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Ups and Downs
It has been a rough few weeks around here. We had to put our beloved cat to sleep. His name was Jack. He was about 17 years old. We got him from the shelter when he was about 2 years old so he has been a part of our lives for a large portion of my children’s lives. He was a good cat. He was definitely a little unusual. He didn’t realize human laps were for sitting on for at least 14 years. Jack couldn’t jump very well so I never had to worry about him being on counters or the kitchen table. He didn’t realize the outdoors was a…
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A Poem for a Thursday #336
Carol Ann Duffy is a Scottish Poet and Playwright. She was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 2009 to 2019. She says of her poetry, “I like to use simple words, but in a complicated way.” You like safe sounds:the dogs lapping at their bowls;the pop of a cork on a bottle of plonkas your mother cooks;the Match of the Day theme tuneand Doctor Who-oo-oo. Safe sounds:your name called, two happy syllablesfrom the bottom to the top of the house;your daft ring tone; the low gargleof hot water in bubbles. Half asleepin the drifting boat of your bed,you like to hear the big treessound like the sea instead.Safe…
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Single Life (for a few days)
My husband is out of town visiting his parents for a few days and I am reveling in the single life. Let’s be clear: I love my husband dearly. We have been married for almost thirty-six years and I would marry him all over again. However, since he has to be gone, I might as well make the most of it. What do I plan to do, you ask? I’m going to eat all the garlicky food I can cram into five days. Ever since my husband had Covid at the beginning of the pandemic he has been unable to tolerate the smell or taste of garlic. I am sure…
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A Poem for a Thursday #335
I really enjoy the poetry of e.e. cummings. It sounds like such nonsense but the more you read it the less like nonsense it is. His use of language is so interesting. may my heart always be open to littlebirds who are the secrets of livingwhatever they sing is better than to knowand if men should not hear them men are oldmay my mind stroll about hungryand fearless and thirsty and suppleand even if it's sunday may i be wrongfor whenever men are right they are not youngand may myself do nothing usefullyand love yourself so more than trulythere's never been quite such a fool who could failpulling all the…
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A Poem for a Thursday #334
There is something magical about fireflies. They are little bugs that light up the world. Every time I see them it reminds me of my childhood and my children’s childhoods. My daughter still, as a full-grown adult, insists on going outside and catching fireflies every summer. Today’s poem is by Linda Pastan. She was the poet laureate of Maryland from 1991 to 1995. Tonight the fireflieslight their briefcandlesin all the treesof summer——color of moonflakescolor of flourescentlacewhere the ocean drags its torn hemover the darksand.JulyLinda Pastan
