Snow's Writing for 2019, 2020, & Beyond

The Daily Poiem Day 7 - Letters to Myself

Letters to Myself

What is it about winter in Oklahoma,
that always makes me want to leave for parts unknown.

It's Christmas Eve--
my birthday--
I'm setting in my grandparents living room
watching the Christmas lights blink,
I'm holding the doll
I got for my birthday,
and my sister is setting next to me
holding a doll
(the one Christmas present she was allowed to open on my birthday).

When I grow up,
get married,
and have children
their birthdays will be their special day.

***

Well, Neva,
you grew up
and moved to Nevada.

You need to give thanks
that you never got married.

You also need to give thanks
that you gave your daughter up
for adoption;
she'll has a better life,

Although,
at 74 you don't have such a bad life.

You're not homeless...
yet.

You make you own religious choice
and didn't follow
the religion of your parents and grandparents.

Life is difficult,
so place your trust in Baha'u'llah--
the Glory of God--
and move forward into the exciting future.

Poet's Note: ▶︎

Line Count: 15 + 20 = 35
Form: Free verse

Prompt: INTROSPECTION IN TWO PARTS

Write a 9-15 line poem to your older self from your younger self about the kind of person you did or didn't want to be when you grew up.

THEN

Write an 11-20 line poem response from your older self to your younger self about the challenges you faced that shaped who you are today.
Did you meet your younger self's expectations?

There are no further restrictions. Form and wording are free choice.

You may break up the two responses however you wish. They can morph into one another, or they can be separated into clear stanza breaks.
You can also simply place a dashed line between the two to indicate the switch.
Just make sure the change in voice is clear.

Written for "The Daily Poem " .