy

"CJ is predominately viewed as a writer of works for children, but CJ now carries over her approach to more adult themes. In doing so, she presents a profound world that is deeply sad, incredibly humorous and sometimes very intimate." ~Joseph Daly

"CJ's writing ability is a testament to talent and passion. Her ability to craft words into emotion and movement is remarkable." ~Lexy Page (Owner/Freelance Photographer at GA Page Photography)

"CJ is a writer that comes through as a great communicator but you also have a strong feeling of friendship with her and her pen. She touches your heart in special ways. She makes you feel like you have lived this story." ~James McCraney (Owner, James McCraney Financial, LLC)

"I love learning new words, especially when they are explained with such diaphanous clarity. Whether she talks of love, children, life, or any other subject, CJ's words are always clear and harmonious. She makes us forget that easy to read is hard to write." ~Marc Mimouni (London, United Kingdom)

"CJ Heck is a very talented author. Her words are enlightening and charismatic to people of all ages. It is a privilege and honor to read her prolific pen." ~Janet Caldwell (Managing Editor, Inner Child Magazine


"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck

Poem: "A Nickel for Thoughts of You"

An Almighty Pile of Nickels

Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something: they're trying to find someone who's going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take. 
~Anthony Robbins

A Nickel for Thoughts of You

by CJ Heck

I wish I had a nickel
for every time
I think of you
watching TV
in your creaky chair,
chin parked on your chest,
"... not sleeping,
just resting
my eyes for a minute ..."
or with brows furrowed,
chasing an errant whisker
through the foamy white
on the stranger
in the mirror,
or your gnarly hands
working leather
and the amazing precision
of the intricate designs,
considering the size
of your hands,
or you
secretly watching me
from across the room,
and me
secretly catching you
secretly watching me,
or your gentle touch
when you pass my chair,
just because you're glad
I'm here.
Love is measured
in so many little minutes.
It's important
we not miss them,
for who knows,
life might be
metered in hours.
It isn't really about
the nickels,
but it would be fun
to see
the almighty
pile of coins.


(from the book, "Anatomy of a Poet", by CJ Heck)

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"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck

The Innocent Voyeur

An Innocent Voyeur

Being an author is having angels whisper in your ear - and devils, too. ~Graycie Harmon

Not all writing is easy to understand, especially when it comes to poetry.

A poem and it's meaning is subjective, and depends on the whim and mood of its creator.

We are taught to show, rather than tell, when we write and to make the poem have both voice and rhythm, even when it doesn't rhyme.

We're taught to invite the reader the freedom to bring their thoughts and feelings to the poem and make of it whatever they may.

I love writing poetry -- there's a burning need to write. My thoughts and words are uncomfortable where they are. They seek the validation of flowing through my fingers.

The following poem was born from my overactive imagination. I was on a walk one evening and I passed an old Victorian home.  As I was standing there admiring its beautiful lines, I noticed a window on the third floor. The slats in the blinds were either broken, or just bent and gaping from age.

The house next door had a window straight across from it, but below on the second floor. It was easy to see how a peeping tom, even an innocent one, would have an unobstructed view into the the window below.

The Innocent Voyeur
by CJ Heck

An old man glances
through a window
to one in the building below.

Through slats awry
in seduction's haste,
candlelight strobes on
sweat-glistened bodies.

He watches, transfixed,
lewd images through the blinds,
eyes too frozen to obey.

(Turn away! Go to bed!)

Two bodies move, unaware
of the innocent intrusion.
He watches, aroused,
passion rising in two rooms now.

A goddess bent over a sofa,
Adonis behind
in the flickering light.
A conqueror
and a conquest.

Memories of his own youth
rekindle and burn
and the old man cries.

Bittersweet memories
haunt through the blinds
and he cries.


[From the book, "Anatomy of a Poet", by CJ Heck]


"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck