NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-Three

 

Seems I’m getting down to the wire with the poets in alphabetical order.  Don’t think there are any X ones but I’ll let you know tomorrow.  Today I found two I considered contemporary; Witt Wittmann and Connie Wanek.  Both women have a different style but found their poems I read good. The Wittmann poems were ‘A New Broom’ and ‘Cold’. The Wanek poems were ‘Coloring Book’ and ‘Daisies’.  The second Wanek poem I can relate with in a way.  If you have the chance read them. 

As I looked at the wacky/weird holidays for today I noticed that three of them centered around food.  I wondered about which of the three foods listed would I want to eat.  The decision was all three. I like English Muffins; zucchini bread and cherry cheesecake.  Unfortunately I only have English Muffins at home at the moment.  So I only celebrated with the muffins (butter in the nooks and crannies).  My poem today came from a picture I saw on the internet about a stretch of beach.  I thought about a person walking along it in early morning collecting seashells.  Taking it a bit further, I  wrote it as if the person walking was in deep thought.  I recall at a writers group meeting years ago we had to compose a short piece based on a picture.  As I looked through beach scene images I found one and it triggered the poem. 

Until tomorrow....have a great Thursday and stay safe. 

Day 23....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

Three food items honored as a wacky 

       holiday today....do I dare have them all?

   Zucchini Bread, English Muffin, Cherry Cheesecake.....I can’t decide 

Decision easy....only English Muffins I find in 

    my larder      

          BEACHES AND MEMENTOS 

             ©   Scottie-ann Murphy

Again I walk along a beach 

 the white sand feels cool on my bare feet

my flip flops nestled inside the bucket I 

        carry

sharing space with seashells I gather

  Pausing at the shoreline 

   I stand peering out into the blue gulf 

              waters 

White caps roll to shore 

     splashing over my feet 

 Seagulls fly overhead....going somewhere, 

        no doubt 

Alone am I on this early morning stroll

Continuing on I feel the warmth 

     as the sun begins to heat the sand

Picking up shells as I walk 

       I place them into the pail

My thoughts travel to another day years 

        ago

 A light of dawn jaunt on another sandy      

         beach 

 Picking up shells as souvenirs 

   not alone....but......with another

Laughing....holding hands....no cares in the 

         world 

A perfect summer day....just he and I 

 The cold ocean waters chilling

   as waves sloshed over our toes 

 The sun had not yet warmed the earth

 the coolness did not affect us

   All that mattered was being together 

Back to the present moment I spot a 

      seashell

  I pick it up....examining it carefully

Not perfect....a bit marred like my heart 

  I drop it into the bucket as another memento of beaches and lost love 

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH....Day Twenty-Two

I was to read the V poets today. I could not locate any by Helen Vendler but will look again.  I did read up about her and look forward to reading her works.  The other new poet I found was Mona Jane Van Duyn.  I read two of her works; ‘A Bouquet of Zinnias’  and ‘The Ballad of Blossom’.  

I enjoyed both poems but liked the second the best.  

Today is April 22nd Earth Day.  Each year I write a poem about recycling to save the planet.  Words may change here and there, but message remains the same.  I decided to check out Earth Day poems on the web.  I found some really cute ones that were done by kids.  They probably were my favorites.  Other poems were listed but these just seemed so right.  It is odd how my recycling day is also today. As I put out my bin which will be picked up automatically by the truck, I’m happy the trash man does not see what’s inside.  No doubt he’d think I was a candidate for AA.  I don’t put out my bin weekly as I wait till it’s three quarter filled.  I do follow a good plan to help the planet.  I recycle, reuse items till they can’t be used, I repurpose and I rebuy.  I use thrift stores and consignment shops for certain things instead of purchasing new.  Rebuy is something I just read about the other day when I was researching Earth Day.  I also donate to thrift stores items that someone may be interested. I remember returning soda bottles to the store; milk bottles being returned and even beer bottles.  In a way that was a recycling way if things as the bottles were reused again.  We just live in a disposal world; such a shame at times. 

Until tomorrow....think about this do you have a recycling plan at home and do you use it daily; if no plan think about one.  Have a happy hump day. 

Day 22....THREE LINE THOUGHT 

Today is Earth Day.....we must help to save 

    our planet

Also my recycling pick up day....my   

     container out by the curb 

My beer cans fill the receptacle....I’m doing 

       my part to help....I’m recycling 

             EVERYDAY R’s OF LIFE

            ©  Scottie-ann Murphy

      KEEP OUR EARTH CLEAN

Words I’ve heard time and again

    DON’T LITTER 

        PICK UP YOUR TRASH 

           RECYCLE THAT SODA CAN or BEER 

                 CAN

  It’s up to us all to do our part

  We can’t leave it up to another

Have a plan at home....practice it daily

           REDUCE YOUR TRASH

Repurpose discards into something new

  Recycle cans, bottles, plastic, 

      cardboard/paper

          Reuse items when possible

              Renew the earth by planting trees 

                      or shrubs

                    Rebuy at thrift and consignment 

                          stores

EARTH DAY.......

     Not just one day a year....

           IT’S EVERYDAY

                   EARTH DAY

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

Each of us must do our part to save our 

        planet 

And follow the five R’s when ever we can

RECYCLE; REDUCE trash; REUSE 

      when  possible; REPURPOSE items into 

       something new; RENEW by planting 

           trees 

There actually is another R which we never 

    consider....REBUY

How about frequenting consignment and    

    thrift stores? 

Doing your part can make this world a 

    better place to live

All that’s needed is a plan....then follow it 

      through 

You can make a difference....begin today 

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