Happy National Poetry Month: Poem 20

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Michelle Garren-Flye

12:39 p.m. This morning I heard “I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight” by Cutting Crew (remember that one?) and started thinking about one hit wonders.

It’s always been used as a sort of derogatory term. Something for someone who had great success with something but could never remake that success. But I’m thinking, what if we approach this from a different direction?

What if it’s a wonderful thing to be able to channel all your passion into one creation?

As far as we know, that’s what God did.

Make it, mold it, devote your life,
this single obsession that absorbs your time
fills your attention, causes great strife

you think this could ever happen again?
this madness, this greatness in your prime?
no, you'll reach the peak only to look down.

you're a one-hit wonder, but that's not bad
you've already found the mountain you must climb
and never mind everyone else's score pad.

Take it in, enjoy it, this moment in the sun
declare proudly: being a one-hit wonder is not a crime
because in the end, your race is already won

12:55 p.m. I thought it would be a villanelle. It wasn’t. Let’s clean it up.

One-Hit Wonder
by Michelle Garren-Flye

Make it, mold it, devote your life
to this single obsession that absorbs your time,
fills your attention, and causes great strife.

You think this could ever happen again?
This madness, this passion of your prime?
No, you'll reach the peak only to look down.

You're a one-hit wonder, but that's not bad;
you've already found the mountain you must climb
and never mind everyone else's score pad.

Take it in, enjoy it, this moment in the sun!
Creating a wonder with one hit is not a crime
because in the end, your race is won.

1:08 p.m. Okay, done. I like it!

Photo and poem copyright 2026 Michelle Garren-Flye

Happy National Poetry Month: Poem 17

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Michelle Garren-Flye

12:42 p.m. I guarantee I’ll be interrupted, but I’m trying to finish this before lunch. I have only a line in mind:

“Making yourself small enough to fit.”

It was inspired by the book I just finished, Weyward by Emilia Hart. An excellent read and all about learning not to try to fit into society’s expectations of you.

12:46 p.m. Here goes:

Make yourself small enough to fit
the hole that has been provided for you
even when that lifestyle doesn't sit
well, and nothing about it seems true

But what if, say, you didn't slim down
and instead put on your loosest jeans
and didn't mind what was said in town?
Say fuck it all and spread your wings!

Even if you've spent the past few years
cutting edges off your square peg
feeling pain, self disgust and shedding tears
the ache in your knee when you bend the leg

Stop cutting yourself, stop holding back
let the ground fall away as you take flight
Bet you never thought you'd have a knack
for living life with all your might.

Don't bother trying to make yourself fit
life is better if you just live it.

1:10 p.m. Yep. Several interruptions. Also, I didn’t know it was a sonnet. A little cleanup:

Square Peg
by Michelle Garren-Flye

Make yourself small enough to fit
the hole that has been provided for you;
even when that lifestyle doesn't sit
well, and nothing about it seems true.

But what if, say, you didn't slim down
and instead put on your loosest jeans
and didn't mind what was said in town?
Say fuck it all and spread your wings!

Even if you've spent the past few years
cutting edges off your square peg,
feeling pain, self disgust, and shedding tears—
oh, the ache in your knee when you bend the leg!

Stop cutting yourself, stop holding back!
Let the ground fall away as you take flight.
Bet you never thought you'd have a knack
for living life with all your might.

Don't bother trying to make yourself fit;
life is better if you just live it.

1:14 p.m. Done. Whew.

Happy National Poetry Month: Day 9

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Michelle Garren-Flye

10:50 a.m. Once again, I approach with nothing particular in mind.

I’m seeing more green on my morning walks. It’s nothing terribly new now. Spring has definitely done sprung. I love all the green, but I remember when I saw the first new sprigs.

Yesterday my horoscope asked me why I was holding onto the past so hard. It’s true. I do. The past is very important to me. Some things I want to remember. Some things I’d prefer to forget. Why do I want to hold onto all that? Because the future is unknown and I am afraid.

11:01 a.m. Sorry, had to take a quick break and make a cup of coffee. I have, from my musings above, come up with a kernel of an idea. I believe it will be another villanelle.

Let’s go!

let go of the past you've already seen
embrace what's to come, even the unknown 
let go of the past, the future is green

you know where you are and where you've been
there's nothing left there for which to atone
let go of the past you've already seen

the beauty of then will remain pristine
but time that has passed is already gone
let go of the past, the future's still green

i understand you lingering over that sheen
of what you accomplished with simple backbone
but let go of the past you've already seen

life has a way of casting a screen
making the past difficult to dethrone
but let go of the past the future is green

the road ahead may make you a queen
all you have to do is move on
let go of the past you've already seen
trust me, the future's still green

11:26 a.m. A few mild interruptions, but I managed the rough draft. Let’s see how long it takes to edit…

Let's Go
by Michelle Garren-Flye

Let go of the past you've already seen;
embrace what's to come, even the unknown. 
Let go of the past, the future is green.

You know where you are and where you've been—
there's nothing left there for which to atone.
Let go of the past you've already seen.

The beauty of "Then" will remain pristine,
but time that has passed is already gone.
Let go of the past, the future's still green.

I understand you lingering over the sheen
of what you accomplished with simple backbone,
but let go of the past you've already seen.

Life has a way of casting a screen
that makes the past difficult to dethrone,
but let go of the past! The future is green.

The road ahead may make you a queen;
all you have to do is move on,
let go of the past you've already seen,
and trust what lies ahead is still green.