Today we had an eclipse of the sun. So not your ordinary day and this won't be repeated until 2044. So, being able to see it was a big deal for me. As luck would have it, the prompt for today was write about a life event.

The Eclipse

In 2044 I may not be here
At my age life is measured in months and not years.
That was the date it would happen again.

The eclipse advertised for months happened today, April 8, 2024 at 3pm EDT

We gathered at the front of our building to see this spectacular event
Our eyes protected by special glasses
Shared to give all a chance to see
Hoping to catch a glimpse of nature’s show

And through the glasses reminding me of 3D movie glasses from my childhood made of cardboard with plastic lenses I saw it

The sudden black circle encroached the sun. Only a sliver remained.
The breeze kicked up at my feet cooling it a little bit!
But even that little sliver kept the light and warmth alive.

Soon the sun would come out
Will I be here to see the next one?
Copyright 2024 by Barbara Ehrentreu

And now Day 9. The prompt is: Two for Tuesday. Write a love poem and an anti-love poem

Love Lasts A Lifetime

The delicate seed of your love
Grew to be a blooming rose
And though it had its thorns
The flower of it remained glorious
So spectacular it continues on today
Though the flower is deceased
And the petals are disintegrated
The essence of its beauty remains in my heart
A painting of its blooming presence
When the delicate buds of its fragrant beauty
Existed between us and painted by my brain
Will always be there no matter what
Your love permeates my every waking hour
Remembering it brings joy and sadness
For no longer can I feel your body or
Hear your voice telling me it’s okay
But I have the memories
Time has painted into my soul
Of joy and even anger from you and with you
Love is a permanent fixture
It continues without substance
Floats in the air as amorphous presence
Always there as life support when needed
Your love anchors me and keeps me sane
It is my bulwark against the raging world.
Copyright 2024 by Barbara Ehrentreu


Anti-love

Why did I need this aggravation?
Fighting and bickering and tears
Were they worth it all those years
When I could have been enjoying myself?
The nights when I turned from you
Or you turned from me
Magnets not attracting with the wrong sides
Pushed each other away for one reason or another
Anger overcoming the love we poured into ourselves
An endless supply of vehement phrases
Spewed out from both of us
Anger blanketed our love
Pushed it away and replaced it
Until only pain happened.
Copyright 2024 by Barbara Ehrentreu