SincerelyJoanWrites

SincerelyJoanWrites May 19

Have you rested
on an old blanket
‘neath the big pine trees
feeling a warm breeze
and the ****** and dips
of the needle-laden ground?

Have you eavesdropped on the birds
as they gossip
woo
brag
calling amongst
the sticky pine needles?

Have you spied on the ants
on their no-nonsense march
or counted wispy clouds
that lazily float by
laying on your back
on a scratchy, faded blanket?

Have you ever marveled
at the wide, wide blue
that’s neither near nor far
feeling time pause
under pointy branches
lost in restful ease
‘neath the big pine trees?

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

It was a pleasure to revise this poem I wrote more than 25 years ago. It takes me back to the glorious pine trees that I spent time with during my childhood.

#nature #childhoodmemories #pinetrees #natureheals

SincerelyJoanWrites May 10

Three Lines For A City I Love

Hills, trees, rocks, cold waves
A city wrapped in the wild
Duluth, steel and heart

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

I spent a few days in Duluth, MN and wanted to challenge myself to capture its essence in a simple three 5/7/5 syllable lines.

#northshore #americanhaiku #truestory

SincerelyJoanWrites May 4

Hello/Goodbye

I need truth & light,
not lies & fights.
Emotional security,
not shame & anxiety.
I need love that’s true.
Sometimes ‘Hello Me’
is pronounced ‘Goodbye You.’

Not every promise is golden.
Sometimes, vows need to be broken.
Leaving was brave,
given how you behaved.
Not every ending is unhappy.
Sometimes ‘Goodbye You’
means ‘Hello Me.’

I’d rather be single
than a married martyr.
I’d rather laugh & mingle
than keep on trying harder.
I need something new.
Sometimes ‘Hello Me’
is pronounced ‘Goodbye You.’

I choose my mental health
over double-income wealth
Wellness over weakness,
happiness over secrets,
freedom over familiarity.
Sometimes ‘Goodbye You’
means ‘Hello Me.’

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

I played around with the order of these stanzas a lot before finally settling on this order. I also debated the title. At first I called it "Sometimes" but I worried it weakened the declarations of self-discovery within the poem. Does the flow work for you as a reader? How about the title?

#divorce #rebirth #growth #relationshipchoices #truestory

SincerelyJoanWrites May 2

Drought

Your family hates me for leaving you
They don’t know
I would have died had I stayed
Even a cactus can die of thirst

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

These lines came to me this morning while grieving the loss of ex-family. Despite the pain of being misunderstood by those who used to call me daughter and sister, I have no regrets about choosing my wellbeing over martyrdom.

#divorce #loss #life #truestory

SincerelyJoanWrites Apr 29

My Tooth

jagged little tooth
protruding from the roof

of my mouth, unseen
by all but me

inside it hangs
a secret fang

hidden by my smiles
my feminine wiles

reminding me
unbeknownst to you
that I can bite
draw blood
if I need to

Do I need to?

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

Inspired by reality, improved by metaphor.

#watchoutshebites #hiddenstrength #kindandfierce #truestory

SincerelyJoanWrites Apr 27

Digging in the Dark

Inside the shadows of my mind
I search
and reach
and try to find

I kneel
And dig
And scratch the black
Aching for direction
An answer back

What buried treasure will I find
What happiness
Motivation
Peace of mind?

Is there really any reason to be found?
What’s it all even for?
Maybe it’s just darkness
And dirt
And nothing more

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

I wrote this poem in 2013 to express the despair I was feeling. I am so happy to no longer feel as though I'm fruitlessly digging in the dark! My heart goes out to anyone who is currently feeling this way. Please know, it gets better.

#whatdespairfeelslike #painfulpast #truestory

SincerelyJoanWrites Apr 24

I Speak

When I speak with confidence
I hold my head up high
I look ‘em in the eye

When I speak with confidence
I no longer feel small
I am ten feet tall

When I speak with confidence
I stay calm and kind
I say what’s on my mind

When I speak with confidence
I stake my claim
And invite others to do the same

© 2025 SincerelyJoanWrites. All rights reserved.

I wrote this last night at a Women's Empowerment Group. The journaling prompt was to finish the following sentence: When I speak with confidence.

#speakwithconfidence #findingmyvoice #truestory