The exercise:
Write two haiku about: rebirth.
As 2019 draws to a close, I just wanted to take the chance to look back on the yearlong poems that Greg and I wrote over the course of this year's Saturdays.
Overall I'm pleased with the results. Number one: I actually stuck with it for the whole year. Not bad for something I more or less decided to do on the spur of the moment. Number two? My poem told a reasonably coherent story that came to a reasonably satisfying ending. And I only had a few weeks throughout the year where I was seriously concerned about whether or not that would happen.
Honestly, I didn't have an idea for the ending until Charlie showed up on June 29th, and that only solidified on August 3rd. I'm quite happy that I managed to steer the story home from there.
And I would be terribly remiss if I didn't give Greg top marks and all the credit for the work he did this year. While I certainly tried to make the weekly prompts general enough for him to work with, he was at a clear disadvantage all the way. That he incorporated each prompt into his tale so well and finished the year with such an excellent poem is indicative of his ability as a poet and storyteller.
Now, what shall next year have in store for us in the yearlong category?
You'll see soon enough.
But I will say that I put the theme into a note on my phone three years ago, so I'm excited to finally get to make use of it.
But first I need to finish dealing with this whole 'moving' thing.
Monday December 30th, 2019
The exercise:
Write about: the inspection.
Did the pre-move in inspection with the property manager this morning. So now we have keys to the new place, and I moved a few things in as well while I was there (mostly into the garage).
The big move is Friday, but we'll make another trip or two up there before then to move a few more things in and to start getting settled in.
Woo.
... and breathe.
Write about: the inspection.
Did the pre-move in inspection with the property manager this morning. So now we have keys to the new place, and I moved a few things in as well while I was there (mostly into the garage).
The big move is Friday, but we'll make another trip or two up there before then to move a few more things in and to start getting settled in.
Woo.
... and breathe.
Saturday December 28th, 2019
The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: a conclusion.
Sorry this is a bit late. Had to compile everything here. Also linked on the left under Yearlong Prompts.
I'll have some thoughts to share on this ridiculous thing later. For now though, here's the final entry.
Mine:
Now Big Buddy roams the streets, untroubled by
Thoughts of what it might deserve,
Instead entirely focused on its search
For a new Master to serve...
Write a four line poem about: a conclusion.
Sorry this is a bit late. Had to compile everything here. Also linked on the left under Yearlong Prompts.
I'll have some thoughts to share on this ridiculous thing later. For now though, here's the final entry.
Mine:
Now Big Buddy roams the streets, untroubled by
Thoughts of what it might deserve,
Instead entirely focused on its search
For a new Master to serve...
Thursday December 26th, 2019
The exercise:
Write about something that is: bottled.
Max was up at 4:30 yesterday morning, bouncing off the walls in his excitement about what he'd discovered in his stocking, not to mention that Santa not only ate the cookies he left out, but also left him a jar of salted nuts in return (a last minute decision that I do not regret).
And yet somehow he was still going full blast until around 9 last night.
Bottle that energy up and I would pay a lot of money for it.
Write about something that is: bottled.
Max was up at 4:30 yesterday morning, bouncing off the walls in his excitement about what he'd discovered in his stocking, not to mention that Santa not only ate the cookies he left out, but also left him a jar of salted nuts in return (a last minute decision that I do not regret).
And yet somehow he was still going full blast until around 9 last night.
Bottle that energy up and I would pay a lot of money for it.
Wednesday December 25th, 2019
The exercise:
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a happy and healthy holiday season.
Write about: bells.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a happy and healthy holiday season.
Write about: bells.
Sunday December 22nd, 2019
The exercise:
Time for our final revisitation of the year. Let's hit up Empires one last time.
With the move imminent, I'm going to try to schedule some posts for the next little while. Seeing as I'm always late to add to the revisits, now seems as good a time as any.
I will try to pop in with any news or updates though. And if I somehow manage to add to Empires as well... then you can assume things are going surprisingly smoothly.
... or that my procrastination abilities are as strong as they've ever been.
Time for our final revisitation of the year. Let's hit up Empires one last time.
With the move imminent, I'm going to try to schedule some posts for the next little while. Seeing as I'm always late to add to the revisits, now seems as good a time as any.
I will try to pop in with any news or updates though. And if I somehow manage to add to Empires as well... then you can assume things are going surprisingly smoothly.
... or that my procrastination abilities are as strong as they've ever been.
Saturday December 21st, 2019
The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: alone.
Only one more entry and then the epic yearlong four line poem journey of 2019 comes to a close. Hard to believe.
Mine:
Buddy flipped the bed over, found the only
Master it had ever known
Had breathed his last, paused, then rolled slowly away,
Unutterably alone.
Write a four line poem about: alone.
Only one more entry and then the epic yearlong four line poem journey of 2019 comes to a close. Hard to believe.
Mine:
Buddy flipped the bed over, found the only
Master it had ever known
Had breathed his last, paused, then rolled slowly away,
Unutterably alone.
Friday December 20th, 2019
The exercise:
Write four lines of prose about: taking a break.
Today was my last day of work until January 6th. Going to do a dump run tomorrow, take time to have a proper Christmas, and then deal with the move. It'll be nice to have some time and space to do it all.
Write four lines of prose about: taking a break.
Today was my last day of work until January 6th. Going to do a dump run tomorrow, take time to have a proper Christmas, and then deal with the move. It'll be nice to have some time and space to do it all.
Thursday December 19th, 2019
The exercise:
Write about: dashing through the snow.
We got ourselves a big dumping of the white stuff this evening. But they're calling for five degrees and rain tomorrow, so it won't be around for long.
Write about: dashing through the snow.
We got ourselves a big dumping of the white stuff this evening. But they're calling for five degrees and rain tomorrow, so it won't be around for long.
Tuesday December 17th, 2019
The exercise:
Write two haiku about: the elf on the shelf.
This is the first year we've done this with the boys, and it is only because their cousins do it. At this point in the month I am finding it more and more difficult to come up with new places to put the stupid thing.
Add that to the list of reasons we need a bigger home.
Write two haiku about: the elf on the shelf.
This is the first year we've done this with the boys, and it is only because their cousins do it. At this point in the month I am finding it more and more difficult to come up with new places to put the stupid thing.
Add that to the list of reasons we need a bigger home.
Sunday December 15th, 2019
The exercise:
Write about: clutter.
We're in the midst of ridding ourselves of as much clutter as possible ahead of the move. This was a generally successful weekend on that front.
Write about: clutter.
We're in the midst of ridding ourselves of as much clutter as possible ahead of the move. This was a generally successful weekend on that front.
Saturday December 14th, 2019
The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: tumbling.
I have a plan for my final two entries. We'll see how they actually turn out.
Mine:
Buddy's shot caught Charlie in the back and sent
Him tumbling through the air
And out the window to the ground below, thus
Ending the sordid affair
Write a four line poem about: tumbling.
I have a plan for my final two entries. We'll see how they actually turn out.
Mine:
Buddy's shot caught Charlie in the back and sent
Him tumbling through the air
And out the window to the ground below, thus
Ending the sordid affair
Friday December 13th, 2019
The exercise:
Write four lines of prose about something or someone that is: unlucky.
Write four lines of prose about something or someone that is: unlucky.
Thursday December 12th, 2019
The exercise:
Write about: moving on up.
... the valley, in our case. As of January 1st (or December 31st, or January 2nd or 3rd... depending when we can get movers) we shall be residents of Oliver.
After looking for over a year, we've finally found a bigger space to rent in a better location for all that we do and all that we are. My commute will go up a bit, but Max will be closer to Learning Centre and his friends, Kat will be closer to Penticton and her friends, and we'll have plenty of room for everybody.
We're going from two bedrooms and one bathroom in a space we outgrew the second Miles was born, to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Plus a playroom, a bigger kitchen with plenty of counter space and cupboards, and a big backyard. Not as big as a farm, obviously, but it'll get the job done. The boys will share one of the bedrooms, which means we'll actually have a guestroom for the first time since Max was born.
Very exciting.
Now all we have to do is get us and our stuff there.
Write about: moving on up.
... the valley, in our case. As of January 1st (or December 31st, or January 2nd or 3rd... depending when we can get movers) we shall be residents of Oliver.
After looking for over a year, we've finally found a bigger space to rent in a better location for all that we do and all that we are. My commute will go up a bit, but Max will be closer to Learning Centre and his friends, Kat will be closer to Penticton and her friends, and we'll have plenty of room for everybody.
We're going from two bedrooms and one bathroom in a space we outgrew the second Miles was born, to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Plus a playroom, a bigger kitchen with plenty of counter space and cupboards, and a big backyard. Not as big as a farm, obviously, but it'll get the job done. The boys will share one of the bedrooms, which means we'll actually have a guestroom for the first time since Max was born.
Very exciting.
Now all we have to do is get us and our stuff there.
Saturday December 7th, 2019
The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: open.
Only three stanzas left after this one, believe it or not.
I choose not, by the way.
Mine:
Charlie unlocked the door with a shotgun blast
And entered with a snigger.
He stepped onto the middle of the bed, aimed
Straight down and pulled the trigger.
Write a four line poem about: open.
Only three stanzas left after this one, believe it or not.
I choose not, by the way.
Mine:
Charlie unlocked the door with a shotgun blast
And entered with a snigger.
He stepped onto the middle of the bed, aimed
Straight down and pulled the trigger.
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