smiley kat
smile…
even as the world
crumbles
people seem to like it…a lot
some even smile with you
some, sometimes, no matter,
those other sour souls,
reeking of suspicion, hostility,
get a wink and a giggle
just the same
and a swift exit stage left
ain’t nobody got time for that
so smile…smiley kat
until your face hurts
until your heart breaks
until your soul shrinks into
those dark unsafe places where
memories of horribles hide
some warriors use a shield
but you, smiley kat, you
flash those pearly whites
stand tall, look ‘em straight
in the eye, and hope they
don’t see that tear welling,
turning those baby blues, bluer
allergies, you blurt, there’s
always that…pollen has been
brutal…but you’re a pro you know,
they nicknamed you well
the monsters
of your wildest nightmares
~kat
Na|GloPoWriMo 2026 Day 21 prompt: In your poem for today, we challenge you to write your own poem in which you muse on your name and nicknames you’ve been given or, if you like, the name and nicknames for an animal, plant, or place.

Today is my youngest daughters, my identical twin girls’ birthdays. They, along with their older sisters, are the reason I live, my joy…my glimmer of hope, my greatest contribution to the world. Happy Birthday “Gigi” and “Mimi”, I’m so proud of the kind humans you’ve become! ✨✨✨💚💚✨✨✨
~mama kat
much love, peace, and glimmers to you…✨💚✨




April 21st, 2026 at 8:32 am
Those two are beautiful glimmers! Happy Birthday “Gigi” and “Mimi
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April 21st, 2026 at 9:34 am
I can’t believe that was 47 years ago Willow!!! Time flies. They are beautiful women today! 🥰
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April 21st, 2026 at 12:22 pm
With a .um like you I am not surprised 💜💜💜
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April 21st, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Thank you my friend! 🥰
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April 21st, 2026 at 1:12 pm
sorry dreadful typo I mean with a Mum like you I am not surprised they have turned out so well 💜💜💜
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April 21st, 2026 at 3:55 pm
I read it that way Willow. I knew what you meant! Thank you. 🥰
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April 21st, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Lovely post Kat.
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April 21st, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Thanks Di. Such an bittersweet day. My oldest twin whose birthday it is, lost one of her sweet pups to heart failure today. Life happens doesn’t it!?
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April 21st, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Oh I am so sorry!
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April 21st, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Beautiful smiles!
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April 21st, 2026 at 5:16 pm
Thank you Peter! You can tell they are mirror image twins. Teeth shifter a wee bit to opposite sides. I’m grateful for photographs. Those years with four kiddos under 5 years old was a whirlwind! 🥰
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April 21st, 2026 at 5:19 pm
Super Mom juggler!
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April 22nd, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Haha! Thank you Peter…sometimes I wonder myself how I managed it. Sheer determination got me through those whirlwind years! I don’t know if I was super mom…but my kids turned out okay…and I did manage to keep them alive until they left the nest! 🤣
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April 21st, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Beautiful poem, Kat. And I love the photo.
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April 21st, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Thank you Sunra! It feels like yesterday! 🥰
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