The Struggle

 Hey guys!

I’ve decided to start participating in Today’s Author‘s WriteNow. Their prompt for May 16th was, ” He returned home from work to find an eviction notice tacked to the door.” Here’s what I came up with:

 

From sun up to sun down,
He works his fingers to the bones.
Grinding and slaving,
He alone is the sole provider for his family.
A widower with two children,
Working two jobs he does his best.

Getting off the city bus,
With a sweaty brow he staggers tiredly towards his complex.
A temporary safe haven from his ongoing storm.
Upon entering his building,
He finds an eviction notice tacked to the door.
“God please not again, not today. I just need a little latitude.”

He sighs deep, opens the door, and
Makes a beeline to the fridge and makes a phone call.
With a note left for his kids,
He’s back out the door and eating his dinner while mobile.
At the bus stop he prepares his self for another eight-hour shift.

He hunkers down for the 15 minute bus ride across town,
Mind and heart heavy he utters a prayer, and
Hope and wish for a breakthrough or a miracle.
A breakthrough that allows him to come out on top,
One that will never alert his children to how hard their father’s struggle really is.

© TNL, May 2014

 

Thanks for reading! 🙂

Stones of Life

Hey guys, I’ve been under the weather; but I’m back now! I intend to finish my NaPoWriMo challenge even though April 30th was a couple of weeks ago.

NaPoWriMo’s prompt for April 24th: Write a poem that features walls, bricks, stones, arches, or the like. If that sounds a bit hard, remember that one of Robert Frost’s most famous poems was about a wall.

 

Brick.

Laid out individual units bound by mortar,

Horizontally patterned by the hands of man.

Brick.

Often left behind,

Like an echo in time.

Brick.

Sturdy and sure, tired and true,

Qualities we look for in our fellow-man.

Brick.

Holds together, supports and builds structure,

Protects its inhabitants against the storm.

Brick.

We should emulate your characteristics,

Apply your support and protection to the people and environment.

© TNL, April 2014

 

 

Sightseeing

The Daily Post’s prompt for April 23rd. The Wanderer. Tell us about the top five places you’ve always wanted to visit. GO!

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Had a dream that I could move as I please,

Anywhere I wanted, far and near.

I walked the harbors of Boston,

Then moved down to Washington D.C., and

Stood before Lincoln and King.

Took a train to Chicago,

Walked Navy Pier and danced through Millennium Park.

Hopped a plane to Italy,

Had breakfast in Sicily and dinner in Tuscany.

Then I explored the rolling green hills of Ireland, and

Walked Malahide Castle’s botanic gardens.

©TNL, April 2014

Conflict Resolution

The Daily Post’s  prompt for April 22th: Showdown at Big Sky. How do you handle conflict? Boldly and directly? Or, do you prefer a more subtle approach?

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Always a lady,

Never a hellcat.

Not saying gibberish,

Just stating a simple fact.

Mostly subtle,

Always direct, and

Bold when need be.

A showdown isn’t needed,

Especially if it can be interceded.

Don’t let conflict brew,

Nip it in the bud, and

cut it at the knee.

Then maybe everyone can remain drama free.

 

© TNL, April 2014

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Thanks for reading!

Night Owl

The Daily Post’s daily prompt for April 21st: Because the Night. Are you a night owl or are you the early bird? What’s your most productive time of day? When do you do your best work?

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The dust is settled,

The air is pure

The night is silent, and

Most are asleep.

A deadline is upon me,

It’ closing in.

Coffee in hand,

Armed with my laptop,

I sit on the couch,

Snuggled and settled in,

Preparing to hit my target.

I thrive at this time,

The night owl that I am.

Bluetooth headphones in,

Smooth sounds thumping in my ears.

Times passes and I’m done,

With minutes to spare.

Hours later I retreat from the couch, and

Make the journey to dreamland.

© TNL, April 2014

 

 

 

The Yellow Jacket

NaPoWriMo’s prompt for April 20th: Write a poem in the voice of a member of your family. This can be a good way to try to distance yourself from your own experience, without reaching so far away from your own life that it’s hard to come up with specific, realistic details. But watch out! This type of exercise can also dredge up a lot of feelings. So if you think writing in the voice of your grandfather will be too heavy, maybe try the voice of your four-year-old niece. Four-year-old problems might be a little lighter in scope.

A tisket a tasket,

I stained my yellow jacket.

It makes me sad,

Because mommy may get mad.

I must go in search,

So we won’t be late for church.

Pink or blue,

Or any pastel hue.

To match my purple dress,

It’s my Sunday’s best!

© TNL, April 2014

Saturday Night

The Daily Post’s prompt for April 19^th: S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT! What’s your favorite way to spend Saturday night?

 

The week is ending,

Time to unwind.

Turn up the laughter, and

Drink some wine.

Invite my girlfriends over, and

Let my hair down.

Put records on, and

Dance all around.

Cook good food.

Indulge in chocolate

While we catch up on gossip.

Take out the guitar, and

Have an impromptu concert

Then a second dessert.

Followed by more wine, and

Even more laughter.

We talk well into the night

Then promise to resume again next Saturday night.

© TNL, April 2014

Won’t Give Up

NaPoWriMo’s prompt for April 18th:

Write a ruba’i. What’s that? It’s a Persian form — multiple stanzas in the ruba’i form are a rubaiyat. Basically, a ruba’i is a four-line stanza, with a rhyme scheme of AABA.

I won’t give up on you,
Even when you’re troubled and blue.
You can lean on me,
I’ll help push you through.

© TNL, April 2014

 

 

A Day In The Sun

NaPoWriMo’s prompt for April 17th: Write a poem in which you very specifically describe something in terms of at least three of the five senses.

The cool breeze tickling and soothing me,
Sun warming my skin,
Out in the middle in a sea of green,
Toes digging into soft St. Augustine grass,
A lick from my fury companion and our play fight begins,
We chase each other from left to right,
Round and round until we fall to the ground,
Pouncing, playfully growling and wagging her tail excitedly,
She unleashes the full effect of her charm,
Showing the underside of her belly,
I cave and show affection,
We take in the smell of roses and the child play,
We both sigh, perfectly content to soak up the sun.

© TNL, April 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*This is my lovely little puppy and the photo is from our photo session we had on Easter Sunday!