A poem never begins with ink. It starts as a whisper standing quietly in the corner of the mind, waiting for the world to stop talking. It arrives wearing ordinary clothes the smell of rain, an old photograph, a dog's faithful eyes, or a memory that refuses to grow old. The first word is always the hardest. It stares back from an empty page like a closed door, asking only one question: Do you have the courage to open me? Then something changes. A sentence becomes a heartbeat. A heartbeat becomes a rhythm. A rhythm becomes a voice that somehow knows more about you than you knew yourself. You cross out lies. You circle truths. You chase the perfect word only to discover it had been waiting patiently three lines behind you. When the final period falls, the poem is no longer yours. It belongs to the stranger who reads it on a difficult day, to the widow searching for tomorrow, to the child learning hope, to the dreamer who almost gave up. Perhaps that is what writing a poem has always been Not arranging words upon paper, but building a bridge from one human heart to another, one honest line at a time. By Jason Strickland

Good morning, poets! It's Tuesday, and Monkey has a challenge for you. Today we're keeping it simple: a haiku. A haiku is just three lines: 5 syllables 7 syllables 5 syllables Write about anything that caught your attention this morning—a sunrise, a cup of coffee, birds outside your window, your dog snoring at your feet, or a single thought you just can't shake. The beauty of a haiku isn't in using big words. It's in capturing one small moment that says something much bigger. Drop your haiku in the comments, read a few from your fellow poets, and leave some encouragement along the way. Let's fill Monkey's Corner with tiny poems that leave a lasting impression. 🐾 Ready... set... haiku!

He doesn't chase the wind the way he used to. He watches it now, like an old friend passing by. The gray around his muzzle didn't arrive overnight. It came one season at a time, alongside every adventure, every muddy trail, every stick he proudly carried home as though he had discovered treasure. His steps are slower now. The stairs ask a little more of him. Cold mornings settle into his bones. He sleeps longer, dreaming, I hope, of fields where his legs were young and every sunrise promised another adventure. Yet when I reach for my keys, his eyes still shine. Not because he wants the longest walk just because he wants to be with me. That's the beautiful thing about old dogs. They stop counting miles. They only count moments. A quiet afternoon beside your chair. A gentle hand resting on their head. The sound of your voice saying their name as if it has always been the most important word in the world. One day, I'll notice he doesn't hear me call. His leash will hang by the door, his bowl will sit untouched, and the house will somehow become far too quiet. But love like his doesn't leave with the footsteps. It settles into the floorboards, waits by every doorway, rides beside me in an empty passenger seat, and reminds me that the greatest hearts sometimes beat beneath four paws. Growing old is never easy. Not for us. Not for them. But if love leaves silver around a muzzle, then he has earned every single white hair. And I would choose every one of them again.

I'm excited to announce that the Strickland Publishing House Community is now open! This is more than a place to publish books—it's a community built for authors at every stage of the journey. Whether you're writing your very first manuscript or preparing to publish your next bestseller, you'll find guidance, resources, encouragement, and a community that genuinely wants to see you succeed. Inside you'll find: ✍️ Publishing tips and training 📖 Book formatting and design advice 🚀 Marketing strategies for authors 💬 Questions and answers with real support 🎯 Behind-the-scenes looks at the publishing process 🌟 A place to grow as an author If you've ever dreamed of holding your own book in your hands, this community was built for you. I can't wait to welcome you inside and help you bring your story to life. Welcome to Strickland Publishing House. Let's stop waiting... and start publishing.

Write a poem about a place in nature that still holds someone's memory.