Dangerous Readers – Stafford Challenge Day 24

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Today’s poem is a nonet, a nine-line poem in descending or ascending same-line-number-as-syllable order. This one is inspired by a fraud.


#thesmartestoneintheroom

don't read enough to be dangerous
read enough to have influence ~
there is a marked difference
between coercion and
living example
that defines fraud
for all those
who read
deep

Bad Boys – Stafford Challenge Day 23

Today’s poem is a nonet, a nine-line poem in ascending or descending order with syllable numbers representing each ordered line. My son’s recent hunting experience inspired this poem. 

Actual photo of the bad boys. #camouflagedgoodboys
Bad Boys 

two lifelong friends got warning tickets
from the game warden, duck hunting
without the proper life vests
then....held up their tickets
smiled while their buddy
snapped a photo
to send their
moms. THEY
BAD!

Keepsakes – The Stafford Challenge Day 22

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Today’s poem is a cherita, a form that has 3 stanzas and tells a story. In the first stanza, there is one line, the second two and the third three. My cherita is also a paint chip poem, inspired by the color keepsakes.

Keepsakes

keepsakes misdirected

keepsakes
bring regret

keepsakes
tainted, uncherished
keepsakes   unkept

Four Chaplains Roundel Poem – Stafford Challenge Day 21

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The first Sunday in February is set aside across our nation to honor the Four Chaplains. I attended a service this past weekend to remember them and to honor their greatest sacrifice. Today’s poem is a roundel. 

Four Chaplains Roundel 

USS Dorchester torpedo attack
four chaplains lost at sea~
knew they wouldn't make it back
serving God on bended knee

price of freedom isn't free
singing hymns in arm-locked pack
Nearer My God To Thee

gentle souls in night so black~
beams for all of us to see
faith, not fear, on Heaven's track
serving God on bended knee

Retirement Dream Pantoum – Stafford Challenge Day 19

last-minute feels unintentional
for a goal-setting success planner
but I'd love to be spontaneous
retire and travel in an Airstream

for a goal-setting success planner
always checking boxes: Done!
retire and travel in an Airstream?
is there an action plan for that?

always checking boxes: Done!
at the RV show, we sprawled across the bed
is there an action plan for that?
what's my 401K say?

at the RV show, we sprawled across the bed
I'd love to be spontaneous
what's my 401k say?
last-minute feels unintentional

Haikube Dream Travel – Stafford Challenge Day 17

I bought a set of Haikubes a few years ago for a middle school poetry group, and I still find I love to pull them out of the box and give them a roll to see what the universe brings. Today’s haiku had journey and travel, so I rerolled other dice, slowly adding to the poem until the one in the picture was born. 

These dice come in a love set, too, which would be perfect for Valentine’s Day poems. 

For today, the travel bug bites. The Aurora Borealis is calling to me even through the dice. I’ve always wanted to see the hems of angel’s gowns in emerald and amethyst dancing through the heavens at night.

Celebrating River – Stafford Challenge Day 16

Today is my grandson River’s fifth birthday, and what a joy he is! His smile lights up a room, and his eyes talk. I chose an Acrostic Cinquain, a 5-line poem for my favorite 5-year old with 5 letters in his name. Happy Birthday, River! 

River
Inquisitive, Vivacious
Volunteering, Kayaking, Snuggling
Everybody's favorite Transformer master!
(g)Randson