Happy Poetry Friday!
A few weeks ago the prompt in my poetry group, the Nevermores, was the word “consistency.” I’d been thinking a lot about routines, especially the morning routine that I’ve established. For now, my morning routine works for me.
Morning
I wake.
Still dark.
Grab pen and notebook.
Spill thoughts,
concerns,
dreams.
Read poems.
Jot ideas.
Wonder if I can write like that.
Maybe someday.
Check the headlines—
good or bad,
funny or sad.
I listen.
The trill of a Carolina wren
greets the sun.
First sound of the morning,
first promise of the day.
©2023RoseCappelli
To some, routines might be considered falling into a rut, but there are always surprises. I don’t usually hear the Carolina wren in the winter, but on that particular morning, at the start of the new year, its song was bright. I looked on it as a good omen. Do you have a morning routine you love? Let me know in the comments.
Susan has the round-up today at Chicken Spaghetti. Be sure to stop by for some poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
I heard a Carolina wren today, too! They are so loud for being so small. I aim to read a little in the morning as I have my coffee and not reach for my phone first thing. Some days I’m more successful than others.
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Thanks, Susan! I agree, the wren’s song is a good wake-up call. Good luck with your morning reading.
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I have a similar routine in the morning. Coffee is a must. I try to take a walk each morning. I’m struggling this morning because it’s cold outside. I enjoyed your “consistency” poem.
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I find the writing lives thrives on routine! Of course we must feed ourselves treats and surprises too…my morning writing I generally reserve for my most important, soul-feeding writing…otherwise I’ll get caught doing the dumb stuff, never get to the good stuff, and be mad at myself at the end of day! xo
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My morning routine includes making myself a cup of coffee AND a cup of tea and taking care of our dogs (who get a boiled egg sprinkled over their food). I think your routine sounds great.
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I, too, try to write first thing in the morning before peeking at my phone or laptop. On good days, coffee and poetry come first. Our summer “alarm clock” (when the windows are open) is often a cardinal.
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I love that you heard that Carolina wren, Rose, seems like a good omen to me, & that you wrote about your routine. I start the day with coffee, read the current book with a notepad by me, jotting down favorite lines. Then I get out my journal & try to write some kind of rough draft. Thanks for sharing. I like reading about other’s morning, too.
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My poetry reading this morning included your ice cream cinqains. Loved the fib, imagining being treated to a frosty while milking in the winter!
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Wow, thanks for telling me. I watched a grandfather long so do his milking, imagined him playing this trick on me & my cousins!
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That final stanza is so beautiful, Rose! My morning routine is — my sweet husband brings me a cup of tea before I get up. My grandfather used to do the same for my grandmother.
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Husbands can be so sweet. Mine brings me coffee, too, but I am usually up before him.
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Rose, there are several lines I like in your poem but these are special ones: “spill thoughts” and “first promise of the day”. Consistency pairs nicely with your poem that spills out onto the page. Have a great weekend..
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Hi Rose!
Words are so wonderful to wake to. Appreciations for sharing your first moments & in a sweet poem.
To answer When I wake up to stay up, I open our French door curtains that block whatever is out on the patio [hope it’s sunshine] stretch & get his favorite yellow mug/coffee ready for my hubby, who sleeps thru this [& anything in the morning.] And then I decide whether I’m going to read some great poetry or, work at writing it.
Writing usually wins.
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Rose, Thank you for this post. I think routines are important. My husband and I are retired. We recently moved to our cabin in the Northwoods. We’ve both found our morning routines. He wakes an hour before me and takes care of our dog. I wake, have my tea, and we visit – talking of plans for the day or news of the day, or both. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I always have tea first thing, and then mid-morning have my coffee. My writing does not occur until I am fully awake. Thanks for sharing your poem about routines!
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Love how that Carolina wren enters your poem. Beautiful.
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I love your morning routine captured in this poem. It seems familiar as I start my morning with a cup of tea and some reading and writing before breakfast.
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I love your morning pages routine. And “Wonder if I can write like that. /
Maybe someday.” That spoke to me… I come downstairs in the still-dark, turn on the fireplace, make my tea, and dictate my morning pages into the phone.
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You know I’ve already spilled the guts on my routine. But for many of us routine is helpful. I think Gretchen Rubin says that for upholders (which I am) “Discipline is my freedom.” And I definitely feel that way. I’m much less anxious when I hold to my routine.
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Your poem and your question have clearly touched a nerve (in a good way) for folks! I imagined that in retirement I would not have set routines, and yet I feel more productive and settled when I have them. I get up first and have a few hours to myself to feed/groom the cat, exercise, write, read, doodle, do DuoLingo. One new routine that surprised me is mopping the kitchen floor every Sunday morning early. I didn’t set the intention to do that, which is maybe why I am able to keep up with it? Baby steps toward a cleaner house. Love it!
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That made me laugh, Mary Lee. Imagine mopping as part of a routine! I don’t think that would work for me, but maybe I should try it.
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I love reading this poem again. You bring joy to consistency, Rose. I crave routine – keeps me feeling settled as I start a day. Possibly the one piece I need most, no matter what, is time to gaze out a window uninterrupted. Thank you!
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I believe I see a commonality in the words “routine” and “rut,” and doesn’t it just make all the difference what your attitude is? Anyone who has taught knows that the morning routine, once established, allows the real work to begin: who is here? how are they feeling? what are our intentions for the day? We can offer that to ourselves, too.
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Thanks, Heidi. Great insights. I agree, the morning routine allows the real work to begin.
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