National Limerick Day–May 12

Observed annually on May 12, National Limerick Day celebrates the birthday of English artist, illustrator, author and poet Edward Lear (May 12, 1812 – Jan. 29, 1888). Lear is known mostly for his literary nonsense in poetry, prose and limericks.

There once was a girl from Nantucket
Who carried her lunch in a bucket
Her biscuit’s so hard, it bounced more than a yard
And so she decided to chuck it.

Example of Edward Lear’s Limericks.  He is probably best known for the Owl and the Pussycat

There was an Old Man with a beard,

Who said, “It is just as I feared!—

Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,

Have all built their nests in my beard.

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Heart of Stone: Flint

If you want to be left alone,

They may say you have a heart of stone

But if that stone is made of flint?

If you strike sparks, then that’s a hint.

When flint is met with a will of steel

Your heart can light up like a Catherine wheel.

Spontaneous combustion with just a spark

Enough to lighten up the dark.

Mission Accomplished

It’s been thirty days since I wrote the first

Some were better, most were worse

It’s not always easy to write in verse.

 

Some had rhymes, some had thought

Some of them were badly wrought

But a daily poem is what you got.

 

Day 30, Poem  30.  Goal reached.

The Trickle of Water

The water trickled down his throat

Striking

Each

Parched

Spot

With

Slow

Deliberation.

Chilling

Refreshing

Restoring

Drop

by

Drop

Reservations at Easter Brunch

She kept stroking his left arm
While he grasped her right thigh.
No words were exchanged,
It was done on the sly.

They were getting quite hungry
But not for the food.
I guess all this foreplay
Was setting the mood.

Was she a lovely new bride,
He an eager young groom?
Instead of brunch reservations
Just reserve a room.

I Felt Your Presence

I felt your presence last night.

The soundwaves of your quiet breath

Lapped at the cove of my ear.

Your hand softly brushed across

the strands of my hair

Fanned  across the pillow.

I feigned sleep

Trying hard to recall a Bosnian proverb

I wanted to include in a poem.

When I awoke this morning,

I realized that there was no  Bosnian proverb.

You were over one hundred miles away.

Only the memory of

Your hand stroking my hair was real.

Poem in Your Pocket Day–April 18

Poem in Your Pocket Day 2019 is on April 18 and is part of National Poetry Month. On this day, select a poem, carry it with you, and share it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners, and on social media using the hashtag #pocketpoem.

What kind of poem will you carry?  Will it be something you wrote or a long time favorite?

Last year the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library left small rolled cylinders containing poems for people to in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Nelson, Greene, and Louisa Counties on April 26.   They even left rolls for discovering around the Downtown Mall. This year they are doing it on April 25

Stop by your local library branch and pick out a gift-wrapped poem to carry in your pocket. Unwrap it and read it to yourself, share with someone close, or just tuck it in your pocket for a rainy day.

How will you celebrate the day?

Face-Off

 

Cows grazing between the Pacific Coast High and tht Pt. Sur Light Station

 

Your pasture has a Pacific view

But it seems to mean nothing for you

You turn your back and seem to stare

At the annoying people standing there

Taking pictures, disturbing your peace

Stop now! Will the clicking cease?

Belated Happy Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week 2019 was 7-13 April.  From the Points of Light Web site

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. Today, as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, the expression of civic life has evolved. Whether online, at the office, or the local food bank; whether with a vote, a voice, or a wallet – doing good comes in many forms, and we recognize and celebrate them all.

Den Mother

Big Brother

Meals on Wheels

Thrift Store deals

None of these things appears

If there  are no volunteers.

 

Poem 15, 15 April–Half way to the goal of one poem per day for Poetry Month.

Happy Birthday, TJ-April 13,1743

Thomas Jefferson’s Tombstone: Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence Of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia.”  He selected what he wanted it to say.

Benevolent Patriarch,

Self described master of the enslaved.

Also

Vice President,

Secretary of State

 and U.S. President,

Flawed and brilliant.

Product of the Enlightenment.

Harshly judged by the 21st century.