I look forward to April every year because not only is there an abundance of new blooms, but my poetic inspiration flourishes too with it being National Poetry Month. On April 17, I will observe National Haiku Day by writing two haikus for each day of the week documenting what I do and don’t love about them. For a refresher in poetry, a haiku is a style of poetry that is three lines in length with the syllable pattern going 5, then 7 and back to 5.
Bad Monday
A feline, Garfield
Buries his bad cattitude
Into lasagna
I can’t lie and say I don’t have moments on some Monday mornings where I wish I could hibernate and revert back to weekend mode. This disgruntled tabby and I can both be grumpy at times, but “I Hate Mondays” is a shared sentiment by more than this dynamic duo. And even if we were to eradicate the day, we’d have just as much dread for Tuesdays—right?
Good Monday
The sun peeks its rays
Through windowsills of the still
Beckoning fresh start
On my best Mondays, I recognize the dawn of a new week is the best chance to get my life in motion again after a restful weekend. I could say the same about the dawning of each day, but Mondays usually bring about an increased drive and motivation.
Bad Tuesday
Monday exhaustion
Sinks its claws into today
Tend to day two wounds
If I have a particularly draining Monday, I feel the residual drudge through the day and it can affect my mood for sure.
Good Tuesday
Set up for success
Ready to build upon
The Monday foundation
The best feeling is when I really tackle the week with fervor and feel encouraged by my own work ethic to continue forward momentum into my Tuesday!
Bad Wednesday
It is now hump day
I trudge slowly up a hill
It’s never-ending
This appears to be a pretty typical sentiment for many people. The week is halfway over but the second half, including the weekend, also appears to be nowhere in sight. If I succumb to this pattern of thought, the days will indeed drag by. And not even a funny camel can pull me out of that funk.
Good Wednesday
Up before the sun
I wake up the city of
Winona on air
Wednesdays have become my favorite part of the week for sure with the radio show I do with a classmate and friend. We have the “Wake Up Winona” shift on 89.5 KQAL, the campus station, so I get to jam out and talk about random fun nonsense. I also connect with people from Illinois while in my home-away-from-home. There really isn’t anything better.
Bad Thursday
Repeated hitting
Button made just to laugh
At my grogginess
After an energizing start to Wednesdays, having the luxury to sleep in bites back as I oversleep or worse—wake up thinking it’s actually Friday. The horror!
Good Thursday
Hit a fever pitch
So close to a well-deserved
Break from the chaos
Sometimes the best Thursdays come when I’m so busy and killing it in different facets of life to think about how tired I am. And when that feeling dawns on me, I use it to push through.
Bad Friday
Not quite the weekend
Feet drag to complete last tasks
When will this week end?
Anything before 5 p.m. on a Friday feels cruel. The sweet promise of R&R looms as eyes glaze over staring at mindless busywork before true relaxation can begin.
Good Friday
Song by Loverboy
Echoes through the house in a
Collective rejoice
This reminds me of my dad as we all get through work from home efforts. Promptly after logging off, he runs to the kitchen and asks Google to play “Everybody’s Workin’ for the Weekend” by Loverboy. It’s a mood booster and the perfect way to welcome the weekend.
Bad Saturday
Schoolwork does not wait
For my recoup to occur
Dimming, Zoom burnout
Even though virtual meetings may be done for the week, I feel the pressure to use a break to get ahead in this online world where there doesn’t seem to be a great divide between computer monitors and monitoring individual stress levels. I try not to do this too often.
Good Saturday
Cocooned in comfort
Only promise of doughnuts
Can coax me from bed
On a good week, I can use Saturday to its full potential and do well… nothing. And it’s perfect.
Bad Sunday
Procrastination
I have met my match, it seems
This will not be pretty
Sundays definitely can be days I feel wracked with homesickness and an urge to do nothing but without the luxury of time to push it off.
Good Sunday
Family voices
Heard through the phone receiver
Gained strength to go on
I like to use Sundays to catch up with loved ones as they center me and remind me why I work so hard each week. Also, recalling all I need to do each week to them keeps me accountable.
I’m hoping these haikus give you a bit of poetic insight into how I view the individual weekdays!