No NaNoWriMo (for me)

I have decided to NOT participate

in NaNoWriMo

this year.

Too busy,

too busy,

with life and family and picture book writing and illustrating and gift-making,

and a sense of being

nearly

though not quite

overwhelmed,

but in a good,

happy,

no-pressure way.

Enjoy the rush, NaNoWriMo-ers.

Me, I'll take it

slow.

Thistle

Thistle

Unfriendly tower

of green leaves and prickles,

covered in threatening

sharp, pointy stickles,

daring each passerby:

"Come take a nip!

You'll end up with spiny things

stuck in your lip."

But, up at your top

is a soft, purple bloom,

patiently waiting,

with just enough room

for a bright butterfly

to come rest for a while

in prickly, stickly, thistely style.

October Acrostic

Overhead, the

Canopy of green

Turns to gold, breaks free

On autumn

Breezes,

Escaping before the cold winter

Rush

Happy Autumn, everyone!