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
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!
they were out and about today, doing normal the people, everywhere I looked, as if nothing was unusual, as if no crisis was near, disturbing, while everything spirals to nothing stock markets crash, tariff wars rage, laws are ignored the people are blissful, impending doom ignored
experts on the news are reeling, losing their minds students of history sound the alarm…”not a drill” they warn, “we’ve seen this before, it doesn’t end well!” the plunder, the gaslighting, “drill baby drill” masked vigilantes enacting their agenda we the people, lost in the chaos, forgotten it’s not normal how normal things seem, we’ve forgotten
the principles our ancestors fought to preserve liberty, freedom, justice, just to name a few opportunities afforded to everyone the pursuit of happiness for all, not the few as history’s rewritten and lies replace truth will future generations ever know the truth
~kat
A wee bit late…moments past midnight. I had almost given up. The task seemed too great, after an exhausting working long weekend. As I settled in to rest, finally, the muse tapped me on the shoulder. “We are writing tonight…” And here we are. Another poem in the books.
Glimmers…we had a few. A whirlwind visit from my three youngest grandchildren aged 8, 6, and 3…(ages added to validate the whirlwind comment 😉). All my grand children and great grandchildren are glimmers. They are my hope. I’m so sorry we’ve made such a mess of things for them.
Back to glimmers…focus kat…being wrapped in the hugs of tiny humans is definitely a glimmer that will hold me for days. And dandelions. There are dandelions too!
Much love, peace, and glimmers to you
~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨
NaGloPoWriMo 13 April 2025 prompt for the day (optional, as always). Donald Justice’s poem, “There is a gold light in certain old paintings,” plays with both art and music, and uses an interesting and (as far as I know) self-invented form. His six-line stanzas use lines of twelve syllables, and while they don’t use rhyme, they repeat end words. Specifically, the second and fourth line of each stanza repeat an end-word or syllable; he fifth and sixth lines also repeat their end-word or syllable. Today, we challenge you to write a poem that uses Justice’s invented form.
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.
I’m far too transparent, an open book, having perfected the subtle art of giving shade, the smirk and the eye roll I don’t need pennies for my thoughts… to begin with, my thoughts are worth much more than pennies, but you will know what I’m thinking without me having to say a word I could never be a statue
I’ve known a statue or two that have made quite a statement but statue-speak is set in stone it’s rather boring, no matter how earth shattering, except for that first impression of course that’s basically all you get I’m telling you, I could never be a statue I have a voice; I refuse to be silenced
there are things more important than artistic perfection and cold features chiseled from stone or cast in copper things like kindness, compassion, intelligence, empathy, a conscience and love…there is that too I could never be a statue… I will never agree to be seen and not heard
~kat
NaGloPoWriMo 7 April 2025 Prompt: Today, we challenge you to write a similar kind of self-portrait poem, in which you explain why you are not a particular piece of art (a symphony, a figurine, a ballet, a sonnet), use at least one outlandish comparison, and a strange (and maybe not actually real) fact.
And here’s your glimmer: the bunnies are back! And the hummingbird is hanging out!
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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