Bread toasted just enough To provide a stable structure Cheese cut thick from a proper blockNo pre-sliced nonsense allowedFire up the toaster ovenGrill on medium, not too closeWatch the toast edge carefully No blackness, not too dryThen when the cheese has meltedAnd grilled to golden brownTransfer to plate this perfect snackAnd with glee gobble down Continue reading MOP 2023 Day 3: Cheese on toast
I didn’t hit my books read goalOr finish any weavingI didn’t do my steps most daysOr hit my target sleepingI haven’t done the cleaning upOr found the missing keyI haven’t practiced learning FrenchOr walked beside the seaI couldn’t bake the gingerbread Or decorate with lolliesI couldn’t wake for midnight cheerOr any New Years folliesI wouldn’t say the last year’s beenA favourite one of mineI wouldn’t say it’s been the worstBut please, this year, be kind?#notasbadasvogons Continue reading MOP 2023 Day 2: A Small Request
There’s a cat in a boxToy mouse on the floorA dog on a cushion Licking her pawOther cats sleepPerched high in the airOr hogging a blanketLoudly they purrThe kitchen is messyWe ate well todayWe’ll clean up tomorrow Well, that’s what we sayThere’s been board gamesBut none that went for too longA fair bit of silliness Occasional songThe kettle is boilingDay’s end drawing nearIt’s been quite a good oneThis first of the year Continue reading MOP 2023 Day 1: Contentment
I am having a sad and quiet sort of dayMy mind wandering along well worn pathsTurning over memories Feeling the time worn smoothnessWhere sharp edges once wereCatching here and there on Parts more jaggedOr more freshly knappedBy recent blows There is a strange comfort and peaceIn allowing grief and pain their spaceI was hurt but I am wholeMy tears nowSoft rain in the wake of stormsI read words written in remembered anguishFind in them fierce strengthUnflinching honestyGenerous loveI am content with who I amMaybe even a little proudSelf compassion warmsA tired, aching heartAnd my sadness easesWith the hint of a … Continue reading A poem about sadness
I have so much to be grateful forYou’d think life should not be so hardBut life is not that simpleHow was my day? Don’t askI’d have to explainWhy mum held meIn her armsWhile ICried#notasbadasvogons Continue reading MOP 2022 Day 23
BecomingOne stepThen anotherClimbing reachingResting breathingBegin againOnward upwardAlways forwardLeave behindUnneeded unhelpful Yesterday’s thingsNot forgotten Learned fromCarry onwardPast lovesTreasured piecesBuilding blocksLinking shapingUnfinished foundationKeep moving Curious hopefulCompassionate kindDiscover tomorrow Familiar unexpected Rueful resoluteWiser proudThe personYou areBecoming#notasbadasvogons Continue reading MOP 2022 Day 22 – Saturday challenge: two-worder poem about becoming
Once my dreamsWere all about flyingI’d run downhillSometimes for funSometimes escaping An ill-defined threatBehind meToo hard to see clearly While fleeing Downhill Through the treesThat I remember being plantedIn the groundsAt my primary schoolThey had magpies living in themIn later yearsRunning faster and fasterFlight requires a certain momentumBefore feet will leave the groundAnd frantic kickingLaunches a body into the airInto freedomExhilarationNot at all easyBut it workedWhereas throwing oneself At the ground and missingDidn’t I knowDream me tested itMy dreams aren’t like that nowThere’s no speedNo exhilaration No freedom It’s all struggleFrustrationConfusionUphill battlesThreats I can’t fleeMy body almost irrelevant I’m arguingPersuadingProblem … Continue reading MOP 2022 Day 21
A Shadorma for Lapsang Souchong steam coiling dancing as tea poursfrom the potfragrant warmthsweet pine smoke earthy comforthands cup heat, breathe, drink #notasbadasvogons Continue reading MOP 2022 Day 19
Did you knowThat when what you aim forIs actually within your reachThat suddenly Even the hard stuffBecomes easy?This is okI am contentWhat I have hereAnd who I am nowIs enoughTomorrow I will likely forget thisAnd I will believe againThat I ought to be doing moreWanting moreBeing morePerhaps having written it downWill help me rememberAnd this moment of peaceCan hold fastAgainst the endlessRelentless Barrage#notasbadasvogons Continue reading MOP 2022 Day 16
It’s our first week back at workAnd I sit behind the reception deskSo people keep asking me“How was your Christmas?”Or greeting me With “Happy New Year”Which is confusingBecause Christmas wasn’t And New Year was months agoSurely?I’m very bad at lying I hesitate Then tell the truthThe short version With the worst bits left outWhich turns out to be okLots of the people askingThen share their own talesOf a less than perfect holiday seasonSo many of them grandparents Who couldn’t be with familyAnd we laugh together Saying “Could have been worse!”Which is true#notasbadasvogons Continue reading MOP 2022 Day 13 catch-up
Mim's Muddle 