Iris, a poem

I met Iris when I was 6 and she 76
and to this day she remains the
sprightliest woman I’ve ever known.

She’d break into Russian dance
on the kitchen floor while bending
over to pick up a dropped cookie,

and keep flinging herself all the way
’round the old oak table on the linoleum
installed just after the first world war.

She’d scale the rose trellis and rescue
some wailing cat or child or husband
and not lose a drop from her teacup.

She’d take us all sailing on her ship
and fend off every pirate with a mere
wag of her long skinny index finger.

I met Iris when I was very young
and she even younger, and I’ll never
forget her blue eyes that danced like

a squirrel who’d finally gnawed a hole
into a chef’s pecan and walnut pantry,
a squirrel with many mouths to feed.

Iris died at noon on my 111th birthday
as the last oak leaf burst from its bud,
summer tuning up in the orchestra pit.

And I still miss her.

(irises I photographed in Zilker Gardens yesterday)

And guess what?? This is my first foray into One Shot Wednesday, whoooohooooo — holy cow, I’m IN, Dudes, I’m so totally freaking IN!!!

xoxoxoxoox

Jannie Wrote A Letter — a short poem

Jannie wrote a letter
on vellum crisp as snow
and everywhere that Jannie went
the letter it did go.

It followed her for burgers

a taco

and a brew.

It munched some Whole Foods candies

and kissed some jump-ups blue.

Jannie wrote a letter.
It flew across the sea.
And boy, were its arms tired
when it reached Hilary.

56 words for The G-Man.

Sorry — it’s supposed to be 55.

🙂

Write a little story in 55 words,

go tell it on G-Man’s mountain and

he’ll shine his ever-lovin’ light on you.

xoxoxooxox

Look At The Stars, Look How They Shine For You

Yesterday in the bathtub I sat singing

Coldplay’s “Yellow.” Such a pretty song.

Later, in my blue chiffon I combed

the forest for something cheery for you

— a daffodil shock maybe, or a single lemon,

but came up short — until I remembered

the yellow guitar lesson, the spaghetti thing,

and that I always already have what I need.

Just a little fiction in 55 words for THE G-Man.

Posted with love, by Jannie of  The Yellow Starshine Wonderment Brigade.

xoxoxo

My Alexa Rank — a poem in 55 words

Why should I care my Alexa Rank’s

been slipping upwards for months?

What does a silly number matter,

when my trees are more singing than ever

my child more laughing

my husband more snuggly

you all much dearer

and the oceans more and more

dancing with the promise

of every sweet day yet to come?

Hey, that was a Friday Flash Fiction 55 for our G-Man.

 
The lowest Alexa Rank I’ve ever attained was about 150,000! 

Yes, FUNSTERLAND was the 150,000th most popular website IN THE WORLD about 3 months ago!!!!!

🙂

Then I started putting more time and energy into songwriting than blogging.

Now, I rank… but I don’t really give a flying fiddler’s flute about the number!

Posted with love and ocean-ment,

Jannie
xoxoox

Imagined From My Songwriting Chair While Listening To Neighborhood Construction

The workmen one street over

are bouncing on pogo sticks

atop slabs awaiting framing.

They are constantly singing,

earlier Leonard Cohen mostly.

Sometimes Neil Diamond.

Occasional Madonna.

Now they are beating drums

and marching, the guy with the

nail gun spinning cartwheels,

the one dressed as Snow White

twirling dual flaming batons

and contemplating sequins.

Whooo-hoooo. I’m back in Friday Flash Fiction 55 Land for THE G-MAN, who is having SO much winter fun lately!!

xoxoxo