PAD Challenge, Day 2, My Poem

Today’s prompt for the Poem-A-Day Challenge is to write a “news of the day” poem. I had not caught the news on television, so I went to Google News. I found little I wanted to read, but one article seemed timely…

They Did Not Tell US

Sometimes government
Gives citizens incomplete
Information or
Tells what appear outright lies;
Politician propaganda.

Everyone wanted
Improvement to the system,
But it was working
For many of the people;
Now it’s totally broken.

Some who were happy
With the coverage they had,
Now suddenly find
Their health plans being cancelled;
Replacements cost a fortune.

The outrageous fines,
The unneeded coverage,
Increased premiums,
Bank breaking deductibles;
Were never even mentioned.

Insurance reform
Was the promise as given,
But the cure seems worse
Than the symptoms of disease;
Affordable it is not.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, November 2, 2013

I hope I am overreacting. I hope it is not the disaster it seems, but I am concerned that we may all be in for worse than we have ever dreamed.

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 125

Journal entry:

Quiet Desperation

I'm treading the edge
Where the urge to die almost
Trumps the will to live.

I want to give up,
All the platitudes are vain,
They give no relief.

Pressure continues
To bear down on me without
Any real surcease.

I have to go on,
But have no heart to sustain
Me throughout the fight.

Tears flow down my face,
I cry out for someone's help,
But no one aids me.

Must overcome this,
Defeat the desperation,
Somehow, I'll make it.

I'm treading the edge
Where the urge to die almost
Trumps the will to live.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Monday, May 13, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I had food to eat.
2.   I had clothes to wear.
3.   My dog loves me.
4.   My Mom loves me.
5.   I don’t have to sleep outside with no shelter tonight.

This has been a devastating Monday, please forgive me for being down, perhaps tomorrow will be better… perhaps I will feel like resuming the war. Right now I want to retreat and keep retreating until I cannot be found.

I hope your day was much more successful than my own. I usually encourage you to do something creative at this point, but I can understand if you feel creation would be better deferred. I felt that way tonight, but I laid my heart out anyway. Perhaps you should do the same. Who knows, it might brighten your day.

As a prompt, write about a time you felt defeated by circumstances beyond your control. The examples are above, pour your heart out on the page. If you would like to share your work and you use this prompt, please leave a link to your creation in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you will find your way back here again. You can follow Chronicles by entering your email address in the space provided above so you get regular updates. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 99

Journal entry:

This poem is a tribute to my very good friend Dana…

Respite

The hours of darkness
Unfurl cleanly, quietly,
Almost endlessly;
Taking me from day to day
Without any stop for sleep.

I share my thoughts with
A friend who is far away,
In another life;
Our ages, situations,
Are distant in space and time.

We discuss writing,
Wrestling, children, even love
And I find myself
Wondering, ‘Who is teacher,
Experience or sweet youth?’

My gift is knowledge
Gained over a difficult
Lifetime full of tears;
Hers is the perspective of
Endless opportunity.

I learn not to count
Myself out, despite aging;
Because her hope is
Constant and contagious for
Even one such as I am.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   Mom made it through the day though she hardly slept at all.
2.   I made it through the day though I slept none at all.
3.   The truck did not require more extensive repairs.
4.   Mom did not go out and look at the new Explorer.
5.   My Droid kept me in touch this morning.

I had an awesome Wednesday, though it was too expensive to be born. I tend to have great days when I stay up all night. Especially when some of my best friends keep me company, as Dana did during the night. I hope your day was also great. Now I suggest you engage your imagination and create something to share with the world. Surely you, with your superior talent, can create wonders.

As a prompt, write about something unusual rodents have done in your life, or borrow my life… Write a story, poem, or journal entry and leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Beware the squirrels. They may look like nice little critters, but they have nasty teeth. Come back to visit, and if you like subscribe to Chronicles. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share, please leave a comment.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 23

Journal entry:

Reassurance

Absolutely no
Reason to believe there is
Any way to change
The situation without
The help of God Almighty.

He is the only
One who can influence my
Day’s total outcomes,
I call upon Jesus Christ
In all my most humble prayers.

He surely changes
Everything that touches me
For my betterment,
I am never abandoned
By His kind devoted care.

Absolutely no
Reason to believe there is
Any way Jesus
Will ever let me down at
A time when I trust in Him.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, January 31, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I got some extra rest today.
2.   There were no storms today.
3.   We have a working stove on which to prepare our meals.
4.   We have clean running water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing.
5.   Each of us has time in which to accomplish what we choose, if we apply ourselves.

This was a challenging Thursday for me. I hope you overcame all the challenges you faced. Now I challenge you to apply your energy to doing something creative. I know you may feel it is impossible, but I assure you that you can accomplish anything you wish. You have the talent, just put your imagination to work.

As a prompt, write about something unexpected that happened to you recently. Maybe you did something you doubted you could, maybe someone surprised you, or maybe something else occurred. You can write a poem, story, journal entry, or a note for later reference. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have something to share with me, please leave a comment. I hope you will visit again, but you might also want to subscribe to Chronicles so you get future updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

Creativity Project Year Two-Day 4

Journal entry:

Destined

Purpose
Is not always
Easily discerned, but
Each of us is given tasks to
Accomplish in our lives if we will but
Concentrate upon our efforts
And realize God has
Requirements He
Gives us

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Saturday, January 12, 2013

I am grateful:

1.   I had energy to make it through this day.
2.   I left early enough.
3.   I was dressed appropriately.
4.   I won the free ticket to Nikon School.
5.   Mom decided to buy a GPS and I now feel confident to go to new places.
6.   The fraudulent charge on my bank account did not go through.
7.   I will have enough money to pay my phone bills.
8.   I took the remote for my camera and learned how to use it.
9.   I had a safe trip to the Waverly and back.
10. Mom got upset with me, but we worked it out.

I had an excellent Saturday although I found a letter we received troublesome. I hope your day met your expectations. If you have not already exercised your creativity, I recommend you do it now. Maybe you could make a habit of doing one or more creative things each day. Devoting yourself to the task will enrich your life and you will be surprised how much you accomplish.

As a prompt, write about purpose. You may feel you have a grand purpose or none at all. Elaborate on your thoughts in a poem, story, journal entry, or note to expand on a later date. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I am very grateful you chose to visit my blog. If you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment. Should you desire to, please follow Chronicles for future updates. Do come back to visit again.

Always,
Jo Ann

 

365 Creativity Project-Day 365

Journal entry:

Wee Little Faith

God is…
And He alone
Is in total control
Of each and every one of my
Situations, He holds my life within
His blessedly capable hands,
I can fully depend
On His mercy
God is…

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   Even though I stayed up all night I was able to complete my tasks today.
2.   I read over 20 chapters in my new study Bible.
3.   I picked up the book my church is studying in Sunday School.
4.   God is in control, even when everything seems to be spiraling toward disaster.
5.   I have completed my 365 days of this Creativity Project.

This was a challenging Tuesday for me. I sincerely hope your day was much more pleasant. I sat myself down and completed what you see here, though I am not feeling particularly inspired. I attest that nothing is stopping you from practicing creativity. I thoroughly believe you have the imagination and ability to make whatever you desire, so do something to share with our world and perhaps make it a brighter place for someone.

As a prompt, write about how you survived a situation that went terribly wrong. You might write a poem, story, journal entry, or just a note to be expanded upon some other time. I know you can do it. If you should use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for being so kind as to read my blog. I regret this day was not more spectacular, but maybe it is exactly as it should be. I hope you have enjoyed your visit and encourage you to leave a comment and/or follow Chronicles. I do not know what the future holds for this blog, but I hope you will continue the journey with me. You are a big part of the reason I completed 365 days. You provide inspiration to carry on.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 323

Journal entry:

My poem today answers the prompts at Poetic Asides. I hope you will visit that site for inspiration.

Shooting Stars

There is light and dark
In everyone, but some are
More to an extreme
Being who we deem heroes
And villains, the best or worst.

We aspire to be
Heroes to our friends and kin,
But it is so rare
We achieve those lofty heights
In their true estimation.

Villains, we do not
Want to be cast as at all,
But sometimes we play
The role without intention
And no way can avoid it.

We best perhaps can
Only hope our lives are bright
Less left in shadow,
Living life courageously,
Whether heroes or villains.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   Penny is doing well.
2.   Mom is feeling somewhat better.
3.   I have an internet connection here at home.
4.   There are wonderful programs I can use on my computer.
5.   I have a computer, which opens up the world of creativity to me.

Tuesday passes by and I hope you enjoyed it. I tried to take it easy today and recuperate. I devoted some time to my creativity and I urge you to do the same. I know it is not always easy to engage the imagination, but if I can do it, so can you.

As a prompt, write about an impossible dream. Maybe you have one, maybe you have conquered one, if so write about it. You have nothing to lose by putting your words into permanent form, and perhaps much to gain. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thanks so much for reading my blog. I would love your input, so please leave a comment. It is easy to follow Chronicles, and then you can get daily updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 282

Journal entry:

Today’s poem was prompted by Poetic Asides. You might want to visit that site for some inspiration.

What Are You Doing?

I am taking time
To put order to my thoughts
Carefully marching
Words across the empty page
Hoping to entertain you.

I attempt to find
A phrase, a line, a sentence,
That will make you pause
Thinking deeply about those
Words I have written for you.

I do my best to
Make an impression on you
Which will last beyond
The moment you spend reading
These verses I share with you.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Photographs:

I am grateful:

1.   I am able to read great books that teach me new things.
2.   We have a television set.
3.   I have a great computer.
4.   I have iPods on which to listen to music.
5.   My camera takes some beautiful pictures.

I hope you have had a productive Wednesday. It would be to your advantage if you were to exercise your creativity now. Make something that will move others and enrich our world.

As a prompt, write about something you think should change. You might reflect on government, society, religion, or something else. Whatever moves you to write, follow those thoughts. If you use this prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Should you have thoughts, suggestions, or criticism to share with me, please leave a comment. Perhaps you would like to follow Chronicles to receive updates.

Always,
Jo Ann

365 Creativity Project-Day 206

Journal entry:

Financial Returns

Money cannot buy
The most precious things on Earth,
Even though some might
Try to purchase them were they
Ever made available.

Family remains
A gift meted out by God
And friends come into
Our lives by chance or their choice,
Somewhat random occurrence.

Love graces our lives
Without any true payment,
Just because we are
Human beings who belong
In company of others.

Happiness follows
Our own daily made choices,
Cash does not insure
We will share any more than
We discover without it.

Money is quite nice
To ease the roughness of life,
But it really does
Not insure that we will live
With the greatest of pleasure.

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Thursday, August 2, 2012

Photographs:

Monkey Love…

Americana Bear…

Wise Old Dragon…

I am grateful:

1.   I got up early.
2.   I wrote a acrostic poem for someone.
3.   I went to the post office and mailed a card.
4.   Our drive went safely.
5.   My Social Security will be deposited tomorrow.

This was an extremely busy day for me, I hope your Thursday was less harried. Take a few moments to exercise your creativity now. I believe you can accomplish awesome things if you only make an effort.

For a prompt today, write about money. This is a subject that should evoke some response in you and give you fodder about which to write. If you use the prompt, please leave a link to your work in the comments below.

I hope you enjoyed your visit in my world. If you have suggestions or comments to share, I would love your input.

Always,
Jo Ann