Introducing Brenda Joyce Barnes Otherwise Known as Hyphenbird

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Dante’s Prayer by Loreena McKennitt

When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and fire

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me

Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We’ll rise above these earthly cares

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Please remember

I would like to introduce you to one of my precious friends Brenda also known as Hyphenbird. I met Brenda like many of my friends on hub pages. She had the sweetest spirit and it was not long before we were sharing comments on a daily basis. She touched my heart so when I received a book in the mail from her as a gift. It was truly touching. I know you will enjoy getting to know her and I believe she will touch your heart like she has done for so many others. SD

“My pen name is Hyphenbird (after my cockatiel) but my real name is Brenda Joyce Barnes. I am a mother, grandmother, photographer and writer. I was born in 1955, a Christmas baby, and the only girl in a family with six children and grew up in a rural environment for the most part which instilled a lifelong love of nature in me. Currently I live in North  Carolina with my small family, one dog and a bird that has become a beloved friend. They graciously make room for several thousand beloved books that I cannot seem to part with. I can often be found outdoors in a forest in search of a waterfall hidden deep in the forest or writing about something that has piqued my interest. Many of my strongest writings have been created while knee-deep in water.

I love to cook and bake bread several times a week to compliment the meals my family enjoys. We always eat dinner together and that brings us closer as we share our day. I also write, of course, and produce much in the evenings and late into the night. Recently I have challenged myself to 2,000 words a day and am amazed at all I have accomplished.

Some of my favorite poets are: Sara Teasdale, Pablo Neruda, Christina Rossetti, Maria Rilke and dozens more! Some favorite writers and books are: Carson McCullers,  Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, The Thorn Birds, Out of Africa, and oh so many more!

I have begun a series of stories about my childhood and will be publishing them in a book soon. I keep remembering more and more funny and loving times that just must be included. Still, they should be available by the beginning of 2012. Every one is based on fact but highly exaggerated to be entertaining and hilarious. Also, one of my stories is being considered by the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories contest. If-when-I win, the prize comes with a contract from Simon and Schuster. WhooHoo

I am currently unemployed and hope to remain in this state as my writing and  photography generate income for me. I know my time is too valuable to be given up for a few paltry dollars. Too many years disappeared while I pushed my longings and gifts into the background. I seriously advise people not to follow that example.

During my previous long and many careers, I traveled and lived in several states. I suppose I am a Jack Of All Trades as my insatiable curiosity led me into fields I never thought I would work in. As I grew older, I moved to be closer to my terminally ill father and somehow have remained here.

I am a volunteer for several nonprofits, a proud Meal on Wheels delivery person, A Notary Public, and was chosen Volunteer of the Year at my son’s school. That means more to me than the trip to Acapulco that I won when I was working retail.

Brenda shares thoughts from her heart.

“I never remember a time when I couldn’t read and carried books everywhere I went as a child (still do). I would climb a tree and rest back in the arms of a bough, settle in and read for hours.”

“My imagination is all over the place as it bounces from creating outlandish fiction to recounting Biblical events and onto poetry and health issues faced by the American public. And if you think it, why not write about it?”

“People are more important than anything man-made or created for profit.”

In that regard, I continually purge my home of clutter and excess stuff that takes time and focus from my family. The more minimal my life becomes, the more joyful it also becomes.

“Never let one moment of life slip by. Every 86,400 seconds in the day are miracles that can never be replaced or relived.”

My favorite piece that I have written would probably be one about my little boy. It mentions his chameleon eyes because they change color with his moods and surroundings.

The Wonder of Love

I see you snuggled there in bed in your cozy pajamas

with your hair all tousled and those chameleon eyes

still seeing drowsy dreams, and you bring

the wonder of love to my heart again.

Another favorite tells about my love of water and how I wish my ashes to be poured over a waterfall after I die so I can travel the world.

Around The World In Water

Liquid crystal drops collide and form a powerful slide

rushing headlong down the face of grey, wet rock.

Seventy feet of glory-and majesty comes to mind as misty

thunder birthed from the womb up above shudders down .

Reflectively I consider that this began long ago and far away

and how quicksilver fluid life always returns to the source.

When I die, burn me to fine, silky ashes that my

beloved will pour into the head of these falls.

Cheer as I flow into the stream below and roam

down the parkway to add needed moisture to a world

sadly parched for beauty and aching for saturation of joy.

May I be the tears in your eyes and the ice cream

taste of snow on your frozen and startled tongue.

That funny wisp of cloud you see before a Spring rain

just might be me floating by and looking back to say,

I am eternally happy out here in a great big watery world.

Do not weep for me nor grieve that I left before my time,

but sigh with blissful smiles to know I am one with the sea

and have traveled in many forms to Alaska, to Africa and back

again to these craggy mountains that I have always loved.

From Crabtree Falls down the Blue Ridge into Smoky Mountain

mystery and onward to Rocky ridges and over Niagara into Victoria

I fell before crashing onto the crazy plastic California shore.

The Mediterranean really is that blue and I flew through a Galapagos

turtle stampede before leaping the Mariana Trench with a mermaid wench.

Returning to where it all began, I need you to know me, give a glance

or a slight wave as my damp breath touches your curly long hair.

Now that my wandering ways bring me back here to where

you sit remembering and staring off into that black abyss

see how this sparkle of dew in the spider web near you

trembles, begging for just one more long wet kiss.

Brenda has a new childrens book on Kindle. Please stop by and take a look.

Calvin is an earthworm who lives in a compost bin with his family. They have worked the soil for generations and lived happily. But when chemicals used on the lawns and gardens begin causing harm and death to the worms and to the environment, Calvin takes a stand to educate everyone about the dangers and to restore health to his world. He embarks on a journey that will change him and the world as he knows it forever.

Calvin Compost in Organic City by Brenda J. Barnes

http://www.amazon.com/Calvin-Compost-Organic-City-ebook/dp/B0076ON8DE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330387352&sr=1-1

 

Brenda’s Links

http://hyphenbird.hubpages.com/
hyphenbird@gmail.com

Dear Brenda,

Thank you so much for letting me share your story. It is truly an honor to introduce you to our many friends. I pray that as you continue on your journey that it will be filled with God’s unfailing love and joy.

Love,

Sunnie