The June Bug and the Firefly
Like the firefly and the June Bug Summer was living for love The June Bug in the low grounds The firefly twinkling above She danced in the treetops And lit up the meadows He watched as she flittered Through moonbeams and shadows He pined and he sighed With heartache...
My Father
I saw my father waving
Waving me goodbye
I wasn’t sure he meant it
I stood there but didn’t cry
I Was Seventeen
I was seventeen with dreams I couldn’t interrupt. I saw my father in the past, my mother still cooking chicken. I was ready to put my foot into the river of life, into experience, into conversation, into love, my hair shiny and curly, my eyes open to everything. I...
Garlic and other things …
I was chopping garlic, getting ready to prepare dinner when a waft of pungent flavor hit my nostrils. I stood still looking at tiny bits of a white minced bulb wrapped in it’s own paper. Garlic is packed with nutrients. It is the genie’s bottle. I always use garlic...
WAKING UP
I woke up hearing the galloping of the lake. I pictured mermaids riding high on the crests of the white caps. I swore I heard laughter like bells and songs. I listened, eyes closed, hoping to hear my name called. What bit of a person can lasso that kind of power? I...
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is making a fuss in front of the cottage with rolling waves, white caps, and the wind to stir it all up. The sky is grey-green with a nip of chill, reminding everyone to finish up any summer fun that is left over. I become alive when there is no sweat on my...
The Guitar Picker (song lyrics)
Here's a new song we're working on putting to music and an old photo of my Uncle Eugene (they called him "Zoe") who died tragically at a young age. He had a such a thirst for life! This has nothing to do with the song but I wanted to share this picture. He picked on...
A Bad Boy
In the deep dark forest of Mewanabe Lived a boy of character called “Don’t want to see” He was beastly and biting and pretty cantankerous But not so much different than all of the rest of us He don’t like this and he don’t like that He says, “Everyone else don’t know...
So Sad
Video of "So Sad" a song about love gone wrong Lyrics by Shirley Mitchell with music by Stuart Mitchell Performed by Shane Piasecki (singer), Jillian O'Haire (singer), and Coulter Mitchell (percussion)
Dear Calamity Jane
Dear Mrs. Mitchell
My name is Alexis Mitchell, and I came across your website as I was searching out Dear Calamity Jane online. I saw it on your husband’s website, and wanted to know what a non-Heywood Banks cd sounded like. Let me just say, it sounds beautiful.
The Emerald Merwitch is Here!!!
I am beyond thrilled to announce that my first book "The Emerald Merwitch" is available now! Not only is the book written and illustrated by yours truly but we've also done an audio reading which you can buy as a download on its own or as an accompaniment to the book!...
For Susan
South of Cincinnati Where the crows And rivers sing I drove a road Of heartache Like a broken Sparrow’s wing I saw the sun A-setting In a flood of golden tears And felt you here beside me Like you were In all those years We rambled Up in Houston In our cowgirl...
Bodhi Tree
A new video for the song “Bodhi Tree” from Shirley’s CD “Calamity Jane”
Nashville Girls
Sneak preview of a new song by Shirley Mitchell to be released an upcoming release.
There You Will Be
A new video of “There You Will Be” from Shirley’s popular play “Swamp Opera”
My Grandmother Says…
“Don’t go round about it, if you’ve not got the point of it.” “Sit a spell, quiet your mind then go after it.” “Arms can reach across the ocean.” “I’ve but one piece of advise. Laugh at yourself every chance you get.” “The world is a small place with big hope.” “Don’t...
LOVE
She was beautiful, standing there like a movie star, the sun twinkling in her hair, her mouth a ripe cherry. Honest, I can’t think of another way to say it. She turned to look at the car roaring up the drive. That’s when he saw her. I saw him. If he had been walking...
February
The slanting February sun Wrapped in a grey furry blanket Begs forgiveness for offering no warmth She offers no golden stream Of light that we might bask in While sitting in the old, Red chair in the kitchen She offers no color to the day That might distract us While...
The Woman Inside of Me
There is a woman Who lives inside me She winks and takes Me aside She says I need To move out west Where in the mountains I might abide Then she laughs And twirls around And says, “No, not That way-but see!”! I think you better Buy a boat And live the summer free Then...
Gramp and Shirley Jean – Chapter 4
Crisp air was painting the ends of the maple leaves, turning them red, reminding everyone that summer is a trickster. She dallies all through June , July and August skipping around in the gentle rain, the summer sun, the soft winds, shinning down her long golden arms,...