Perpetual Grinning

There once was a poet who kept winning
awards which perpetuated her grinning.
Laugh lines the only drawback
other than a happiness attack.
Blogging's brought her glee since the beginning.

© Rachel Hoyt.  2011 All rights reserved.


Thank you to everyone who nominated me for the Perfect Poet Award in Poet's Rally Week #40. 

I would like to nominate Kim Nelson for her poem Happiness Hiding.

Be More Gay

by Rachel Hoyt


       Image by Salvatore Vuono via freedigitalphoto.net

Every day, I'm reminded in some way
that we, including me, should try to be
more gay (and not in the sexual way).

The Amish know small pleasures can be so
great for the soul.  Casserole and a stroll?
Who wants to go? Eenie meeny miny mo.

Brief brain breaks are so important to take
because it just may, be during the stray
your brain makes a fabulous non-mistake.

This mantra is the raison d'etre
I can smile for a while as is my style -
try extra on the tense end of the spectra.

Its hardest to not try your gosh darn best
when you're confused or your ego is bruised.
The real test, is can you take a smile rest?

When you're at work frustrated by some jerk
who's slow and must show you stuff that you know,
zone out the twerp -- find a comedic perk.

If your keys are lost, rather than accost
those near with fear to make sure they appear
'cuz memories get crossed when stressfully sloshed...

Calm yourself down and wipe off that sad frown.
Briefly, discretely, forget completely -
laugh at a clown or walk around the town.

Smiles are everywhere.  Choose them if you dare.
You just may find your mind likes to unwind
and to be fair helps your nerves not to ware.

Days are easier when life's cheesier.
Brains smoothly sail through hail without fail
when you're giddier than when snippier.

So, spread happiness today like it's childs play.
Give a double hand wave to your friend Dave.
Just be more gay (no, not the sexual way).

© Rachel Hoyt 2011

Want your links to be part of a rhyme?
Join the Smiley Sociology Study while there's still time!

This rhyme is being shared via Poetry Pantry #29 and One Shot Poetry Week 29.
Head to these great poetry forums if you have more reading time.

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The Perfect Poet Award

This morning I learned that (again) I have won!
Happily I accept and will nominate someone.
Accolades from fellow poets, to me, mean quite a lot.
Nurturing encouragement like that just can't be bought.
Kind Jingle's rally brings inspiration to the distraught.

Yippee!! -- is how I feel about this lovely reward.
Overjoyed my wacky rhymes will not be ignored.
Uma's Poem Book is hereby nominated for an award.

© Rachel Hoyt 2011

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Smiley Sociology Study #2 - Mood Rings

One of my very first rhymes was about a mood ring
and it has brought me a decent amount of net search traffic.
So I thought my blogging friends could write and bring
me mood ring related stories to help me study that demographic.

Whether you still have your mood ring or never wanted one,
lost it in you teens or still wear it now and then for fun...
I bet you have some memory of mood rings that'd be fun to share.
So, write it up now and link it up here if you dare.
Please don't link to your home page - link directly to your post.
Read the rules of the Smiley Sociology Study to benefit the most.

© Rachel Hoyt 2011


Non rhyming directions for the poetry challenged:

(1) Create a new post on mood rings or link to one about mood rings that was already on your blog.  All blog types are welcome - writers, photographers, artists, crafts people... but please keep it PG-13 and link directly to the post, not to your home page.
(2) mention and link back to the Smiley Sociology Study within your post
(3) copy the link for that post
(4) paste link into Mister Linky below
(5) leave a comment here to let me know you've posted a link
(6) read links left by others and tell them (nicely) what you think
(7) enjoy your increase in traffic

I will keep Mr. Linky open until midnight on Saturday, January 22nd. Until then... keep sending me your links! Your possible prizes for participation include a linkback in a future Rhyme Me a Smile post, the Honest Scrap blog award, and more. 


If you want to help me with my study, but think all of the above is too much darned work... perhaps you'd have time to take this survey?

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

READ THE RHYMING RESULTS OF THIS SMILEY SOCIOLOGY SURVEY HERE.

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This post is being shared via Poetry Potluck and the Poetry Pantry.  Both places have lots of fine poetry for you to see.

Craving the Crow Gossip

        Photo by Rachel Hoyt. No reuse without permission. © Rachel Hoyt 2011

I've always felt the crows that congregate near me
were the most ominous animals I ever did see.
Constantly squawking to all their buddies around them,
I assume, discussing all the things that astound them.

This week I found myself wanting to join in...
"Hey there crow friends... Tom? Greg? Jim?"
I'm not sure they can understand what I say,
but it doesn't matter, they all just flew away.

I think crows are the animal gossip queens --
flying near and far, discussing others' dreams.
Some of them must have some semi-educated opinions
on the birds that recently fell in mass from their dominions.

Was it the unfortunate byproduct of a secret military test?
Or were the bigger, stronger birds ganging up on the rest?
Did cell phone radar harm them like it does our honey bees?
Or are there dragons hunting them up high above the trees?

A punishment for repealing DADT? That's one theory I hear.
Or, perhaps they encountered aliens who were hovering near.
I suppose it could be simultaneous stress caused mortality --
the type a masochist flock leader wouldn't care to foresee.

Whatever it is, I think those crows have a hunch...
No, it's more than that --  I think they know quite a bunch.
What if they're the mobsters of the animal kingdom?
What if their thugs killed those poor birds for fun?!

To be on the safe side I won't make another attempt
to talk to the crows who already showed me contempt.
But I sure hope the powers that be explain it better and real soon --
'cuz "It actually happens all the time" doesn't wipe out the gloom.

Come to think of it, now I've got double the worry!
The crows, they hang out all around me, you see?!
Where's a good bird crime detective when you need one, eh?
Oh well. I'm sure the government will reveal the cause to us someday.

© Rachel Hoyt 2011

Would you like your links to appear within a rhyme?
Participate in a Smiley Sociology Study sometime.

Promising Poets' Rally and One Stop Poetry Weeek #28 - - If you want to share or read poetry, these forums are great.  I've also shared this in the Poetry Pantry where there are even more great poets to see.

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I've Won the Celebrate Poet of 2010 Award!!

I'm blushing right now

because I just learned,

I won an award somehow -

7 votes were earned.

Thank you, Jingle and to my fellow poets who voted me in!

It was such a wonderful way for the new year to begin. 

Tongue Twisted Twhyming

                Photo by Boaz Yiftach via freedigitalphoto.net

Resolutions require restricting rubbish resolutely.
That's why you must commit to them so absolutely.
Research resoundingly rebukes rubber-band-ability
citing astoundingly low rates of adult adaptability.

I say... as long as I believe I can change, I can.
And... only I can ensure my next time is "better than".
If you're already worried you won't be able to sustain,
I hope to re-inspire you, from temptation to refrain.

I, Rhyming Rachel, realize rhyme readers relish rhythm
and want to perfect my craft for myself and for them.
Recalling ridiculous riddles and a rascally rabbit rambling,
tongue twister practice became my mind's next meandering.

Tongue twisters are totally tougher than I thought,
though I like writing these baby twisters quite a lot.
Tiny training tempts transformation to turbocharge.
That's the message I want to send out here by and large.

Baby steps and positive reinforcement are what we all need.
When easier on ourselves we're more likely to succeed.
Just a few days ago, I thought I couldn't write a tongue twister,
but randomizing them in rhyme turned out to be the perfect mixer.

Smarties slash silly self-sabotage sauntering 'stead of sprinting,
remembering that before writing cursive they had to learn printing.
Sipping, simmering, savoring and swallowing small successes is scintillating.
So twist your resolution today if you felt tongue twisted twymying was elating.

© January 4, 2011 - Rachel Hoyt

Do you want your links to appear in a rhyme?
Participate in the Smiley Sociology Study next time.

This rhyme is being shared with Poets Rally Week 36 and One Shot Poetry Week 27.  Head there to find poets whose words are like manna from heaven.  I've also added this poem to the Poetry Pantry where there are many more great poets to see.

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This poem won me the Honest Scrap Award in the Thursday Poets' Rally!

Giggle Worthy Goals

                    Image by Idea Go via freedigitalphotos.net.

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions per say.
I'm hyperactive, so I make them nearly every single day.
One current goal is to improve my skills in my craft.
I've studied Sociology but as a poet I'm still a bit daft.

I decided step one was to make up some interesting rhyme pairs.
I developed a list starting out with some commenters' rhyme dares.
It has now turned into a wacky list of giggle worthy goals,
intertwined with links to some fabulous bloggy souls.

I hope for an occasion to say suffering succotash.
I want to start the year off at a bad ass New Year's bash.

I hope to find a long lost stash of abalone.
I wish to never, ever, EVER eat bologna.

I hope to study and explore epistemology.
I wish for success in my Smiley Sociology.

I hope to avoid the feeling described as katzenjammer.
I wish never to hit myself with a hammer. Kablammer.

I hope I find a way to un-squeak my door hinge.
I want to buy more clothing that is dark orange.

I hope to visit the place where they make Jack Daniels.
I wish to pet all publicly encountered Cocker Spaniels.

I hope to make friends with more poets like Mr. Booguloo.
I want to re-watch the movie, The Man With One Red Shoe

I hope more people start to use the term bum chuck.
I wish the public wasn't so obnoxiously star struck.

I hope to never own clothing that resembles dust ruffles.
I want a never ending supply of delicious chocolate truffles.

I hope I become strong enough to climb Matchupitchu.
I want to take photos of funny signs with names like Kalamazoo.

I wish to sell stuff with wacky sayings like, "May your days...
be filled with pleasures richer than homemade mayonnaise.

There are plenty more giggle worthy goals where these came from,
but their rhymes are less lovable than a steadily beaten drum.
Perhaps you'll make some giggle worthy goals of your own?
My process is to just sit back, relax, and let the mind roam.
I'd love to hear your goals for 2011 in the comments section here,
and would be delighted if stumbles, facebook posts and tweets did appear.

© Rachel Hoyt 2010 - 2011

Do you want your links to appear in a rhyme?
Participate in the Smiley Sociology Study next time.


This rhyme is being sharef with One Shot Poetry Week #26.
Head there if you need a fulfilling poetry fix.


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Drunken Turtle Pirate Road Trip

        Jessi drew this especially for me!!!  :o)  © Jessi Finicum 2010.  All rights reserved.


When a drunken turtle pirate takes a road trip,
It’s bound to be a grand adventure…
Because the main purpose of any city hop skip,
Is to escape the bonds of daily life’s indenture.

To ensure the most memories possible,
A drunken turtle pirate driver follows these five rules.
But be forewarned, trouble is cause-able,
Because mischievous stuff like this ain't taught in schools.

Ye shall be tempted to seek me treasure,
but yaar just a silly land lubber matey.
Plunder ye happily if such be yer pleasure,
but fear ye the depths, the locker, and Davey.

Rule #1: Always watch for the local crazy signs…
because you never know what fun stuff there will be.
One Arizona city posts “Your Now Beyond Hope” two times…
No matter which way you drive through, you’ll see.

Rule #2: If you smell treasure nearby, stop and plunder.
Gems and other riches could be hiding nearby.
So keep a metal detector and excavation kit down under.
When you can, stop and give mining a try.

Rule #3: One memorable souvenir is a must…
Be it from nature or sneakily obtained, even better.
Bring a partner whom you can trust.
You’ll find treasures galore with a go-getter.

Rule #4: Never be afraid to take that scary looking shortcut.
Unexplored routes are likely to be ripe with bounty.
Four wheel drive is required for this stage of the gauntlet.
Triple-A doesn’t tow in this part of the county.

Rule #5… only to be tried by those with nothing to lose…
Always pick up strangers in orange jump suits.
An unexpected offer for a ride and some booze,
might just make a convict shake in his boots.

Of course, as the pirate always says of his code,
these are more like guidelines than actual rules.
It's just my drunken turtle pirate road trip mode,
you can invent your own using these tools.

Wherever ye travel, I hope it be pleasin.
Aye dat no scallywags be teasin.
Shiver ye timbers with memories of adventure.
Arrr, let rum be yer life's only indenture.

© Rachel Hoyt 2010 - 2011

Do you want your blog link to appear within a rhyme?

Participate in a Smiley Sociology Study sometime. :o)


This rhyme is being shared via One Stop Poetry #25.
Visit my fellow poets there to read more fun jive.
It's also entered in the Poetry Potluck on festivities.
The forum there has many links that'll please.

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