Tag Archives: OctPoWriMo

Oct29

OctPoWriMo Day 29

Posted on by
Standard

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s prompt is Lightness of Being:

Woman Rainy Window

Presence

when I notice my blessings—
an intricate weed blossom
a double rainbow
a check in the mail—
my burdens grow lighter
they float away altogether

I send up little prayers of gratitude
my heart is free
hurt is healed
the day brightens like a kiss

my God is close
close enough for me to sense His presence
to hear His sublime whisper
calming me with His love

©ARHuelsenbeck

octpowrimo

Oct25

OctPoWriMo Day 25

Posted on by
Standard

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s prompt is White. The suggested form is musette.

Things that are White

Ice cream
Pure vanilla
I scream

Snow storm
Frigid, freezing
Stay warm

Blank page
Inspiration
Engage

©ARHuelsenbeck

octpowrimo

Oct17

OctPoWriMo Day 17

Posted on by
Standard
OctPoWriMo Day 17

 

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s prompt is family.

 

Sisterless but Brother-Rich

I’m jealous of women with sisters
I never had one
I had a seven-year-younger brother
Whose care fell largely to me
And I fear I wasn’t a very good sister to him

When my parents were old and sick
I lived across the country
And my brother shouldered the responsibility
Doing the chores they couldn’t
Chauffeuring them to doctors
Caring for them tenderly
Finally moving in with our father
After our mother passed away

It wasn’t easy
Caring for a man who didn’t always recognize him
Who knew very well what he had lost
But my brother committed himself
To helping Dad live with dignity and purpose

I always wanted a sister
But I got an incredible brother
Who taught me volumes about family and love

 

Oct15

OctPoWriMo Day 15

Posted on by
Standard
OctPoWriMo Day 15

 

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s prompt is Mother May I?

 

I Wish I Could Ask My Mother

Mother, may I take six giant steps?
No you may not,
But you may take three baby steps instead.

Mother, may I take twelve jumping jacks forward?
No you may not,
But you may take three baby steps instead.

Mother, may I take piano lessons?
Yes you may,
But only if you practice every day.

Mother, may I go away to college?
Yes you may,
But only if you earn a scholarship.

Mother, may I marry my sweetheart?
Yes you may,
But only if you’re sure he’s the one.

Mother, may I have your stuffing recipe?
Yes you may,
But only if you invite me for Thanksgiving dinner.

Mother, can you give me some advice?
Yes,
But only if you visit my grave.

Oct13

OctPoWriMo Day 13

Posted on by
Standard

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s prompt is hugging a tree.

DSC03511

Trees

while I drove north to drop my older daughter at camp,
the youngest asked, “Mommy, is this a forest?”
it was then that I realized I’d raised city kids
yes, this was a national forest
but at this altitude the trees were mixed
with desert cactus, very unlike
the forest I’d grown up with in the east

a few years later at church camp
while I tried to keep all my kids in sight
an elder said, “Let them go. They’re safe here.”
hard to trust that they wouldn’t disappear
or break a leg falling from a tree-branch perch
their first opportunity to roam free
as I did in my childhood decades before

Oct11

OctPoWriMo Day 11

Posted on by
Standard

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s prompt is silence.

tom-barrett-_41WmEwi8Ok-unsplash

Power Failure

Two televisions blaring
Aquarium filters splashing
Air conditioner rumbling
Ceiling fans rotating
Dishwasher cleansing
Fluorescent light buzzing

Suddenly, the lights go out
Power failure
Silence

I sigh
A clock ticks
Peace reigns

Lights flash on
Cacophony resumes

octpowrimo

Oct9

OctPoWriMo Day 9

Posted on by
Standard

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s prompt is viewing things in a different way.

window jon-eric-marababol-_t9CapyAPmc-unsplash
Excuses

The truth is too painful
So I choose to perceive
Beauty where none exists
Love where betrayal resides

My eyes believe
What I see is not evidence
But merely enigma
My brain is an open window
Through which possible scenarios blow

White powder on the bathroom counter
Is only talc
All night work sessions
Are due to deadlines

Unexplained charges on the credit card bill
Alcohol breath
Harsh answers to reasonable questions
Slammed doors squealing tires

The story I’m telling myself is
You have not done the unthinkable
But you remain the person
I expected you to be

Am I a fool
Are people laughing behind my back
Accusing me of being blind
Living in a dreamland

octpowrimo

Oct5

OctPoWriMo Day 5

Posted on by
Standard

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days.

Today’s OctPoWriMo prompt is doorways.

Open door
Portal

Every time I try something new
It’s like opening a portal.
What unfamiliar artifacts will I find?
What skills will I learn?
How will this new me fit?

Enamored with the possibilities,
I squeeze through the opening
Ignoring possible repercussions:
What are you doing here?
You don’t belong.

I’m an imposter
Only because I’m a novice.
Give me a chance.
I’ll show you my strength.
Let me astonish you with my tenacity.
Just don’t close the door on me.

Open up!
I’ve made my choice.
Now let me face the consequences.

octpowrimo

Oct3

OctPoWriMo Day 3

Posted on by
Standard

I am participating in two challenges this month, OctPoWriMo and Inktober. To make it easier on myself, I’m trying to write a new poem on odd-numbered days and make a drawing on even-numbered days. (Yes, I know I didn’t post a drawing yesterday. I was sick.)

The prompt for Day 3 is womb.

StockSnap_N61S9S9XGC (2)

Surprise!

A surprise is something you weren’t expecting
But delights you nonetheless.
Not delighted?
Give it time.
There’s a life at stake—
Not just yours, though yours is important.

There’s his life,
Totally vulnerable,
Totally depending on you
To love him and to nurture him.

There’s my life, too,
Because I’m part of the cosmos your little one will enter.
Even if I never meet him,
I will benefit because he exists,
Because the universe will expand to include him,
Because eliminating his potential robs all of us.

I understand that it’s not a good time.
But right now there are people aching to experience
What you’re thinking about throwing away.
Can you respond with generosity?
Can you make joy out of your sorrow?

octpowrimo

Oct17

OctPoWriMo/Inktober Day 17: Who Did You Create Me to Be?

Posted on by
Standard

I’m combining two challenges today, using the OctPoWriMo prompt from Day 14, if I were me. The suggested form was a shape poem, which, due to my lack of coding knowledge, is hard for me to format on WordPress, so I chose to hand-write it.

 

fullsizeoutput_b61