As Maureen Thorson, our fearless prompt leader says, “Here’s one from the archives” (Napowrimo). The planets are acting out right now! It’s Mercury Retrograde, among other unusual circuits. It could be that or maybe just day 24, a book launch on the horizon (for my book Rainbow Warrior), gardens to be planted, guests arriving, etc. etc., but whatever the reason, my muse has literally sat down and refused to budge. So, all to say, though I have been faithful to 2023 prompts until now, here’s one out of the archives, Poem-a-day, 2017. I think the prompt was doodling!
Doodling the Milky Way
spirals and curlicues
start my doodling
but what’s important about doodling
is not what I absentmindedly draw
or write, but that doodling
allows me complete abandon
of sensible things
or things on the “to do” list
instead, my mind goes
nowhere or somewhere
spiraling inward
spiraling
spiraling
deeper, deeper
out to the universe
tripping on the Milky Way
swinging on the moon
leaping star to star
with no real intentions of ever coming
back to sensible things
and bills to pay
Jacquelyn Markham
Poet Voice 