NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Fourteen

Today’s blog is short. 

I love looking at the wacky/weird daily holidays.  Some are just too far out there to believe they exist.  Take a few days from now (I look ahead at times); day is National Rubber Eraser Day.  Just how funny is that. These days have trigger poems in the past years and of course today’s as well as the THREE LINE THOUGHT.  Actually I post each day a HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN list; I also only post three or four of the wacky/weird holidays for that day.  There are a few I do not post but the only ones I find amusing. There are a few different sites that list the days. Today’s poets were Desi Di Nardo and Ogden Nash.  Di Nardo is one of the contemporary of course; Nash I’ve had read before.  

Until tomorrow....check out weird/wacky holidays for a laugh. 

Day 14....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

Spritz....spritz....spritz 

       I spray on my favorite perfume

        National Perfume Day....I’m celebrating 

               PECAN NUTTY CHOICES 

                 © Scottie-ann Murphy

Let’s have a piece of pecan pie

   It’s National Pecan Day 

      How about cup of hot coffee too 

Perhaps a pecan sweet roll instead 

   Sticky....sugary....and gooey (oh so good)

  And a mug of pecan pie flavored black tea 

   

Pecan pancakes with maple syrup

     A delicious breakfast meal 

 With a side of bacon or three sausage links

  

Chocolate chip cookies with pecans

     (Who needs walnuts)

   Add a cold glass of milk for dunking

Maybe I’ll just have toasted pecans 

   As a snack instead of peanuts

     And a glass of tart lemonade to drink

So many pecan items from which to choose

   Which will I pick? Possibly all!

      All tasty....all delish....all luscious 

 

 NATIONAL PECAN DAY

  Another wacky/weird holiday 

     Let the celebration begin

 If you don’t have a nut allergy

  

   

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Thirteen

It’s the first day of another week.  So far I’ve been able to keep up with my poem a day challenge and believe me it has been a challenge.   It’s hard to find inspiration not leaving the house; but I let my mind wander to different scenarios if I’d be out and about.  Then again, a few pieces I’ve written have come from my personal life.  Today’s poem is actually dedicated to Tom the cat (he belongs to my neighbor).  The cat came over one afternoon and stretched out on the swing.  There was no place for me to sit, so I sat in the step and enjoyed a glass of wine. Earlier that day I saw the funny notice in social media that went something like this:

‘Tomorrow is stay at home and drink wine with your cat day.’

That day my neighbor’s cat Tom, (yes he named his cat Tom), walked over to my house and jumped on the swing.  He stretched and napped in the sun. I decided to go sit outside, but ended up sitting on a step (took old towel to sit on).  I brought a glass of moscato with me and sat enjoying the weather. The cat let out a soft meow and just continued to enjoy the swing. 

Well since I don’t have a cat, I guess you could say I borrowed the neighbors. I sat outdoors for about twenty minutes then went back inside to refill the wine glass. The cat just stayed on the swing so I went back out with it.  It was a beautiful day and enjoying the less humid weather was great. This incident triggered today’s poem.  

My three line thought is true to my life. I need coffee to begin my day. Heaven help the world if we are out of coffee.  We stock up with usually two in reserve. 

Today’s poets I read were Edna St. Vincent Millay and A. A. Milne.  I’ve read their works before.  I’ve always enjoyed the poems by Milne.  I used one of his few days ago on my daily reminder about poetry month. 

Hope you have a great day and continue with your poem readings each day. 

Until tomorrow....perhaps you are like me and need coffee to start your day. 

Day 13....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

I need coffee to start my day

  Don’t talk to me until I have cup one

     It takes two cups till I can function 

  

             WACKY HOLIDAY

          ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

It’s STAY AT HOME WITH YOUR CAT AND DRINK WINE DAY

 A funny wacky holiday posted on 

       social media

  There are weird holidays everyday 

   sometimes two, at times three and more 

     often four or more 

Where do they originate? 

    Does anyone actually do celebrations 

          for them? 

Perhaps I should today......what can go 

                wrong?

NO CAT....

     I own no cat

       Correction....no cat owns me

   What to do ....what to do

          How do I celebrate?

I stand at the window peering out 

          into the world 

 The sun peeks through cottony clouds 

     it’s a beautiful spring day 

        humidity low....warm afternoon breeze

  My neighbor’s feline is quietly stalking 

          through my yard

He saunters over to my patio swing 

   jumps upon the faded blue cushion

   closes his eyes ....he naps in the sunshine      

            soaking up its rays

With glass and wine bottle in hand

  I head outdoors

 Then take a seat on a resin chair

    Pour a glass of moscato 

 Taking a sip....I stare at the cat

   he opens one eye....looking back at me 

Raising the glass I say

“Here’s looking at you Tom....CHEERS!”

      He meows as if saying 

“What no wine for me?”

 

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twelve

It’s Easter Sunday.  Happy Easter. 

Today’s poem I wrote took memories from my childhood combined with what is going on today.  I composed this from what it would be like if I were still eight years old in today’s world.  I generally do not compose rhyme poetry but decided the last few days to do so.  As a child my step-siblings and I use to search for eggs.  We had our colors too; mine green; my stepsister red and my stepbrother blue.  The one finding the most in the allotted time got a large chocolate egg or rabbit.  I never won.  I had hopes but by the time I thought I could my stepsister was to old for egg quest and it stopped altogether.  I use to think that more red or blue eggs were hidden and that’s why I didn’t win.  

The poets I read for today were the L poets;  Phillip Levine and a modern poet from Massachusetts named Thomas Lux.  

My three line thought popped into my head when I saw the plastic colored eggs I have.  If things were different they’d be filled with a small pack of jelly beans or pastel M&M’s to be given away.  Of course that is not happening.  So they remain where they are empty.  It triggered the thought that it’s the empty tomb that is important today.  The Lord has risen. Of course this is my personal opinion and thought. Hope you all are hanging in there.  

Until tomorrow....have a blessed Easter Sunday. 

Day 12....THREE LINE THOUGHT  

     Colored plastic eggs empty inside

        Like the tomb on Easter morning

           HE HAS RISEN

                  THE QUEST

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

Hidden Easter eggs I can not find

  The couch, the chairs I looked behind

Ever Easter morning it’s my yearly routine

To find the eggs that are colored green

My sister’s eggs are colored red

  A few sometimes hidden under the bed

My brother’s color of course is blue

  He’s always first to find more than two 

 Fifteen minutes only for the egg find quest

  I search with vigor and I’m full of zest

To finally become the winner for this year

 Then yell ‘hurray’ while at my siblings sneer

But hidden Easter eggs today, none do I see

Did Mr. Peter Cottontail just forget about 

        me? 

Or like the rest of us is he in a quarantine;

 Unable to do his Easter Bunny thing?

I guess the answer is no doubt a yes

So Happy Easter....I wish you the      

         very best 

  

     

  

  

   

   

   

  

  

   

  

  

  

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Eleven

         

It seems with the quarantine all the days mesh together.  I’m unsure just what day it is at times.  This past week my husband thought Tuesday was actually Wednesday and he took out the garbage bin for pick up.  When by 4:00pm it still sat in front of the house he said something about the trash collectors not coming. I then told it it was only Tuesday and wondered why he put the receptacle out a day early. No doubt he is not the only person confused with the days of the week.  If it weren’t that I have a calendar on my phone I’d never know the day or date.  I do know today is the eleventh day of April and a Saturday.  Today’s poets last names begin with the letter K.  I picked three to read today.  Joyce Kilmer, whose poems I read in school.  I always like his piece about trees.  The other two are contemporary women, Carolyn Kizer and 

Faye Diane Kilday.  Faye Diane Kilday writes inspirational pieces; I found them up lifting. 

Today’s thought comes from the fact all the days seem to be combined into the next. 

Yesterday I mentioned the Jenny Joseph poem that inspired the Red Hat society.  This poem gave me idea to compose what I think about growing old.  In fact this is just how I feel and YES I am doing some of these things too that I mentioned.  I do proudly ask for both my senior discount as well as my veterans discount at places.  I feel I’ve earned that right to do so. 

Until tomorrow....remember it’s Saturday. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. 

Day 11....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

           

             Another day......another day

                They all mesh together 

                   WHAT day is it?

           EARNING THE RIGHTS

             © Scottie-ann Murphy

Take heed world....here cause I come

   It’s my golden years now and time to have  

         fun

Whatever I don that morning....is what I’ll 

      wear

   Then fire the beautician who dyes my 

       gray hair

No makeup I’ll put on my lips, eyes or face

  Take my life down a notch....to a much   

           slower pace

I paid my dues to do what I want and  

          feel

Like eating tuna fish on raisin bread as my

     breakfast meal

Drink a glass of wine, a beer or martini at 

     two

  While sitting on my porch swing with  

        nothing to do 

 

Watch as traffic goes up and down the 

            street

     Folks who pass by my house I will 

         cheerfully greet

Senior discounts everywhere I will proudly 

     request

   Find early bird dinner specials....but....only 

       the best

Earning the rights for all this....finally I know

   That I am ready, I am able and raring to 

            go

So take heed world....cause here I come

   It’s my golden years now and time to have 

       fun 

 

 

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Ten

It’s Good Friday, a holy day for many.  I awoken about 3:00am and hurried to write down today’s thought.  I also thought about Easter.  Every year I get a bag of jelly beans, a few cream filled eggs, small chocolate rabbit and marshmallow peeps.  I put them into a basket I’ve had for years.  The candy I usually end up then putting into a basket I purchase at a dollar store; then take it to the place where we have lunch on Easter Sunday. One of the veterans clubs where I am a member puts on an Easter dinner meal.  My basket generally is centerpiece on the dessert area.  Unfortunately this year there will be no dinner due to the quarantine.   I will not be making a purchase of the candy items or small basket.  The poem I composed came from the fact I have an old cloth type basket, ceramic eggs and a small rabbit plus a bag of plastic basket grass.  After finding these items a few days ago it triggered the poem for today.  But as it’s not the candy or flowery plants that make Easter Day; it’s the religious aspect and what it means for me. 

Today the poets I read have the last name beginning with a J.  The male poet is James Joyce who I have read before.  The other is Jenny Joseph who is the author of the poem about wearing purple with a red hat when she gets older; the poem is called “Warning”.  This poem was the inspiration behind the Red Hat Society.  I thought about that particular poem and how it gave me food for thought.  I find it a good fit for me; it reflects my own life in ways.  If you never read it, please do.  In fact it just may be inspiration for me to re-evaluate my golden years and create a poem.  

Until tomorrow....a good day to you.  

Day 10.....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

       Upon a cross He died for us on Good 

              Friday

          Our Savior will rise....we will rejoice 

             The tomb will be empty come 

                    Sunday morn

  

        ONLY NECESSITY NEEDED

         ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

  

  Jelly beans....marshmallows peeps

     Chocolate bunny.....cream filled eggs

Always a must to have....now missing from 

      the Easter basket display 

            

A glass bowl containing colored hard boiled 

         eggs

Yellow....green....blue....purple....red

   Dyed the night before....sits on the table

From the attic....an old white rabbit 

   with one ear a bit tattered....whiskers 

        discolored with age 

Placed inside an old woven basket on 

         tacky green grass 

The Basket....the grass....the rabbit all have 

         seen better days

Stored away years ago in a large plastic tote

 Forgotten items that once made a young 

    girl smile

Silk daffodils, tulips and daisies

      A bit worn.....their colors faded over 

            time 

   Found at the bottom of the bin....now   

     placed in brown beer bottles to adorn 

             the home 

No lily plants or hyacinths to filter fragrance 

        throughout the house

No orchid wrist corsage or new fancy 

      bonnet to wear this year 

We do what we must do.....’lock-down’.... 

      only essentials purchased at the store 

 Easter....

     the candy....the flowery plants....

        the bonnet....the basket....the 

                  corsage 

Must have items we feel needed to 

        celebrate the day  

     

Easter.....a day of praise 

   and rejoicing THE RISEN LORD  

        The only necessity needed 

      

 

      

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Nine

We need rain in Florida.  I thought about it as I woke up at 2:00am and wrote this piece.  My three line thought actually came from yesterday when I wanted to write but my mind was all mixed with thoughts.  I decided that a nap would help which I did take. By the time I woke up from the ninety minute nap, I did not feel like writing so I ended up playing mindless games.  

It was a challenge to find poets with the last name beginning with the letter I. The ones I found were David Ignatow and Mark Irwin.  Perhaps you may find another one or two. 

The daily poem comes from my thoughts being jumbled but unfortunately it’s not raining.  As I wrote the poem I actually imagined this happening around me.  There is much needed rain and I go out as the sun peeks through the clouds to search for a rainbow.  I do see rain in the forecast for tomorrow so I can hope it’ll be a gentle rain and not a major rain storm. 

Until tomorrow....Be save. 

Day 9...THREE LINE THOUGHT 

       

       My thoughts jumbled in my brain

           I need to unscramble them

              Perhaps a nap will help 

   JUMBLED and UNSCRAMBLED 

              © Scottie-ann Murphy 

Gentle rain showers quenches the thirsty 

       earth

A warm April afternoon 

   I sit with pen in hand....starring at the      

          blank journal page 

My thoughts jumbled

     Unsure what to write

Music playing from the radio muted

       Silence....I need silence 

    Rain hitting upon the roof ‘pitter-patter’      

                ‘pitter-patter’  

       sounds of nature unscrambles 

               my mind

Words begin forming on the paper

   I read what I’ve written

     Rain.....rain....rain

         April showers.....much needed rain

           washing away the pollen

Looking out the window I notice 

  the sun peeking through the storm clouds 

    Hurrying outdoors I stand in the rain

           peering up to the sky

    Searching for a rainbow 

      

      

     

       

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Eight

I woke up few nights ago with the thoughts of today’s piece running around in my brain. I type up the words on notes then went back to sleep.  I finally pieced it all together and dedicated it to a friend. In all our lives people come, people leave; some made an impact on our lives while others caused us sorrow.  I feel we meet people for a reason. So today I decided to celebrate those we met and stayed as part of our life.  The three line thought came from my drive on Lakeview Drive in Sebring, Florida right after sunrise.  The lake glistened and it did resemble to me like a field of diamonds.  The two poets I read today was Langston Hughes; I read him every year.  The other was one I’ve never heard prior, Sophie Hannah.  Like all new poets, or new to me, I found her work interesting.  As you read today’s poem, think about people in your life who made an impact.  

Until tomorrow....enjoy your day and the poets you’ll be reading today. 

Day 8....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

  

 The sun glistening off Lake Jackson

   In the early morning light

     Resembles a sparkling field of diamonds

          SOME STAY......STAY GO

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

(Dedicated to Frances Marron Harper)

When I feel melancholy and bored

    People from my past come to mind

        Think about those I could rely upon 

           And the ones who made me cry

Wonder where they are today 

   Are they well and doing fine? 

     Do they ever think of days gone by?

         Do I....ever cross their mind?

There are folks who come into our lives 

    And for always they will stay

        But some are only temporary visitors 

          Taking you for granted then go away

Each individual we encountered and met

     There is a reason that we did so

        It could be for something specific 

          But then perhaps....we will never know

When again you meet someone new

      May in your life they remain forever 

        A friend you can always count upon 

          On sunny days and in stormy weather