Simply Six Minutes


The first day of school
Look at that face
A hesitant smile, a moment of small grace
She picked out her dress
Her hair she combed, but the wind blew
Her mother was anxious, she was too
Standing stiffly
The photographer smiling
The little girl’s face, so beguiling
She held the pose
Even though her nose
Was itching badly
Dared not to move, sadly
Slowly she lifted her hand
The itching worse than it began
The photographer knew
Offered a hanky and she blew
Then all that remained
Was her posing again.
***
Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 02/17/2026
dVerse Poets MTB




The image is only a sample of religious texts, most agreeing although each claiming to be the original form of religion.
The Tao, 400BC studied in Chinese culture basic rules of living in harmony with nature written as the path or flow of life.
“Confucius says” a popular saying usually in joke form, but the book (one of many) “The Analects” written 475-221BC repeats the golden rule, kindness, sincerity, harmony righteousness in personal and governmental morality.
The old and new testaments, the Old Testament being the Christian biblical canon, primarily based on the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible. It has 46, 49, or 39 books depending on which religion – Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant. This raises a curious question, why are there so many divisions for supposedly one rule, that there is one god, but… The Old Testament basic tenet is salvation, redemption, divine judgment, obedience, and disobedience, faith and lack of, strong emphasis…ritual purity which god demands. This includes evil, sexual morality, etc.
Do you agree with my view? The testaments do not simply say, treat others…but demand their version of rules and what is evil and punishment from a god they devise as a white old man in a golden chair? I will not compare this image to the current leader of my country, who considers himself a – I will not, hmmm…
In the Quran we again see the basic principles of justice, kindness to parents, honesty, ethical living, etc. Added is the absolute oneness of god, Tawheed. The ethics are similar to the first two books I present here but with the addition of the principle – submission to divine will.
I end here with the last text you see in the image, Hindu Texts, which includes historical literature related to Hinduism. Some texts are written in Sanskrit around 500BC and some were verbally passed on. Some basic tenets of Hinduism is that every living creature has a soul. This soul reincarnates into a new body depending on its life experience which reflects their karma, good or evil.
I have tried to offer a few words on my own views of organized religion and hope I have not misconstrued facts I may be biased on. I also hope I have raised a few questions on your own beliefs, but I am not criticizing your personal principles. My belief is in the basic golden rule which I think is the basis for most religions, even if some persons stretch this to ignoble ideas and actions.
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MTB: Poems of Questions (No Answers)
RXC 2-19-26


I do not have the talent for expressing ideas in an art form, but I do make the images in my mind. I have no love or admiration for anything “created” by AI. There are some graffiti artists that are extremely talented and I admire their bravery to do the unconventional. Origami? That takes a completely different set of hands to construct amazing items. I admit to watching some reels on Facebook. I recently decided to join FB mainly to reach relatives I missed. As far as my efforts in creativity, I have settled on writing, simply because my fingers and eyesight has deteriorated over the years. I used to use art, painting, sewing and handcraft mediums and I do miss it. I surprised myself ten years ago when I decided to try a blog. I find it enjoyable and will continue. The message I choose is the golden rule: love your neighbor as yourself with honesty and empathy. I think you will find this sort of thought in the basic tenets of any religion.
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Reena’s Xploration Challenge #418
One Liner Wednesday
Esther’s Writing Prompts

I have a moving picture frame that was gifted to me and it is a delight. The brand I have is Aura and my family and I can post photos, videos, etc on it. It is so enjoyable, because it holds memories and some old photos I might have forgotten otherwise. I highly recommend this frame if you have relatives or friends that are far away or no longer with us. Sometimes one of those memories will just make my day!
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Writing Prompts
The Writer’s Workshop



Most of these prompts I have no clue. I never had a car of my own. I wish today had been a wrong number. I called Walmart pharmacy to see if my prescription was ready and it was answered by AI. I asked to speak to a real person because there was a problem. The AI voice would not transfer me so I asked again to speak to a real person. After the third time of her repeating the phrase that she could answer all my concerns…refusing to transfer me and for Pete’s sake arguing? I hung up. I hate AI! I called the head manager of the store and of course he said the pharmacy is not controlled by him, it’s a separate company, etc. At least he was polite.🤪
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https://wordpress.com/reader/feeds/87817150/posts/5967449097
Tanka Tuesday



Tow Trucks (Reference photo above)
Spring mud season striking again
Rutty road is carved out
Tires navigate the deep muddy tracks
Tow trucks on corners aim
Their businesses are booming
No lack.
***
#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 52, Cinquetin, 2/17/26
dVerse Poets


quiet love
easily hidden
lasting years
yes, it is the little things
gifted affection
some not even realized
til years later and the lover is gone.
***
Poetics: The Evolution of Love


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