Tag Archives: grandparenting

Poetry, Writing

Pre-K Graduation

Leave a comment

(Poem 142 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Photograph taken by Lydia Sullivan

My grandson graduated from pre-K
and I was moved, not by his adorable
singing and dancing and attempt at
the gestures to match his teacher,
but by the tears flowing down his
mother’s cheeks while watching her
sweet boy performing his heart out.
When I see her love for her children,
I am transported to similar moments
in our past when I watched her or
her brother with the pride only a
mother can contain, so full of love
and joy and fear and anticipation
that nothing else exists beyond the
perfection of their little contribution.

@Home Studio – 142nd poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

The Many Faces of Julian

1 Comment

(Poem 134 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Photos taken by Rebekah Marshall 5/2/24

There’s nothing better than
candid shots of a 5-year-old.
The sublime modeling poses
inspire joy – pure silliness gold.

Everyone else might smile or
throw awkward peace signs.
Not a 5-year-old, oh no, their
forced presence turns to whines.

And if you know what’s good
for you, you’ll let them leave
because if you think you’ll get
good pics, you are really naïve.  

@Home Studio – 134th poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

Bath Salts

Leave a comment

(Poem 131 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

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

My granddaughter left a gift
of lavender bath salts for me
on my desk with a sweet little
message written in half cursive
half print on a sticky note.
She left one for her DāDā,
and probably everyone else
in the house as well, because
she loves to leave treats for
others when she finds a way.
I am glad my prickly, lovely,
argumentative, emotional,
explosive, beautiful, forgetful
girl has a heart full of love.

@Home Studio – 131st poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

Mema Day

Leave a comment

(Poem 123 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

I took this photograph on Mema’s front porch 5/4/24.

My sister bought a box
of butterflies to release in
honor of Mema’s birthday.
We gathered, all five
generations of us, and
watched in awe as they
emerged from their sleepy
coldness to warm to the
overcast heat of a May day.
Each butterfly took its own
time exploring this new
brightness of air and space,
flitting from tiny human to
big human to ground to
metal rooftop and beyond.
The last Painted Lady
dilly-dallied and decided
to rest a while on a potted
plant on Mema’s porch.
None of us really knew
what to expect and were
pleasantly surprised at the
loveliness of the little
creatures Mema loved so.

@The Writing Barn: Buddha Hall (in honor of Mema’s birthday that was on May 2nd and the butterfly release that was on May 4th. She would have been 89.) – 123rd poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

70 is the New 50

Leave a comment

(Poem 116 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/96djvD

70 is the new 50.
Bike, climb, hike, romance;
the world is your oyster,
the sky the limit.
You can smell the roses
and shoot for the moon,
throw your hat in the ring
and take the bull by the horns.
So, bite the bullet,
but don’t break a leg
because the ball’s in your court,
and it’s time to sing your own praises.
You make your own destiny,
for nothing is set in stone.
Since all bets are off,
pull out all the stops,
make a castle in the sky,
and do everything on your bucket list.

@Home Studio – 116th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Granny Fun photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Meeting in the Kitchen

Leave a comment

(Poem 115 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/vN0V7C

We had a meeting in the kitchen.
I cried and scrubbed the stove.
You told me to take better care of myself.
I scraped burnt cabbage and tomato sauce off a pan.
You left a cabinet open.
I cried some more.
You played with the wind chimes.
I said how much I miss our chats.
You comforted me.

@Home Studio – 115th poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

Lawnmower Grandad

Leave a comment

(Poem 104 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

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

The lawn must be mowed,
and no one else does it right.
From the porch to the road,
keep the column lines tight.

Outline the driveway on the edge;
hold the steering wheel straight.
Get right up close to the hedge,
and be sure to mow near the gate.

Over time you’ll finish the job,
even if you take little nap breaks.
Use the steering wheel knob
to avoid too many muscle aches.

Someday you’ll have to do the task
of keeping this yard looking neat.
If you can do it without having to ask
for help I’ll know my job’s complete.

@Home Studio – 104th poem of the year

Runner ups for the lawnmower Grandad photos to accompany my poem:

Health, Poetry, Writing

Eclipse

Leave a comment

(Poem 99 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

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

I saw your corona with my own eyes
and I was smitten with the overwhelming
knowledge that you have power over my
very existence because your presence
ensures that I can flourish and prosper.

Without you, I cannot live.
Without you, my world would be destroyed.
Without you, there would be nothing to be
bedazzled by and no home to inhabit.
Without you, there would be no me.

@Home Studio – 99th poem of the year

Runner ups for the eye eclipse photos to accompany my poem: