General Admission

Countdown begins

Then the first song

It’s not a sin 

To sing along.

The groove and beat

Will make us dance 

Moving your feet 

In music’s trance.

As guitars scream 

Keyboard is cool

The bass, a dream

Rock and roll rules.

Know where to go

Listen aloud 

Gain your control 

Be with the crowd.

Buy the teeshirt 

Proves you were there

Which doesn’t hurt

Stories to share.

Until next time

You see a show

It’s quite sublime

I’m sure you know…

-AAA 01/09/2025

Sit, Crawl Stand, Walk

Sit , crawl , stand, walk

Slowly growing 

Babble speak talk 

Life is flowing.

Giggle, smile coo

Playing with toys 

So much to do

All filled with joys.

Growing up slow

An inch by inch

Best way to grow

Surely a cinch.

Toddlers or infants

Childhood then teens

Due take your chance

No in-betweens.

Lastly adults 

Hardly can wait

Little consults

End all debates…

-AAA 12/31/2024

Missy’s MAD Challenge #022

Every week, a creative prompt will be offered for you to unleash your imagination and artistic skills. 

You can share your response in the form of art or any creative expression that the prompt inspires.

There are no restrictions and no deadlines, so feel free to take your time and enjoy the creative process.

Remember to label your response with #missysmadchallenge.

Your challenge for the week

  • Have the words “Ring In” somewhere in your work

Everybody, Ring In

Ring in New Years

Celebrate all 

No need for tears

Enough did fall.

Ring in for change

Into a groove

Lives rearrange 

When we all move.

Ring in for life

Being alive

Cast away strife

For this we strive.

Ring in for fun

With all our work

For everyone

We’re all just done.

Ring in for toasts

Countdowns soon start  

No need for boasts

Just open hearts…

-AAA 12/31/2024

Dance!!!

Dance fast, he said

And so we did

Wear off shoes tread 

Do our best bid.

Fast music plays

Many good tunes

All night and day

From sun to moons.

Partners or friends

Dancing goes on

Music just ends 

Until, next song.

An endless beat

Deepening grove

Nothing repeats 

As we all move.

Requests are in

DJ’s in charge

We all will win 

All living large.

Last call arrives

To our sorrow 

We leave and drive

Work, tomorrow…

-AAA 12/30/2024

See What You’ll Be

See what you see 

Do what you do

Be what you’ll be 

You, through and through.

Give what you give

Share what you like

Best way to live

Your entire life.

Walk where you wish

Go where you want

No upstream fish

Or dilettante.

Learn what you’ll learn

Life is a class 

As the world turns 

Hardships will pass.

Pause and take rest

Perspective gained

You did your best 

Don’t be ashamed.

For endings end

And starts begin

Time is your friend

Someday, you’ll win…

-AAA 12/23/2024

Break The Cycle

Break the cycle

Bust up the streak

Try your hardest

More than a week.

Against the flow

Walking up stream

Use all you know

Achieve your dreams.

Nothing easy

Is worth a damn

Head winds, breezy

Push if you can.

Closer you get

Steeper the road

Leave no regrets

Nothing you’re owed.

You’re in control

Not the outside

Climb out that hole

Remember, pride.

Build yourself up 

Know that you’re great

You’re far more tough

Don’t hesitate.

Go for the gold

While you still can

Future you hold

Not, also ran.

And in the end

Your heart and soul

Poured out my friend

To fill that hole…

-AAA 12/18/2024

Willow Tree

All willows weep 

Sum of all tears 

Their branches creep 

Throughout the years.

Roots that run deep 

Burdens carried 

Challenge is steep

Never varied.

Green in springtime

Auburn in fall

Reason or rhyme 

Unknown to all.

Always alive

Growing quite tall

More than survive

Thriving and all.

Lessons are learned 

On every branch 

Our world has turned

A solid stange.

Feelings do hurt

Accept, be free 

Rise from the dirt

My willow tree…

-AAA 12/13/2024

Emotional Drum

I was a drum

So they beat me

I was left numb 

They besieged me.

No cymbals or set

One single drum

Filled with regret

For loving some.

The beat moves on

Just like our lives 

The past is gone

Like some ex wives.

I hold the sticks

Once handed out

No more cheap kicks

Boundaries about.

A drumming snare

With sticks of oak

Much more aware

Of all that’s spoke.

My head is tuned

The snares are right

Sadness consumed

Future looks bright…

-AAA 12/13/2024

Write By Feel

Share your lessons

Tell your story

All of it’s pain 

and its glory.

Write a sonnet 

Compose some prose

With emotion 

I would suppose.

Unleash demons 

Buried inside

Vent and create

Rather than hide.

Feelings aren’t your

finality

Just a crux of 

Reality.

First heal yourself

Then heal the world

Share lessons that

Your life has hurled.

When you look back 

Words on paper

Marvel in those 

Recent capers…

-AAA 12/06/2024

Wish Me A Fish

Wish me a fish 

Make me a dish 

That is delish

Fulfill my wish.

Tell me a tale 

About a whale

Who, without fail

was never frail.

Sing me a song 

I’ll sing along

Would that be wrong

Would it belong?

Share a secret 

Never forget 

Alone regret

Is a tough bet.

Show me your dance

I’ll watch you prance

Per happenstance

At my first chance.

Let’s end this rhyme

It’s about time 

and not a crime

Likely sublime…

-AAA 12/04/2024

December, Starts 

December, starts 

It’s almost here 

Children’s favored 

Time of the year.

A time of gifts 

or presents too

Shopping and chores

A lot to do.

Baking cookies

String up the lights

Put up your tree

Such wondrous nights.

Using fingers 

the children count

Days till Christmas

They work it out.

Weather turns cold 

This time of year 

Winter’s wonders

Fill us with cheer.

Kinder gestures 

People unknown

Our warmth festers

When not alone.

Holidays close

Just weeks away 

Twenty four days 

Till Christmas play.

Make it our best 

Winter season

Kindness and warmth

Our best reasons…

-AAA 12/01/2024

Not so Fond Farewell

Now I’m here

You go away

Save cruelty

For another day.

Badness gone

Far away

Save it for

Another stay.

Leave this place

Move along

Singing a

Different song.

There’s no need

To explain

As your words

Cause me pain.

Bid adieu

Say goodbye

Pack your bags

I won’t cry.

For, my truth

Is at hand

You’re in a

Distant land.

Now I’m free

From your hate

Peace without

A debate…

-aaa

Originally Published 05/25/2024

Three Things Challenge #892

Your three words today are:

ATTEST

ALTITUDE

ANGLE

Mountain Night’s View 

I can attest 

To all the rest

That altitude

Is very best.

Atop mountains

Without curtains

Of air and light

Pollution, ends.

Maybe angles 

Reduce tangles

Of what we see

Glittered bangles.

Night sky’s buffet

Such a display

Starred galaxies 

All on parade…

-AAA 11/28/2024

Our Drumline

Counting to four 

Then we begin 

We know the score

That’s how we win.

Our cadences

Among the best

The band dances 

A rhythm fest.

Snares staccato 

Heavy bass drums

Quints bravado 

Audience comes.

As we all march

Put on a show

Serve the best parched

Best way we know.

Bright cymbals crash

Tonal basses

Sticking panache 

Smiling faces.

I miss those days 

With the drumline

Captain of craze 

Or pride of mine…

-AAA 11/25/2024

Not Done Yet, By A Long Shot

Not a person

On planet earth

Will stop my art

It’s all I’m worth.

No hosting site

Should mess with you

With all efforts 

Honest and true.

Don’t hate players

Despise the game

Their example 

On me, placed blame.

Unsure of what 

That I’ll do next

Falsely accused

Now I am vexed.

I am lucky 

Know authors

Quite positive 

Kindness offers.

I guess for now

I’ll keep going 

All my writings 

Overflowing…

-AAA 11/25/2024

Friday Night Home Football Games

Remembering 

Friday in band 

Football games 

Played in the stands.

We’d march in line

Onto the field 

Playing anthems

Our classmates reeled.

Then marching out 

Off, we would flow 

Back to our seats

Till halftime, shows.

Then back we’d march

Wet dewy grass 

Perform our show 

From first to last.

Classmates cheering

Clapping their hands 

Building us up

From metal stands.

From in the stands

Also play songs

Cheerleaders dance

All the game long.

Occasional

Storms, join the fun 

Lightning and rain 

Soaked everyone.

After the game

March back to school

Either rain or shine 

That was the rule.

Cadences play

Rhythm is cool

Loud drums echo

Our empty school.

Marching darkness

It’s a late night

Heading towards 

The sole bright light.

To our band room 

Instruments stowed

Uniforms off

Homeward we’d go.

Now that its safe 

I can feel tired

My drumline’s done

More than required.

Some friends will wait 

Lit by the moon

For dinner at 

Our greasy spoon.

It’s ten thirty

The car lights bright

We depart home

Till next game night…

-AAA 11/24/2024

Godmother Long Gone

Your name carries 

On windy days 

Whispered by birds,

hawks, and blue jays.

Softly spoken

Almost a prayer 

Close both my eyes

You’re standing there.

Twenty years gone 

Feels even longer 

My love for you 

Had grown stronger.

Wish you could see

Who I am now

Evolution 

And, holy cow.

No so afraid

Like in my youth

Brave decisions

Sharing my truth.

I think she’d smile 

A whole lot more 

Challenge myself

More than before.

I miss her warmth

She really cared

Reassurance

When I got scared. 

She made me laugh

Even in tears 

A gift she’s had 

Throughout the years.

So when songs play

I sing by choice 

She’ll harmonize

In her sweet voice…

-AAA 11/24/2024

Social Anxiety 

Heaping mountains

Of building doubt

Block your front door

You can’t get out.

Your heart races 

Your pulse is high

Anxiety 

Makes your brain fry.

It’s in your head 

Many friends say

They just don’t know

It’s not child’s play.

All emotions

At once you feel

This isn’t fake

It’s harshly real.

Believing mind

Over matter 

It’s not a choice

Some are shattered.

Much braver than 

A lion’s pride

Building up strength

Going outside.

So keep in mind

Some don’t come near 

Not for spite but 

Deep seated fear…

-AAA 11/22/2024

Fading Into Obscurity 

It’s happened

I fade away 

No one’s reading

Less views per day.

I’m just not sure

What can I do

To ebb the flow

Or am I through.

Once my blog bloomed

Thousands of views

Now low hundreds

What can I do.

Working so hard

Readers engaged

Nothing to do 

Seeming so strange.

Should I give up 

What if I quit

Stopped my writings

Somewhat legit.

Feeling so down

Trying my best

Doesn’t matter

I need to rest.

Some jealous folks

Went to WordPress

Unfounded lies 

Were their success 

Blogging future 

In front of me

Fading into

Obscurity…

-AAA 11/22/2024

Seduction of Destruction 

Unsuspected 

Angel of death

Victims don’t know

Until last breath.

Cold blood in her

Runs like the wind

Her heart is ice

Many times sinned.

In her clutches 

Haven’t a chance

She’ll destroy you 

From that first dance.

Many untruths

To get her way

Keep you guessing

Both night and day.

She will proclaim 

You’re the loser

But it’s all lies

From an abuser.

Start making plans

To escape soon

Further away

Than nighttime’s moon.

Just run away 

And don’t look back

You’ll turn to stone

From all that flack…

-AAA11/17/2024

Three Things Challenge #878

Your three words today are:

CONCISE

PRECISE

PRECIOUS

Write As You Are

When you write 

Be concise 

To the point 

Just precise.

Precious time 

That you spend 

Creating prose 

That never ends.

Stanzas form 

Lines shape up 

Words fit nice 

From the cuff.

Consciousness

Steams my mind

On paper

Other kinds.

Many forms 

I attempt 

Not unique 

Or exempt.

Some are short 

Some are long 

Some silly 

Others strong.

In the end 

They are me

My own words 

Set me free.

I love just 

Being me 

Writing is 

Meant to be…

-AAA 11/14/2024

Wake-up And Write

Just awake 

Crumbs in eyes 

Vision’s blur

Then blue skies.

Nothing wrote 

After nine 

Get in gear 

I’ll be fine.

Saturday 

Sleeping in

Much to write 

Sure I’ll win!

Picking forms 

For today

This one now

Hard to say.

Three count syls

Just a sneeze 

These quatrains

Are a breeze.

Rhymes four 

After two 

Created

When I’m through. 

Next stanza

Keep going 

Ideas 

Are flowing.

Where they lead

I don’t know

As I write

Poem grows.

Mind to phone

Then it’s blogged

Much work left

Brain not fogged.

Nice going 

Nearly through 

Words escape

What I do.

iPhone notes 

Quickly write

Finish line 

Is in sight.

So read up 

Nearly done 

Wake poems

Are much fun…

-AAA 11/09/2024

Wake Up, Go To Bed, Repeat 

Wake up now 

Day begin

Lots to do

Planners win.

So get dressed

Put on clothes

Brush your hair

Blow your nose.

Socks are on

Shoes as well

Grab your coat

Feeling swell.

Grab your keys 

Lock the door

Off to work

Then the store.

Office bound 

Traffic bad

Journey slow

Drives you mad.

Music plays 

Happy songs

Always rights

Commute wrongs.

Then arrive

Plenty work

Take my lunch

A nice perk.

Finish work

Homeward bound

Once again 

Traffic found.

Music plays

Once again

Much akin

An old friend.

Later home

Dinner ate

Clean the pans

Wash the plates.

Then relax

Read a book

Eyes heavy

Day’s toll took.

Back to bed

No sorrow

All redone 

For tomorrow…

-AAA 11/08/2024

Warm Fall Day

So breezy

Warm fall day 

Shining sun

Much to say.

Breezes blow

Swaying trees

Dusty air

Thank you please.

Parks are full

Playgrounds too

Screaming kids

Joyful view.

Some will swim 

In warm pools

Soak up rays 

They’re no fools.

People dance

Music plays 

Beat goes on 

Night and day.

End this jaunt

Good times had

Warm fall days

Never bad…

-AAA 11/07/2024

Bills to Pay

I can’t stay 

As I say

I must pay

No delay.

Away far 

With my car

It’s bizarre

I’m on par.

Pay my bills

Far from thrills

Through the mills

I need pills.

Then return 

And not spurn

Nor will burn

What I yearn…

-AAA 09/06/2024

Work and Play

Life is hard 

So they say

Despite work

All, love play.

Pay your dues 

Nine to five

Work quite hard

To survive.

Then punch out

Job well done

Tasks complete 

Now for fun.

On the town 

Walk with friends

Hope the fun

Never ends…

-AAA 09/05/2024

A Writer, I Must Be

What to do

In this time

Is writing

Such a crime?

Is there else

To create

Not at all

It is fate.

Tried crochet

Didn’t work

Those stitchings

Must be shirked.

Panting next

One did try

Not quite good

Isn’t a lie.

Then welding

Back in school

Hot metal

Burned the fool.

Then at last

The only craft

To create

Without laughs.

Writing blogs

Words galore

With ideas

Not a chore.

In the end

To belong,

In poems

That’s the song…

-AAA 08/01/2024

Summer Relief

Day is hot

Grab some cool

Some relief

In a pool.

Heat goes up

Much higher

Anymore

Then on fire.

AC on

Cooler air

Refreshment

We’re aware.

Frosty drinks

Filled with ice

And some rum

Would be nice.

Umbrella

In my glass

Tropical

Drinks at last.

Sun’s ablaze

Till it sets

Then cooler

A safe bet.

Until then

Do your best

Beat the heat

Pass the test…

-AAA 07/26/2024

Take That Walk!

Talk a walk

All alone

Spend the time

Lose your phone.

Go be free

Get outside

Stretch your arms

Let them glide.

Music plays

Stress be gone

Hum your songs

You’re a swan.

Love yourself

Very much

Continue on

Move a bunch.

See the trees

Smell the grass

See fleeting

Moments pass.

Here’s the one

Favorite song

Press repeat

You belong.

Nature thins

Back to life

The city

And its strife.

Head back home

Walked, three miles

Proud, yourself

Many smiles.

Remove shoes

Take off socks

My feet hurt

Like sharp rocks.

Back to work

Write things out

You know what

It’s about…

-AAA 07/20/2024

The End, of Us

It’s over

It’s done now

A done deal

I see how.

You cheated

The whole time

Disbelief

You’re a slime.

Just to think

I felt bad

In my guilt

It’s so sad.

I realize

After this

There’s nothing

That I miss.

All your lies

And gaslights

Half told truths

Restless nights.

It’s in vain

Nothing saved

You laid down

Bye I waved.

Now happy?

All alone

Bills and debts

On your own.

Hope you think

As you pray

Was it worth

All those lays???

-AAA 07/19/2024

This is Your Train

Catch the train

Don’t miss it

Or you’re late

Implicit.

Get to work

Or places

Meeting friends

New faces.

Out for fun

On a date

Live it up

Try, temp fate.

Slowing down

We’ve arrived

The first stop

Not contrived.

Stay in place

It’s not yours

Not there yet

Hold your horse.

Second stop

Easy now

Next one’s yours

Holy cow!

Now your stop

Came to pass

Leave the train

Like your past…

-AAA 07/17/2024

Life is Here, Now, so Live It!!

Life is here

Much to live

You’ve got time

Much to give.

Don’t think hard

Doesn’t work

Stressing self,

Muscles, jerk.

Just relax

And stretch out

No troubles,

You’re without.

Just listen

To a song

With its notes

Am I wrong?

All your tunes

Define you

Passions and,

What you do.

Feel the breeze

On your face

And its soft

Warm embrace.

Just let time

Fall away

Enjoy life

In this day.

Remember,

It’s so short

And precious

I report.

Living, now

Is the best

Take your time

Pass the test.

No regrets

Only ease

With grace and,

Inner peace…

-aaa

Not so Fond Farewell

Now I’m here

You go away

Save cruelty

For another day.

Badness gone

Far away

Save it for

Another stay.

Leave this place

Move along

Singing a

Different song.

There’s no need

To explain

As your words

Cause me pain.

Bid adieu

Say goodbye

Pack your bags

I won’t cry.

For, my truth

Is at hand

You’re in a

Distant land.

Now I’m free

From your hate

Peace without

A debate…

-aaa