Happy New Year!

Hello Poets and Happy 2024!

I am hitting the ground running after a glorious winter break trip to Hamburg, Germany. Even though the weather was dark and drizzly, I loved all of the Christmas markets, art museums, neighborhood walks, and dinners with friends. Thank you, Marcie Atkins, for hosting this week's round-up.

WORLD is my one little word for 2024. I introduced WORLD here. A padlet has been started for WORLD here.

Our creative and smart poemster friend Heidi set the January challenge for the Inklings. Come along and play with us.

First, we received this beautifully hand-made countdown calendar. Each day celebrates Yuletide with a prompt for thinking and writing. I love this so much!

Heidi's gift

I don't have a poem for every prompt...but I have some. Each prompt worked well with my time away to slow down and look--taking in sights, sounds, and, feelings more than my day-to-day speaking, teaching...and even complaining. Writing to these prompts was good for my soul.

Returning Sun

When our faces are hidden by winter clouds

we wear scarves, hats, and mittens

We look for you in the dark sky

We call out Sun, return to us!

Sun, return to

Sun, return

Sun

Linda Mitchell 1/5/24

Generosity

Seating with room to spare-
including a spot for you
on this crowded bus of the WORLD.

A smile for you and all
your friends – and theirs too.

Generosity has spare change
to help anyone out in a pinch.

Generosity makes sure no one
is left out or behind.

Generosity has an abundance of heart, 

space, things to share.

All of this and more is generosity.

Linda Mitchell 1/5/24

Home 

Where cats
sleep in my favorite chair

Home is where brewing coffee
scents the air

Home is where my laptop
sits on our kitchen table

Home is where I am able

to look out to pine trees

waving seasons in
and sweeping seasons out.

Home is where I sleep best

best when everyone I love
is there.

Home is singing washing dishes after a close game of cribbage

Home is

reading before bed and a kiss goodnight.

Linda Mitchell 1/5/24

For more responses to Yuletide prompts visit:

Margaret at Reflections on the Teche Catherine at Reading to the Core

Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe Mary Lee at A(noth)er Year of Reading