Catherine Mellen's Blog, page 10
December 11, 2023
Jack’s Display
. Jack’s Display
Old man Jack had a knack
For displaying Christmas lights
Evey year, he would cheer
“Time to hang the holiday brights.”
He was excited, a bit delighted
To decorate the front yard
Up a tree, around the chimney
For Jack, it wasn’t that hard.
Lined in rows, wrapped in bows
And some were hung on a hook
Sounds of awe, at what they saw
When neighbors stopped to look.
He made an Elf sitting on a shelf
And Santa flying in a sleigh
There was a star, a rusty car
And some reindeers eating hay.
Shapes and sizes, a few surprises
Jack couldn’t wait to flip the switch
There was no spark, it remained dark
A bulb must be causing the glitch.
One by one, until he was done
Jack check which light was out
He was sure, he checked them before
But the darkness made him have doubt.
Caused by a bug or maybe the plug
Jack’s patience was wearing thin
He realized after, with much laughter
The lights were never plugged in.
Now so bright, he lights the night
In celebration of Christmas day
A spectacular view for me and you
From the lights in Jack’s display .
Written by Catherine Mellen
December 7, 2023
Christmas Blues
Christmas time to many, is a joyous time of the year. Children are excited awaiting Santa’s arrival, adults are delighted to see family and friends eagerly planning their holiday get-togethers.
Still tucked away in many corners of this earth are the smiles that hide the heartaches of this world; the elderly with no family, the children with no love and the adults with no home. Christmas time to many, is also a reminder of the burdens we carry, the emptiness we are accustomed too and the unfairness instilled in this sometimes unfair world.
Christmas Blues is from my Christmas in Poetry Land book and describes the homeless, the poor and the depression side of the holiday season, with a reminder of the happiness and strength we all really do hold 
Christmas Blues
A weathered hole, a tired soul
Like a worn out pair of shoes
Masking the part, of a broken heart
When it comes to Christmas blues.
A heavy burden, always learning
So many bills with past dues
It’s so confusing, nothing’s amusing
When it comes to Christmas blues.
Sparkle from a star, standing where you are
You see only what you choose
It’s easy to hide, if you don’t confide
When it comes to Christmas blues.
No money to spend, there is no end
My mind, I hope I don’t lose
Struggling along, trying to belong
When it comes to Christmas blues.
I often ponder in a world I wander
Where compassion is on short fuse
So much hate, I can only relate
When it comes to Christmas blues.
Sadness and tears, will soon disappear
As happiness slowly soothes
Bringing back, the strength I pack
When it comes to Christmas blues.
Written by Catherine Mellen
November 23, 2023
Thank You
♡Thank You♡
A home that lacked love
I had nowhere to turn
That suddenly changed
With your cause of concern.
You did not scare me
Your approach was kind
A child afraid to go home
Didn’t sit well in your mind.
That call you made
Caused them both to fear
Of what did I say
And what did you hear?
During the summer
When I wasn’t around
You continued to ask
To them, you were a hound.
You are my savior
For all that you did
You saved a child
From the acts they hid.
So much abuse
I once had to cope
Your act of kindness
Gave me reason to hope.
Dedicated to Honoria: Thank You for saving me ♡
A brief history of this poem… It is dedicated to Honoria, the woman whose home I ran to that Saturday morning back in 1981. I was eleven years old and more scared than a camper in a Friday the 13th movie. A few months later, she knew by calling the police that I would be returned to my birth mother’s home and gave me the choice of living with them and being a kid.
Not knowing the horrifying torture I suffered through, but also knowing something was not right, she allowed me to stay in her home.
Her kindness that summer, is what molded me into the person I am today. Forty-two years ago today, I was a sad, damaged and confused kid living with another family and I have been forever thankful ever since.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Thank You
♡Thank You♡
A home that lacked love
I had nowhere to turn
That suddenly changed
With your cause of concern.
You did not scare me
Your approach was kind
A child afraid to go home
Didn’t sit well in your mind.
That call you made
Caused them both to fear
Of what did I say
And what did you hear?
During the summer
When I wasn’t around
You continued to ask
To them, you were a hound.
You are my savior
For all that you did
You saved a child
From the acts they hid.
So much abuse
I once had to cope
Your act of kindness
Gave me reason to hope.
Dedicated to Honoria: Thank You for saving me ♡
A brief history of this poem… It is dedicated to Honoria, the woman whose home I ran to that Saturday morning back in 1981. I was eleven years old and more scared than a camper in a Friday the 13th movie. A few months later, she knew by calling the police that I would be returned to my birth mother’s home and gave me the choice of living with them and being a kid.
Not knowing the horrifying torture I suffered through, but also knowing something was not right, she allowed me to stay in her home.
Her kindness that summer, is what molded me into the person I am today. Forty-one years ago today, I was a sad, damaged and confused kid living with another family and I have been forever thankful ever since.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
November 13, 2023
Accountability and Acknowledgement
The hardest books I’ll ever write… A horrifying reality and a heartbreaking truth ♡
A Childhood Tragedy Under A Mother’s Watch: Part One 1975-1982 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1953610161
A Life Given To Me: Part Two 1982-2019 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1953610382
Understanding Childhood Trauma https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKL12YK2
Find them all at: https://www.nfbpublishing.com
October 29, 2023
Excerpts from Understanding Childhood Trauma
An #excerpt from page 98 & page 171 of Understanding Childhood Trauma. Now available #ebook #kindleunlimited #paperback
How many unsolved murders remain unsolved because a killer lived his life under a mask? From 1975-1981, I was a trophy in a monstrous predators sick world and it was all done, Under A Mother’s Watch. When I got older, society said to ‘get over it, move on, forgive & forget.’
Who were my abusers victims prior to 1975? Who were his victims after 1981? From his time in the service, Maine, Florida, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and a trail of unsolved murders.
1) A Childhood Tragedy Under A Mother’s Watch: Part One 1975-1982
2) A Life Given To Me: Part Two 1982-2019
3) Understanding Childhood Trauma
Three books and over forty-four years of Shame, Secrets and Silence… Shattered
https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08W9LLPFN
https://www.nfbpublishing.com
October 28, 2023
A Witches Brew
Cast iron pot
Will be real hot
And ready for a delicious stew
It is a feast
To say the least
An all day simmered brew.
A tisket a tasket
A girl in a basket
And a little boy for some flavor
Throw them in
And then begin
A delightful taste to savor.
A daffodil or Lily
A dash of powdered chili
A bit of seasoning for taste
One child’s coat
An ear from a goat
Leave nothing left for waste.
A splitter, a splatter
Mix-up the batter
Don’t you want some pie?
A crust to make
Then off to bake
Set the temperature on high.
Hands, toes
And a tiny nose
Sure will make a tasty treat.
Pie and stew
Will take a few
Before they are ready to eat
Back to the yard
It won’t be hard
To scare the children some more
Collect them all
Small and tall
There are recipes to explore.
Safe in jars
Or behind bars
We keep a charming crew
What we eat
Off the street
Is a delicious witches brew.
That time of year
To give a scare
To the children in the neighborhood
Tasty little critters
Will get the jitters
When I’m cooking them over wood.
Written by Catherine Mellen
October 24, 2023
Querying
A poem I wrote for Literary Agents and the writers who query them.
Querying
A querying I will go
A querying I will go
Emailed my submission
A querying I will go.
It started off real slow
First page was years ago
It’s finally in completion
And polished with a glow.
Pages I had to type
Editing was the hype
My book is finally complete
My writing skills are ripe
Some lines I had to wipe
I complained without a gripe
A rejection letter to delete
And an agent I will swipe.
Proposal written well
A story I have to tell
I’ll spread awareness
With words I often yell
Querying can be hell
Making fingers swell
Guidelines are for fairness
An agents calling bell.
Proofread once again
Spacing lines too thin
Hoping for a book show
A best seller for the win
Attach files in trash bin
No writing with a pen
A querying I will go
Until an agent says I’m in.
Written by Catherine Mellen ♡
October 23, 2023
Accountability and Acknowledgement
It’s not about the Forgive & Forget, it’s about Accountability & Acknowledgement 
A call-out to family, schools, laws, medical professionals and all the others who turn a blind eye on abused children. And boy, do I call them out.
So, please be easy on me, this is my heart and soul.
https://a.co/d/2ehuCqY
https://www.nfbpublishing.com
October 18, 2023
BadAss Tricks & Treats Instagram Book Hop
So, there’s this Hop going around Instagram. If you hop on over, you can enter 119 giveaways for some free stuff…I mean, who doesn’t love FREE STUFF??
Books, Giftcards, Swag & So Much More..
Ya’ll should check it out. Ends Friday 
https://www.Instagram.com/Irishgirl692
