Category Archives: poetry

#sol17 March 29 A Confession Slice, and some poems

March 29, 2017poetry, Slice of Life, Uncategorizedonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

Confession Slice.

I wrote a poem slice.
But the rhythm was off.
So I started over,
and that one stunk too.
So here, I’ve written a few:

Today: Bulletin Boards

I had to cover bulletin boards today,
So my students won’t cheat on their standardized tests
I might not agree, but it’s what PDE thinks is best.

Today: My Dog

My dog wouldn’t take a walk with me
Even though I had my sneakers on, and treats in my pocket.
Even when I cheered “Let’s go!”
All he did was stand there, unmoving, saying “NO!”
So I took him to the dog park, where he ran and played
Tired out, I took him home, where he chewed and lay.

Today: Writing

As soon as I start writing,
the dog is no longer tired.
He wants to play tug of war,
Now he seems so wired!

He wants to chase, and chew, and tug
Now he probably wants a walk!
But it’s bedtime for the human kids –
I mean, just take a look at the clock!

I’m not trying to bore you with my griping
It’s just that I’m not so good
at playing chase or tug of war,
at least not while I’m typing.

#sol17 March 16 A slice of silence

March 16, 2017Family, Pets, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

I’ve been reflecting lately about time. What do you do with the time you have? What do you do with the silence? What choices do you make? This poem feels unfinished, but for some reason I like the shape of it on the screen. I’m sure it will look different on a mobile version, but it swoops in a way here on my screen… so I’m calling it done. For now.

It is silent in my house.
E is still sleeping upstairs,
Finn is sleeping on the couch,
Mr. Thought is working downstairs.

I have a pile of should do’s.
I got my grading out: I graded one paper.
I’m looking at the basket of laundry: I’ll fold it later.
The dishwasher needs to be emptied, and filled: You get the picture.

It is silent in my house.
E is still sleeping upstairs,
Finn is sleeping on the couch,
Mr. Thought is working downstairs.

#sol17 March 14 A slice of a snow day: Dreams vs. Reality

March 14, 2017Family, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

Snow Day Dreams
Maybe you will read your book,
and snuggle in to watch a movie.
There could be fun crafts!
Everyone will work together to clear the driveway.
No worries, you’ll be home so the house will stay clean,
the dishes will be done!
You will get caught up on your work.
The dog will be chill and
you will read some more by the fire.

Snow Day Reality
Have you ever tried to teach a 7 year old to swallow a pill?
Have you ever tried to crush prednisone into applesauce just like the doctor did at the hospital?
How many times does a kid need to throw up their medicine before you call the doctor?
Is the pharmacy open during this winter storm?
Is that rash related to the already known condition?
How much coffee is too much coffee?
Will anyone else play with the dog?
How many people will complain about the fireplace heat?
Is puffy paint a fun craft?
How much slime can 3 kids make?
How many slime batches can get messed up and thrown away?
Who will make dinner?
How much bickering can 3 kids do in one day?
When will you do your work?
Will you be able to read your book later?
Will tomorrow be a snow day?

#sol17 March 10 A Slice on the go.

March 10, 2017Family, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

A slice on the go…

Our feet hurt and the kids are hungry.
But, I will not rush my little reader.
I will not rush him.

#sol17 March 6 A slice of complaint

March 6, 2017poetry, Uncategorizedonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

Allow me a complaint poem. . .

Elimination diet, I’m so tired of you
Breakfast: Coffee with almond milk
More almond (butter) in my oatmeal, and
Lunch: Veggies, with a few cashews
All day, I drink water, that’s nothing new
Salted homemade popcorn for a snack,and
Dinner: Veggies again,
With spices and some tofu
It’s fine, not a horrible thing to have to do
Such a first world problem – not a problem,
A stupid thing to complain about. But,
Elimination diet, I’m so tired of you

A slice of a piece of laundry – haiku

December 6, 2016Family, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

Part of Slice of Life by Two Writing Teachers

I notice this shirt
folding the clothing tonight
it stands for my son

He loves wearing this
message T, to school where he
practices control

Self control! Impulse!
yelling, pedantic, stubborn
loud, obnoxious some

I notice this pin
carefully clipped for safety
righteous kid, caring

Helpful! Sensitive!
standing up for his ideals
his ideas, his wants

I notice this pin
I notice this message T
I notice my son

#sol16 March 31 A Slice of a Writerly Life

March 31, 2016poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. It’s been fun! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing on Tuesdays!

March

I live my writerly life in March
I notice slices
slivers 
poems

Conversations are lessons in March
I think, I write
I write, I think

I read stories and slices in March
I comment
reach out
connect

I live my writerly life in March

#sol16 March 29: Confession Slices

March 29, 2016Family, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

Confession Slices

This morning I rushed around, shouted that I was late 
and then stopped for coffee
at my favorite place.

I hid my kids' Easter baskets in the trunk of my car
but my candy is in the cabinet
easy to reach.

Actually, the jelly beans are right here
on my desk,
very easy to reach.

I haven't finished a book in weeks
but I have started plenty
and there are books everywhere.

If I could, I'd wake up my daughter right now
and watch Gilmore girls
for a couple of hours.

I kind of miss playing King's Quest
on my old IBM
from when I was 8.

I helped my kids burn leaves
on the driveway today,
and tried to make a real fire.

I don't think this is a real slice
but I'm writing it anyway,
because it's all I have.

#sol16 March 28 The Slice you Didn’t Write

March 28, 2016poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

The Slice You Didn't Write

I'm the slice you didn't write
The moment you 
didn't 
see

You couldn't take me in

I'm one you'll 
never 
perceive

You skipped 
right 
by me

I'm the slice you didn't notice
I'm the story that doesn't belong to you
I'm the one you can't remember 
I'm the slice you missed 
I'm the slice you didn't write

#sol16 March 23 Tell me something good: A slice

March 23, 2016Family, Pets, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

I'm sure there's a poet's way
to write when your cat is dying 
as the children head to school
and your daughter texts you:
"Mommy help us"

There must be a metaphor for 
when you're too late 
he's already dead 
and your son begs you to say 
"passed on" instead 

I wish I could speak in allegory
when my daughter lies in bed 
and says,
"Tell me something good, mama. 
I need to hear something good." 

The words keep repeating
a mantra
a poem
Tell me something good, mama I need to hear something good
Tell me something good, mama I need to hear something good