Categories
Poetry Self Awareness Topic

Dancehall of Sorrows

That feeling you get 
Drowning in regret 
Lonely 
Isolated, yet 
Happy and content 
Only 
Seeing silhouette 
Of past me, I fret 
wholly

Dancehall of Sorrows was written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge by Melissa.

Is it possible to be happy and content and live with regret? This question is one that I was thinking about while writing the poem. If one has regrets, do they have to be down and out, and sad? The answer I came up with is no. A person can still live a full and happy life.

Thank you for stopping by! 💛🙏🏽

Categories
Topic

Can You Answer This? What Life-Altering Book Have You Read Lately?

What Life-Altering Book Have You Read Lately?

Reading is a wonderful pastime. There are stories that can transform the way we see certain aspects of life. Books that make us laugh and smile. Mysteries, romance novels, science fiction, memoirs, etc., so many to choose from. The fact that there are so many genres give us variety in picking what we want to read.

Reading can have a profound effect on us. We can read something that changes the way we look at things. Give us a new perspective on something that we may have formed an opinion about, before knowing more.

The reasons we choose to read vary greatly. Some of us read to broaden our vocabulary. Relax and delve into a murder mystery, science fiction, or romance novel. Others aim for an overall understanding and knowledge of different subjects.

Alternatively, some of us just love books! There are so many ways to get your reading in. Hardcover, paperbacks, eBooks and audiobooks. No matter how you choose to read, words have the power to transform.

Can you answer this? What life-altering book have you read lately?

Thank you for stopping by! 🙏🏽💞

Categories
Poetry Self Awareness Topic Words of Wisdom

Taking It Light

Taking It Light

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.

Thank you for reading! 🙏🏽

Categories
Diversity Poetry Topic

Isle Of Enchantment; Summer Trip

Isle of Enchantment is written about my first visit to Puerto Rico. 

2013 was the year, in the month of July, my oh my
One of the hottest months to travel, by and by
A scorcher, nonetheless, I had a blast
Finally made it to my father’s place of birth, at last

In the summer we can be lively or carefree and idly
The humidity can hit you like a wet rag in the face
Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico is the place
Clothes clinging to the skin, feeling sticky and intense
 
Deplaning in San Juan the weather warm, humid and sunny
Cute, Burgundy, patent leather bag, or patent pleather  
Is no match for the tropical, summer and blistering weather
A better choice would have been canvas, jute, or linen  
 
Cruising through breezy Loiza and the beach, Isla Verde
Next day in Old San Juan taking in a refreshing piragua
Sitting and taking in the scene like a movie premiere
People coming and going enjoying carefree tropical living

Street vendors amass with food to seduce the palette
Fried codfish, aka Bacalaitos
Alcapurria, deep fried fritter with meat
And Empanadas filled with beef

Drinks that I never had before were enticing
Mavi for one, made from tree bark
Coquito, made with rum, condensed, coconut milk and spices
Coco Rico, a coconut flavored soda

Alluring me with its sound, the native frog, a Coqui
Serenading me at night, while calling out during the day
Music soothing the ears, the body and soul
People friendly making me feel right at home

Beautiful pastel-colored structures
At every turn, beaming with pride
Colors, sounds, people, food
The heartbeat of Puerto Rico

El Morro is the next adventure, such colossal grounds
History is tapping my shoulder as I explore
Too much ground to cover, the fort is too big
Have to plan this visit in more than one gig

Off to dance the night away at an outdoor restaurant
The wind current keeps us semi-cool
No matter, the music gets the feet and body moving
In rhythm, I dance till the music stops

Cascading friendliness and genuine warmth
Something that will remain in memory
The summer of 2013 is kept in rich treasury
Of my mind, now comes time to go forth

Heading back home with such vivid scenery
Surreal trip that will last like well-oiled machinery
The pictures, a keepsake for nostalgic moments
Summer of 2013

Thank you for stopping by to read 💕🙏🏽

Categories
Topic Words of Wisdom

Can You Answer This? How Do You Want to Spend Your Older Years?

How Do You Want to Spend Your Older Years?

Leisurely walk

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.

As always, thank you for stopping by! 🙏🏽💞

Image credit: Maciej Cieslak from Pixabay

Categories
Topic

Can You Answer This? What Free Service Would You Choose?

What Free Service Would You Choose?

Life is so busy these days. Can you answer this? What free service would you choose? Would you prefer to have free childcare, a live in chef, a housekeeper. Maybe an assistant or gardener. A lot of these services can get pricey. It would be nice to have though. We can keep more of our money in our pocket.

  • Childcare- This is a necessity for many working families. We have to work to make a living and provide for our children. It would be nice to have reliable childcare.
  • Chef- A chef would be very convenient. A personal chef would free up time not having to prepare meals. For example, we can use this time to spend with family. Also, we can devote time to other hobbies or interests.
  • Housekeeper- A housekeeper can take care of those mundane things around the house. Cleaning the house takes time but is a chore that must be done. Wouldn’t it be nice to have this service for free? One downside is that they may not be as thorough and do the job, in the manner we would like.
  • Assistant- An assistant can be a valuable asset to help with business tasks. Including taking care of booking travel and keeping our calendar. Business and/or personal plans can be handled. He or she can help to keep us on track. It would be nice to have one less thing to think about.
  • Gardener- The lawn would be so nice with the help of a gardener. The grass can stay healthy and plush. Flowerbeds and mulch would be on point. In the fall/winter they can rake up all the fallen leaves and remove the pine needles. The bushes would stay trimmed and neat. Furthermore, having a gardener can save us from back-breaking work.

Can you answer this? What free service would you choose? Share in the comments and let us know. Maybe you would pick something entirely different.

Thank you for visiting today! 🙏🏽💖

Categories
Info Poetry Self Awareness Topic

Poem-Crimson Bricks Tumbling Down is on Spillwords

New poem-Crimson Bricks Tumbling Down is now on Spillwords

Crimson Bricks Tumbling Down, was written and based on the theme of the weight we carry. The prompt instructions are to describe the physical or emotional shape of a heavy feeling you know well. Give it form, texture, temperature, weight, and color. Let the reader feel it with you. 

Read More Here 

As always, thank you for stopping by!  🙏🏽💖

Categories
Poetry Topic

Panhandling Days in the Rearview

Panhandling Days in the Rearview

Driving by this corner
My eyes tear up like morning dew
I used to live here
Harsh nights, cold mornings
Even while I had no place to call home
Love and kindness resided in my heart
Now that an abode has found me
Sometimes the echoes of the street
Ring in my ears during the nightfall
Scrounging and scraping for loose change
Fallen from past days, reduced to panhandling
Now that an abode has saved me
I still cherish pieces of me from those fallen days

Thank you for stopping by to read! 🙏🏽🤍Panhandling Days in the Rearview is written for the prompt by Sadje.

Image credit: Tanya Barrow @Unsplash

Categories
Self Awareness Topic

Can You Answer This? What is Your Dream Job?

What is Your Dream Job?

Working and having a job feels mostly like what? Work. It doesn’t have to. If the thing you do helps to put food on the table, and a roof over your head does that mean it has to be boring or mundane? Of course not.

Passion for a hobby or possessing natural talent for what brings in revenue can make all the difference. Also, your dream job will provide enjoyment, so it negates the feeling of doing something out of sheer necessity.

Some of us dream to be on the world stage. Singing or performing in the arts. Others want to travel and see the world. Fashionistas want to dress in the finest clothes and model for print or commercial ads. Also, there are humanitarians who have a knack for helping people.

If money were no object, what would you pursue in life? What job would bring you fulfillment and happiness?

Can You Answer This? What is Your Dream Job?

Thank you for reading! 🙏🏽💖

Categories
Info Topic

In the Running for Publication of the Month

In the Running for Publication of the Month

On May 10, I shared that my debut poem, If Only I Could, was published on Spillwords. I am grateful to the editors at Spillwords for accepting and publishing my submission. Also, thank you to my readers on WP.

Today, I am more than excited to announce that my poem is among those being nominated for publication of the month! The writer with the most votes will be selected for this honor. The winner will have their work featured for the whole month of June on the Spillwords platform.

Votes are open until Thursday; June 4th and I am writing to ask for your vote.  The winner will be announced shortly after voting closes. You can cast your vote here, if you choose and/or check out publications from the other nominees.

From Spillwords: Please note that voting will conclude on 6/4; soon after, we will reveal the well-deserved recipient of this prestigious title. To vote, kindly register and/or log in to ensure your voice is heard.

I appreciate each and every one of you for stopping by to read, comment and like my posts.  It is such a blessing to be a part of the WP community. Discovering and learning from so many seasoned and talented writers is rewarding. 

As always, thank you for stopping by! 🙏💞

Categories
Poetry Topic

Trendy; but Tricky

Palazzo pants
palazzo pants, cute
wind blew, from bus to curb, butt
flopped on the concrete

Trendy; but Tricky is written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge hosted by Melissa. She invites us to have fun and experiment with haiku.

The poem I wrote is based on a true story. Back in the day, in the 90s I had on Palazzo pants. It was a cute two-piece set. So, I thought I was cute until… getting off the bus, the wind blew my pants and tripped me. I fell right on the curb where my butt met the concrete. It hit me that I fell in front of all the passengers on the bus and people in the establishment at the stop.

Just imagine, strutting your strut then the embarrassment brings you back to reality. At least the bus driver asked me if I was okay. I saw him fighting back his laugh as he drove off. A funny memory indeed. Trendy but tricky, beware. 😁

As always, thank you for visiting! 💖🙏🏽

Image credit: Photo by K Studios on Unsplash

Categories
Self Awareness Topic

Can You Answer This? Are You Living in the Past, Present or Future?

Are you living in the past, present or future? It might sound like a question with an obvious answer, right? Well, you see, sometimes we relish our younger years and do not want to let go. It leads us to hold on to those days and try to relive the good times. It can also be memories of certain places, people or things from back in the day that keep us stuck.

Living in the present is a pragmatic way to live. It is a way to prevent the past from dictating what you are doing today. Also, you relieve yourself of worry about what is to come later in life. The approach of one day at a time can be described for people who live in the moment of today.

The future poses a layer of uncertainty. If you live in the future, maybe you feel that there is nothing to worry about. On the other hand, this way of thinking can help you reach your goals. It sets you up for the frame of mind to be clear about what you want for your future self. Living for the future also gives you the ability to prepare and set goals.

Can you answer this? Are you living in the past, present or future?

Thank you for spending time with my blog!🙏🏽

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Categories
Info Self Awareness Topic

National Missing Children’s Day

National Missing Children’s Day is May 25th, a day of dedication to the focus of child safety. A large percentage of missing children are returned home. However, any child that is missing is too much. Abduction of children does not get the attention it needs. To highlight this problem let’s bring awareness. We can be a part of helping those children return home safely.

President Ronald Reagan made May 25th National Missing Children’s Day in 1983. The day is in remembrance of the same date that Etan Patz disappeared in New York City, in 1979.

Whether a child is missing due to running away or abduction there are ways to reduce the incidence of it happening. Also, there are organizations who can help.

How can we protect our children and keep them safe?

  • Limit online activity and set boundaries
  • Keep track of who and where your children are spending time
  • Introduce yourself to the parents of your friends
  • Never leave children unattended in a car or stroller

Important things to do if a child is missing

  • Within the first 24 hours, report the child missing.
  • When a child is taken from home leave the room as is. The authorities can conduct a more comprehensive investigation with the area untouched.
  • Provide any information about friends of the child or anyone who can provide details of where the child might be.
  • Give a list of anyone who may have been at the home recently. Contractor, service people, etc.
  • Surround yourself with family and friends. Support will be much needed at this difficult time.

Resources

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
24-hour hotline-800-843-5678
https://www.missingkids.org/home

Child Find of America
800 I-AM-LOST
https://childfindofamerica.org/

The National Child Protection Task Force
https://ncptf.org/

Report a child missing sooner, rather than later. The probability of finding them is higher. Don’t wait.

Thank you for stopping by to read🧡🙏🏽

Categories
Poetry Topic

Fading Capacity of the Mind

Fading Capacity of the Mind



Walk in the den 
I need my book 
Now, in the room  
I ask... 
What brought me here? 
Train of thought gone 
Bam!
Just that fast, I forgot

For this week’s W3 challenge, writers are invited to capture a dramatic moment in just a handful of lines — a storm breaking, a glass shattering, a door slamming, a sudden realization, or any instant where something changes sharply or unexpectedly.

I chose to write about the realization that my mind is not what it used to be. Just that quick, I forgot why I was going in the other room and what I needed. The aging mind has jokes; it likes to play tricks. Enjoy it while you can! If this sounds like you, just know you are not alone😃

Thank you for stopping by to read💕🙏🏽

Categories
Poetry Topic

Oh, Those Genes of Mine

losing weight, a chore 
watching my figure, ho hum 
my jeans are fitting 
wow, smiling, happy to see  
gotta love those genes of mine

Oh, Those Genes of Mine is written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge. Colleen asks us to have fun with homophones. I chose jeans and genes for my poem.

Thank you for stopping by! 🙏🏽💞

Image credit: Michael Oyebade on Pexels