Eureka And All That

I did it.

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Start your poem with a piece of advice.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Take my advice.

Embrace passion.
Attend the moments, and the years will take care of themselves.
Moderation's only viable if used in moderation.
Patience is over-rated as a virtue. Don't dally.

Pull down your pants, and slide on the ice.



Day 30

Nothing Less

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Include the word right or rights in your poem.

We hold these truths to be self-evident.

Which means, obviously, we got rights.

Except if you're a woman, and
expect equal pay for equal work.

Except if you're a senior and would prefer to
be treated like an adult not an impaired infant.

Except if you're a gay person
and feel like pledging your troth.

Except if you're a black man and
want to be President of these United States.

oh wait ...

We got rights.

Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Men, their rights, and nothing more;

women, their rights, and nothing less.

Susan B. Anthony

Day 29

Dear John

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem as if it were a letter to a friend

MAXIMUM FULFILLMENT
FROM A FIFTEEN WORDS
FOR A $1 TELEGRAM

John,

Happy Birthday

love

Mother

I have always wanted to see San Francisco in summertime.

Stop.

Day 28

Roast Turkey Recipe

Win - Win

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem about a contest, a win, or a loss.

YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY WON.

Or not.

YOUR POEM COULD WIN.

What's to lose?

OVER A ZILLION DOLLARS IN PRIZE MONEY.

And that's a lot.

THERE'S A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE.

Just take your place in line.







Day 27

Free Ads

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem that demonstrates strong emotion without ever stating what that emotion is.

For Free

Actual ads from my local paper, November 11, 2008


Sheep manure. You haul.

The poo you save will make your neighbors think you’re up to something.


Male cat and kittens.

It’s a miracle!


Rottweiler cross, good w/kids

Or might that be, thinks kids are good?


3 kittens, 2 chickens, 1 hound dog

Mama put her foot down.





Day 26

1st

Hollywood

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write about the first time you did something.


The first time I won a screenwriting contest,

I heard Kermit the Frog in my head.

I'd like the standard rich and famous contract.

I'm waiting to hear back.

Day 25

Sit, Seated, Sat

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Find an original way to describe a chair and make that the first line of your poem.

It fits my butt.
My back -- not so much.
I don't like it as much as I like my desk.
Poor unappreciated furniture.



Day 24

Monday, Monday

Manic Monday

Do you ever talk to yourself out loud?

Yes.

What do you talk about?

Whatever I'm doing. I also talk to the Poppets.

What stresses you out?

Everything. That's the first thing that crossed my mind, but it's not true. We went on a medical call this morning to a patient in serious condition, and I was completely unstressed by that.

So ... time management. Lack of. Other people impinging on mine. Stuff like that.

What are your secret talents?

I can wiggle my nose like a bunny.

Inspiration

Inspire Me

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Try one of the inspirational ideas before you write your next poem.

On Election Day, as I handed out ballots and checked IDs, one of my senior citizen neighbors paused to recite me a poem. Really, when was the last time a man recited poetry to you?

Follow the link for the rest of this.

Evolution by Langdon Smith

When you were a tadpole and I was a fish
In the Paleozoic time.
And side by side on the ebbing tide
We sprawled though the ooze and slime.
Or skittered with many a caudal flip
Through the depths of the Cambrian fen,
My heart was rife with the joy of life,
For I loved you even then.



Day 23

Travel

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem about a place you have been or a journey you have taken.

Ocean. Ocean. Ocean.

I sit and stare at the raging sea.
And quake with fear for it's calling me.


Day 22

His Shoes and Socks

Friday Fill-Ins

#99

1. The last band I saw live was Willie Nelson or Charlie Daniels.

Good grief, and now I feel old. I can't even remember which one it was or when. Rock on.

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is sitting in front of the fire, post-turkey, visiting with everyone.

Of course, they'll all be in a tryptophan-induced coma by then.

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is fun 'til come time to wrap.

4. Thoughts of pumpkin pie fill my head.

5. I wish I could wear a strapless dress.

Snark.

6. Bagpipes are way cool.

No. Really. Although, I do admit, one must have a touch of the old lost Gael in 'em to listen to this for long.



This is what I want them to play at my funeral.



Between this and the RIP photo project, I'm all set.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sitting in front of the fire,

It's snowing here.

tomorrow my plans include cleaning house

:P

and Sunday, I want to take some pictures!

It's been a while.

The Greenhouse

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write about something you can see from the window of your home.

My office is designed so there is nothing to look at out my window, because I am very easy to distract. Very. I used to beat myself up about this situation until I decided all that distracted fidget-fuss behavior was part of my process. Voila. I'm a genius.

What was I talking about? Right, the window. Well, I can see the greenhouse out the window.

The Greenhouse

Small pocket of warm.
We think, tricks nature so well.
But cold death still waits.

Day 21

Combo

I don't know.

Today’s Poetry Assignment: Create a poem that uses one of the following word combinations (they don’t have to be in the same line):

boot, tune, fool

but, feet, knot

kit, tap, pock

seize, fourth, thighs

I'd run

but

someone put a

knot

in my

feet.

Day 20

O J T

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem that uses something other than traditional end rhyme.


On The Job Training

They ask, "Do you work?"

I just mumble and hum.

And wait for the look,

That invariably comes.

It's hard to explain,

How I got in this state.

My energy's drained.

My mind wanders of late.

I've developed a squint.

My posture is stooped.

I'm like an old hen,

Kept too long in a coop.

But I won't leave my desk.

Prospects couldn't be brighter.

They say, "Oh, you're a typist."

I say, "No,

I'm a writer."

Day 19

Blue Rabbit

I don't know what I'm doing.

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Either use a set of hyponyms as the structure for your poem or write a poem around the phrase, “He was blue, she was a rabbit.” Either way, I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

He was blue, she was a rabbit.
He had big ears, she couldn't hear.
He was a mouse, she was green.
Their love affair had the shelf life of stinky cheese.

Day 18

Ssh!

Where I don't exactly follow directions.
So, what else is new?

Today’s Poetry Prompt:Write a poem that ends with the word “quiet”.

Quiet

She never stops talking.

Never.

She's six.

And she never stops talking.

I'm forty.

And can't quit listening.

Do birds have blankets,
how's Santa get in,
where do trees come from,
can flowers cry,
look! look! there!
S-T-O-P, S-T-O-P,
I can read that.

My ears are worn out.

Day 17

Manic Monday

Do you believe people are basically good?

Yes, and I am ALWAYS surprised when someone does something mean, bad and nasty. You might think I'd have given up that attitude by now, but no.

If you could change the custom of shaking hands, what would you replace it with?

A cheery wave would suit me. Or maybe we could flash each other the peace sign.

What is something that you enjoy that is a chore for most other people?

Mail merge on the computer. Weird huh? Which is why I'm in charge of sending FD Training notifications.


Manic Monday

Counting

ick.

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem that uses exactly the same number of characters on every line. You can pick the length, but once you start you have to stick to it. For an extra challenge, try writing about an event that has happened in the past 24 hour.

America voted heart
Most people happy!!
Some people cranky!!
Match to candidates

Day 16

News 2 Lose

Speculation looms that President-elect Obama is considering Senator Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State. I was reading a news article about this and snorted coffee through my nose when I got to this quote.

"Clinton, 61, has extensive foreign policy experience, having travelled widely when her husband was president from 1993 to 2001...."

Well, I've watched my husband make thousands of car repairs, maybe I can get a job at Ford.

Found It

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Create your own found poem. If you are looking for inspiration, use Google News to find an article to your liking.

Palin Returns to Snow and Cold of Home

Her last ride
ended
in the cold and the snow

Sarah told
John
reach out to

God
the rest of the country
have gone rogue


Original Article

Ha. Somebody close the freakin' door.

Day 15

Better Than The Alternative

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem in ten minutes.

Aging Gracefully

I used to say,

old age is creeping up on me,

but

when I looked,

it was just my husband.

Then, I'd laugh.

But now,

I think old age is creeping up on me,

and when I looked,

it was me.

Clinging to the hand rail going downstairs.

It was me.

Turning on all the lights to read.

It was me.

Asking, what'd he say?

It was me.

Day 14

TGIF

1. Please feel free to let yourself OUT.
2. When I open my gym locker, I can't help sniffing it occasionally.
3. My favorite thing to cook is Thanksgiving dinner .
4. Books are something I can't get enough of.
5. Entertaining myself -- that's the thing I love most about writing.
6.Bigotry always makes me think to myself, what the heck?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to I have to go to a Community Board meeting :P, tomorrow my plans include Irish class and Sunday, I want to go to a movie!

Friday Fill-Ins

Write Now

It's funny how the Universe puts information in front of us. I wonder sometimes if SHE isn't up there somewhere, tearing out her hair, thinking, didn't I tell you that already?

I followed a link in the Movie-Bytes newsletter, to buy the Hollywood Creative Directory on sale and found this article instead.

Three Cosmic Rules of Writing.

Emergency

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Go outdoors and get some fresh air. Find a comfortable spot and write a poem.

Okay, not for nothing, but I appreciate we've gotten away from all that iambic pentameter stuff, (like that was going to happen), but this is still Montana and it's freezing-ass cold outside. I prefer my fresh air slightly warmed.

Some people will complain about everything. Yes. I know.

9-1-1

cut my finger half off today.

as I swayed nauseously from room to room

I learned.

nobody cares about a half-off finger.

Day 13

Twits

Today’s Poetry Assignment: Write a poem as if it were an entry in someone’s journal or diary or even their Twitter account.


What's the past tense of twitter?

update

Twat?

update

Do you really want everyone to know what you're doing this second?

update

Do you think anyone cares?

update

We send our aspirations into the Ether

update

And the Ether replies

update



Day 12

Uppity Women

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem that tells a story.

Lilith

According to Jewish legend,
Eve was Adam's second wife.
The first being an unrepentant, uppity gal
named Lilith.

Lilith ran off to live the good life, au solitaire.
Leaving First Husband wifeless,
and the Deity supremely pissed.
Or so they say.

Ladies, take heart.
God created the universe and all the stars.
Set the earth in perfect balance.
Filled creation with a multitude.

From mighty tyrannosaurus
to tiny hedge-hog.
But to make a woman,
took TWO tries.

Eventually, Eve became Adam's rib mate, but
she didn't turn out
exactly as expected,
either.

Day 11

Past Tense Fruit

I revel in ignorance.

Today's Poetry Prompt: write a pantoum.

Pantoum? I cling to the low brow and say that sounds like a plantain gone bad.

Plantains?

Sorry, they pantoumed two days ago.

True Love 4-Ever

I have a billy goat in love with me.
Not a leering, old human goat.
A four-legged, fur-covered, yellow-eyed herbivore,
with lungs of iron and a will of steel.

He calls to me all day.
But sends no soft-voiced request.
Come get me, baby.
Full-bore, he bellows.

MY HEART IS BREAK-KING.

I am the source of his dinner.
From this has distilled true love.
Capital T. Capital L.
Big Red Heart.

When I stomp to his pen, determined to turn him into goat burger, he rests his head against my hip, and fetches up a sigh from the bottom of his being that swells his chest while he slowly blinks his devil eyes at me.

According to Chaucer, "Love is blynd."
But it is not deaf, I can attest.
I have a billy goat
in love with me.



Day 10

Marriage

Today’s Poetry Prompt:Write a blank verse poem.

Married Too Long

I can hear him thinking, I swear.

I can.

Hear him.

Thinking.

Day 9

To Write, Or Not

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write an occasional poem about an event that has taken place in the past year. For an added challenge, try to capture both positive and negative aspects of the event. If that doesn’t work, write a limerick. Limericks are fun too.


Occasionally,
I write.
And when I don't
I mourn.
Days are gray.
Nights are black.

But when I do,
I rejoice.
Days turn brillant.
Nights pulse fun.
You'd think that'd make it easier.
Wouldn't you?

Day 8

End Times

Today’s Poetry Prompt:Write about
something in your life that you do every day.

The End Of The World As We Know It

We surf and don't get wet.
We browse and never get full.
We tap but there's no answer.
We're trapped and no one cares.

Which reminds me of an old joke, Why do they call it dope?

I actually looked that up to use in a script. Drugs affect dopamine, increasing or restricting, causing differing results. Hard to believe the first old doper said, yeah, let's call it that. Dude.

Why do you think they call it The Net?

Day 7

TGIF

Friday Fill-Ins

1. My blueprint for success includes the phrase, Never Give Up.

2. Godiva was the last candy I ate.

3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Hope in a Jar.

But I quit using it because the name was insulting. Why don't they call it -- Undefinable Grease That Won't Make Any Difference But We're Going To Charge A Buttload For It And Lead You Astray With False Expectations -- in a bottle?

Because that won't fit on the label?

4. Gracie can be good therapy.

She can also be the cause of the need for therapy, but why quibble?

5. I'd like to tell you about my newest project.

6. Persistence is my strongest characteristic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being in Missoula, tomorrow my plans include an EMS conference and Sunday, I want to come home!

The Last Unicorn

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poetic parable. Feel free to play with the form. Sometimes it is more interesting when the lesson is just a bit absurd.


Once upon a time, lived a unicorn who dreamt of being a pony.
Unicorns are unique and stand out in a crowd.
Ponies are small and blend like butter.
Thus, she figured, being a pony, would be better.

To all she met, she delcared,
I want to be a pony.
But you are a unicorn,
each and every one replied.

You don't listen,
insisted she.
I am a unicorn, but
I want to be a pony.

The moral of the story,
dear hearts, is this -
To get what you want,
Want what you get.




Day 6

Election Day + 1

This morning, when I looked at my Day 5 poem, I realized I am not in that bad a mood anymore. I did struggle with that feeling for quite a while after the car wreck.

But, this morning, I feel hopeful.

It's been a long time since politics had that effect.

Truck 1, Car 0

Today’s Poetry Prompt: Write a poem about an event in your life that you have strong feelings about without stating how you feel about the event.

From no where
a truck
hit my car.

if the defining principle of the universe is,
shit happens.
what choice do we have?

do good.
do bad.
do nothing.

what's the difference?


Day 5

November 4, 2008