I'm a Growing Woman

2026 November PAD Challenge Day 2: Write a “(blank) More (blank)” poem. Now More Than Ever I know a heavy heart when I see one It damn sho ain’t a golden ticket But I’m born a winner in this cumulative grief challenge I carry it around like a badge of honor Tucked in between a blessed day full of smiles and silent tears Like its a pocket full of clovers and one day a rainbow will reach out tap my shoulder in exchange for the golden days I shared with every loved one lost I know a heavy heart when I feel one It’s like a baby elephant resting Between the left and right of my breasts Just plumped down out of the sky No call of caution from its own trunk for me to move and shelter in place I can’t even beatbox its beats per minute I can’t even recall its shape Or the number of pounds in weight All I know is It’s feeding off my daily supply of oxygen that I need to survive in this once upon a time in a lifetime 💜D'ElegantOne 

November is back! And so is National Novel Month and another PAD (poem- a-day Challenge. I decided to meet up and join other writers to: 1) write excessively (in any format), and 2)share and more share for feedback. Here is the first poem to kick off November's PAD. 2026 November PAD Challenge Day 1: Write a fresh poem. Fresh Fruit It is time for a new apple in my eye A little something healthier and sweeter  planted with blissfulness to the core of life Where the seeds I sow  are not too thin or light at the roots  by the time I water  and sun kiss my rich future And what grows out  in the hands of time  does not become  wrinkled or decayed  by the tree of knowledge  of good and evil And the harvest I harvest  does not sound dull Its existence is not squishy  or mushy to touch  And I am not too shameful  of the foul smells that comes from being around the bad apples that tempts to spoil the bunch Nor do I become bitter...

Wednesday's Poetry Prompt: Write a departing poem. From Pain to Peace  I wish heaven had an AOL, an angels online network  or a direct landline to you  like 1-800- MissYou  because I really do miss you. I wouldn't dare be a bug-a-boo,  but I would call or scribe  a few words to you... Ask about your eternity trip  from pain on earth to peace in heaven. I already know your departure time. I just wanna know your ETA  to the heavenly gates. Is there one or two entrances or more? Who really sits by the door? Did a sweet chariot really swing low? Was the chauffeur polite to you? Did you ride alone or did your soul  hop scotch down the rainbow  that sat outside your hospital's window?  Did God send your sisters and brother  to meet you halfway  And y'all danced like Soul Train again- this time by colors  one after another  until you electric slide yourself into heaven? Did your face give birth to a sun  that I can...

Wednesday’s Poetry Prompt: Write an “I Can Blank” poem. i can remember these days I can remember seeing you in ICU Singing Hey Nana to your ears for your eyes to consciously find me at the left or right side of your hospital bed I can remember praying  that this won’t be the last time Praying for more time because this isn’t how September '26 was suppose to end Praying harder because  I know a time like this ain't forever I can remember from the window  of the 7th floor  a rainbow leaping and loping  across the sky of Fayetteville  no rain in sight   only water flooding  are the rivers from the bays  of my eyes and my mother's  I can remember your arm  stretched parallel to God's bow  I counted it as another blessing Your hand in mine  indeed a pot of gold  and every time I say squeeze you gave me life that I wish that  I could squeeze back into you I can remember consulting  with  doctor after do...

Wednesday's Poetry Prompt: Write a wandering poem. Wandering in the Mind of My Wonder  Is it the time? Are we of Revelations? Have the epistolary of the new doctrine failed the apple of every eye, Ignored the lifespan upon each lip and turned ears silent to mankind? Is it the time? Where the apocalyptic delivers a new Genesis And the tad bit of prophets are the only storytellers foretelling the remains of the living truth as evil comforts the goods as the goods wrestle with the great. Is it the time? To become of nothing  where  beliefs and morality is on the run to completely dry... 💜D'ElegantOne 

My grandmother is officially at rest by her tree (as requested) and peace. Below is my heartfelt tribute to her, as spoken during her memorial service on 10/10. A perfect 10 she was. She was so gorgeous that I didn't want to bury her.💜😟🥺 A Tribute to My Grandmother Thank you for gathering with us to celebrate the life of our beloved, Betty. It is an honor to stand before you as one of her grandchildren. I would like to briefly share with you who my grandmother was from my eyes, what I learned from her and what she expects of her living legacy. My grandmother was a woman that faced many obstacles and challenges during her childhood and adulthood. As I grew older, along her side, I became inspired by the fact that I was learning from and growing up with a woman that was born during the Harlem Renaissance era, grew up during the civil rights movement and voted for her first time during the Obama Election. Because of her, I also began to study the women in our family. I asked many q...