This is a submission for Kevinβs No Theme Thursday.

During a time of strife, she needed a good distraction
Her regular writing routine was lacking in satisfaction

Searching and pondering, upon a familiar moniker she came
A gorilla she followed, she enjoyed his blogβs name

She told him for a while, sheβd write something for his wares
His images were inspirational, but she was always too scared

βWhat if my poem sucks, and everyone thinks Iβm a joke?β
Weeks would go by, and each time she would choke

βA nature poem then,β something simple and sweet
Nothing too complicated, so she didnβt give up in defeat

Overcoming her fear, she decided to write poetry once again
Perhaps creating through inspiration would relieve some of her pain

Becoming a regular occurrence, which filled a sad void
Her poems got better, a wonderful feeling she enjoyed

The gorilla and her got closer, a connection sheβs forever grateful
Now a year has gone by, for a community she is ever thankful
Β©οΈ Laura Bennett
Itβs been exactly one year since I started writing for No Theme Thursday!
Aside from a few times either being totally offline or just having weird writing weeks, (which this is one of them, and I usually always do multiple entries or purge a draft), I canβt believe itβs been an entire year!
My very first post ever for NTT was Forest for the Trees, posted March 24th, 2024.

I canβt begin to express how emotional in ways this has made me – from the community and friendship Iβve been blessed to be able to connect with, to becoming and healing into a better version of myself, and itβs all thanks to a prompt ran by one of the best souls I could ever hope to cross paths with. β€οΈ

Again mentioning that Iβve had a bit of a weird writing week overall (letβs be honest, Iβve had a few weird writing months, lol) my goal was to use all the images from this set.

I wouldβve liked to have written a piece for each one, but each one is just as important as the other.

And with that being said –
Itβs time for me to pass out! Iβve got work overnight for the next two nights! π


Nicely done. Iβm always so happy to read your amazing writing.:) btw dawgs logo rocks
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you! π Iβm always happy to read yours as well π Ernie did a great job with this and Iβm happy to be able to use it! Happy Monday!
LikeLiked by 4 people
That is an awesome logo.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you so much! Iβm truly honored that he sent this to me! π Happy new week!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Happy Anniversary, m’lady. πππ
I am so very happy that you finally decided to participate, and I am beyond grateful for everything that came afterwards. πππ
I don’t know that there are enough words to describe how proud I am, how thankful I am, or how much your love and support mean to me.
While it may be a roller coaster sometimes, I can happily say that there is no one else I would rather ride it with. π
Love and gratitude always,
Me πππ
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yesss π₯° happy anniversary! Iβm so happy I did too, I mean come on, I had to at some point, right? Who could resist your devilish charms? Lol π€ͺ but seriously, thank you Kevin β€οΈ you opened up a whole world for me and our connection is something that Iβm grateful for everyday π your love and support mean everything to me π
Thank you – and yes, with anything good, there are ups and downs, ebbs and flows. Thatβs the emotions of life! And love β€οΈ
Thank you again π₯° π π
LikeLiked by 3 people
Well, you did resist them for a moment there. Fortunately, I am stubborn I guess ππ
But, ultimately, you did relent, and I, along with everyone else, are now fortunate enough to be graced with your fine words and lovely presence π
LikeLiked by 2 people
P.S.
Props to E-Dawg for the excellent logo! πππ
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hell yes!! π€ Ernie did a badass job with this one
LikeLiked by 4 people
This is a very cool poem Laura. I like the way you’ve incorporated all the images into it. I’m alsso glad you liked the sign off image. You rock!!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for sending it to me Ernie! You are doing an awesome job with the designing! π I appreciate it so much π
LikeLiked by 3 people
Great logo, Ernie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Edward. Let me know if you’d like one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool! Thank you very much, Ernie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
πππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done! The logo looks great as well. π
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much John! Ernie did a good job with this one π Appreciate your kind words – I hope you have a great week!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Youβre welcome, Laura! I hope you have a great week as well. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your writings are excellent, Laura. I can not imagine your thoughts at any time being the idea that your poems were not worthy of being shared!. Thank you for taking courage and choosing to share your work and words.
Outstanding photos all. Blessings to you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Suzette for your kind and encouraging words! Yes, there were times and there are still times I have those moments, but being able to share with wonderful writers who encourage like you are always a blessing. π Thank you! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most kind, Laura. Bless you. Happy writing! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Friend Laura,
You and Kevin have a unique voice in your writing and it is but normal to feel this way sometimes, but both of you are amazing. Have a wonderful day.
Your friend,
Erwin
LikeLiked by 3 people
Awww thank you my friend Erwin! π I appreciate your kind and encouraging words always and as well as your wonderfully profound writings βοΈ hoping you are having a great start to your week! π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Slow start but getting there. Have a beautiful evening my friend Laura.
LikeLike
Happy Anniversary Laura π. Keep your fab work flowing! Great logo π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Sara β€οΈ always so much appreciated π€ hoping you are having a great week so far! π
LikeLike
Very nice
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you my friend! π Have a great week! β¨
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome.
LikeLike
You’ve made an amazing upward journey in a year, even with occasional turbulence! Congratulations and THANK YOU, and Thank you Kevin as well. It’s been great fun, but also more than that, for all the reasons you give here. β€
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for being along for my journey β€οΈ and a huge part of it – connecting with you especially through dreams π always find so much introspection and wisdom in your words, like a comforting hug. π and also, it doesnβt feel like an entire year?! lol wtf, the time just goesssss π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure what a whole year is supposed to feel like, but it was a lot easier to measure when there were school semesters and summers!
You’re the absolute berries, Laura! π π π Very thankful for your wise straight-forward ways and humor. β€
LikeLike
so glad to be along for your journey Laura. wp is awesome when you meet and connect with great people! Mike
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy to have you here Mike! π Especially with all your kind and positive, very uplifting influence. Itβs amazing to have connected with so many wonderful people π canβt express my gratitude enough how blessed I feel π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Anniversary Laura β€οΈOnwards and Upwards young lady !
You are a very talented writer, never doubt it.
Much love πππ€
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Maggie β€οΈ that means a lot coming from such a beautiful and inspiring writer such as you π€ much love to you always! π₯° I appreciate you being here so much! β¨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lauren my lovely β€οΈ it is a pleasure and thank you for the compliment π
I appreciate you too π€
Much love back to you and take good care π
LikeLiked by 1 person
A nicely penned post, Laura to go with Kevin’s images.
Love Dawgs image too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Liz! β€οΈ Just was thinking of you π I hope you are well π have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some of these art pieces are really inspiring… Have a great week Laura π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Simon π I agree, I love Kevinβs images. I hope you have a great week as well! β¨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks I’m doing my best π
LikeLike
Happy Anniversary!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Phil! Have a great week! π
LikeLike
Loved the poem, glad you decided to participate! Kevin is a lovely person π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you π he indeed is π I feel very fortunate, especially to have met so many wonderful people in this community, like you! Hope youβre feeling better soon π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks and same here, this community is filled with lovely people! They really make you feel at home. Yesss I’m thankfully much better ππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Anniversary Laura & Kevin π and Dawg with mad skills & a full moon … The poetry intertwined beautifully and somehow; I missed that gorgeous black panther (meeWow) !!! I can’t believe it’s been a year and at the same time, feel like I’ve known you forever! Honestly, have always thought you to be very talented in writing, photography, and your humor (another level) … but it’s your genuine-ness and beyond gifted ability to speak directly to someone’s soul. Without judgement or fear, you rise to every occasion with beauty, and yeah, grace!!! Have a wonderful week, Loveee ~ β€
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true β€οΈ thank you lovely soul β¨ itβs always such a pleasure to connect with you and read your wonderful uplifting stories and beautiful comments. It does feel like forever, and also a year is like wowwww whattt?? Haha. Weβve definitely had our ups and downs and roller coaster ways, but itβs also so good to be able to share in the joys and triumphs. Much love and hugs to you always and I hope youβre having a caffeine-fueled and cat-filled week! π πββ¬ βοΈ β€οΈ and donβt forget, you deserve the best always! π β¨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two artistic souls, and great poems and great pictures
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Thomas! π Very lucky indeed! I hope you have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I hope you have a great week too.
LikeLike
So heartwarming! π Congratulations on your one-year anniversary! π Much to celebrate and bravo for persevering and finding your courage and poetic voice. ππ»
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Michele! π Iβm always so appreciative of those who inspire me to be creative, and you are definitely one of them π so grateful for your comments and to connect with you – we need to figure out when weβd like to submit some work (need more hours in the day!) π if only lol π
LikeLike
Congratulations! Definitely something worth celebrating. Hope your work flies by.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sharon π on my second night so – not horrible so far. Still looking for that day job! Hoping your week is off to a great start! π
LikeLiked by 2 people
πNot too bad a start here Laura, except for a knife slipping into my hand when I was trying to cut the plastic ring off my water bottle! Ouch!!
LikeLike
One year wow – I think I might have been there back then… how time flies!! Linda xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you were too! I have to catch up on your posts, Linda. Always so informative and inspiring β¨ thank you for being here π
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure (I’ve slowed right down – I caught covid and it prompted a rash of migraines – so only going to blog 3 days a week instead of 5 – I already miss it! But I’ll have more time to read now!) xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww π Iβm so sorry. Iβm wishing you a speedy recovery and so much healing β€οΈβπ©Ή feel better soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks lovely β£οΈ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, Laura, and happy blogging anniversary! π₯³
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Nancy! π Super exciting for me! β¨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome, Laura! I’m so glad you finally took the chance. You two write beautifully together. β€οΈ
LikeLike
Your work always compliments your chosen graphics so well! I can’t imagine you being afraid to collaborate
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Violet! π When I started my blog in 2021, no one was supposed to read it, ever lol π it was supposed to just be hits I got spiritually or dreams. But Iβm thankful for what itβs grown into! Appreciate your comment. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, a year of NTTsβthatβs awesome! You guys are doing a fantastic job matching images with stories and poems. This is a great community, and itβs amazing to see collaboration happening at the level youβve achieved. Well done, Lauraβhereβs to another year! βοΈβοΈ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Edward π I do feel blessed to connect with everyone here π it really means a lot and itβs nice what it has grown into – and yes π to another year! βοΈ βοΈ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Youβre welcome, Laura. I tell you, I wasnβt expecting to make the kind of connections I have in WP when I started the blog. Itβs been an amazing experience so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So proud of you, Laura Lauraπ«Ά
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Ted! π I need to catch up on your writing! βοΈ I want to give it the time it deserves π«Ά Hope all is well, as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful and Iβm so happy for you both!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! π sorry I missed this comment
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Post β€οΈβπ₯
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful, congratulations ππ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much my friend! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
All is well, Laura, thank you! Take your timeπ«ΆIβm not going anywhereππ΄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the arctic castle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everything we need and want is out there and can be ours if we reach for it, which takes courage. I’m happy you reached, dear, sweet Laura. Love you much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love you so much, Mary! Thank you β€οΈ
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and Kevin make a great team!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Dawn! π
LikeLike
Such a sweet and reflective poem. It’s such a great community that Kevin’s fostered through the NTT, as well as inspired some amazing poetry/stories. And I’m glad that the two of you got the opportunity to become so close. It’s great to see you both being so encouraging of each other in the comments, and your collaborative pieces have been wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person