A Brief Break From Regularly Scheduled Programming-Animal Poems

I thought I would share these few older poems. One of my new friends is a Cat Blogger and made me think of these…

T.J. Does Windows – Revisited

She is not sophisticated
In her manipulative use,
Still it is her desired program.
She arrives by invitation
Of the sheer openness to lounge
Gazing out at the spacious world,
No blinds to obscure her vision.
She slumbers utterly content
Upon the eggshell windowsill,
Her sable nose twitching softly
As she seizes some slight fragrance.
She leaps sudden, down gracefully,
Slinking lithe ebony and white
Elsewhere to dream or spry engage
In her coddled cat wonderland.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
March 11, 2000

My Darling, Hope

Darling of my heart
Always dear, dependable,
Loyal without question.

Companion who walks with me
With quiet joy
And overwhelming happiness.

Partner in my bed
Who snuggles up warmly
Against me in the night.

I never knew
A puppy dog
Could be such a friend.

My Master and Me

The world is a huge place
I take up so little space.

My master is strong
I do as she says and come along.

Every day is an adventure
My thoughts are sweet and pure.

I am a puppy dog
I like it when we jog.

My master is the leader
I try hard to delight her.

I have great love and joy
I am better than any toy.

My master is adorable
I please her when I am able.

Photograph:

Hope…

365 Creativity Project-Day 149

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is in answer to the prompt on Poetic Asides. I think you will find it inspirational, so go there and see what it suggests you create.

No Idle Time

Thin sharpened branches
Or sometimes long welding rods
Held hot dog wieners
Over the dancing bright flames
On cricket song breezy nights.

The reflected sun
Rippled across the water
While thundering boats
Cascaded over rough waves
Rattling our teeth on board.

Rain pattered softly
On green and yellow canvas
Lulling us to sleep
And waking we felt brand new
To begin vacation days.

Camping was childhood
Delight that never faded
In my memory
Especially my skiing
Behind our maroon Scat Craft.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Photographs:

The notebook I finished yesterday…

The new journal I started today…

My darling Hope…

Maybe my literary dog will become my muse…

I am grateful:

1.   I slept in a while.
2.   Mom is here with me.
3.   We have air conditioning.
4.   I have wonderful memories of camping as a child.
5.   Hope is such an adorable and lovable dog.

Can you believe it is Wednesday again? Time seems to speed by like a starship in warp drive. I hope your day has been enjoyable. Take time to create something that will commemorate the passage of your day. Make sure you date your creation so you can reference it in coming days.

I hope you will leave a comment letting me know your thoughts.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 146

Journal entry:

Today’s poetry prompt comes from The Sunday Whirl. I went in a very unexpected direction after looking at the words given, but I hope you will like the poem.

Depths and Heights

They beat Him until
His back split open under
The lash’s harsh edge
They made His skin darkly bruise,
He did not crumple or crouch.

They all burst into
Laughter at His suffering
And tried to draw Him
Into answering with guilt,
But there was none within Him.

On Golgotha’s hill
The nails pierce His tender skin,
They chisel a hole
And drop His cross with a crash
Hanging Him under Heaven.

The sun’s glow sudden
Hides from such an awful scene
Where the Son of God
Deserted to horrible
Torture surrenders to death.

The story does not
In such tragedy then end
For Christ rose from death,
He now reigns with the Father
And He is coming again.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, June 3, 2012

Photographs:

My sweet baby girl, Hope…

14 year old, Penny…

What a face… Ko-Ko…

Another shot of my Hope…

I am grateful:

1.   I was able to sleep in.
2.   Our dogs are so sweet and companionable.
3.   I paid my insurance this morning.
4.   I have a powerful computer.
5.   Mom feels well today.

I hope you have enjoyed a relaxing Sunday. If you would like, follow the link to The Sunday Whirl and use those words to write your own poem or short story. If that does not appeal, write a five item thankful list and build a poem around it. Of course, anything else you want to do that is creative would be good.

Leave a comment if something touched your heart or mind or if you have advice for me.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 143

Journal entry:

The poem today was inspired by the prompt at Trifecta. You should visit the site if you are in need of inspiration.

My Decline

I decay daily
My lined face falls into ruin,
I am diminished
My appeal fades slow away,
But I am not discouraged.

I still have great worth
Beyond the physical form,
My love increases
As the time quickly passes,
My wisdom grows more astute.

I reach out for new
Experience enriching
My ongoing life,
I build up a treasure trove
Of victory over waste.

Faith continues on
Becoming ever stronger,
Belief becomes more
Easily applied to days
Wherein I grow still older.

Even as decay
Works against my advancing,
I fight on each hour
Moving toward perfection
Furnished by my vibrant soul.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, May 31, 2012

Photographs:

Mom’s Homebound Buddies, Frances and Wendell, who visit every month or so to bring literature and recordings from our church.

Me, as I usually am… not as I imagine myself to be…

Penny cooperating with the camera…

Ko-Ko and Hope lounging with Mom…

I am grateful:

1.   I woke up from a laughing dream early this morning and chose to stay up.
2.   I took a shower and dressed instead of staying in pajamas.
3.   Wendell and Frances visited.
4.   My daughter-in-law, Laura, called and we had a wonderful conversation that lasted nearly an hour and a half.
5.   I completed my creative work very early.

I hope you are enjoying this last day of May. If you have been following my promptings you should have a store of creative work from this month. Reflect on it today and do something more.

There was an interesting article I read, and I want to pass along the link to you: Ode Magazine. This dealt with the health benefits of writing, and I want you to know that your creative endeavors can have a lasting positive influence on your life. I encourage you to do creative work for your well being and happiness.

I hope you will leave me a comment expressing your thoughts. Your feedback is much appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 139

Journal entry:

Today’s poem is derived from The Sunday Whirl. I hope maybe you will take time to create something from this wordle.

The Reunion

I scrape off the rough barnacles
That cocoon my flinty tongue,
The words brittle like old chalk
Blur in the austere presence
Of those drenched in the cold hate
Splattered upon me by their slander
Which burnished my youthful days,
And yet I speak soft syllables
Of generous friendliness
Accepting them without regret
Moving beyond the fallen tears.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sunday, May 27, 2012

Photographs:

A few books for inspiration…

Hope…

Mom’s plant I gave her for Mother’s Day…

Mom, Hope and Ko-Ko…

I am grateful:

1.   Laura and Alex had some time to spend together before his deployment to Afghanistan.
2.   I can rely on God to make life worthwhile.
3.   The internet allows me to stay connected to others for whom I care.
4.   Tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwiches made us a good supper.
5.   Writing is an honest joy.

I hope you are enjoying this Memorial Day weekend, and that you remember why we celebrate. I believe creativity honors our time here, so do something creative today.

If you enjoyed this entry, or have suggestions for improvement, please leave me a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 138

A retrospective story start:

The prompt that inspired the above and the poem below was found at Poetry Jam. I have much material on the subject of bullies. Unfortunately, those memories of being victimized have never faded.

Inhumanity

They want to be friends
Now so many years after
The damage was done,
I suppose they believe it
Easy to forgive meanness.

The scars I carry
Are deeper than the surface
Of my tender skin,
The cruel words still remain
Echoing loud inside my mind.

I am a victim
Of their youthful savagery
Even in this time,
The atrocity keeps me
Bound by their brutality.

Maybe they forgot,
But my memory is fresh,
I face it each time
I look into a mirror
And am bedeviled anew.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Photographs:

Ko-Ko…

Hope…

Penny…

I am grateful:

1.   I got up early.
2.   Sherry, our groomer, came and sheared our dogs.
3.   I finished reading The Distant Hours by Kate Morton, which was a very entertaining novel.
4.   The green beans we bought recently were surprisingly good.
5.   Hope allowed Sherry to clear out her ears better than usual.

I hope your Saturday has been filled with happiness. Make some time to get creative. You can produce something wonderful if you only make the effort.

Your comments are as always welcome and appreciated.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 133

Journal entry:

Today I found my poetry prompt at http://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com/. If you are in need of a bit of inspiration, perhaps you might find it there.

Near Departure

Perhaps there is a window
That opens on the secret
Of my very soul’s marrow,
Bypassing the grief that holds
Me by hand in the stillness
Where flower the crocuses
That bloom in rainbow colors
With truly massive clatter
Making my hips scream mutely
As a person caught dreaming,
Or mayhap the window is
Closed capturing my whole heart.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, May 21, 2012

Photographs:

Penny, Hope, and Ko-Ko hoping for a bit of a treat…

Mug…

I am grateful:

1.   I asked for help with inspiration in MNINB Platform Challenge group on Facebook.
2.   I was able to get some extra sleep.
3.   I had leftovers from yesterday’s feast for supper.
4.   I am adding more followers to my blog.
5.   I have an income though it is small.

I hope your Monday was not too much a hassle. If your day has been difficult take some time to do something creative to ease your frustration. Even if you only write about what passed during your day it will help you wind down.

Let me know what you think of today’s entry by leaving a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 130

Journal entry:

One Last Thought

You have not crossed my
Mind today, but early yet,
I will try to leave
The day in grace without you
Intruding upon my thought.

I muddle through hours
Where I would be better left
To my own devices,
Still times spent with you beckon
From the past, bright memories.

Be gone you pale ghost
Who haunts my days like passing
Of a morning dew
Leaving no discernible
Trace to nourish wayward dreams.

I seek my comfort
In other things and people
For better or worse
You are no longer a part
Of my world, fully divorced.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 18, 2012

Photographs:

Hope…

Ko-Ko…

I am grateful:

1.   My Buick ran well when I went to check the mail.
2.   Mom felt better today.
3.   There were ribs in the freezer that we can have for supper tomorrow.
4.   The thunderstorms last night did not cause the power to go out.
5.   This weekend is supposed to be beautiful.

I hope you have enjoyed your Friday. If you have some time take some pictures, draw something, write a poem, story, or journal entry. Do something creative to nourish your soul.

Please leave me a comment or suggestion.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 123

Journal entry:

How My Mind Behaves

Sometimes looking in
You might think I am almost
Normal, your mistake,
For my thinking processes
Run a bit outlandishly.

I am functional,
But there are times when my mind
Goes somewhat amok
Chasing eccentrically
After uncommon ideas.

Mentally I am
Considered unusual
Because my focus
Becomes very obsessive
Over even little things.

Creativity
Readily available
Present at all times
Invigorates intellect,
I am quite exceptional.

Insane, some call me
And that might be accurate
In the strictest sense
But I believe the truth lies
Somewhat beyond unstable.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Friday, May 11, 2012

Photographs:

My sweet Hope…

Day Lily…

Rose…

Dandelion…

Clover…

Day Lily…

I am grateful:

1.   I finished my reading of Chris’ manuscript.
2.   Mom cooked spaghetti for supper.
3.   Hope is doing well.
4.   Mom is feeling alright.
5.   God blessed me with talents I am still developing.

I hope your Friday was rewarding. Take time to do something creative, even if it is only writing something special in a Mother’s Day card for a Mom you love.

If you have any thoughts to share, please leave a comment below.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 45

Haiku:

Photographs:

Dandelion…

Yucca and Camellia bush…

Camellia blooms and buds…

Camellia blooms…

Hope on our walk…

Flowering Quince…

Hope and Penny waiting for carrots…

Ko-Ko and Hope waiting for carrots…

I am grateful:

1.   Penny’s annual exam went well.
2.   I found the lens cap I had lost a few days ago.
3.   I put out Easter decorations and those added color to the house.
4.   Hope and I walked a mile.
5.   My blog has existed for several years, and records my history.

I hope your Thursday was an enjoyable one. Try to create something of the day’s experience.

Always,
Jo Ann

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: