R.L. Toalson's Blog, page 2
April 9, 2019
Ode: a Short Humorous Poem
You are certainly loved—a stupendous joy
my sanctuary from talkative boys
and though I can’t say how long I’ll be here
before someone drowns in preventable tears
I’m exceedingly grateful to you, my dear friend—
a reading chair’s great from first page to “The End.”
(Photo by Prasanna Kumar on Unsplash)
April 2, 2019
The Power of Recognition: a Short Inspiring Tale
“Does anyone want to buy a copy?” He asks into the general hum of voices.
He’s peddling comics he’s writing about superheroes whose backgrounds he’ll detail for you if you have a minute (or twenty) to listen. He started the comic back when he was eight. Now he’s continuing the series at twelve. He has two written, and he’s selling a preorder for a third—a package deal.
I am proud of his efforts, proud that he is secure in the value of this created work of his—so secure that he can talk so con...
March 26, 2019
After the Debut Book Release: a Meandering Meditation
It’s the time of evening when I’m normally stretched out in my bed, reading. And it’s true that I have a book open, but I’m not reading. My eyes can’t focus on the words in front of me, because there are too many words in my head.
A cloud has been hanging over me for weeks, months, I don’t even remember how long. No, that’s not true; I do remember how long. It’s been here ever since the week after my first traditionally published book, The Colors of the Rain, released into the world.
It’s a l...
March 19, 2019
A Rainy Day: Observations
slanted streaks across the window
boys pressing faces to see outside
it begins with a tap but turns to a hissing hum
a door swinging open, one of them gone to dance in the rain
can we go outside? the rest of them say
a momentary hesitation
a thought: How often do they ask?
a nod, a smile, a following
puddles forming already
rings trembling in the puddles
cold drops kissing my cheeks, forehead, upturned mouth
a shiver streaking through us all
laughter joining the pounding of water
eyes squeezi...
March 4, 2019
Bedtime: a Poem of Recorded Observations
When it’s bedtime, I…
see
a moon, beaming outside my window
two cats chasing each other
children rolling in their beds
hear
giggling
smacks
thumps
smell
the lavender lotion on my hands
the spicy essential oil I roll on my wrists to better breathe
peppermint hair
taste
minty fresh toothpaste
a splash of cool water
the pungent vitamins I forgot to take earlier
touch
a bamboo body pillow
a soft foamy head pillow
my husband’s foot, resting across mine
…and sleep comes faithfully
(Photo by This is...
February 25, 2019
The Amazing Play of Children in Eight Parts
i
“No, no, don’t go that way!” He has two cars, and they’re about to collide, and at the last minute one jumps another and he heaves a giant sigh and says, “Oh, good. We’re safe. Are you okay, Mama?” I don’t answer. He’s not talking to me, he’s talking to the other person in his tiny car, the imaginary me.
ii
“It goes like this,” he says, and he launches into a lengthy explanation about how a person can survive this particular part of FortNite while his brother watches his navigation, riveted...
February 18, 2019
What Writers Give to Their Work
I was walking my sons to school the other day when the woman crossing them said, “I looked up your book yesterday.”
I never know what to say in situations like these, so I just said, “Oh, yeah?”
She said, “Yeah.” She didn’t say anything else about my book (I can’t say I wasn’t glad). She moved on to tell me that she’s been urging her husband to write a book for a while. She said, “I think he would write it well, but he just doesn’t have the time.”
I can empathize with this completely. My firs...
February 11, 2019
When Stories Contain Pieces of Home: a Short Reflection
He walked into my room while I was trying to find a place for the new books I’d picked up at the library. He said, “Mama, do you think you can give me a copy of The Colors of the Rain that’s signed so I can put it on my bookshelf?”
“I already put one on the bookshelf out in the library,” I said.
“I know,” he said. “I just wanted one of my own.”
“Like, signed for you?”
“Yeah.”
He started middle school this year. The first day of school he didn’t need me to walk him to the door of his classro...
February 4, 2019
16 Things that are Ubiquitous: a List
The surprising kindness of strangers
Weird-looking feet
Love
Wonder
Things that make you smile, if you open your eyes enough
People who need hope, joy, or a reminder that they are valuable
Curiosity
Music that makes you want to dance
Missing shoes
Litter
Laundry
Great teachers
Kids who hate to brush their teeth
Good books
Dreams
Hope
(Photo by John Simitopoulos on Unsplash)
January 21, 2019
Ubiquitous: a Study in Vocabulary
The way “ubiquitous” rolls of the tongue is languid and large, a four-syllable word that drifts out into conversation with hardly an effort, at least in my home. Ever since I told my sons its definition (“present, appearing, or found everywhere”) two days ago, they’ve been using it to describe and surmise.
“Your smell is ubiquitous,” one of them says, waving a hand in front of his face—and he is correct.
“LEGOs are ubiquitous,” another announces, and, yes, I agree—I have found them on our cou...
