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Poet Laura

“Poet Laura” is the lighthearted version of a poet laureate at Tweetspeak Poetry, and I'm so grateful for this honor!  Enjoy these essays on savoring life and walking lightly!  

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INVITATION TO LIGHTNESS FROM DHEEPA MATURI

For this monthly column, my first post is an invitation, even in the midst of the world's sadness and confusion, to choose lightness. (Readers: please make note of your chocolate-related assignment.)

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WHAT ARE WE CELEBRATING NOW?

Friends, inviting you to read my "Poet Laura" musings this month: on celebration, mother-magic, and . . . rubber ducks. You never know where they may be hiding!

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NEW YEAR, NEW LISTS

Before tackling my 2023 resolutions, before making lists of all kinds, I decided to play. Join me for some fun, sweetness, and of course, tea!

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EMBRACING GUILTY PLEASURES: AN ODE TO CHOCOLATE

If you, like me, have ever used inception tactics to procure chocolate, let's jilt the guilt this Valentine's Day. Here's an ode to chocolate, and a permission slip for bliss!

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SIDEWAYS ON A BOAT — ON SNAFUS AND HAIKU

After our boat tipped and sank, the boys expressed their reproach in a way I didn't expect: a (somewhat hyperbolic) haiku.

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HAPPY EARTH DAY--AND DON'T MISS THE TREES FOR THE FOREST!

When your family pulls a fast one on you, try not to be in the middle of a rainforest. To hear about a trip full of surprises, read on . . . .

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A TRIBUTE TO LAURA BARKAT AND ALL THE OTHER "LAURAS"

My mother lit an oil lamp every morning and evening. It taught me that our small acts can make an immense difference in this complicated world.

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POET LAURA ON THE MOON!

The Poet Laureate's poem is going to Jupiter -- and Poet Laura's poem is going to the moon!

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I SURRENDER

When I got sick--really sick--I had only one choice: pause and surrender. I learned there's real magic in that space--and poetry, too.

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT--YEAR OF THE MONARCH

Reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar to my son long ago has now come full circle. Let’s ring in the Year of the Monarch!

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FOR THE BIRDS: A POETRY READING--FOR CHICKENS

Sometimes absurdity finds you, and sometimes, you seek it out yourself! Here’s the tale of my adventure to Danville, Indiana, for a poetry reading . . . for chickens.

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GOODBYE--AND HELLO!

Somehow and suddenly, my year as Tweetspeak's Poet Laura has drawn to a close! I'm so grateful to L.L. Barkat for this opportunity and to my editor Will Willingham. Thank you to all who have journeyed alongside me, sampling chocolate, sipping tea, and spying rubber ducks in unexpected places. This post is my goodbye--and also my hello to the next Poet Laura, Michelle Ortega!

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