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.
Smelly Feet
What do you think?
Do my feet really stink?
Should I go take a shower?
Even at this late hour?
I could go to bed?
My nose and my head
are far from my feet.
But they are under the sheets
the smell it might waft!
Is that why you coughed?
Best to clean first
smelly feet are the worst!
old habits
old habits walk
on paths well worn
the ruts of life
the past not shorn
to make a change
requires heft
the fear creeps in
what will be left?
The Late Wake Up
Today I woke up late
Much later than the norm
Must have been under the covers
Calm and safe and warm
Now the day begins
I’m up and out of bed
The thing about the late wake up
It starts my day with dread
Because I need to rush
To move at double speed
The rhythm of the morn is broke
But the day it must proceed
In praise of crackers
I know we are supposed to eat
Fruits and veggies most
But I have to be quite honest
I really like crackers and toast
Something about the crunch
And the lots of yummy toppings
Here comes some crackers and cheese
I’m going for it and I’m not stopping
one of those days
Today is one of those days
When the words don’t easily come
I struggle along for what feels like long hours
Then I tell the truth and I’m done
Decisions
Should I go
this way or that?
Decisions are hard —
like internal combat.
One way seems right
then the other peeks in.
Which way to turn?
I can’t really win.
The cycle goes on —
repeats and repeats.
Finally collapse.
Claim my defeat.
Pick one or the other!
It probably won’t matter!
But choose one I must
to get over this chatter!
Either choice is ok —
both end my dismay!
Decide on a way
with no more delay!
the heat of overuse
Words are like butter
once firm they can melt under
the heat of overuse
Warm words soften
seem to be everywhere
their greasy film coating ideas
making them slippery
Words are potent
kept chilled and used on purpose
sharks and fleas
cats and dogs
sheep and hogs
cows and bees
sharks and fleas
animals live in different places
might do work, have different faces
I wonder what our world would be
with no creatures but you and me?
That would be no good at all!
We each belong here, big and small.
Sally Grundy
Sally Grundy
was a slug
slowest slug
there ever was
she would creep
just plod along
one short foot
took all day long
slug are slow
this we know
Sally was
the slowest though
letting go
twisted up
turned around
feeling low
run aground
you might find
a shaft of light
by letting go
of being right
These words today
These words today
Won’t come and play
They twist and turn
Then run away
I’ve started more than
Thirty verses
I’ve muttered more than
Eighty curses
I’m giving up
The words have won
At least for now
I can say done
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.
Really Late
Can you believe it?
I really am this late.
My poem writing recently
is clearly not so great.
I keep on not doing
the thing I ought to do
which is wake up in the morning
and first thing write to you.
I will do that tomorrow
and the day right after that
but for now the thing is done
and I’m hanging up my hat.
Sunday’s Glow
Sunday almost slipped on by
but lucky me I realized why
I felt something not quite right
my poem almost wasn’t quite
but here I am, late I know
I got it done in Sunday’s glow