NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-One

          

John Updike was one poet I read this morning.  The two poems I read were “Not Canceled Yet” and “61 and 2/3”.  

I found both very interesting.  Both were short pieces and ones you needed to comprehend.  

Allan Upward, whom I never heard before, offered two interesting poems. “The Gold Fish” and “The Pear-Tree”.   I will revisit this poet again in the future. 

Talk about odd thoughts and things to write. I had a dream about Irish Coffee but instead of whiskey I put bourbon in it.  In my dream people gave me a hard time about the coffee and I remember the words I said “who cares”.  I ended up making notes on my note app so I could write up the verse for today. 

My thought came out of a saying I saw quite a while back about someone hoarding a certain curse word.  I thought well what are we hoarding today?  My answer was that I don’t care. People are beginning to hoard all types of things.  Yesterday I saw someone mention it was pizza.  I’m thinking possible frozen pizza as I keep seeing ads from pizza places that deliver or have take out. 

It’s sure a crazy time for us but we need to hang in there.  

Until tomorrow....have a nice day. 

Day 21....THREE LINE THOUGHT     

Wondering what they’re hoarding    

       today....Who cares

How about hoarding all the “I don’t cares”

Unfortunately I only have enough for 

              me....no sharing 

              JACK IT UP 

            ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

I begin my day with coffee....two cups plus 

    UNTIL.........

   It’s time time to switch to Jack

With coke, straight or even over ice

      Not up to your standards? 

            WHO CARES!

Jack time starts at eleven, sometimes 

         twelve, other times two     

         OR..........

whenever I decide the time is right

              Don’t like it?

             WHO CARES! 

Irish whiskey is fine in a cup of Joe....but 

       try Jack instead 

Some may call it Tennessee Coffee

  I’m calling it a Jacky Joe!

      Odd name for a drink?

   Ask me if I care! 

           I DON’T! 

  

  

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty

Sara Teasdale and Alfred Lloyd Tennyson were today’s poets.  I’ve read pieces by both poets in the past.  Both I always enjoy reading again for some reason.  My thought today takes me to our current situation. We now all are joking about where to spend the day.  I’ve seen many joking comments on social media regarding this.  Today I wondered if I’d spend a good part of the day in the living room or on the patio.  It will all depend on the weather today.  As I said in the past few days, I’m getting use to this lock down.  Since I’m a coffee drinker and yes I like wine today’s verses are on the subject. I do not care for sugar or cream in my coffee. I like it straight (black).  Once in awhile I enjoy a cappuccino or latte.  Actually I enjoy frozen coffee drinks in the summer.  Coffee does not keep me awake at night like some.  Of course coffee time does end late afternoon when it’s time for a glass of wine or two. 

No doubt if it is not raining later I’ll be out in the patio area with a book and glass of wine.  My destination is St. Porch weather permitting. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy your day. 

Day 20....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

  Monday.....Where should I go today?

     Los Living-Room or St. Porch?

     Decisions....decisions....decisions 

    

              JAVA....OR JOE

            © Scottie-ann Murphy

Caffeine a must in the morning

   Java gives me fuel to face the world 

I take my cup of Joe black

No cream....no sugar in my coffee 

    Thank you very much 

In the afternoon a cappuccino 

 An expresso or even a latte

Refuels me....to forge ahead through the 

           day 

   UNTIL 

The clock strikes WINE 

 

         

           WINE O’CLOCK 

       © Scottie-ann Murphy 

           Tick-tock....

                 Tick-tock....

The hands on the timepiece tells me 

          it’s now

                WINE O’CLOCK 

 Merlot, Moscato or Chardonnay 

      Chablis, Sangria or a nice Rose

A glass or two....now what would you say

  If we start today with a good Cabernet    

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Nineteen

My morning routine begins with quick bathroom trip after I awake.  I first silently say ‘Good Morning to God’. After the bathroom trip I head back to my bedroom and sit at the edge of the bed.  I then do morning prayers.  After the prayers I head to the kitchen for coffee.  I need coffee first thing.  Before my first sip I do drink a glass of water first.  I read somewhere that you should drink water first thing.  Like many I can not function until I had that first cup of coffee.  We made sure during this pandemic we made sure we had sufficient coffee in the house.  Today I read the S last name poets; May Swenson and Shel Silverstein.  I’ve read Silverstein before and always enjoyed his poems.  The three line thought came from my morning routine and how things are important as prayers before coffee.  My two poems come from weird/wacky holidays; National Poker Day and National Animal Crackers Day.  I am not a good poker player as I have trouble reading if someone has a better hand. But this poem came from once playing poker with my husband and his cousin John (God rest his soul).  I really thought I’d win with my hand and I put all my change into the pot; what I did not know was John did have a straight flush.  It was the first one he ever had.  I ended up loosing ten dollars (it was penny ante) for fun. I’ve learned never to assume again I might have a winning hand.  I wrote about animal crackers.  As a kid they were a favorite snack and treat.  I loved how I could carry the box around on my wrist.  One time I actually cleaned up the box to use as a small purse.  Even then I was trying to repurpose things.  I buy animal crackers now on occasion but it’s not the same.  They come in a snack size bag. I sure miss the old circus wagon looking box. 

Until tomorrow....have a nice Sunday. I plan to buy some animal crackers when I can get out to the store again. 

   Day 19....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

Aroma of coffee awakens me....time to 

        begin my day 

Say morning prayers....head next for 

           coffee 

   The important things come first always 

              PLAYING CARDS

             © Scottie-ann Murphy

A two of hearts....a two of clubs

    A nine of diamonds....a nine of clubs....a 

                nine of hearts

      A FULL HOUSE

A five of hearts....a five of diamonds

       A three of clubs....a three of diamonds

          A Queen of clubs for high

    TWO PAIR

A three of spades....

          a four of clubs....

           a five of clubs....

                a six of hearts....

                  and a seven of diamonds....

  A STRAIGHT 

Four, five, six, seven and eight of spades

     I have a Straight Flush

I’m betting it all....I’m sure to take the pot

Curses..... 

    Should have folded

      

Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of hearts

        He won again

           MENAGERIE IN A BOX

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

First I’d eat the tiger....

Then the head of the bear....

The trunk of an elephant....

 Well I do declare....they were tasty

With a glass of cold milk....

        and in my tomato soup

Those little critters in the circus wagon box

   On my wrist I’d place the string handle

  as I carried my menagerie here and there

To enjoy them when the mood would strike 

And not share with my siblings 

 

   

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Eighteen

Today’s poets were again unknown to me; Lizette Woodworth Reese and Susan Rich. 

It’s been a month now since I’ve actually been anyplace on an outing such as a restaurant or one of the veterans clubs where I belong.  I’m glad for social media. I can keep up to date with many people I know and plus family.  Personally I do not miss going out to the clubs; I miss going out to two favorite places to dine and actually shopping at the store.  I miss standing few feet from my neighbors to hold conversation.  I hate the six feet away shouting over to them but I’m doing what I need to do.  In another note, I now have a shopping list and get ONLY what I need.  I’m now in and out of the store in fifteen minutes.  I do feel sorry for those living alone as they have one around with who to converse.  Today I wrote about being young girl.  I once owned a rain outfit in a greenish shade. It included raincoat, rain bonnet, black rubber boots and I had a green color umbrella.  I loved to walk in the rain when it was a slight drizzle.  The piece I wrote today reflects an older person with red rain outfit.  I actually did have a red rain bonnet, red rain poncho and big red umbrella; no red boots though.  We had a few off and in rain showers the past few days which inspired this poem.  

Until tomorrow....it’s Saturday and the weekend.  Enjoy your day.  Stay safe.

Day 18....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

I love walking in an April shower

 It clears my mind of useless information 

   Why should only ducks enjoy a rainy day 

           DONNING RED IN DUCKY 

                       WEATHER 

             © Scottie-ann Murphy 

Gentle rain showers quench the thirsty 

       earth

A slow steady stream of perception falls 

       from the gray clouds

As it hits the dry earth puddles form

  What a great day for the ducks 

Walking in the April showers a favorite      

      childhood pastime

But only when it’s a slight sprinkling 

I know what I must do today 

    and do it I will 

Donning my red slicker, red rain hat, rubber red boots, I pick up the big red umbrella to 

       head outside to relive the past 

Twirling the umbrella, I begin my casual 

        stroll down memory lane 

Lost in my thoughts of the young girl of   

    long ago 

I pay no heed to the cars passing by    

       with the honking of the horns 

  No doubt they think I’m crazy to be 

         walking in the drizzling weather 

   But I care not for their opinions 

  Why should the ducks only be the ones to enjoy a rainy day? 

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Seventeen

I’ve found two poets with last names beginning with a Q.  They were 

Salvatore Quasimodo and Nizar Qabbani.  Like many others I’ve read this month, these two are also new to me.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading new poets.  Each day I have a poem sent to my email inbox (actually a few).  I have read a variety of poems from holiday pieces (Easter and Passover), birthday poems, love and poems relating to life in general.  Today I have three whimsical poems I composed; two come from the events happening around us.  The other is one reflections on a spring day.  The four line verse is actual truth.  With the unknown depleted supply of things such as toilet paper, paper towels and dinner napkins; I was ecstatic to find a six roll package of toilet paper at the store.  Unfortunately only one package per customer.  Well little too late for that.  Should have been one package all along. My three line thought is how I saw a lake the other day.  It was still and It reminded me of a mirror as it reflected the sky.  Today is Friday again; third Friday in the month. I wonder if by months end if the quarantine will be over?  I’m getting use to being housebound and just not out in crowds.  I’ve done a lot of poetry reading that’s for sure. 

Until tomorrow....I guess I’ll take a step outdoors to my swing with a book and glass of wine later today; for now I’ll take my coffee outdoors and my hand held device to read emails. 

Day 17....THREE LINE THOUGHT

    The lake quiet and still

         Reflecting the sky

            As if it were a mirror 

                NO WHERE TO GO

              ©  Scottie-ann Murphy 

Under two dollars now the gas prices sure  

      are

  There’s no where can I venture out in my 

       car

The virus has me stuck sitting at home

   I’m fortunate....for like some I’m not alone

Another day in quarantine staying safe 

      inside 

I only hope that soon I can go out for a

       ride

Cabin fever has me stir crazy but I will just 

     take heed 

I’ll sit outdoors on my porch swing, sip wine 

       and read

      

            HAPPY PURCHASE

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

Happy as a clam I bought a six pack today 

 Michelob Ultra beer is no what I got 

What I bought at the store that thrilled me 

A six pack of toilet tissue that’s soft 

              A POEM TOLD ME

             © Scottie-ann Murphy

A poem told me it’s another day

  It spoke volumes on the subject

   Of the sun....how bright it was shining

      and of the clouds resembling cotton 

               candy 

A field of green covered by golden daffodils 

  Birds chirping in the oak trees 

  The poem told me that bees were 

         pollinating flowers

and butterflies flittering here and there

The lake still and quiet as it reflected the 

       sky as if it looked into a mirror

Filtering through a warm afternoon breeze    

    fragrance of lilacs perfumed the earth 

The poem told me it’s a perfect day

  one to enjoy with a loved one  

   

  

     

 

   

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Sixteen

For some odd reason I skipped the O poets and went right into the P ones yesterday.  It dawned on me why.  I read Ogden Nash and for some reason took him for the O poets. Okay so I back tracked.  I read Sharon Olds and Mary Oliver this morning. Never heard of them prior.  Yesterday I posted my poem about Lake Jackson.  Today I’m doing Harveys Lake which is located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.  At one time, before I moved there, it was a hopping place with public beaches, drive-in movie and amusement park.  Today they are long gone.  We lived up on a hill. You could see the lake through the trees of our property.  Driving around the lake road in the morning at times scary; you’d never know when a deer would run out in front of you or even a black bear.  There were days it would be foggy over the lake. My husband and I always would teased one another there was a Loch Ness type creature beneath the lake called Harve.  Today’s poem is about my morning drive one morning.  A whimsical piece to say the least. My three line thought reflects how I feel when I first wake up.  Coffee is what I need after I walk out of the bedroom after my morning prayers. I hope that everyone is staying safe and sound during these times. 

Until tomorrow....I do not see Lake Jackson with a creature like Harve due to need it being deep enough but I do see a large gator making his home there. 

Day 16....THREE LINE THOUGHT

Morning coffee poured....I take a sip

   Sit for a moment......silently pray

  Thank the Lord for another day....and 

                coffee

                FOG TRICKS

            ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

Fog hovers over the lake

  It is those few brief minutes before the night ends and dawn begins

No one is about as I travel along the lake road heading to work

Slowly driving....doing the speed limit

  I look left....look toward the right 

   For the sight of deer making their way to and from the waters edge

I am one with the world 

  Toward the east the sun begins to rise over the mountains 

  But with the fog it’s hard to notice

Out of the corner of my eye I see it

   A silhouette of what appears to be a creature in the middle of the lake

Its head held high.....swimming toward the        

    shore

 I quickly turn my head toward the lake

The shadowy figure disappeared

Where do it go?  Was it ever there?

 Does Harve exist living under the murky 

      waters of Harveys Lake?

Or was it the fog again playing tricks with 

      my mind?

Is it only me who sees the figure in the early morning or do others see him perhaps at 

        dusk?

Myth perhaps....but then again....who knows

  

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH.....Day Fifteen

 

National Poetry Month is half over; or it could be said there are still days left to celebrate.  There are fifteen days remaining to read poems; fifteen days remaining to experience new poets and fifteen days yet for to take the compose a poem a day challenge.  As I’m sure I said before it need not be lengthy it could be a four line verse, as long as you get those creative juices flowing.  I searched the resources of my memory for the poem I did for today.  It’s a wonderful memory of standing on a dock at dawn as the sun began to rise.  Of course I changed the area but the premise remains. The same with the Three Line Thought.  There is something about watching the sunrise over a lake. Today’s poets are Edgar Allan Poe, Katha Pollitt and Vanessa Perkins.  The two females were unknown to me. As I mentioned before, I like finding new poets.  Of course I’m no stranger to Poe and his works.  I read the ‘The Raven’, ‘The Bells’ and ‘Annabel Lee’.  These I tend to read each year for some reason.  I actually need to up my Poe reading and introduce new Poe  poems to my list. 

Until tomorrow....have a great day.  

               SERENE  SUNRISE 

        ©  Scottie-ann Murphy 

    The sun glistening off Lake Jackson 

resembles a field of sparking diamonds

 Lake waters still....no waves....no ripples 

It’s sunrise....all is serene 

  Alone I stand on the dock

No joggers.....

          No walkers with canines......

                  No bicyclists......

                    No one strolling about

as of this hour around the lake 

Just me, myself and I enjoying the waking 

         day

A bird tweets off in the distance

   A dog barks from across the way

Few cars out on the road going someplace 

  An enjoyable morning but it is still early

    Temperature low in the seventies 

But I know in a few hours I’ll welcome the      

         air conditioning 

 For now these brief moments at the shore 

    line I shall welcome 

looking up into the heavens....

  closing my eyes I say a silent pray 

     and thank the Lord for another day

Day 15....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

At dawn I stand on the dock at Lake 

        Jackson 

Birds tweeting.....dogs bark in the distant 

 It’s sunrise serenade to start my day