Rhyme Me A Smile: 2015

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Weight Loss Isn't As Easy As It Used To Be

Eat It Up

by Rachel Hoyt

image by m_bartosch

The shelves are stocked against you

with profit packed flavors -

trademarked tastes of the sweet life

you've limited time to savor.

Just one bite? No, that won't do.

Who would eat all the rest?

It was bottled and boxed to cure your strife,

cooked up just for you, the guests.

Trying to be/get/stay healthy is no piece of cake:

The Money Spent Selling Sugar to Americans Is Staggering - The Atlantic

Why It Was Easier To Be Skinny In The 1980s - The Atlantic

Packaged food purchases are up but nutrition quality is down. - Science Daily

Fat shaming. It's a thing. - Sociological Images

Saturday, September 26, 2015

What Does "The Internet of Things" Mean to You?

The Internet of Things

by Rachel Hoyt

image by bluebay

It's open to anyone and anything -

A network of both nothing and everything,

A world where both bad and good sink or sprout wings,

A place where our wants and needs gallop and sing,

A sacred dreamscape of imaginable things.

This poem was inspired by two growing trends:

buying traffic and shifting blame for using ads to meet ends.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Your Choices and Actions Affect the Whole World

Lifelong Exam

by Rachel Hoyt

image by ponsulak

One vote,

One voice,

One life to live.

One heart,

Two hands,

To get and give.

Your way,

Their way,

Whose is best?

Could we,

Can we,

Ace this test?

This poem was inspired by a variety of news

which reminds me we should be careful what we choose:

"Speak American". What About Speaking Something Else Too?

Obama Calls Out How Climate Change Will Wreck the Economy

The Real Meaning of Kim Davis

For assistance determining which presidential candidate you like best,

may I suggest ISideWith.com's quick and easy "test"?

Saturday, September 5, 2015

The Tendency Towards Risk-Taking Is In Our DNA

Migratory Syndrome

by Rachel Hoyt

image by phanlop88

I would bet,

could bet,

every day.

I won't keep,

can't keep,

dreams at bay.

I bet steep

to reap -

make life pay.

I won't fret.

It's set.

I must play.

I learned about "American DNA" when I read Cowboys Full

and believe risk taking is an important tool.

I play poker for many reasons beyond feeling cool.

I recently launched RachelHoyt.com to share my poker stories

and published this list of historic tales which deserved further glory.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Are We Betting on Breaking Even or Betting to Win?

Winners Don't Quit

by Rachel Hoyt

image by Stuart Miles

No fear.

The end's not here.

We'll fix it tomorrow.

One more bet, then no more sorrow.

All clear.

We are gambling with the environment and economy every day.

The question is, are the bets we're making ones that show promise to pay?

In my opinion, these headlines mean the answer is obviously, "No way!"

We've Used Up Our Annual Supply of Resources and It's Only August

America Is Frying the Planet With It's Corn Fields

What Does $60 Trillion in Debt Look Like?

Soda Executives Are Just as Evil as Tobacco Executives

Want your company to remain innovative? Think twice before going public.

Technorati Tags: Bet, Gamble, Poem, Rhyme, Risk, Poetry

Saturday, August 8, 2015

How the Brain Perceives Time

Tick Tock Cacophony

by Rachel Hoyt

image by digitalart

The ticks click by quick

as the tocks slowly knock,

then slick as a trick,

they meet up at the dock -

one moment, one prick,

a single time block.

The trick is quite slick -

all ad hocs turned flock,

while still ticking ticks

and chock full of tocks -

the tune coos and clicks

as time turns the clocks.

This poem was inspired by brain timing research which

found there are many internal clocks from which our experience is stitched.

Technorati Tags: Brain, Time, Poem, Rhyme, Memory, Poetry

Saturday, August 1, 2015

What Does Your Brain Say When You're Feeling Depressed?

Blooming Thoughts

by Rachel Hoyt

image by Stuart Miles

You're such a late bloomer

you may never bloom.

You think like no other.

You're prob'ly a loon.

You haven't kept up with

the Joneses or Smiths.

You reach for the stars

and chase after myths.

Why can't you just accept

your way's not the way?

Perhaps, if you did then

I would go away.

I'm sorry, but I think
my ship's yet to sail.
My journey's quite complex,
but has yet to fail.
No matter what Jones or Smiths think
I'll fight on.
We agree on one thing:
one day, you'll be gone.

This poem was inspired by a study of depression

and how ruminations can lead to further regression.

Technorati Tags: Depression, Ruminations, Poem, Rhyme, Thoughts, Poetry

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Should it Be Illegal for Supermarkets to Waste Food?

What a Waste

by Rachel Hoyt

image by hyena reality

We waste and we want,

always so hungry

to taste more, to taunt

our grumbling tummies.

Always so hungry

to feel satisfied,

our grumbling tummies

crave un-humble pie.

Still unsatisfied

won't taste all we've got,

like the humble pie

by Waste Not Want Not.

Did you know that France recently decided to ban

supermarkets from throwing good food into the trash can?

Technorati Tags: Waste, Hunger, Poem, Rhyme, Food, Poetry

Saturday, May 30, 2015

When Was the Last Time You Felt Awe?

Awe

by Rachel Hoyt

image by suphakit73

Along the way

wonder can stray,

end up on glassy ponds.

Amazing things

whip off of wings,

end up inside bird songs.

A night pitch dark

warms with one spark,

each light a sparkling hook.

Always around,

we seek, it's found,

each time we stop to look.

This poem was inspired by an article on Jezebel about the importance of experiencing awe. Recent studies have shown it can make you a nicer person.

Technorati Tags: Awe, Wonder, Poem, Rhyme, Nice, Poetry

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Do You Ever Feel Like Everyone Wants Your "Spare" Change?

Pocket Change

by Rachel Hoyt

image by hin255

My pockets are always empty.

I never have any spare change.

I pinch and pinch, but my pennies

all seem to roll straight down the drain.

Banks helped me to have 'cash' a plenty

which, at first, seemed a little strange,

then the plastic began to appease

my pockets by pampering their pain.

Perhaps my pockets now envy

the plastic - they asked for your change.

They said, if I steal all your pennies,

my dreams will crawl back up the drain.

_______________________________

I wrote this poem in response to many
news stories which make me think we
prefer to play games with our money
to see what we can get for "free":

How Manufacturers Make You Think You're Saving Money When You're Spending It

Maine Innkeeper to Give Property Away to Essay Contest Winner

Houston Homeowner to Sell House in $150 Essay Contest

Atlanta Couple to Give Away Goat Cheese Farm

Forbes List of the 6 Top Crowdfunding Sites

Saturday, April 18, 2015

What Do the California Drought and NaPoWriMo Have in Common? These poems!

Since Governor Jerry Brown ordered Californians to cut back their water use by 25% on the dawn of National Poetry Month, I thought we might write some poems in honor of the drought to help motivate the masses. I've written a few rhymes which you may feel free to pass out for Poem in Your Pocket Day (Friday, April 24th). Or, use them as inspiration to write your own poem. If you need a bit of news to get your creative juices flowing, I recommend this article about how to survive a major drought or this one on water rights.

image by sritangphoto

Pure Genius

by Rachel Hoyt

One quite thirsty entrepreneur

bought water rights just to ensure

the world would drink up

his "thing", fill their cups,

and agree that one pays for what's pure.

2015 Drought

by Rachel Hoyt

The twenty-fifteen drought

made Californian's pout -

their golden state renewed,

their riches far eschewed.

Drought Acrostic

by Rachel Hoyt

Dollars can't buy more sense.

Rinse off your want for Earth.

Order can make times tense,

Unless you feel their worth.

Give thanks for every drip.

Hang on - firm, gentle grip.

To stay half full, don't slip.

Monday, April 6, 2015

A Pantoum Poem for NaPoWriMo on Poker, Betting... and Life?

All Bets Are Crazy

by Rachel Hoyt

image by Mister GC via freedigitalimages.net

The choices are call, raise, or fold.

All hold two cards before the flop.

There's no un-crazy bet, I'm told.

Even with odds, you could catch slop.

They're just two cards before the flop,

But, burn-turn, your hand could be flush.

What are the odds you will catch slop?

Who says you're feeling a false rush?

Burn-turn, has your hand fallen flush?

Did chance choose to shower down strength?

Who says you're feeling a false rush?

Perhaps presence surpasses length.

If chance won't choose to bring you strength,

Bluffing may be your safest bet.

Sometimes presence surpasses length.

Be brave and take what you can get.

Bluffing may be your safest bet.

The choices are call, raise, or fold.

Be brave and take what you can get.

There's no un-crazy bet, I'm told.

Technorati Tags: Poker, Betting, Poem, Rhyme, Risk, Poetry

Saturday, March 28, 2015

What Does Freedom Mean To You?

Freedumb

by Rachel Hoyt

image by Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee via freedigitalphotos.net

It's not enough to be free to do.

I cannot feel free when bothered by you.

It's not personal. It's not! I swear!

I just that freedumb can't be fully fair.

Quite a few stories recently have made me wonder if we know anymore what it means to be free?

1. New Arizona Law Requires Doctors to Say Abortion is 'Reversible'

2. Frat Lobby Wants Congress to Block Schools From Investigating Rape

3. Hobby Lobby Made Indiana's Religious Discrimination Bill Possible

4. CA Lawyer Proposes Ballot Initiative to Kill Gays and Lesbians

Technorati Tags: Freedom, Laws, Poem, Rhyme, Initiative, Poetry

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Can Settling For 'Good Enough' Lead To Increased Satisfaction?

The Saticficer's Motto

by Rachel Hoyt

image by africa via freedigitalphotos.net

I know I cannot have it all.

I know "the best" bounces and falls.

I know that wants differ from needs.

I know I can control my greed.

I know that 'good enough' is grand.

I know contentment can be planned.

This week The Atlantic highlighted the work of Barry Schwartz,

which could explain why we strive to keep up with our cohorts.

Technorati Tags: Content, Motto, Poem, Rhyme, Choice, Poetry

Saturday, February 28, 2015

What Happenned After David Beat Goliath?

The Little Man's Epigram

by Rachel Hoyt

image by ratch0013 via freedigitalphotos.net

When his sling made Goliath fall,

many "Davids" felt the same call,

then history showed us "one for all"

can grow new giants we appall.

----------

Many of my fellow crafters are leaving Etsy,

but for now it is still the best place for me

to sell my candles to the public directly.

----------

Technorati Tags: Conflict, Epigram, Poem, Rhyme, Beat, Poetry

Saturday, February 14, 2015

A Love Sonnet for Valentine's Day

Love Sonnet

by Rachel Hoyt

image by Stuart Miles via freedigitalphotos.net

I feel it pounding all day long - da dum.

Somehow, a new beat beats upon my drum.

I wish I knew the words, could hum the tune.

I swear, when you last blinked, I heard a strum.

I long to sing the song and ride the boon.

I finally want to learn to play the spoon.

This beat could lead us to a place of beauty.

This beat might be the sound of sacred booty.

Come tell me that your beat has shifted too.

Come show me you know when the song began.

Come hold me until one beat forms from two.

Come listen with me and cement a plan.

Together we can write our special song -

the masterpiece meant for us all along.

I can't say the news inspired my poem this week,
but here's some love themed "news" that's worth a peek:

Brain Pickings ~ The Missing Piece Meets The Big O: Shel Silverstein's Sweet Allegory for the Simple Secret of Love and the Key to Nurturing Relationships

Jezebel ~ Your Relationship is Only as Good as the Lies Holding it Together

Neatorama ~ How to Sweet Talk a Man, 1713

BuzzFeed Video ~ Women's Ideal Body Types Throughout History

Technorati Tags: Love, Sonnet, Poem, Rhyme, Beat, Poetry

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Does Your Heart Help You Remember?

My Heart Thinks

by Rachel Hoyt

image by Keerati via freedigitalphotos.net

My heart has a way

of helping my brain

recall all memories

it felt should remain.

My heart is to blame

for all that I know -

the chats my mind changed,

the scenes it won't show.

My heart's in control -

it's a blessing and a curse.

It taints all I know,

for better or worse.

What if emotional engagement doesn't make women's minds weaker?

What if, without it, our memories' potency is meeker?

Technorati Tags: Memory, Heart, Poem, Rhyme, Thoughts, Poetry

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Might Music Transcend Cultures By Speaking From and To the Heart?

Note the Music

by Rachel Hoyt

image by luigi diamanti via freedigitalphotos.net

Some notes whisper

sweet nothings that charm.

Some notes shimmer,

send chills up your arm.

Some notes jumble

serious with schtick.

Some notes tumble,

dance, skip, jab, and kick.

They hide behind lyrics.

They build beside beats.

They tug heavy heartstrings.

They soothe sullen streets.

Listen, the notes

are speaking to you.

Listen, the notes'

wisdom will shine through.

Listen, that beat

came from someone's heart.

Listen. Listen.

That sound is pure art.

This poem was inspired by two recent bits of news.

Read more by clicking below, if you so choose:

This study concluded that different cultures react to music in similar ways.

This study supports the theory that Beethoven's music may have been literally heartfelt.

Technorati Tags: Music, Notes, Poem, Rhyme, Thoughts, Poetry

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Are There Any Straight Answers Anymore?

Some Mouth

by Rachel Hoyt

image by Michelle Meiklejohn via freedigitalphotos.net

It seems there are no longer answers

to any perplexing questions,

only tongue twisting word dancers

with responses and suggestions.

The truth is stuck, obscured by the fog,

and some are brewing clouds -

small parts peek out (attention to hog)

as some mouth says stuff that wows crowds.

Is this how it's going to be every time there's a big breach of security?

US Sanctions North Korea for Sony Hack Despite Spotty Evidence

North Korea's Grudge Towards the US Grows to Grandiose Scale

Technorati Tags: Sony, North Korea, Poem, Rhyme, Thoughts, Poetry