birthday shoutout

Today is The Gal's birthday! With an assist from Bard...

In the realm of words, a voice so true, 

One Gal's Musings, a blog we grew. 

With each heartfelt post, a bond so deep, 

A virtual haven where thoughts can leap.

Oh, birthday dear, a celebration grand, 

For a writer's touch, always at hand. 

Your words like brushstrokes, painting a scene, 

Emotions evoked, both vibrant and keen.

With ink as your guide, you navigate the soul, 

Unveiling stories that make us whole. 

Through laughter and tears, your words intertwine, 

A tapestry of thoughts, a life so fine.

In the realm of blogging, you stand so tall, 

A beacon of light, inspiring all. 

With every sentence, you capture the heart, 

One Gal's Musings, a work of art.

So raise a glass to the blogger so dear, 

Whose words ignite a passion so clear. 

May your birthday be filled with joy and glee, 

And may your muse continue to set you free.

finished reading

This little gem of a novel-in-verse was written by a rising freshman at my school.  I was intrigued to pick it up because I know her family (and her), and I'm so glad I did.  There are rich details and a sense of place and time.  Emma is a sympathetic character.  For a debut work of a fourteen-year-old, it's incredible.

From the publisher:

When her family boards the Pacific (Transcontinental) Railroad and heads for Colorado, eight-year-old Emma Clark isn’t sure what to feel, besides a strange mix of resentment, excitement, and curiosity.

Leaving everything she’s ever known behind in Missouri, Emma is forced to adapt to her new life, while still facing the typical challenges associated with growing up. But just when she believes that she has put her struggles behind her, Emma’s mother dies— and her grief-stricken father disappears from her life forever.

Left alone in the world, Emma (now a young woman) must simultaneously cope with her grief and be able to look past her traumatic childhood to make a life for herself in her still secluded, unfamiliar Colorado town— and discover who she really is when there’s no one else to turn to.

Emancipation

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Fling out your banners, your honors be bringing, Raise to the ether your paeans of praise. Strike every chord and let music be ringing! Celebrate freely this day of all days. Few are the years since that notable blessing, Raised you from slaves to the powers of men. Each year has seen you my brothers progressing, Never to sink to that level again. Perched on your shoulders sits Liberty smiling, Perched where the eyes of the nations can see. Keep from her pinions all contact defiling; Show by your deeds what you’re destined to be. Press boldly forward nor waver, nor falter. Blood has been freely poured out in your cause, Lives sacrificed upon Liberty’s alter. Press to the front, it were craven to pause. Look to the heights that are worth your attaining Keep your feet firm in the path to the goal. Toward noble deeds every effort be straining. Worthy ambition is food for the soul! Up! Men and brothers, be noble, be earnest! Ripe is the time and success is assured; Know that your fate was the hardest and sternest When through those lash-ringing days you endured. Never again shall the manacles gall you Never again shall the whip stroke defame! Nobles and Freemen, your destinies call you Onward to honor, to glory and fame.

This poem is in the public domain. Published in Poem-a-Day on June 19, 2022, by the Academy of American Poets.

needles

 A poem by Brian Bilston

november 30

 

this is nice

 

day thirty (hooray)

 Didactic Cinquain: the first line is a one-word title, the subject of the poem; the second line is a pair of adjectives describing that title; the third line is a three-word phrase that gives more information about the subject (often a list of three gerunds); the fourth line consists of four words describing feelings related to that subject; the fifth line is a single word synonym or another reference for the subject from line one.

Finale

Creative, poetic

Challenging, thought-provoking, stimulating

Got the juices flowing

Done.

day twenty-nine

 Senryu (also called human haiku) is an unrhymed Japanese verse consisting of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables (5, 7, 5) or 17 syllables in all. Senryu usually references human nature or emotions.

It's almost Friday

I couldn't be happier

I need this weekend.

day twenty-eight

Free verse (freedom from fixed meter or rhyme) is an irregular form of poetry in which the content has no rules of verse.

An hour and a half in the direct sun

I knew better than that

but it felt so good to be warm

deep in my bones

deep in my soul.

Freckles popped and now dot tender skin

little kisses from the sun.

Beneath the light burn.

I knew better than that

but it felt so good to be warm.

day twenty-seven

 Tanka an unrhymed Japanese verse form of five lines containing five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables respectively.

It's T.M.I. time

but sometimes you gotta go

it happens at work

and you pray there's no one near

because you just gotta go!

day twenty-six

Cinquain an unrhymed, five-line poetic form defined by the number of syllables in each line—the first line has two syllables, the second has four, the third six, the fourth eight, and the fifth two. 

Monday.

Not my favorite.

Being organized helped

take the sting out of being back

at school.

day twenty-five

Lune style: A lune is an American form of poetry similar to the haiku: thirteen syllables are arranged in 5/3/5 format, five syllables in the first line, three syllables in the second, and five in the third.  There is another variation that counts words--but I'm going with syllables today.

End of vacation--

what happened?

It went by too fast!

day twenty-four

 

Kimo is a three-line, non-rhyming poem with the first line having ten syllables, the second seven syllables, and the last line six syllables.

Finally got to sit on the front porch

reading a book in the sun

feet up vitamin D.

day twenty-three

Senryu (also called human haiku) is an unrhymed Japanese verse consisting of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables (5, 7, 5) or 17 syllables in all. Senryu usually references human nature or emotions.

A meditation

clarity, relaxation,

life-changing practice.

day twenty-two

Haiku is a nature-themed Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.

Earth Day every day

Today was a bit extra

Waking up to snow.

day twenty-one

Haiku is a nature-themed Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.

Rainy vacation

Days are perfect for reading, 

napping, and cookies.

day twenty

 Lune style: A lune variation counts words: 3 words in the first line, 5 words in the second line, and 3 words in the final line.

Fingers and toes

Are the same shade polish    

Fuschia with purple.

day nineteen

Haiku is a nature-themed Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.

'Twas a lovely day

To drive along the highway

A whirlwind road trip

day eighteen

Tanka an unrhymed Japanese verse form of five lines containing five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables respectively.

I had some ice cream

From straight out of the carton

It felt decadent

Breaking from civility

But hey, I'm on vacation!

day seventeen

Lune style: A lune variation counts words: 3 words in the first line, 5 words in the second line, and 3 words in the final line.

Took a nap

I'll let the festivities begin

It's vacation week!