Why Thursday? with Anna J. Small Roseboro

Half-way! Congratulations and welcome to Day 15 of Verselove. Please share a highlight from your Verselove experience thus far!

Anna J. Small Roseboro is a wife and mother, poet and writing coach, and National Board Certified Teacher with over forty years of experience.  She has taught English and Speech to students in middle school, high school, and Literacy in the Content Areas and Curriculum Design to students in college, in public, parochial, and private schools in five states.  She now is directing her attention to online ministries, coaching new writers, and mentoring early career classroom teachers in middle schools, high schools, and colleges.

She has self-published books in various genres. Rowman Littlefield Education has published ten of Anna’s textbooks for teachers. Anna has been an active member of this writing community for a number of years and eagerly joins the conversations each month. Poems she has written in OPEN WRITE have been published in multiple publications, including BRIDGE THE DISTANCE: An Oral History of COVID-19 in Poems (2020) and RHYME & RHYTHM: Poems for Student Athletes (2021). Stay tuned for information about her new book and collaboration with Verselove poet, Nancy White, Rainbow Reminders.

Inspiration

A Good Day!

For those of the Christian faith, today is Good Friday.   For some faith’s this is the weekly Sabbath.  For all of us today is a good Friday because it’s Friday and a good day to write!  Reflect on the days of the week.  Generally, which is the “best” day of the week for you?

Process

Let’s write an acronym poem about our good day.  That means, write the letters of that day of the week down the right side of your document.  Then using words that begin with that letter, write lines in your poem that show and tell why that particular day of the week tends to be GOOD FOR YOU.   Or challenge yourself and write the letters in that day of the week on the right side of your paper and make those letters the LAST letters in the words in that line. 

If you prefer, write one line of poetry for each letter in that DAY OF THE WEEK that includes that word.  So, if Monday is your day, include Monday in your six-line poem.  

Aim to write short and tight poem of 6-9 lines, based on the number of letters in your GOOD DAY. As always, you are welcome to write what comes to you and share it.  

Have a good day!

Anna’s Poem

Why Thursday?


Thursdays are my best days
How can that be you ask? It’s about finalizing an assigned task.
Under the gun to finish a project, I have one more day.
Rest and relaxation for the weekend are on the way.
Sunday’s coming! That’s my day to worship and pray.
Doing my work by Thursday to turn it in on Friday
Always seemed to climax on this blest day
Yielding to tasks that must be done, then comes the weekend of fun!

Your Turn

Now, scroll to the comment section below to write your own poem. (This is a public space, so you may use only your first name or initials depending on your privacy preferences.) Not ready? That’s okay. Read the poems already posted for more inspiration. Ponder your own throughout the day. Return later. And, if the prompt does not work for you, that is fine. All writing is welcome. Just write something. Oh, and a note about drafting: Since we are writing in short bursts, we all understand (and even welcome) the typos and partial poems that remind us we are human and that writing is always becoming.

Also, in the spirit of reciprocity, please respond to at least three other poets today.

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Macy Hollingsworth

F inally the weekend
R eading my books all day long
I n and out of work at the golf course
D oing absolutely nothing If I want to
A lready in such a great mood
Y ay! Its Friday!

Katie K

Freedom for the weekend
Rest and relaxation
Inviting friends over
Days outside
Always in a good mood
Yes! It’s almost Saturday

Emma Gould

Friends and fun
Rest is finally upon you
Into the weekend we go
Date night
Another week over
Yet another to come.

Dee

Hi Emma, YES when I think of Friday I think about getting out and freeing up.

Katie K

Hey Emma! Friday is my favorite day as well, I love how you are foreshadowing into what’s to come and what has passed!

Macy Hollingsworth

Emma, I chose Friday too! This is my favorite day because like you said “into the weekend we go”!!!

Laura Langley

I’ve been meaning to get to writing this one since, well…

Friday
Writing about the end of
the work-week is as ever
challenging as a magic eye
poster. You stare blankly and
try your best to relax but the ephemera
of the week can get in the way.

Shaye Rogers

Something slows down on Sunday.
Unless I’m the only one to think this…
Nothing seems as important as just hanging out on Sunday.
Don’t bother rushing around, you won’t get anywhere quickly.
And definitely don’t bother going to the store.
You’ll be there forever.

Laura Langley

Share, this line definitely resonates with me today: “Don’t bother rushing around, you won’t get anywhere quickly.” It can be a challenge to operate like this after a week at school, but it feels nice to have the permission to slow down!

Emma Gould

I loved your comment of “Something slows down on Sunday” and that is so true. Thanks for sharing, Shaye!

Dee

Hi Shaye, Sunday is a day of rest and worship in my culture but as a doctoral student I find myself doing lots of readings and assignments.

Macy Hollingsworth

I liked that you picked Sunday as your day to write about! Sundays are very relaxing!

Dee

Thank you Anna for sharing. Your poem made me reflect on my busy schedule but for me my Good Day is Friday.

FRIDAY

Fridays are my best days
Relaxation time is quickly approaching
Implementing and strategizing my weekend
Dancing and singing with friends
Another day is ahead
Yes Friday means calming down

Emma Gould

Hi Dee! I also chose Friday for my good day. Fridays are mostly relaxing, but sometimes I find myself booking up my weekends and they no longer remain relaxing. LOL. Thanks for sharing!

Macy Hollingsworth

Dee, I chose Friday too! I loved how you described your weekends of dancing and singing with friends! So fun!

Jinan

Thank you, Anna, for a great mid-point poem! I definitely have changed my favorite day of the week and so here’s my poem (for now!):

Mondays are for making plans for the week to come
Ostensibly getting things done
Nice time to meet before the week gets busier
Dare to relax and ease into
Another week but with the joy of
Yes! I have checked off some but can leave the rest for another day.

Emma Gould

Hi Jinan! I love that you chose Monday’s! Good for you for being optimistic about the beginning of the week. It sure it is fresh start. Thanks for sharing.

Dee

Hi Jinan,
Mondays for me are hard days because its positioning back myself into work mode…

Shaun

Anna,
A bit late with this one, but I must complete the challenge! Your poem resonates with the sense of deadlines and due dates that seems to consume us sometimes.

Friday
By Shaun

Forget the past week’s drama.
Remember what is important: time with family and with yourself.
Invite friends over to enjoy a meal and laugh together.
Delight in the fruity tang of mango sorbet.
Adjust your alarm to OFF.
Your routines and rituals will return next week, so do something spontaneous today!

Elizabeth Schoof

Sleeping in is a perk, but I like to get up early.
Arise with the sun to greet the day with a cup of coffee.
The to-do list is long but it’s fun to do together.
Unlimited opportunities for how to spend the day
Reading books in the park, sprawled out on a blanket
Dinner at our favorite local brewery—burgers of course.
Alluring desserts line the windows as we pass stores downtown.
You stop our walk at the river so we can watch the sunset.

Denise Hill

There are a lot of Sunday poems in here that capture the rest and relaxation and friendship of the day, Kasey, but I am honed in on this: “an ease peppered by angsty unease, a bittersweet tableau.” I don’t know what you intended, but I have ALWAYS had a kind of underlying – and sometimes very surface – angst on Sundays. The pending doom of Monday just right there and the rambling guilt of either not having studied all weekend (when I was a student) and now as a teacher, not having all my grading or prep done, or it’s done and I’m just dreading going back into the grind. It’s like Sunday is the edge of the cliff day, and I don’t want to jump. Is it just me?!

Charlene Doland

Thanks for the fun prompt, Anna!

Saturday

Saturday
Ambles
Through
Underneath,
Ridiculously
Dressed,
Adventuring
Yon

Julie E Meiklejohn

Today springs forth, insistent
On being seen, on being heard.
Dancing into the eastern sky,
All the sun’s multicolored rays lift their “barbaric
Yawp” and the day begins.

Charlene Doland

“Today springs forth” — you describe nature’s way of starting each day so wonderfully, Julie.

Rachel S

I appreciate the “barbaric yawp” reference – perfect choice for your poem! “Insistent on being seen.” This is so beautiful.

Allison Berryhill

Tuesday rises sleek as a seal,
Unlike that Walrus we call Monday.
Each Wednesday is weighted, glacial.
Saturday and Sunday hold the beauty of ice, but also its
Danger. If Inuits really have fifty words for snow, 
At least two should be Thursday and Friday.
Yet Tuesday rises sleek as a seal.

Barb Edler

Allison, fantastic poem! Love the repetition and the sensory appeal to cold and icy things. The Inuits line is gorgeous. Gorgeous poem through and through!

Susie Morice

Hi, Allison! You chose some real truths here… Monday really is a “walrus” in the unwieldy weight of responsibility… oof. I feel the sense of shoulds on Mondays. I like thinking in these critter terms… great image. The kicker, though, is the foreboding in the Inuits’ fifty words for snow… just a brilliant bit of wow factor… it stops the reader in an instant freeze to feel that oh-my-gosh-that’s-right-and-that’s-jarring. I’ll be thinking of seals on Tuesdays from here on out! Your poem is a little gift for my Tuesday mornings, and thank you for that. Susie

Dave Wooley

Allow me to cape for the most underappreciated of days:

Mustering the energy to get up and face a new week,
Once the alarm goes off-snooze-and goes off again,
Nearly late now, but ready to take on the challenges
Discovered in an email, text, phone call, or look,
Accepting the responsibility of the moment, gathering strength–
You are ready; empowered, proficient, and prepared. You are a beginning.

Barb Edler

Dave, powerful and active words to show the strength one must muster on Mondays. The final line is perfect! Adding a celebratory tone for the day and week ahead!

Elizabeth Schoof

Dave,
It’s nice to see that there are people out there who really enjoy Mondays. I’ve never really considered them to be empowering, but I’m definitely starting to understand that perspective a bit better.

Kevin Leander

Come Out of Your Shell

Truthfully, you have no excuse today to be Tyr’d
Unless you too have shoved your hand
Entirely into the mouth of Fenrir, who
Severed it completely, a risk of your
Daring feat, upon which the magic Gleipnir,
All at once, restrained the violent beast and  
You thought it was just all about tacos.

Barb Edler

Kevin, love the allusiions throughout your poem, but the end is hysterical! Striking imagery, too!

Kevin Leander

thank you Barb! The allusions are from the Norse myth about Tuesday but I should have set that up more (Tyr–Viking, Tiu–Anglo-Saxon).

Cara Fortey

Saturday Song

Slumbering just a little later than usual, it’s
A day that restores the peace in my mind,
Tattered after the week at school.
Urgent chores get done…or not, because
Really, I have tomorrow to do those
Don’t I? For a stalwart introvert like me
A day of rest is vital and allows me to sound my
Yawp over the roofs of the world, gently so. 

gayle

Urgent chores get done…or not. What a perfect definition of Saturday. The luxury of tomorrow… perfect!

Allison Berryhill

Yes! This is a great line–and concept.

Rachelle

ahh I’m calmed by the imagery, Cara. Saturday is so special because things can always be put off until tomorrow ?

Kevin Leander

“sound my Yawp over the roofs of the world, gently so” a wonderful landing to the poem and moment, Cara.

Elizabeth Schoof

Cara this poem perfectly captures the good parts of Saturday. A day to catch up on the to-do list or your own personal interests? There’s nothing better!

Leilya Pitre

This is a fun prompt, Anna! Thank you for inspiration and your poem. I will describe my ideal Friday.

Dream Friday

First, make a cup of coffee, Turkish style,
Review to-do list and remove excess.
Identify priorities, complete, and file.
Day has already been a huge success.
And don’t forget to spoil yourself tonight
Let hubby take you out for a date.

Stacey Joy

Leilya,
I love how it started so calmly with the coffee, then it got hectic, then it settled down to dinner. That’s exactly how my Fridays go!

Allison Berryhill

Leilya, as a committed list-maker, I loved your second line. Sometimes I make lists and then cross off everything that CAN WAIT!
I hope you spoiled yourself tonight.

Jennifer K

At first I found this prompt a bit difficult, until I starting thinking about tomorrow and not needing to set my alarm—for that, Saturday won out! Thanks for this prompt, Anna

Saturdays

Setting alarms? Not necessary;
Allowed to rest as long as needed.
Time with family, or on my own.
Unrestricted
Relaxation: reading, writing, walking.
Dinner out — whose turn to pick?
Afterwords, a movie maybe.
Yay for Saturdays, until they’re over!

©Jennifer Kowaczek April 2022

Barb Edler

Jennifer, I agree Saturdays are the best until they’re over. Great details to show why they are so special!

Katie K

Jennifer, I love when you mentioned unrestricted. That’s the perfect word to describe a Saturday. Yes, Saturday’s rock until they’re over which always seems to go by the quickest!

Rachelle

Anna, I really liked thinking about this prompt. Your poem about Thursday will make me think about the day differently: an opportunity to finish projects without too much pressure and an opportunity to look at the weekend to come!

Sounds of wrens twittering as the sun rises,
Always implies there is no morning alarm today:
Treasure the display of bold colors in the skies.
Usually it’s wise to wake, but who cares anyway?
Recharge or slay! The choice is yours to make:
Dance, bake, write, sleep, eat or learn about
Anything. No doubts. Give yourself a weekly break.
Yes, take a chance. Enjoy this day all-out.

Anna

Rachelle, your lines
Dance, bake, write, sleep, eat or learn about
Anything. No doubts. Give yourself a weekly break.

Make want to do just that!, skip the bake. Just eat, write, sleep and eat.!
Hope you get to do this often enough to keep your emotional, physical and spiritual health!

Jennifer K

Such a perfect Saturday. I especially like the line “Usually it’s wise to wake, but who cares anyway?”

Leilya Pitre

Rachelle, your poem is probably universal for many of us, whose week days are so full with work and various commitments. It is so great to wake up to birds twittering, not to alarm. Thank you!

Cara Fortey

Rachelle,
I chose Saturday, too! Such a necessary day for teachers! I love “Recharge or slay!”–so true, do what recharges most effectively.

Kevin Leander

wow you handled those rhymes with mastery. well done Rachelle!

Elizabeth Schoof

Rachelle, I absolutely love the imagery created by the first two lines of your poem. There’s absolutely nothing better than being woken up by the sound of birds chirping and the sun glowing wherever you’re sleeping. There’s no better way to start the day!

Carolina Lopez

Sundays are refreshing
Understanding my body
Nourishing my soul
Doing the necessary to restart
Awaiting for a new beginning
Yes, tomorrow is a new day!

Rachelle

Carolina, I feel relaxed simply reading this poem. Thank you for the refreshing imagery and the invitation to spend my Sunday the way my soul needs it.

Carolina Lopez

I’m glad my poem brought you peace! <3

Cathy

Simple Sunday

Slow, simple, stressless
Untimed- moving at any pace I please
Needed rest, relaxation and rejuvenation
Dawn to dusk delegated to me
Allowing reading, writing, yoga and hiking
Yawn, time for my nap.

Rachelle

Cathy–you encapsulated the beauties of Sunday. I loved the alliteration: slow, simple, stressless.

Anna

Rachelle, this is what I was going to say! You got it entered first, so I’ll say “ditto”. The alliteration delighted me.

Leilya Pitre

Your Sunday sounds so relaxing! Thank you. I need to learn to treasure it too.

Kevin Leander

Loved your last line Cathy!

Tammi

Cathy,

The movement of your poem is so relaxing, just like a slow paced Sunday! I feel this.

Katie K

The way you incorporated such calming and well, simple, words together for Sunday is a wonderful way to describe Sundays. The best days for some true R&R.

Rachel S

The end of a crazy day… This is all I have in me!

Night 
Down goes the sun 
another bit of life falls into
yesterday

Cathy

Your line “ another bit of life falls into… yesterday” is such a creative way to describe time. Your 3 lines are very powerful. Even though you said this was all you had in you- it says a great deal.

Rachelle

Powerful poem, Rachel. In 3 lines, there’s so much to chew on. Hope you can get some relaxation in tonight and this weekend.

Leilya Pitre

Rachel, this is so beautiful and so wise! Thank you!

Emma U.

Friday

Fidgeting first graders in seats
Reading, writing, arithmetic – check 
In line they go with backpacks filled
Dismissal at last
A night to enjoy, all work is on pause
Yawning, off to bed I go 

Carolina Lopez

I love the short movie that your poem created in my mind! Well done <3

Rachel S

Your poem is so simple and delivers your message perfectly!! I found myself yawning with you as I got to the end of it. I can feel that peace & relaxation you describe. Enjoy your weekend!!!

Cara Fortey

Emma,
Friday is possibly my second favorite, and my kids are big juniors and seniors, but the thrill and release when they leave is just as lovely. “All work is on pause,” indeed.

Tammi

Emma,

“Dismissal at last” that is the best sound to hear on Friday after a long week!

Derek Ash

FRIDAY

Finally the end of a long work week
Ready to relax and be free
I begin to worry, and freak
Do I need to be this way?
All I want, is to enjoy my break
Yearning for the day Friday, is Friday

Carolina Lopez

Derek, I totally relate to your poem. Sometimes is hard finding the balance. That coma in the last line is so powerful!

Anna

Derek, thanks for your honesty about worry over the weekend. We wonder if we’ll have time to get all that needs doing if we do indeed take time off to enjoy the break. Oh well. Today we had time to write that truth and confirm for others that Friday is a good day.

Kim Douillard

Oh Anna–the deciding was just too hard! I could think of reasons why each day of the week is my favorite. I tried to enlist my husband, but he was no help. So, I picked today as the topic for my poem!

Today

To decide was too much, concentrate instead on the moment, the now

Own each opportunity, observe carefully, orchestrate possibilities

Dance in the light, dust off the doldrums, decide to grab the joy within reach

Abandon burdens, anticipate with every sense, accept the now

Yank back the curtains, soak in the sun, seize this day: Today

Mo Daley

Kim, you are a master of alliteration! I love your thoughts on today.

Cathy

Each line is filled with joy! I did not expect that based on the beginning of “to decide was too much”. The D line is my favorite- dance in the light, dust off the doldrums, decide to grab the joy within reach”

Rachel S

This is beautiful!! I love all the alliteration and your d line too: “dance in the light, dust off the doldrums.” I can tell you have experience with seizing the day – this is inspiring 🙂 Thanks!!

Jennifer K

Kim, I love that you chose TODAY as your focus. A great reminder to appreciate what is right in front of us.

Kevin Leander

Kim I really loved this line about being present in the day–love how it sounds and what it means: “Dance in the light, dust off the doldrums, decide to grab the joy within reach”

Charlene Doland

A wise soul is living this “today.” Great advice for all of us, Kim.

Tammi Belko

Saturday

S tart with brisk hike on woodsy park trails
A accompanied  by my book club buddies
T  teeming with a breath of forest energy
U nder nature’s canopy
R rejuvenated by lively
D discussion
A bsorbing nature’s phytoncides, a bounty of healing
Y  eah! Ten thousand steps into morning.

Denise Krebs

Tammi, you describe a great hike. I love “teeming with a breath of forest energy” and “ten thousand steps into morning” is a beautiful way to put those early morning steps. I learned a new word: phytoncides

Mo Daley

This is a perfect day, Tammi! I’m envious of those 10,000 steps!

Kim Douillard

Sounds like a wonderful splash of forest bathing! Love the line: absorbing nature’s phytoncides, a bounty of healing… The healing power of being in nature–yes!

Cathy

I want to join you on your Saturdays. Hiking and Book Clubs are two of my favorite things.

Emma U.

This sounds like my kind of perfect day – getting those steps in during the early morning is my favorite way to start the day.

Susie Morice

[Note:  For the past 179 days I’ve been learning Español.  I’ve taken 2 semesters via Zoom from the local junior college; I meet routinely cada semana with tres amigas hablar el idioma; I am fully into Duolingo online (never miss a day and really work at it); and I try my best to speak with my patient neighbor who is from Mexico.  I LOVE the rhythm and sounds of the words.  The endeavor is soooo exciting.  I love it so much…love the words, love the musicality of them, love the learning.  So in my loss to pick a day of the week for today’s prompt, I landed, instead, upon one of my very favorite Spanish words: MIERCOLES (Wednesday)… it’s a doozie of the word… the only thing that competes so far is REFRIGERADOR (refridgerator).  After I say the words, I feel like I must snap my fingers and wave my arms.  So today, it’s a celebration of the sound of the word. Apololgies to the scholars de español out there.]

MI DÍA FAVORITO

Measured en cuatro sílabas, as if
Iwere tasting un vino fino,
Each sound rolls round and off my tongue in hints of
Raspberry and melting
Chocolate, lentamente let it undulate
Over a whisper y a pursing of lips,
Laying toda esa word
Eternally on the airwaves of
Satisfying palabras en español.

by Susie Morice, 15 de abril de 2022©

Glenda M. Funk

Susie,
This is a fabulous approach to our prompt. Love the code switching. You may have just given me the Duolingo kick in the pants I need. I had to take four semesters for my MA in english Lit, but my Spanish is still muy mal, even after a month in Mexico where I attended language school but had more cultural fun than language learning, so my favorite line is
Iwere tasting un vino fino,”
Cheers to beautiful Romantic Spanish.

Allison Berryhill

Agree. Great line.

Tammi Belko

Susie — I love the musicality of your poem and the blending of language. These lines: “Each sound rolls round and off my tongue in hints of/raspberry and melting/chocolate, lentamente let it undulate/ over a whisper ” — so sensual!

Denise Krebs

Oh, wow! I was so excited to read this today, Susie. I have not been studying Spanish with as much intensity as you, but I am using Duolingo, and trying. You are motivating me to try harder! My word, or mi palabra, this is fabulous. Miercoles is a beautiful word!

Mo Daley

Susie, el poems es magnífico. Yo hablo un poquito de español. Mi palabra favorita es “murcielago.”

Susie Morice

OMG, that’s so funny! A new word for me!! Thank you!!! Hugs, Susie

Kim Douillard

You make me wish I have been learning a language for the last 179 days! Inspiration! Love miercoles and the mixing of English and Espanol. Beautiful!

Scott M

Susie, I’m glad you landed on this for your pick! And I’m also very impressed at your language learning dedication! Although I loved your “introduction” as much as your poem, it’s had to beat these beautiful lines: “Each sound rolls round and off my tongue in hints of / Raspberry and melting / Chocolate.” Thank you!

Jennifer K

I love that you chose to show your appreciation to the language you are learning. I’m attempting Mandarin in support of my child who had been learning in an immersion program since kindergarten (now in 7th). I have a long way to go but Duolingo is a great tool.

Stacey Joy

Susie, well this is what happens when you say you’re fumbling around for a poem? Doggone you, you phenomenal woman you! When I took Spanish, I always loved the sound and flow of Miercoles!

Chocolate, lentamente let it undulate

Over a whisper y a pursing of lips,

Sensual!
You’re also one of mis poetas favoritas. ???

Allison Berryhill

Susie, THANK you for sharing your Learning Journey with us! I love your commitment–progress, and JOY! Your poem is delicious–raspberry and melting chocolate. <3

Barb Edler

Susie, I admire your pursuit of learning Spanish and sharing this skill in today’s poem. Bravo and hugs, Barb

Mo Daley

My Best Day
By Mo Daley 4-15-22

M aybe one day soon, I won’t need
A lexa’s chime to pull me out of bed
Y et I will be happy to have
2 full months when I can get
8 full hours of sleep

Susie Morice

Holy moses, I sure hear that, Mo! When I retired (a thousand years ago), I took off my watch, threw it in the drawer, and have never ever worn one again. TIME! God, give us TIME to breathe, to sleep, to rejoice in TIME! May is coming, my friend. Hugs, Susie

Katrina Morrison

Mo, I think we teachers are worse than students, when it comes to counting down the days. I love how you incorporated numbers into the poem.

Tammi Belko

Mo — Yes! I’m right there with you. Can’t wait for summer and blessed sleep!

Glenda M. Funk

Mo,
Brilliant! All teachers recognize this date as the start of summer vacation/last day of the school year. Then you can tell Alexa to stick that chime where the sun don’t shine.

Denise Krebs

Ah, but who’s counting!? Haha! I hope it comes very, very soon for you, Mo! Yes, indeed.

Kim Johnson

Creatively done with the numbers – I love how you worked that right in there!

Kim Douillard

Love the mix of letters and numbers for the Acrostic!

Stacey Joy

Mo! You’re off for summer on May 28th? That’s great and so close! Do you really get 8 hours of sleep when you’re off? I aim for 8 and usually get 7.

Almost to the finish line!❤️

Heather Morris

I thought all day about the day I wanted to write about. It was fun.

Something should be said
About the one day out of the week
Totally reserved for me (no work)
Usually, I rise before the sun,
Ramble in my journal,
Delight in a good book,
Attack a project around the house (maybe, if I feel like it) and
Yield to a slower pace

Tammi Belko

Heather,
Saturday is my favorite also. I also love the the “yield [ing] to a slower pace” too!

Denise Krebs

Heather, it sounds like your Saturdays are perfect for refreshing and resting. It sounds like just my kind of day. So important for our health!

Cathy

I love how you fill your Saturdays- journal writing, reading a good book. The last line “yield to a slower pace” stood out to me.

Emma U.

I also love rising early on Saturday; it’s my time to tackle my weekend to-do list.

Seana Wright

Anna, as usual your poem was right on time. Enjoy your Resurrection Weekend!

Finding out how Christ suffered on this day so many years ago,
Realizing the sacrifice, truly humbles me
Images from the bible and the movie are hauntingly soulful
Daringly, I embrace the blessings
Always feeling grateful for the sacrifice
Yearning for more time and spirituality.

By Seana Hurd Wright
4/15/2022

Denise Krebs

Seana, I hope you do have a blessed Easter and “embrace the blessings” of the sacrifice of Christ. I too am “yearning for more time and spirituality.” I wrote about Good Friday too.

Rachel S

I’m glad you chose to focus your poem on Good Friday! I’m thankful for this time to focus on Christ’s sacrifice & feel humbled, too, as you described. I love – “Daringly, I embrace the blessings.” It really is an act of faith! Happy Easter to you.

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Kasey, this line thrills me with its triple innuendos
a last chance, a paltry pardon, a week renewed”
Last chance for those who see Sunday and Day 7. A Paltry pardon for those who see Sunday as a worship day and can seek forgiveness in a church setting; A new start for those who see Sunday as the first day of the week. All these possibilities are in your triplet of phrases.
Thanks for sharing.

Katrina Morrison

Doesn’t it just figure that I
Am the only one left to remember when
You let me skip school so we could escape to the creek

One fine spring day
Fifty years out I still find myself
Fondly recalling the glory of that day

Susie Morice

Katrina — This made me chuckle. The one time (ONE TIME!) I skipped at class, what happened? I was traipsing across campus with friends and ran smack dab into the instructor whose class I’d skipped. Geez! It was a glorious day, and I had a ball…like you, I’ll never forget it! LOL! Susie

Denise Krebs

Ah, what a sweet memory. “the glory of that day” I love that parents/caregivers do surprising things like this to build those lifelong memories. I love this poem today! It inspires me as a soon-to-be grandparent!

Denise Hill

LOVE how you interpreted this prompt, Katrina! Isn’t it the truth that of all the hundreds of days we spend in school that just become a blur in our memories, it’s those detours we take in life that become the most memorable to us. Why it’s key that shake things up sometimes in the classroom to really help something stick for our students as well. You have a partner in crime in this poem as well – a parent, I’m guessing. It’s funny because I have a colleague who has done exactly this – she just skips one of her kids out so they can have a fun day. Who can fault a parent for that? I think it’s lovely!

Heidi

Some time to rest at last

Undistracted by work responsibilities

Not a day to run around frantically trying to catch up with life

Day to visit Mom

Accomplished with all chores complete for the week ahead

Yesterday is over and today is a gift

Denise Krebs

What a beautiful Sunday you have described. Heidi, I especially like “Yesterday is over and today is a gift.” That can be a line for every day!

Carolina Lopez

This is my kind of Sunday! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and powerful poem!

Denise Hill

I want this on a t-shirt: “Yesterday is over and today is a gift.” OMG how lovely! My mom lives nearer to other family, and they are able to enjoy these Sundays with Mom. Sweet that it’s a family day. And I also appreciate the “Not a day to run around frantically trying to catch up with life.” There IS something about Sundays still holding that ‘day of rest’ practice in our culture. And we NEED it! What a ‘restful’ read. Thank you, Heidi.

Barb Edler

Kasey, your poem creates a beautiful music. Your word play is fantastic. Love “petal dust, zipping hums sunbursts”. The final line is perfection. Great poem!

Barb Edler

Anna, thanks so much for your prompt today. I appreciate how Thursday is your day to complete tasks. I feel like I can enjoy a day a bit more when I know that I’ve put some tasks behind me:)

Hump day sounds so much better than Wednesday
Unimpressive is not a Wednesday we call “Hump Day”
Moonlight serenades, steamy rendezvous, an unexpected squeeze or two
Powerful are days that provide a little foreplay like Hump Day─realizing─

Dang, it is almost Friday; the weekend smiles before you like a lover’s open arms
And it’s far sweeter and much more fun to say, “Happy Hump Day”
Yes, like a roller coaster ride, speeding down the hill, Hump Day is a thrill

Barb Edler
15 April 2022

Glenda Funk

Barb,
I love the not so subtle innuendo in your poem I started a Hump Day poem when I struggled w/ my final choice, but I could never have produced a poem as brilliant and fun as this one. These lines are so good!
Moonlight serenades, steamy rendezvous, an unexpected squeeze or two
Powerful are days that provide a little foreplay like Hump Day─realizing─…
Yes, like a roller coaster ride, speeding down the hill, Hump Day is a thrill
This poem reminds this old gal to carpe diem each hump day!

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Barb, the personification of “Hump Day” takes on another level of meaning for those who know what “humpin'” means in Urban slang. What fun to read into and out of poems!

Susie Morice

You sly, devil you! I love this, Barb — It is INDEED more fun…and the rollercoaster at the end…teeheeteehee! And loved that “foreplay” for the weekend. Totally witty and fun! Have a great weekend…there’s another Hump Day just around the corner! 😉 Hugs, Susie

Denise Krebs

Barb, what a fun take on Wednesday! Your metaphors are perfect. Nice internal rhymes on some of your lines. Well played!

gayle sands

Anna– i have to agree with you. Thursday was always my “push day” as a teacher–one more day to get it done–“It’s about finalizing an assigned task./Under the gun to finish a project, I have one more day.” That “one more day” is a powerhouse, isn’t it?!

Thursday?

Thursday is the strongest day of the week, the Torch-bearer–a
Handout to the tired teacher, the staggered student, the Hassled Helper.
Unacquainted with Monday, a day that can never be other than Unfortunate,
Related to Tuesday, when we settle in for the long academic Ride
Side by side with Wednesday, the middle child, so stable, so Solid 
Downswing to the weekend.  Thursday must be dynamic, for the week is nearly Done. 
Adjacent to Friday,when ambition winds down and action is Anemic.
Yoke of the week, carrying us dutifully to Saturday and Sunday, time of Yearning and Yes!

GJSands
4/15/22

Barb Edler

Gayle, what fantastic descriptive lines to describe Thursday and the other days in between! Loved “Yoke of the week, carrying us dutifully”. Plus the tired teacher, staggered student, and Hassled Helper were truly relatable. Very fun poem!

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Gayle, you got me in your closing line after snagging me in the first. Of course, seeing someone writing about Thursday with similar feelings, caught my eye, but reading

Yoke of the week, carrying us dutifully to Saturday and Sunday!

adds another twist. Maybe we, here on OPEN WRITE can publish an online book called DAYS OF THE WEEK and see how many different ways we can poetically describe the days of the week. That would be fun!

Katrina Morrison

Gayle, no matter how creative we think we are, how different, we fall into such predictable, such necessary patterns, as your poem reminds us. I love your “yearning and yes!”

Maureen Y Ingram

I am super impressed with the alliteration; very clever wordplay! My favorite line is “Adjacent to Friday, when ambition winds down and action is Anemic.” I don’t think I had thought of that before – how action is anemic, we simply go through the motions on Friday. Nicely done!

Denise Krebs

Anna, thanks for this interesting prompt. I like how you got in more of the week as you related other days to your Thursdays. “Yielding to tasks that must be done” is perfect. And we always enjoy the signature Anna rhyming! Lovely!

Flirty Venus’ namesake day
Relinquishes the work week
Into reassuring rest–
Day of finis. This Good one
All the more, when
You proclaimed, “It is finished.”

Barb Edler

Denise, I can hear such joy in your poem! Love how you begin “Flirty Venus’ namesake day and then end with “It is finished”. Excellent description of Friday!

Glenda Funk

Denise,
I did not know this:
Flirty Venus’ namesake day”
Friday’s promise of rest and letting go in anticipation of the weekend feels so good, so I concur. It is the best day of the week. And this is a tightly constructed, clever poem.

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Denise, your double entendres do it! Mixing “faiths” and connecting to the reason Good Friday is celebrated by Christian! WOW!!!

Tammi Belko

Denise — I feel the end of the week relief in your poem and in these words “relinquishes the work week/into reassuring rest-/ Day of finis”.

Maureen Y Ingram

Friday is definitely the end of the line, “It is finished,” “Into reassuring rest–” I really like how you relate it back to Venus, the Greco-Roman calendar.

Susan Ahlbrand

Anna,
Perfect prompt for today. I love every day differently, and, like you, Thursdays always seem to be good. But . . .

The Day of Rest

Sleeping in, leisurely reading, writing, watching
Unfettered by work and the bells that beckon each period.
Navigating up the street to attend mass, getting fed by the Body of Christ
Dearly wishing the six of us could be in the pew together every week
As the kids have gotten older, brunch at a local spot is next
Yapping and laughing and catching up before the rest of the day holds just whatever
Satisfied and rested, Monday morning–and the subsequent days–is easier to face.

~Susan Ahlbrand
15 April 2022

gayle sands

Susan–“catching up before the rest of the day holds just whatever” is a perfect definition of Sundays. the day when whatever happens will happen…

Barb Edler

Susan, beautiful descriptors to describe Sunday. Love the concept of feeling satisfied and rested, and there’s nothing better then indulging in leisure pleasures like reading writing, and watching. Great poem!

Denise Hill

“Dearly wishing the six of us could be in a pew together every week” – what a simple comment, but so profound. I hadn’t ever really considered how my parents must have seen the church pew this same way as each of their eight children grew up and away. Our pews were longer, though, so we all fit! But just that image of fewer and fewer in the pew is poignant. And yes, the “Yapping and laughing and catching up” fills my ears as I read this and makes me smile, the “whatever” is ahead – that flippant word also perfectly matches the sentiment, closing it down with “easier to face” – how we are ‘social bolstered’ by one another’s presence. Love this, Susan. Thank you for the perspective.

Erica J

I got confused and thought we were writing an acronym poem for each day of the week, but then I turned my “mistake” into a creative exercise and here is the result. I’m quite pleased with it.

Why Would You
Make me choose?
TODAY is a good day!
What day? Be specific?
They all have good aspects
Falling to a matter of your mindset.
See the promised potential and
Seize the days, each one!

Stacey Joy

Erica, I adore what you did here! I love the idea of MTWTHFSS as your starting points. And yes, you and I were on the same page today! Let’s make it a good day, everyday!

?

Glenda Funk

Erica,
I totally agree. Each day can be the best–and the worst, depending on our thinking that makes it so. Wonderful!

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Ey, Ey!, Captain, Erica. You don’t have to choose. Do what you want, just like you did!
Thanks for speaking up for most of us who like each day of the week for different reasons.
I have one of you in almost every class I’ve ever taught. “You can’t make me, Teacher!”
So I won’t. I’ll respect your “free speech”!

Tammi Belko

Erica — I love the positive message in your poem. “See the promised potential and/ Seize the days, each one!” — a perfect reminder to make each day count.

Cathy

Great way to make the point that about each day being important through the inclusion of all of them in your poem. Very creative way to address today’s prompt.

Scott M

Asking what is your favorite day is an odd questions,
now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a valid questions, but when
you ask about “picking one” aren’t we excluding six others?

Do we want or need to start this quarrel?
Aren’t we just inviting trouble? Don’t
you think every day wants to be “the favorite”?

This is just my take on this, but
having been in a family of five with
a sister and a brother both, I
think we should just give this query,

entertaining, though it may be, a quiet pass and
not spend our time dividing the week,
dissecting each part to
scrutinize its so-called “worth.”

If my life expectancy is 77 years (take
note, this was a 2020 statistic), why do

you think I would want to spend only 11 years on my “favorite” day? 

_______________________________________

Thank you Anna for today’s fun prompt!  Picking one just proved to be too difficult!  Lol.

Scott M

Ugh, too many s’s (or Ss) in lines one and two: such is life it seems. Lol.

gayle sands

I, too had trouble choosing. I agree–why join the fight? Can’t all the days just get along? Love the way you avoided the battle, Scott.

Barb Edler

Oh, Scott, love the question “Do we want or need to start this quarrel?” Very fun response to today’s prompt, and I do not even want to think about the statistics you provide at the end. Thanks for the smile!

Glenda Funk

Scott,
I smiled all the way through this clever poem and had a Solomon’s baby moment when you began describing your family. Asking which day is your favorite is a bit like picking a favorite child. Some days it one. Other days it’s the other. Why throw six days, like babies, out with the bath water? I like days that end in Y, too, and I’m sure Monday weeps as the most maligned day of the week. Wonderful poem, Scott. I’m still smiling.

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Scott, like I said to Erica, I have students like you all the time. No matter the assignment, they can figure out a reason for doing it a different way. The thing is, when I had the humility to let them, they usually taught me something. Today, you’ve reiterated the reason I retired. I don’t want to have to “stick” to a specific assignment every time either, not matter the end of the year exam!

Thanks for the fun.

Susie Morice

Scott — I’m with you. I’ve been puzzling about this “Picking” business and finally came back to see if anyone had already chosen Everyday, and of course, there’s Stacey’s fine poem. And your poem which is the quarrel that had me wondering what the heck I’d say that had my true voice in it. Heck, I’m still fumbling around here, unsure where my fingers will go once they tickle the keys with poem-intent. You mathematics in the end are marvelous! Thank you heaps! Susie

Nancy White

Thanks for this fun prompt, Anna! I wasn’t in a rhyme-y mood. Just threw my thoughts out. Not only is today Good Friday, but it’s my son Philip’s birthday. He would have been 36. Tonight we will celebrate him by eating good Mexican food  and drinking margaritas at Old Town San Diego. He’s in my heart always, but today is a day for sharing memories and the joy he brought us. Today I wrote about Fridays in general. Always my favorite day. 

Friday
By Nancy White

Fun and freedom to do whatever, like
Reading and resting or playing with paint. 
“I’m a grown-ass adult,” my friend Linda says and I
Do what’s best for me now —‘cause I CAN
And tomorrow begins the weekend, woo hoo!
You know what that means? Breakfast in bed!

Erica J

Thank you Nancy! This poem made me chuckle when I read it and I can whole heartedly agree with your friend Linda.

gayle sands

Linda is so right!! Go, team Linda!

Susan O

I envy you. Breakfast in bed! That sums the week perfectly.

Emma U.

What a fun Friday in preparation for the weekend.

Stacey Joy

Hello, Anna! Fun prompt and one that I enjoyed playing around with. I agree with you on the peace that Thursday can bring:

Rest and relaxation for the weekend are on the way.

I am sitting here on this Good Friday and wondering where did my Spring Break go so fast! But it’s all good! 39 more days before summer break!

Everyday is My Favorite Day

Everyday alive to witness sunrises and sunsets is a gift of presence
Value each day’s renewal
Expect joy and share love
Revel in possibilities
You shouldn’t choose a favorite
Day. Luxuriate or laze around 
Actualize your wildest dreams for 365 days each
Year!

©Stacey L. Joy, 4/15/22

Erica J

Stacey were are on similar wave lengths today — I too wrote a poem about not picking a favorite! I really appreciate your second and third lines. I think that’s a great approach to life and each day.

Nancy White

I love the hopefulness this brings. Especially meaningful to me are “Value each day’s renewal.” “Revel in possibilities.” Yes, every day brings so much potential!

Barb Edler

Stacey, this should be a mantra! “Expect joy and share love”…ahhhhhh….perfect line! Love the power and positivity of your poem!

Glenda Funk

Stacey,
You and Sarah bring the joy and presence to each day. Love the verbs calling us to action: Value, Expect, Revel, Actualize, Luxuriate. I only wish I could do that on a California beach!

Susie Morice

Stacey — When I first read the prompt this morning, this is exactly where my head went…you beat me to the punch… and now, back at the website I find yours and Scott’s and I am still fumbling around without a poem. I fully believe in your poem! Love every day I’m not dead and swiftly on the way to dead! LOL! Love you, Susie

Denise Krebs

Fun, Stacey! I love “revel in possibilities” and “actualize your wildest dreams” — both can be done every single day! Thanks!

Ella Wright

Thank you for the prompt Anna!

Spending time with those who matter most
United in family and friendship
Never will we take this time for granted
Dinner is made, conversation begins
And hopeful phrases give light to the new week
You will never forget who you spend a Sunday with

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Ella, your poem brings tears to my eyes as I, too, reflect on those with whom I’ve spent so many memorable Sundays filled with fond memory makers. Thanks for another one!

Denise Hill

How true, “You will never forget who you spend a Sunday with” – ! Every other day of the week is a blur, but you are so right that Sundays are a day of memory for those with whom we share it, and they do tend to be “those who matter most” since we are (usually) not working, so who gets that precious non-working time are the ‘important’ people we choose to be in our lives. And “Never will we take this time for granted” is also more true now, after all this time apart and in isolation. Love how this simple form can bring out so much meaning. Nicely crafted, Ella.

Susan O

Thank you Anna for this delightful prompt. Every day of my week is different. No routine after I have retired. I love them all. So I picked a month that is my favorite.

October

Only this month when the air is better.
Cooler it is with the breezes.
The first feel of Fall. It pleases.
Opportune time to pull out a sweater.
Bronze colored leaves start to drop between
Evergreen trees. Make a beautiful scene. 
Raking time starts. Put the leaves in a pile.
All through the month I know I will smile.

Nancy White

Susan, I love October, too! “The first feel of fall” always puts me in good spirits. And I love it when it finally cools down enough for a sweater! Not so sure I enjoy raking leaves. But I sure enjoy fall color!

gayle sands

Susan–I think October may be my favorite month, as well. I pull out my winter sweaters, revel in their coziness, stop worrying about sucking in my stomach (love those layers!) and watch the season change. I smile a lot then, too!

Denise Hill

Heck yeah! “when the air is better” – cooler and dissipating allergens! Ditto on the love for fall, “It pleases.” in so many ways. I’m in Michigan, so we get the full fall palette here, and lots of those evergreens as well. I like the fragmented “Make a beautiful scene.” because it could read that you are saying the leaves make a beautiful scene, or it also sounds like the speaker commanding nature to make a beautiful scene. And that smile is almost one of relief for the end of all those steamy, muggy summer days, as well as the joy of fall. Nicely captured here, Susan!

Maureen Y Ingram

Anna, I enjoyed your take on Thursday – the clever planning of an organized teacher, to see this day as “finalizing an assigned task.” I found it impossible to pick a day of the week…though I am looking forward to reading others’ favorites.

Tulips blooming in a soft blush of 
Of pink, with scalloped edges – these are one joy this
Day, with many more besides; each day 
A new beginning, each day grateful, each day lived, not
Yearning for next or before, simply to love, now.

Susan O

Maureen, you have the right attitude of TODAY. Each one is beautiful and a fresh start. You are so correct with “not yearning for the next or before, simply to love.”

Glenda Funk

Maureen
Yes, TODAY! This puts us in the presence (Sarah’s and Stacey’s poems echo yours.) where we can tiptoe through the tulips and revel in the moment rather than wishing our lives away.

Susie Morice

Yeah, Maureen — I love the live-in-the-moment -ness of your poem! Indeed! Seize the day! I love that “soft blush”…mmm-mmm. Makes me smile all over. Susie

Denise Krebs

A perfect topic for this day poem, Maureen. I love the poems I’ve seen about today or any day with this sweet attitude in your poem. Such a rich message. I love the specific joy you share of the pink tulips, and these lines that speak to me:
A new beginning, each day grateful, each day lived, not
Yearning for next or before, simply to love, now.”
I’ll say it again, what a message!

Margaret

Thank you, Anna! This was a refreshing prompt to create poems this week. It is a good reminder to think and be grateful for the good days during the week as we endure the long stretch of the school year.

Dinner with the Family
With my aunt, father, and sisters
Eating food
Dinner talks
New atmosphere
Eventually filling our bellies with food
Sharing news and stories
Deserts of course
And it is sadly time to split
Yearning to meet again

Maureen Y Ingram

What a wonderful tradition! I love “Eventually filling our bellies with food” – how this line imparts how special it is just to be gathering together – conversation and connection matter most. Lovely tribute to your family!

Ella Wright

I agree that this is a beautiful reminder to be grateful for the good days that we are given! Your poem made me feel as if I was at the dinner table with my own family. I love how personable and heartfelt this simple poem is.

Denise Hill

Awwww…talk about the “yearning” – both the pandemic and the regular call of the school year have kept us from too many of what used to be these kinds of easy get-togethers. I love seeing it captured here – it makes me envision a kind of Norman Rockwell painting! The “New atmosphere” caught my attention because it seems a line open to multiple interpretations. Are they in a new restaurant? Or changing locations from house to house depending on who’s hosting? Does it mean each new conversation creates its own new atmosphere? It could be any of those, so I love lines like that. The alliteration is nice – sadly / split and then that beautiful onomatopoetic word – yearning. Nicely done, Margaret!

Jessica Wiley

Anna, thank you for this prompt today! Your line, “Under the gun to finish a project, I have one more day” resonated with me because I always seem to over-plan my activities for the week or I am expecting my students to work with the intention of finishing quickly. Well….they try. I always feel under the gun, but by Thursday I give up when that third interruption of the week spoils what’s left of my plans.

I only picked one day but based on your variation I am hoping to write about one good thing I look forward to on each day of the week. But for now, enjoy my poem on why I love Fridays.

Free Fridays

Funfilled freedom forging forward,
Running rampant to seek rejuvenation. 
Ideas inch, but idly wait for the future interruption.
Destined to drudge through the day.
Awaiting the signal to activate the streaming apps,
Yearning young minds from yesterday ready to yield to the yokels of kid shows.

Jennifer Kagan

How clever! Love the alliteration, you’ve captured the rush of Fridays so we’ll!

Jessica Wiley

Thank you Jennifer! One of my students had a question about it, so it was fresh on my mind. I may use this for a lesson next week!

Maureen Y Ingram

Your use of alliteration is so fun – it is very enjoyable to read this poem aloud, almost a tongue twister.

Jessica Wiley

Ha! Thank you Maureen. I had a time coming up with the words and making it all flow.

Ella Wright

I absolutely love how the reader is able to feel the Friday energy simply by reading this poem. Very well done!

Jessica Wiley

Thank you Ella! I need to do one for each day of the week.

gayle sands

“Ideas inch, but idly wait for the future interruption.
Destined to drudge through the day.”

Friday thinking is always a bit on the sluggish side, isn’t it? (Mine and the students’)!

Jessica Wiley

Yes Gayle, I agree. And today we had a four-day week because of Good Friday, so we missed Free Friday and the delicious lunch of fish. But, I’m at home enjoying my time, taking in the precious moments of listening/reading my array of books.

DesC

Thank you for sharing your poem. It is very encouraging.

T-Taking it a day at a time
O-Often I worry about the next day but I am learning to appreciate the current day
D-Determined to have a great day even though it is raining outside
A- Assuming the rain will stop so I can get out and shop and enjoy the wet air
Y- You only get one life so make every day count

Maureen Y Ingram

I chose the same “day” hahaha – love this. Very powerful Y – “You only get one life so make every day count,” love that!

Ella Wright

I love how you took the prompt in a new direction and used “Today” as opposed to a single day of the week. I often worry about the days ahead but your poem captures the importance of focusing on and appreciating each passing day! Thank you for sharing!

Glenda Funk

DesC,
Our society conditions us to look back and look ahead, but too often we fail to live in the present. That second line hits home:
Often I worry about the next day but I am learning to appreciate the current day”
I’m here for these poems celebrating this day: Sarah’s, Stacey’s, Maureen’s. I’m sure I’ll find more, each fabulous and unique w/ that In-the-now theme at their center.

Ann

Thanks, Anna. for this prompt which turned into the perfect morning reflection!

This day is my favorite—

On this day, even if it’s crowded, even if I’m swamped, or lonely, sad worried or upset,

Dawn promises me a moment of beauty— a daffodil or crocus, a cardinal in the snow

Also, each dawn reminds me that the most abysmal day still offers at least one moment to be kind. To make amends, to amplify the good in a world gone topsy- turvy so that when today becomes

Yesterday, I’ll find peace. 

Jessica Wiley

Ann, this is beautiful! That day is every day! I love these lines: “Also, each dawn reminds me that the most abysmal day still offers at least one moment to be kind. To make amends, to amplify the good in a world gone topsy-turvy so that when today becomes
Yesterday, I’ll find peace.” In a world so chaotic and unnerving, we (I) have to be deliberate to find time to appreciate God’s creation AND to find that peace I’m always asking for. Dawn is a time where new begins. It’s a time to reflect on yesterday and hope for better today because tomorrow will never come.

brcrandall

…to be kind…to make amends, to amplify the good int he world gone topsy-turvy….all with the dead to find peace. AMEN.

Maureen Y Ingram

I also chose “today”…it’s fun to see all the different paths to which one simple word leads. Oh, I love how you wove in so much poetic beauty about dawn! I love love love this:

the most abysmal day still offers at least one moment to be kind. “

gayle sands

“…the most abysmal day still offers at least one moment to be kind./To make amends, to amplify the good in a world gone topsy- turvy so that when today becomes
Yesterday, I’ll find peace.”

Absolutely! I think I love the comfort this brings. the peace that every yesterday can offer…

Laura Langley

Ann, this is a beautiful meditation on being present. I love your closing line. It’s fortunate that hindsight can bring peace to days that may not have felt peaceful in the moment.

Glenda M. Funk

I don’t have a favorite day of the week, but for 30 of my 38 teaching years I was paid once a month. Those early years were lean, as I’m sure many of you know.

Payday

Painstakingly stretch each red cent
Across that long last week. 
Yomp through each month as this 
Destination we seek. In this one percent 
America, where rich folk reign, remember: 
YOLO! Celebrate! We made it to payday! 

—Glenda Funk
April 15, 2022

Ann

What a great poem ~ those first two lines capture it all!

Sarah

Oh, Glenda! That phrase “each red cent” and the number of times my mother uttered those words growing up. I hear her voice and the remember the “pain” of those lean days before we could go to Aldi for the 10 cent loaves of bread (back then).

You have invited me to remember the “Yomp” and am humbled today in my fortunes.

Peace,
Sarah

DesC

Thank you for sharing. The first line provided me with the visual of “I have to make this money stretch until the following month, oh geez”. And then you end it with a celebration so what started out as pain end in some happiness because it is pay day again.

Jessica Wiley

Glenda, I’ve only had two teaching jobs. With my first job, I was paid twice a month, but now my current job is once a month. I can totally relate to this line:
Painstakingly stretch each red cent
Across that long last week. ”
I received my DD on yesterday due to today being Good Friday, and that was a moment of joy for me! So, this line, “YOLO! Celebrate! We made it to payday!” resonated with me because I plan on taking a few dollars of what’s left over to treat myself to some Hibachi! Thank you for sharing!

Maureen Y Ingram

Great day choice!! And I am really loving the Y words – yomp and YOLO!! You are spot on to remember the importance of payday. I cannot imagine how hard/challenging it must have been to be paid once a month; I have only known every two weeks. Thanks for this, Glenda!

Stacey Joy

Hi Glenda,
Great choice to write about and your poem nails it! I love “Yomp through each month as this Destination we seek.” True, true, true!

In L.A., we get paid once a month. It’s all I’ve known since 1985! I guess those who get paid twice a month would never survive in L.A. LOL. Right now, we are mid-month so this is when the careful spending begins.

Love this poem!

gayle sands

Yes!! That long last week… I always feel so victorious when that last long week has some cash left in it!

Barb Edler

Glenda, oh my gosh, I had a huge laugh when I got to YOLO. One student wrote this on her essay once several years ago and I didn’t understand! The class had a great laugh sharing the message of the acronym. Plus, I do love any payday, especially when they only came once a month!

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Ding!!! You hint the target on this one! We all may not be willing to admit it, but payday has been a favorite. On the other hand, payday can be a most demoralizing day. I’ve done all that work and this is all I get!
Then, we see a student walk by, standing straighter than ever before because s/he has learned we care about them as a person and not as a grade producer.

Oh well! Pay comes in different currencies.

Thanks , Glenda.

Susie Morice

Ah, Glenda! You ain’t wrong, my friend! Again, I love the voice and the reality of where this country is. May we all make it to payday! Hugs, Susie

Denise Krebs

Glenda, you have captured those lean years well. “Painstakingly stretch” says it well, and makes me sad today for those who have to give up things like medicine for food, and other ridiculous choices because of low wages and the greed of the 1%. Well done.

Scott M

Glenda, I can’t imagine only getting paid once a month! I love that you wrote about “Payday.” I also really enjoyed “Yomp” and the alliteration in “America, where rich folk reign, remember.” Wonderful!

Laura Langley

Glenda, first of all, thanks for the new word: yomp! This was a perfect poem to read two days after payday—makes me feel slightly less guilty for my over-celebrating at dinner Friday night!

Britt

Love this prompt! I’m known on campus to be a Monday lover, so despite unpopular opinion…

Most people complain and grumble
Of course, the first day of work and school
Not me; the first day brings new possibilities
Dive into fresh goals and a new start
Allow yourself to enjoy a clean slate
You can’t waste 52 firsts

Ann

Never met a Monday person, but you are so right. What a perfect last line!

Sarah

Britt,

I love this idea of being a Monday-lover. I almost wrote about Mondays because I feel so ready to take on the week, and my legs are strong for that Monday spin class — in which I crawl on Friday.

I am drawn to your semicolon in line 3. Feels like a wink to me.

Peace,
Sarah

Wendy Everard

Love this optimistic poem, Britt! <3

DesC

This is a positive way to view Monday as most teachers or anyone who return to work on Monday after having the weekend off usually do not want to and would rather have an extra day off.

Jessica Wiley

Britt, I used to be one of those Monday Mumblers, until I made a transition. Now, even though every day seems that way, I try to find something positive to turn it around because like you said, “You can’t waste 52 firsts” I may steal this line, print it, and put it somewhere I can see it daily! Thank you for this!

Erica J

In the grand scheme I definitely prefer Mondays to, say, Sundays. I appreciate you honoring this (usually disparaged) day of the week and I like that you open with that too.

Stacey Joy

Hi Britt,
I am a fan of Mondays as soon as I get to my classroom. I love the feeling of a fresh start with my scholars. Great poem and yes let’s not “waste 52 firsts.”

gayle sands

I respect your clean-slate theory! I have wasted too many fresh days, I think…

Glenda Funk

Britt,
Those last two lines offer such sage advice:
Allow yourself to enjoy a clean slate
You can’t waste 52 firsts”
I didn’t regret Mondays as such when I was still teaching, but I did regret the Monday morning tired I often experienced after taking a Sunday afternoon nap and then finding sleep on Sunday night elusive.

Jennifer

TGIF
This week ends with a roar
May celebrate with a martini
Love my job,but challenged
What a
Day

Jennifer

Hmm.This formatted correctly when I wrote it…But it’s Friday…

Christine Baldiga

wow! You took that challenge and its perfect! Martini is a great way to end a tough week.

Jennifer Guyor Jowett

Jennifer, not only did you succeed with the challenge of ending the lines with Friday, you spoke to my week (and probably every teaching week!). I love teaching, but geesh! It’s a struggle.

Britt

It’s not even 9 am, and that sounds delicious! Hahaha. Excellently done. Ending with the letters is more challenging for me; I need to try that!

Glenda M. Funk

Jennifer,
TGI F is a teacher cheer we’re all here for. Cheers!

Sarah

Oh, Jennifer! Indeed, a martini. I like noticing the letters at the end in lower case. Feels like a subtle nod to the prompt and also perfect symbolically for the friday to be at the end of the lines, the end of the week. Clever!

Sarah

Stacey Joy

Jennifer, nice job on using the letters at the ends of the lines. I honestly thought it was a typo on Anna’s prompt so I ignored it. ?

Cheers to Friday! ??

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Stacey, really. Have you so little faith? This is OPEN WRITE. When give an opening, someone always slips through! 🙂

Denise Hill

Tough call on my favorite day, Anna, since I don’t teach on Fridays, Thursday was calling to me, but it’s really this night I look forward to each week. Thank you for helping me appreciate this good day! I also love the variety of approaches you offer – menu choices!

Take Out Night

When every day becomes a blur
Even when I feel on my game
Dinner is the daily chore
Neither of us wants to tackle
Eating out is never as good
So we limit it to once a week
Decisions made easy in our small town
Anticipating daily specials
You pick it up if I call it in

Rhiannon Berry

Denise, as one who also currently resides in a small town, I so appreciate the ease of decision-making with limited options as well as the “daily chore” of meals. The partnership at the end — “You pick it up if I call it in” — brought a smile to my face as I reflected on similar conversations in our household. Happy pre-pre-pre-pre-pre-Wednesday!

Britt

Denise!! How did I think we were the only ones with the “you pick it up if I call it in” rule?! Dinner choice is the most difficult part of our marriage – I kinda sorta maybe actually believe that! Brilliant poem!

Glenda M. Funk

Denise,
It’s true that “Eating out is never as good.” Still, some days it’s hard to cook—even in retirement. Bon Apetit!

DesC

Denise,
Considering I am someone who love to cook but yet I see how it can become a chore especially when tired from a long day. I agree that take out is not as good and can eat through our pockets too.

Susan O

Denise, my husband and I follow your pattern of eating out one day a week for all the reasons you describe. We have even changed our eating out day to a Thursday because of the horrific crowds on the weekends the “neither of us wants to tackle.” Thanks for sharing.

Wendy Everard

Oh, the Siren Song of takeout. I love it so, especially when exhausted, on a Wednesday. Thanks, Denise, for capturing this experience perfectly!

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Denise, your opening comment reminds us of what we are when we make assumptions about our students. What is true for one, may be so far out of the ballpark for another, that the two will never see eye to eye. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂

Heather Morris

My husband and I have been doing this on Thursday nights, which is my busiest night, so it is such a treat to have something fresh that I did not have to cook. This was a different way to think of the days of the week.

Denise Krebs

Denise, it’s nice that you have a designated day for take out. That does make it special and something to look forward to. I like the last line–partnership!

Word Dancer

Thank you, Anna, this is a fun one to try. I may play with this one all day. But I was born on a TUESDAY – so I chose that day.

Tuesday’s Child

The day was a rainy one –
Usual for April.
Everyone waited in anticipation.
Someone new would join their family,
Disrupting their calm routines,
A baby girl with lots of dark curls,
Yelling her delight, “I am here, I am here.”

Wendy Everard

Loved this. Just a lovely picture. And congratulations.

Fran Haley

Calm routines disrupted for sure – but the reward, infinite! I remember the old nursery rhyme: Tuesday’s child is full of grace. You ARE, and I am grateful for you and your graceful words!

Joanne Emery

Thank you, Fran! The feeling is mutual. I feel we are kindred spirits.

Britt

I love this take on today’s prompt. I’m going to try it myself later. For myself, but maybe for my little ones on the days they were born. Brilliant!

Joanne Emery

Thank you!

Ann

How wonderful ~ congratulations!

Christine Baldiga

You have me wondering what day I was born on! I love the ending with the gleeful proclamation!

Heather Morris

This would be a great poem to write for my own children. I love it.

Wendy Everard

Thanks, Anna, for the cool and interesting prompt! This came out of me today, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to try to recapture in words — thanks for giving me the opportunity!

So full of promise

are Saturdays.  

Take note: When i

used to be a child, we would

ride to Grandma Charlotte’s to help her

do outside chores

and the day would brim, chock-full, excited, with

yardwork and visiting and puttering and

mown grass would smell green and ripe as

only my dad propelled the push mower and my brother and i

ran around and “helped,” hosing the floor of the musty-smelling garage and all the 

neighbors were out doing their Saturday Yardwork Thing and mowers hummed all over and

i watched my mom and Grandma gab and visit and i took careful

note of the birds all around – Mourning Doves loved it there – and I didn’t know that someday it would be all be 

gone, and I would feel 

sad until I had my own family; my own yardwork; my own Mourning Doves.

Sarah

Wendy,

The word “propelled” seems central to the poem — the way the letters on the left propel our eyes down then across then down again. The lines propelling to the right remind me of a lawn mower going up and down — and the family riding out the day with such a strong sense of place. Your poem revives it for us. Thank you.

Sarah

Word Dancer

The memory is grand! I love the layout of the poem – long and short lines – gives it a certain rhythm. I can feel the yard work being done! Thank you.

Glenda M. Funk

Wendy,
Your poem celebrates the circle of life. I love all the images of growth here and recall my days pushing a push mower. Beautiful nostalgia here.

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Wendy, for some reason, this line of yours jumped out for me

ran around and “helped,” hosing the floor of the musty-smelling garage and all the 

How often we forget what fond memories are formed when we allow others to “help”. This can be true in the case of our young ones, but also for our students. On a day a particular student seems “out of touch”, inviting him/her to give us a hand may be just thing to help that student “see” that we “see” and value them.
Thanks for the reminder.

Wendy Everard

Anna, thanks for this reminder❣️

brcrandall

Today is going to be a good day, Anna…I mean, I trust the dolphins and rhinos after a good cup of Burger King coffee. Thank you for the prompt! “Under the gun to finish a project!” – yes, I am there with you. And I’ll be “Yielding to tasks that must be done” today…including a poem with you…Ah, #VerseLove, how I love the month of April (and every day of every month, for that matter)

Um, Seriously. Pillsbury. Make My Life Grand! 
~b.r.crandall

T hey weren’t on the front steps…the promised 
h ot, cinnamon-swirled rolls with cream cheese frosting,
e ven though I was good this year and even better
y esterday…Shoot, I was phenomenal yesterday, but not even a bagel.

A nd the song sparrows were quick to let me know the sun would
l ove the world extra-hard today, chirping The Barber of Seville with
l aughter at 5:30 a.m. – Figaro Up, Figaro Down, Alas what a frenzy.

B ut not one baked good outside my door! You’d think I’d
l earn by now never to trust the leprechauns or elves. Only
u nicorns are faithful and honest with their delivered covenant of electrolytes,
r amen, chicken broth, and Micalizzis Italian lemon ice.

T he hernia, Mr. Hendrick, joined Henry in repair before I tripped 
o ver a dimple in the grass (what an ass) and snapped my ankle. 
G reat. This was before stabbing my eye with the stem of my glasses…
e lectrical work in the dark blinding me from the Covid to come… 
t he flu…then the colonscopy…oh, Lord the loo, and (of course)
h ow I flew out of the bathtub, too, for six staples in my head.
e h…little sparrows, you’re right. I could always be dead, but I 
r eally want a Cinnabon. Like, for real. It is Good Friday, after all.

Sarah

Bryan,

Approaching your poem, I first read the letters drawing my eyes down, feeling the blur of locating, identifying the letters that build your verse. So clever how it works to slow my mind and feel the fade — and yet each line is filled with concrete moments of life in the places and with the people and birds and foods that sustain us. The dashes and ellipses and periods and commas connect and separate in such beautiful ways, too. I just love the proper nouns of names and song with Micalizzis and Mr. Hendrick and Cinnabon.

Peace,
Sarah

Word Dancer

Such fun! What a romp! Love all the word play and imagination. You take us on a wild ride for a Cinnabon! Much appreciated!

Rhiannon Berry

Doctor frogs and elephant shoes, *snap snap* for poetic mornings and coffee-filled phone calls. Perhaps intentional, perhaps not, but I love how your medical mishaps (yowzas!) are together in “together.” No matter our paths, we will all inevitably share in the ceaseless question marks of our bodies’ endeavors.

For whatever reason, I absolutely love “dimple” and “ankle” sharing the same line — the simplicity of the “i” in dimple followed by the snAp of the Ankle. Love it…the writing, not the pain!

Alright. Time for a Cinnabon.

With love,
A coffee-sipping-Rhino-Dolphin in the mountains

Christine Baldiga

Anna, thank you for this inspiring post. I never thought about my favorite day of the week but it didn’t take long to choose. Your idea of Thursday did ring a familiar bell for me especially when thinking of the promise of the weekend coming soon.
As I was penning this poem I was brought back to Sunday’s when my kids were little and early morning were spent sitting at the kitchen table lingering with a cup of coffee before we all dressed for Sunday mass.

Serenity and family surround this blessed day Usually starting with paper spread across the kitchen table
Never in a rush I make time for a
Day filled with inspiration, warmth
And family
Yearning to hold on to this peace for more than Sunday

Sarah

Christine,

The “yearning to hold on” has such a strong pull here. We need to carry that peace with us into Monday and beyond. Lovely.

Sarah

Fran Haley

I so know that yearning to hold onto Sunday’s peace for longer than the day, Christine. Your words impart it with such warmth, love, and gratitude. So lovely.

Denise Hill

I was just flooded with such a rush of memories upon reading this, Christine. Sunday mornings in a house with eight kids was a bit more busy, but that “paper spread across” – in my case the carpet in the living room where I would read the comics (still do to this day!), and it was after church when things would settle in – mom cooking bacon and eggs, us kids drinking “coffee milk,” and my sister playing the piano. “Never in a rush” was never so true. Those moments we can capture and hold and wish could last. “And family” works so well as a focused single line. Thank you for this beautiful walk back this morning!

Rhiannon Berry

Anna, what a delightful way to start off the morning — a Friday morning in which, for the first time, I have been asked to reflect on my own rhythms of the calendar. In answering “Why yes?” for my day, Tuesday, I also found myself understanding “Why no?” for the others. What a fun activity to allow each of us the chance to dive into our internal patterns. Thanks for this. And for all you “Friday” people — the day is yours!

Why Tuesdays?

Though Fridays hold the sweetness of completion, Mondays the call to action, Thursdays the pride of coming so far (Wednesdays are for humping, of course), the secret

Unequivocally nestles in oft overlooked Tuesdays — neither beginning nor ending, as rhythmless as a child whose

Ears have yet to distinguish the heartbeat of a world blindly drumming onward. Tuesdays

Simply are, and we must simply be. The

Dust of Monday has been shaken off, fallen to the floor, and swept

Away as we lay barren and exposed, forced to gaze upon our naked image as we reflect on all our

Yesterdays without promise of tomorrow.

brcrandall

Tuesdays it is, Rhiannon. As you are one to ‘simply be.’ I love ‘as rhythmless as a child whose ears have yet to distinguish the heartbeat of the world.’ Dang, that’s gorgeous. I will definitely be sweeping the dust of Mondays from now on!

Wendy Everard

Rhiannon, this was gorgeous! I absolutely loved your layers of metaphor and the evocative language. For such a small gem, this made me stop and consider after every line. Beautiful!

Sarah

Rhiannon,

This phrase is lovely: “Unequivocally nestles in oft.” The “n” here is decadent.

Sarah

Word Dancer

Wow! Wonderful. I had such a different take on Tuesday. I especially loved your line:
Dust of Monday has been shaken off, fallen to the floor, and swept. So wonderful! Thank you!

Dave Wooley

Rhiannon, this poem is filled with such beautiful and thoughtful language throughout! The sentiment that most resonated with me was the sense of being in the middle and being in the moment–Tuesdays simply are, and we must simply be.

Jennifer Guyor Jowett

Anna, thank you for this invitation to have a good day. Thursdays are long days for me, but your poem helps shift my focus so that I can see what is to come more easily. I can feel the checking off of list items in your drive to get it done, and that makes it a good day.

Myriad offerings unfold,
Opening the well-wrapped gift of
Never-ending possibilities and
Discoveries yet to be unearthed in an
Acquisition of
Yearlong tomorrows

Kim Johnson

Jennifer, what a way to see Monday – as an acquisition of yearlong tomorrows, a well-wrapped gift of myriad offerings. I often think about the anticipation that leads up to an event as the real excitement – and then the moment itself, once over, is somewhat sad. Even the fleetingness of the moments of a long-anticipated event or holiday are sometimes clouded by the dwindling of the time. That’s what I feel in this poem – – that often, it’s the possibility and anticipation and hope of the yet undecided that is the real gift. I like how you see Monday!

brcrandall

Jennifer…so optimistic. I envy this. Note to self: see Mondays as “Myriad offerings” unfolding. I will choose them as gifts from this point on…’never-ending possibilities’. I love it.

Wendy Everard

Jennifer, loved this! I love your positive outlook on Mondays as a (yearlong!) gift and the metaphors within this. I would love to post this as my desk for fortify me for the final 10 weeks of our year! 🙂

Sarah

Jennifer,

The phrase “Yearlong tomorrow” is such a beautiful sentiment for me to ponder today. The possibilities and maybe the luxury of imagining so, has me excited.

Sarah

Word Dancer

Hopeful and graceful. We need never-ending possibilities! Thank you!

Fran Haley

The most positive Monday poem ever!! You have gift-wrapped the day in stunning words, Jennifer – fitting, for all these treasures it contains and leads us to discover.

Glenda M. Funk

Jennifer,
This is such a lovely celebration of the newness that comes w/ each week. It’s the unexpected I love given normal reactions to Monday.

Susan O

I like your words of Myriad, Discoveries, Acquisition. These show the progression of a new week ahead starting with Monday. And you are correct! After the school year, the Monday’s show a yearlong checking off of items.

Saba T.

What a fresh perspective on Monday! Love it.

Sarah

Too many times I catch myself thinking of tomorrow
only to ignore the possibilities of the moment.
Days of wills, whens, if-onlyies de-agent me.
As I sit with Present, I embrace her here, now. So
Yes to today. I choose being with you.

Kim Johnson

Today for the win! This moment, this hour, this day, this time, this choice of being. Embracing now.

Jennifer Guyor Jowett

Oh, how I love this, Sarah! Your poem allows me to be present, to focus on the now, to remain in the moment (something my brain fights against as it pushes forward and drags the past). Those “wills, whens, if-onlyies” imprison us. That last line says it all. I’m choosing to be with you today.

brcrandall

“As I sit with present, I embrace her here, now.” This is what I love…Everyday of the week has the ‘a’ in day…so we can’t have a weekday without this line. Presence. Embracing the here and now. I love beginning my morning thinking about this.

Wendy Everard

Sarah,
I loved the word “de-agent”! Great use of language. And this was really thought-provoking and, too many times, true for me. Loved how you personified the “Present.” Lovely poem!

Susan Ahlbrand

Sarah! This needs to be put on a poster and sold! I love its wisdom. It’s totality is simply awe some, but I especially love

Days of willswhensif-onlyies de-agent me.

Word Dancer

I love this – TODAY – yes – is all we have. Love the line: I choose being with you. Brilliant!
Thank you!

Fran Haley

Sarah – in a word: profoundly true. Ok, that’s two words, but – your poem is profoundly true. I’m so struck by the wills, whens, if-onlies and that priceless gem of a word, “de-agent.” I am savoring the beautiful flow of one line into the other and the reminder to savor today.

Glenda M. Funk

Sarah,
This feels like a date, a courtship, this saying “I do” and “I choose to be with you.” I’m practicing being in the moment more.

Stacey Joy

Yes, yes, yes and I choose today and everyday!!

Days of willswhensif-onlyies de-agent me.

I confess daily guilt over this!

Denise Krebs

Oh, lovely! I bet you had a good day TODAY, Sarah. I love that word “de-agent.” Yes, indeed, lets leave the if-onlyies and “embrace [Present’s] here, now.” So well stated and empowering. Thank you, Sarah.

Kim Johnson

Anna, a favorite day! I don’t think I have ever written about my favorite day of the week. What a thought-provoking prompt. Thank you for hosting us today with this morning brain stretcher. I like your surge of energy Thursday to get things done and off the plate for full enjoyment of the days ahead. For me, I think it’s the time of every day, not necessarily the day itself that is my favorite. Even my mood ring agrees.

Wee Hour Haiku

better than the day
is the wee hour of writing ~
early morning joy!

my favorite time
ink to paper, font to screen
mind chewing on words

like clothes-fitting rooms
what fits? what’s too small? too big? 
finding the right match

or like cereal ~
mind consuming breakfast bites
of milk-laden words

better than the day
is the wee hour of writing ~
early morning joy!

Fran Haley

ME, TOO, Kim, me too – it is my favorite time of any and every day, predawn hours, writing away. Love these analogies to clothes-fitting rooms, finding the just-right-word that fits, and cereal: food of the morning, like writing itself, which sustains us. “Mind-consuming breakfast bites/of milk-laden words” – that’s amazing – bits at a time, soaked in life. Long live the Haiku Queen! 🙂

Jennifer Guyor Jowett

Kim, love, love that title. I imagine you clicking away in the wee-ness of the day, words saturated in life-giving meaning and tossing aside one word for another, until they are just right (and they always are). Thank you for the tidbits of breakfast bites as I start my day!

Rhiannon Berry

Kim, I always love to see the creativity that comes from prompts, but I especially enjoy seeing a prompt spur creativity in its own unique form, separate from the original assignment but still connecting.

Your poetic concoction of early morning haikus of early morning words is delightful.

As someone who is in the process of closing on a home — my first — and therefore trying to complete the ever-dreaded pre-move-purge, I so appreciate your metaphor of trying on words like clothes to see what fits and therefore, what stays and goes. Strangely, your thoughts are what I needed as I struggle to let go of long-owned “things” that simply no longer have a place. Like words, they are still loved and still useful elsewhere, just not right here and not right now. And that is okay.

Thank you for your milk-laden words this morning!

Wendy Everard

Kim, I second these emotions!
Loved your metaphors — the clothing one felt spot-on to me, and I loved the creative breakfast cereal one, as so many of us spend these mornings breakfasting on poetry. Beautiful and uplifting start to a Friday morning, thank you!

Sarah

Kim,

I love this line “of milk-laden words.” As it echoes the previous haiku of “chewing on words” with this washing down or digesting. Brilliant.

Sarah

Word Dancer

Oh love this, Kim. I love early mornings too. My favorite line: mind consuming breakfast bites of milk-laden words. All those “Ms” and “Bs” got my mouth working. Just lovely. Thank you.

Glenda M. Funk

Kim,
I so agree w/ your sentiments here.
better than the day
is the wee hour of writing ~
early morning joy!”
April forces me to write first before doing anything else. I’m two hours delayed when I awaken, which adds to my excitement each morning.

Heather Morris

Kim, this is how I start most days, and it is the most precious time for me. I am lost without this time.

Saba T.

Kim, you picked the perfect time of day to write about. I love your poem!

Susie Morice

Kim – I love your take on the prompt. My time for writing is often quite specific… early morning is a powerful time for me too. I love “milk-laden words”! And the fitting room is so apt! I love that you shared the process around your marvelous poems. You are a heck of a writer! Thank you for sharing this view into Kim-land. Susie

Fran Haley

Anna, the acrostic is one of my favorite forms, and your poem is a perfect example of why: look how much it can communicate! i love the energy in your poem, a celebration of completing work to be ready for the weekend. I enjoy and share your excitement of Sunday… my good day. The Bible, of course, contains acrostics – I think today this ancient form is underused. Thank you for this inspiration today.

Always My Good Day

Sustenance comes on the wings of the morn
Ushering hope, if I partake of the offering
Nature itself whispers of it — hope reborn
Divine love, life defined, beckoned by
Ancient words, the Ancient of Days
Yet ever-present and new

Jennifer Guyor Jowett

Fran, I feel the hush of Sundays in your whispering of hope that stems from nature. There’s reverence inside your words and the nod to the Ancient (biblical acrostics! I had no idea about these and happily delved into a google search). I’m reminded of traditions, leisurely Sunday drives and slow awakenings on Sunday mornings, everything I love!

Kim Johnson

Fran, Sundays are the holiest of days, a time to turn our hearts heavenward for sustenance, for communion, for refueling our hope, love, faith. I’m not at all surprised that this day of worship and family time is your favorite day of the week, and the words you chose are simply divine! I’m now singing O Worship the King all glorious above…..I’ll be humming this tune today thinking of the Ancient of Days. I also love your nod to the wings in your first line – even more than birds, I see wings in so much of your poetry. Beautiful!

Wendy Everard

Fran, this was beautiful with each word so loaded with holy meaning. It was like a little prayer. Thanks for this!

Sarah

Fran!

That first line — “Sustenance comes on the wings of the morn” — gorgeous in sound and image.

Sarah

Word Dancer

Sunday – absolutely. Happy Easter, Fran! Hope you have a lovely weekend. Baskets for Scout and Micah? Now that’s something to write about!

Glenda M. Funk

Fran,
There’s a quite contemplative tone of comfort in your words. Words like “hope” and “love” and “partake” suggest rather than tell in an overt, obvious way why this is your day. It’s the unsaid that makes the poem so appealing and gorgeous.

Katrina Morrison

Fran, your take on Sunday is so refreshing, even though you use the words so familiar to the day (ushering, offering, divine…). Your last line is so fitting, “Yet ever-present and new.”

Stefani B

Anna, Thank you for your prompt today and congratulations on your upcoming book!

Evocation of possibilities
Veritas of newness
Energy of renewal
Reminder of beginnings
Youthfulness of yesterday
Decider of fates
Acceptance of phenomena
Yearning for what awaits

Fran Haley

Such a celebration of life, Stefani, in all its possibilities and uncertainties. Well-done!

Kim Johnson

Stefani, I love your words for the beginning of each line. Decider of fates is a really thought provoking line, too…..every day holds a fate, an outcome…..

Jennifer

I love your last three lines and how we never know what the day will bring!

Stacey Joy

Dannnng! I see we were on the same wavelengths this morning!
Beautiful poem!

Youthfulness of yesterday

Decider of fates

Saba T.

Thank you for the prompt, Anna. Much like you, I love Thursdays. It’s the last day of the week here in Saudi Arabia. I was conflicted between Thursday & Friday though, so I wrote a poem for each.

Poem #1
The bell rings on another day at work
Hurrying to my bus, my joy is
Uncontainable! TGIT, I say to my bus mates!
Ready for the weekend? We wink and
Say to each other knowing full well the
Drudgery of an adult weekend of chores neglected
All week. But that doesn’t deter us
Yahoo-ing our way into the days off!

Poem #2
Free from my morning alarm,
Relaxing in bed. Another half-hour in?
I don’t see why not!
Dressed in comfy pajamas, I spend
All day lazing around, ignoring my chores and
Yearning for dessert which I eventually order in.

[I can’t believe we’re halfway through with #Verselove already. Before it began, I thought it would be hard to write poetry every day. But the prompts, the inspirations, and the community here have made it so fun!]

Kevin Hodgson

Joy as Uncontainable is perfectly poetic!
🙂
Kevin

Stefani B

Saba, thank you for sharing out two poems, I love the community feel of your line “uncontainable! TGIT, I say to my bus mates!” because this feeling is so universal. Enjoy your weekend!

Fran Haley

Ah, those chores aren’t going anywhere – they’ll keep! Such a fun and celebratory pair of poems; TGIT has me chuckling. Also love the idea of ordering dessert in – a well-deserved luxury! Why not, indeed?

Kim Johnson

Saba, I see your love of both days! Those chores just don’t go away, do they? I like the way you take that extra time to recharge on Friday to be ready for the coming week, but I love the way you order dessert…..YEARNING is such a great word for wanting dessert, and ordering in is the cherry on top.

Jennifer Guyor Jowett

Saba, are there always three day weekends in Saudi Arabia? This needs to be a world-wide thing! Oh, how I understand the longing for the weekend despite the “chores neglected all week.” You capture that energy of the last work-day with the yahoo-ing and the reality in the “lazing around, ignoring my chores.” Love it!

Saba T.

I agree, 3-day weekends should definitely be the norm. That’s not the case here. Saudi Arabia, like other Arabian Gulf countries, has a Friday-Saturday weekend. Sunday’s the first day of the week here.

Wendy Everard

Saba, I loved these! Some of my favorite lines:
Uncontainable! TGIT, I say to my bus mates!
Ready for the weekend? We wink…”

(Just loved the wink there.)

And:
But that doesn’t deter us
Yahoo-ing our way into the days off!”

Also:
Dressed in comfy pajamas, I spend
All day lazing around, ignoring my chores and
Yearning for dessert which I eventually order in.”

Loved this picture!
Great array of imagery in this poem that made me smile in appreciation as I read it. Thanks for this!

Anna J. Small ROSEBORO

Saba, your line ” Drudgery of an adult weekend of chores neglected
All week. But that doesn’t deter us
Yahoo-ing our way into the days off!

Sings to me, even with the word, “Drudgery”! I think is the “Yahoo-ing!” that does it.
I can respond to email. (Ha! Gotcha on that one, didn’t I?)

Even better are the closing lines of Poem #2
All day lazing around, ignoring my chores and
Yearning for dessert which I eventually order in.

Desert the chores. Enjoy dessert!

Kevin Hodgson

W hile
E veryone praises the possibility of Fridays
D igging their way into Saturdays — 
N ot me — I’m perfectly content and
E venly balanced, smack dab in the middle,
S traddling the hours before and after while
D ancing on the echoes of laughter, together,
A nd then shouting:
Y ippee, as we tumble to the leeward side of the week

— Kevin

Saba T.

What a fun way to look way at Wednesday.

Stefani B

Kevin, your line “straddling the hours…” fits so well for a Wednesday and then your use of “tumble” is lovely for producing movement in your lines. Enjoy your weekend!

Fran Haley

I have a whole new appreciation for Wednesdays now, Kevin. These images of straddling the week and being evenly balanced “smack dab in the middle” plus the dancing and laughing have a sort of a leprechaunish feel… delightful.

Kim Johnson

tumbling to the leeward side of the week – and Yippee is a perfect word for your Y

Jennifer

Shouting Yippee! at the construction of this poem! Beautiful.

Stacey Joy

Kevin,
I agree and it is a wonderful place to land!

E venly balanced, smack dab in the middle,

S traddling the hours before and after while

D ancing on the echoes of laughter, together,

Susie Morice

Kevin- I love the fulcrum sense of your poem. It is so balanced indeed. I LOVED “dancing on the echoes of laughter”… lovely! And “tumble to the leeward side of the week”!!! Dang, I wish I’d written that! Wowza line! Beautiful poem. Thank you, Susie

Scott M

“Yippee, as we tumble to the leeward side of the week.” Cool line! Thank you, Kevin!

Charlene Doland

Such great imagery here, Kevin. I see a young gymnast with a huge grin on her face as she performs a perfect routine!