. Writing . Reading . Listening & Speaking .
Why I read & write on Medium

I’m a writer refugee from “Cowbird”, when that site mummified, a few of us migrated over here to Medium and the rest to other sites. I found out about Medium from Jean Claude and though I still have trouble navigating, I liked Medium right from the start, because of the diversity of folks and subject matter. I wrote my first poem at age 16, entitled “Solitude” when I took a poetry class in high school, prior to that I composed poetry in my head, but was too shy to write them down. Only a couple of years ago, I started writing memoirs and short stories. Reading is what I do most and can’t get enough of, paper books at home and audio books at work and sure I write. I also like to tell stories (oral tradition) which I was introduced to when my dad took me to an authentic powwow (Pawnee tribe) when we lived in Kansas. I’m not the strongest writer, but I don’t give up. I want to learn, improve and grow until I take my last breath.
~ Will it make me Whole ~

If ink’s my plasma
pen my soul
paper my heart
will it make me whole
Will it heal my sorrow
Will it provide me peace
Will it free my mind
and love release
If paper’s my heart
pen my soul
ink my plasma
will it make me whole
bjf ©
~ Word Fascination ~

I’m fascinated by words
those that are elegant
& those absurd
some that
are fun
as
they roll off the tongue
Some hard to pronounce
ah yes, verbal hell
and those easy
to say, yet
difficult
to spell
Short and
sweet ones,
show-off ones
too long. Some
whimpy weak, some
Schwarzenegger strong
some that shock, oh
yes, I cuss. Some
simple words
not worth
much
fuss
I really
love multiple
words, not just
one that sits all alone
Yes, those that are put
together in a poem
I’m fascinated by
words, those
that are
written
read, spoken
& heard, yes those
that are elegant and
those quite absurd ~ bjf ©
~
~ Embrace & Release ~

Writing poetry
is no different than
tears that pours from eyes
it’s merely the pouring
of words on paper
both an embrace
and a release ~ bjf ©
~ Words Left Behind ~
.
After
our flesh
is gone & we
are no longer of
this world we have
nothing left other than
the words we left behind on
paper & in other’s hearts, hopefully
the kind & healthy words were
more than those that caused
harm, for good words left
behind are a treasure,
that will never
disintegrate
— they are
timeless
~ bjf ©
~One ~
One piece of paper
for now, one is all I need
One piece of paper
on which the ink will bleed
One piece of paper
wrapped ‘round my brain
One piece of paper
where my thoughts will drain
One piece of paper
bandage of my heart
One piece of paper
of which I can not part
One piece of paper
for now, one is all I need
One piece of paper
on which the ink will bleed
bjf ©
~ The Word that Escapes ~

.
The word that escapes
I can not name
though not nameless
I can not remember
though it exists
and will return
when I neither desire
nor need it
still this does not mean
that it does not matter
it always will
It could be a long one
or one very short
but it chose to grow wings and fly away
and visit someone else today
for I can not name it
though not nameless
The word that had escaped ~ bjf © ~ p.s. writer’s block blues
The Verse Curse (humorous)

I’ve got the verse curse. If I don’t watch it, they’ll haul me away in a word hearse. Yes, but I try to keep it clean, yes, try not to swear, that is curse, until my symptoms get worse. I need to go into rehab, before I burst, yes, I’ve got this disease the verse curse, I know I’m ill and need a nurse. Can you find my medical card please, it’s in my purse. Doc when can I check out for I’ve got performance poetry tonight & I need to rehearse. Yes, I’ve got it bad, I’ve got the verse curse — bjf © ~
from the Best Selling Author…..Writing
have you noticed lately when you purchase a book (paper , audio or on Kindle) that it seems no one “isn’t” a best selling author. Is that title given out now like candy at Halloween?
Here is the thing, however, if a book doesn’t “sell”, is it poorly written or just not marketed well?
Perhaps the best gems are those that are
hidden?
bjf ©
p.s. makes me think of the character Miles in the movie “Sideways”
~
~ Where are the Words ~ (Writer’s Block)

Where are the words?
Today they run and hide.
They desire for me to search,
but I’m not in the mood &
over words, I will not brood.
When I’m ready I’ll find them.
Today they are stubborn &
uncooperative. I’ll let them
(besides now) have no work.
Yes, time off, a holiday. I’ll let
them have time to play. Now
really it’s not that absurd,
everything needs a break
even our words ~ bjf ©
~ Writer’s Block ~ humor

is as frustrating as:
classical music without Bach
teacher without chalk
pier without a dock
goose without a flock
people who stalk
sky without a hawk
strap without a jock
door with a sign — “ring bell, do not knock”
key without a lock
comedian with no one to mock
chickenpox
a stone that loves jazz & not rock
missing the matching sock
parrot unable to talk
and stir fry without a wok
Oh God, I hate writer’s block! ~ bjf ©
~ Switcharoo I~
Eve and Adam , Juliette & Romeo, Bailey and Barnum , Cher & Sonny Bono. Hyde and Jekyll, Clyde & Bonnie, Hardy and Laurel, Bacall & Bogey along with Humphrey’s stogie
Jane and Tarzan, Frazier & Ali, Martin and Rowan, Ken & Barbie, yes, that Malibu cutie! Josephine and Napoleon, Bernstein & Woodward, Garfunkel and Simon, Yale & Harvard, I know quite absurd. I just don’t know about you, but I’m having fun playing Switcharoo.
p.s. Waiter: I’ll have a noir pinot, you thank, please!~
~ Switcharoo II ~
It’s so boring to say everything only one way, let’s be radical and go astray ~ Countries: Kingdom United -Dhabi Abu ~ Cities: Francisco San -York New ~ Measurements: ounce fluid — inch square ~ French language: contraire au ~vice ~ au contraire ~
Clothing: why flip flops -how about flop flips instead of hip huggers -try huggers hip ~ Don’t know about you, but I enjoy Switcharoo II. ~ bonnie j. flach © ~
script post: How about walkcross instead of crosswalk & instead of chalkboard, why not boardchalk. What say you, are you game for switcheroo
I’d love to hear yours too, feel free to add in comments.
~ It’s all Downsideup ~

It’s all downsideup
Island Coney
Split banana
Cheese macaroni
Walkcross to roadrail
Decker double
Boatsail
Bridge Brooklyn
Lamp street
Hippies or earlier nicsbeat
It’s all downsideup
Island Coney
Split banana
Cheese macaroni ~ bjf ©
p.s. Why does everything have to be said the same way, why not flip-flop or that is flop-flip, makes for fun writing, just a little Bonnie tip ~
~ Punctuation Frustration #1 ~
I forgot to dot my “i” and to cross my “t”, oh me, oh my, oh woe, as me. What about my missing colon, perhaps it’s getting a colonoscopy and the period at the end, yuck no, I’m in menopause, I don’t want those things again. When to use a single or a double quote, brackets or parenthesis or whatever floats your boat. What about that partial colon, the one they call “semi”, I think that an 18 wheeler flattened my undotted “i” Here’s the exclamation point in answer to your question mark, when it comes to punctuation, I admit, that I’m in the dark. Ah, comma on, life is too short to worry about all those things, while you’re sucking down margaritas with your agent in Palm Springs, anyways it’s such a bore, that’s what you’ve got an editor for. I forgot to dot my “i” and to cross my “t”, oh me, oh my, oh woe, as me. What about my missing colon, perhaps it’s getting a colonoscopy and the period at the end, yuck no, I’m in menopause, I don’t want those things again. ~ bjf © ~
~ Punctuation Frustration #2
~ I forgot an apostrophe, what a major catastrophe and I messed up my brackets, punctuation, I can’t hack it. Hyphen or dash? Shall my wrists I slash? Nah! Parenthesis is the emphasis and what about lady comma and all her drama. Quotes, single or double, they give me so much trouble. Point of the exclaim and mark of the question, punctuation gives me so much indigestion. All caps, initial caps and lower case, I better get it write < oops right, that is correct, if I want to save face. Ah, but, you know for a fee, I can have an editor, do it all for me. I forgot an apostrophe, what a major catastrophe and I messed up my brackets, punctuation, I can’t hack it. ~ bjf © ~
~English plurals paint abstract Murals ~

~
If more than one goose are geese, then how come, more than one moose aren’t — meese?
Ah, English plurals, they paint abstract murals
If the plural of mouse are mice, then how come, more than one house are not — hice?
They paint abstract murals, English plurals
How come more than one bison, is still bison, no change, that’s strange?
Ah, English plurals, they paint abstract murals
Should not a solitary sheep be a shoop? What’s the scoop?
They paint abstract murals, English plurals
If more than one goose are geese, then how come, more than one moose aren’t — meese?
Ah, English plurals, they paint abstract murals
bjf ©
~ Writing Exercises ~ Eliminating vowels
This one eliminates the vowel “a”
Quick look over there upon the rock on desert soil where sun shines scorching. My goodness it is terribly hot, how will we survive with nothing to drink? My mouth is dry, my eyes burn too, truly devils live here. We need to flee now, so goodbye sizzling desert summer.
This one eliminates the vowel “o”
Yesterday I went to my friend Linda’s apartment and we had a fun time playing cards all day. The games were Blackjack and Gin Rummy. We drank herbal tea and ate cheese with fancy crackers. We laughed and talked. I gave her a can with mixed nuts that she likes.
This one eliminates the vowels “a” and “i”
She went to her home to rest for
long hours, then she flew here to
meet me. She spoke so well of you,
you know. Oh my, here’s some
hot coffee for you, but do not burn
yourself. She mentions you often
Joe. Letters come to me, for she
knows not your new house.
This one eliminates the vowels “u” and “e”
May I go to the party mom, so I can
swim in the pool with some folks.
I know Jill is going, so is John.
It is Mary’s mom’s birthday with
black balloons. Still, Mary
is not old. Many will go, some
will crash it.
Give it a try, I found it more challenging than I expected. The idea is to not look at any writing, it has to come just solely from your brain!
: -)
Some words to me…

…don’t “visually” (the combination & order of their letters) look, that is appear, at all like their meaning
C h a o s — a tiny 5 letter word, doesn’t look as crazy as it really means. I’m partial to the “ch” reminds me of cha-cha-cha, chocolate, Christmas & my daughter’s name Christina
R e s u s c i t a t e — Geez so many letters, with two e’s, s’s and t’s, confusing, but what a wonderful thing — to revive. The word revive looks nicer.
A s s a i l s — Looks nice and romantic, like “sails away” but deceiving, means to attack with violent blows! Wow, oh no, no no no!
A t m o s p h e r e — The letters don’t look exciting and scientific words are important, but just a whole lot of letters. Why can’t we just say “air way up there” now that’s more poetic and I love sky’s air, especially with bubbles and balloons floating in it.
bjf ©
Lady letters “S” & “T” ~ humor
It ain’t easy
being the letter “S”
ah yes, you guessed
while I have a brain
people only look
at my curves
ugh, the nerve
It ain’t easy
being the letter “S”
.
It ain’t easy
being the letter “T”
coming after “S”
and her curves
I swerve, until I stop
oh why do I
have to be flat on top
It ain’t easy
being the letter “T”
~ bjf ©
~ Cursive Writing ~
U.S. Department of Education (DOE) for our public schools are contemplating taking cursive writing out of the curriculum for English. Why don’t we simply call it “calligraphy” and make it the curriculum for Art? Oh yeah, that’s right, the DOE is contemplating eliminating: Art, Physical Education, Auto & Wood shops, Civics, Home Economics & Agriculture.
What say you?
.
USA/UK we don’t talk the same way

Their (UK) “autumn” is our “fall” & our fall is their “I say, young chap, he landed on his bottom, guess the staircase got ‘em.” Our (US) “apartment”, their “flat”, our flat is a tire, that’s gone haywire. Our “drapes”, their “curtains”, well, that’s what they say instead, while curtains to our gangsters means your going to be dead. Our “elevator”, their “lift” & our lift is what rich ladies do with their bodies, especially faces (sush don’t tell anyone they’ve had work done in secret places). Our “flashlight”, their “torch”, our torch are the tiki kind, you put alongside your porch. Their “rubbish”, our “garbage”, often called “trash”, that is also what some (sadly) call people that society likes to bash. Our “can” their “tin” & our tin holds “candy”, which is their “sweets”, which we also call “treats.” Our “fries”, their “chips,” but our “chips” are their “crisps”, hard to say, when you have a lisp. Our “cookies,” their “biscuits” but our biscuits come with gravy, a popular breakfast for the U.S. Navy. Their “tube” is our “subway” but perhaps you already knew, and now a sandwich can come from Subway too. We prefer “beef” and they love “mutton, ” their “zip” is our “zipper” but we both agree on buttons. Their “waistcoat” is our “vest” & their “garden” is our “yard” which we all want free of pests. Their “trainers” our “sneakers,” but I don’t know about you, I still call then tennis shoes. “Sello tape” is our “Scotch”, not to be confused with Scots, their northern brethren, who were built, to wear the kilt. Their “trousers” our “pants”, with or without those pesky ants! Their “dungarees” our “overalls”, which in our south, are called “coveralls.” What we call “diapers” they call “nappies” which too us, is when we take a (baby talk) short sleep in the sacky. Our “chicks” (slang for girls) their “birds”, I’m sure you’ve heard. Our “sex” their “shag” (slang), our “cigarette” is referred to as a fag (slang). A condom, our “rubber” (slang) their “rubber” is our “eraser,” if she gets pregnant, it means he caught her, after he chased her. Their “pavements” our “sidewalks”, brits “speak” and we “talk & talk & talk.” Our “soccer” their “football”, but our football, is not like theirs at all. Our “line” their “queue” & our Disneyland has way more than a few. Their “post” our “mail” but when they hear mail (male) they think the opposite of female, well, that’s the tale. Their “cinema” is our “theatre” and their “film” our “movie” oh so groovy. Their “motorway” our “highway” a quick & convenient byway. Their “taxi” our “cab”, which the cab is the inside of a “truck” they call “lorry” but that’s another story. The “hood” of autos, they call “bonnet” & what also is on top of a lady’s head, yes, what sits upon it. Our “license plates” they call “number” & the fact that their steering wheel is on the opposite side of ours, can be a bummer. Their “petrol” our “gas” which goes into the car, but comes out of our…..(smile). Their “windscreen wiper” is our “wiper of windshields” I am finally coming to the end, soon it will be time for me to yield. Our car “trunk” their “boot”, but our boots are what cowboys wear & so does their hunters of fox, now on to the box, which is also known as trunks (luggage) our “suitcase”, which we need on “vacation” their “holiday” — Can you think of anymore, I know I’ve become a bore, or is that boar, uh pig, I think now I am truly crazy, totally wigged! ~ bjf ©
~ Double Letters ~

Funny & silly, trotting & galloping filly in Philly. Yes, really. Oh what could sound better, than words with double letters. The late poet Mary Oliver, well, she loved them too & here are some she used, but I put together in my own way, okay, now for some word play: summer bells ~ swollen creeks ~ deep wells ~ chubby cheeks. There are words with two doubles like the one that means “easy” which is “effortless” two “f’s” as well as “s” yes, doubly blessed. Well, shoot, even some with three doubles to boot, such as “bitterroot” — two “t’s”, two “r’s” and two “o’s”, oh no! Funny & silly, trotting & galloping filly in Philly. Yes, yes really. Oh what could sound better than words with double letters ~bjf ©
Real conversations where did they go?

.
<<<< (photo) — Oh sure I called requesting the party to pay the charges, when I didn’t have enough coins (to pay back later) or I accepted calls (same thing) when I answered the home phone.
Still, it was conversation, no matter how brief. I feel with cellular phone texting it seems, you don’t “really” want to deal with the other person (not sure how life got that way), you just want to say your info ( i.e. please pick up the dry cleaning) and hope they don’t want to continue (okay — is all you or they want to hear) well, or so it seems. Has everyone (including me) become so “important” and “too busy to care”?
I miss real conversations, hearing the unique voice of another and feeling close, the human connection. Texting has become easier, but I’m not so sure it makes life better.
bjf ©
“Operator can you help me make this call, you see the number on the match book is old and faded…” — Jim Croce~
.
Crazy Cadillac Carlo Cacciatore

cuts coke, carries cash close
collects & counts coins
can cha-cha, croon &
car chase cool chicks
cross cities, catch cabs
con cops, clear
crowded corridors
cook Creole & Cajun
culinary creations,
call cousins Cosmo &
Constanza Cacciatore’s
Calabasas, California
condominium
causing chaos — bjf ©
~ Three Laundromat Tales ~ (non-fiction)

~ Meeting a Cowboy ~
Since both my washer and dryer are shot, I have been going to a laundromat (where I used to live) every day. I have been seeing a cowboy doing his small load of laundry each evening. He walks in wearing blue jeans, boots and hat, the whole garb and we talk. The first day we didn’t even catch each others names. He told me he has been to every state in the US, except Alaska and Hawaii. I was impressed. He said he found Vermont to be the most beautiful state. I asked him what he did for a living and he said mostly rodeo, bull riding. He said he was dying of emphysema, but continues to smoke cigarettes, because he was told that his condition was irreversible. On the third day I found out his name was Colby. He told me he was moving to Alpine over the weekend and that he was renting a room in a double wide trailer for real cheap, since he was poor. I told him that I loved Alpine (well the old part of town) and that Rod & I like to go to the Bulls Eye feed store and the plant nursery across the street, he said “small world that is near where I will be living, until it is time for me to go (die)” I wished him well in his new abode. I hope that the rest of his days will be happy.
~ Wild Turkey ~
Went to the Laundromat again tonight, put two loads in the wash, then walked to the Starbucks to get me an iced green tea, extra ice, it is always 10 degrees hotter in Santee, than it is where I live in San Diego. Back at the Laundromat I read a little bit of the poetry of Pablo Neruda, then took the wash out and placed it in dryers. I met a man who said he was burning up and well he had a long sleeve shirt on, and proceeded to pull it off. He then asked me if I wanted a drink, you know alcohol. I told him no thank you and then told him how I quit drinking for weight loss and that alcohol was messing up my metabolism. He said he was drinkin’ Wild Turkey whiskey with honey in it (in a thermos) and that it was mighty fine. I just hoped he lived around the corner and walked over to do laundry (I had the feeling he did), when I left I prayed that he did not get into a car and drive. Yes, it was my hope that Mr. Wild Turkey made it home okay.
~ Mr. “I Tell You What” ~
That is what he said over and over again, in a happy voice, but then didn’t say what the “what” was. I decided not to engage in conversation with this fellow at the Laundromat, he could have untreated mental illness and even if I were to say something kind, you never know if the person will get aggravated, snap at you and then things turn ugly. I did smile at him and left it at that. A fellow next to me was being verbally abusive to his girlfriend, that wasn’t cool. I headed out the door, let the clothes dry and then came back for them. I tell you what, this evening was certainly one for “not” having conversations and that was okay by me, fluff & fold and head home. I meet the most interesting characters at the laundromat!
bjf ©
~ Men of Law & Laws of Out ~

.
The men of law
still battle those
laws of out,
that’s a fact
without a doubt
Yes, robbers of bank
& launderers of money
there’s some assbad
dudes out there
it sure ain’t funny
They grab dealers of drugs
then take their shots of mug
catch the thieves of ID,
I can’t stand those thugs
They arrest pimps
who when faced with
men of law
turn out to be wimps
women they beat, but
can’t handle the “heat”
The men of law
still battle those
laws of out,
that’s a fact
without a doubt ~ bjf ©
p.s. I like to reverse words: lawmen, outlaws, bank robbers, money launderers, badass, drug dealers, mugshots, identity thieves, etc.

