It's Just One More Today

John is a poet and short fiction writer who enjoys collaborating on stories with other writers, and partaking in challenges.

Word Prompt: "Today."

This week the word-prompt challenge issued by Brenda Arledge was "today." Although, it is a good subject to write about, and follows other related words like "yesterday" and "tomorrow," I was somewhat challenged by this prompt. I have written a number of articles/poems previously about "today" and didn't want to repeat myself.

There is an abundance of cliched quotes about today like:

• "Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present." ~ Bil Keane.
• "What is good today may be a cliche tomorrow." ~ Alexey Brodovich
• "Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday." ~ Dale Carnegie.
• "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." ~ annonymous

So, anyway, I decided to just write about my particular today. Here is my poem and response to Brenda's prompt titled "It's Just One More Today."

Nike

1 / 3

It's Just One More Today

Today I woke up from a dream

with a smile to greet the day.

Stretching, I sat up in my bed

to salute the rising sun.

The cat waits, silent 'til I stir,

then meows, “It’s time for food!”

That signal’s that today’s begun,

and I must obey her subtle clues.

I can’t sleep in past seven,

for this, she won’t allow.

The Queen demands her will be done.

She’s my alarm with paws.

So, I go to feed the cats,

they gather on the porch.

Rubbing up against my legs,

each jostling to be first.

Then tea with lemon for my wife

and coffee/mocha for myself.

Always the same morning routine,

the cats make sure of that.

I’ll check my iPad for emails,

and also the latest news.

This may lead to discussion

of what’s happening in the world.

Soon it’s time for breakfast

to help kick-start the day,

then washing-up and laundry

and another chore or two.

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow., so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.

— Dalai Lama

If there’s no unplanned event

my today goes by as told.

I’ll let the hens out to free-range

until the day is done.

I take a quick but soothing shower,

then go to check for mail,

and visit the store if need be.

That may all take an hour.

On return the time is mine,

so I sit down at my desk,

allocate writing priorities,

and put my pen to test.

The unforeseen may happen.

That can be good or bad.

A friend may drop in for a chat,

or something may break down.

But if today does go to plan

I’ll let my muse take charge.

And write until it’s dinner time,

With a few breaks in between.

My freelance gigs take precedence,

with HubPages close behind.

If I need a break I’ll watch TV,

or surf the Net awhile.

So, that’s my today’s schedule,

will tomorrow be the same?

That I won’t know until it comes,

but it’s just one more today.

This is a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before.

— Maya Angelou.

© 2021 John Hansen