Have you tried Bard?

Bard is the AI chatbot by Google. You can ask Bard all sorts of things. Bard edits, gives ideas, tells you facts and gives links to help deepen your understanding. Bard has great potential to support educational and creative endeavors! I say that as an optimistic progressivist.

Here’s a fun example. I asked Bard to help me write a poem about fairy light and green vines. This is what bard came up with.


Sure, here is a poem about fairy lights and green vines:

Fairy Lights and Green Vines

In the twilight’s gentle glow,
Green vines dance and fairy lights glow.
A symphony of light and green,
A magical, enchanting scene.

The vines reach out, their tendrils curled,
Adorned with lights, a dazzling swirl.
Each tiny bulb a gem so bright,
Sparkling like stars in the night.

The fairy lights cascade and gleam,
Like a waterfall of dreams.
Their soft glow fills the air with cheer,
A vision of enchantment, crystal clear.

Oh, fairy lights and green vines,
Your beauty intertwines.
A tapestry of light and grace,
A magical, enchanting space.

-Bard
(Bard didn’t sign its name on this poem but it should have so I did.)

Isn’t that fun!! Of course I’d rather write my own poetry. This isn’t really my personal style but it could be just the inspiration we need as creatives. I’m excited about having AI chatbots. There’s so many possibilities!

To close, here’s what Bard said after listing 7 websites I could use to learn poetry.

No matter what your level of experience is, there are resources available to help you learn how to write poetry. With a little effort, you can learn to write beautiful and moving poems.

National Daughter’s Day

In honor of National Daughter’s Day!

Phenomenal Woman

BY MAYA ANGELOU

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,   

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.   

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Taken from the Poetry Foundation

Writing Inspo

I always forget to put music on when I write even though I know it’s the cure. Today I found this Relaxing Garden and look butterflies! I’m leaving this here as a reminder for myself in the future.

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.

Martin Luther

Eagle Poem

Eagle Poem 

BY JOY HARJO

To pray you open your whole self

To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

And know there is more

That you can’t see, can’t hear;

Can’t know except in moments

Steadily growing, and in languages

That aren’t always sound but other

Circles of motion.

Like eagle that Sunday morning

Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky

In wind, swept our hearts clean

With sacred wings.

We see you, see ourselves and know

That we must take the utmost care

And kindness in all things.

Breathe in, knowing we are made of

All this, and breathe, knowing

We are truly blessed because we

Were born, and die soon within a

True circle of motion,

Like eagle rounding out the morning

Inside us.

We pray that it will be done

In beauty.

In beauty.

I haven’s shared poetry on here in a while, but eagle’s have been on my mind a lot lately. I found this poem on The Poetry Foundation‘s website. I appreciate that the author, Joy Harjo adds depth to people here. I posted on Facebook (not too long ago) about how important it is to understand that people are more complex than what we see. In this poem Harjo captures exactly that in this poem. Harjo starts with, “I pray you open your whole self.” This line shows her desire to see someone as a whole person. Then as the poem goes along she creates an image of the many ways you get see a person words moments wind are just few. I like this. I like her use of the eagle as a symbol, her clear desire, and how she reminds us the value of life because it doesn’t last forever. I’m interested to read more from Joy Harjo. I’m grateful for her contribution.

This is where you can read more about Joy Harjo

I’m in the Mood for…

I’m in the mood for thoughtfulness, Connection, and all the other things that give me space to THRIVE. I want to be like my Spotted Begonia and just grow bigger than anyone expected and pull toward the sun. Now that’s Thriving. Maya Angelou once said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” And this is how I know she gets it. She is who I want to share a table with. Her and all her wisdom and grace. Just as human, and just as stubborn, and just as woman as me.

I’m so grateful she found the inner strength to pave the way.

Sleep Stories?!

Do you have a favorite myth or parable?

I appreciate myths and parables very much. I’m not really sure when it started. I didn’t do enough homework in high school to learn much about mythology, but as an adult I appreciate it. Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung inspired me to appreciate the myth more than anything else. As for parables, I’ve always loved those since I was very young. I remember my mom reading them to us when I was in Kindergarten. Now if you asked me which I like more, it’d be parables.

My favorite parable as a kid was about a wise man who built his house on a rock. As an adult it’s the parable about the seeds that are scattered on the ground. It’s interesting that both of my favorite parables are about how we thrive with a proper foundation. Interesting.

On another note, have you tried one of these ASMR sleep stories before bed yet? I have not.