Glad I wasn't the only one who's poems were not posting

I definitely wasn't sure if be able to pull of the country music element without making it sound fake. I did spend time in the country, but I was always too city for them. I don't have music to add to it on my own, but I popped it into AI and it gave me cords to match. .but given I have no instrument (and its been a long time since I've played, I have no idea if it's any good)

What a powerful poem.

Thank you so much! It took a while to separate the preteen and the teen voices.

Thank you! Art so often mimics life!

Day 10: 5 steps. I have teen and adult kids so this made me think of what going out on their own may feel like. 5 Steps from Here. Five steps from here and I'd be out the door. Behind me, warmth and a well-worn floor. In front, adventure waits — do I answer the call? The smell of cake and the hum of the known, So many things here I have grown, Tugs at my heart as I look behind. Out there the birds sing a happy song, New dreams are something I’ve longed for so long, Free to explore the day. Grip the handle and breathe in deep, What to let go and what to keep, I'll have to pick a way.

another poem I thought I'd posted but seem to have not stuck...if they have let me know and I'll delete. Day 5: color report. I wrote my first day 5 as blue skis, but that one just felt better for the later sky prompt, so I redid this one with green. Each color word is a shade of green. the poem is told from the perspective of 3 boys. One younger one and his older cousins. Line one is the young one, the 2nd by the pre-teen, and the 3rd by the teenager. (my nephew and my sons). I have an AI image to go with each stanza but not sure how to share those. Ode to green and growth. Sprout: When will it sprout! I’m ready now. They need the dark to start. They don’t rush. They don’t know how. Willow: It just tickled my face! In the breeze, it bends but doesn’t break. It teaches strength in softer things. Fern I touched it and it ran away! They fold when they are unsure. Be calm and still and it might choose to play. Pine It's so tall, I bet it touches the sky! Deep roots help it grow strong. We are all small in the midst of one who reaches so high. Moss It’s like the ground grew hair! It grows where others can’t. Slow to grow but ever present, persistence there. Clover Look! This one has four leaves! Good find. They say that’s lucky. A kind of luck you shouldn't rush. Glow They blink at me and then fly away! They talk with light. Don’t hold them too long or the lights will fade to gray. Hollow Look! A hole beneath that tree! I think animals might go there to sleep. I sit there when I want to just be. Thistle I tried to pluck it, but it pricked my hand! We shouldn’t touch it, though the bees sure can. Some things are best left where they stand. Patina This gate was once bright but now it’s not! It changes slow with rain. I think it suits us, weathered or not. Muddy seeds to tall, tall trees —we all grow at our own pace. What grows in your world?

Day 1: April fools. I'm not sure I can claim full authorship of this. I am just the ghost writer. The Other Woman (by Dahlia, Queen of His Heart) Long before she darkened his door, there was me. I loved him first. Why won't she leave us be? This situation is the worst! Me, a woman of high grace. He shouldn't be tempted by her allures. She is just another pretty face. It's my affection he truly pre'fur'es. She paints her lids and styles her hair. I'm his black-haired beauty - those tricks will never win his heart. I stare her down with my green-eyed glare. I vow to tear her pretty little world apart! Hand in hand, so smug she must be. She may think she won. But I know his heart belongs to me - I'll claw her eyes out before all is done. Our bond is true and without flaw. No ring will change that. I'll defend our bond by wit or by claw. I am his queen, not just some cat!

Day 4 Object in haiku. Favorite blanket Warm when I am chilled Softness when I need to snuggle Worn from so much love  

My original poem for this prompt was about the blues in the sky. That one fit a later prompt so much better, so this one is in its place. This is told from the perspective of a young boy and his older cousins. The first line is the young boy, the second a preteen, the third a teenager. If you know me, know I had my nephew Jw and my boys J and M in mind. I have a AI image to go with each stanza, but unsure how to share. the word in bold is a shade of green Poem 5: Ode to green Sprout When will it sprout! I’m ready now. They need the dark to start. They don’t rush. They don’t know how. Willow It just tickled my face! In the breeze, it bends but doesn’t break. It teaches strength in softer things. Fern I touched it and it ran away! They fold when they are unsure. Be calm and still and it might choose to play. Pine It's so tall, I bet it touches the sky! Deep roots help it grow strong. We are all small in the midst of one who reaches so high. Moss It’s like the ground grew hair! It grows where others can’t. Slow to grow but ever present, persistence there. Clover Look! This one has four leaves! Good find. They say that’s lucky. A kind of luck you shouldn't rush. Glow They blink at me and then fly away! They talk with light. Don’t hold them too long or the lights will fade to gray. Hollow Look! A hole beneath that tree! I think animals might go there to sleep. I sit there when I want to just be. Thistle I tried to pluck it, but it pricked my hand! We shouldn’t touch it, though the bees sure can. Some things are best left where they stand. Patina This gate was once bright but now it’s not! It changes slow with rain. I think it suits us, weathered or not. Muddy seeds to tall, tall trees —we all grow at our own pace. What grows green in your world?

I dont think my poems stuck when I posted them earlier. If they did someone let me know and I'll delete this. Day 12: This was inspired by the song Bass boat by Zack Bryant. I typically am not a far of country, but he is an exception. Far From This Old Town [Verse 1] Raised in a great divide, country girl, city girl part time, Grew up with rules that were very rigid, Dreamed of flying far from this old town, Hoping somebody’s love might lift me off the ground. [Chorus 1]Well, I remember those dusty roads,With nowhere good to really go,Dreamin' of flying far from there,But they always tried to tell me no. [Verse 2]Stuck between staying to help or disappearing into the night, Regardless of choice, it won't be right, Dreamed of flying far from this old town, Hoping somebody’s love might lift me off the ground. [Chorus 2]Well, I remember those dusty roads,With nowhere to really go,All I've got left there is one good friend,With too many things I'd rather forget. [Verse 3]I was raised with expectations I never would meet, The family story full of battles I could never beat,But if you give me just a bit of time,I can find some good in even the worst bad guys.I think about it often, but I don't pray,There were days I wished I'd drift away. [Outro]Dreamed of flying far from this old town, Hoping somebody’s love might lift me off the ground. But in the end, I found my own way out. ( went back and forth about the last line and if it should be something like: my own wings carried me out)

Day 11 " Color. I had already written a poem about blue skis and then we got a prompt for skis so that other poem now will be used for that and this for color! An ode to green and growth. Consider this a rough draft. Each word in bold is a shade of green. The poem is told from the perspective of a younger boy and his older cousins exploring the world outside. first line from the youngest's perspective, middle line from a preteen, and the last from a teenager. (if you know me then you know I envisioned my sons M&J with their little cousin JW) I have some AI art to go with each stanza, but I don't know how I'd share! 1.Sprout: When will it sprout! I’m ready now. They need the dark to start. They don’t rush. They don’t know how. 1. Willow: It just tickled my face! In the breeze, it bends but doesn’t break. It teaches strength in softer things. 2. Fern: I touched it and it ran away! They fold when they are unsure. Be calm and still and it might choose to play. 3. Pine: It's so tall, I bet it touches the sky! Deep roots help it grow strong. We are all small in the midst of one who reaches so high. 4. Moss: It’s like the ground grew hair! It grows where others can’t. Slow to grow but ever present, persistence there. 5. Clover: Look! This one has four leaves! Good find. They say that’s lucky. A kind of luck you shouldn't rush. 6. Glow: They blink at me and then fly away! They talk with light. Don’t hold them too long or the lights will fade to gray. 7. Hollow: Look! A hole beneath that tree! I think animals might go there to sleep. I sit there when I want to just be. 8. Thistle: I tried to pluck it, but it pricked my hand! We shouldn’t touch it, though the bees sure can. Some things are best left where they stand. 9. Patina: This gate was once bright but now it’s not! It changes slow with rain. I think it suits us, weathered or not Muddy seeds to tall, tall trees —we all grow at our own pace. What grows green in your world?

Day 12: I am not a huge fan of country. There are some artists I do like, but it is rare, the songs I tend to like are from the '80s-90s and almost always from a male voice. Zack Bryan, other than being male is the exception. I enjoy nearly every song Ive heard from him. This song is inspired by his song Bass Boat. Here is my own song following Zack's recipe! Out of this old town [Verse 1]Raised in a great divide, country girl, city girl part time, Grew up with rules that were very rigid, Dreamed of flying far from this old town, Hoping somebody’s love might lift me off the ground. [Chorus 1]Well, I remember those dusty roads, With nowhere good to really go, Dreamin' of flying far from there, But they always tried to tell me no. {Verse 2]Stuck between staying to help or disappearing into the night, Regardless of choice, it won't be right, Dreamed of flying far from this old town, Hoping somebody’s love might lift me off the ground.[Chorus 2 ]Well, I remember those dusty roads, With nowhere to really go, All I've got left there is one good friend, With too many things I'd rather forget. [Verse 3]I was raised with expectations I never would meet, The family story full of battles I could never beat, But if you give me just a bit of time, I can find some good in even the worst bad guys. I think about it often, but I don't pray, There were days I wished I'd drifted away. [Outro]Dreamed of flying far from this old town, Hoping somebody’s love might lift me off the ground. But in the end, my own wings carried me out. (Alternative last line... But in the end, I found my own way out....i cant decide between the two which sounds better. )

Have the best time.

Day 11 today's sky (not really it was quite nice today) Swirls of grey Thunder clasps echo Overhead the clouds grow full Rain falls, soft then pours Moody winds weave through the leaves Yearning for sunny days

Day 2 sound: The softest twinkle, like the laugh of a child, if it had a color, it would be periwinkle. No real rhythm—just a little wild. A deep long boom, a bull’s bold call. If a color, deep red would bloom. A hush it brings as it swiftly falls— a sound that stirs the air with gloom. The bell and the gong, not merely sound— but echoes felt in sky and ground.

Given I'm behind I wrote my color poem about blue skys...but it fits this too!! If I can make another poem about colors then my posted poem can serve for this.

Day 6 7am For some have yet to start the day Warm in their beds. Things in this house are well underway The smell of fresh brewed coffee fills the air Cereal, eggs, or pancakes, just depends on the day. Animals fed with loving care. Dad traded in fatigues for jeans and tee-shirts, it's been a long while. Moms going to the office, she is the best dressed. Kids better be clean, but have more style. All is a rush as all try to get out the door Tools, backpacks, and briefcases Head to the car, oh I just need one thing more! Morning in the house are woven spells, Of clinking cups and beams of sunlight, A simple magic here in which the family dwells.

Now I don't love the word silver as a color for this but I could not for the life of me think of something better! Suggestions welcome!

I am way behind the start date! I hope to catch up this weekend. Here is my first poem for this challenge! (originally for day 5, but fits better for 11) The Sky in Many Shades The sky wears many shades of hue, A language spoken soft in blue. Periwinkle A morning glow as the world begins to wake— What adventure shall we take? Cerulean Noonday sky on a summer’s day— If it had a sound, it would be laughter as children play. Tempest Tempest is the sky when the rain is about to pour, Just moody—not noir. Silver The sky on the coldest winter day, When the air is not welcoming, and it’s best inside to stay. Indigo The first moments of night, When the stars have chased out the light. From dawn to dusk, or stormy hues, The sky keeps painting something new.