Capturing the blessings in my life through words and photos
It’s day two of the November Open Write over at Ethical ELA and I’m drafting a poem as inspired by Kim Johnson. Kim shares: “The interplay between the title and one word can provide context, illumination, and clarification, emphasizing the importance of title in poetry. “
Reflecting on the Birth of Our Daughter 40 Years Ago Today
Awe
I’m participating in Ethical ELAs open write for November. For the next five days I’ll be drafting poems, inspired by a variety of fellow authors. Today’s post is a Monostitch, as inspired by Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises. I’m in NYC celebrating a few family birthdays so of course my poems reflects a poignant moment from the day.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the weekend festivities in the city of lights, we find solace and warmth lighting votives and shedding a tear, or two.
I’m joining in late on this month Open Write over at Ethical ELA. Today’s inspiration comes from Denise Hill and a new to me poetry form: American Sentence. The idea – one sentence of seventeen syllables. Easy? Yes! Maybe that’s why I joined in today!
Expected seasonal changes still produce awe and astonishment!
Today is the final day of the September Open Write with the wonderful community at Ethical ELA. Our host for the day, Susan Ahlbrand, appropriately shared the lively tune of Earth Wind and Fire’s hit song September, and suggests we write a verse of any form inspired by one line. I chose the line “Holding hands with your heart to see you” to draft this nonet.
September’s cool nights and fresh, crisp days
provide relief from August heat
Time for walks in apple fields
Holding hands with your heart
to see you again
while our golden
memories
carry
me
It’s day four of Ethical ELAs Open Write and I’m joining in guided today by Susan Ahlbrand. Today we are inspired to consider an abstract word to define through a series of IS or IS NOTs. Susan included a list of abstract nouns to get us started and the word marriage popped out at me.
Marriage is not
a 50/50 proposition
Marriage is
giving your whole 100%
Marriage is not
saying you’re sorry
Marriage is
being able
to ask for
and receive forgiveness
Marriage is not simply
two people in love
Marriage is
a reflection
of God’s love
with his light guiding
every action
Marriage does not
end at death
Marriage does
continue on
until reunited
in heavenly bliss
Today is day two of Ethical ELA’s September Open Write. Denise Kreb is inspiring us to write a poem using multiple languages. I decided to center my poem around my visit to Haiti in 2018 choosing the Haitian phrase “Dèyè mòn gen mòn.” Dèyè mòn gen mòn” is the most common saying in Haiti. It means behind the mountain there are mountains. Many translate this to mean behind this difficulty there will be more and life is always full of trials.
Dèyè Mòn, Gen Mòn
We climb a treacherous
path to visit the peoples
of Bellevue
promises of arriving
at the top
around every corner
Dèyè mòn gen mòn
Overcome with intense
tropical heat
we stumble over rises
past the cow paths
with a few peeks of views
and peaks ahead
Dèyè mòn gen mòn
The delighted children
greet us as we neared
a crack of the machetes
open the just picked
coconuts
providing refreshment
and relief
Dèyè mòn gen mòn
The elders arise
and translators explain
“we are tired and are sorry
we have not completed
the chapel you funded”
tears fall from the
leader’s eyes
Dèyè mòn gen mòn
We will overcome
our tiredness
and once again
carry block after
concrete block
up the mountain pass
to finish this
church
Dèyè mòn gen mòn
I sit in awe
tears welling up
These people of no means
yet determined
resolved
committed
to building a house
of worship
50 pounds at a time
Dèyè mòn gen mòn
I’m joining in this month’s Open Write over at Ethical ELA. Today Denise Krebs encouraged us to write an ode, or other poetic form, inspired by a childhood love – It is National Play-Doh and Cinnamon Raisin Toast Day after all!
I’m not sure
how I came
to want you
quite possibly
a connection to
my love of the
TV show
The Flying Nun
but none-the-less
I asked for you
as a gift for
My First Communion
An extravagant ask
to my parents
of little means
You graced my bureau then,
as now,
a reminder of
silly wishes
childhood giggles
and my need to
hold on to things
that collect dust!
Today is day five of Ethical ELA’s August Open Write. Today’s host, Scott McCloskey, is inspiring us to pen a free verse based on some new and cool fact, embracing our love of life long learning. My idea came to me over the airwaves this afternoon when I was fortunate to hear a sensational interview. I instantly knew I hit poetry gold!
I couldn’t believe my ears
While driving across town
The radio host was interviewing
the famous Nordic Thunder.
Who's he you ask?
Well don't you know?
He is THE world champion of
Air Guitar!
I listened intently to discover new facts
about the August event
Where adults compete "shamelessly
playing their invisible instruments."
They gather in Finland
for the renowned event
Proud of their slogan:
Make Air Not War
A quick glance at their website
will help you understand:
You can't hold a gun
while playing a guitar
They promise a week of hullabaloo
with room for everyone -
Just show up in a showy wardrobe
and bring along some flashy moves
I'm sure the contest is intense
with competition tight
And when it comes to awarding prizes
I wonder if the winner
will finally get a guitar?
It’s day 2 of the August Open Write over at Ethical ELA. Today Margaret Simon is inspiring us with a beautiful photograph that begs a poem. (https://reflectionsontheteche.files.wordpress.com/2022/08/grass.jpg)
As I glanced at the picture I was brought back to my youth when I waited to pick this very grass to enjoy the sweet earthy flavors within.
Sun-kissed stem
Waving from afar
Calling to be chosen
For that sweet
Taste of summer
I’m once again joining in Ethical ELAs monthly poetry open write. Breaking away from a long weekend away to have some fun with words. Gayle Sands is hosting today’s wordplay having us consider a few uncommon words from Merriam-Webster Webster’s list of uncommon words. I chose the word meldrop: A drop of mucus at the nose, whether produced by cold or otherwise.
Pesky irritating drip
That hangs…
lingering
on the tip
Like a little pendant
Hanging from the nostril
Growing larger
As the air grows
Colder
Trickling and tickling
Until finally
Gathering enough
Mass
To drop
Annoyingly
On the laces
Of your ice skates.
Oh meldrop!
iblessings 
