Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.
My older daughter Annabelle is moving to Wisconsin. I am going to miss her funny, loud, energetic, dramatic self SO much! One thing she wanted to do before she moved was go paint something at Color Me Mine, a ceramic painting shop. She turned these salt and pepper shakers into C‑3PO and R2-D2. There was a pre-teen or teen guy hovering behind our table for forever, and he finally said, “That’s awesome!”
This image makes me think of several things:
- Star Wars, obviously
- the artistic eye
- movie theaters with recliners (they are just INVITING naps, people!)
And here’s my first draft, which is also my daily haiku for National Poetry Month!
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
30 Responses
From the confines of the cabinet
Protecting the universe
Serving stardust and meteor ash
Love that stardust and meteor ash!
I agree! meteor & ash are fun and funny!
Ha! I love the last line!
I adore these heroic little figures, Amelia!
These growing up kids sure pull on our heartstrings, don’t they?
On the Brink of Departing
Her two hands create
icons of grand adventure
May the force be with her
You captured two forces here, eagerness and concern. Nice!
Oh I love this, Molly! I love the idea that she is creating her own grand adventure, but also that good wishes and “the force” can’t hurt, either.
🙁 hope you will both get to viset often
poem By Jessica Bigi
Remember Mom
Sprinkling laughter
Calls away
Always knocks
On your door
Not galaxies away
Sprinkling hugs forever
Wonderful, Jessica. Makes me think of both our moms who have passed away. And reminds me to treasure the time I have with both my daughters, even though it’s a long time between visits with the one overseas and now will be less often with the one moving several hours away. I love your reminder: Not galaxies away…
Spice of Life
Past and present
salt and pepper
flavor and savor
sometimes
just a sneeze.
tissue, please!
Heehee. Thanks for the light-hearted laugh, Linda. It’s a good break!
My daughter lived three hours away for a while. I hope the trip is a pleasant one. Mine was- straight shot on almost empty interstates.
I’M NOT A ROBOT
They’re not real.
They don’t feel.
But I do.
I’ll miss you.
Thanks, Cindy. The drive is not too bad–but it will be a big change. Especially since she’s been living with us a couple of months since her apartment fire. I love the stark, blunt, honest realness of your poem.
I taught in LaCrosse for 10 years when we lived in MN just over the bridge in Hokah! These shakers and her moving, remind me of the choices we make that enrich us and help mold us in our “Star Wars” futures. And that we are always free to make those things into positives.
Choices
It’s yours
To make
Each day;
Just shake -
Partake
Of what you make
Of it.
By Donna JT Smith
This is SO true. I am all about independence and building the life you CHOOSE to make. I am so happy to see Annabelle striking out with a fantastic new job and a great boyfriend. Same with our daughter who lives overseas, doing charity work. So I’m happy for both of them in the big picture. But the actual moments of leaving are so hard.
I don’t have time this morning to compose a poem, but I wanted to comment. These metaphors are so awesome, beyond this universe. I totally understand the loss of little moments that happens when children move away. You will still be close, and thank God for texting, but those little moments. (wipes tear)
Ditto on all points. I am pushed for time myself and hope to get back, but have to say those little moments make all the difference.
Thank you, Margaret–and yes on all these wonderful poems:>)
Good morning. “Awesome” indeed. The teen was correct. I know you will miss daughter #2 with conflicting emotions; the empty nest syndrome is alive and well!!!
Empty Nests
Excitement
Memories
Patience
Teen
Yearnings
Nurture
Encourage
Strengthen
Tethered always
Seasoned with Love
Oh, Martha, this made me cry. Beautiful!
I went with the theme of kids moving away, so near and dear to my heart these days. While we miss them, our kids miss us too.
those magic moments
and many hugs
during brief visits -
the “homesick timer” reset
I love that viewpoint, Lauren. Especially true for college kids, I think. But whenever you visit parents and the place you grew up, even if you’ve been building your own life far away for a long time, there is still that ding of the time being reset. What a wonderful image!
Awww, Laura. Your poem is so poignant. <3
Teamwork
You’re salt to my pepper,
Peaches to my cream.
Better together,
A true friendship team.
Aw, this makes me want to go to a variety show, Jane! Love it.
Oh, wow — good luck to your other bird flying further away. Isn’t painting pottery so fun? My goal is to do it in Delft, The Netherlands — found out that they let people paint with the serious-looking Delft blue and fire up whatever you make!
Your haiku also makes me feel slightly guilty for not visiting my mother more… two or three hours away sometimes is much harder to access than if you’re, like, five or six hours away, and it feels far…
Good luck to Annabelle–and to you!
Robots in the Kitchen
robots chop
robots dice
robots stir
robots spice
robot meal–
mighty nice
Oh, this makes me want robots to cook all our meals. I always loved on Jetsons and Star Trek when a machine would spit out a delicious dinner!
Oh, my heart!!!
This is hard and wonderful, Laura.
I had good friends who went to college in LaCrosse — it’s SO beautiful there!
I was in La Crosse super briefly last year when I did a library program in a neighboring town, and I just remember the drive home being looonnnng:>) But, yes–hard AND wonderful! A new chapter in Annabelle’s life.