Slice of Life: The Slide of Life

January 25, 2022 by margaretsmn

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write and share.

I try not to complain. I try to see the good in each day. Really, there is good in each day. But yesterday I got this haiku from a friend in Facebook Messenger.

It made me laugh, and I couldn’t resist playing along.

Haiku of my life at 5:00 on Monday.
My ribs are bruised
Coffee has lost its sweetness
Raindrops in my hair.
Margaret Simon

Sliding with “Tuffy”, age 60 and age 28 months.

This photo gives a clue to my injury. See that rather thick siding on the slide, just thick enough to bruise a rib on the way down. Can’t a Mamère have any fun!?

But I will not leave this post without hope. I am currently nurturing about 20 monarch caterpillars in my kitchen. Last week before a hard freeze, I got a text from Jennie who tends the garden at a local school: “There’s a bunch of monarchs at Sugarland. Do you have any desire to bring them in from cold? Thank you, Caterpillar hero!” On my way home I stopped by the school, found an open gate, and cut lots of milkweed with caterpillars feasting. I’m posting updates periodically on Instragram.

My January Kitchen
A net enclosure
holds milkweed to feed
future beauty-wings
Margaret Simon, (c) January 2022

Posted in Poetry, Slice of Life, Writing | Tagged being grandmother, haiku, monarch caterpillars | 15 Comments

15 Responses

on January 25, 2022 at 12:34 pm | Reply Carol Coven Grannick

Started the day with your fun…love the ‘complaining haikus’ but the wonderful caterpillar story reminds me that spring will come, even to frigid Chicago! Thank you!
on January 25, 2022 at 1:04 pm | Reply jim foret

GM You go you caterpillar hero, I’m proud to know you! Jim

Get Outlook for iOS ________________________________
on January 25, 2022 at 1:19 pm | Reply haitiruth

Thanks for a wonderful slice today! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
on January 25, 2022 at 3:11 pm | Reply Ramona

Laughter lightens load
She who rescues inspires
Hope is born anew
- on January 25, 2022 at 3:14 pm | Reply margaretsmn
  
  Love it, Ramona! Thanks for playing along.
on January 25, 2022 at 3:19 pm | Reply Susan Koehler

For Mamère:

Unhappy combo
Young at heart and spirit with
Vulnerable bones

With love and healing thoughts,
Susan
on January 25, 2022 at 4:07 pm | Reply amyilene

Reading a small slice
Understanding what we share
Thank you for this space.
on January 25, 2022 at 7:17 pm | Reply cvarsalona

Love your slice.

mamere on wings
winter spree sliding with glee
does age matter
- on January 25, 2022 at 10:02 pm | Reply margaretsmn
  
  Thanks for the haiku that places me on wings!
on January 25, 2022 at 9:16 pm | Reply Maureen Young Ingram

I know that slide feeling all too well! What a joyful way to be injured, yes? Those caterpillars are divine – very, very special gift in the midst of winter.
on January 25, 2022 at 9:57 pm | Reply mbhmaine

Love your initial woeful haiku and how you shifted to joy. Thanks for sharing!
on January 25, 2022 at 10:27 pm | Reply carlambrown

Inspiring haikus!
Your work yields celebration.
Thank you for sharing.

~Dr. Carla Michelle Brown
on January 25, 2022 at 10:58 pm | Reply Kim Johnson

Margaret, I’m sorry you have bruised ribs! But that is one spectacular picture you got! Love the Haikus that tell it like it is. My back hurts, too. And I’m tired. And I would never even have the energy to get on that slide, so my hat is off to you.
on January 26, 2022 at 12:09 am | Reply theapplesinmyorchard

The monarchs I’ve raised for the last 20 years have given me great joy. I am glad you are enjoying it as well. I hope your shoulder is better soon.
on January 26, 2022 at 10:16 am | Reply Fran Haley

A joy all around, Margaret, even with the wryness! Those photos are priceless.