Sandy pebbles in my shoe, ouch Bringing home the sunny beach too Unzip my bag, it's in my pouch Sandy pebbles in my shoe, ouch I sit and find golden grains in my couch From my pockets pieces of seashore askew Sandy pebbles in my shoe, ouch Bringing home the sunny beach too
Pieces of Seaside Ashore is written for theW3 prompt by Selma. She has asked us to write about summer.
Her guidelines: Summer is hot, sticky, noisy, melty—and perfect for a poem that keeps coming back around. This week let’s write a triolet: a playful eight-line poem built from repetition and rhyme.
Thank you, David, for your dedication to hosting every week. And thank you Selma for the inspiration for this week’s prompt!
To my readers, thank you for stopping by and spending time with my blog! 💖🙏🏽
Can I be a nurse? Cure people so they can live Feed the hungry ones Provide homes to all people From my dream I awaken
~Little girls with dreams become women with vision-unknown~
Now that I'm older Recruit all the helping hands Volunteer, I am My vision is bright and clear Fight the good fight, persevere
Dreams to Light is about little girls who have big dreams of their own. Some are realized and some are merely a dream. Growing up and coming of age, into adulthood, womanhood, the vision forms. It can be as simple as gathering like-minded people together. Maybe even starting to act on those long-lost dreams as a child.
We all have different experiences in life and different ideas about what the world should look like, how people should live. It all starts with imagination and transforms to something bigger, more meaningful. If only we dare to bring those dreams to light.
Dreams turn to visions, then into movements. I pose this question to women who had dreams as a child; how has your dream shaped your life today?
In this video is a segment called Split Personality on the Connect the Dots podcast. The host, Louis poses questions, to which we both delve into these questions and give our perspectives.
Connect the Dots Split Personalities episode with O’Nika
Check out the Connect the Dots podcast on You Tube.
One day it felt like I was on top of the world. Living life with the finest things. So, it seems from the outside looking in. A career that I love. Helping people with services to enhance their lives.A comfortable home fully furnished. Plush yard, lots of square footage.A luxury car. Foreign import with butterfly doors and heated seats.
You understand where this is going.
Next week, on a Monday morning, I woke up. Feeling good, I have my cup of coffee with French vanilla creamer. My apple fritter is in the microwave for ten seconds. I sit down in the kitchen and indulge in my daily breakfast. After, I get dressed in a beautiful Blue A-line dress with a plunging neckline. Slip into my heels and do a quick turnaround in front of the mirror. Ok, I’m all good. Out the door, I go.
Defining Moment
An hour later, I arrived at work. Walk into my office and sit down. Let me check my calendar for the day. A knock at the door distracts me. Irritated, I respond, “come in!” The big boss walks in. A dry expression on his face. He sits opposite my desk. “Good morning, Amani, do you have a minute?” Mr. Walker firmly asks.
“Yes, of course. Is everything okay?” I responded. “Well, no, it isn’t. I have some bad news,” He retorted. “We have to let you go. The company is downsizing and there is no place for you. I’m sorry.”
“What! Are you fricking serious right now? I have a mortgage and car payments!”- I angrily shouted at him.
Mr. Walker stood up, turned to me once more and said, “I’m really sorry.” Then he left my office.
Devastated by the news, I started to panic. It felt like someone sucked all the air out of the room. In an attempt to calm down, I sat. Swiveling in my plush, comfortable, high back, leather, office chair. A sly grin slowly formed across my face. The wheels of a plot were coming together in my head.
Security came into my office. “We are ready to escort you out now,” says the squatty guard with masking tape on his glasses.
I gathered my personal belongings. Before exiting my office for the last time, I stood in the doorway and took a final look. As I turn around, all eyes are on me as I walk down the long hallway.
The Get Back
Now, alone, in my car. I exact revenge on Mr. Walker. Who does he think he is firing me! He has some nerve! I’ll show him how much of a big boss he thinks he is. I use an AI app on my phone. I prompt the app to create a picture of my co-worker with a handsome, young, buff, attractive man. The image shows the young man and the woman in a seductive embrace and smiling.
The co-worker is the wife of Mr. Walker. The caption on the image reads, “this is what satisfaction looks like.” I add heart and fire emoji’s. Next, I press the send button. A huge smile takes over my face, and I am smiling so wide; it starts to hurt. Feeling such a sense of gratification, I sit in the car and wait.
Five minutes pass and Mr. Walker storms out and is talking on his phone. “Who the hell is this man you are with? Have you lost your mind woman!” shouts Mr. Walker. Meanwhile, I am sitting there watching and listening to the conversation unfold. He sees me sitting in my car grinning and gives me a dirty look. He continues to shout and yell at his wife as he drives off.
Karma Takes Over
I get home and find two cars in the driveway. One belongs to my husband Malik. The other, I have not seen before. The smile quickly fades and concern takes over. It is 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon and Malik is supposed to be at work. Walking inside I hear romantic music playing. The baby-making kind. A pair of women’s shoes are in the living room.
Immediately, I got angry. I head to the bedroom and push the door open. My husband and some hussy are in bed together. My bed! “Malik, what are you doing at home and who is this bird?!”- I demanded. Stuttering, he replies, “nobody, she is nobody. Baby, I can explain!”. Yelling back, “there is nothing to explain. Get out!”
Feeling deflated and humiliated, I retreat to the bathroom and slam the door. Now, I know how Mr. Walker must have felt when he received a text with a picture of his wife and another man.
It’s Not So Sweet
The moral of the story is that two wrongs never make a right. Amani is a woman who defines her life by appearances and status. She quickly learned that when you use manipulation tactics, it does not end well. Amani felt so proud of herself for sending that fake AI image to her boss, Mr. Walker, who had just fired her. She was in for the shock of her life when she came home. Amani found her husband, Malik in their matrimonial home with another woman.
Life is good, what can be better Relaxing, no string or tether The sun giving me strength The water spreading cool Just enough to level out the heat Peaceful thoughts to be had at no cost Looking up at the sky, mind getting lost The shine of rays Penetrating through the leaves Captivating movement with every breeze Sparks of new ideas and motivation Encapsulating every wish and dream of mine Innermost thoughts rushing in quickly Reminding me to just enjoy life and Take it light
Taking It Light is written for the prompt by Sadje for WDYS. The inspiration was drawn from the image below provided for this week’s prompt.
Can you answer this? How do you want to spend your older years? The golden years or retirement years are sometimes the best. Just ask around and I’m sure you will get different answers on this one.
While some of us spend most of our younger years working or chasing our dreams. Others are just winding down waiting for the chance to sit back and enjoy the later stage of life. The years when free time abounds.
After retirement, some people plan to travel and visit places on their bucket list. Some people plan to move to another state or country and settle down. Sit by the beach, go for walks, join a social network in their community, or just simply do nothing. Relax and do what you want to do without having to think about it.
Options are many. Whatever you decide to do, make those years count. Do what makes you happy and will bring joy to your life. We owe it to ourselves to enjoy the senior years. Spend time with family, now that you have an open schedule.
Connect a human need can you give me a call we can talk shop, laugh, reminisce Connect
Lunch date can we break bread let's grab some food, Cocktails top it with a cute umbrella Connect
Now that we are happy our being full of glee doesn't it feel good to get out Connect
Life is a masquerade an excursion of sorts so full of possibilities Fickle
We can complain and moan lock it in a chokehold or show life what we came to do Flourish
Connect can we break bread our being full of glee so full of possibilities Flourish
Connection; or Needs is a garland cinquain poem, written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge. Robbie is the host for this week, and she has asked us to write a story:
This week I am asking you to write a story poem that includes a beginning, middle and ending. Your poem should have a minimum of three stanzas but can have more if you prefer.
The story poem that I wrote is about the basic need of human connection. Just a simple telephone call or lunch get-together can be enough to fill that need. My first attempt at writing this style of poetry; apologies if it is not correct. I enjoyed experimenting and writing it, nonetheless.
Thank you for stopping by and spending time on my blog! 🙏🏽💖
Through the narrow lens is a big bad world take a step back sit for a minute absorb assess process the ways of denizens in the big bad world hurrying, night and day bumping shoulders not breaking stride
Through the narrow lens we venture to the street no clear destination evaporation into the night
Thank you for stopping by to read my poem, Through the Narrow Lens! 💞
I drew inspiration from the prompt for WDYS by Sadje. Thank you as always for the prompts each week.
Hanging onto ifs Robs you of exploration Stalls curiosity
Hanging onto ifs Builds rifts Stalls shifts in creativity Takes all the lifts out of the sails
Hanging onto ifs Can foster inner tiffs Let go of the ifs
It helps to sift Sift away fears and doubts Lift hope and confidence
Let go of the ifs
The poem, Hanging Onto Ifs is about how our mind plays on us. It can let doubt creep in and stop us from pursuing our dreams. We question ourselves and ask, “what if it doesn’t work?” Well, what if it does. Injecting hopeful thoughts and believing in ourselves is a positive alternative.
The mind is very powerful, and it is important that we guard our thoughts. Every action starts with a thought. If we question and overthink, it stalls growth.
April is National Poetry Month. The year 2026 makes 30 years of this celebration of art.
What does poetry mean to you? What is your favorite poetry form?
Is there a special way you like to commemorate the art form of poetry and writing? If so, share the most meaningful way you choose to celebrate.
Words are very powerful. They can inject joy and adversely, bring about feelings of hurt. The way we choose our words is very important. Words can be used to compose a song, convey an idea, express thoughts, and a plethora of many things. Both spoken and written words carry weight.
For National Poetry month, I have tried writing my first Trenta-Sei poem. Not an easy feat.
What is a Trenta-Sei poem?
-Created by John Ciardi, the Trenta-Sei poem is a poetic form that contains 6, six-line stanzas for a total of 36 lines. -A rhyme scheme of ababcc. -Lines 2-6 of the first stanza will be the first line of the stanzas to follow, in the same order. -The cascading repetition adds to the complexity of this style.
Sounds simple, right? I’m joking. It was challenging for me but nonetheless, it was fun writing.
30 Years Turns the Art of Poetry
Artistry comes in many forms Creating ways to move Motion in strokes not the norm Writing that transforms and grooves Rhymes skillfully arousing the senses Poetry and prose in many tenses
Creating ways to move Your mind drifts afar Riding words feeling the groove Inspiration shining like a star Don't stop, ideas abound, keep up the flow Intricate words flood the brain, page aglow
Motion in strokes not the norm Acrylic, watercolor or oil Brushstrokes haphazard forming a storm Circular and abstract like a coil Collage of fabric in Pink, Yellow, Green Blending media, asking what it means
Writing that transforms and grooves Taking you on a wild ride Explain the meaning a pen behooves Awing the reader, mouth open wide Scanning the page, delight and disbelief Vivid, exact, succinct and very brief
Rhymes skillfully arousing the senses Cadence so crisp and clear No more dis songs, time to mend fences Harmony is music to my ears An art form transcending generations Lyrics infused with deep revelations
Laughter cradles when sadness weighs A good belly roll brings oxygen to the brain endorphins stick around for days Laughter cradles when sadness weighs stimulating feel good pathways shifting mood to a higher plain Laughter cradles when sadness weighs A good belly roll brings oxygen to the brain
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read Sidelined Sadness.
Standing quietly, alone No one in sight, solo Commanding stance over seas Views of water for miles
Alone, until people drift by To and fro, ebbing with the tides Suddenly you are called upon Memory jarred that your light is shining
Light that draws them near, curious Wonderment in their eyes as they pause Pause, hesitant to ask How do you do it?
Ask, how do you continue to shine light All while being alone, present Day in and out, rain, fog and clouds Hovering over your crown of light
Difficult task that takes patience Being constant no matter what comes Knowing that light is a powerful force Drawing people into a place of safety
Sound the alarm only when danger lurks Silent, stationary even when water murks Pulsating light comes with many perks Structure standing tall and firm Navigating shores, signaling when to turn
Horizons of Light was written for the W3 weekly challenge. Unfortunately, I missed the submission deadline. The challenge was to be a lighthouse. You can choose to be a literal, metaphorical, delusional, illusory or false lighthouse.
The piece I wrote is from a metaphorical standpoint.
Standing quietly but not lonely. Drawing people in with your inner light. Just when you think that people do not see you or know you are there, it strikes you. Yes, they see me. It’s like the saying, ‘being seen and not heard’.
Only speaking and/or making noise when necessary. A lighthouse that is like a quiet force. Still standing even when the heavy tides of life roll in.
motherhood grows the heart and the mind birthing a love like no other do I deserve this bundle a blessing to behold small eyes so bright, pure her smile, her laugh so tender loving sweet
To Be Called Mom is written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge.
You are exactlywhere you need to be. When you land in a place that looks unfamiliar, why question it?
You think you should be somewhere else. But in reality, the place you are today was destined for you, only you.
If you see a friend and they are ahead of you in their career, don’t fret. Go at your own pace. Maybe you are going slower but your reward will be greater when you arrive.
We all have those years of progress, slow but steady. Bumpy roads that feel like a stop sign. The bumps are a test to see if we will keep going or quit.
You are exactly where you need to be. We can make all the plans in the world but, we are not in control; no, the Creator is.
You are exactly where you need to be
Thank you for reading Why Question It? 💖🙏🏽
The writing is in response to the prompt by Sadje.
