https://susannahill.com/2017/10/27/the-7th-annual-halloweensie-contest-aahhhrrrooooooooo/

Me and My Shadow

  

Monster’s shadow said to him, “You never let us be

what I want for Halloween. You always pick for me!”

“Well, either I choose this year or Monster you should know –

when it comes to Trick-or-treat I will refuse to go!”

“But you are just my shadow; you have to go my way!”

“Not this time,” said the shadow. “Believe me when I say.

We either dress as candy corn, and not some frightful ghost.  

Or you and I will stay at home the day you love the most.”

Then Monster yielded since he knew

A candy corn could still yell, “Boo!”

This is an entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's "7th Annual Halloweensie Contest." The rules were to write a story for children (aged 12 and under) using the words candy corn, monster and shadow. We were limited to 100 words, but (thank goodness) candy corn counted as one word. 

https://www.writing.com/main/books/action/view/entry_id/922107

Partner Change?

I’m dancing with my demons, and at times they take the lead.
At times I try to loose their hold, just fighting to be freed.
They tend to keep me out of step, to make me doubt my skills.
What causes me anxiety must give my demons thrills.
I know if I’m to reach my dreams, they’ll have to step aside;
despite the pleas I’ve made to them, so far I've been denied. 
I'm ready for a partner change so I can move ahead;
I know I'd soar if I could dance with Confidence instead.

https://www.writing.com/main/books/entry_id/921746-Will-You-Go-the-Distance

Will You Go the Distance?
A Rondeau

Can marriage last the marathon
which many will embark upon?
All start out with a common line,
then couples wed and all are fine.
A few years in, some have withdrawn.

Now midway through, some folks look wan,
and choose to rest then start anon,
while others slow and then resign.
Will marriage last?

They wake up on one early dawn
and realize all their kids are gone.
It’s then the couples must opine –
to call it quits or toast with wine.
What ending will each couple spawn?
Can marriage last?





The rondeau is typically fifteen lines long and written in iambic tetrameter, though eight syllable long lines work just as well. The rhyming pattern is aabba aabR aabbaR, where the Refrains are the first four syllables of the opening line.

A Twitter Post -

Not Quite Empty Nest

As offspring moved and cleared the air
I found my husband standing there
I think I knew him way back when
but now we'll have to meet again




The title was not included in the post.

https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2136847-Farewell-to-Teaching

Farewell to Teaching A Petrarchan Sonnet The job of teaching children brings me pride but also causes stress in many ways. The mixture of emotion in my days might make me laugh or eat me up inside. What adds to that's a problem district-wide, with fewer staff while student numbers raise, it seems more of a fact than of a phase the bite of budget cuts can't be denied. As through the fifteenth year of this I stride, continuing to navigate the maze, I've set my thoughts on other ventures too. Before my brain and energy are fried and I must walk through life in just a haze I think it's time for me to say adieu.