This is a submission for Kevinโs 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 blogโs name

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

โWhat if my poem sucks, and everyone thinks Iโm a joke?โ
Weeks would go by, and each time she would choke

โA nature poem then,โ something simple and sweet
Nothing too complicated, so she didnโt 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 sheโs forever grateful
Now a year has gone by, for a community she is ever thankful
ยฉ๏ธ Laura Bennett
Itโs 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 canโt believe itโs been an entire year!
My very first post ever for NTT was Forest for the Trees, posted March 24th, 2024.

I canโt begin to express how emotional in ways this has made me – from the community and friendship Iโve been blessed to be able to connect with, to becoming and healing into a better version of myself, and itโs all thanks to a prompt ran by one of the best souls I could ever hope to cross paths with. โค๏ธ

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

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

And with that being said –
Itโs time for me to pass out! Iโve got work overnight for the next two nights! ๐


Nicely done. Iโm always so happy to read your amazing writing.:) btw dawgs logo rocks
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Thank you! ๐ Iโm always happy to read yours as well ๐ Ernie did a great job with this and Iโm happy to be able to use it! Happy Monday!
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That is an awesome logo.
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Thank you so much! Iโm truly honored that he sent this to me! ๐ Happy new week!
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Happy Anniversary, m’lady. ๐๐๐
I am so very happy that you finally decided to participate, and I am beyond grateful for everything that came afterwards. ๐๐๐
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. ๐
Love and gratitude always,
Me ๐๐๐
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Yesss ๐ฅฐ happy anniversary! Iโm so happy I did too, I mean come on, I had to at some point, right? Who could resist your devilish charms? Lol ๐คช but seriously, thank you Kevin โค๏ธ you opened up a whole world for me and our connection is something that Iโm grateful for everyday ๐ your love and support mean everything to me ๐
Thank you – and yes, with anything good, there are ups and downs, ebbs and flows. Thatโs the emotions of life! And love โค๏ธ
Thank you again ๐ฅฐ ๐ ๐
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Well, you did resist them for a moment there. Fortunately, I am stubborn I guess ๐๐
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 ๐
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P.S.
Props to E-Dawg for the excellent logo! ๐๐๐
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Hell yes!! ๐ค Ernie did a badass job with this one
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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!!!
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Thank you for sending it to me Ernie! You are doing an awesome job with the designing! ๐ I appreciate it so much ๐
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Great logo, Ernie.
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Thank you Edward. Let me know if you’d like one.
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Cool! Thank you very much, Ernie.
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๐๐๐
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Nicely done! The logo looks great as well. ๐
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Thank you so much John! Ernie did a good job with this one ๐ Appreciate your kind words – I hope you have a great week!
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Youโre welcome, Laura! I hope you have a great week as well. ๐
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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.
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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. ๐ Thank you! ๐
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You are most kind, Laura. Bless you. Happy writing! Thank you.
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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
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Awww thank you my friend Erwin! ๐ I appreciate your kind and encouraging words always and as well as your wonderfully profound writings โ๏ธ hoping you are having a great start to your week! ๐
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Slow start but getting there. Have a beautiful evening my friend Laura.
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Happy Anniversary Laura ๐. Keep your fab work flowing! Great logo ๐
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Thank you, Sara โค๏ธ always so much appreciated ๐ค hoping you are having a great week so far! ๐
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Very nice
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Thank you my friend! ๐ Have a great week! โจ
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You are welcome.
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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. โค
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Thank you so much for being along for my journey โค๏ธ and a huge part of it – connecting with you especially through dreams ๐ always find so much introspection and wisdom in your words, like a comforting hug. ๐ and also, it doesnโt feel like an entire year?! lol wtf, the time just goesssss ๐
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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! ๐ ๐ ๐ Very thankful for your wise straight-forward ways and humor. โค
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so glad to be along for your journey Laura. wp is awesome when you meet and connect with great people! Mike
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Happy to have you here Mike! ๐ Especially with all your kind and positive, very uplifting influence. Itโs amazing to have connected with so many wonderful people ๐ canโt express my gratitude enough how blessed I feel ๐
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Happy Anniversary Laura โค๏ธOnwards and Upwards young lady !
You are a very talented writer, never doubt it.
Much love ๐๐๐ค
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Thank you so much, Maggie โค๏ธ that means a lot coming from such a beautiful and inspiring writer such as you ๐ค much love to you always! ๐ฅฐ I appreciate you being here so much! โจ
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Lauren my lovely โค๏ธ it is a pleasure and thank you for the compliment ๐
I appreciate you too ๐ค
Much love back to you and take good care ๐
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A nicely penned post, Laura to go with Kevin’s images.
Love Dawgs image too.
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Thank you, Liz! โค๏ธ Just was thinking of you ๐ I hope you are well ๐ have a great week!
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Some of these art pieces are really inspiring… Have a great week Laura ๐
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Thank you Simon ๐ I agree, I love Kevinโs images. I hope you have a great week as well! โจ
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Thanks I’m doing my best ๐
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Happy Anniversary!
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Thank you Phil! Have a great week! ๐
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Loved the poem, glad you decided to participate! Kevin is a lovely person ๐
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Thank you ๐ he indeed is ๐ I feel very fortunate, especially to have met so many wonderful people in this community, like you! Hope youโre feeling better soon ๐
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Thanks and same here, this community is filled with lovely people! They really make you feel at home. Yesss I’m thankfully much better ๐๐
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Happy Anniversary Laura & Kevin ๐ 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 ~ โค
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So true โค๏ธ thank you lovely soul โจ itโs 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. Weโve definitely had our ups and downs and roller coaster ways, but itโs also so good to be able to share in the joys and triumphs. Much love and hugs to you always and I hope youโre having a caffeine-fueled and cat-filled week! ๐ ๐โโฌ โ๏ธ โค๏ธ and donโt forget, you deserve the best always! ๐ โจ
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Two artistic souls, and great poems and great pictures
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Thank you Thomas! ๐ Very lucky indeed! I hope you have a great week!
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Thank you. I hope you have a great week too.
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So heartwarming! ๐ Congratulations on your one-year anniversary! ๐ Much to celebrate and bravo for persevering and finding your courage and poetic voice. ๐๐ป
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Thank you so much Michele! ๐ Iโm always so appreciative of those who inspire me to be creative, and you are definitely one of them ๐ so grateful for your comments and to connect with you – we need to figure out when weโd like to submit some work (need more hours in the day!) ๐ if only lol ๐
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Congratulations! Definitely something worth celebrating. Hope your work flies by.
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Thank you Sharon ๐ on my second night so – not horrible so far. Still looking for that day job! Hoping your week is off to a great start! ๐
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๐Not 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!!
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One year wow – I think I might have been there back then… how time flies!! Linda xx
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I think you were too! I have to catch up on your posts, Linda. Always so informative and inspiring โจ thank you for being here ๐
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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
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Awww ๐ Iโm so sorry. Iโm wishing you a speedy recovery and so much healing โค๏ธโ๐ฉน feel better soon!
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thanks lovely โฃ๏ธ
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Congrats, Laura, and happy blogging anniversary! ๐ฅณ
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Thank you so much, Nancy! ๐ Super exciting for me! โจ
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Most welcome, Laura! I’m so glad you finally took the chance. You two write beautifully together. โค๏ธ
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Your work always compliments your chosen graphics so well! I can’t imagine you being afraid to collaborate
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Thank you so much, Violet! ๐ When I started my blog in 2021, no one was supposed to read it, ever lol ๐ it was supposed to just be hits I got spiritually or dreams. But Iโm thankful for what itโs grown into! Appreciate your comment. ๐
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Wow, a year of NTTsโthatโs awesome! You guys are doing a fantastic job matching images with stories and poems. This is a great community, and itโs amazing to see collaboration happening at the level youโve achieved. Well done, Lauraโhereโs to another year! โ๏ธโ๏ธ
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Thank you Edward ๐ I do feel blessed to connect with everyone here ๐ it really means a lot and itโs nice what it has grown into – and yes ๐ to another year! โ๏ธ โ๏ธ
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Youโre welcome, Laura. I tell you, I wasnโt expecting to make the kind of connections I have in WP when I started the blog. Itโs been an amazing experience so far.
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So proud of you, Laura Laura๐ซถ
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Thank you so much, Ted! ๐ I need to catch up on your writing! โ๏ธ I want to give it the time it deserves ๐ซถ Hope all is well, as always!
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This is beautiful and Iโm so happy for you both!!
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Thank you so much! ๐ sorry I missed this comment
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Great Post โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
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Beautiful, congratulations ๐๐
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Thank you so much my friend! ๐
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All is well, Laura, thank you! Take your time๐ซถIโm not going anywhere๐๐ด
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I like the arctic castle.
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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.
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Love you so much, Mary! Thank you โค๏ธ
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You and Kevin make a great team!
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Thank you so much, Dawn! ๐
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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.
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