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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Winter Storm

Dark clouds crowd above Graupels pelt my umbrella Rush home to the fire

Image Description: A black miniature poodle, Yorkshire terrier mix wearing a bright pink puffer vest stands in a drift of white snow.

Poem

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089163

It’s Monday and we all know what that means. Time to share this week’s Creative Boops. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept the goal is to encourage creativity either through use of the weekly words or simply the reminder that there are other creatives out in the world adventuring.

This week’s words are Paradigm, Hunger, Nestle, Active, Sentimental, Graupel, and Ability. Winter darkness is fully in earnest, especially with the time change. I loathe the short days and struggle immensely with my depression during the dark months. I have little tricks I use to combat this though. A cute umbrella to ward off the precipitation, setting up my Christmas tree early and basking in its warm light, and curling up next to a video of a fireplace under my heated blanket.

Image Description: A black miniature poodle, Yorkshire terrier mix wearing a bright pink puffer vest stands in a drift of white snow.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Mountain Stream

A mountain stream Is like a dream

Beautiful and bright Like a starry night

A mountain stream Is a team

With rainbow and weather To flowers and heather

A mountain stream With so bright a gleam

Like a setting sun When the day is done

A mountain stream

Poem:

Podcast:

I’d be remiss if I spoke about my journey of exploring poetry without including one of my earliest pieces. I wrote this poem in elementary school with vibrant pink and purple pens. I drew what I considered pretty mountains on lined paper using markers and blue ink. We all start somewhere. This poem was inspired by my childhood fantasies of magical mountains, fairies and adventures. May your creative efforts bring you to joyous and challenging expressions that change the world for the better.

Image Description: An original painting by the author depicting a vibrant blue waterfall splashing down over grey rocks adorned with trailing green vines.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Iron Bacteria

You just keep growing Ever showing My failure to keep up Pink ring around the drain I am full of self disdain

Why can't I do a simple task Daily cleaning that never lasts I want my home to be A sanctuary But it's fully unsanitary

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089146

The inspiration for this one is quite straightforward. Cleaning around the faucet on my bathroom sick often gets procrastinated or valued lower than other tasks. I keep my kitchen area clean. I tidy up my bed and rinse the shower, but for some reason cleaning around the faucet is daunting. It ends up growing a nasty pink film that I believe is called iron bacteria. If I’m wrong feel free to enlighten me.

One day I was staring at the pink film frustrated and panicky about my failure to accomplish something that felt so incredibly basic. I channeled those feelings into this poem and am honestly thrilled with the results despite not being thrilled by the yick. And as a little victory, I’ve actually kept the bathroom sink largely clean since then. Right now it is pristinely white and calming.

Image Description: Expansive green algae blooms float on the surface of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Ontario. Sections of clear water reflect the cityscape and sky. Buildings and trees are seen in the mirror smooth surface.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023 #alge #ironbacteria #algeabloom #depression #anxiety #procrastination

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Staccato

Staccato Drumbeats Matching my pulse

Tapping Footfalls I simply can’t stop

Swishing Skirt Twirling about my legs

I dance on and on Through the night

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089136

I love dancing. Watching it, participating in it, there’s a magic that springs to life when moving with music. In high school a friend invited me to the swing dancing club she attended. It’s since gone defunct but will forever hold a treasured place in my heart. I was also a pianist for many years and one of my favorite elements to play was the staccato sections. For this piece I pulled in my favorite elements of music and dance as well as the thrilling feeling of a twirly skirt to create a punchy poem reminiscent of those staccato sounds in music.

Image Description: A curvy woman with long brown hair in a pony tail wearing brown sunglasses and a pale pink knee length dress with a thin white belt spins with her hands extended from her sides. Her dress is swirling around her legs.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Eggnog – weekly haiku wrap up

Crafts hawked in the church, Basement buzzes with cheer's mirth Christmas fair's warm joy.

Shiny rocks and art Raven's collection of things A child's valuables

Race downstairs at dawn Memories as clear as day Tear into presents

Pine scented candles Wafting delight through the air Eggnog in my mug

Time keeps on passing No way to catch it in hand You keep growing up

We change as we age I hope we talk every day When my hair is frost

Fireplace and stockings Mistletoe hung by the door Lone Christmas morning

Today’s haiku collection was honestly a challenge to write. My creative side is in an ebb at the moment – hopefully building up to something profound but currently not wanting to move. So I stared at the words for a long time before catching sight of my little Christmas tree and decided to try pulling the two together into something. I hope it worked out okay. I’m curious about what your thoughts are about it. The prompts were Passing, Raven, Frost, Fireplace, Hawk, Pine and Clear Day.

Image Description: A close up image of part of a Christmas tree. The ornaments in focus include a child's felt craft red and green stocking, a wooden star with the baby Jesus with his parents burned into it, and an angel made of grey wire and white beads.

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089129

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Perfect Daughter Content Warning: Childhood trauma, abuse

You wanted to control me And you did Very successfully Now I am choking Unable to breathe Through the reality and agony Of dreams I can’t believe in Of loves I can’t pursue Of hope I cannot fathom

Even walking out the door Rips a hole in my chest Demands so much of me That all I can manage after Is to lay down

I don’t want to die It’s not that I just don’t know how to live I don’t know how to breathe I don’t know how to hope I don’t know how to believe I don’t know how to feel I don’t know how to love I don’t know what I am imagining And what is actually real

I’m not certain But I suppose you got what you wanted A perfect daughter With no thoughts of her own No hope for the future Few good memories of her past

Gagging Because crying is too loud Its dangerous to be noticed

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089122

This poem is an incredibly personal one. In it I express the emotional toll growing up in an unhealthy, legalistic, conservative Christian environment. I was once a loud, feral child who in grade one lost her voice from screaming so much both in the playground and in torment at home that I developed calluses on my vocal cords. I lost my voice, and there was concern by the doctors that the damage was permanent. Through extensive therapy and months of frustrating rules about being silent and not trying to talk unless it was an emergency and then only whisper, I eventually recovered my voice. I moulded myself into a perfect daughter to appease people who severely punished stepping out of line.

I was still the loudest person in my social circle but was far quieter than everyone else in my family. I gave up trying to be heard. At night I’d wait till my little sister was asleep then sob as quietly as I could into a pillow so I didn’t wake her. I wanted to protect her. I didn’t feel that I could let her show her how broken I was. As long as I kept my head down, I was generally unmolested.

I married early and was further crumpled under what was expected of me as wifely duties. In 2017 fissures developed in my emotional walls and over the next three years everything fell apart. Those around me, and I myself tried to force me into the mold of perfect daughter and perfect wife, yet all that crumbled into nearly deadly shards. It’s only been amid the debris of who I thought I’d be that life is slowly returning to my soul. I am often caught up on the jagged edges of my past and break down, but I now have safe people around me to move forward.

If you’re in an unsafe situation I hope you are able to find a way to escape. It hurts like perhaps nothing else ever will, but three years after I completely broke free I can say that for me at least, there is another side. It’s not perfect, but it’s better.

Image Description: Freshly baked collection of Rose blossom apple tarts. The apples are sliced thin and carefully arranged in rings inside the pie crust to create rose shaped deserts.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Brilliant

The world dressed and waiting In brilliant winter white All to quickly to be sullied By traffic of the night Trying to retain beauty Amidst the salt and grit and tears Will anybody listen when I tell All my dark fears

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089104

For this poem I wanted to tie in the two elements of the crisp beautiful perfection and innocence of an untouched winter morning as well as the concept of historically the perfect bride who is virginal and has also been untouched as a man. And yet I wanted to have that fear and grit and pain of life that we all experience. To bring in where we have “traffic of the night” which could be either taken as a sexual thing or just the movement of vehicles turning up the dirt and snow into slush. And then the finale “Will anybody listen when I tell all my dark fears.” There’s that sense of you are expected to have perfection. People don’t want to see that slushy, gritty inside. I really wanted to play with that contrast of those two images and how both snow and individuals can experience an outside of perfection while inside they are struggling.

Image Description: A woman snowboarder in tan pants, a brown jacket with caramel accents and a black helmet leans back while traveling down a ski hill in the Gatineau Hills. Trees on either side jut up against the winter white.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Victory

You call me names I don’t care I’ll break your chains Escape your snare Try to keep me down With an ear ringer of nonsense I’ll have the victory You’ll wear the frown

The mandible claw You hold in your hand Is perfect truth of what I saw You don’t care for any So none care for you

Claw, yell But I won’t hide in a shell You lose You and your ear ringer comments And mandible claw

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089091

I wrote this poem in High School and decided to share it this month as part of my podcast to honour Mrs. Hough who spearheaded the writing club I attended. We were affectionately known as the Disappearing Kimonos which I understood to be a reference to someone’s creative writing that was adopted as the groups name. The prompt for this poem was to utilize various wrestling terminology that was randomly assigned to each of us. I pulled on the inspiration of a competition to conceptualize self confidence in the face of verbal assault. To all my fellow Kimonos out in the world: I smile fondly whenever I remember our times together.

Image Description: A furry black feral pig stands in a swamp with water dripping from its mouth. It is up to its torso in the water and has lovely soft brown eyes.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Animals in Autumn

Prepping for winter We migrate or hibernate Avoiding cold claws

Image Description: Two large birds circle in a blue sky with puffy white clouds.

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089077

Monday is the day I share creative boops – a word for each day of the week to inspire creativity for myself and the community. The challenge to myself is to see how many of the words of the week I can snug into a the 17 syllables of a haiku. This week’s words are Child, Migrate, Innumerable, Claw, Versatile, Hibernate, and Complete. These words plus the turning of the weather inspired thoughts of the many ways animals (and people) adjust their ways of doing life as winter comes to call.

Image Description: Two large birds circle in a blue sky with puffy white clouds.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #blockchainpoets #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Sweater

Wrapped in your sweater Warmth and security holds me Things might not get better But I am cared for by somebody

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089067

Sweater is my favorite new poem. There’s nothing particularly fancy or complex about it – just content, cozy vibes. I’ve been a single mom for a while and I’m in an incredibly happy place overall – despite my mental health struggles. There are still tough days though, and a dear friend of mine lets me borrow his sweater for them. It’s a size 4x and makes me feel like the silly, safe child I never had a chance to be. This poem popped into my head of its own accord while I was wearing it one day and while I tweaked it a bit for rhythm and rhyming it was essentially fully formed on arrival. Whenever I’m having a particularly difficult day I cozy up in something soft and recite this poem as a reminder that I’m not alone in the darkness.

Image Description: An arm in a pink and purple tie dye sweater reaches towards a small black dog and scratches her under her chin. The dog has a black nose, soft brown eyes and perky ears.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023 #doggo #original poem #dogs of tumblr #dog

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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What Would Happen…?

What would happen if no one lied? If no one tried… To hide

What would happed if no one pretended? All problems mended… No one offended

What would happen if no one hid? If no one bid… Farewell

What would happen if no one ‘played’? If everyone stayed… Let bad memories fade

What would happen if Heaven came? Peace would rule again

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089042

I decided to share this poem I wrote as a pre-teen as it has those classic, naive, optimistic vibes that played a significant role in my formative years. I wanted everyone to just get along and hadn’t experienced, or in many cases, hadn’t come to terms with the experiences that have slowly arranged themselves into the outlook and growing wisdom of my early middle age. When someone departed from my life I always leapt to the conclusion that I had done something wrong, or they never liked me in the first place. These concepts feature heavily in this short poem in wistful fantasies about peace ruling the earth if only no one lied, played games, or left others behind.

Image Description: A woman's left hand with bright blue nail polish and an solitaire engagement ring are held up to a blue sky with small, puffy white clouds.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Wedding Vows

All my dreams come true Shimmering pearls and white gown Ring clamped on finger

I vowed forever I think this was a mistake Claws of doubt rake throat

Classic pretend game Acting like lovers for show Good appearances

Cold hate they call love Plunge my religious fervor Into an ice bath

Unexpected end Our love was meant to endure Forging on alone

I stand in the cold Wish we could be together Hearth viewed from outside

Cast away our rings Can eighteen karat gold rust? I hope they decay

The list of words was Hearth, Endure, Rust, Classic, Shimmer, Rake, and Plunge. Mayhap it’s simply my mood at the moment but I chose to pull inspiration from my journey from a dedicated and naive Christian young woman through a toxic marriage, prolonged and problematic divorce, to living life as a single mom and sometimes looking with longing at families that are still together.

I’m going on new journeys with a wonderful supportive community around me that frequently brings great delight but there are always tough days when the memories rear strong. I hope everyone here who’s gone through difficulty or is currently experiencing a dark time, know that there is hope, even if its hard to find it and even though it can take years to reach it.

Poem:

Poecast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089039

Image Description: A woman's left hand with bright blue nail polish and an solitaire engagement ring are held up to a blue sky with small, puffy white clouds.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Weary

I feel weary A little sad But mostly tired Empty Powerless Alone

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089019

For this poem I wanted to express raw, descriptive words that capture the elements my depression is composed of. My Persistent Depressive Disorder often presents itself as a flood of exhaustion. This inability to even move without tremendous effort. The intense weariness leaves me feeling powerless and empty as I can’t do the things I want to do, nor enjoy things I normally enjoy. The ultimate finale is being and feeling alone as I retreat into silence and isolation unable to even summon the energy to ask for help.

If you have, are, or know someone experience depression, know that you are still valuable – your worth is an intrinsic part of being human and remains the same regardless of how much you are or are not able to accomplish.

Image Description: Ice encrusted branches bent under the weight sparkle in the bright winter sunshine.

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ela-meadows · 5 months

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Wish

I wish there was some way I could package my love for you Make it ever accessible For when you need it most

I wish I could let you see How much your love means to me When I’m cold and distant When I’m breaking your heart

I don’t mean to hurt you But how do I show you The way I act is not how I feel

Its not that I’m hiding I’m really trying But my best still comes back With a fail

I wish the words my heart says Were the ones you’d hear But my mouth is not connecting

I wish I could tell you Not just yell at you Seems I’m always giving wrongs In exchange for your rights My sick thanks to you

I wish the years could disappear That we could return to a time When our love was unquestioned and whole

I wish we could start over Before we get older But your tears tell me its far too late

Is this really over?

Please look over your shoulder

Can’t you see that I’m crying too?

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2089003

Life is full of hang-ups. As a person with borderline personality disorder my feelings about relationships tend to swing wildly. My fear of losing someone I am attached to is immense. It has often led to incredibly toxic, codependent relationships, on some occasions things escalated to outright abuse. This poem is deliberately a bit of a mess, as I attempt to capture that love, hate, panic swing in literary form.

Image Description: Against a blue winter sky dotted with puffy clouds stands an evergreen and a deciduous tree covered in bright red berries are dusted with snow.

#poem #poetry #poemoftheday #photography #cwh #writing #napodpomo #podcast #napodpomo2023

#poems on tumblr #poetry #poem #cwh #poems and quotes #photography #poems and poetry #original poem #photograph #nature #napodpomo2023 #podcaster #podcast #podcasting

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ela-meadows · 6 months

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Wait

Far down in the sea waits a maiden A maiden of skin so fair Far down in the sea waits a maiden For her hero to venture there

Down under the sea she’s a prisoner Imprisoned by her father’s bane Down under the sea she’s a prisoner Her captor, a monster of fame

On land her hero dwelleth On land he lives his days On land her hero dwelleth Lost without her gaze

He searches for his damsel He searches for his maid He searches for his damsel All his live-long days

To break the spell of evil The monster he must face To break the spell of evil His past must be erased

Poem

Podcast

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2088991

Sometimes I enjoy exploring fantasy concepts through poem. Most often I write short or long stories when playing with fantasy yet here we are. For this work I imagined a young woman and her father traveling by ship over the sea. A great sea monster tears the ship apart killing everyone but the young woman and taking her captive in an underwater air pocket. The young man who shares a mutual infatuation with her longs to rescue her but in order to do so he’ll have to undergo a trial that makes him forget who he is.

Image Description: Three black tropical fish swim above a bed of white and yellow coral. Smaller fish with yellow or yellow and black striped colouring flit about in the background. The water is a bright, tropical blue. Underwater image was taken off the coast of Davao City, Philippines with the Carabao Dive Center.

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ela-meadows · 6 months

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Muddy Plains

No light on the plains Frosty chill of the new moon A naïve adventure

Poem:

Podcast:

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2088981

Image Description: Vibrant purple foliage rimmed with white.

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ela-meadows · 6 months

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Plumage

Soft spines in rows Tussled about by air currents Take me to new heights

Poem:

Podcast

https://app.aureal.one/episode/2088954

Haiku poetry is an art form that has intensely captured my interest lately. I love the creative pressure it puts on each word. In this poem I was inspired by a lovely short poem I read on the Original Content Poetry reddit community entitled O Little Fleeting Feather by Virtuous Pone. I focused in on the details that compose a feather and how they bring life, movement, and flight to avian species. Each feather consists of rows of barbs with their own tiny lattice tussled about by the wind yet together forming a magnificent plumage capable of wonders our human bodies only dream of. Image Description: Birds fly across a sunset sky of grey and pink. In the foreground artistic gymnasts are lifted into the air on the outstretched hands of people standing as bases. The ground around them is dotted with rocks stacked into towers. The Ottawa river and Gatineau Quebec skyline is behind them.

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