Day 10 ... NaPoWriMo / Poem-a-Day 2026 / Stafford 84

Welcome back, friends! My poem today is #84 in this year's Stafford Challenge (and #449, including the poem count from last year's challenge). Maureen Thorson’s NaPoWriMo prompt: “Today, write [a] meditation on grief.” Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-a-Day suggestion: “For today's prompt, write a mini poem.” I'm combining both prompts, as I usually do. This poem may not be as "mini" because I write tanka sequences often, but ten lines is pretty "mini" for most folks. Below the poem is a photo of my dad holding my oldest son Marty as a toddler, probably from 1973. Almost 40 Years Ago and Now             —tanka sequence When my stepmom called to say Dad had died, I felt an abyss open, empty gap out there in front of me. Some days it’s still there. Like in dreams, where Dad is always in the background not saying a word. I yearn for him to talk, long to hear his voice. He just smiles. —Draft by Vince Gotera    [Do not copy or quote . . . thanks.] Today, Alan is addressing First Lady Melania Trump's statement yesterday on the Epstein situation. The middle stanza is made up of quotations from you-know-who. How to Break Prediction Markets The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. "I don't know anything about that." "We'll make a decision in about two weeks." "I did nothing wrong." "Shut up, piggy!" "She didn't know him." The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. . . . I was never involved in any capacity. —Draft by Thomas Alan Holmes    [Do not copy or quote . . . thanks.] Alan, another masterfully done send-up. Thanks for coming by, dear readers. See you again tomorrow! Friends, won’t you comment, please? Love to know what you’re thinking. Thanks! Ingat, everyone.  ヅ