Thursday, April 9, 2026

Take a Phrase. Write It Down. Then, Explain the Phrase as a Poet Would. That Was Yesterday's Morning Challenge (Today, It's Trying to Wake Up)

I was up by five. But for some reason, I kept trying to fall back to sleep. I succeeded and ended up waking at 7:30 rather groggy. This is why we need coffee. I taught late last night (so wonderful to drive home in daylight again and then calmed my fast-moving brain down with a couple episodes of the show Scrubs, which is back with older characters. It's funny and fascinating on multiple levels.

Today, I need to visit schools, prep for an insane week ahead, and grade once again. Much to do in little time. I also want to build a new book shelf, but that is another story for another day. 

Also woke up yesterday to no water. Pipe break downtown I guess, so we were out for the day. When it finally came back on it make horrendous noises and shared two minutes of rusty water. The joys of home ownership. My first reaction was to run down the basement stairs to make sure it wasn't a burst in my own house. That would have sucked. Everything worked out and the evening class was a success, too. Now, onto the Thursday agenda. 

It’s All Good 

b.r.crandall


In habit I say, It’s all good,

but I know the poets see me,

ask their questions with spirited spit-fire…

the what-abouts - the nuclear codes,

that thing about global warming, 

the gasoline, hangnails, anxiety — 

all the ways we make 

being human illegal & 

their preference for blaming

the brown, the foreign,

the poor with historical 

narratives they tell themselves.


This morning, another round 

of excuses arrived, actually.

Aneurysms, assessment-eating

canines, molars with too much 

wisdom. Youth, being wasted

on the young. The privileged.


It is what it is.


Still, there’s hope in wheels with meals,

deliveries of satiated survival,

to sustain another day.


empathy. care. kindness. love.


Actions speak louder than words

& I’ve learned to Shout from Laurie —

it’s an upstate NY thing.


Just Inhale. Exhale. Write.


It’s all good. 

It has to be. 


Because I’m back in Connecticut.

There’s so much work to be done.



And Just Like that It's the 12th of April. A Sunday Where the #VerseLove Traditions Continue & I Am Dreaming of Slower Days Ahead.

Love this time of year when the neighborhood fox are funning between houses to find food for their kids. They are stunning  creatures and wh...