I’m Back. Where I’ve Been and Where I’m Going.

Posted on January 28, 2014 by AJ Barlow

Dear anyone who would happen to read this after almost two years of non bloggingness.

I am really sorry.  I’m sorry that I just disappeared off the radar like that.

Honestly, I’m not quite sure what happened.  When I stopped writing on this blog my second son had just been born and school was picking up.  I became so burnt out and overwhelmed with everything that was happening that I knew something had to change.

As I prayed about it, I felt very strongly that it was time to let this blog go for a season.  So I did.  I explored other things and focused on my schooling and my family.

For a few days I kept telling myself that I needed to sit down and write a goodbye post.  I needed to explain why I was going to stop posting..but days eventually turned into weeks and weeks into months and I just…didn’t.  For that I am incredibly sorry.

Now that I’ve graduated school and I’ve pulled the typical twenty something  (I’m 26 now) habit of exploring all sorts of hobbies and interests my heart is yearning to start writing again.

Poetry is calling to me once again.  Only this time I’m going to take it more seriously.   I know it’s not practical, I know it’s slightly crazy BUT I can’t help it.  I want to be a poet.

So if any of you are still out there, I invite you to come take this journey with me on my new website.  I’ll be writing a daily poem again (every monday through friday) and I have a subscribe box at the bottom of my first post where you can follow me via email.

I’m also offering a free eBook of my first short book of poems, A Letter to God and 21 Other Poems (all of those poems can be found on this site…but it’s really nice to have them formatted into a little eBook) to anyone who subscribes.

Here is the link to my new site and my first post, “Why I Choose To be A poet”

Regardless if you decide to subscribe to my new site or not I do want to sincerely thank you.  I received so many kind and encouraging comments on my poems from many of you and I will be forever grateful for that.  Your encouragement and your inspiration have given me the courage to truly pursue this crazy dream of mine and I’ll be eternally in your debt for that.

God Bless and Best Wishes,

-Alex Barlow (AJ Barlow)

Let me know if you have any questions

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Posted on July 30, 2012 by AJ Barlow

Today I’ll be sharing a poem I truly enjoyed. This comes from the blog “The Little Purple Notebook” I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I did!

Shyannah's avatarThe Little Purple Notebook

Lovely little blue birds, swift and smooth in flight.
Tiny blue/brown wings, contrasting winter’s white.
Chubby little faces, fluffed up against the cold.
How I love theirs sweet songs, bright and clear and bold.

Lovely little blue birds, I’m glad you chose to stay,
And that the mocking winter has not driven you away.
Each season has it’s secret beauties, so easily unseen,
And you are winter’s secret, a lovely little queen.

Such wonder, those sweet blue birds, I watch them taking flight,
They gracefully overcome the cold of winter’s starry night.
I’ll remember to be cheerful. To sing and fly carefree.
Surviving all my winters with the grace the birds taught me.

 

View original post

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

The Saddened Tin Man

Posted on July 27, 2012 by AJ Barlow

That higher aid renews within
A saddened man that’s made of tin
Whose heart receives such needed oil
That frees his soul from imposed toil

Each rusty squeak; a barren sin
But now a second chance for him
A second chance to twice begin;

No more saddened man of tin.

-AJ Barlow

Photo by Brian Teutsch

Posted in God | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

The Tale Of A Pencil Named…

Posted on July 26, 2012 by AJ Barlow

There once was a pencil named “Blue”
Who never quite knew what he drew
Then he fell in a cart, at the local Wal-Mart
And screamed as he broke into two

-AJ Barlow

Photo by E Von Zita

AJ Poetry Question O’ The Day: Okay…so this isn’t really a question…at all.  But, I love limericks, they are a lot of fun to write and read, and they are extremely easy to write.  If you have any links to any limericks you’ve written, post them in the comments or just go ahead and write a quick one for the comments!  I’d love to see what you come up with.  Happy Thursday.  

Posted in Humor, Limerick | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

What I Would Do If I Was Angry

Posted on July 25, 2012 by AJ Barlow

If ever I was angry
And sought great retribution
I’d wish a special horror;
But not a flesh wound or contusion Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Don’t Let Your Dreams Go

Posted on July 24, 2012 by AJ Barlow

Don’t lose your dream,
Don’t let it slide by
Don’t give it up
Don’t cease to try

Don’t sell your dream
For something that’s dull Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

What Your Heart Deserves

Posted on July 17, 2012 by AJ Barlow

Your heart, in all its special ways
Was given by Our Father
To guide, protect, and whisper
To souls of those who wander Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational | Tagged , | 17 Comments

On The Corner of Great Sadness

Posted on July 17, 2012 by AJ Barlow


I felt sunlight from within-
Though it rained all around me
I felt joy amongst my pain
Because God came and found me

On my belly on the street
On the corner of great sadness Continue reading →

Posted in God | 6 Comments

Dear Readers, It’s Finally Here!

Posted on July 11, 2012 by AJ Barlow

A few weeks ago I mentioned I was working on a video poem for people who have lost their  “best friends”.  Well…it’s finally ready.

Also I have created a download and print version of this poem that you can put on your pet memorial, wall, or scrapbook.  Or you can give it as a gift.  Click here to learn more about getting a copy of this poem!

Continue reading →

Posted in Pets | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Because We All Need a Little Change…

Posted on July 6, 2012 by AJ Barlow

Embrace the gift of change,

Let it in without a fight;

For the darkness feels great joy

Once it steps into the light

Release the ropes of sameness;

Let the rain see the bow

Let the seedling break the surface;

Let the flower truly grow

-AJ Barlow

Photo by Adrian Ruiz

 AJ Poetry Question O’ The Day:  Change has been on my mind a lot lately.  Some people live for it while others struggle against it.  How does change affect you?  Do you thirst for it or does it scare you? 

Also if you are looking for a “change” in your blog (cheesy tie-in I know…)  I have started offering custom header design.  I’d love to design one for your awesome blog!  You can find out more about here.  Hope you have the best weekend ever!!

Posted in Change | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments