a poem in my pocket

“Prosery” linked to dVerse poets where Melissa hosts prompt to write 144 words and include the Emily Dickinson quote.

She finished the first draft of her book, a short memoir of sorts. It was precious to her, like a child, and she felt timid to let it out into the world. She asked a teacher friend to read it in its entirety, and requested her to please edit, hoping the process would be gentle. But waiting while her friend edited, was painful, almost like labor. She was, after all, birthing her “firstborn” !

Besides the angst of wondering whether her words were worthy, the new author wrestled with a big choice: to submit to a publishing company or to self-publish? Such a personal project seemed best shared with family, a legacy for the grandchildren. They would be the audience most interested, she reasoned. She would self-publish and give copies away. To concur with a brilliantly prolific poet: “publication is the auction of the mind.”

_____________

porcupine people

have soft warm underbelly

if loved beyond quills

______________

Inspired by “The Best of You” podcast, episode# 203

today (and everyday)
you are the master Potter;
i am wet malleable clay

form and fire me into
your image, as a vessel
both beautiful and useful

like porcelain pitcher
and wash basin, to cheer
and refresh weary travelers

to shine, elegantly off-white
(my basin be slightly crackled)
fill this pitcher with holy water

lovely and ready on wash-
stand, eager to humbly serve
dusty people where needed

dawn’s existential
questions ask me:
what am i good at?
and what do i love?

i love my husband;
his hands, his habits
committed promise
to live life together

(companionship with
mutual understanding
that most differences
aren’t worth a fight)

i have need to write,
feel compelled to,
fulfilled by it…you
may say i’m good at

poetry is universal
language; to bask in
bare beauty of words
is to love like a nerd

prayer as life breath;
God is always near
whether or not i can
feel (or love) Him

Jesus seems easier to
love, harder to obey…
but “we love because
he first loved us” yes!

____________

Quote from 1 John 4:19. Written in response to journal prompt/pic by Dawn at:

https://enthusiasticallydawn.com/2026/02/15/all-the-love-journal-prompts-week-3

Also check out dVerse poets where Sanaa hosts “The Evolution of Love”.

our friendship, not hemmed in
by time or location, offers ample
ease for plenty of free movement.
we started on school bus, bobbin’
as fresh-facing kindergarteners;
as middle schoolers, we darted
on bicycles to local pharmacy,
spacious park or shopping mall
to gather summer memories. in
high school and college, took
backstitch or two along the way,
but eventually stood witness as
each took vows binding ourselves
to husbands (promises we’ve kept).
an old favorite friendship that can
stretch seamlessly across the years
and distance; comfortable and warm
as a patchwork quilt; hearts appliqued
with sisterly love, lined with laughter,
covered with grace-patterned shalom.

For my dear friend, Joyce ❤

Joining with dVerse Poets to “sew” some poetry together!