Praise [POETRY]

Praise to the one who granted you a name
Praise to the one who loves you just the same
In your moments of evil as your moments of good
Though he always wishes that you would
Choose the better part, choose the best way
To show a hint of love in every single day

Praise to the one who answers are prayers
And encourages love so everyone shares
What little they have so all may press on
And still love each other when troubles are gone
So lift up your voice, sing songs of praise
There is always reason to joyful strains raise

The last day of poetry month.

Too bad?

Or...at last?

Now to carve out some time to write a few short stories, so this blog doesn't miss us.

Right?

Total Exhaustion [POETRY]

I spent all night dancing in your dreams
And all morning easing all your screams
And now I stumble blindly, hoping to see
A less weary version of this exhausted me
But dishes need washing, tears need wiped
And it feels as if my last breath just got swiped
Still I keep moving and everything gets done
But it never quite feels like I have won
So pull me back for a quieter dream
Take a moment, forget whatever scheme
Would have me running and just let me rest
Close to your heart, you know that is best
Cure for this total exhaustion before it takes me
Back to a place no mortal eyes can see

Next to the last day of poetry month.

Did you write yourself a poem yet?

Look Around [POETRY]

Don’t look back, she’s not there
You lost her in the past somewhere
You should have looked when you had her hand
And listened close so you could understand
Don’t look back, you must look ahead
Seek out safer game instead
Don’t look back, the past set you free
Let yourself loose from what could be
No longer tied down to past shames
Or linked inexorably to unwanted names
So step forward, take a chance
And join in on future’s dance

Only a few more days of poetry.

Anyone looking forward to a short story?

Do I have one in me?

Massive Love [POETRY]

In comparison to our time together
This love could span a million lifetimes
Explode every universe
Make the eternity disappear into nothing
Because it surpasses all
And takes all into it
Making all other affection appear
As the smallest grain of sand
Lost upon the shores of great loves
But ours can be found
Because our hearts bring us together
Though miles and centuries may tear at us
Wishing to tear apart the one thing
That is meant to be eternal

Thought I should take

A little bit of a break

From being rhymey

All of the timey.

Choose to Change [POETRY]

How many decades can pass by
Influenced by one choice to change
Will you wonder or ask why
As you grow and age
Why a choice you made years ago
Shaped who you will be
The person you come to know
As you step into eternity
And if you chose well
You will love future you
And be privileged to tell
Others that you are true
To both who you once were
And who you hope to be
So choose, and be sure
Change makes your future, you see…

Today's prompt was about change.

Twenty-two years ago, I chose to be baptized into my church.

There have been a million changes since then.

Coincidence???

Cloud Haiku [POETRY]

Open the sky up

Let the rain flow down to earth

Until the soil seeps

I considered posting some of my early works today.

Might be best that I didn't.

Chasing Clouds [POETRY]

Puffs of mist floating high above
Making sad declarations of love
But no one hears and so you cry
Pouring out water from the sky
To bring new life from spring soil
Pierced by planes, twist and coil
To make new shapes for young eyes
To discover as each one spies
Some new creature or just some fluff
Will the cloud’s effort ever be enough

It has been a rough day over here.

Maybe the rain clouds are stalking me....

Social Grief [POETRY]

How can you understand at two
Why no one comes to play with you
And mom and dad are always here
But rarely have time to hold you near
Maybe they long for a playdate, too,
And sister doesn’t get it though she I four
That she doesn’t go to school any more
But mommy promises that when we can
We will get to see our friends again
She is hoping it is soon, but for now
We will make it through, but I don’t know how
So I will trust in her and hold her tight
Because that is when I know it is alright.

Sorry this one is a little dark. Times are dark though, aren't they?

Hope all is well.

And you have all you need.

Quirky [POETRY]

Do you love these little things I do

That I seem to do only around you

Because even though so much time passed

You make my breath shallow, my heart beat fast

And all sense leave until I act the fool

Not that I ever passed for cool

Even before you threw my world off kilter

And helped my mind forget its filter

When I share more than I probably should

Like no one else ever knew I could

Another day. Another poem. Another quarantine. Nope. Same quarantine.

New psychosis?

Maybe?

Tell Me [POETRY]

Tell me about those feelings that set you on fire

The ones that make you blush, cheeks of fire

Tell me the secrets you hold inside your heart

Tell me the truth, you feel torn apart

Without my affirmations of love to remind you

That someone can be honest and true

Have you loved so deeply you feel it in your toes

When someone else’s nose brushes your nose

Or that total peace is found in the soft embrace

Of one with an unforgettable face

Tell yourself the truth and set yourself free

Then maybe you can tell the truth to me

A love poem was requested. Hope it makes you feel all gushy inside.

Embrace [POETRY]

EMBRACE

Where do you go when you feel the bump

Of timid arms, bringing you into an embrace

That calms you from the pain that is a fixture

Of a saddened world that makes werewolves howl

Outside your window, making you less lonely

When you finally give into firm resolve

So give in at last to what you resolve

Will give you hope and finally bump

Your heart back from the realm of the lonely

And you return that timed embrace

But if you hug too hard, your love will howl

And maybe your love won’t become a fixture

So how does your love become romantic fixture

And how do you make true feelings resolve

Into more than a poetic lover’s midnight howl

So take a chance, step over that bump

Lose yourself in the first of many an embrace

That makes you forget what it is to be lonely

When you have love, do not forget the lonely

Nor let them forget when you were a fixture

In conversations of longing to know an embrace

That was offered with such sweet resolve

That suddenly your heart goes bump, bump, bump

And blood rushes up to make your ears howl

So listen up, is that a werewolf’s howl

Does he know what it is to be so lonely

That you feel how hard your heart can bump

When you realize you are no more than a fixture

Always expected to stand by without your own resolve

And no other monster will offer their embrace

But even a monster finds another to embrace

One who can share their sad midnight howl

So monster or princess, you must resolve

That you will not allow yourself to be lonely

Or just a small part in someone else’s story, a fixture

That they might write off and choose to bump

Steel your resolve, offer an embrace

And if midnight makes a bump, don’t howl

Don’t choose to be lonely, don’t choose to be a fixture

I was challenged to try a new poetic form, a sestina. I clearly have not mastered it. (Also, I didn't choose my initial six words and those six really wanted this to be much naughtier.) Hope it amuses you.

IN ISOLATION

We thought we were trapped, left alone

But that isn’t true, we can’t condone

Letting go of those we love, when we

Can reach out in a million different ways

So wherever you are, know someone prays

To hold you close once more and waits

Until the sadness and sickness abates

So we can meet one more under the sun

And share more great moments with everyone

This was a little bonus poem since I skipped yesterday. Happy Monday, people.

A Message [POETRY]

To keep it brief 

I need relief 

From boredom that assails me

Send help, whatever form it be

Gratitude will follow

Feel free to write your own brief message poem in the comments.

We all need a little distraction these days.

Not sure these poetic bits are bringing enough joy, so I need to whip up something a little longer...

Be You [POETRY]

You’re a phenom, reaching for the stars
Though current events put everyone behind bars
Of fear and loss and deep regret
But don’t let these times make you forget
That though these times may try our souls
Each of us must come together, our roles
Will bring us back, hopefully, to a better side
Of this world we are creating, each day
By our choices, by the words we say
So choose to be fabulous, choose to be you
Seek out wisdom as you do what you do
Keep on seeking, find what is true
But no matter what, always be you

Don't lose yourself in your head...

Or the new hats you have to wear because you are home all day...

We still need each other...

And we will celebrate together soon...

Inspire Me [POETRY]

I once told someone I wasn't inspired to be his girl
He was so sweet, I wouldn't hurt him for the world
He  had asked me to date his friend first
And I hoped my gentle rejection would be the worst
No idea where life took him, though I could check
I will just assume it wasn't a train wreck
Because the better lives I might dream up for him
Might not fill the need of his personal whim
But others I might seek out who would inspire me
To reach toward the light of higher me
Who reached beyond the stars with words
Soaring amongst the feathers of the birds
To sink back down until feet touch the earth
And with the power of words I find rebirth
And hope in gifts bestowed upon my heart
When I take a moment to take a chance and make a start

I think we all need more inspiration and less trauma these days.

Don't you think?

Dream [POETRY]

What you desire most hides inside
Until night falls, no reason to hide
When your eyes close and no one sees
What now brings you to your knees
Will joy find you as sleep rolls in
Or will nightmares plague you again
Some don’t dare to ask their mind
What they are hoping to find
So they avoid sleep and hope not to dream
But what’s missing? More than a scream?
Dare to dream, to hope, even listen to
That voice that lingers deep inside of you
Waiting until you calm down enough to hear
Both what brings hope and what brings fear

Not sure how well these prompts are working.

What do you think?

Haikus to Forces of Nature [POETRY]

Swift feet pounding through

Little ears can not hear you

Children still love you

Load us with sugar

And let us loose in your home

Because we are yours

All animals live

Inside the walls of a home

Blessed with little ones

Every parent of toddlers know what I am saying...

and more.

Stay strong, friends!

Why? [POETRY]

Why am I at the top of this mountain

Wishing I knew what brought me here

How can I ever be certain

That I have chosen wisely in my fear

Of never accomplishing what I must

To make the world right and just

But as snowflakes swirl around my face

I forget why I am in this place

And stepping out toward a steep slope

I lean into an ice flow and hope

As the worlds swirls past me

My heart soars far into the sky

I close my eyes, and finally see

That there can be more than one “why”

So I have never been snowboarding and haven't been skiing since I was nine, but anything exciting that doesn't involve a sweet toddler melting down for unknown reasons (and remaining inconsolable)  sounds fabulous right now.

Happy Monday!

Take Over [POETRY]

When love takes your hand

And your heart loses control

And you don't understand

What happened to your soul 

As two souls entwined

Reach out into eternity

And your heart and mind

Are bowed down to destiny

But who wins if you let go

Before you have a chance to grow

Into who you were meant to be

So cede control, so you can see

That having a hand to hold

Brings perfect comfort as you grow old

So don’t let go, hold on tight

Take control of what you know is right

Hope this translated well from my garbled mind.

Have a great Saturday.

Hope you have big plans for tomorrow.

Hope the Easter Bunny doesn't social distance...

The Girl Who Sang [POETRY]

The girl who sang raised her voice in praise
Hoping to reach the one who did raise
From the tomb to bless her life
Give her the chance to conquer her strife
With grace and beauty, so she sang
And listened as her words rang
Back from thin walls to bless her ears
And those next door, her peers
Who wondered how she could rejoice
And raise a joyous strain with tired voice
Though she lived next door, didn’t have much
Maybe one day they would ask what did touch
Her heart so deeply that she sings all day
Though they can’t hear the ones she prays

Managed to follow the writing prompt I received and make it apply to Good Friday.

Hope you are preparing for a fabulous Easter.

Fiery Forest [POETRY]

The stars have come out

The world breathes in night

But as I look about

I am drawn to a light

Glowing inside the forest

I know with my whole heart

That even when I rest

I feel we aren’t apart

Is the forest I love aflame

Wouldn’t I know

I step toward it, hear my name

And reach out toward the glow

It flows back to take my hand

And suddenly, I understand

The flame of inspiration

Draws me to this place

And now I know the reason

Why the glow warms my face

For I am still sleeping

Waiting for the sun to rise

And my secrets are no longer keeping

Behind my lidded eyes.

I should be sleeping, but I forgot to post this.

I hope it helps your insomnia.

It may have caused mine.

La de da!

Forward {POETRY]

Fast forward, years from now

Take me out into the stars

I can’t say when or how

But I know nothing bars

Me from reaching out into space

Even a bit of me, a hint of my face

On someone younger than I am now

And he or she will know how

Life transformed by our every act

And hopefully find peace in the fact

That we struggled through, rose above

And gave our best to those we love

Anyone else having trouble sleeping for all the worry you are doing?

Hoping I get some good sleep soon, so I can write deeper things.

Fortune [POETRY]

What fortune is this that plopped me down hear
With a basket at my feet and a very long ear
I check again and then there are two
One flops over, covering my face
And I wonder what on earth to do
Because I feel so out of place
I spy a glint of gold in the basket at my feet
And pull it out, hoping for something to eat
But as it touches my teeth, I know
This isn’t how this is supposed to go
“Sorry, lass, but that gilt be mine”
A voice whispers and I find
Myself facing a red-headed imp
Who grins as he bows and forward does limp
To pluck the golden coin from my hands
I gasp and he nods as if he understands
“’Tis what ye need this?” He proffers
Something more precious than all in his coffers
A rich chocolate egg wrapped in bright foil
It lingers on my tongue and alleviates the toil
Of a long day of hatching plans to bring
Treats to all the little people who celebrate spring
With baskets of goodies and fluffy tails
For the fortunate Easter Bunny never fails

Thought I should be a little cute and cheeky today.

Hope you loved it.

Hope you wake up to treats on Sunday!

Trapped [POETRY]

Invisible ceiling, holding me down

Trapped

Somewhere I cannot be found

Prison of ice, steel daggers in my heart

Trapped

But nothing can tear us apart

Words unspoken keep me here

Trapped

By the truth that I fear

Knowing too much makes us wise

Trapped

In a circle of infinite lies

Lying down when we should fight

Trapped

By not defending what we know is right

Quarantine might be affecting my poetry. Six days into writing poetry and I must say "Not dead yet."

Scary, right?

One Moment [POETRY]

Lips gently brush against lips

Breaths mingled, the world slips

Away in this single moment

Was this what my heart meant

When it skipped a beat when your face

First appeared in a familiar place

And as I breath in the scent of you

I know you are a soul I always knew

And when our lips finally part

And you hold me close to your heart

I close my eyes long enough to wonder

Will we awaken from this spell we are under

A decade passes and your lips still bring

The power to cause my heart to sing

Some moments are not made to end

When one falls in love with a friend

And learns to grow closer each day

To the one who makes them feel this way

So lean in close, let our lips touch

Does a single kiss really mean this much?

A little mushy, I know, but the prompt today led me here. Be glad I didn't choose to write a poem about childbirth. Hahaha!

Elegy for Robin [POETRY]

Oh, Robin, dear Robin, you made wishes come true

Though we never knew not what to expect of you

You could drink through your finger and sit on your head

Become a child again and jump on your bed

Whether you’re bionic or just the greatest dad

Losing you made so many hearts sad

We wish we knew what hid behind that smile

We would have fought to keep you for a little while

But you chose to move on and we hope you still know

That love and laughter follow everywhere you go

Today's challenge was to write an elegy. 

I got sidetracked and then my theme made me sad. 

Nano nano :(

Hope it is worth your consideration.

Follow Me Down [POETRY]

Follow me down to the depths of my soul

See the product of the dice you roll

Twist me up in a blue-lined sheet

And guide me toward those I should meet

Before I venture out into a world of wonders

And realize the consequence of the smallest blunders

As the world around me floods, lightning strikes

Illuminating a dozen heads on pikes 

About the keep of the castle fair

But it is too late to wish myself elsewhere 

As the drawbridge lowers and I am drawn forward

Knowing not what danger I walk toward

As a familiar voice echoes from all around

Inviting so sweetly, “Follow me down…”

Consumed [POETRY]

Consumed, swallowed up

And dispersed across the stars

On my own tears I sup

To think of what is ours

Just one twinkle, just one

Of a million glowing stars

To warm us until we are done 

Weeping for what could have been

While what is waits for us to see

That there will be joy again

Shining down on you and me

Got a prompt and may have twisted it a little bit. Hope you like it.

Look And See [POETRY]

The whole world screams, “Look at me”

Yet no one looks, no one can see

How precious each one has always been

Whether we know them or call them friend

So take a breath, close your eyes

Think once more, listen for those cries

You cannot hear with physical ears

And watch for signs of unseen tears

We are born to love, all, not one

And we must admit our day is not done

Until we show love even if only by bowing our heads

As we kneel reverently by our beds

And petition for those we may not know

So the love inside us can blossom and grow

Sorry, kids, it is poetry month. I think we might all need a little healing poetry in our souls right now. Hope you and your loved ones are well and safe...

and not driving each other TOO crazy.