Hello Blog friends, 

Since this is the fifth Tuesday of the month, author Colleen Chesebro asks interested poets to share a bit of their day via a syllabic poem. I've chosen the early morning and titled my tanka 6 AM. 

Every day, unless it is hailing or pouring outside, I take a long walk when the sun is just beginning to rise. I love the silence and the wildlife -- minus the javelinas. 

When I was a kid, my mom used to say, "Morning is the best time of the day." And with that comment, she'd tell my six siblings and me to go outside. I suspect she's smiling now, because all of us are early morning risers. 

​My simple tanka: 

I hope you have a wonderful week! ❤️

Hello blog friends. This week poet Colleen Chesebro invites us to write a syllabic poem based upon the theme of lessons from nature. Intrigued? I was, and I thought immediately of my garden. Because I live in the high desert of Prescott, AZ, my yard is covered with rocks. I wanted a garden, so I created several little dirt oases. This was a first for me. But now, I'm enjoying the results. My poem is a simple Haiku (5-7-5).
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Have a wonderful week, blog friends. And, if you feel inspired, please share one of your lessons from nature. 😊

Jerry Pait enlisted on September 15, 1964, was assigned to Fleet Sonar School, volunteered for subs, and ended up on USS Entemedor (SS-340). After Advanced Sonar School, he was transferred as an STS-2 to USS Von Steuben (SSBN 632B) in the Philly yards right after her collision off Cadiz, Spain. Jerry went on to become COB on Von Steuben, served in a senior position in Sonar/Torpedoman School, and then was commissioned as an LDO Ensign. He returned briefly to Von Steuben and then served as a division officer on several sub tenders. After that, he was assigned to NOTU, supervising underwater ballistic missile launchings for several years, working closely with NASA. He rose to Lt. Cmdr., and was selected for Cmdr. 

Jerry took a senior field position with the major defense contractor Brown & Root, but during his first year, he fell from 20 feet in a way that fractured his back and cracked his skull. He survived and has struggled ever since to regain as much function as possible.
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Jerry’s book, Sŭbmarine-Ër: 30 Years of Hijinks & Keeping the Fleet Afloat, will be released on September 15, exactly 58 years after he enlisted. 

BLURB:
Lieutenant Commander Jerry Pait’s semi-autobiographical collection of sixty stories recounts his thirty years in and around the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. Ranging from light-hearted to wrenching, all are poignant inside looks at naval operations rarely seen by outsiders. Topics include the real story behind the shuttle Challenger tragedy, risking his own life underwater, discovering a Soviet spy living across the street, surviving when a DELTA Rocket engine ignites, critical missions, and the everyday lives of men and women of the fleet. Dive into Sŭbmarine-Ër for hijinks and breathtaking adventure with this poignant memoir by a true American hero.

If you have a free moment, I think you'll enjoy this upcoming podcast. You can click on the image for the direct link. Otherwise, you can call in during the program or use Twitter. Jerry looks forward to your questions. 

​Contact Links

​Amazon               Fresh Ink Group Twitter               Voice of Indie Podcast

Hello dear blog friends,

I'm a little behind schedule this week, so I'm especially excited to share author Colleen Chesebro's new challenge with you today. She has invited interested writers to explore Ekphrastic poetry by using the image below. Poet Reena provided this lovely artwork for the challenge. 

My first thoughts in studying the painting were those of interconnectedness - a little bit of you and a little bit of me sharing space. 

​My poem is a simple Tanka (5-7-5-7-7). Reena's artwork resurrected the faces of friends and strangers who have become part of my life through simple, caring acts. You and I may never meet in person but today I thank you for being one of those who walk with me. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Hello dear blog friends, it's #TankaTuesday, and I've another poem to share.

Author Colleen Chesebro invited writer Yvette Calleiro to select a syllabic form for participants in this poetry challenge. To my surprise, Yvette chose a form that I created and called 4-11. This form is simply eleven lines with four syllables each and with the beginning and ending lines repeating each other.  

I hope you enjoy this latest adventure, and I also hope you'll join in fun. I'd love to read your poem. 

Stay well, my friends, and through the craziness of these times, let's all search for ways to stand together. ❤️

Hello blog friends,

It's time for a #TankaTuesday poetry challenge. This week, author Colleen Chesebro invites us to Taste the Rainbow and select a color to feature in a poem.

I've chosen to do something a little different. I've created a garden poem using a butterfly cinquain of 2-4-6-8-2-8-6-4-2 syllables. It's lighthearted, and it was fun taking photos in the garden. I hope you enjoy it.  

Have a wonderful week, hopefully with not too many of these little creatures. 😊