The Cat February 3, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Amazing Animals, Animal Welfare, Humor, Poetry.Tags: Animals, Cats, Humor, Narcissism, Pets, Poetry
38 comments
Cat preened and pranced
and purred and pleaded
As each new desire arose
It deigned to flatter
“Dear owners . . .
What have you done for me lately?”
Itch scratched
Self-content evident
Cat padded away on soft paws
To preen itself
and do its own thing
Heeding no one
Appetite satiated
Cat admired its elegant image
with narcissistic intensity
And plotted its next plea
Aah . . . that’s better!
Too Soon To Mourn January 3, 2015
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, People, Poetry.Tags: Aging, Dementia, Health, Poetry, Senility, Wellness, Word Play
22 comments
They’re already gone
In so many ways that matter
It’s too soon to mourn
They’re still on life’s stage
We sit in the audience
Watching the curtain fall
How much will be left
When nothing is left at all
Of the way they were?
* * *
A hint:
Aah . . . that’s better!
Happy Holidaze! November 28, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Poetry, Simplify Your Life.Tags: Gifts, Haiku, Poetry, Presents, Shopping, Simplify
34 comments
How Santa spends Black Friday
The call of the mall
lures us to traffic jams. Cheer
fades as tempers flare.
Red ribbons flying.
Sales set records. Merchants grin
at crowded check-outs.
Street corner Santas
ring bells & flash Grinchy smiles.
Shoppers hurry home.
Boxes stacked, bags stashed.
“Bargain loot” labeled and tagged.
Happy Holidaze!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Mark Downs . . . and Mark Ups:
A few days ago, I looked at an on-line product selling for $6.29. To get free shipping, I needed to place a $50 order.
I opted to wait.
The next day, the store advertised 30% off EVERYTHING and free shipping with a $30 order. I went back to the item that had been selling for $6.29.
It’s new price? $8.99 . . . or $6.29 after the 30% discount!
I opted to unsubscribe from that store’s marketing manipulation.
One Last Mad Dance November 15, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Nature, Poetry.Tags: Autumn, Haiku, Poetry, Seasons, Winter
30 comments
Boisterous raindrops
Swallow the crisp autumn air
And morph into flakes
Leaves leave the bare trees
One last mad dance in the breeze
before winter’s freeze
Aimless snowflakes drift
Spinning through frigid night air
Winter longs for spring
Palm trees and capris
A sunny, warm winter breeze
Parkas packed away
Aah . . . that’s better!
An Unlimited Limerick November 12, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Poetry, Word Play, Writing & Writers.Tags: Dr. Seuss, Humor, Limerick, Poetry, Word Play
36 comments
Something about the cadence and rhyme of limericks always teases a smile out of me.
I don’t mind a few made up words that stretch language to its limits.
There’s something fun about limericks
Especially those that boast gimmericks
They make us smile
And ponder awhile
On the sleight of tongue trickericks
Here’s to the liberal literary license of limericks!
After all, where would Dr. Seuss be
If he had limited his vocabulary
To words already written
Would we be as smitten
If it hadn’t called it a Truffula tree?
Aah . . . that’s better!
Do you enjoy limericks? With sleight of tongue trickericks? Are you a fan of the bawdier the better rhymes . . . featuring folks from Nantucket?
“It’s Time To Fly!” October 27, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Fun & Games, Humor, Poetry, Word Play.Tags: Contest, Fun & Games, Halloween, Word Play
87 comments
“Tonight’s Halloween. Let’s have fun.
Mayhem and mischief shall be done!”
Hilda swirled and twirled round the room.
Fireplace sparks pierced the gloom.
“Where’s my broomstick? It’s time to fly!”
Pumpkin sat mute. With no reply.
Hilda reached underneath the bed,
but only found a shrunken head.
She opened drawers and closet doors,
accompanied by creaking floors.
Dust rose and fell as Hilda paced.
Pumpkin glared. Evil grin in place.
Cauldron bubbled with purple brew.
“Broomstick. Broomstick. Where are you?”
The clock chimed twelve and Hilda froze,
as one small tear ran down her nose.
* * *
To enter: Add a Link to the 4th Halloweensie Contest List on Susanna’s Blog
Caramel Apples At The Fair October 20, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Fiction, Fun & Games, People, Poetry.Tags: Fiction, Fun & Games, Horse, People, Poetry
29 comments
My niece Emily, now 21, loved horses growing up ~ real ones with toothy grins and wooden carousel horses racing in perpetuity on Merry-Go-Rounds.
In August, I shared a 25-word story about Emily urging a carousel horse to go faster, Falling On Deaf Ears.
That reminded me of this horse tale from years ago.
* * *
Emily and her horse Trixie are ready for fun
School’s out for three months. Summer’s begun!
They’ll go to horse shows and compete for first place
They’ll ride round the farm and win a horse race
They’ll see the excitement at the State Fair
And make new memories while they are there
* * * * *
The day of the Fair dawned bright and clear
Emily headed to the barn, overflowing with cheer
She saddled up Trixie with her usual care
All the while chatting about what they’d see at the Fair
They headed for the trail and cantered up and down
Until they spied the Ferris Wheel towering o’er the ground
“Oh, look, there it is! We’ll have such fun, me and you.”
Trixie neighed as if to say, “I’m excited too!”
On the midway, they smiled as they took in the sights
Clowns, rides, barkers, and colorful flashing lights
When Emily got hungry, she knew just what to do
She stopped for a caramel apple and ended up with two
“Trixie loves apples . . . and sugar cubes, of course ~
a caramel apple is perfect Fair food for a horse!”
Emily held out the caramel apple and Trixie bit in
After swallowing the treat, she shared a toothy grin
That night, with Trixie in the barn, Emily curled up in bed
Smiling at the images twirling and dancing in her head
She and Trixie had made memories they would always share
Of the day they ate caramel apples while visiting the Fair
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Prevails September 10, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Mindfulness, Poetry, Spirit & Ego.Tags: Haiku, Island Gallery West, Mattie Van Arsdel, Mindfulness
46 comments
Ego hangs on tight
Preferring known to unknown
How boring is that?
Resist hanging on
Attachments become anchors
Let billow your sails
Relinquish your fears
Live amid uncertainty
Discover what’s next
Embrace all with joy
Relinquish with joy also
Learn to flow through life
The still silent voice
Guides you without faltering
Get out of its way
* * * * *
Artwork by Maitte Van Arsdel ~ available at Island Gallery West.
Related posts: The Inner Path to Peace * The Answers Lie Within * It’s Time To Wake Up * Backwards Living * A Not-So-Quick Quiz: Who Are You? * The Awakening by Sonny Carroll * Access Your Inner Wisdom * Meditation 101
Cannonball! July 6, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Nature, Poetry, Travel & Leisure.Tags: Humor, Leisure, Poetry, Summer, Swimming, Weather
21 comments
Brittle air asphixiates
A smothering blanket of humidity
Strangles every breath
Melting feet to pavement
Stifling muggy heat
Chokes all thought
Escape plans evaporate
Crisp gingerbread cookies
Reduced to a leathery crust
In a hot summer oven
*
**
* * *
* S~P~L~A~S~H! *
Aah . . . that’s better!
How do you like to Beat the Heat in the sultry days of summer?
Step Into The Glade June 29, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Mindfulness, Poetry.Tags: Mindfulness, Poetry
28 comments
Step into the glade
Let down your guard
This place is safe
You are hidden here
No one can see
Through the trees
The shelter of leaves
Allows you to breathe
This place is safe
Hear and heed
The whisper from within
That connects you to
All that has been
And all that ever will be
This place is safe
Inhale its deep scent
Down to your toes
It knows, you see
Who you are and will be.
Aah . . . that’s better!
