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.
The Daily Hum
Maybe meet your true self
when you are making toast.
Maybe see a path so true
waiting for the roast.
Maybe understand it all
washing the dog’s hair.
Maybe unlock mysteries
climbing up the stairs.
Life often reveals itself
in surprising, subtle moments.
The daily hum of this and that
may awake the potent.
Finding Simple
Why is finding simple
often quite quite hard?
Seems it would be easy —
complex? Just discard.
But reaching toward the simple
feels more like clearing vines.
Each tendril is connected,
dug in and must be mined.
Pull on one small thread
find a monster at its end.
Have to just keep pulling,
the time you have to spend.
Maybe when you finish
you find a clearing, clean and bare.
A simple life for living —
but I can’t tell you, I’m not there.
need to write a poem
need to write a poem
don’t know what to say
sometimes there are days like these
the words just go away
no ideas strike me
my mind a white blank slate
quickly now just type the thing
it won’t turn out great
but happy to have done it
another day goes by
need to write a poem
even if the well is dry
never easy
always question
this way or that?
making decisions
a bit like combat
always struggle
which way to go?
even if easy
still labor to know
always hope for
yes, this is it!
instead only anguish
hands wring, teeth grit
always do it
just make a pick
but never easy
or very quick
More Towels!
These two things
They do not mix
Dogs and rain
Do you want pics?
When dogs go out
In the rain
The mud they spread
Is such a pain
I just can’t win
Although I try
The mess is such
I want to cry!
From smelly fur
To dirty paws
To leaves and sticks
There should be laws!
Every time
The beast goes out
Here comes the mud
More towels! I shout
Between
Does cheese feel trapped in a sandwich?
Or does he feel cozy inside?
Does jelly feel squeezed in a doughnut?
Or does she just calmly abide?
To be in between might be stifling
feel like you’re caught in a snare.
But maybe instead it feels dreamy
tucked into safe and soft layers.
Between can be one other strange place,
one that feels more like the dark.
You left something known, now are swimming,
worry the water hides sharks.
You wander with no destination,
the world around may turn gray.
Trust that between is a good place
and soon you will find a new way.
Susan’s Zoo
Susan was screaming
”What should we do?!
All of the animals
escaped from the zoo!”
There goes a zebra
behind a brown bear!
The lions are lounging
in Adam’s deck chair!
The elephants seem partial
to the big yellow arch!
Giraffes take four lanes
as they make their march!
Baboons smash the glass
at Johnson’s Ice Cream!
The tigers are lounging
in the Miller’s airstream!
The town now resembles
a zoo inside out!
Susan just stands there
and she shouts and she shouts!!
earthbound
twist and turn around
fall down to the ground
barely make a sound
never to be found
in that big old mound
Limericks
There was a woman in Wheaton
Who felt she had maybe been cheatin’
Writing silly old rhymes
That don’t take much time
But her streak was mostly unbeaten
There was dog on the couch
You would never call him a grouch
Give him a treat
Or something to eat
And by your side he will slouch
A man asleep in his bed
A pillow soft under his head
He dreams as a boy
Who plays with his toy
But he wakes to a mountain of dread
Trust the Truth
Outside leaves rain down
Blanketing the waiting ground
A hushed reminder
We all need warmth in winter
Trust the truth of those you touch
Pushy pushy dog
Here he comes
Jumping on the bed
Does he want his breakfast
or is he checking if I’m dead?
Here he comes
Lounging on the couch
Pressing with his paws so hard
“Pet me now you big old grouch!”
Here he comes
Begging for some food
“Don’t you see my sitting here?
You aren’t sharing?? Oh so rude!”
Here he comes
Barking really loud
“Look Look Look a squirrel!!
Aren’t you very proud?”
Here he comes
“Hey I want some cuddles”
When this dog is gone away
my tears will fall in puddles
Beatrice the Bat
Beatrice was a bat
The creepy, scary kind
But also she was nice
The nicest you could find
She always brought her brothers
One mosquito each (yuck!!)
When they needed learning
She was there to teach
All the bats liked Beatrice
She was well-known in the cave
If there was a bat feast (ugh, whatever that is!!)
A place for her was saved
A bat’s life can be trying
All that hanging upside down
But no bat would be crying
When Beatrice was around
She was a real good jokester
A wide grin on her face (do bats smile!?!?)
Organizing games and things
Or “let’s put on a race!”
Bats have always scared me
I’m afraid I’ll get a bite
But if they are like Beatrice
Maybe bats might be all right (but I’m still not sure!!)
Happy Halloween my Friends! Thank you for being here!
my brain came through
pish posh
tiddly tot
almost forgot
but I did not
mish mash
pizzely wuz
my brain came through
it always does
on the edge
on the edge
of something new
look ahead
what will you do?
walk a path
not seen before
enter through
a newfound door
stay alert
your courage hold
you might find
a vein of gold