1/24/21 - 1/30/21
Idol
Original 1/24/21
When we idolize a star
We expect more than they are
Picking an idol takes careful thought
Finding a celeb doing what they ought
I haven’t found one yet, you see
Idolizing humans isn’t for me
New version
When we idolize a star
We expect more than they are
Picking an idol takes careful thought
Finding a celeb doing what they ought
I haven’t found one yet, you see
Idolizing humans isn’t for me
I’ve decided to live my life
Spreading lots of love, not strife
I try to imitate Jesus Christ
For us he made his sacrifice
If we treat everyone as a friend
Love and goodness we extend
Love God, and love each other
Then this world won’t be a bother
We can turn this whole thing around
For hope and peace will abound
Find an idol worthy of you
There must be one out there that’s true
My Take:
This is part of my personal philosophy of life, I am not trying to push my beliefs on anyone. I’ve just found that idolizing humans lets me down every time, because they are human. Human beings are flawed, not one human living on this earth is perfect. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. I see our time alive as time to work on our personal flaws and spread hope and love to others.
Jump
Original 1/25/21
I jump at every little sound
That crashes and bangs in the background
My nerves are shot, my heart pounds fast
Anymore of these scares and I won’t last
I need to chill myself out
Before I face a full burnout
New version
I jump at every little sound
That clangs and bangs in the background
My nerves are shot, my heart pounds fast
Any more scares, and I won’t last
I need to chill myself out
Before I face a full burnout
When I search for the sounds, of course,
They never seem to have a source
It feels like I’m losing my mind
To search forever but never find
The source of all the noises I hear
It’s all in my mind, I fear
No one hears the things I do
It’s enough to make one blue
Still I doggedly press on
Till my future, final dawn
I will last, I will keep living
Full of hope and thanksgiving
My Take:
A new house means new sounds, and it takes a while to find them all. It’s even harder when you can only hear the noises if the house is completely silent. Which doesn’t happen often.
Danger
Original 1/26/21
The world is full of danger
Leaving home is a wager
Will you make it back alive
From finding food to survive
When society’s gone and you’re all alone
Will you sit, and groan, and moan
About the unfairness of all of this
Or will you rise over the abyss
New version - Mina
The world is full of danger
Leaving home is a wager
Will you make it back alive
From finding food to survive
When society’s gone and you’re all alone
Will you embrace depression and moan
About the unfairness of all of this
Or will you rise over the abyss
To take your life in your own hands
Surviving the trip through the badlands
Pursuing the group that ruined your life
Collecting allies while Raiders cause strife
The life of a Villager is one of fear
When Raiders come looting what is dear
The rest of the story will have to wait
It needs more time for me to create.
My Take:
Mina is the name of the main character in my Dystopian WIP. After Raiders attack her village, she begins her quest to save her family. In my dystopian world, nuclear radiation has changed the people and animals. Animals have increased in size, and predators have developed venom. Villagers have the chameleon-like ability to blend into their background. Raiders possess different forms of ESP talents. Prophetic dreaming, compelling vocals, and hypnotic stares are only a few of the powers Raiders have developed from the radiation. This WIP has been planned as a trilogy, I’m still writing book one.
Paradise
Original 1/27/21
Stuck at home the way we’ve been
Gives us time to sit and spin
We’ve turned a portion of our home
Into paradise with sand and sea foam
It’s a spot that gives us peace
When finished it’ll be a masterpiece
New version
Stuck at home the way we’ve been
Gives us time to sit and spin
We’ve turned a portion of our home
Into paradise, sand and sea foam
In this space we find peace
Once finished, it’s a masterpiece
A place to sit and absorb the scene
Waving palm trees and a sea of green
We dream of yachts, and boats at sea
With our family we’ll be set free
To sail the ocean evermore
Visiting each and every shore
Seeing sights we never did before
Places like Fiji and Singapore
This would bring joy and happiness too
Who else would like to come, you?
My Take:
We’ve been working on our basement since we moved in (beginning of Covid) and it’s coming together. Sandy floors, peaceful wall scene, relaxing colors painted on the walls. Even though there is no furniture yet, it is one of the most peaceful places in our house. I’ve always wanted to sail the ocean, go places I’ve never been. It’s a bucket list thing, maybe someday.
Disease
Original 1/28/21
Having a disease is a chore
Mostly one you abhor
Doing what the doctor ordered
Just a chance on moving forward
Taking meds might not work
I still can’t do the housework
Mine is generic, there is no cure
As days go by, I must endure
New version
Having a disease is a chore
Mostly one you abhor
Doing what the doctor ordered
Very slim chance on moving forward
Taking meds might not work
Still can’t do most housework
Mine is genetic, there is no cure
As days go by I must endure
The pain and anguish that pins me down
Won’t even let me leave this town
When it gets to be too much
And I can’t handle the softest touch
I put the pain into a box
And hide it in the boondocks
Where it cannot touch me
Frees me up for a day, or three
Boxing up pain isn’t the best plan
At least it allows me a basic life span
For every little trick I’m told to try
Nothing works, they make me cry
Stop telling me how to live my life better
Every suggestion sounds like a chain letter
I’m doing my best, can’t you see
The pain won’t let me show my glee
My Take:
Pain is a difficult thing to live with, especially if it’s caused by a disease. You continually ask yourself, “What did I do to deserve this?” It’s also difficult not to let the pain make you lash out at others. Very difficult. Some days I can’t keep my positive mindset because the pain is too overwhelming to box up. Then there are the days when the pain is so minimal (or suppressed) that I can move, and get things done. Those are good days.
Run
Original 1/29/21
Watching the pets run and play
Makes me laugh every day
Our dog plays keep away with his toys
This is something he really enjoys
Our cat likes to pretend attack
Using our hall like a racetrack
Our pets bring us joy
Our sadness they destroy.
New version - Pet Love
Watching the pets run and play
Makes us laugh every day
Toby likes to play keep away with his toys
It’s a game he really enjoys
When playing outside, we’ve met our match
That dog is almost impossible to catch
Pony likes to pretend attack
She uses our hall like a racetrack
She likes to play on her own
Pouncing on mice, she’s in the zone
They’re good to each other, most of the time
Although the cat can flip on a dime
Then claws come out, and fur starts flying
Voices are raised, and the dog starts crying
Other than that, they’re good together
Day by day they’re getting better
Our pets bring us lots of joy
The cat Pony-girl, and dog Toby-boy
My Take:
It has been years since our cat, Pony, has attacked our dog, Toby. They are good friends, until Toby gets too rambunctious. Pony has been keeping her claws in, so that’s improved. Every morning I have a front row seat to the ‘Daily Steeplechase’. Pony always wins, unless Toby is awake. Living with these fuzzy lovable animals has brought joy into our lives daily. It is great to have this kind of connection with something, especially right now
Butterfly
Original 1/30/21
The flight of a butterfly is appealing
Even as our hearts are reeling
When grandma died one flitted by
Pausing our tearful outcry
The butterfly reminds us life goes on
When our loves don’t meet the dawn
They fly like spirits on the wind
A dipping, diving whirlwind
New version - Missing Love
The flight of a butterfly is appealing
Even as our hearts are reeling
Butterflies remind us life goes on
When our loves can’t meet the dawn
They fly like spirits on the wind
Dipping and diving in the headwind
When grandma died one flitted by
Pausing our woe, and tearful outcry
Grandma left a hole in our life
The loss of her love caused some strife
Now we’re learning to move forward
Though pressing on feels disordered
I feel like I’ve left something behind
Was it grandma, or my peace of mind
She was always there for me
When life was hard, or carefree
Grandma had time for all of us
She gave us love, then she’d fuss
A grandmother’s love knows how to soar
Just like the butterflies we adore
We’ve come back around, full circle
Butterflies may be spirits eternal
My Take:
My grandmother passed away in August of 2019, I still miss her every day. I kept breaking into tears as I wrote, and and re-wrote, the new version of the poem; and tears are gathering in my eyes as I write this. My grandmother basically raised me, my parents didn’t really know how to handle me. She was the only one that could get through to the hard-headed, rebellious teen I used to be. The picture below was drawn by my mother, Shelly Hutch, as a way to deal with her grief, it always brings me comfort.
Thanks for reading. Next week will begin my weeklong story with the prompt words. See you then.
4💜 - Keep your eyes to the skies -