NaPoWriMo 2026, Day 21

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Mary Beth Frezon

Got Deja vu? Sure do! (Sounds like a George Bilgere title! and is not the NaPoWriMo optional prompt du jour)

Shall I write about trees again?
Another round of people loved and lost?
Should there be a line about that time we
kissed and wept and hated and wept
as though the moon would never shine again?
never is a long time I think
forever down the road the other way
and the trees are out there and full of birds
this cup of coffee, just one of thousands
these three cats, the latest iteration
so then, these words, written or typed
circling back to tell me — yes, life goes on
this latest april snow, this bright green grass
these dishes I’ve washed since college.

A small bowl with a blue onion pattern around the rim and center has a stainless steel spoon with a beaded edge resting in it. They both sit on a handwoven cream-color cloth.

Posted in cats helpful cats, coffee and tea, Do the Work, In the neighborhood, life around us, NaPoWriMo, Poetry and Lyrics, sonnet, the creative process | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

NaPoWriMo 2026, Day 20

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Mary Beth Frezon

When there are no birds at the feeder, there’s usually a reason, and sometimes the story is revealed in a few feathers left behind. NaPoWriMo suggested “try writing your own poem that uses an animal that shows up in myths and legends as a metaphor for some aspect of a contemporary person’s life. Include one spoken phrase.” I’m not sure I managed all that but it did gather some thoughts on life in the yard.

In the quiet yard
a pile of feathers, yellow, black
left behind in the struggle
now all is still, no mourning
no sad songs, no vigils
At the end of the drive
tan and black feathers, scattered
not by wind but hunger
I take one, feeling complicit
knowing it was a mourning dove
knowing it was a sudden death
but as I turn to go I hear
three crows yelling to the mourners
Hey! We found him! We will give chase!

a disheveled white feather on the grass

Posted in birds and chickens, Do the Work, In the neighborhood, life around us, NaPoWriMo, Poetry and Lyrics, sonnet, taking time to look, the creative process | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

NaPoWriMo 2026, Day 19

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Mary Beth Frezon

I can’t believe it’s Day 19 already. Also can’t believe it’s legit snowing/slushing outside. Seems to be turning over to just snow now and coming down hard. That’s because I put my screens in the windows yesterday!

We had a wonderful time at the concert last night. I could have gladly heard Ohlsson play several more Chopin encores but it was still enough. I was a bit surprised that people left after that, at intermission and sad for them because the Elgar Variations were just beautiful.

I listened to Chopin on the ride home and am still not tapping into the “real world” stuff yet. After some coffee…. after some coffee.

today the slushing rain has filled
the yard with thirty-ish finches
all arguing for seed and perch
before I saw the snow out there
I drew on a sweater, grateful
for its old gray wooly friendship
I poured coffee into my cup
with glad familiarity
I chatted with my mother
about last night concert’s pleasure
a concerto favorite of Dad
she said she knew he was with us
I knew as we stood applauding
he was quietly loving us.

Landscape with a low barn red building on the left and a tree, with distant trees. There's a wet looking driveway in the mid ground with some small pines. In the air is a lot of snow.

Posted in birds and chickens, coffee and tea, Do the Work, gratitude, life around us, NaPoWriMo, OneGoodThing, Poetry and Lyrics, sonnet, taking time to look, the creative process, weather, what I'm listening to | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

NaPoWriMo 2026, Day 18

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Mary Beth Frezon

When I saw the notice for this concert – Garrick Ohlsson performing Rachmaninoff’s Second with the Albany Symphony plus Elgar Variations and a new commissioned work, you bet I bought tickets! I listened to a lot of Ohlsson and Chopin over the last years, and watched him talk about Chopin and playing the piano. So yes please.

today is finally the day
all week in darker crevices
that one calendar reminder
concert saturday evening
the well known pianist and the
local orchestra two pieces
much loved and a new commission
we’ll put on our nicer clothes
we’ll have dinner beforehand
we’ll find a nearby parking spot
and walk the old sidewalks of spring
getting an escort to our seats
all week i have waited for this
a taste of normal worth the fight

Posted in Art in the world, Do the Work, gratitude, NaPoWriMo, Poetry and Lyrics, sonnet, the creative process, what I'm listening to | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

NaPoWriMo 2026, Day 17

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mary Beth Frezon

There will be haiku today, because it’s April 17th but still, a sonnet to sum up the state of the world.

These days some days to get through it
you have to turn it all off and
let something else grab your attention
just for some hours, an afternoon
choose a paintbrush, sew the button
clear the countertop, knit a row
pull out the weeds, walk the whole yard
look in all the crannies, hear birds
just for some hours, or a day
to set aside the endless news
so crazy it’s not crazy anymore
close the door on it for awhile
emerge to find a row of cats
they’re waiting to welcome you back

Selfie Photo: Miss Nyx cuddling up with me for a good visit. Black cat in the crook of my arm while we both look up at the camera.

The Chief Inspector looks over my order of sewing supplies spread on the table - rolls of elastic and braid and some miscellaneous things in plastic bags - all checked out carefully by a black cat.

Landscape photo with sections of a white fence going from right corner into green field. Beyond some dark leafless woods and a blue sky with a variety of bright clouds.375

Posted in birds and chickens, cats helpful cats, Do the Work, gratitude, landscape, life around us, NaPoWriMo, National Haiku Day, Poetry and Lyrics, Ripped from the headlines, sonnet, the creative process | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment