Saturday, October 10, 2015

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

Eat It Up
by Rachel Hoyt



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. 

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.



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


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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

This poem was inspired by two growing trends:
 

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Your Choices and Actions Affect the Whole World

Lifelong Exam
by Rachel Hoyt



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?

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


This poem was inspired by a variety of news
which reminds me we should be careful what we choose:




For assistance determining which presidential candidate you like best,

Saturday, September 5, 2015

The Tendency Towards Risk-Taking Is In Our DNA

Migratory Syndrome
by Rachel Hoyt



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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

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


No fear.
The end's not here.
We'll fix it tomorrow.
One more bet, then no more sorrow.
All clear.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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!"







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Saturday, August 8, 2015

How the Brain Perceives Time

Tick Tock Cacophony
by Rachel Hoyt



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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

This poem was inspired by brain timing research which
found there are many internal clocks from which our experience is stitched.

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Saturday, August 1, 2015

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

Blooming Thoughts
by Rachel Hoyt


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.

 Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

This poem was inspired by a study of depression
and how ruminations can lead to further regression.


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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.



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Saturday, May 30, 2015

When Was the Last Time You Felt Awe?

Awe
by Rachel Hoyt



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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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.

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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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

_______________________________

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.


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.

Poems Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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





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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.


Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


This week The Atlantic highlighted the work of Barry Schwartz,
which could explain why we strive to keep up with our cohorts.


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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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.

----------
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.
----------


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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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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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.

Copyright © 2015 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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


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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.

Copyright © 2014 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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.


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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.

Copyright © 2014 Rachel Hoyt. All rights reserved.


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


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