Poetry Challenge #106-Rock Lobster
World’s Lobster in Shediac, New Brunswick
This time of year, after months of dry heat and dry weather, I’m a lobster—literally
But in my mind, with my collar turned up and a towel wrapped around my head like a stiff beehive updo…
I’m Kate Pierson or Cindy Wilson of the B52’s
Guitar please: dur-dur-dur dah-dah duh-da-duh-duh Oooh-ahhhh….
Rock Lobster!
What comes to mind when you think of a lobster?
Is it the cola-guzzling lobster in Erin Moulton’s funny, heartful Tracing the Stars?
Diane Keaton’s lobster scene from Annie Hall?
Pilgrimage to the world’s largest lobster?
Or, like me, a rockin’ red lobster?
Poetry Challenge #106
Lobster Day
Drawing on that lobster experience (or one imagined), list seven words, one beginning with each letter of the word lobster.
Use that list to craft a seven-line lobster poem.
In addition, the poem might include: a sound, a smell, a location, a texture, and the word “ruckus”.
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just get cracking!
* There is actually a National Lobster Day! (But why wait until Sept. 25th to celebrate?)
**Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more days ago that I can count. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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What Inspires Me #88-Lighthouse Keepers
It’s the dead of winter, the wind is truly howling, I am sure the seas are churning. If I were a boat…
Lighthouse Keepers inspire me. Think about it, they live, often on isolated islands, sometimes alone, with the full time mission of shining light. Light to guide. Light to reassure. Light to point the way.
Sally Snowman was the only female lighthouse keeper in the US. (I don’t know about now.) She had been the keeper of Boston Light, in Boston Harbor for 17 years when this photo was taken in 2020. (Read more about Sally in Natasha Frost’s Atlas Obsura article, click on the picture)—but not this second! Read on first!
Sally connected with her husband James Thomson through their mutual love of lighthouses and maritime history
If you like lighthouses, you’ll enjoy it!
But this post is about another kind of lighthouse keeper, one that, while she does live on an Island, is definitely not isolated, but she sure does shine…
Mary Ellen Sherlock is more “Light Keeper” than Lighthouse Keeper. She is a source of light. I first met her at a book fair—her table was across the aisle and down from mine. She glowed, her table of books all with stuffies beckoned, and pulled me and everyone else in. As I soon found out, Mary Ellen was glowing because she stuffed with ideas, interest, curiosity.
Find more about Mary Ellen the author at her website: Mary Ellen Sherlock.com
Mary Ellen’s curiosity, and wonder—and gumption—compels her to seek out creatives. To unearth their stories, and to share them. When the opportunity to host a podcast of her own was presented, Mary Ellen glowed.
Recently, about 20 episodes ago, Lighthouse Keepers Podcast, went live. Mary Ellen goal: “amplify stories of compassion, resilience, and service.” Here’s the mission: “Through heartfelt conversations, she spotlights the individuals and organizations working tirelessly to make the world a kinder, brighter place.”
The Lighthouse Keepers Podcast is on YouTube—Subscribe!
In December (hence the holly-jolly everywhere) I was delighted, and privileged to be one of her guests. What’s even more fun is that we filmed the session in A Book Place Boutique, with our buddy, Jocelyn (the owner, curator of this delightful so-much-more than a bookshop) looking on, laughing occasionally, ahem…
Mary Ellen and I had a blast chit-chatting (not sure about what, I’m too icked out to watch)
—check out all the episodes of the Lighthouse Keeper Podcast, they will all brighten your day!
This is a snippet of Mary Ellen Sherlock’s Newsletter with links to episodes (yes, mine too). I don’t think the links will work, but you can type them and find them, or you can click on the picture or here to visit the podcast.
Keeping the light, shining the light, spotlighting service and kindness and joy—That’s Inspiring!
Poetry Challenge #105-Happy Birthday to You-Know Whoo ever!
Happy Birthday! Every day is somebody’s birthday! Who do you know who has a birthday coming up soon?
If it’s YOU then, according to A.I. Astrology, you are:
The zodiac sign is Aquarius (♒︎), the Water-Bearer, an Air sign ruling from roughly January 20th to February 19th, known for being innovative, intellectual, humanitarian, independent, and sometimes rebellious
Poetry Challenge #105
Happy Birthday to You-Know-Who!!!!
Can you write a poem to that person telling them why they’re special or what they mean to you?
Work on it until every word is exactly the one you want.
Do you want your poem to rhyme?
Do you want it to have a certain number of syllables on a line?
Is it a list poem or a story? You get to decide.
You can even give it to the person as a birthday gift!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
Wouldn’t be much of a birthday without a song. Here Goes: YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY by the Beatles
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 3200+days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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What Inspires Me #71-Driveway Art
It’s been a while since I’ve shared what inspires me here at the Fishbowl. That doesn’t mean a thing. Finding inspiration in the world—at least one thing a day—is what keeps me going! To kick off 2026, I’m sharing one of my go-to sources of vitamin I. Read on:
You know the saying, “Want something done? Ask a busy person to do it.” My writer-buddy-friend Jim Smolski is one of the busiest people I know. And one way “cool” dude (yep, that’s Jim with his long board back in the day. Get this, while he now lives in the Houston area, he hails from Long Island, just up island from me, now—same sand, same waves, same haircut my brother, Joe, wore.)
When Jim’s not constructing homes and woodworking—or maybe while he is—he’s crafting stories, poems, cartoons, and art. Impressive as that sounds (and exhausting) what Jim does in his “spare” time is what inspires me:
Driveway Art with “The Grandpa Man”
Some time back, a few neighborhood kids expressed interest in art Jim was making. Taking it as a sign, Jim invited them to give it a try.
It started with one table, a few children, and some art supplies…
The line of art tables just kept growing and growing…
“There are other kids and parents they come and go...
as kids grab an empty chair the other kids are coming down the block.
The party usually lasts about 4 hours plus.
And you know what.....?
I love it!!!! ”
The line of bikes and wagons kept growing as word of “Grandpa Man’s” Pop-up art classes spread. And get this, neighbors, watching the budding artists, have started donating funds and supplies to keep the classes going.
Jim never fails to try the weekly poetry-challenges. Here’s a recent one to kick off the new year. (Mind you this is less than 7-minutes poeming.) But it seasoned with a dash of Jim’s spirit!
Glad Tidings
I resolved to break my record.
Make my resolution last.
I decided I would stay on course.
Not give up on them, so fast.
We do have good intentions.
Our plan is to improve.
But life goes on and back we fall.
A needle in a groove.
I’ll find fortitude unmatched.
To escape from the misguidings.
My resolution for the year.
Is to wish you all glad tidings.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl). Here’s to being inspired, and inspiring others! Thanks, Jim!
Poetry Challenge #100—One Hundred Reasons
This marks the 100th 7-Minute Poetry Challenge!
A 100-hand round of applause to those of you who’ve tried any—all—of the prompts.
(All the prompts are posted & waiting if you’d like to give them a go, or take a look back.)
Poetry Challenge #100
One Hundred Reasons Why . . .
If ours were a kindergarten class, we would each have brought a hundred of one ingredient: toothpicks, cotton balls, acorns, M&Ms ... and mixed them all up into some marvelous creation—trail mix or a wreath, a Fruit Loop necklace.
As our focus is poetry, let’s do it with words:
Using one of the following prompts, write a poem. And if you really want to celebrate create a 100 Word Poem!
100 Reasons Why I Love ————-
100 Things I Want to Do Before I Grow up——-
If I were making a 100 Memory Necklace it would include ________.
Set..
Don’t Go!
Congratulations!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge over 8 years ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Poetry Challenge #97-It's The Berries!
Berries! Silly me…I took a vow this past summer to only buy local produce. That was great during corn season, and green bean days and berry season and pumpkin season… but now what?
The Kingston Trio sang a song called “Raspberries, Strawberries” that you can watch here:
Poetry Challenge #99
Berries!
Which kind of berries are your favorite?
I love blueberries and strawberries—especially in a strawberry rhubarb pie.
I love walking through wild strawberries and smelling the sweet smell underfoot. And scratches are worthwhile for raspberries warmed by the sun.And right now, because the float and don’t spoil quickly and a gorgeous to look at, cranberries are tops.
What about you?
Write a poem about berries—any kind, any form. I bet it will be sweet!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge over 8 years ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Poetry Challenge #98-Beach Time
Winter hit this week. It is FREEEEEEEZING! I know deep in my rattlin’ bones that I’ll get used to the cold (soon, please) even embrace wearing bulky comfy clothes to brave the outdoors—or, more likely, use the cold as an excuse to stay inside: Baby it’s cold outside!
Huntington Beach—my Beach Time then
But right now I am asking myself why did I ever leave home? Gidget take me back to HB! So bear with me, pull a flowered shirt on over your sweats and let’s head to the beach! Hey Moon Doggie, wait for me!
Poetry Challenge #98
Beach Time
Beach Time is way more than just a thing to do. It’s a mindset. And best, it’s way Cool! So let’s get beachy!
Begin by listing whatever comes to mind when you think of a day (or night) at the beach. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
Frothy surf, bikinis, surf boards, sand, shells, waves, orange sherbet sunsets, coconut and cocoa butter, Gidget & Jeff aka Moon Doggie
Now you try:
Fine! If “sand in your pants” is what Beach Time means to you, go with it.
Create a poem using a many of those beachy words as you can. Here’s a little theme music to get you in a beachy mood: Da-na-nah-na-nah-nah-na…WiPE OUT!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 3 years ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link below and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
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Poetry Challenge #96: Hot Diggity Dog!
Mere days—days— after post baseball season and we’re already craving hot dogs. I’m serious (nitrates aside) we love hot dogs! Okay, maybe not me so much but, I love the bun. I love the relish. I crave sauerkraut. And what I really, really miss, is any excuse to say Hot Dog!
“Mimi, what’s for lunch?”
“How about hot dogs?”
“HOT DOG!!!”
Poetry Challenge #96
Hot Diggity-Dog
In honor of those lazy, crazy…tasty Hot Dog Days of Summer, let’s write a concrete poem. Concrete poems are words arranged in a shape to give extra meaning to the subject of the poem. Maybe the words form the branches of a tree or letters drip down the page to show rain. Sometimes there’s a surprise hidden in repeated words like the marshmallow in the concrete poem below created by Cindy*.
For this one step grab an old-school writing implement (aka pencil, marker, pen). Unless you’re a “Cindy”, it’s harder to create a concrete poem on a device. Begin by visualizing a hot dog. Now, to turn it into a concrete poem you can:
*Sketch the outline of a hot dog and fill it by writing hot dog hot dog hot dog over and over and over . . . until you are fed up with writing hot dog.
*Or, fill your hot dog outline with a poem about hot dogs or a hot dog memory.
*Or, draw a hot dog with words associated with hot dogs.
*Or, use letters as Cindy did by using hot dog part words to create an image. Use other words to dress up your hot dog. Do you like ketchup? Mustard? Onions? Chili? Sweet relish? Marshmallows?
Grab Your Marker
Get Set
Hog-Diggity Draw! (I do relish a good concrete poem…with mustard.)
#TheColombianHotDog trucks set up in Bridgeport & Norwalk, CT—close to the grandboys—HOT DOG!