All posts by rebekahjmarshall

Poetry, Writing

Mothers

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(Poem 336 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/77REYW

Every mother wants
the best for her baby,
pins hopes for prosperity
on the unborn future,
and wishes a better life
for her offspring
than she was afforded.

Though it hurts to imagine,
she knows the child
will have to learn lessons
that will cause pain
and will face enemies
who hope to do them harm.

And it thrills her to think
about the elated joy
her son or daughter
will experience when
moments of success
become victories,
and bubble up into
celebration.

@Home Studio – 336th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Pregnant Villains photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Little Village

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(Poem 335 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/7PxyxF

There’s a little Japanese village
where lanterns light up paths
that wind between neighbors’
dwellings, and rain falls
at just the right time of day,
when everyone’s ready for naps.

There’s miso soup on the stove
and soba noodles in the fridge,
tonkatsu or grilled fish for dinner,
and okayu porridge for anyone
feeling a little under the weather.

@Home Studio – 335th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Japanese Village photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

When One Door Closes

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(Poem 334 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/QbJ5lI

When one door closes,
the outside is kept out,
which gives the traveler
a chance to look inward.

It is then that another
door swings wide open
revealing universal secrets
free to anyone asking
without words, looking
without eyes, finding
without even seeking.

@Home Studio – 334th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Doors photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

The Dance

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(Poem 333 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/vLmzOk

The beat is what
slips into the cracks
and fills every potential
with movement.

The lyrics are what
slide into awareness
and sing an unforgettable
melody effortlessly.

Then, it is only natural
to grab your partner
by the hand and wind
up dancing all night.

@Home Studio – 333rd poem of the year

Runner ups for the Dancing Robots photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

The View From a Balcony

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(Poem 332 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/pH9ZaO https://gencraft.ai/p/JSrmnT https://gencraft.ai/p/qh1VIp

The view from a balcony
is beautiful no matter the
size of the body doing the gazing.

The heart that beats
is full of love no matter the
circumference of the hips.

The mind with ambitions
is powerful no matter the
mass of the dreamer.

The soul of the saint
is expansive no matter the
confines of human form.

@Home Studio – 332nd poem of the year

Runner ups for the Balconies photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Serenity

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(Poem 331 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/kcbhCl

“GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the ability to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

When I’m able to sink
into silent, safe serenity,
the surrounding uncertainty
stills and settles
like stones in a bowl
that each have a place
nestled one on top
of the other.

Solid weightlessness
exists in this place
of serendipity and peace
that only arrives once
acceptance has forgotten
that change is even necessary,
and wisdom has loosened
her corset to surrender
herself to the sweet
sensation of release.

@Home Studio – 331st poem of the year

Runner ups for the Serenity photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Skin Deep Disappointment

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(Poem 330 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/gmUzt6

My heart hurt with crushing disappointment
after the news of the election was released.
I felt sadness about the reality of the people
who would be affected by inhumane policies.

I have so much more to learn to be an ally
for those I love because it never occurred to me
to be afraid for my husband or granddaughter
whose skin is more melanated than mine.

Lying in bed, bemoaning the next four years,
my husband admitted to being nervous about
walking the dog the next morning because it
will be dark and racists might feel emboldened.

My breath caught to think a thought so horrible,
and realize those are the thoughts my husband
has grown up with, must live with, is burdened by,
and over half our nation is just fine with that.

@Home Studio on 12/4/24 @ 8:52pm – 330th poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

Toto

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(Poem 329 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Like father like son

This little boy is a man now,
marrying a really lovely girl.
His dad’s a crier at weddings,
so I can only imagine the scene.

Dad’s Toto to his grandchildren,
spends time with each of them,
loves to play and be a kid
to the point that reality’s a blur.

I’m trying to meditate away
my anxiety about how he’ll
handle himself at the ceremony,
and then later when he gives a toast.

For his oldest baby’s sake,
I hope he can hold it together
and let the spotlight be on the bride
and groom, rather than his tears.

@Home Studio on 12/4/24 @ 8:19pm – 329th poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

Tornado Girl

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(Poem 328 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/18xmpI https://gencraft.ai/p/f9l3uc https://gencraft.ai/p/uAWdon

When stuff stirs sideways and begins to knot up
in that twisting way, my heart starts to beat
like thunder, hail pounding in my head
to the rhythm of chaotic swirling
pain that builds and swells
with groaning as I eat
houses and cars,
ripping peace
to slivered
shreds
.

@Home Studio – 328th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Tornado Girl photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

How to Eat a Pear?

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(Poem 327 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/fBHo2n https://gencraft.ai/p/Cjp59f https://gencraft.ai/p/nJgsxG

AI struggled with my prompt to generate an image of a woman eating a pear.

If only I could
figure out how
to get this pear
into my mouth.
The concept is beyond me.
Use of hand, teeth, tongue.
I may never get it down.

@Home Studio – 327th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Eating a Pear photos to accompany my poem: