my stylist complains the lawn next door is greener I told him to stop with the buzz cuts already so we can dance with the wind
~kat (a tanka poem)
Na/GloPoWriMo 2026 Day 9 Prompt: Today, try writing your own poem in the voice of an animal or plant, or a poem that describes a specific animal or plant with references to historical events or scientific facts.
Pileated Woodpecker of Bramlett Mountain
This morning I happened upon the most wonderful glimmer. Just outside my window a magnificent pileated woodpecker was having a lovely time chipping away at an old downed tree. Of course I caught it on camera…not just a still photo…a little video clip! Enjoy!
forgiveness from crows is an honor, when bestowed, not to be tested, the faces they remember rouse ire fueled by vengeance
~kat
Day One Na/GloPoWriMo 2026 Prompt: write your own tanka – or multi-tanka poem. Theme and tone are up to you, but try to maintain the five-line stanza and syllable count.
Tanka is a traditional Japanese poetic form consisting of 31 syllables arranged in five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 structure. Originating over 1,300 years ago, it is a deeply emotional, often melancholic form centered on love, nature, and personal reflection. It often features a pivotal “turn” (kami-no-ku to shimo-no-ku) between the first three lines and the last two, offering a “long haiku” with more depth.
A note about today’s poem:
The crow featured above is special because it is actually against a crow’s nature to forgive. a year ago one of their comrades died at my crow feeder. It was clear after this unfortunate event that my murder of crows thought I had something to do with its demise. As a result, they avoided me like the plague. Of course I was heartbroken. I kept putting out peanuts for them which they staunchly ignored. (The squirrels and blue joys loved having those treats all to themselves!) And then one day one of them got brave, I assume, and helped himself to a peanut. I was persistent and it seemed to pay off. Before long a half dozen, more than my original murder of three granted me clemency. They visit me everyday now. I am honored to have regained their trust, and believe me I don’t take likely the trust they’ve placed on me. It’s a true blessing. So of course the fellow above while paired with my cautionary tanka, is also my glimmer for today.
If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?
bouquet muted
though faded they are beautiful a rose is and always will be by any other
~kat
Happy National Caregivers’ Day
so…I missed it
I didn’t know that there’s a day, well, there was a day commemorating caregivers I might have been more intentional had I known I might have taken time to savor a cup of tea finishing it, before it turned cold I might have … oh, I don’t know celebrated, a little. lit a candle, cooked my favorite meal, watched an entire movie… I might have even taken a day off an entire day, from my day job just because…instead of saving those hours…those days for appointments for those unexpected plot twists when showing up is not an option, when being there is all that matters because I love them…
it’s just as well, not to have wasted eight hours paid, to sleep most of them, because you know that’s what I would do sleep…then apologize for sleeping, for taking a break, for trying to remember my dreams upon waking, only to realize I stopped dreaming years ago
so, happy belated caregiver day…me
for better or for worse, you know I said those words, out loud decades ago and I meant them
just knowing that there was a day even if I missed it softens the load, gives me a brief glimmer, reminds me of how strong I am and how fragile just knowing
maybe next year…
~kat
Just knowing that there was a day to remember caregivers gave me a moment’s pause, a smile, and the realization that somewhere in the universe there was someone who thought it was important enough to let me, and others like me, know that they see us and appreciate us. As glimmers go, you can’t get much better than that. Well, you could, I suppose, but this one feels pretty darn good!
Much love, peace, glimmers, and gentle care for those who care…
I will take my snacks in high-octane liquid form thank you very much steaming espresso lattes are my newest obsession
~kat
It’s the gift I didn’t know I wanted or needed, especially since I am a morning Earl Grey tea with sweet cream kinda girl. But oh my…my oldest daughter has convinced me! “You have to have an espresso machine!” she declared, gifting one to me several days later!
All I can say is bu-bye morning Earl Grey…my caffeine boost just went turbo-espress-o-la-latte!!!! I’ll see you, Mr Grey at tea time!
This may not be what most consider to be a glimmer…but every time I glance at it, it makes me smile!
Much love, peace, and espresso latte glimmers to you!
So it is easier for you to find all the parts/chapters of my ongoing fiction series, I created a new page that lists all the links. You can check it out HERE!
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kat Myrman and Like Mercury Colliding with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
like mercury colliding... 