NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Thirty

All good things come to an end so they say. Today is the last day of National Poetry Month. I hope you have been following my daily blogs with the poems.  All in all I did over thirty pieces for April.  Many have come from my life, as I mentioned before.  It was indeed an interesting month which I felt went by quickly.  May will begin with a flurry of activity for me as well as June. I do not know if I'll have a blog a day or not but will try for a few a week. One thing I promised on Day Twenty-Nine is to keep you informed about my election for the state office in the veteran's organization where I am member.  I have been busy trying to make calls to campaign.  

As April comes to an end I still hope you continue to read poetry when possible. I have found it to be relaxing at times to unwind. A glass of wine and a few good poems can relax you OR cup of tea and a few poems; your choice. 

Today I plan to re-read poems I've written last year during April and compare with this year.  Also re-read ones I had done few years back during April and had published in a book.  

Until next time....it's Monday. Enjoy the day.  

POEM FOR DAY THIRTY 

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      POETRY PUT IN STORAGE               

                © Scottie-ann Murphy

April leaves us with sadness

   National Poetry Month comes to 

         an end for this year

Sonnets....odes....ballads....

   Rhyme....free verse....acrostic

Put on the shelf by many till April 

        rolls around again

So many poems to read 

   Thirty days not enough time to 

      appreciate the genre of poetry 

Yet the month comes to a end

Poetry....forgot by most till April 

       of the next year

But at least it is celebrated for a 

        month

Unlike some holidays....only for 

        twenty-four hours 

Read a poem a day....start a new 

        tradition 

It's not written in stone that we need to put poetry in storage at Aprils end....that we can only 

      celebrate and appreciate 

          thirty days once a year 

             

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                 APRIL

        © Scottie-ann Murphy 

Another month ends ever so 

      quickly....where has the time 

          gone?

Pondering on the past thirty 

     days....as well as what the 

        next thirty-one days will hold

Realizing....that one can not 

     foresee the future....but only 

        hope for the best 

Inasmuch we accept what lies in 

     our destiny....we still wonder 

           what  fate has in store 

Like it or not it....what will happen 

      will happen....we need to go 

       with the flow and take it in 

              stride 

 

 

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-Nine

I am in the running for an office on the state level in a veteran's organization which I hold membership. As I stated in a previous blog, I have competition.  I need to campaign and need to come up with something clever.  A friend suggested I go with pink as a color and black. Most would go with patriotic but I wondered why pink. This person said it's different and everyone else would use red, white and blue.  I can decorate with pink and black but also use patriotic items.  As we chatted about pink it came to me.  The word PINK, could define my platform for what and who I am. 

PINK....Pride, Integrity, Never-ending, Kindness.  I am definitely all those words.  I take PRIDE in what I have done in the organization.  I have INTEGRITY. I am a NEVER-ENDING worker for the organization. Last I show KINDNESS to all even those who are against me.  I treat everyone how I want to be treated. 

I decided to put this down as a poem and may use it in the campaign.  

I am sure my opponent has their own agenda on how to showcase their platform.  I feel the color will work.  Think of me....think PINK. 

Until tomorrow....I'll keep you all posted on my campaign.  The election is June.  

Enjoy your day.  

Day Twenty-nine Poem 

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                  PINK

       © Scottie-ann Murphy

   Think PINK💗

     Pride

        Integrity

               Never-ending

                           Kindness

               I AM PINK....

I like pink....such a nice girly color

   Makes one think of 

      sweetness....cuteness....

        a sugar coated person

Yes at times....I could be

    But......moments....a hardness 

          washes upon me....

              times I need to stand up    

                   for what I believe 

Whether right or wrong in the 

           eyes of some.....  

             steadfast maintaining my 

                  position....

                    expressing my 

                        viewpoint 

Respecting the others opinion

    Wearing my suit of armor when

        need be 

                  I AM PINK.....

I show PRIDE in all I do

     Have INTEGRITY in my 

             convictions 

        NEVER-ENDING a hard 

              worker for a cause or 

                         organization 

               KINDNESS shown to                

                   others always

                  I AM PINK....

    I wear the color proudly 

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-eight

Thursday is Bingo day at the VFW where I hold membership. Although I am not a player of the game, there are many who take it quite seriously. For that reason I avoid the visiting the VFW on that day. This morning I imagined myself there sitting at a table near the windows on a Thursday that look out into the back of the building where the lake is located. Doing so triggered today's piece. The images in the poem are actuate of what one would see looking out the VFW window.  

 

Until tomorrow....have a great Saturday.  

         

    DAY TWENTY-EIGHT POEM

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    B-5  I-18  N-31 G-44 O-67

               BINGO

           © Scottie-ann Murphy

      

The flag waves in the breeze 

   Palm tree fronds sway 

Surface winds blow harsh on the lake....white caps roll to the shore

Outside the VFW....the beach 

     area deserted 

No boaters....no jet skiers....

   No pedestrians strolling along 

           the waters edge

Not even sand cranes 

      patrolling the grounds

I notice a lonely butterfly 

        flittering past the window

My focus on the outside world

Waves rolling to shore on Lake Jackson....

The America flag fluttering on a windy Thursday afternoon....

 And fronds from the palm trees

     that seem to beckon hello to 

       me....

As I sit at the table peering 

      outdoors....

 Mesmerized by the nothingness 

I ponder 🤔 about everything and yet nothing....a calmness comes over me 

Silence.....I hear not a sound....

    inside surroundings I ignore

          BINGO....

               the shouting breaks my   

                    concentration

It's back to reality and why I'm 

           here today at the VFW 

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-seven

Today it's . The last work day of the week for many. Today is also the fourth Friday of the month which means it's the Friday the veteran's organization (where I am head officer) sponsors a dinner. 

Tonight I'll be working dining area by either serving the meals or taking money; doing dishes and/or clearing tables. 

Coming up with a menu is not an easy thing to do. You want to give something a bit different than the normal. Also you want to attract a crowd so marketing and advertising important. Tonight's meal is called AMERICAN DINNER. It's also a comfort food meal.  Plain American fare of fried chicken and yes apple crumb with vanilla ice cream for dessert. 

I thought about Friday when I could not wait to get off work. Sometimes we'd hit happy hour someplace. The problem with Friday is the knowledge Monday is right around the corner. I decided to put into words my thoughts of Friday. 

Until tomorrow....what are your weekend plans?

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN POEM

              MENU of COMFORT

             © Scottie-ann Murphy 

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Fried chicken drumettes

    Sweet potato tater tots

        Creamy coleslaw 

An American meal....comfort food 

   Apple crumb with vanilla ice 

           cream for dessert

My mouth waters at just the 

        thought 

A rumble sounds from within

    I am hungry

All day I have waited for dinner

  advertised as 'American Cuisine'

It has been one of those weeks....

    Murphy's Law dominated my  

           life 

Something needed to uplift my

    spirits 

A glass of wine....good company

      and satisfying meal 

What more do I need?

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            FRIDAY

       © Scottie-ann Murphy

Finally the last work day of the      

      week....it seems to drag on 

Ready or not the weekend will be    

       here after today....I'm always 

               ready 

It's TGIF....time to unwind....

     prepare for two days of 

        whatever you want to do 

Duty calls for one last time on     

      Friday....we look forward to 

        the days end

And start of the weekend with the 

         three R's....

               resting....

                      rejuvenation....

                              relaxation....

Yet....in the back of    

          our minds we are aware....

                 that Monday lurks on

                    the horizon 

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-six

Each April during National Poetry Month, the last Thursday is designated as "Poem in Your Pocket Day" (PIYPD). Okay I came up with the PIYPD for short to use in this blog. It is actually one of the days celebrated during poetry month.  It's a fun and easy concept. What you do is find a poem or two. You print it up or long hand it up. Fold the paper; carry in your pocket then pass it along. You make mention to the recipient that they read the poem then pass it along. 

Years ago I created bookmarks with a poem on them and gave away.  This year I have found ones I had left and will pass them around today. I also hope to an event I saw listed in the paper. 

Until tomorrow....if you get a poem feel lucky.  Remember to pass it along.  

Day Twenty-six Poems

Poem Day-six 

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     "POEM IN YOUR POCKET 

               DAY" 

      (EASY INSTRUCTIONS)

         © Scottie-ann Murphy

        

Penned a poem to commentate     

        the event....(the last 

             Thursday of April)

Only....it was typed as compared 

        to handwritten....done during 

           the late night/early morn 

                 hours

Every year....the event happens    

     on the same Thursday of April

Making it a prompt for me to 

          composing a poem 

It is a challenge though....thinking 

       up something different to say

Not trying to repeat what was 

          said prior

         

Yet....the theme always remains 

             the same

Oh how exciting celebrating

      "POEM IN YOUR POCKET 

               DAY"

Understanding the instructions....

       YOU can too can make it 

               eventful 

Read a few poems....pick one you 

           enjoy or maybe two 

Print up poems on a sheet of 

      paper....a bright color to make 

              it stand out             

Or write it long hand....it's up to   

           you....(I prefer type)

Carefully fold the paper when 

       complete....place in your     

             pocket

Keep it with you throughout the 

        day....then pass it along to 

           another....tell them to do 

              the same 

Each year I do this....sometimes I 

        have two or three poems....

            by different poets

The one thing to remember....

        pass the poem/poems along 

Don't make this mistake....like 

            many others in years gone 

                  by 

At the end of the day remove the 

        poem from your pocket....

            or else....

You may find it later shredded     

        in the washer if failed to do 

               so 

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        "BRIGHT BLUE CONFETTI"

         © Scottie-ann Murphy 

I composed a poem for 

     "Poem in Your Pocket Day"

Printed up copies on bright blue 

       paper

Each folded individually....then I 

     placed in the cargo pocket of 

          my shorts

During the day....I took a copy

   passed it along to another to 

       enjoy

But unfortunately one slip of 

      paper forgotten 

One poem left never passed out 

Days later found as confetti inside the washing machine 

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-five

A few weeks ago I saw a news story that triggered a whimsical poem. Living in Florida it's not uncommon for gators to be wandering. This particular Sunday afternoon an alligator had walked into the lobby of a local hotel in my area. It was not a big gator but a small size.  Of course any gator can be scary.  

The funny thing about this incident is that the local chapter of a veteran's organization which I am member is hosting the state wide convention in June.  The hotel, where the gator wandered into, is where the convention is being held.  I am hoping that there is no repeat of this come convention time. 

The other poem I composed gives my thoughts on Wednesday. Yes it's hump day as it's called. When I worked that was usually a long day for me as I'd work ten hours on Wednesday so on Fridays I'd have only a six hour shift. It seemed like Wednesday would never end. I always thought after Wednesday it was all down hill.  Of course I realized that the weekend would come and go so quickly.  It would be back to the same old, same old come Monday. 

Until tomorrow....remember two more work days. 

What would you do if a gator strolled into a hotel where you are staying?  

Enjoy the day. 

Day twenty-five poems

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          SEEKING a COLD BREW

          © Scottie-ann Murphy 

 Into the local hotel.......

    he wandered on a Sunday  

        afternoon.....

              AL E. GATOR

Patrons in the lobby.....

      terrified by his presence 

Sauntering down the hall Al 

    headed.....not a care in the 

            world

    hoping to find the cocktail 

            lounge

But no such luck......no bar 

             at the facility

 Everyone watched with amazement......panic upon their 

     faces as he scampered around

Unsure of what to expect from 

      him next

Mr. Gator did not want to cause 

    a disturbance 

     Nor create a scene or scare

All he wanted....to sit and enjoy 

   a cold one or two on a hot April 

         day 

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                HUMP DAY

            © Scottie-ann Murphy

Hey it's Wednesday....here's 

     hoping the rest of the week     

           goes by rapidly

Unfortunately two more days of 

       work....two more days of 

          drudge and toil

 Monday through Friday drags on   

      and on....and on....each day  

        seems like forty-eight hours 

          instead of twenty-four 

Performing our best....striving to 

       make a living....fifty-two 

            weeks a year 

               

Day after day......after day......

   after day......after day......

Always the same old routine....

           get up....go to work....come 

               home....go to bed.....

                   REPEAT

Yet....we keep trudging along 

         till Friday....the weekend     

             comes....the weekend 

                 goes....the cycle begins 

                     once more 

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-four

There's a country song about it being five o'clock somewhere. Many use that excuse if they have an alcoholic drink early in the day. 

I think it was last year or so I saw something about wine o'clock. Not sure where or what the exact words were but last year I composed another poem about it which was on day nine of National Poetry Month. As in both I mentioned it was 'wine o'clock'.  

I enjoy a glass of wine now and then.  It has come as a continuous joke about me and wine.  Facebook friends tag things about wine to me and yes I tag them back. One friend gave me a wine glass years ago which had the words that they should more wine in bottle for more than one glass. My husband and I have wine glasses with wording about coffee being fine till it's time for wine.  We joke with one another when we get wine that it must be wine o'clock. 

Oh yeah I even wrote a piece in the style of Doctor Seuss. I've seen many take offs on him for different sayings but I wanted to do one one about wine. I saw one by to long ago about beer. The piece I wrote I titled it "A Glass of Wine With The Cat in the Hat".   

Until tomorrow....enjoy the day. It's now time for me to get a glass of wine; after all it's 'wine o'clock' somewhere.  

   

   POEM DAY TWENTY-FOUR

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              WINE O'CLOCK 

        © Scottie-ann Murphy

When things go wrong....

    which often they do

Don't stress out....

   get uptight or even feel 

         blue

Stop your complaining to 

      everyone....

          and quit your whining 

Look inside a dark cloud....

    for that old silver lining

Take a deep breath....

  count three times to ten 

Do it once....do it twice....

      then....do it again

If after trying this endeavor 

   and you're still not feeling fine

Take a time out....relax

   with a few glasses of wine 🍷 The time of day does not 

      matter....

 there's no reason to balk

Somewhere......someplace in the 

        world 

      it's  always Wine O'Clock🍷🕰

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Written in 2017

            WORDS to LIVE BY            

         © Scottie-ann Murphy 

      When life gets you down

          And troubles come you way

        Throw in the towel

            If just for the day

       Don't let despair and bad luck

         Come through your door 

            when it knocks

         Pour a glass of the grape 

         It is now Wine O'Clock

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-three

Last week I needed to make a decision on where I should be. At the time I wish I could have cloned myself or used a transporter so I could be in more than one place at a time. The decision I made in where to be did not come easy. I do know it made me look bad in the eyes of a few but as I said in a previous blog and yes poem 'walk a mile in my flip flops'.  Because I did not attend a celebration for an individual I ended up speaking with them on the phone then sent an apologetic email; in the email I wished them well in their future endeavors.  This person told me back they understood why I did what I did. Only a few (I count on one hand) knew about the call and email. I felt for those who I am sure were not happy with my decision; the call and email was none of their business. 

Again today's poem comes from my life. Seems I am doing my memories in poetic form.  

Until tomorrow....I am certain many of you had to make a tough decision.  Do you feel you chose the correct one or did you have regrets later?  Enjoy your Monday 

POEM DAY Twenty-three

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          DECISIONS DECISIONS 

             © Scottie-ann Murphy

Made a decision on where should 

      I should be......

Two events.... on the same day 

       happening 

Weighed the options of each....

  for a determination of which to 

          attend

Not present at one would give 

      fodder for gossip 

But being at the other.... would 

    give me a feeling of satisfaction 

Should I pick a weekend of    

       celebration and camaraderie      

          with food, drink and fun

  OR......

     do I choose being at a 

      fundraiser for a worthy cause?

The decision I made......

   for a few individuals the wrong 

          choice

But......who cares.......

      Charity trumps celebration 

        (At least in my opinion)

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-two

It's Earth Day. The last few years I tried to compose something to commentate the day and remind people about saving the planet. I do my best each day. I try to recycle whenever possible.  I have reusable tote bags for the stores. If I do end up with plastic (I sure miss the paper), I take them to a local thrift store who can use them.  I have also donated my bags to a group making mats for homeless individuals.  As for my aluminum cans, I remove the tab and donate to an organization collecting them; I donate the cans also. I reuse my gallon jug water bottles by filling them at a water station; reuse the small bottles by refilling them also. I only discard them in the recycle bin when needed.  

We all need to do our part to save the planet. 

Until tomorrow....do you recycle? Do you have a plan in your household that you stick by?

Enjoy your Sunday. 

   

Day Twenty-two Poem 

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             EARTH DAY 2018

           © Scottie-ann Murphy

Everyone needs to do their part

     to keep our planet clean

Always recycle when you can do 

      so 

Remember put bottles, plastics, 

       cans, paper and cardboard 

          in the recycling bin

This is the only earth we have.....

       do your part to save it

Help by attending a community 

      clean-up event....have a 

            recycling plan at home and 

                   use it daily

Don't forget your reusable 

     shopping bags when you go to 

             a store 

Always check an item before 

     discarding....can it be 

             recycled? Is there another 

                    use for it?

You doing the three R's.....

        can make a difference

              REDUCE...... 

                     REUSE.......

                        and RECYCLE......

             

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-one

A few days ago I looked to see what weird/wacky holidays were approaching. I saw today is 'Husband Appreciation Day'.  Sometimes I feel I take mine for granted. Such as being up in the morning before me and having the coffee ready. Also he does like to cook; I clean up after.  He supports me in endeavors and although grumbles does stand by me. He makes good suggestions and has interesting ideas at times. He sometimes thinks more out of the box than I. 

So I had decided to compose a poem for him. He deserves it plus much more.  There are many who are not as fortunate in the husband department.  I am one if the lucky ones. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy your Saturday. 

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     FOR ALL YOU ARE "Thank 

                  You"

           © Scottie-ann Murphy

(For my husband Murph on Husband Appreciation Day 2018)

He makes the coffee each 

       morning

     And cooks the meals 

       (I clean up after)

Listens without criticism to my 

     thoughts and ideas 

Supportive in my activities

    my personal cheerleader

Always there with a shoulder to 

    cry upon when things don't go    

         my way

On sunny days and stormy nights

   always by my side 

Dependable.....kind....

        caring....loving

The one I can always count on to 

   be there through thick and thin 

My husband.....

              my bestie...

                      my BFF

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NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty

I spent time recently searching for an item for a raffle for an organization which I am not only member but head officer of local chapter.  It was our intent to try to find something different than just a basket of cheer.  After searching the websites of different places I found the cutest red wagon in which we can make a basket of cheer and snacks. 

As I looked at the wagon, it triggered memories of one which I had at age six. It was a hand-me-down from boy cousins but I loved it. I remember putting my dolls and teddy bear inside and pulling it around the block. I recalled playing with friends taking turns pulling one another. 

Later that day the red wagon came up in conversation.  A few had shared their stories about owing one which triggered the poem I wrote today.  The part about restoring it came from one person who had told me they saw one at a thrift store. They thought it would be interesting to purchase with idea of someday restoring it.  

Did you have a red wagon? What memories do you have of it?

Until tomorrow.....enjoy your Friday; remember to wear red to Remember Everyone Deployed. 

       Day Twenty Poem 

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          THE RED WAGON

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

(For all who once had one as a child) 

Age three....

The little red wagon

  inside I sit like a princess

Grandpa pulls it behind him....

   down the lane we go....on a 

        summer day 

Oh what fun! 

Age Six......

The little red wagon 

   filled with my dolls and teddy 

          bear

Pulling it through the neighbor 

Giving them a ride....on a summer 

       day 

Oh what fun!

Age Eight....

The little red wagon

My friends and I take turns 

      as passenger 

Going here and there out for an 

       afternoon of play....on a 

             summer dsy

Oh what fun!

Age Twelve....

The little red wagon

    Filled with empty soda bottles 

       I found 

Returning them to the store for 

        spending cash....on a 

              summer day 

Oh what fun!

Age Twenty-four....

The little red wagon

   Hidden among items in my

       garage I found....on a summer 

             day 

No one seems to care it's there

Oh how sad!

Do I keep it as a reminder of my 

       youth?

Do I give it away?

The paint on the wood now faded 

        with time

Wheels have dry rotted over 

        the years

Yet I hang on to it with hopes 

     of restoring it to its glory when 

       I find the time....someday

Oh how interesting!

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