Have Yourself a Merry Little Birthday (WC)

 

(Guest posted from Wendy birde to Joseph bear, on his birthday : ) Image from here. )

Have Yourself a Merry Little Birthday*

Have yourself a merry little birthday.

Let your heart be light.

From now on

may troubles be just out of sight.

Have yourself a merry little birthday.

May this year be gay.

Don't just let doomsayers 

have the final say.

May you be as in olden days

happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to you

gather near to you once more.

Through the years we all will be together

if the fates allow.

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself a merry little birthday now.

May you be as in olden days

happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to you

gather near to you once more.

Through the years we all will be together

if the fates allow.

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself a merry little birthday now...

*After Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Later found other Have Yourself a Merry Little Birthday twists have already been done, Google points to Caitlin McGovern, and Joanne Slagel... both awesome!

Nature's Easter Cross (JM)

 

Surprise Cross found in this peaceful spot, Starker Forestry Trail, tree planted 1986, Oregon 

From Starker Forestry Trail, self guided tour (JM)

                                                   

Bear’s To-Do List (JM)

(Joseph MacRae, February 26, 2025, feast day of Our Lady of the Fields (Paris). Image from my journal.)

Bear’s To-Do List

If only I could remember where I hid my honey jar

safe from prying eyes.

I now regret it is only safe from me.

Oh, the moment I find my precious honey jar —

I'll be a rich bear indeed.

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by these words: if, regret, rich. From Daisy Barrett-Nash’s Legacy Lines, February 26, 2025. 

Local Lore (JM)

 

                                                       Snowcap on Prarie Mountian

                                                      Mill Creek stream restoration gathering

                                                       Clemen's Lumbar Company, Philomath:

                                                       Old RD-8 Caterpillar at the abandoned Clemens' Mill

                                                       Interpretation day at Clemens' Scout Lodge 

Our True Spirit Rises (JM)

(Joseph MacRae, selected by Youtube channel Kate Chadbourne which read it aloud for April 2025's Poetry Month special, see here at about 17:00 mark. Also published in Legacy lines: Poems inspired by LGBTQI+ Poets of the Past, edited by Daisy Barrett-Nash, Equal Arts, April, 2025. Prompt from February 12, 2025, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Iviron and Our Lady of Argenteuil. Image from here.)

Our True Spirit Rises*

The poets, they understand —

Keep writing.

Against bird flu, doom scrolling, anything 

makes you think there is no hope.

Close your eyes, some simple verses

sky, she sweeps 

earth flowers — reaps

It will get your mind off your troubles.

Not dwelling but creating. Growing 

in Light — a remedy in wait. 

Take daily. 

*Title is quoted from Audre Lorde, Poetry Is Not a Luxury.

*From prompt: Reflect on this past year's engagement in Daisy Barrett Nash's Legacy Lines (Writers at Play), what stands out? February 12, 2025.

How Our Garden Grows (JM)