CATNAP

Continuing to CATch up...

The PAD prompt Friday was REFRESH...

Here's what came to me...

CATNAP © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================== A quick shower, a quick shave; Trying to get my hair to behave. A piece of toast, a jolt of Joe, Grab my jacket and it’s time to go.

I may have gone to bed at two o’clock, But seven’s when I gotta be on the dock.

Give me a catnap, A quick forty winks, And I’ll be as good as ever, Until the sun sinks.

It’s so aggravating, The yard work is waiting, But I laze in the hammock, underneath the trees; Close my eyes for a minute, to catch a few Z’s.

Something about the sunshine, something about the shade; Something about an Arnold Palmer, makes me think I’ve got it made.

Give me a catnap, A quick forty winks, And I’ll be as good as ever, Until the sun sinks.

Doze in front of the late night news; Same old stories, same old blues. Miss the sports and weather, but not the commercial break; And for the next four hours, I’m completely wide awake.

Give me a catnap, A quick forty winks, And I’ll be up all night, And that really stinks.

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SPIN CYCLE

Maybe a day late... hopefully not a dollar short... Here's the day 18 PAD prompt (or not so prompt), response...

SPIN CYCLE © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================= We get up every mornin’ to do what we do, Sometimes it’s the same old, sometimes something new. And when the work is finished, and the day comes to its end, We go home to get up, and do it all again.

The sun comes up, The sun goes down, When it’s really this old world, Just spinning around. Spring comes before the summer, Which is followed by fall; As we spin ‘round the sun, On our little blue ball.

Mama had a baby, that baby had her own; And in a New York minute, that baby was full grown. It seems like only yesterday that new life was beginning, Enough to give us cause to pause, still our heads just keep on spinning.

The sun comes up, The sun goes down, When it’s really this old world, Just spinning around. Spring comes before the summer, Which in turn is followed by fall; As we spin ‘round the sun, On our little blue spinning ball.

In and out of love, the high points and the low; We spin around and ‘round our hearts, how they come and how they go.

The sun comes up, The sun goes down, When it’s really this old world, Just spinning around. Spring comes before the summer, Which is followed by fall; As we spin ‘round the sun, On our little blue ball.

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WHO COULD ASK FOR MUCH MORE?

Well, day 16 of the November Poem-A-Day Challenge gave a prompt that lent itself t song (but I'll let you be the judge...)

Herewith is my response to "Write an ANIMAL" poem...

WHO COULD ASK FOR MUCH MORE? © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================== Something’s not right, He don’t seem too bright; The way he barks at nothing, In the middle of the night; Keeping me up, That silly ol’ pup; Puts my brain in a fog. Well… he is just a dog. When I come home from work And my tail’s draggin’, He’s there at the door, And his tail’s just a-waggin’. He dances and prances, And throws backward glances. Turnin’ in circles; Who could ask for much more.

He’s chewed on the sofa, And two table legs; And when we sit down to dinner, He whines and he begs. When we watch TV He jumps up in our lap, And we can’t move at all, ‘Cause he’s takin’ a nap. But when I come home from work And my tail’s draggin’, He’s there at the door, And his tail’s just a-waggin’. He dances and prances, And throws backward glances. Turnin’ in circles; Who could ask for much more.

He won’t fetch a ball, Or a stick in the yard; It’s his, and he takes off, Running so hard. Distracted by squirrels, And birds, and fat bees, He’s a watch dog that just watches, FedEx deliveries.

Still, when I come home from work And my tail’s draggin’, He’s there at the door, And his tail’s just waggin’. He dances and prances, And throws backward glances. Turnin’ in circles; Who could ask for much more.

Make sure that he’s watered, Make sure that he’s fed; And maybe, just maybe, He’ll sleep in HIS bed.

And when I come in from work And my tail’s draggin’, He’s there at the door, And his tail’s just waggin’. He dances and prances And throws backward glances. Turnin’ in circles; Who could ask for much more. No bones about it; Who could ask for much more,

~~~~~ Sit... stay... lemme know if you wanna play... 😋 𝖌

<))><

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JE T'AIME

Today's November Poem-A-Day was my LEAST favorite 2-fer-Tuesday choice: ◾ Write Love Poem ◾ Write an Anti-Love Poem (whatever "anti-love" is...)

I selected the first option... and came up with this...

JE T’AIME © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================== Je t’aime, Madame, je t’aime, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime; Tu es mon coeur, Pour toujours et toujours, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime…

He met her in Paris, Just after the war, And knew at first sight, What he was there for.

Their whole world was changing, they reached for the brass ring, And when they decided to wed; Her English was broken, his French poorly spoken, But she knew what he meant when he said,

Je t’aime, Madame, je t’aime, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime; Tu es mon coeur, Pour toujours et toujours, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime…

They came to the States in late forty-eight, When his time in the service was done. Down to his hometown in South Alabama; Where they raised a daughter and son.

They got through the sixties, Vietnam and the hippies, Sometimes those mem’ries got blurred; But they watched as their children made lives of their own, And she smiled every time that she heard;

Je t’aime, Madame, je t’aime, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime; Tu es mon coeur, Pour toujours et toujours, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime…

One Tuesday morning in early November, Came news no-one could believe. His loss was traumatic, but he wasn’t dramatic, He decided to quietly grieve.

Now he gets up each morning and goes through the motions, The way they started each day. He heads to the pier with two cups of coffee, Drink one, and quietly say;

Je t’aime, Madame, je t’aime, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime; Tu es mon coeur, Pour toujours et toujours, Je t’aime, Madame, je t'aime…

~~~~~~~~~~ If you made it this far, lemme now what you think, or if you'd like to work on this, or something else, I'm game...

Keep your antenna up and your gear clean;

g

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WHEN NOBODY'S LOOKING

The 11/10 prompt for the 2023 November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge was CHARACTER... ...and in keeping with that, I was a day late in finishing:

WHEN NOBODY’S LOOKING © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================== Who am I when nobody’s looking? Who am I when I turn away? Am I the man who says what I mean? And do I, in fact, mean what I say?

Am I the same, Person, In church, on Sunday, As the one, In the crush, Of rush hour, Monday?

Who am I when nobody’s looking? Who am I when I turn away? Am I the man who says what I mean? And do I, in fact, mean what I say?

Do I recall, The love, Of my life, When I find I’m alone With one not My wife?

Who am I when nobody’s looking? Who am I when I turn away? Am I the man who says what I mean? And do I, in fact, mean what I say?

How often do I; Rationalize, A quick peek, And then find I feel like I’m really a sneak?

Who am I when nobody’s looking? Who am I when I turn away? Am I the man who says what I mean? And do I, in fact, mean what I say?

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PECULIAR

Happy - and solemn - Veteran's Day here in the states...

The prompt for the Chapbook Challenge today was ODD...

And here's what fell out... PECULIAR © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================== How can it be? My kids are older than me? And when I look in the mirror, It’s my father I see?

It’s peculiar, it’s strange, How many, things change, And some things stay, The way, that they do. Some for better, Some for worse, Some a blessing, Some a curse, I suppose, it depends on, Your point of view.

As I recall, The old place wasn’t this small, And it seems to me the trees, Were never all this tall.

It’s peculiar, it’s strange, How many, things change, And some things stay, The way, that they do. Some for better, Some for worse, Some a blessing, Some a curse, I suppose it depends on, Your point of view.

Pretty, and sweet, She knocked me off my feet, But now she wouldn’t greet me, If I passed her on the street.

It’s peculiar, it’s strange, How many, things change, And some things stay, The way, that they do. Some for better, Some for worse, Some a blessing, Some a curse, I suppose it depends on, Your point of view.

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ANYWHERE, ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYHOW

Day 9 over at the Poetic Asides Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge was to write a direction piece... either as right/left/east/west directions, or instructional directions...

I THINK I combined the two with the following... lemme now, you know?

ANYWHERE, ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYHOW © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================== Katie, let’s throw a bag together, Let’s head out of town. We need some we time in better weather, This standard time is gettin’ us down.

I don’t care where we’re headed, Don’t care how long we stay; But I won’t leave without you, Katie, Hear me when I say;

I wanna know where you wanna to go, And what do you wanna to do. When we leave, and how we get there Is entirely up to you. Entirely up to you. Anywhere, anything, anytime, anyhow; For you; for you, Anywhere, anything, anytime anyhow, For you, for you.

We’ll find someone to feed the pups, And the neighbor will bring in the mail. Set the timers on the lights, C’mon Babe, it’s time to bail.

These fifty hour weeks, For just forty hours pay? No, I won’t leave without you, Katie, Hear me when I say;

I wanna know where you wanna to go, And what do you wanna to do. When we leave, and how we get there Is entirely up to you. Entirely up to you. Anywhere, anything, anytime, anyhow; For you; for you, Anywhere, anything, anytime anyhow, For you, for you.

The beach is in reach; The mountains are near; Or we can tell folks we’re leaving, And staycation right here.

I wanna know where you wanna to go, And what do you wanna to do. When we leave, and how we get there Is entirely up to you. Entirely up to you. Anywhere, anything, anytime, anyhow; For you; for you, Anywhere, anything, anytime anyhow, For you, for you.

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FROM RHODE ISLAND TO ALASKA

Once again, over on the Poetic Asides 2023 November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge it's a two-fer-Tuesday: 1. Write a "Big" poem and/or 2. Write a "Small" poem...

I picked both as the opening line and came up with this...

FROM RHODE ISLAND TO ALASKA © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================= From Rhode Island to Alaska, I’ve driven ‘most every state, From New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge, To San Francisco’s Golden Gate.

North to south, east to west, You know the route I love the best. Doesn’t matter the distance, doesn’t matter the load, If I’m half-way to Houston, I’m on the right road, If I’m half-way to Houston, I’m on the right road.

Leavin’ in the evenin’ for Amarillo, By morning I’ll make Abilene; Or Norfolk, or Nashville, Or even New Orleans, Rolling into Bowlin’ Green. (Or any place in between).

North to south, east to west, You know the route I love the best. Doesn’t matter the distance, doesn’t matter the load, If I’m half-way to Houston, I’m on the right road, If I’m half-way to Houston, I’m on the right road.

I do what I do And my love for you, Means all roads lead to home; Wherever I roam, All roads lead me to home.

North to south, east to west, You know the route I love the best. Doesn’t matter the distance, doesn’t matter the load, If I’m half-way to Houston, I’m on the right road, If I’m half-way to Houston, I’m on the right road.

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BETTER DAYS

Day 6 of the 2023 Poetic Asides Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge is to take the phrase "Better (Blank)" - fill in the blank, use it as the title, and write your heart out...

After several interesting starts, I think I chose the better one here... (but you be the judge)...

BETTER DAYS © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================= Raised at the wrong end of the road; Always a bale short, Of making a full load. Robbin’ Peter to pay Paul, Got us new shoes every fall, Still we always did the best that we could do,

Growing up, didn’t know we were poor, Had as much, As the folks next door, Nothing fancy, simple things, Rocking chairs and front porch swings, And always room at the table for one or two.

We didn’t dream of better days, Blessings were all around us. Nothing wrong with simple ways, And the love that still surrounds us.

Daddy plowed with a flop-eared mule, Put his heart Into hand-shaped tools, Momma sewed and cooked, And read to us from the Good Book. Every night before bed.

Jimmy and I had our share of chores, Taking care of Things outdoors. Goin’ to school, and playin’ ‘til the dinner bell called us in, To gather ‘round the table and bow our heads,

We didn’t dream of better days, Blessings were all around us. Nothing wrong with simple ways, And the love that still surrounds us.

Jimmy joined the Navy, and got to see the world, Me? I married Katie, She was always my best girl. Mom and Dad are still around, Grandparents now, and always found, With babies on their knees.

The neighbors moved off into town, Sometimes we still See ‘em around, But they’re too hurried to stop; On their way to shop, At least how it seems to me… But out here, We still don’t dream of better days, Blessings are still around us. Nothing wrong with simple ways, And the love that still surrounds us. No, we don’t dream of better days, These days are near perfection.

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CATCHIN' SOME RAYS

Day 4 over at the 2023 Poetic Asides November Chapbook Challenge...

Today, write a catching piece...

So, without further to-do...

CATCHIN’ SOME RAYS © 2023 G. Smith (BMI) ================== I work hard on the Gulf Coast; Please don’t call it, “the shore.” That for folks from New Jersey, Who don’t live there anymore.

It’s not a beach bum occupation, More like a regular nine-to-five; But whenever I need a vacation, I stay right here to feel alive.

Catchin’ some rays, Catchin’ some Z’s; Catchin’ some waves, Catchin’ a breeze. Here on the bay, Under the palm… trees; Catchin’ some rays, Catchin’ some Z’s.

I’ve got a boss with high expectations, And more month at the end of each check. Saving for the kids’ education, Means being boring, but what the heck.

As much as I’d like to do nothing, I have to save that for one week a year. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The best vacation is always right here.

Catchin’ some rays, Catchin’ some Z’s; Catchin’ some waves, Catchin’ a breeze. Here on the bay, Under the palm… trees; Catchin’ some rays, Catchin’ some Z’s.

Yeah, another day in paradise, Whoever said that is more than wise. No hotel bills, no rental car; The best vacation is right where we are;

Catchin’ some rays, Catchin’ some Z’s; Catchin’ some waves, Catchin’ a breeze. Here on the bay, Under the palm… trees; Catchin’ some rays, Catchin’ some Z’s. Pass me some sunscreen, And a cold one, please. Catchin’ some rays; Catchin’ some z’s.

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