Sunday, April 30, 2023

Excited

Today is the last day of NaPoWriMo 2023! The prompt today is "to write a palinode – a poem in which you retract a view or sentiment expressed in an earlier poem." My palinode retracts the sentiment I expressed in my poem "Afraid," which I will write again here so both poems can be seen on the same page. My palinode poem is titled "Excited."

Afraid
By Candace Shultz

She stopped dead
Anxious

Afraid
to see him
to leave him
not to leave him

Not daring to stay
She ran

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Excited
By Candace Shultz

She ran towards him
Happy

Excited
to see him
to be with him
always to be with him

Not wanting to leave
She stopped

She wrapped her arms around him
And rested her head

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Hot Dogs, Beans, and Macaroni

Today's NaPoWriMo prompt is as follows: write a "two-part poem that focuses on a food or type of meal. At some point in the poem, describe the food or meal as if it were a specific kind of person. Give the food/meal at least one line of spoken dialogue." At first glance, I felt this was a very challenging prompt, but I decided to give it a try. I chose to write about a meal my mom used to make called hot dogs, beans, and macaroni. She'd boil the macaroni noodles, boil the hot dogs and then slice them up, and heat up the baked beans. Then she would mix them all together in one pot. I still love this meal even as an adult, and I introduced it to my children who love it as well. 


Hot Dogs, Beans, and Macaroni
By Candace Shultz

1.

Hot dogs, beans, and macaroni:
Some people would say they
Are better eaten alone, individually,
Hot dogs with their buns,
Baked beans on the side,
Macaroni with its cheese.
But one day, it's like they said,
Hey, let's mix it up and party!
Hot dogs ditched their bread.
Macaroni left the cheese behind.
And baked beans just dived right in.
The beans always do just go with the flow.
They coat everything with their sauciness.

2.

Hot dogs, beans, and macaroni.
They are a resilient mix.
They are like a poor man
Making the best of a hard situation.
Many people don't like it
When these foods mingle together.
Some won't even try it,
The idea too unfathomable.
But for others, they carry fond memories
Of eating dinner with their mom and siblings.
They carry on the tradition
With their own children
To the consternation of their spouses
With more refined tastes.
But when they ask their children
What they want for dinner, they say,
Hot dogs, beans, and macaroni!

Friday, April 28, 2023

Chocolate Index

The NaPoWriMo prompt for today was to write an index poem, whether found in an actual index or one I invent on my own. I wasn't inspired by the few indexes I have at home, so I decided to make up my own index poem. 


Chocolate Index
By Candace Shultz

Awesome flavor
Beware of heat
    melts in hands
Candy bar favorites
    Almond Joy
    Kit Kat
    Reese's
    Snickers
Delicious
Eat it when
    depressed
    happy
    hungry
    in the pantry
    kids aren't aware
    watching TV
Fudge
Gives joy 
Hot cocoa
I want to eat chocolate now
Just one piece
Kisses
    Bite sized
    Can't just eat one
Let me have some now!
Melts in your mouth
Never leave home without it
Out of chocolate
    Ask a friend
    Go to store
    Send husband to get more
    Trick-or-treating
Pairs well with
    graham crackers
    marshmallows
    mint
    peanut butter
    strawberries
    try it on everything
Questions
    Do I savor it for myself?
    Do I share?
Rich taste
Scrumptious
Tempting
Unwrapping
    Fast if eating it all at once
    Slow if saving some for later
Voracious appetite
Will love it forever
Xocolatl
    Aztec hot chocolate
    slightly bitter
    spicy
Yummy
Zealous for chocolate


Now that I've finished my poem, please excuse me while I go into my pantry and eat some chocolate.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Nature's Tranquility

Nature's Tranquility
By Candace Shultz

We're always rushing, running, moving, never stopping.
Let's slow down time, take notice, and enjoy life.
Do you see the spider spinning its web
Between the two wooden slats of your porch?
Do you see the yellow butterfly fluttering its wings
As it settles on a flower in the grass?

Feel the soft breeze as it caresses your skin
And the sunshine as it warms your body.
Listen to the birds' greetings in the morning
And the crickets as they call out to each other,
A constant buzzing sound that fills the air.
Listen to the wind chimes with their gentle tinkling tone.

Smell the sweet fragrance of purple mountain laurel
(If it doesn't make you sneeze)
Or the warm and floral scent of blue bonnets in the spring.
Take a deep breath of fresh air,
Slow your footsteps, and quiet your mind.
Let nature bring its peace as you unwind.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Candle

Candle
By Candace Shultz

My mother is a candle,

A light in the darkness

That leads me to the right path.

I  need not fear what I can't see,

What I don't understand.

She is a light burning bright,

A beacon to always lead me home.

With her, I am never alone.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Silence in the Waiting

Silence in the Waiting
By Candace Shultz

There is silence in the waiting,
But it's a loud silence.
Even though their mouths don't move,
Their thoughts still shout.
Their tense bodies tell a story.
A foot tapping, arms crossed,
Brows furrowed with worry,
Someone pacing the floor,
Others sitting with their phones out,
Drowning their thoughts with distractions.

The silence is broken when a doctor appears.
Expectant faces look up.
A name is spoken.
A woman stands up and rushes forward,
Questions already on her lips.
They disappear through a door.
Faces look back down at their phones.
The man paces the floor.
A hush falls in the room.
There is silence in the waiting once more.

Monday, April 24, 2023

A Drummer Review

The NaPoWriMo prompt for today is to write a review on something that isn't normally reviewed in the form of a poem. Since I've had a headache for the past two days, I decided to write my review on just that. 


A Drummer Review
By Candace Shultz 

A drummer has taken up residence in my head.
Sometimes she keeps a low steady beat, 
but, more often than not,
her cymbals clash discordantly,
leaving a wince on my face.
The best part of her performance
is when she pauses or stops playing,
leaving a peaceful silence,
which is a beautiful sound to my ears
and a brief respite to my brain.
Alas, I cannot say I enjoy this
drummer's talent, or lack thereof,
and I think it best if she vacate
the premises. If not, she should
at least take on a different profession.
Perhaps relaxing yoga?