Pádreg Ó Tuama is a master at the Pantoum poetry form. In his newsletter last week, he offered sentence stems and a 1-8 line prompt. He suggested “Don’t stress over it: bring yourself generously to yourself.” The whole prompt can be found here. If you haven’t tried a Pantoum before, you should give it a try. This time I was pleased enough with the results to share my poem with you.
Time
Today, my mind wants peace
and I watch the white cat;
although yesterday I sang of grace.
As I write, I cling to memory
and watch the white cat.
When I was younger, I thought tears were weak.
As I write and cling to memory,
I couldn’t have known, terrible things would happen.
When I was younger and thought tears were weak,
I wish I’d known grief is a bitch.
I couldn’t have known how terrible things happen.
I had a dream I was a cloud.
Grief is a bitch anyway;
although yesterday I sang of grace.
I dream of clouds.
Today my mind offers peace.
Margaret Simon, draft
May, 2026
Reflections on the Teche 