The Challenge Is Four

I’m cheating today because it’s eleven o’clock at night and I’m writing this in between answering phone

calls for the job that pays the bills. The challenge today was the number four. So I’m going to my Book of Day exercises and I will share with you two poems. Just warning you in case you don’t like poetry. In that case, just sing these. They rhyme so it's doable. One of them has four main stanzas with a few little extras. It was written on January 3rd. The other was written on January 4th. See what I did there and how I tied in four? For those unfamiliar with Book of Days, it’s a book that encourages prompt writing. You’re supposed to just set aside some time and write for that length of time using the prompt for the day, without making changes or over-thinking things. I, of course, can’t follow these simple rules. I have decided to make it a poetry prompt. Which means I’m writing a poem every day of the year. I don’t spend much time with these. I wouldn’t call myself a poet. But it’s something I like to write. So don’t hold your nose too tightly. Be kind. Be generous. Love everyone. Spread sunshine and flowers and unicorns all around.

January 3 You’re standing in a doorway… The Doorway By Anna Maria Junus The paths stretch out before me, Each wander different ways, Beckoning to traverse, And yet I want to stay. The way ahead is scary, The roads uneven and unsure, The home behind is comforting, Beautiful and secure. “You must choose…” The hand on me is loving, The whisper filled with trust, My heart says not to leave here, My head says that I must, For I have reached the end here, No growing more for me, To stay means to be stagnant, To leave means to be free. “I will be with you…” I’m given sword and shield, An amulet of gold, A book of maps and guidance, A ring that I can hold, I’m warned of dragons and of sheep, In wolf clothing to disguise, And told to gather knowledge, And be perceptive of men’s lies. “Come back to us…” It’s clear that I must leave here, And I am excited now to go, The way ahead is dangerous, The travel long, I know, I take a breath, walk through the door, And choose a path to trod, I look ahead, then look behind, And see the face of God. “We love you…” “I will return…” I’m bound in spirit to this place I’m bound by love. I’m bound by grace. Jan 4 A year after your death…(after Czesla Milosz) A Year After Your Death

by Anna Maria Junus A year after your death, I still enter rooms, and look for you, And expect you at 6 o’clock To come smiling through the door. A year after your death, I think of things I went to tell you, And things I want to show you, And hear your laugh once more. A year after your death I see The snapshots on my phone, And I dread the going home, Knowing you’re not there for me. A year after your death, I wonder, where you are right now, And if you’re in paradise, Do I cross your mind somehow…