Category: W.W. poetry

Shifting – Poetry Challenge 4

On By Editor Karolyn HIn W.W. poetry, Wednesday's WafersLeave a comment

Free verse is what I typically write, so the challenge this time was the topic. I’ve been formulating a particular conclusion about life for months and felt that now would be a great time to write about it for the poetry challenge.

Shifting

Every day we move things
From here to there
Carry eggs from the fridge to the skillet
Pour coffee from the pot to a mug
Nudge cat from doorway to porch
Bring letters from mailbox to desk
Gather flowers from garden to vase
Steer truck from driveway to parking lot
Lift bread from shelf to shopping cart
Deliver money from wallet to cashier
Push bicycle from lawn to garage
Withdraw keys from pocket to wall hook
Relocate Legos from stairs to toybox
Remove plates from table to sink
Serve popcorn from microwave to bowl
Pull game from closet to carpet
Transfer towel from floor to hamper
Retire book from pillow to nightstand
Shift thoughts from wakefulness to slumber.

(free verse)

Poetry Challenge: First 3 of 20

On By Editor Karolyn HIn W.W. poetry, Wednesday's Wafers3 Comments

After writing about different types of poems in my last post, I decided to challenge myself and write a new poem for each of the twenty types. Well, with the exception of an epic. I do not have the patience or desire to write a poem as long as a novel. 😄 I’ll leave that up to Homer and John Milton. For my twentieth poem, I’ll find another type that wasn’t included in my list. Most of my poems will have titles, but not all.

Three poems for today!

Y oga classes
O utrageous sports bloopers
U seful how-to videos
T op ten country music playlists
U ltimate funny cats compilations
B uilding survival shelters
E asy hairstyles

Yarn over, pull through
Single, double, count stitches
Turn work and repeat.

Ode to Hot Cocoa

As water warms then boils
A mug is placed in anticipation.

Sugar, cocoa, nutmeg, and ginger
Are gathered in preparation.

Morning ritual or evening indulgence
this satisfying beverage soothes the mind,
makes cold hands happy and tastes delightful.

Circles swirl as I stir the decadent substance.
Sipping slowly, time and worries are redefined.
Savor, savor every wondrous mouthful.

(acrostic, haiku, ode)

Gift of Wonders

On By Editor Karolyn HIn W.W. poetry, Wednesday's WafersLeave a comment

Wednesday’s Wafers: series in which I share some of my own writing.

Gift of Wonders

To Jordan from Mama (Karolyn H)
Written 9/8/1993

How I have been blessed with this gift in a child.

Having discovered the greatest love

I feel so proud and grateful each time I watch him sleep.

So beautiful,

lying in peaceful slumber.

The moment he arrived, I was elated,

yet apprehensive.

But look at him now!

So affectionate, endearing, and playful.

How he loves to learn!

I want to teach him all there is to know.

Whenever he mimics my words or actions,

I feel so special and privileged.

He deserves to be free to explore the world,

and experience the good.

But to see him cry, or feel hurt

tears me apart.

I want to shield him from pain and disappointment.

There he goes – run, run, dance, dance some more!

Feel all the joy I see in your eyes.

Precious baby—yet baby no more.

This perfect little person that has taught me so much

can only be repaid with comfort and security

and a mother’s love.

If it were possible,

I would tell him every moment how much he means to me.

All I can hope is that he knows

and that his sweet smile will never leave my life…empty.

While sorting and packing, I recently discovered a long letter that I’d written to my son when he was only two years old, along with this poem that I’d written around the same time. I gave him the letter yesterday and am publishing the poem here. Now in his late twenties, Jordan has more than met my expectations and is a constant joy.

Glorious

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Wednesday’s Wafers: weekly series in which I share some of my own recent writing

Glorious
by Karolyn H

glorious

As each day passes
and time rolls merrily along
I understand more and more
why the greatest fulfillment in life
comes not from having the best of everything
or enjoying support and praise from admirers
or even from unlimited knowledge and opportunities.

It comes from the struggle
against your own fears
against the negativity of the world
against the obstacles that you might not even understand
against your past and recent failures
against bad habits and safe choices.

Our human condition is often scary
and painful, and hopeless.
But it is also beautiful
and silly and joyful.

The struggle validates the victory.
Tenacious persistence conquers doubt.
Failures teach humility and patience.

Reaching the goal, finding the treasure, discovering love;
there is nothing that compares to the satisfaction of
knowing that you made the hard choices that led you to this moment.
Knowing that the difficult, or traumatic circumstances you endured
were gloriously worth it.

Designing your life and crafting your character —
what an ambitious endeavor!
Who do you want to be?
How do you want to be?
Who are YOU?

and when I say “you”,

I’m really asking myself…