Capturing the blessings in my life through words and photos
Talk of ironing prompted
a flashback
of my mother
standing tall
in front of the
board
while squeaking legs
interfered
with the drone
of voices
on General Hospital.
A can of Niagara Starch
wobbles with
each stroke
colliding with the
blue sprinkler of water.
Her arm
movements are smooth
and graceful
as she works out
the wrinkles
for the one
she loves most.
It’s the final day of National Poetry Month and I celebrated by drafting a poem each day. I took my inspiration from a variety of wonderful mentors over at Ethical ELA. I have grown immensely through their guidance and comments on my words. Today’s draft poem pays tribute to my growth.
I’m a Poet
You say I am a poet
neophyte
apprehensive
insecure
doubtful
neophyte
innocent
fumbling
shy
neophyte
Poet you say - I am
It’s National Poetry Month and I’m celebrating by drafting a poem each day. Today’s I’m inspired by Glenda Funk and her interpretation of Darius Daughtry’s poem “what can a poem do”.
A poem can’t
hold my hand
fix my dinner
take a walk
sing our song
or hold our first grand-baby
But
a poem can
awaken the memory
of when we danced
until we collapsed
in each other’s arms
giggling over toes
stepped on
and dance steps
forgotten
A poem can
share the ache
that hangs
in the air
when I see
other couples
holding hands
walking down
the lane
carefree
and easy
A poem can
dream of
our many
adventures
near and far
exploring
new lands and
natural wonders
A poem can
bubble up
and release
the sorrows
the missed opportunities
the laughter
the pain
the joys
and share
them with
you
It’s day 28 of National Poetry Month and I’ve drafted a poem each day to celebrate! Once again I’m drawing inspiration from the poets over at Ethical ELA. Today Jessica Wiley has us on a journey of Self-Love using a template inspired by Eloise Greenfield’s poem By Myself.
When I’m by myself
And I close my eyes
I’m a springtime robin
I’m a dress made of cotton
I’m fresh mown grass
I’m a mountain pass
I’m a gentle wind chime
I’m a pie of key lime
I’m surrounded with love
like a well-worn glove
I’m whatever I want to be
An anything I care to be
And when I open my eyes
What I care to be
Is me
In celebration of National Poetry Month I am drafting a poem a day. Today I draw my inspiration from Shaun Ingalls over at Ethical ELA, who suggests we re-encounter something in our life and let it inspire our writing. This week I am finally meeting colleagues I’ve only been with online. It’s great to finally see and be with these people outside of a zoom box.
Re-encounter
We’ve spent
hours talking
asking
questioning
planning
seeking advice
on a device
far away
never touching
tinny voice
sometimes only
words
thumbed in
on a screen
scrolling
advice
in bubbles
of green
your presence
a glamour shot
taken years ago
a snap shot
of you
or who you want
to be
or a box
of you
on the screen
you and
200 other guests
listening
from afar
In person
you are taller
smile more
laugh more readily
and your hug
says hello
so glad
to finally
see
you
It’s National Poetry Month and I’m celebrating by drafting a poem each day. Today I was inspired by Amy Vetter’s challenge to write a found poem condensing any text into a poetic form. I chose my words from a Twitter feed I was reading on new research on the male orb-weaving spider (Philoponella) that captures how the jumping spider escapes a cannibalistic death by its female mate.
Escape
Jumpy male spiders
avoid certain death
catapulting away
with gusto
making a bid
for freedom
The prospect of
being eaten
after sex
is enough
to make
anyone
jumpy
It’s National Poetry Month and I’m celebrating by drafting a poem a day. Today my inspiration comes from poet Linda Mitchell, challenging us to use the scientific method as a starting point for our poem. I chose to write about the silly mourning doves who attempted to nest on our porch fan.
A Suitable Home
The brown porch fan
provides shelter
from rain and sun
Is this the best place
to raise a family?
Sitting atop the blades
building a nest
stick by stick
along comes a breeze
and
round
you
go
Egg crashing to the ground
Another chance
you try again
less fuss
and smaller nest
along comes a breeze
and
round
you
go
Egg crashing to the ground
Coo-cooing at the corner beam
of our log cabin home
The scratching sound ensues
Tap, tapping on the
wooden ledge
I think you’ve found
a suitable
home
April is National Poetry Month and I am celebrating by writing a draft of a poem each day. I have been following along with the wonderful poets and inspirers over at Ethical ELA. Today I am penning a found poem based on annotations. My annotations come from the margins of the book Engaging Children by Ellin Keene.
Find your heart’s home
A place of peace
Yes!
My heart’s home
Traveling
Exploring
Learning
Discovering
Sunny day in the studio
Music playing in background
Nothing to rush back to
Loss of time
Engrossed in making
Senses awake
Light feeling
Wanting to do it again
for friends
Peaceful
Joyful
Alive
Looking at things
in a new way
Oh boy! Oh boy!
Surprise
It’s National Poetry Month and I’m drafting a poem each day to celebrate. I’m taking my chances today by rolling the online metaphor dice to inspire my poem. Thank you to Ethical ELA and Stefani Boutelier for this inspiration.
My Soul is an Unspoken Meadow
My soul is an unspoken meadow
full of possibilities
seeds lie in wait
for the perfect moment
to germinate
waiting
hoping for the
just right conditions
to burst free
and bloom
into
New
Life
Cheese please! Inspired to write about cheese today I went off on a journey of cheese memories and drafted a series of haikus to capture the joy!
Cheesy Memories
Parmesan offered
with balsamic oh so fine
gold on my palate
Bleu cheese with fig jam
served on assorted wafers
sweet and salty joy
“Tap tap” comes in cans
possibly processed plastic
grandchildren’s delight
Blends of cheese melted
creating mom’s pasta treat
comfort food delight
Cottage cheese breakfast
with pineapple and berries
awakening feast
Mozzarella pearls
highlight summer’s harvest picked
best from buffalo
My favorite cheese
produces smiles on faces
photographic bliss
iblessings 