Author: Ryan Olejnik

For You

Poetry Writing

For You

For whom do the weeping willows cry?
For whom do their tears likewise dry?
For whom do the hill crests stretch high,
For who do grapes grow on the vine?
For whom do they make the sweetest wine?
For whom do bees make honey in hives?
For whom do songbirds sing lullabies?

For whom do the stars twinkle and shine?
For whom do they streak across the sky?
For whom do the constellations guide?
For whom do the sun and the moon rise?
For whom do the planets all align?
For whom do the heavens deeply sigh?
For you, that’s who because you are mine.

Essay: Flowery Language

Essay Writing

Essay: Flowery Language

Why do we use the phrase oopsie-daisies when we make a mistake? Is it because a daisy chain of errors could ultimately lead to us pushing up daisies? We need more flowery language to express our blunders because what if someone is allergic to daisies? I will provide some alternatives for your consideration.

Pink Carnations by Irina Iriser

First, I would like you to consider: what in carnation? This particular expression is handy if you have a shaky hand while trying to pin a corsage on your prom date. Not that I would know from experience because I never went to prom. If I had gone, I probably would’ve needed this choice of words. However, my prom date probably would’ve had an entirely different choice of words.

Colorful Blooming Chrysanthemums by Karolina Grabowska

Second, I suggest: chrysanthemum’s the word. This phrase is helpful, especially when you mess up and really don’t want your mum to find out about it. Yes, I will admit it’s a mouthful, but isn’t that inherently better than getting an earful from your mother? If all else fails, and your mom finds out about your failure, you can try giving her a bouquet of them because, in China, they are a symbol of long life and good luck in the home. However, depending on the severity of your misjudgment, I can’t speak for the longevity of your own life, in which case, chrysanthemums are used almost exclusively as memorial flowers in Austria and Belgium.

Close-Up Shot of Lilies by Beyza Kaplan

Next, I recommend: oh, how lily of me. It is perfect when you do something silly, embarrassing, or lily-liver. When you’re trembling from humiliation or fright, and your skin turns a pasty lily-white, that is the appropriate time to say it. To get a little color back in your face, after the fact, I highly insist on using a little makeup. But in some cases, that might just be gilding the lily.

Purple and White Phlox Flowers by Carrie Leatherman

Last but not least, I present to you: what the phlox? Talk about a great go-to saying literally anytime you are shocked, but people might be as shocked themselves when you say it. But who gives a phlox what they think? Speaking of giving: If you care about the person and feel you might have offended them inadvertently, you can give them a good phlox. They are symbolic of unity, goodnight kisses, and sweet dreams. So, you definitely want to go to bed right after you phlox.

Iriser, Irina. “Pink Carnations.” Pexels, 13 June 2018, www.pexels.com/photo/pink-carnations-1158961/.
Grabowska, Karolina. “Colorful Blooming Chrysanthemums.” Pexels, 29 September 2020, www.pexels.com/photo/colorful-blooming-chrysanthemums-5478198/.
Kaplan, Beyza. “Close-Up Shot of Lilies.” Pexels, 15 July 2022, www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-lilies-12839824/.
Leatherman, Carrie. “Purple and White Phlox Flowers.” Pexels, 18 May 2022, www.pexels.com/photo/purple-and-white-phlox-flowers-12182932/.

Tinderness

Poetry Writing

Tinderness

A white sun dips in the sky, casting light on winter woods,
A red-tailed hawk soars over a river, its surface frozen,
I exhale, my breath a frosted meadow,
With evergreens tinseled by shadow and snow,
This cold is loneliness, it lingers on my skin,
A shiver trills down my spine, thinking our romance can end,
Each tender moment we’ve cherished, like kindling, extinguished,
Your love, the tinder, keeps me from freezing to death.

September 30th, 2023

Journal Writing

September 30th, 2023

Felicity Loves Company

I won’t keep Misery company, but I will gladly meet Felicity for coffee. Misery likes his coffee black, while Felicity prefers hers sweet. Misery will complain about how it tastes and call it mud, but for Felicity, every cup of joe is a cup of joy. Misery hates waiting for his coffee when Felicity can’t wait because she knows it will be great.

Misery bellyaches when Felicity has such a fire in her belly. Misery doesn’t like the young barista because he’s an old miser. Whereas Felicity is forever young at heart and loves to make new friends. Misery is a giant pain in the neck and wants to wring somebody’s neck for it, while Felicity will stick her neck out to save yours. After coffee, Felicity is ready to start the day, but Misery wants to go back to bed because he woke up on the wrong side of it. I know I will always be in good company with Felicity.

September 28th, 2023

Journal Writing

September 28th, 2023

Be an Open Book

After a hard day, I can’t wait to go home and curl up with a good book. In that regard, I’m very fortunate because some people curl up with a bad one at night. I firmly believe that if a book isn’t treating you right, it’s probably time you leave it—end of story. If dumping your book seems daunting at first, it’s okay you can start small.

Begin by simply checking out other books that catch your eye. A great place to start looking is at your local library, where you will have plenty of choices. The best part about the library is you’re not pressured into taking just any random book home with you after being introduced for the first time. But if you’re instead the type that can’t wait to jump in the sack and curl up with a book, a bookstore is probably your best bet. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a book that’s a little more devoted, you should try a church. You will find the good book there.

Wherever you look, make sure to find one that interests you. For example, if you love food, get a good cookbook, or if you have kids, you definitely want a children’s book. Remember to never judge a book by its cover and be weary because some will try every trick in the book to convince you they are good when they are not. Also, don’t mistakenly think you can somehow rekindle the flame with your old book. Why not just try Kindle? Just because you’re a bookworm doesn’t mean you have to be treated like bookdirt. Take it from me: If you’re curling up with a bad book, it’s time to start a new chapter of your life because it just doesn’t page. You deserve the romance novel you’ve always wanted. It doesn’t have to be a fantasy.

Twilight Years

Poetry Writing

Twilight Years

We will twinkle when we are in our twilight years,
Just imagine all the things we shall see and hear,
Wrapped in a celestial quilt I’ll hold you near,
And whisper in your ear, “You look dazzling, my dear.”

We will be as colorful as our sunset years,
We still keep all of the laughter and in good cheer,
When the darkest hours upon us there is not fear,
Even the reaper will cry for us twilit tears.