Routine-challenged

Children do not do this at home

Dare I say unconventional? They will whisper for awhile. But ever since I was born, I have had no routine at all.

I am a caring person, Playful but forbearing. However, when examing my style, People cannot stop glaring.

My teeth are brushed a dozen times, I do not eat three meals a day. I am told I need a schedule. But my work gets done anyway.

I have moved and I have traveled Discovering in wonder Experiencing events few ever will With piss, and might, and thunder.

To know me is to love me. From afar, I might seem strange, Put the pieces all together, I live outside of frame.

I go to bed at 6 pm, I also take naps, In between, I attend to things, In my mind resides no map.

Born a hippie’s daughter, Rules were set aside. I learned about the world alone, With freedom on my side.

However, as I am growing older I long to really strive, To schedule my days, In such ways, Authentically, but not contrived.

I see the strength of routine, Anxiety subsides, I am committed to the follow-through, That ritual provides.

So I start my day, My favorite way, Checking out the Slack, It is the beginning of my participation, To be one amongst the pack.

The feelings it produces, Increases my need to satisfy, Myself as a person, In which you can rely.

Few may comprehend To perceive expectation as an illusion But, rituals sustain our health, Commencing joy in our lives And lessening confusion.

Please consider this an open invitation to writing a short story or a poem about Routines and Change on Illumination.

Deena Thomson, Christine Graves, Ntathu Allen, Stuart Englander, Lee

Nourse, Marne Platt, Rebecca Sealfon, Jessica Cote, Penofgold, Geetika Sethi, Thewriteyard, Vee Goldman, Paroma Sen, Denise Scholander, janny’s heart, Robert Trakofler, Dr. Preeti Singh, Christine Graves, Obsidian Eagle, Penofgold, Hunter Eskew, Annelise Lords, T. Mark Mangum, Shreya Sinha, Christopher Madsen, Terry Trueman

Trista Ainsworth Harley King Karen Madej Amy Marley R Tsambounieri Talarantas Gurpreet Dhariwal Liam Ireland Dennett Renee Podunovich Jesse M. Gonzalez

:)