I smiled intentionally at a stranger today, gave them my place at the front of the line, paid the extra change they were short at the checkout then wished them well as we parted ways they turned briefly and smiled back
it cost me nothing well, two dollars and twenty-one cents for those who are counting I wasn’t…nothing mattered in that moment but being kind, connecting with another person in a world that has forgotten how to care…in a world where benevolence is a radical act
~kat
I will let today’s glimmer poem speak for itself. My inspiration once again comes from gooduniversenextdoor.
“Seedbombing the desolation” There’s so much in the world to fight against. So much. Our “go-to” strategies are taking to the streets, boycotting companies and writing elected officials, but for this prompt, write a poem about tiny gestures or symbolic acts that also signify protest. / Recommended reading: “Guerilla Gardener” by Sarah Carleton and “Political Action” by Bob Hicok
I stopped watching for a day it was the best day, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, so much for those whining that the sky Is falling, so I went malling and grocery shopping…it was an unremarkably normal trip, plenty of choices, shelves stocked even toilet paper, the good brands, and eggs, still a bargain when you think about it…along the way I saw kids playing ball, people everywhere, smiling doing the everyday everything’s that people do wondering how what I had see on the news only the day before could possibly be true. just one day away and my reality shifted from doom to bliss, nothing seemed amiss, they said it would be like this…great, and it was, for one odd day…and this my friends is how it happens i believe, when isolated days turn into weeks, the signs grow dim, how easily we are deceived, a blink, a nod, and evil wins
~kat
And a glimmer or two, no small things in my world. My pup Gabby had a nasty growth that turned out benign…breathe kat! And my partner finally, after 2-1/2 years of unrelenting CRPS pain met with a doctor who is willing to manage the pain. Take another breath, kat. I didn’t realize how the last several years of losing so many beloved pets (3 dogs and 3 cats, and even several fish – yes I count them too), and my plunge into becoming an overnight full time caregiver while working at a full time job had taken its toll on me. The me I was…I’m not sure I even remember her. I have stopped breathing so many times in the past several years…this week’s glimmers reminded me how starved for air I am. I definitely recommend it…breathing deeply that is.
Much love, peace, and glimmers to you.
~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨
Today’s prompt, well yesterdays actually, comes from Good Universe Next Door. I’m just not feeling this year’s NaPoWriMo music art mashups. They feel a bit contrived. I tried and tried last night and finally had to give it a rest. catching up this morning…I do have it in me to meet the general poem a day challenge! I can do it!!! 😊
The prompt: Hold it up to the light Write a poem that reframes something that plagues you. In the draft, offer yourself some grace and hope. Just try it on, even if you don’t quite believe it at first, and see where it takes you. / Recommended reading: “Instead of Depression” by Andrea Gibson. There’s so much tenderness in this poem.
green light, yellow light, red light, stop stop, it’s a red light! stop!! I see you laughing phone pressed against your ear PAY ATTENTION PERSON!!!
the pedestrian light is ticking like a time bomb 24, 23, 22, 21…click, click, click a young woman in flip flops scuffles to the other side flap, flap, flap, flap
the car next to me is rapping base tones, vibrating so loudly my ears, my whole body feels the beat there’s a siren in the distance where is it coming from?
I’m late…why do I come this way? It always makes me late
oh gawd, there’s a bee inside the car open the window quick go on bee see yourself out bzzzzzz, bzzzz, thwap, thwap, bzzzzzzzzZzzzzZzzz where’s the newpaper don’t make me use it snap, snap… come on bee fly free
what now? who’s laying into their car horn. BeeeeEEEEpppp! ok, got it…green light…you can stop revving your engine yeah yeah…I’m going
I hate commuting… two hours a day lost, never to be recovered
~kat
I had to dig deep for today’s prompt. I’ve been working remotely for 4 years now, so I was writing from memory. I will never go back into an office to work all day in a cubicle. I am much more productive at home. Speaking of productive, today’s glimmer-bearer is a squirrel.
This little guy was on the top of his world, with a ready supply of seeds and nuts nearby. He seemed quite pleased with himself. Not even me with my camera seemed to phase him. It was the start of another day…a very good day, in fact! And a squirrel who came by to remind me to stay the course. And to take time to savor every little victory. Good advice. Thank you my little friend. And well done!
Much love, peace, and glimmers to you!
~kat
NaGloPoWriMo 14 April 2025 Prompt: So today, try writing a poem that describes a place, particularly in terms of the animals, plants or other natural phenomena there. Sink into the sound of your location, and use a conversational tone. Incorporate slant rhymes (near or off-rhymes, like “angle” and “flamenco”) into your poem. And for an extra challenge – don’t reference birds or birdsong!
the shoe fit it was a whirlwind engagement the wedding of the century (we’re talking partridges in pear trees and lords a leaping here) and the honeymoon…well poor Cindy… didn’t take long for her to discover her prince had a nasty foot fetish happily ever after? like the American dream may she rest in pieces ✨✨✨✨ where am I? who am I? what…? wouldn’t you like to know follow the yellow brick road they said when the stocks go low it’s time to buy It’s exactly as we planned I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore ✨✨✨✨ Mary’s little lamb was fleeced by old McDonald while Humpty Dumpty took a fall from the tallest wall in the history of walls bye bye miss America France wants their statue back it’s raining helicopters and jets can my cat give me the bird flu we’ll see what happens in two weeks that’s the $64,000 question we already know the answer history on repeat…no royalties
~kat
~ NaGloPoWriMo 12 April 2025 Prompt: Try writing a poem that makes reference to one or more myths, legends, or other well-known stories, that features wordplay (including rhyme), mixes formal and informal language, and contains multiple sections that play with a theme. Try also to incorporate at least one abstract concept – for example, desire or sorrow or pride or whimsy.
hello darkness my old friend just when we think we’ve seen it all like a candle in the wind
another blow, the nightmare never ends as criminals plan their next cabal hello darkness my old friend
I can’t bear to watch, the bitter end democracy on life support will fall like a candle in the wind
we’re spiraling on a downward trend the people cry but no one hears their call hello darkness my old friend
we told the truth, our differences to mend they called us traitors from behind their wal like a candle in the wind
there is no middle ground on which to stand our leaders on a binge have gone awol hello darkness my old friend like a candle in the wind
-kat
NaGloPoWriMo 11April 2025 Prompt: take a look at Kyle Dargan’s “Diaspora: A Narcolepsy Hymn.” This poem is a loose villanelle that uses song lyrics as its repeating lines (loose because it doesn’t rhyme). Your challenge is, like Dargan, to write a poem that incorporates song lyrics – ideally, incorporating them as opposing phrases or refrains.
Today’s glimmer…bluejays at the crow feeder. Bluejays can be obnoxious creatures. What started as a feeding tray for my crow friends has quickly become host to dozens of blue jays. I have been putting out more peanuts specifically for the crows mid-day when the jays are off doing whatever it is they do.
There are people who act like these jays. They are obnoxious and will push for their own interest above others, even if it means encroaching on someone else’s portion. And then there are those who wait, coming in at the back of the line after everyone else has had their fill. They may even find that their favorite dishes are empty by the time they come to fill their plate. And it’s perfectly fine with them. Potlucks are not about the food, they are about community, and gratefulness for having one’s needs met.
Much love, peace, and glimmers of gratefulness 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!
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