Wound Up


Wound Up

Amorphous thoughts twirling and whirling; rushing through widening gaps in my failing damn mind! Splashing forcefully against blade; Spinning my wheels and gears faster and faster til my brain releases from it’s stem and drops to the ground with a crushing force; splitting open; releasing sticky-sweet juices; enticing busy bees to sip upon each escaping thought; flying them away to their hive; and diligent ants to heft large chunks of half-ideas and quartered worries; carrying them below the soil; out of site; leaving me mindless; thoughtless; at peace, finally.


I had quite a busy work week last week and despite being already Sunday my brain has been spinning like mad. Leaving me sleepless and a touch anxious about starting the week ahead with my energy reserves too low. So I welcome the help from the bees, the ants, and any other of God’s creatures to help me let go of such excess thoughts. I know it’s more trendy to seek mindfulness these days, but I could use a few moments of mindlessness right now. At least enough to catch an afternoon nap.

Be well,

Monty


Morning Concert


It’s drizzling around me. I first noticed the patter upon the umbrella above. A little too heavy to be the mosquitos dancing. A little too random to be the ants marching.

It’s raining now. A polka-dot percussion accompanying the birdsong. Not quite in concert. A dress rehearsal.

The musical of moisture is over now. Or perhaps just on break. The sky seems undecided. The birds seem indifferent – continuing with their singsong.

Again begins the patter. Elevating into the polka-dot percussion. Easing back to a pitter-patter before rising again. Looks like we will be gifted a full concert performance.


Be well,

Monty


The Day After Yesterday


The Day After Yesterday

The morning is cool.
The air is a fresh floral green.
The light is bright beyond the shade tree’s shadow.

My mind is knotted.
My thoughts a dark murky grey.
My outlook is cloudy despite my morning coffee’s encouragement.


I forgot to take my meds yesterday. I realized this in the middle of the night when my sleep was bombarded with strange thoughts and frequent waking. I was further reminded when I woke up to a head that felt like it was being cinched tightly by a giant’s oversized tool.

I’m slowly coming out of it. I’ve taken my meds. I’ve had a small breakfast and my first cup of coffee for the day. I’m sitting in the garden and it’s a beautiful morning.

I spent the weekend sleeping on a sofa chair at the hospital and that got me out of my normal routine. I think that is why I forgot my meds. Mrs. Monty finally had the metal brackets and screws removed from her ankle after a full year of recovery. They showed us the bag of metal fittings after they removed them and I was shocked by their size and quantity. There was enough hardware there to put together a piece of furniture from IKEA. I’m glad its out now and she has a chance to walk more comfortably again once she recovers.

As she came out of surgery and was hooked up to the monitors it brought me back to a few months ago when mama (my mother in law) was passing. At that time we were watching the vital signals slowly descend. This time I watched as the signals ascended back to normal. Another reminder to embrace the miracle of life while we are here. A blessing of awareness and appreciation.

At the hospital we had a room in the maternity ward due to lack of space in the ‘regular ward’. We were surrounded by the sounds of lives beginning — and their complaints about the state of the human condition. It’s been over twenty-one years since my last child was born. He also arrived with complaints. Somethings stay the same. But these complaints were another reminder of life’s miracle. Another blessing.

So while my mind may be “knotted” and in a bit of fog, I’m grateful for this day. I’m grateful for the miracle of life. I’m grateful for each blessing that reminds me to be so.

Be well,

Monty


Morning Ride


Morning Ride

Her arms wrapped around me,
Wanting more, I sped up;
She held on tighter;
I smiled into the rushing wind,
Wishing I could go faster.


Mrs. Monty and I decided to try the neighborhood restaurant that only recently started to serve brunch. We’d heard positive reviews. The selection was very limited and the meals were average at best, but the morning was lovely if only for the ride.


Be well,

Monty


Upon Every Sunrise


Upon Every Sunrise

Sitting in the corner, quietly observing
The life of the party, I scroll through
Mental images of those we’ve buried;
Memories aged, blurred by
Tears, salty with a touch of ocean
Where is the miracle?
But upon every sunrise, every
Tide drawn by the moon, every
Green shoot greeting the sky, and every
Love not forgotten,
I dance.


It’s nice to write free-form after a month of prompts and themes (but I do think I’ve grown due to all the hard work and am grateful to have put in the effort).


Be well,

Monty


My First A to Z Challenge Anniversary: Now We’ve Gone From A to Z…

On this anniversary of my first A to Z challenge, I’m posting each of the illustrated “seriously silly poems” from my book Apples Eating Zebras and other seriously silly poetry — a carefully edited and polished compilation of my A to Z posts from last year. Enjoy!


Pick up a copy of this silly collection dedicated to the child in all of us and enjoy with a loved one.


Be well,

Monty

2023 NaPoWriMo #30 (Palinode)


April is here again and that means its National Poetry Writing Month and for my second year I’ll be joining the 30 poems in 30 days challenge hosted by napowrimo.net. For this challenge, a poetry prompt will be provided daily during the month of April and if I can keep on track I’ll achieve the 30 poems in 30 days goal. So enough chatter…let’s go! It’s time for NaPoWriMo!

Write a palinode – a poem in which you retract a view or sentiment experts see in an earlier poem.

napowrimo.net

Poetry Unfound
(a palinode of “Seeking Poetry”)

Stagnant waters, crashing harmonies,
Silently sinking under the weight of gravity
Beneath the soil, beyond snout’s reach
Confident in hiding; Certain not to be found.


Well the deed is done! I’ve completed all 30 poems in 30 days. Some of the poems I’m quite proud of. Others not so much. But either way I’m happy to have completed the challenge and fulfilled my commitment to myself. I did have fun for the most part, and for me that is what it’s all about. Thanks everyone that has come on the journey with me. What’s next? I’ve no idea. Perhaps a day off. Perhaps not. We’ll see.


Be well,

Monty