Category Archives: Social Issues

day 140

what goes bump in the night
(a cleave poem)

part 1

the air is heavy
just before the storm
raindrops ride the wind
dusk drifts into night
the darkness provides cover
as a fearsome interloper
steals bits of food
from the least among us
the wrens, the phoebes, the finches
destruction in its wake
the feeder stands mangled
seed tubes ravaged
what good are a few seeds to
massive beasts when
to the birds they are everything

part 2

they assembled
in hallowed halls
the murmur of opposition surges
as they spin their evil plans
the big beautiful lie, while
an unconscionable act Is executed
enriching the wealthy
over the stunned masses
the poor, the old, the sick
survival of the richest
as democracy dies
sacrificed for greed
these gluttonous monsters
hoarding more than they need
leaving the people to perish

part 3

the air is heavy | they assembled
just before the storm | in hallowed halls
raindrops ride the wind | the murmur of opposition surges
dusk drifts into night | as they spin their evil plans
the darkness provides cover |.the big beautiful lie, while
a fearsome interloper | an unconscionable act is executed
steals bits of food | enriching the wealthy
from the least among us | from the stunned masses
the wrens, the phoebes, the finches | the poor, the old, the sick
destruction in its wake | survival of the richest
the feeder stands mangled | as democracy dies
seed tubes ravaged | sacrificed on the altar of greed
what good are a few seeds to | these gluttonous monsters
massive beasts when | taking more than they need
to the birds they are everything | leaving the people to perish

~kat


Last night a huge storm swept through the hills. When I woke up and took a walk around the property looking for downed trees, surveying any damage that might be left in the storm’s wake, I discovered a disturbing scene at both of my feeding stations. Something strong and very big came through destroying the feeder stand and the see tubes. i recall seeing a few roust bucks on the property at dusk, it it is also likely that we were visited by a black bear.

Meanwhile on another hill in our nation’s capital congress huddled in committee at 1 am hoping to ram through a so-called big beautiful bill. The vilest of this crowd called in the big gun, namely Trump, to threaten the end of life as they know it if the holdouts didn’t vote to pass this atrocity. As I write this post, they are still at it some 17 hours later with no end in sight. Major sticking points include cuts to every little safety net that most people depend on to give massive tax breaks to the filthy rich. The people be damned

I couldn’t help seeing the similarities between a brown bear destroying feeding stations, and the maga politicians destroying our democracy, many because they fear the wrath of a selfish bully. Of course for this theme only a cleave poem would do. So called three poems on one the left column is one poem…the right, a second and the grand finale read in left to right for a third.


You know I have a glimmer for you… a few turkeys found love on the back end of my property! Baby turkeys are so cute! But it was the courtship that makes me laugh! This is how it went!

I noticed this Jenny hanging out inside the fenced part of my yard…
…enter a very excited tom who was pacing along the outside of the fence line. he did his darndest to woo her for a little tryst, but she wasn’t having it!
I walked to the back of the house to get a better look, only to discover that she was no longer there. But I did notice old tom hunched over something rocking back and forth you guessed it! Moments later she emerged, feathers disheveled scurrying away indignant at his indiscretion. I mean, imagine it! He had his way with her right out in the open! (I didn’t happen to get a photo of that! 😄). Countdown to turkey chicks! Can’t wait! 🥰

Anyhow, that’s my glimmer for today…the cycle of life on full display while I worked on a presentation for tomorrow.

much love, peace, and lovely glimmers to you!

~kat


day 136

trickle down autocracy

to make America great again
deals are sealed with sharpie pens
exploiting fabricated mandates
to fuel the desperate masses’ hate
as promised cruelty is delivered
at breakneck speed to make us shiver
destroying the hope of immigrants
and quashing voices of dissent
they laud the vilest of the vile
forcing birth, ignoring the child
rights are for sale if you have cash
“great” depends on who you ask
die hards tow the maga line
you know it’s just a matter of time
before the carnage hits their door
and shows them what they voted for

~kat

It’s distressing to know that people close to me voted for this madness. When I ask what they think about all that is happening, they tell me they just don’t watch the news anymore. It’s like a blow to my heart by a drive by voter who never looks back to see the destruction left in the wake of their patriotic malfeasance. Before the election. They didn’t want to hear my concerns…and after, well it’s time to move on. They won they think. They don’t realize we all lost something precious that cold day in November…

I can’t leave you on this note of gloom. You and I both need a glimmer or two, so, here you go… mourning doves mourning the empty feeders, fighting with the squirrels over the last morsels, and our resident rodent being quite dramatic, especially when he noticed me peering out the window…rest assured the feeders were replenished to the brim after this performance!


Day 130

to be a sparrow 

I want to believe
that my life matters
in this anonymous,
faceless world
where we have grown
suspicious of touch
where kindness
and empathy are
a four-letter Word
I need a hug and
a good, long, ugly cry
to cleanse myself
of the sadness
that overwhelms me
in what we have become
if there is a god…
may I learn to be one
who never wonders
if there will be enough
who rises at dawn
with a song on her lips
may I learn to be a sparrow

~kat

much love, peace, and glimmers to you! ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨

day 129

just an old lady

I am a universe
a constellation of scars
black holes of abuse
cratered by the meteoric blows
of broken men rendered powerless
who felt eclipsed in my presence
my heart broken and mended
time and again
I am a miracle of nature
a patchwork of sorrow
a brilliant supernova of ecstasy
my body is a life-supporting orb
its outer space a Milky Way
of stretch marks
that trace paths across
the soft landscape of my core
where life bloomed again and again
erupting into new universes
as well as a shooting star
that left a trail of tears
falling under the weight of gravity
before disappearing into the night
I am the sun, warm, radiant, fierce,
and the moon, a reflection of all
that is true, with the power to
shift tides that erode stone set
in place for centuries, reclaiming
their course shards into the deep,
leaving a soft, cool surface
for children to sink their feet
I am a mystery, I am an open book
my eyes, pools of compassion,
my voice dripping pearls of wisdom,
I am love, I am hate, I am day, I am night
some will say,
oh, she is just an old woman
but lean in a little closer my dears
and you will see…I am a universe

~kat

It’s Mother’s Day weekend here in the US. It’s weird this year. So much of what we fought for in my youth is being eroded away by those who dream of the world before women were given rights. It wasn’t that long ago that women couldn’t own property, obtain credit, vote, or make health decisions for themselves. How quickly things slip away when we take them for granted.

And so, we celebrate mothers this weekend. If you are fortunate enough to have a loving mother who is still in your life, cherish her. Be sure to tell her that you appreciate her. And if your life is complicated…i wish you peace and healing.

Much love and glimmers to you. Today was a cool spring day. That was glimmer enough for me. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨


glimmer day 115 – NaGloPoWriMo 26 April 2025

pandemics and zombies and dictators…oh my


yeah…I’m gonna pass…
the next apocalypse, that is
it’s exhausting
get the vaccine, or not
wear the mask, or don’t
whatever you do, don’t get bit,
zombie cooties are lethal
let us not forget, “you know who”
with his itchy, little fingers
has the nuclear codes now
and he’s not afraid
to try them…oops
clean up on aisle 47…

instead, join me in the bliss
of the present moment
I’ll bake us cookies
we can sip tea and watch
the sun rise…and set
dream of nothing
not even tomorrow, because
tomorrow’s not promised
to any of us…apocalypses
come and go, but the question,
the question always is,
did you live in full,
the life you’ve been given…
don’t answer that
just do it,
leave the zombie slaying,
and apocalypse surviving
to those who believe
it will make a difference
because the truth is…
no one gets out of here alive

~kat

NaGloPoWriMo 26 April 2025 prompt:

Think fast
What would you save from apocalypse? What’s in your Noah’s arc or “just” in your car fleeing from some emergency? You have 10 minutes to gather your “valuables.” Write a poem about your most precious belongings. / Recommended reading: “Writing Poems in the Middle of a Catastrophe” by Özge Lena


I didn’t forget today’s glimmer. There is no pretty photo to share for this glimmer. I started the day like I usually do. Walked Gabby (my pup), fed all the critters under our roof and tossed a few peanuts outside for the crows, and then, I gifted myself with a morning nap. I slept deeply until noon. I had chores to do, and I got to those, but those few extra hours were lovely. A gift to myself. And a reminder to myself and you, dear reader…self-care, no matter how that translates to you, is not an indulgence, but it is essential to keeping you, you.

much love, peace, and glimmers to you. Take care of you! We need your light in the world!

~kat