Tag Archives: parenting

Poetry, Writing

Sarah & Duck

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(Poem 161 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

https://search.app.goo.gl/pAxteJN

Charlotte and I, and Sarah and Duck
like to have tea together now and then.
We especially like it when we get visits
from Donkey, Scarf Lady, Bag, and Bug.
We gossip about Scooter Boy and the
Ribbon Sisters sitting with Umbrella.
We keep an eye on The Shallots to see
if they have grown, say hello to Plate
Girl, and wave happily to Hat Lady.
If it’s an especially lovely day, we might
see Bread Man, hear a squawk from
Flamingo, or chat with Leftover Wool.
And through it all, we sip our tea and
sigh, while whispering as many right
proper British-isms as we can muster.

@Home Studio – 161st poem of the year (after watching Sarah & Duck with Charlotte.)

Harris, Sarah Gomes, and O’Sullivan, Tim, Sarah & Duck, Karrot Animation, 18 February, 2013.

Poetry, Writing

Opossum Hammock

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(Poem 158 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

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

Every opossum should have a hammock
for the purpose of reclining and lounging.
They spend the night mastering feats dynamic,
then cleaning little hands after scrounging.

Their weary bodies need 18 hours of sleep,
so it’s amazing we ever catch them awake.
A suspended soft perch ensures nary a peep,
as they dream of eating cake and a steak.

Yes, every opossum deserves a hanging bed
where they can climb to a safe, warm retreat.
There they can nestle and rest a tired head
to nap in peace and dream of sweet meat.

@Home Studio – 158th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Opossum Hammock photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Mary Poppins

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(Poem 157 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

https://search.app.goo.gl/kq3j4uv

Spit, spot, do your chores;
make the room look spiffy.
Once you’ve done your very best,
we’ll have some tea in a jiffy.

If you fancy a story before bed,
be sure you’ve brushed your teeth.
Don’t be dodgy or skip the molars;
then wipe your mouth beneath.

While you sleep, remember the rule,
no dream creatures allowed at home—
whichever magical lovelies you meet,
be they fairy, sprite, pixie, or gnome.

In the morning, before school,
I’ll make you some toast and beans.
Then off you go to learn your lessons
about all the kings and queens.

@Home Studio – 157th poem of the year (after watching Mary Poppins Returns with Debbie, Julia, Paula, and Celinda.)

Marshall, Rob. Mary Poppins Returns. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2018.

Poetry, Writing

Trampoline

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(Poem 155 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/mUyD9x

What goes up
might come down,
depending on the
amount of fun
being had by the
bouncers involved,
the relative weight
of giggles to the
equal and opposite
force of carefree-ness
being exerted,
tempered only by
the exuberant joy
of breathless
collapse.

@Home Studio – 155th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Trampoline photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Ninja Opossum

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(Poem 151 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/xAJK2w

My opossum Joey Koey
is a secret ninja at night.
He goes on special missions
guided only by moonlight.

When we’re all asleep,
safe resting in our beds,
he’s off saving the world;
we’re scratching our heads.

How does he get out of
his kennel all on his own?
How does he get the jobs?
Does he talk on my phone?

Who out there needs saving
by an adorable marsupial?
His ministrations are sincere;
he’s persistent and dutiful.

I’m sure he has his reasons
for sneaking around and all,
for using his claws and tail
to make sure he doesn’t fall.

I have to trust he knows what
he’s doing and will be alright,
while I sleep safe and sound in
my bed and he’s out all night.

@Home Studio – 151st poem of the year

Runner ups for the Ninja Opossum photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Pre-K Graduation

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(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

Erica Magic

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(Poem 141 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Selfie by Erica Smith

One minute she’s harvesting
seeds from dried flowers she
plucked from her own garden,
the next she’s trying on new
nails she got on sale from her
latest favorite glamour website.
She flits around handling
five children clamoring like
baby birds for her food and
her praise because nothing
is better than Erica approval.
Through it all she’s telling stories,
sharing the latest gossip, and
exclaiming such things as
I can’t,
ain’t nobody got time for that,
go lay down,
I got time today,
who are you talkin’ to,
not on my watch,
I can hear you, you know,
the call is coming from inside the house,
get somebody else to do it,
boy, bye,
they’re all broken.
And we laugh and cry and
sip tea and share our lives.

@Home Studio – 141st poem of the year

Poetry, Writing

Kingdom

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(Poem 140 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

https://search.app.goo.gl/6ANmbv4
https://search.app.goo.gl/C7jqfLf

An eagle egg cradled against
the heart incubates a hunter,
and nurtures a lifelong bond.
Only those who know the song
to call the great birds will be
saved with Noa from the flood.
It seems a world where all
species somehow coexist
would be best for everyone.
Why must someone always
strive to dominate others
rather than share space?
Caesar gave his life to bring
his clan to the promised land
where “ape shall not kill ape.”
According to the tenets he
espoused, everyone should
show generosity and compassion.
Raka of the Order of Caesar
led by example when he
offered food to the Nova.
Life lost is his recompense,
and Mae safeguarding her own
rather than caring for all.

@Home Studio – 140th poem of the year

Ball, Wes, director. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. 20th Century Studios, 2024.

Poetry, Writing

My Cat and I Had a Little Talk

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(Poem 137 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Photograph taken by Rebekah J Marshall

My cat and I had a little talk
before she went into surgery.
I was warned by the vet that
this could be the end for Beauty.

Her heart is now much weaker,
not as strong as it once was.
Removing the growths on her
chest might need to be put on pause.

But my sweet girl is miserable,
I can tell because I know her well.
She needs help, comfort, relief,
my poor lovely, gentle belle.

I told her she’s been so strong,
served as my constant friend.
It’s time for her to rest for now;
let her body have time to mend.

@Home Studio – 137th poem of the year

(Update – She made it through the surgery and is doing ok.)

Poetry, Writing

The Many Faces of Julian

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(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