Best Poet of 2010

I am one of many that have been asked to write a poem for a book published by Eber & Wein Publishing titled, "The Best Poets of 2010". I am privileged to receive this accomplishment out of thousands of poets to choose from. My poem entry is below and see if it is relateable to you.

My Authentic Self

Who am I may come from my mind

I have to think about what I am saying,

Am I real to the world around and to me

Or do I put a false front on the people to see?

I have always had to be myself in every way

True to my values and what I believe is truth,

I have a strong background in determination

My will is faithful to who I am insde of me.

My faith in God has been my greatest asset

It holds me strong so I can find my way,

I look to God's Word for what I should do

Living my life to please Him and not myself.

Being true to me is what makes me authentic

Holding fast to the beliefs I have set in my life,

It does not matter what others think of me

As long as God is looking into my heart and sees love.

I feel good about who I am in Christ Jesus

I am His child and belong to Him alone,

I will continue to walk in the steps He has laid for me

So I can be the bible that people read as they see.

-Anita DeMeulenaere

Publishing a students two books

I am excited for one of my students who has published two books. Her first book took eight years to write which was about a 20 year marriage that ended unexpectly. Devasted with four children she was able to turn a tramatic situation into a blessing. Her book, "Broken, Betrayed and Blessed" is on my storefront www.lulu.com/mad63 . Her second book, "Lunchbox Poems" which came from a difficult time for her daughter Amanda. Susan would get up at 5:30 am and write a poem for her and put in her lunchbox so she would read it at lunchtime. Her daughter kept all the poem neatly in a folder, Susan found them and decided to publish the poems into a book for Amanda. The poems are enjoyable, playful, non-sensical and just pure pleasure. This book is also on my storefront.

The National Amateur Poetry Contest

I have received confirmation that a poem I have submitted in the National Amateur Poetry Contest qualifies me as a semi finalist. My poem is "The Voice of Poetry" and it will be published in a book which will be on Amazon.com. As a first place winner there is prize monies involved which is exciting so I can market my books more efficiently. I wanted to share this news with my students who are interested in poetry.