100 Words For Mom (A Poem)

 100 Words For Mom (A POEM)

 

Mothers are magical beings from another planet.

They beam through walls that humans can’t.

They wear the skirts, the dresses, and the pants.

Missile beams eject out of their hands.

Their eyes are radars that do ultraviolet scans.

They tie the strands

of their hair up in a bun.

They take the stars and asteroids out the universe

and serve them for lunch.

They put up their hands to fly to where they need to be

Then eject ten arms out their sides to surround their family.

Yup! That’s mom!

Superbeing. That is her.

Master of the whole entire world.

 

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Happy Mother's Day to you and to all the mothers; especially mine.  

Poetry is my first love. I’ve loved it for my whole life. My writing started with poetry and it is one of the things that make me come alive.  If you dug this poem, check out my book of poems:

 

SONGS FOR MY MOTHER

Get your copy on Amazon here:

https://a.co/d/0gZt4Ktv

Talk Talk Talk

 

I was in the supermarket the other day and witnessed a lady curse out her three-year-old daughter like it was a normal thing. The child got scared and ran away from her but then came back and it was all willy nilly again.

I am all for disciplining children. I mean, you have to do what you got to do to get your child to respect and listen to you but it made me think about a few things.

Children walk into a classroom setting and they will curse out their classmates and teachers at such a young age and the teacher will think that because they are reporting it home that their child is using profanity, that it will change things. I can remember hearing kids who can barely formulate a sentence, use curse words like they were sailors; and knowing exactly what they were saying at that. To me that was crazy. You call home to say something. But if the parent does it as a way of communicating in their normal day-to-day, what will really change?  

It was none of my business, I know, but it was so out in the open that it just made me a little sad.

I think about my own upbringing and the first time I ever heard my mom say a curse word was when I was in my forties and I had never been more surprised to even realize she knew them because I never heard her use them. But every family is different.

Back on the writing grind again and I can say I probably wrote about 5,000 words today. The first free write 1000, additional words to the short story book I am gathering together, and a song that I added to my YouTube for Kids Channel entitled “Talk.”

“Talk” is about using your voice to say what you mean and to say it effectively without impatiently yelling, cursing or being rude. It’s about using your voice to speak lovingly when using your voice.

If you are interested, you can check it out at the following link https://youtu.be/k7uq74Fa0Y4?si=MhyyBwWAg3-CfhXi

A Writer Writing

A new month is upon us, and the truth about it is that we have been blessed to see another month. We are well into 2026. Thank God for the January that he brought us through. We survived the frigid temperatures and the days that came to greet us with open arms. 

I am on a new reading challenge that I joined, where I committed to read 100 books this year. I read four this month already and am on my fifth one, ironically, which is a book of inspiration for writers entitled "1000 Words: A Writer's Guide To Staying Creative, Focused, And Productive All Year Round," by Jami Attenberg. 

This book encourages writers to write 1000 words every day, and one of the things I put to paper was an acrostic poem for the February that is about to embrace us:

Frozen days that have not changed since December

Every day seems colder now than I could ever remember

 

But hope stands tall when the new month comes to play

Ready or not, February swings into bat and comes in to stay

 

Under the frigid temperatures that linger in the air is what we ride

A handful of salt we scatter all around us to not slip and to not slide

 

Running to love because God up above saw it fit to keep us and to bless us

Yes to living life as if it were golden and we leave our lives in his hands and trust

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I don't know about you but, I am grateful to have been kept and am beyond grateful for God's grace that got me through January in its entirety 

https://youtube.com/shorts/EfcQ7xedv60?si=TK0CkK5Xqx3Cel0H

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If you liked that poem and are interested in checking out some of my other poetic pieces, please support my creative endeavors by investing in one of my poetry books:

Pulchritudinous: The Poetry Collection

https://a.co/d/6bRnrY3

And Then There Was the Music

https://a.co/d/iiPTpq2

Songs For My Mother

https://a.co/d/40AE8Wo

Songs for My Father

https://a.co/d/fAciQp0

Feel the Vibe of the New Year

 Tip for 2026: Enjoy the Music

It is a new year. A new set of 52 weeks. Don’t let the New Year’s Eve ball drop into 2027 without dipping your toes in 2026.

Feel it.  Let the ubiquitous appeal of it take over. Lean into it like it is your favorite song. Groove to its rhythm. Experience it. Embrace every miniscule bit of it.

Enjoy it. Let your spirit guide you to the smile to keep that joy vibrantly pulsating through your body.  

Feel the rhythm of the unique fusion of this new year. Find your smorgasbord of influence and stick to it. Let it splash over you like the waterfalls of Saut D’eau, Haiti. Submerge yourself into each day with fresh authenticity.

Feel the vibe of every single moment of these next 365 days like the morning alarm. And make sure you stay prayed up in the stretch of your every day as God carries you through each minute that comes embedded in it.

Hope that you are wooed by it and that this year sets your soul aflame to make it your most explosive year ever. I pray that your song and dance gets you relevéeing successfully as you progress forward through the year. May your 2026 be as refreshing as Negroni Sparkling Wine; but don’t get too drunk because I’ll be navigating through it too. Lml. 

Enjoy and be blessed!

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As I continue to share parts of my identity and grow into the new year, here is an aspect of a musical atmosphere I was blessed to be in with the wonderful guitarist John Smith, drummer Camille Gainor, and Keyboardist James Preston at the Red Rooster Restaurant and lounge in Harlem, NY.  They are consummate professionals and the music they shared swelled in the air like a bird in the sky. They made it easy and fun to join in and sing with them. So thankful for that. 

I hope that you feel the strophe of each line as I did. Here is the link:

https://youtube.com/shorts/zNhBaYEBSpg?si=4_4bCysOXOCuJIRr

Gratitude, the Poem

 

Don’t look at the sumptuous moments

that are spent improving the rooms that I walk in

Don’t revisit the ideas I extricate from my mind

and apply to precipices of our fusions

Forget about the thickets I chopped away

from minds who were not ready until I got there

Leave behind the energy I poured into

everything I did just because I cared to share

No, just think of how my slaving wasn’t apple watched

Despite the months that I was there without my meets to swap

I lit up minds. I watered hearts and inspired paths.

I got my foot caught all up in the mouse's trap.

I was there doing what I do best like no other ever will

I was built more different than any cable you'll find in a mill

But thank God for rest and the strength that he builds

For resets and for steps to wipe up the spills

It’s the weekend now and I'm celebrating sleep

Let’s not pretend that alarms don't sound if you never counted sheep

And rest doesn't happen if doubt piles up like a desk's work heep

Thank God for the ability to level up on my knees

Day Three: A Horse-and-Carriage Ride

It feels almost as if I have been sketching my life with a graphite pencil lately. Intentions have led me to unravel the evolution of words within me. It feels good to simply write and enjoy the process.

And then reality hits: the more you write, the more inspiration you find, and then you write even the more. Inspiration to stand before a crowd and share becomes a thing. The motivation to submit to contests starts happening. The power to write more than just the one and set some aside for future books and submissions becomes your mindset. It’s great!

So here is my day three poem inspired by a recent trip I took to Cape May. The beauty of the place and discovering some of its history was awesome. Definitely hope to go back there sometime soon but for now, here is 1000 words to talk about my “Horse-and-Carriage-Ride.”

 

Horse-and-Carriage Ride

A fresh spring of words to say about

my horse-drawn carriage ride through monumental streets

It was as if a cathedral of lights

Encircled all around me

As we promenaded through the historical sites

The wind so strong that day, it would fly the perfect kite

History lurking in the wings

The spirit of the past echoing

Above the sound of the hooves of the horse

He walked with the striking elegance of a king on course

The air wrinkling my hair and making it dance

So I held onto the seatbelt tighter with my hands

Miles and miles through the streets

Down past the house museums and parked cars

To the beach where onlookers went to see the evening stars

As if there were an ekphrastic poem written in the sky

The sunset, so beautiful and coloresque, as it hit your eyes

And we gazed through the chordal measures of the evening tide

Suddenly soothed by the rays of the golden moonlight

Back on to the carriage to ride on through the night

Holding on to the desire to take an even bigger bite out of life

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Questions for the reader?  

 

What is a great place to go to capture the best sunset pic that you can imagine?

What did you think of my poem?

What was your last writing piece?  Please share your link.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

Interested in reading some of my other works. I have a few self-published projects on Amazon. Please check out my Amazing Author Page at Amazon.com: Stephanie Jeannot: books, biography, latest update

 

You can always follow me on my Instagram page. I am constantly adding new posts of live events, performances and things of that sort at http://instagram.com/jnotemusic

P is for Poetry

 

P is for poetry

A rhyming story

set to melody

rhythm

and words at play

 

P is for poetry

So sweet and buttery

Oh yesiree

Makes me feel so fluttery

Free and so merrily

Twinkling jazz do-re-mis

The lingual flattery

In the soliloquies

Perfume like Chantilly

Metaphor simile

Poetry literally

Is just so dope to me

Release the inner me

Meters and melodies

Waving like over seas

Lyrically vocally

April Poetry Writing Challenge

The earth has been revolving beneath our feet and here we are; the first day 

of National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation month.

I love both poetry and jazz. I could venture down any given thoroughfare, pivoting over 

my favorite jazz tune and I would be just in my nature singing it, as natural as cherry 

blossoms when spring comes into swing. 

Thickets hardly ever stand in the way of my desire to write a couplet in rhyme in my time when I feel the vibe, and it's in my design, READY to rain on a blank page.

As I stole glances at the sun peeking its way through the curtains of the night sky, it dawned on me that This brand-new season that has come upon us with this new set of 24, is a special month. 

I need to write more. I want to get into the swing of appreciating a musical genre and culture I really love. It's time to let my poetic voice ring-a-ling-a-ling louder than a Cynthia Erivo vocal belt. 

I mean, what is jazz anyway? It is poetry in rhythm. It is a metaphor for love. It is an onomatopoeia for life.

With that in mind, I decided to set myself on my own 30-day writing challenge, just to try to reframe my mind to focusing on completing a task and actually writing like I ought to. A poem a day with a jazz twist; something like a margarita with a twist of orange. I am celebrating both jazz and poetry through art and words, harmoniously. 

My 30 days of poetry have begun. I accept the challenge. I'm getting tipsy already. My first installment is here.  

The Soothing Sounds

 

A broad swathe of music wraps around my aching body.

It soothes.

It empowers.

Its waves exhilarate me.

 

My emotional tide waves are at high.

The jazz in me be-bops melodic sighs.

My tears fall when the music inclines.

A jolt of poetry vibrates 9.5.

 

My soul starts its dance atop the leather of congas.

It’s legs shuffling in a full-blown tantrum,

casually winnowing away from the discord notes,

and catapulting into a tri-tone.

 

Microgrooves of 78s.

Santana’s “Shango” and “What Does it Take.”

The sound of Samba invites me to dance and engage

I was clad in music which was a band-aid for my aches. 

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Now, here is an idea. If you are a writer and you want to join in the fun of writing and also the challenge of getting your thoughts out daily, join in this challenge. Let me know if you also will try to be consistent for the next 30 days, post it and send me the link. I'd love to read it. 

Also, tell me what you think. Would love comments, suggestions on how to improve, or just a hello to say that you stopped by.

Either way, thanks for reading.

Happy poetry and jazz month.

Peace! 

JNote

http://instagram.com/jnotemusic

My Poetry turned into Song

 

My desire to write started out as poetry, writing the lines of my life since I was in the Fifth grade.

 

Poetry was my love and the love grew into songs and I like to sing them. I am a poet at heart. I try to write on a daily basis but most importantly, as much as I can with who I am and with what time I have.

I had the opportunity to try applying a piece of my poetry to music while listening to a musical melody created by my friend, John Mueller.

I took the track, added my poem, sung harmonies and some piano riffs to Mueller's booming bass and guitar riffs, and it became a poetic song entitled, “Funkalicious.”

 

It is about letting go of your doubts and fears to come into who you were meant to be. I do not know how many will agree with me, but often times, when we are in the season of hopes and have aspirations, it is a common thing for naysayers to speak a tongue of doubt into your spirit to turn all your hopes into fears. The bigger idea is to not let things come in the way of who you are and instead, to live with a sense of hope in the things that you aspire to do.

The poem turned to song, “Funkalicious,” is all about that. Check it out for yourself and maybe you will be inspired by the words: https://soundcloud.com/stephanay-jnote/funkalicious-by-stephanie-jeannot-john-mueller?si=d3c21fdb1f4d45f68060dfb5fbb405c1

Stephanie Jeannot · Funkalicious by Stephanie Jeannot & John Mueller

Happy Memorial Day

 Happy Memorial Day.

I remember as a kid, my parents venturing off to Connecticut for this annual tag sale that used to take place and for every episode of it, there was rain involved. 

We got the load of rain as well as the cold to come with it.  I think this is the coldest spring I have ever experienced. Not just the weather, but all the people that I have lost in this past year and a half; it seems almost like an unending season. RIP to all those who lost their lives to this pandemic. You were soldiers in your own right, taking on life and respectively doing whatever it was that God purposed you to do, only for your life to be cut short by the circumstances of COVID19. 

My condolences to all the family and loved ones of those fallen soldiers, as well as the ones lost fighting in wars for our freedoms. We salute and honor you today. 

And if you identify with me and feel as if this actually is "The Coldest Spring Ever," please check out John Mueller's and my tune on Soundcloud enitlted "The Coldest Spring Ever." PErhaps it will help to add some warmth to this Memorial Day. https://soundcloud.com/stephanay-jnote/the-coldest-spring-ever

Thank you so much for checking out my blogpost. God bless you and peace!!!

Stephani

The Indie Music Show Airs Every Tuesday Evening at 9PM EST/ 8PM CST on mixlr.com/jnotemusic

 

What songwriter doesn’t have ribbons of desire for unique songs to burst into bloom? And what artist or musician doesn’t enjoy the aesthetic appeal of opportunities to have synergy with other creative beings?

I don’t know about you, but I love to hear a bass growling in a live setting. Don’t get me wrong; I guess it has become the thing to be plugged into the digital realm and to fulfill your genuine passion through a Zoom meeting every now and again, especially in these times but, there is nothing like when the melody flows and my gilded wings can unfold right there in the intimate setting of a live, innovative environment.

There is something special about putting your effort, originality and skill into the harmonious menu of a repertoire meant to be performed live. Is that just the way I think or is it a thought that other musicians and those who have a true cultural enjoyment of music thinks?

If perhaps we have the same way of thinking, after you experience the pulchritude of the stunning sunset this evening and you start to drown in the evening’s moonlight, I invite you to engage with NYC musician/songwriter, Stephanie Jeannot and cohost Chicago bassist/songwriter, John Mueller for the newest episode of THE INDIE MUSIC SHOW airing this evening at 9PM EST/ 8PM CST on http://mixlr.com/jnotemusic

What will you hear?  A shared thirst for all things music. We launch conversations about the practice of music, the study of music, the performance and recording of our music and some of the many artists that do music with some beautiful indie sounds sprinkled into the mix.

We dive headlong into it every Tuesday evening at 9PM EST/ 8PM CST and I hope that this blogpost might fan a flame of interest in you to take time out of your schedule this evening and log on to http://mixlr.com.jnotemusic to listen.

Until then, Peace.

Happy National Poetry Month

 It is National Poetry Month; a month I hold dear to my heart because I am a poet.

I started writing poetry in the fifth grade and then challenged myself to write 5000 words with which I would publish a book of poetry. And I did.

I write to clear my mind. I write to pass the time. I write when times are enjoyable and I write when I feel like I am walking blind.

Whenever I storm with ideas, I put my pen to the paper and scribe away. Sometimes it comes out as a poem and sometimes as a song. Then there are times when a short story is birthed out of my storming.

Some of my favorite moments is when I get carried away by poetic imagery. I find the art of writing poetry very enriching and a joyful experience. It is one of the reasons I pursued English as a major and my primary reason for babbling along. But enough of that; I want to get your feet wet with a sample of my writing.   

 

Line after line after line

By Stephanie Jeannot

I like to stay in my undisturbed space

When I’m cooped up at home

I like to head outdoors onto the grass

And sit there with my thoughts alone

I feel ecstatic when I can

operate creatively there

I add unto my eclectic repertoire

Fingerprints of truth

Stored in my mind among the wares

I’ve encountered people from all walks of life

That made contributions to my being

Some provided a layer of support

And some that brought winds of change

That made many moments disappointing

Still my mind goes spiraling forward

And I write in those allotment of times

Every release is a new beginning

Line after line after line

 

 

Thank you for reading a sample of my poetry. If you are interested, I do have a poetry book available of Amazon.com. I invite you to check it out. It is entitled  And Then There Was The Music: Musical Poetry Collection and an Essay 

 

Thank you for reading and happy National Poetry Month!

PEACE

My Resolution to Write More in 2021

 One of my resolutions for 2021 is to write more consistently.

 

Writing is one of my favorite things to do. I have had a fresh appetite for adding strings of word to a blank page ever since I was in the fifth grade. I am hoping this year to write more boldly, much more often without abandoning the idea. Why? Simply put; because I am a writer.

One of the things I have started to do to try to rise to the occasion of consistently writing, is that I joined a few writing groups that encourage writers to write with a prompt. One is a short story group which made me realized that the 3000 words that they encourage you to write, is similar to writing just one chapter in a book. I love knowing the fact that if I can write a chapter-full of words, there is nothing stopping me from writing a chap book at some point. I am thankful for that.

The other group is a songwriting circle. The curator of the group gives a weekly prompt to enhance the motivation of the songwriters in the group.

Most of the times when I write songs, I piece together ideas based on what I am reading, watching on television or perhaps by a few chords that I come across when I am in practice mode. To have a guided topic to be influenced by, makes the piecing together of a new original song even that more interesting to do; especially because it challenges me to be more passionate about writing.

This week’s prompt was everything is gonna be alright. I invite you to check out the song that was written based on this prompt. It is entitled, “Everything is Gonna Be Alright.” All lyrics, music and vocals are by Stephanie Jeannot. You can listen to the song on Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/songwritersclubsd/everything-is-gonna-be-alright-stephanie-jeannot

If you like the song, let me know what you think. If you think I can improve my writing in some way, please share some encouraging words that might help me along my journey. Thank you so much for checking out my blogpost. Have an amazing day! 

The Songwriters Club · Everything Is Gonna Be Alright-Stephanie Jeannot

Music Put Its Arms Around Me And Forced Me To Fall In Love

There is a quote by W.H. Auden that says, “music is the best means for digesting time.”

I wouldn’t doubt that because it has definitely got me through this quarantine, being trapped in my home with ample time to do while the spinning world takes a repose from the business of it all that it used to be. 

In this social distancing world where we are more and more creating these digital communities and finding time to learn something new every day, I have definitely been feeding my soul with purposeful creativity. Being in isolation made me realize how to access and control my superpowers better than I had before.

I have been unleashing my mindset through song and poetry. I have found different ways to give the world a taste of my skills. Music has found its way to dance quick circles around me and I had no choice by to simply jump in with a listening ear and a butterfly of speech to add my own creative juices into the universe. My time in quarantine has been a singing revolution from my heart because it has fueled me with confidence.

If music didn’t move me before this pandemic contagion, it has put its arm around me and forced me to fall in love with its sophisticated soul. It has been my wing of security. It has helped me to generate chuckles and smiles. And so, while I am trapped in my home, I seize every moment to listen to sultry voices of different instruments blaring through my amplified speakers and also, different podcasts and on-line seminars that have helped me to rise above the circumstances that the coronavirus has left us in which has helped me go gain more self-esteem and I am so thankful for that.

If you are like me and in these trying moments, music make you think differently, perhaps you might be interested in discovering some music sounds that you may not have heard before. Music has given me an overwhelming sense of comfort and I would like to invite you to check out this music playlist created by E.N.D.I.E. FIYA, which has made a positive impact on my world.

While every spoon-fed thought about the coronavirus is being served that sends me into a frenzy, this playlist has spread love around the world. It features music from different indie artists, and it is a great listen. I am also excited to have one of my songs featured in this playlist among the many other songs that are presented which I found to be through enjoyable and heightened the mood of encouragement that felt just right in these crazy moments we are facing.

So here is the link to it if you are interested in listening:  https://youtu.be/RJvEtD_aVYQ.  

Hope you enjoy it. God bless you and be safe out there. Much love!

"In My Quietude..." by Stephanie Jeannot

April is National Poetry Month. It is a month dedicated to celebrating the art of the many poets and poetesses in the world. 

My first experiences writing came in the form of poetic verse. I love to write and during this world crisis and in my quietude, I have found ample time to put my pen to paper and to just let my thoughts flow. 

I am sad that I have not been able to place my 2020 American Poets' Society National Poetry Month Poster on the wall of my classroom this year but I am happy to put some of my own poetry on to the wall of this blog and I hope that you will take the time to read it. This poem is entitled "In my Quietude"

In My Quietude

In my quietude

I have spent a good deal of time 

inside lately

The coronavirus has been 

attacking our livelihood lately

But I don’t take 

my blessings for granted

I still acknowledge and steward 

over each day that I am handed

Surely this COVID 19 

has shifted my thinking

I’m bombarded with so much news of it 

that has left me crippled broken

In my quietude, I wonder

How many can handle 

all this darkness with ease?

How can I truly operate 

through all of this in victory?

I don’t want to accept the idea 

that this is a losing battle.

This pandemic contagion has come 

and the earth it has rattled.

In my quietude, I have come to the conclusion that 

These are some of the darkest moments 

I have ever seen.

I’m affected by all the ambulance sirens 

and this shifting economy.

I can definitely say 

that I have been pierced with sorrow.

In the twinkling of an eye, 

I’ve lost so many that I won’t be able to physically embrace tomorrow

I am hoping that these dark times 

won’t sway my viewpoint of faith

I am praying that sooner than later 

this disease will get out of our way

I guess you can say with this quarantine 

I have quiet time dedicated to my thoughts

I am trying to overcome 

the circumstance of the coronavirus that haunts

The beat goes on 

even if I let the doubts of surviving take over

My hurts sting for the world 

as it continues to lose soldiers

In my quietude, I realized that 

I have faced many trials in my life 

but not like 2020

So many good times experienced 

stay frozen in my memory

I only hope to move from the empty cityscapes 

and get back on to non-virtual social track soon

I give credit to all my inspirers 

who keep me from totally being blue

And all the essential workers 

diligently working to save so many lives

And all the prayer warriors praying 

for healing over the world and for better times

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Thank you for taking the time to read my poem. I am a poet at heart and also have a few poetry books that you might find interest in reading. Please check them out here: Stephanie Jeannot's Author Page on Amazon