This was a project I did basically during the pandemic. I started writing a poem a day. Once ‘real life’ started again it got harder to write everyday, which is interesting.
I have started to edit some of these mostly the kids poetry. I think there might be enough here for a book. We shall see.
I make no claim that much of this is “good” poetry. But I do make the claim that I loved doing it and I learned something and some of it makes me cry.
what great forces
what great forces
push us
pull us
move us forward?
certainly not indifference
rather
desire
wanting
need
fear and guilt can push go or pull stop
deadlines may propel us
as does
our little friend
habit
promises: keep
those times you pause
feel resolve dip
were going strong
will takes a hit
these are the times
you must dig deep
be the one who
promises: keep
soft not seizing
should we force
what won’t come easy?
would giving way
be much more pleasing?
could we bend
without getting queasy?
might reach our end
through soft not seizing?
time to go
time to go
time to start
time to begin
dive in with heart
take the first step
walk the first mile
win the first race
look up and smile
off the hook
today I wanted to be off the hook
not write this poem
hoped you won’t look
but…
here I am, it may not be good
but I showed up
cuz’ I said that I would
some other day
sometimes the hill
is just too steep
you try and try
but progress creeps
sometimes the wise
choice is best
take a break
have a rest
the hill it won’t
just go away
best to climb
some other day
Old Man Winter
Old Man Winter
he often blusters in
but then his forces settle
the light begins to dim
he twists his frosty grip
over air and ground and light
nothing can escape him now
the day has lost to night
locked inside his icy grasp
like holding frost-filled breath
don’t relent, hold his gaze
or it will mean your death
one day he will falter
seem to melt away
you will feel the warmth again
the night will fade to day
Keep On Going
As you wander
down paths barely lit,
are you scared of the noises,
are you tempted to quit?
Can you keep going
though the way it is long?
My dear, you can do it,
I know you are strong.