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 
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…✨💚✨