musings, life lessons & poetry from Theresa Jarosz Alberti

Tag: kids

Poetry Challenge Day 10: (Prose Poem) “Spring Memories”

Ten days! One-third of the month done. I think I’m finding my rhythm, wait, don’t jinx it.

Today’s prompt is to write a prose poem, something I’m not that familiar with. The website Poets.org explains:

“Though the name of the form may appear to be a contradiction, the prose poem essentially appears as prose, but reads like poetry.” Sounds simple, but, as editor Peter Johnson says:

“Just as black humor straddles the fine line between comedy and tragedy, so the prose poem plants one foot in prose, the other in poetry, both heels resting precariously on banana peels.”

So here goes, my feet on the banana peels! Continue reading

A Good Mother?

It’s hard for me to believe I’ve been a mother for 29 years. Back in 1991 around this time I was pregnant with my twins, getting ready to move into our new house in June, looking ahead with excitement and nervousness to this new stage of life for Bob and me. We didn’t know in May that we’d have to jump through some scary hoops first, since I went into pre-term labor at 25 weeks three weeks after we’d moved in. We feared the babies would be born dangerously way too soon, so I spent 6 weeks in the hospital on bedrest (it was a miserable summer for me that year). Gennie and Leo still made us parents sooner than we thought, being born at 31 weeks, tiny but mostly healthy. My adventures in motherhood began with a bang, and I’m so grateful and happy for the highs and lows and work and fun that those twins and their younger brother Dante have brought us through.

I was thinking more about motherhood this week after reading a social media post by someone who is pregnant with her first child. She was thinking about what kind of mother she’d be, and hoping she’d raise a good person. My mind circled around on Nature vs. Nurture (I think it takes some of both), and then I started thinking about what makes a good mother. What does it take? Continue reading

Poetry Writing Challenge – Day 3

 Welcome to Day 3 of my 30-Day Poetry Challenge!

  • I’m writing and posting a new poem every day through the month of April (yikes!), for better or worse.
  • AND, as a gift, I’m giving away a copy of my poetry book EVERY DAY this month. FREE!
  • Sign up to WIN a copy of (After) Confession by just leaving a comment beneath the poem of the day.
  • I will pick a winner every day in April! So comment every day for a new chance to win.

OR, you can purchase your own copy of (After) Confession for the new low price of $9.00 USD, shipping and handling included! Click here to read sample poems and purchase a copy.

Congratulations, Linds (Linda Em), for winning a free copy of my poetry book! (I do a raffle from those who commented on yesterday’s post.) Linda, please email me your address so I can send your prize: theresa.sapphire@gmail.com

Now onto today’s poem. Don’t forget to comment, and check back tomorrow to see if you’ve won!

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Cracked Continue reading

Poetry Writing Challenge – Day 2

 Welcome to Day 2 of my 30-Day Poetry Challenge!

  • I’m writing and posting a new poem every day through the month of April (yikes!), for better or worse.
  • AND, as a gift, I’m giving away a copy of my poetry book EVERY DAY this month. FREE!
  • Sign up to WIN a copy of (After) Confession by just leaving a comment beneath the poem of the day.
  • I will pick a winner every day in April! So comment every day for a new chance to win.

OR, you can purchase your own copy of (After) Confession for the new low price of $9.00 USD, shipping and handling included! Click here to read sample poems and purchase a copy.

Congratulations, Karen CL Anderson, for winning a free copy of my poetry book! (I do a raffle from those who commented on yesterday’s post.) Karen, please email me your address so I can send your prize: theresa.sapphire@gmail.com

Now onto today’s poem. Don’t forget to comment, and check back tomorrow to see if you’ve won!

 *     *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

The prompt for today from NaPoWriMo: write about an experience from 3 different voices/tenses– first, second and third person.

And funny, didn’t realize til now that yesterday it was wintery-spring, today is summer!

Summer Afternoon Continue reading

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