PAD Days 2 and 3

Yes, the time got away from me and I didn't post Day 2. So here are both days. Happy poeming to all!! Hope you are enjoying April, though here all it has done is rain. And somehow March is lingering with the wind.

Just a heads up for all authors who might want to be interviewed. I am starting my blog interviews in May and will keep the post up for 2 weeks. So let me know if you are interested. Put it in the comments.

Now for the poems.
Day 2
Prompt: Write a happy and/or a sad poem

Why Am I Happy?
If you ask me I’ll say I’m happy.
If you examine my life you might ask why
When so much of my life is gone
And the one I loved is laying
Probably dissipated into the
Waters of the Atlantic Ocean
Off the coast of New Jersey

But life has given me my children
A funny, incorrigible and delightful dog
And the ability to write my thoughts down
Whenever the occasion calls – like now
So yes, I am happy and can augh at a moment’s notice
I take each day as it comes
Eager to find what is new

I gather good moments together in a box
And the box is full of Post its documenting these
There is war everywhere and biological horrors
Children are starving and dying and bombs are being dropped
But still I give thanks for my peaceful life
Broken up sometimes by medical problems
Or anger at ridiculous and petty things

Still, I am happy and hopeful
That soon all will be better in the world
I pray each day for peace
To knit together all the broken pieces of our world
So, we can all experience the joys of sitting still
Or being able to read and go about our business
in the comfort of freedom and dignity

I am happy to be where I am
Eat the food that I have
Live the comfortable life we all deserve
And my happiness comes from being able to do this
And yes, I feel guilty that not everyone can
But right now I can and though I pray all will be able to have peace
I am taking advantage of the short time I have left in this world to be happy.
Copyright 2024 by Barbara Ehrentreu
Day 3
Prompt: Write about a musical act or a musician

Taylor Swift

Her music delighted me as I listened to
“Love Story”in the car on the radio
Captured me with its words and music
And from that first listening I was hooked

Later songs I absorbed into myself
Creating a desire to see and hear her in person
And to my delight we did do that
Saw her in giant venues with thousands of people
And every time the experience became a delight

Her music infuses into my soul, sometimes
As she writes about her life and sad love stories
And she brings me into the music
As if she were singing only for me
Yet I know I am surrounded by the thousands
Who all feel the same way

What is it about this musician that makes people feel
They are getting an individual concert?
Her music is both simple and complex
You want to hum and sing the words immediately
Older songs settle into you like you found friends
She brings something new to each time she performs
And she seems to care about every listener

More than that is her attention to detail
In her songs and her concerts
The sets and costumes enhance her music
Which is always the center of her existence
For when she stands with only a guitar
And sings as if she were in a coffee house
In a giant statdium – it’s magic

Her voice is simple and compelling
The lyrics grab you almost every time
And after the song is over you feel bereft
Of her warmth, style, compassion and overall talent
She is the essence of a true star
And she uses her power for good
As she urges all to go out and vote
Politics is an integral part of her
And she applies her clout to this
Hoping to steer the young people who listen
To be responsible and vote

And in her gentle and persuasive way she does that
With her velvet hammer of goodness
Spreading her smiling presence over the world
And creating a group of loyal fans so strong
And very powerful
But at her concerts there is only peace and love
And the joy of seeing and listening to Taylor Swift
Copyright 2024 by Barbara Ehrentreu



Day 3

Jason Isbell

In his voice are the smoky bar nights
And the sadness of overcome addiction
It barrels through me as I listen
Plaintive with a touch of a southern twang
From his home state of Alabama
And yet he sings of everyday things
His songs bring you into lives
You may not have ever seen

People who are broken or sad
Memories of good and bad times
Well and sick people and those who are gone
Tugging on you to follow him wherever he sings
With his guitar slung across his body
And his amazing talented fingers playing it

Some of his songs are too much for me
There is one I know so well the opening chords
Open up a well of sadness
“Vampires” has a man thinking about the future
And how a couple’s love will last for a long time.
“Maybe we’ll get forty years together. One day I’ll be gone. One day you’ll be gone”*
Those lines cut a hole into my heart
And dredge up the sadness I keep so tightly hidden
For my husband and I had forty-eight years together
And when that line comes my eyes fill with tears
when I first heard them, uncontrollable sobbing.

Music can do that to me and his does often
With that song and in concert I have been with my daughters
Who look over at me when the song is played
Am I okay? And one or both will hold my hand
To show they care and give me strength

Funny how one song can bring back all the pain
Copyright 2024 by Barbara Ehrentreu

https://genius.com/Jason-isbell-and-t...

I hope you are writing at least a poem a day this April but if you aren't don't feel bad. At least I am writing and I'm sharing them with you.

Also want to remind people that I have a book just published: If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor...: https://www.amazon.com/If-Could-Like-... might make you smile a little as you relive high school days. Or you can give it to your teen.

Until the next time, keep writing and enjoying your life.