We All Know — a poem
Photography, Poetry | Posted by Jannie on 26 April 2011 @ 5:35 PM 59 Comments
We all know
we should be
doing dishes
folding laundry
sweeping floors
baking cakes
writing novels
songs and letters,
getting new clients
flatter abs and
firmer buttocks
while simultaneously transplanting ferns
and whistling tunes as we hide
in the dunes by the seaside,
plus a bunch of other stuff
instead of blogging poetry.
But should is an “s” word
best kicked to the curb.
And tho a clean house
might lift the spirits,
love knows it’s really
sharing poems on the Net
not money, muscle or Mr. Clean
that makes the world go ’round.
That was a poem for One Shot Wednesday.
Jannie’s current toenail paint is Sally Hansen’s Diamond Strength in “Peach Pave.”
xoxoxoxo
On 26 April 2011 at 5:43 pm Alessandra aka A said,
Sooo true darling! Beautiful poem and pics, as usual
On 26 April 2011 at 5:44 pm brian said,
oh and you make the world go round jannie…yes you do…and all that other stuff will still be there tomorrow…or whenever our muse punishes us by hiding until we do them…smiles.
On 26 April 2011 at 5:51 pm Steve E said,
Jannie, there is something you should know about me…I AM a “foot-man” TRUE! And you’ve got some beauties-=-grin! Also you have a good One-Shot, maybe I should read it? LOL
PEACE!
On 26 April 2011 at 5:52 pm Steve E said,
Hey, mine is
HERE
And, having read yours, I’d say I should be doing all those things INSTEAD of blogging…but that’s me. This is pure FUN!
On 26 April 2011 at 5:56 pm Belinda said,
Yes! Sharing poems on the net is a form of love. And like you, I don’t care much for the s word, either. Loved your poem! xox
On 26 April 2011 at 7:05 pm bkmackenzie said,
Agreed…sharing poems on the net…that is what is important…..there is tomorrow for cleaning…bkm
On 26 April 2011 at 8:23 pm dustus said,
Life’s been kicking my but lately, and I can totally relate. Did you just drop Peter Gabriel lyrics in your poem? Nice. I listen to him sometimes when I write. Now stop tickling Mr. Clean with your toes! lol
On 26 April 2011 at 8:26 pm Mama Zen said,
Does that mean that I can let the laundry slide?
On 26 April 2011 at 8:53 pm Versebender said,
Wait…there is more to life than poetry blogging? Really? Nothing you mention is on my “to do” list. Anyway, this was a fun affirmation of your priorities…and darn entertaining! Well done. Vb
On 26 April 2011 at 9:04 pm ayala said,
Love it- so true all the rest will be there and this is a way for us to connect doing what we love!
On 26 April 2011 at 9:10 pm Talon said,
Pretty nails, Jannie! And a lovely poem! To heck with the shoulds when poetry abounds
xxx
On 26 April 2011 at 9:15 pm KB said,
If only there were enough hours in the day to do all those things
On 26 April 2011 at 9:24 pm Teresa said,
So true. Now I don’t have to feel guilty for the dirty dishes calling to me. Such fun toes. Can just imagine how you did that picture in the store without getting kicked out. Such fun!
On 26 April 2011 at 9:47 pm Jannie said,
Hi, sweet peeps.
I’m laying low tonight with the tail-end of a head-ache.
Hopefully I’ll be back out romping in blogland tomorrow.
You are all awesome!! Thanks for popping by.
xxoxooxxooo
On 26 April 2011 at 11:26 pm Di said,
Yep! Agree wholeheartedly and the dishes can stay right where they are!!!
On 26 April 2011 at 11:57 pm dani h said,
i’ll think of this poem every time i get the urge to do dishes instead of write. {smile}
On 27 April 2011 at 12:38 am Matt Coughlan said,
love doesn’t hurry
suffering is quick
can’t write poetry?
that’ll make us sick
On 27 April 2011 at 2:36 am sonny said,
lol..oh i just loved this,..my fav. one shot this week !!
On 27 April 2011 at 2:38 am Jo Miffo said,
Love ya nail polish hunny bunny
Love ya words & ya zooooooom is excellent
Today I have woke to having a terrible mood hanging over me
Don’t know why, just have & probably I will make some ones life a misery 
then I will feel in a better mood 
Weyhey I feel much better all ready 
Also I have a headache
backache 
stiff nack & earache… wow I’ve realized I’m falling to bits, no wonder I’m in a mood 
Hope you were with some one when you took the pic in the woods.
Love you more than chocolate cake xoxoxox
On 27 April 2011 at 5:58 am G-Man said,
(GULP)
Jannie um…uh.
I can’t get beyond Mr. Clean….!!!
(THUD)
On 27 April 2011 at 7:28 am Daisy said,
Wonderful poem, Jannie! Cleaning the house can wait till tomorrow. That dirt isn’t going anywhere. The muse however is sometimes fleeting and you have to catch her when you can.
On 27 April 2011 at 10:07 am Dr. J said,
Well, the floor needs sweepin,
and clean clothes are in short supply.
You know a man gets down right dirty
when his baby says bye, bye-bye-bye!
On 27 April 2011 at 10:22 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. I think Spring might have sprung and therefore I need to do a sweep around .. would rather be doing something much more fun .. I hope your headache has gone .. those things are awful. Love the toes and the nail colour – looks good … see you when you’re better .. hope BB holds the fort well in the meantime .. cheers for now … Hilreee xoxoxo
On 27 April 2011 at 10:30 am Eric 'Bubba' Alder said,
You’re spot-on, Jannie! Those other things aren’t what’s truly important.
Cute toes – they remind me a little of Uma Thurman’s, only prettier.
On 27 April 2011 at 11:18 am Paige von Liber said,
umm, now that you have used a toe nail photo it will just look like I copying you…so I will have to take another photo for my next post. lalala
stay painted lady, not that you are a painted lady…although your toenails are…humm, well, ok
bye then
On 27 April 2011 at 11:48 am Erin Prais-Hintz said,
Awesome. I love it when you share your poems. And the dirt will stay where it is. This is far more important.
Enjoy the day sweet Jannie!
Erin
On 27 April 2011 at 12:20 pm Vered | Blogger for Hire said,
So so true.
You’re a smart woman.
On 27 April 2011 at 12:45 pm Jannie said,
These comments made me smile, laugh, chuckle, grin, and go “Wow!” Thanks.
I am feeling much better now, yes, thanks.
Here at the library and for the next 2 hours a blog-hoppin’ shall I go!
Speaking of which….
xoxooxox
On 27 April 2011 at 1:35 pm Lynn said,
I like men who are completely bald, like Mr. Clean.
Pretty toes!
On 27 April 2011 at 2:17 pm K said,
I love it! What’s better than connecting with other people? (even if it is online?)
Have a great day.
On 27 April 2011 at 3:19 pm John (@bookdreamer) said,
A life that ends with a chorus she kept a tidy house isn’t one well lived!
On 27 April 2011 at 3:21 pm Emmanuel Ibok said,
I feel your thoughts absolutely. Sharing poems on the net is wonderful.
Bless!
On 27 April 2011 at 4:12 pm Laura Hegfield said,
“love knows it’s really
sharing poems on the Net
not money, muscle or Mr. Clean
that makes the world go ’round.”
Yeah baby!!!!
On 27 April 2011 at 4:33 pm Patricia said,
Love knows the truth…I wish I had read this before I started the laundry, so I will just not vacuum before I leave for my meeting ….
On 27 April 2011 at 5:22 pm Laurie said,
Gorgeous nature photos… they invite me in. And the words, well…. we SHOULD all listen to you! Is it bad to capitalize a six-letter word?
On 27 April 2011 at 7:33 pm hedgewitch said,
It’s good to see someone who’s got her priorities straight. This writing a poem a day in April thing I’ve gotten into has kept me from visiting everyone as much as normal–thanks for stopping by my place so I could stop by your place. Because your last stanza is indeed what it’s all about. Which reminds me, I need to go vacuum the dog hairs piled up behind the bathroom door–tomorrow.
On 27 April 2011 at 11:01 pm Alice Audrey said,
I’ve been telling my son that, but he only wants a raise in his allowance.
On 27 April 2011 at 11:14 pm magiceye said,
beautiful verse and gorgeous images!
On 28 April 2011 at 3:49 am Neo said,
SA – I didn’t look at this, nor read it, in fact I’m typing blind.
What’s your excuse? Allergic to words? *smirk*
- N
On 28 April 2011 at 5:39 am Olivia said,
That’s a “neat” one Jannie.. lolss
Although I guess I am suffering OCD! Only I don’t show it off..
Infact, I love to stay in Order but doing poetry is equally important. I know what you mean! I loved your nails.. For all this while I had been thinking of uploading my painted toes; only to trim my nails day before.. This time when they grow back, I’ll. Promise..
Many Hugs xoxoxox
On 28 April 2011 at 9:09 am Jannie said,
Hey, lovely beautiful peeps.
Apologies for being MIA with my usual comment answering. I’m in the recording studio this week and putting some hours into preparing for the fun of that.
I did read all comments, thank you!
And may even be back here to speak to each one of you later.
Your humble servant in blogging poetry,
Jannie
xxxxxooooooooooo
On 28 April 2011 at 5:32 pm Cathy said,
So let me get this straight, polishing my prose and poetry is more important than polishing the silver (that I don’t have and wouldn’t polish if I did)? Oh you are a humble servant after my own writer’s heart. Can I quote you?
On 28 April 2011 at 6:41 pm Victoria said,
Jannie, I just love your blog–the poem and photos–like a mini-vacation. Perhaps I will do a pedi while my husband watches the football draft! Thank you.
On 28 April 2011 at 7:56 pm D.C. Lutz said,
Jannie,
This was a really fun read! So hard to deny the tasks at hand sometimes but always definately needed.
On 28 April 2011 at 7:58 pm Jannie said,
ALESSANDRA, Dearest, you KNOW we speak the same language, my dear! One of love and fun.
BRIAN, Dearest, ahhh, thanks. Yes, when my muse goes on vacation she comes back beaufully as I sweep my floor.
STEVE E, Dearest — ahhh, my feet? All smoke and mirrors.
You feet men, I don’t get it, but hey, to each his own!!
BELINDA, Dearest in San Francisco, I pooh-pooh in the general direction of the SHOULD word. It takes us away from The Now.
BKM, Dearest, I did my dishes yesterday, and swept 2.5 floors today, whooohooooo. I admit, it did feel grrrreat.
DUSTUS, in retrospect it was a little weird to insert the Peter Gabriel lyrics, but it seemed a good idea at the time.
MAMA Z, Dearest, well, just make sure you have at least one resonable outfit for everybody — that’s what I do.
VERSEBENDER, Dearest, okay, so your house is spic and span?? And where does the term “spic and span” come from? I’ll have to Google.
AYALA, Dearest, is sharing poems on the Web THE BEST THING, or what?? I count my blessing of this EVERY day.
WOW, I just answered 10 comments. I’m kicking ass.
Going for a little break now…
xoxo
On 28 April 2011 at 8:05 pm L.L. Barkat said,
Lol.
And your toe nails are enviably, wonderfully red.
On 28 April 2011 at 8:11 pm Linda said,
Nothing like a good poem!
On 28 April 2011 at 8:30 pm Jannie said,
TALON, Dearest, thanks! The new color is a bit different than I’m used to, but I’m glad I went for it. Maybe next I’ll go for the red.
KB DEAREST, Birthday Week Girl, like threading beads on a string with no knot in the end is housework. Not MY quote, but I like it.
TERESA, Dearest, yeah, I kept thinking that too! But I was hoping the store staff would just have laughed at me. I was at Target. Oh and guilt — that’s the ‘G” word — kick that away too!
JANNIE, ME-DEAREST, I’m sooooo glad the head-ache is gone!!!! whoooohooooo. (and stay to eff away, please and thanks, Mr Head-Ache.)
DI, Dearest — yes, the dishes never move.
But I did mine like, 3 whole times in the past week!!!
DANI, DEAREST, your comment actually inspired a new poem in me — thanks, one called “When You Think Of This Poem.’ THANK YOU!!!!!
MATT COUGHLAN, Dearest, indeed we would suffer could we not put our volcano of thoughts and feelings to paper and pen. Amen on that, Brother. P.S. You go to school in New Brunswick, Canada? I knew some Coughlans there. My brother Joe had a crush on a beautiful Coughlan girl.
SONNY, DEAREST, to be a fffavorite One Shot does my ego good. But I’m sure you went on to read another that surpassed me.
JO,HO HO, My DEAREST, please forgive me for typing this with now looking at the keyboard, I’m watching about the recent Japenese sunami. I love you!!! Hey, not too many misteakes, I just checked@ Ohshoot, are you feelign okday now? So sorry for your aches. Aches SUCK. I wanted to cry wtih my head ache. But I’m fit as a fookin fiddle and ready to dance now. Except Im sitting down. Love you more than pumpkin pie!!!!!!!! WITH A TON OF WHIPPED CREAM!!!!
ME G- MAN OF THE MOMENT, and many many moments….
Mr Clean will clean your house til everythign is shining, mr cleen, me cleen, mr clean!!
xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox
whoooohooooooooooo
On 28 April 2011 at 8:41 pm Jannie said,
DAISY, DAISY, Dearest, give me your answer true, may I keep keep on blogging with you? Yes, sing it, Girl!!
Did my dishes! Swept 2.5 floors, whoooohoooo.
DR J, Dearest, what’s that Kris Kristofferson lyric, something about his cleanest dirty shirt, and the beer he had for breakfast wasn’t bad, so he had one more for dessert.
HILARY, Dearest, yes head all good now. Going into studio tomorrow, whooohooo. 2 brand new tunes to lay down, and possibly the “Everything Is Beautiful” vocal if the last few lines arrive between now and then — if not, not to worry, they will arrive when they are ready!!
ERIC, DEAREST, and WHEN have you been spyin gthe lovey Ms Thurman’s toes????
I LOVE Uma Thurman, BTW, and Ethan Hawke. I know they split, but still they is good good peeps!!
PAIGE, Dearest, we must’ve been on the same toenail wavelength — and actually I copied YOU — yes, I sneeked into your files, I mean BB did!!!!
OOOWEEE feelin’ fine mama, painted ladies and a bottle of wine mama…. Do you know who wrote and sang THAT??
Sorry, peeps, I’m plum tuckered out now.
Please forgive me, the rest of you Amazing Sweeties, if I do not answer your comments individually. I may tho — you never know!!
xooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 29 April 2011 at 3:25 am SnaggleTooth said,
One day later:
Your comment page should load,
But won’t today
So I’ll have to return
when I have an another hour
to deposit the comment
I wanted to post
Here it is:
“Should” is Ideal
But we live in real-
Clean doesn’t last
But comes in handy
When the doorbell rings
I should go to bed
But I’m here loading this
for over 30 minutes now
But I like what you post
n do what I want most!
………………..
When I read
“flatter abs and
firmer buttocks”
Why did I think:
“Your six-pack is so sculpted- perfect”
n “You better tuck yourself tighter- hurry up or you’re on punishment!”
(get it? ie flattery / be firmer with)
On 29 April 2011 at 3:43 am SnaggleTooth said,
FYI “Spic n Span” was an old floor cleaner my mom used to get. The old commercials used to say the place was spic and span-
“Kris Kristoferson” Sunday Mornin’ Comin Down was the tune.
I’m allergic to Mr Kleen, n nail polish too… Wah!
Have fun with those studio folks! Is your contest cd done yet?
On 29 April 2011 at 12:07 pm Linda said,
I absolutely love this poem and the pictures. That’s how I feel when I have to be doing chores and shopping the stores, when I’d rather be reading, writing, and visiting lovely people like you. It is the happy things that make the world go ’round.
On 29 April 2011 at 12:48 pm Jannie said,
Snaggle — I do have a six-pack, of beer! Just kidding, just kidding. Yes we had Spic and span too. Yep Kris Kristoffferson. Always LOVED that song.
Thanks, Dear Linda. CD done?? Nope, not even close yet!! If I were a millionaire…. But I’m working on it, bit, by bit — whoooohooooo.
Everyone else, please forgive me for not answering all comments individually? You are all WONDERFUL and I’ll see you on your blogs this weekend, I hope.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 29 April 2011 at 5:38 pm Moonduswriter said,
Now the dishes will know there is an anti- dish washing movement staged by poets!!!
Oh Jannie you put the S in sunshine
On 30 April 2011 at 12:05 am Jannie said,
Dearest Moonie, and will they rebel and run away, leavin gus to eat off paper plates? Actually, that would be fine and dandy to me!!
And MoonDustWriter — you put the M in moon!
xoxox
On 3 May 2011 at 2:08 pm Sara healy said,
Jannie,
Somehow I missed this one. It’s great. My favorite line is this one,
“But should is an “s” word
best kicked to the curb.”
You have such a great way of getting to the point and making me laugh while you do it. I’m all for kicking my “should” words to curb.
Great job:~)
On 26 June 2011 at 3:50 pm Jannie said,
SARA!! Thanks.
Almost missed you forever up there.
Did you give all your “shoulds” good boots to the butt!??
xooxoxox
On 27 June 2011 at 8:07 am Jana said,
aaaah beautiful!!!! yes. this is the one I was looking for.
Thank you for the link! I’m going to go write something for me. <3
On 27 June 2011 at 9:42 am Jannie said,
Ahhhh, Jana, you go Girl!!It’s graet to do things for YOU. You are the best person you know, and the best friend you have. It took me a while to learn that,and I’m Lovin’ it! All this blogging has lead me to a wonderful enlightenment.
xoxoo
And it’s looking like maybe we’ll be at Opa’s tomorrow night. Yep.
xo