Our host today for the second day of VerseLove 2026 at http://www.ethicalela.com is Leilya Pitre, who teaches and coordinates the English Education Program at Southeastern Louisiana University. She inspires us to find meaning and poetry in small, everyday moments: You can read her full prompt here.
She explains her process: Look at the world around you—from your immediate surroundings inside to outside of your window or on your path. Somewhere close a poem is waiting for you.
Find the poem that’s hiding in plain sight. Let a road sign, billboard, or passing phrase spark today’s writing. Look for the poetry in the everyday little routines, your (or someone else’s) habits. You don’t need to go far—it might be right in front of you.
Harlequin Home Invasion
where they all came from,
we don’t know
but suddenly there were
hundreds of them
lady beetles
Harmonia axyridis
called Harlequins
scaling the walls
hugging the lampshades
hiking the armchairs
watching our Netflix
like they belong here
living rent-free in
the place we call home
Common Threads 
My goodness! An invasion of ladybugs. But aren’t they cute?
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