it’s funny
how summer sneaks up
suddenly
like weddings~
all the anticipation,
one fleeting moment
June Shadorma – Summer Sneaks Up!
Say Yes to Oui
I find inspiration in the lids of the yogurt I eat. I buy this brand not just because it’s delicious, but for the messages and the pure glass containers that will root new plant life for me to share with friends. Here is a poem inspired by Say Oui to Time Off!
Say Yes
we said yes because
what we know about us
is that we like a big window
and gray and white
and newness and matching
towels and linens
not odd assortments
and light,
plenty of light
and good music speakers
front, back, and outside
for good 70s tunes
and fifteen trips to France but
not going there
instead, staying close to home
but still away, oui?
and time off
to enjoy it
School’s Out Rictameter
One of the things I love to do when I have a little spare time is read the blogs of other writers. I noticed that Donna Smith of Mainely Write was part of the same KidLit Progressive Poem that I was writing for 2025, so I checked out her blog and discovered a new poetry form – – a Rictameter. You can check out Donna’s blog here to read about the structure.
For today, I’m writing a Rictameter to celebrate the beginning of summer.
School’s Out!
school’s out!
what will we do?
camp in state park campgrounds
take family trips to the beach
have watermelon seed-spitting contests
read books in a hammock all day
count stars on a clear night
take a night swim
school’s out!
A Poem Made of Questions
In the spirit of tiny writing and short forms, today’s poem is a Shadorma (3-5-3-3-7-5) inspired by Georgia Heard’s Tiny Writing prompt calendar: A Poem Made of Questions.
A Poem Made of Questions
doesn’t have
exclamation points
periods
or hellfire
narcissism directives ~
it offers free choice
What Your Feet Know
In the spirit of tiny writing and short forms, today’s poem is a Shadorma (3-5-3-3-7-5) inspired by Georgia Heard’s Tiny Writing prompt calendar: What Your Feet Know.
What Your Feet Know
your feet know
after a long trip
the way home
your feet know
the tight pull of belonging
listen to your feet
A Scent From Long Ago
In the spirit of tiny writing and short forms, today’s poem is a Shadorma (3-5-3-3-7-5) inspired by Georgia Heard’s Tiny Writing prompt calendar: A Scent from Long Ago.
A Scent from Long Ago
White Shoulders
her scent permeates
the gold box
containing
not just jewelry but her
presence ~ memories!
What Quiet Sounds Like
In the spirit of tiny writing and short forms, today’s poem is a Shadorma (3-5-3-3-7-5) inspired by Georgia Heard’s Tiny Writing prompt calendar: What Quiet Sounds Like.
What Quiet Sounds Like
hurt hearts are
what quiet sounds like
no phones ping
no texts ding
quiet endures without peace
when hearts are hurting
Instructions for a Dream
Georgia Heard’s Tiny Writing calendar topic for today is Instructions for a Dream. I’m using the Shadorma form this month for these topics – a poem with syllable lines numbering 3-5-3-3-7-5.
Instructions for a Dream
drift to sleep
on marshmallow clouds
chase rainbows
hug puppies
paint a night sky canvas of
glittered twinkling stars
A Poem that Begins with If….
In the spirit of tiny writing and short forms, today’s poem is a Shadorma (3-5-3-3-7-5) inspired by Georgia Heard’s Tiny Writing prompt calendar: A Poem that Begins with If.
a poem
that begins with if
seems open,
understands
that there must be conditions ~
criteria met
I Was Birdwatching
Merlin was going strong
helping me identify the birds
by their birdsongs
Prairie Warbler
Orchard Oriole
Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Brown Thrasher
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Phoebe
….when my husband walks up
and kisses me right on the lips
then asks
what did that register as?
a lovebird???
and this is the kind of humor
I love about him
and how I know
he’s a keeper
Common Threads 