Category: writing

Puddle of Gold

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Puddle of Gold

Have you ever reached a goal
you went after turn out
to be treasure you just couldn’t hold?
The mountain of happiness
you were waiting for Victory to bring
was the gift you never received

Solid dreams drip down fingers
of the hands of those who can’t handle
a temperature of 1945 degrees
You’ll look down and you’ll see
an unexpected defeat:
a 24-karat puddle of gold
right in front of your feet


Z

 

A Friend Creates


An hour ago, I finished reading my friend’s first novel. The time I took to finish was, admittedly, way too long. But, I was determined to read only when I could give my full attention. Falling into the creative work of a friend is something incredibly delicate and special. 

The characters, storytelling, and page-turning quality were present the entire time; I would have found the statement to be true even if I did not know the author. I finished completely pleased with the way everything turned out. However, I really wanted to know what was to come. I imagine my reaction is a goal of any novelist. I immediately contacted my friend and shared my thoughts and feelings. 

I started thinking about how proud I am when a person I know creates something beautiful. These days (and really every day), supporting the people around us who are creating and expressing themselves is beyond necessary. Whether or not thousands of people ever get to read my brother’s essay, see my neighbor’s drawing, or hear my Grandma’s song she learned to play on the keyboard last week is far less important than the support we give each other—at the end of the day.

Perhaps I am being sentimental. But, I will always appreciate the time and energy an artist I know has put into a project. Love is probably the best word.

Z

Flipping Cards

Flipping cards

Flipping cards,
Searching for answers
Could you tell me, please
Anything about me?

I have been waiting 
For a freaking discovery
Perhaps I am just a fool
Who holds onto cards

A voice calls out and tells me
To hold back because I must
Have my own back tonight—
To head for the bed

I set down the cards
In their place in the drawer
Clarity can wait until after
I turn out the lights

Z

Tiny Pumpkin Time

Autumn was often on my mind the past summer. I wasn’t really feeling the hot, sunny season as much as usual and was really looking forward to the leaves changing and the weather getting cooler. Every year, around this time, I buy a tiny pumpkin. Tiny it may be, but I find the little fruit to be oh-so cute. There are many novelties of each season to enjoy—I am all about the season we are in right now.

TINY PUMPKINS!!!!

Z

Hello, October

Autumn is here! I am really hoping for positive changes in life to accompany the changing colors of the leaves. October begins tomorrow and there are 3 months left for 2018 to prove to be a kind year. I will try to make the most of it and roll with the punches when necessary. Cheers!

Z

 

Bad Friend

Bad Friend

Words and acknowledgement 
Only after I provided them first
When I needed you most
You never asked,
Is there anything I can do?
I guess I was blind and never knew
A person I considered to be so true could be
A bad friend

Chasing after a cunning delusion 
Years have gone by without
A whistle blown
The whistle is blowing now—
I am calling you out 
I think all these years I really had
A bad friend

When you left, you always left me
Feeling strange and guilty
As if I failed my call of duty
Loving me back never seemed easy
Now I finally see—
It was you
It was not me
Behind the ingenuous mask lies
A bad friend

A decision has to be made
Do I keep you or let you go,
My dud of an amigo?
I wonder if there are any words
You could possibly say
To make me not want to sever ties
And just walk away today
Leaving behind
A bad friend

Z

 

Stillness in Nature

Once again, I have collaborated with my fabulous graphic designer friend in NYC (Liz Daggar). Part 3—and likely the final piece—of my nature collection has arrived. My goal has been to inspire people to get outside and take it all in. All three books are available by clicking the link below:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/naturewanderer

A few pages from the book

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Reviews of the last book

  •     
    By Sarah West
    Nov 1, 2017
    Another beautiful work of art from Zac Gilbert! He has once again shared his love of nature with us through his lovely photographs and perfectly punctuates them with his written words.
  •     
    By Brianna Ross
    Oct 29, 2017
    These books are so inspiring! The pictures make you want to go outside and look at the world around you. The poems are perfectly paired with the creative pictures! Zac really knows how to turn something you normally wouldn’t notice into something amazing. I highly recommend these books if you are looking for a work of art! Each time I look at them I notice something new.
  •     
    By Cathy Norwood
    Oct 28, 2017

    This book is like the perfect cup of coffee, striking, comforting, and reminiscent of things I have felt, smelled, tasted before. The photos speak volumes on their own, some stunning and some haunting, but paired with poems that invite us right into Zac Gilbert’s heart and soul, the combination is intoxicating. He seems to capture beauty in details I might look right over and completely miss. To me, his photos are a quiet reminder to slow down and look around. I sat down to read/look at a few pages and I found myself soaking up each page to the end. These will be my coffee table books for the foreseeable future!

Google Maps to the Rescue

Somewhere in A’Dam

Earlier this week, I found myself drifting off in space. Just another one of those sudden occasions when I don’t purposely zone out but, rather, catch myself after the fact and wonder precisely how long I was away. Suffice it to say, I was not in the tiny town in which I currently reside during my respite.

Handsome buildings stand tall, lining either side of the streets, in many of my favorite cities. When I came back down to earth, I so yearned for my shoes to be frolicking down the sidewalk in one of these magical places, rather than resting on the dull carpet under my desk. The eye-catching sides of the buildings were calling my name. Louder so than usual. 

I started feeling uncomfortable and wondered how I could shake the feeling. So, I started Google searching (a common habit of mine) ways to stop missing a person, place, or thing. One of the suggestions I found was to not try to squash the feelings and to simply let them stay a while. Playing a certain song or finding the perfect station on Pandora, associated with the memories, was recommended. I took the advice. 

An idea shot in my brain — I can use Google Maps to look up a place where I would like to be and then zoom around from there. Like walking! I went to three locations in my cities. I so enjoyed meandering about, albeit digitally. Although the smells, sounds, and tastes were absent, I had the images right there in front of me. Just a click of the mouse and I was happier. 

The experience felt nice and helped me to be more in-the-moment. The walls of my room didn’t seem as painfully unlike the impressive buildings with the beautiful sides. A sadness lifted a bit. Although I can never be in more than one place at a time, there is comfort in knowing I can type in an address and at least see the places I am missing. Virtual bliss.

Z