From Norma Bruce (Facebook 12/14/2020):
Monday, December 14, 2020
2020 Election: Why I Voted for Trump
Labels: Covid19, Opinion, Patriotism, Philosophy. Relationships, Politics, Social Media 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 09, 2020
Living Well: How To Be Happy
My 12th poem of the year in the 12 Poems in 12 Months challenge was due today. The prompt was simply "two." I chose to write a poem composed of two-word lines. Here is my submission:
Teaser:
Everybody wants to be happy; but happiness is not a gift; it is a result of living well. According to the Dalai Lama XIV, “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
Living Well: How To Be Happy
Happiness is not a gift;
It comes from choices made.
It’s a fact: How you act
Makes lemons lemonade.
Be present,
Look around,
Find beauty,
Savor sound!
**
Take charge;
Be well-read.
Make choices;
Think ahead.
**
Create more;
Consume less.
Practice thrift;
Avoid excess.
**
Encourage others;
Don’t criticize.
Show interest;
Meet eyes.
**
Be yourself;
Cherish you.
Love God;
Neighbor too!
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Philosophy 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
7:26 AM
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
The Why-nosaur
The 9th prompt for a poetry submission at Deadlines for Writers was "Why?" Written at deadline time, here is the poem I submitted. I posted it with this teaser: My youngest grandson, Ethan, was a typical inquisitive three-year-old. Here's a day in the life...
The Why-nosaur
A three-year-old’s
life is full of “why?”
And moms must have a
ready reply.
Every morning, he’s up
with the sun,
A day of questions has
just begun.
#
During morning
routine, questions abound.
I ate red and white;
why’s my poop brown?
My teeth are not
dirty; I brushed them last night.
Why is that lightbulb
“way uppy high”?
#
The day moves on, and meal-prep
looms,
And the kitchen is
where the learning resumes.
Why do onions make you
cry?
What makes clouds
float in the sky?
#
Do I have to be nice
to kids I don’t like?
Do you know if God has
a bike?
Why does my tummy go
up and down?
How can I see blue
when my eyes are brown?
#
It’s getting late, and
it’s time for bed.
But questions still
fill that three-year-old head.
Did you really like
that picture I drew?
Why can’t I stay up
late like you?
#
“Shhh, go to sleep, we must get some rest.
Why? Just
because! Mommy knows best!
No more questions now.
Not one. No more.
Sleep well, my sweet
little Why-nosaur!"
Labels: Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Word Play 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
7:48 AM
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
The Tree of Freedom
The August assignment in the Deadline for Writers group was to write a poem about Freedom. This is my submission. It was inspired by "Freedom's Plow" by Langston Hughes.
The Tree of Freedom
Labor-worn, I seek respite for my
weary soul beneath a towering oak.
Its branches deflect the heat of
the waning sun
And gentle breezes cool and renew
my body.
This peaceful sanctuary,
though a gift for me,
stands rooted in the toil of ages
past.
Long ago, wishing only to live
together in peace,
An enslaved people,
yoked together in this common
cause,
Gathered the scattered seeds of freedom,
Turned their backs on ease,
and set their hands to the plow.
Furrow by furrow,
the rocky hills gave way to their will.
They fed the soil with gritty
virtue
and hidden tears.
When strength failed,
resolve alone bent their backs to
the task;
As, furrow by furrow,
they dropped the seeds of respect
and love.
Across the field of history,
other laborers sprinkled the water of truth.
While the sun of knowledge shone on
the growing seedling,
The calming peace of order held
its roots secure and directed it ever heavenward;
‘til standing tall, Freedom spread
her branches wide,
inviting me;
welcoming you;
sheltering all.
freedom’s tree needs tending still.
Generations yet to be will climb
this hill seeking to be free.
Ever vigilant,
we must pledge to guard each
person’s right to life.
Never flagging,
we must assure each person can
speak his thoughts.
Shield, come what may, Freedom’s
tree
from the drought of self and
the plague of comfort, security, and
peace too dearly prized.
Preserve and enlarge, at any
cost, this flowering freedom
‘Til every man can live as he
will
in a land of beauty, love and
liberty.
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Culture, Deadlines for Writers 1 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
7:25 AM
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
The Man in the Arena
The July assignment in the Deadlines for Writers online group was to write a sonnet. Mine is based upon a speech given in Paris in 1910 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
The Man in the Arena
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
7:34 AM
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Tomorrow
The Poetry assignment for June in Deadlines for Writers was "blank."
Tomorrow
I sat down to write
A poem tonight.
Beautiful thoughts filled my head.
My fingers were set
On the keyboard, and yet –
Eyes drifted to window instead!
The sun was so yellow,
Red flowers so mellow,
Blue skies and green grass so loud,
How could I stay
Behind glass all day
Just lost in my wordy cloud?
So I tucked thoughts away
To spend another day.
They’re locked in my mental bank.
Tomorrow’s the time
To put them in rhyme.
For now, my paper is blank.
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Poetry 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
7:41 AM
Monday, June 01, 2020
Little Pieces
The last assignment for the Keep Writing Challenge is to write a 180-word story using the prompt "glue."
Little Pieces
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
1:27 PM
Sunday, May 31, 2020
The Shutdown Sultan
The penultimate Keep Writing Challenge assignment is to write a 300-word story using the prompt "hex."
The Shutdown Sultan
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
8:18 AM
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Kids, Komputers, and Kolleagues
The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 150-word story using the prompt "plunge."
Kids, Komputers, and Kolleagues
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
11:00 AM
Thursday, May 28, 2020
The Masters
The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 250-word story using the prompt "tripod."
The Masters
Frances and Tom held hands and prepared to see the results. They had been disappointed so often! Could their marriage survive another?Tom put out a restraining hand, “Honey, remember, if it’s not positive, we can always try again. And I will always love you whether or not we have a baby.” They prepared themselves for the possibility of another disappointment.
They looked at the stick – and then at each other - in disbelief. “It’s positive!”
Frances threw her arms around her husband.
The pregnancy was a dream, even through the long quarantine, and Tom treated Frances like a queen. Soon it was only three weeks until their Thanksgiving baby would be here.
The Covid-19 virus had caused the postponement of Augusta’s famous Masters Golf Tournament, usually held in April. Their hometown’s big event had been rescheduled for early November.
Tom left home early on the morning of November 9, a full three weeks before the baby was due, to watch the scheduled practice rounds with his friend, Gary. Suddenly Tom’s cellphone rang and lit up.
“Fran’s mother?! What could she want?” Tom exclaimed.
“Tom! Frances is in labor! Meet us at Augusta Hospital. I hate for you to miss the Masters, but you’ll just have to ask Gary to video it for you. Hurry!”
Frances was resting between contractions when the door opened. “Oh Tom! Thank God, you made it!” she cried.
Fran was flummoxed to see Gary entering the labor room carrying Tom's video camera and tripod!
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
7:47 PM
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
A Gift for My Mother
The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 90-word story using the prompt "listen."
A Gift for My Mother
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
9:30 AM
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Steadfast Love
The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 150-word (exactly) story using the prompt "font."
Steadfast Love
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
5:18 PM
Monday, May 25, 2020
The Decoy
The Decoy
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
8:04 AM
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Life Goes On
Life Goes On
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
9:54 AM
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Lessons in the Park
The Keep Writing Challenge assignment for today is to write a 250-word (exactly) story using the prompt "following."
Lessons in the Park
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
11:31 AM
Friday, May 22, 2020
Tribute to a Graduate
The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 300-word (exactly) story based on the prompt "excellence."
Tribute to a Graduate
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
10:36 AM
Thursday, May 21, 2020
The Power of Love
The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 150-word (exactly) story using the prompt "tick."
The Power of Love
I recline in the comfy treatment chair and watch the solution drip into the tubes and begin its journey into my veins. This is my last infusion in a long course of treatment for recurring cancer. Remembering the shock of the unexpected diagnosis and dire prognosis that had rocked my world five years ago and the stress of the myriad doctors’ visits since, I relax into this familiar routine.
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
11:21 AM
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
The Partnership
The Keep Writing Challenge assignment for today is to write a 250-word (exactly) story using the prompt "running."
The Partnership
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
1:42 PM
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
On the Hardware Aisle
On the Hardware Aisle
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Daily Art and Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
11:07 AM
Monday, May 18, 2020
Kindergarten Couple
The Keep Writing Challenge for today was to write a 200-word (exactly) story using the prompt "prompted." I adapted a true story that came from a conversation between my daughter and her son.
Kindergarten Couple
Labels: 12 Poems in 12 Months, Covid19, Creative Writing, Deadlines for Writers, Flash Fiction, Keep Writing, Keep Writing Challenge, Kids, Tiny Tales 0 comments
Posted by
Joan
at
10:32 AM