I surprise myself. Every day this month there is a new prompt with the theme of “Story” in Laura Shovan’s February project. Every day I am invited to write a poem. Intimidating? Totally. Scary? You bet. Comforting? Always.
I discover over and over again that writing in a community of poets is a safe and accepting place to be. I need to just get over my little ego voice and jump in.
This week Buffy Silverman put up a prompt with these images she’s allowing us to share. She asked us to write about gatherings.
You would think I’d write something about nature. But all that was on my mind was the fact that my brother had texted that he wants to come visit. He has not had a weekend off in a long time, and the last time he visited was for my daughter’s wedding in 2017. My poem written on the spot was about the joy of trying to fit everyone into our house. This is one of those drafts that will likely remain a draft, but I had fun writing it. I forget sometimes that writing should be fun.
Sleeping Arrangements
Add a brother-uncle to the mix
complicates the sleeping arrangements.
He should get the guest room because he’s the guest.
Children can sleep anywhere, except they can’t.
They require a confinement misnomered “Pack & Play”
more like “Stuff and Sleep,” and don’t forget to turn on
the sound machine. There must be a night light,
but nothing too bright.
Cow has to be in the far right corner
while silky covers her face.
Now the 3-year-old has figured out how to climb out,
so he needs an adult in the room nearby.I tell them “Come! Come!”
Margaret Simon, flash draft
We will figure it out
because all my loves in one house
is Everything to me.
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh I can so relate to your description of the kids’ sleeping arrangements. My grands will be here all next week and we already have the noise machine, special sheet, and night light in place. Appropriate stuffies will make the trip with them. Have a wonderful visit with your family, Margaret.
Good luck with the “all next week”. I barely have enough energy for one night!
Oh, I love this – Pack & Play to Stuff & Sleep! Daughter-in-law uses a tented cover for the Pack & Play turning it to Tent for Total Dark and Slumber. You will figure it out because all the loves in one house is Everything! I love this poem and so admire your bravery to write poetry every day.
It’s not so much about bravery. I seem to write better flash drafts like this one when I am writing every day. Lots of them don’t make the cut to blog and even fewer make it into a manuscript of any kind.
I love, I understand. I think you could make something of this. Thinking mask poem from all voices: guest, stuff and sleep, child, nearby adult, noise machine….like The Relatives Came. A collection. Family. Serious, humorous, lyrical….I think you have tons of material!
I love how your brain works! Thanks for the nudge.
So many details in your poem that I relate to. The last stanza says it all!
Sounds like a special time! 💖
Absolutely perfect and soooooooooooo related to purpose. You see that, right? Writing was fun? Reading was more fun. Win and win. Now, do it again.
This poem is so you. The topic, the flow, the energy, the voice. Have fun celebrating family and Mardi Gras!
I loved it when I read it first, and now today, too, Margaret. I know you’re in New Orleans now for Mardi Gras so hope there’s more fun there with this “gathering”, too!
I loved reading this again–enjoy fitting all your loves under your roof.
I really love this one, and yes, writing should be fun (but I know how it could seem more like work at other times). Enjoy everyone gathered together!
Love this, Margaret. It brings back memories of hauling our own Stuff and Sleep (ha!) on visits many years ago.
Margaret, your flash draft is full of many images that I can relate to: nightlight, don’t forget to turn on
the sound machine, etc. The ending is wonderful: because all my loves in one house
is Everything to me. I do love my family around me. It might get tight… Thanks for letting me ponder relationships
This is so real-life beautiful! I love where it lands “because all my loves in one house/is Everything to me.” I feel that in my heart.
Margaret, You can feel your excitement in your poem. It is joyous! I love having all my family together, too. It is a precious thing that one just has to make work – like you are! Thank you for sharing!
Margaret, I’m crying/laughing at how the joyful news of family gathering can send US spiraling. And all the “requirements” – I love that none of it matters. I know that same love and joy. This is us.
Oh, this is so heartwarming, Margaret. ❤️❤️
Also? I love that — more than “intimidating” or “scary” — the daily poem challenge is comforting.
Oh, this is wonderful! That final stanza says it all! Enjoy the hubbub of love!
Happy Mardi Gras to you and yours. Flash draft is a great description of writing like this, fun, yes! That ending, though. I can relate!
I tell them “Come! Come!”…all my loves in one house is Everything to me.” Oh, my heart.