The Five F's: My Motivations

What will I pack for lunch at work?
I gather healthful foods in the morning:
Nuts? Dark chocolate? A salad with croutons?
Perhaps organic crackers with cheese
or maybe a nice sandwich -
tuna, egg salad, or a BLT.
Driving home, I plan dinner.
Shall it be Mexican? Chinese? Italian?
Shall I simply prepare a burger with homemade fries
or a more elaborate casserole?
A beautiful squash soup or creamy broccoli with cheese?
The possibilities are endless.
Mentally I calculate my day’s calories.
Will there be room for dessert?
My first love since childhood was FOOD.

After work, I go to the gym or the store.
Then I return home to enjoy the rest of my day.
For sure, I’ll write Emails to my friends
and glance at Facebook and spend time on Soup.
Writing a poem or two is frosting on the cake.
I spend time with hubbie when he comes home
and we eat our meal and then watch television.
I might take a nice leisurely hot bath,
then hope for easy sleep and sweet dreams.
I cannot live without my simple pleasures,
for one of my main motivations in life is FUN.

During the week I’m always in contact with
fellow poets and friends
because for me, they are an extension of family.
They make life even more worth living.
I look forward to occasional lunch or movie dates
with friends in town.
I cannot live without the intimacy of strong FRIENDSHIPS.

And then there is FAMILY. I phone my sisters who live far away.
I talk to my mother once a week as well.
My fondest memories are from childhood.
What lovely bonds I formed with kin.
So having a yearly reunion to look forward to
really keeps me going in life. I wish I had more of those!
With the children of my daughter, who lives nearby,
I share stories of my life. They seem to enjoy my tales.
I relish keeping memories alive with these stories
as I preserve traditions and celebrate life.

With family and friends, I can totally be myself.
We laugh, chat, snack, play games, and go out together.
As I see it, food always makes a good time better
and family includes friendship, so for me,
food, fun, friendships and family fit very well together.

Finally I live with FAITH in God. 
I believe in being true to the way God made me,
and I cherish the blessings of my Heavenly Father.
I know without a doubt that there is an afterlife,
and I need to be fearless about death,
for when death arrives, 
I believe I will be in a much better place,
free from the stress and sufferings of mortality;
 I will be reunited
with loved ones who passed away before me
and I bet I will comprehend things so much better
on the other side.

Of course, there are many other things
that motivate me to go on living in this world of strife.
The beauties of nature, for example, but for sure. . .
FOOD, FUN, FRIENDSHIPS, FAMILY and FAITH -
my FIVE F’s!

April 5, 2022
For What Keeps Me Going Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022



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Date: 4/8/2022 12:00:00 PM
I have to say, with all 5 I agree, unfortunately all 5 don't agree with me. Some in my family are too busy you see, to have time to visit or speak with me. I loved your sharing of your ways of life, Andrea. I always enjoy your poems and communication. Thanks for being a good poetry soup friend, Bill
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Date: 4/8/2022 4:59:00 AM
This is the key to happiness "I cannot live without the intimacy of strong FRIENDSHIPS."
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Date: 4/6/2022 10:55:00 AM
Superb summary of what makes you tick, Andrea. You are fortunate to find the five Fs coming together in your life. Come to think of it, they play a big part in my life, too. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
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Date: 4/6/2022 9:34:00 AM
Love this poem and it is a long one from you Andrea. It shows you passion for life and things you hold dear. Have a great day. love phyl
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/6/2022 12:30:00 PM
Actually I have some poems much longer than this, but I really hate long poems, so I don't think this one will be too popular!! Thanks, Phyllis.
Date: 4/6/2022 8:20:00 AM
Hectic lifestyle, but fun Andrea. We are also very busy because we work from home, so our office never closes, but we keep our own hours as it pleases us and still have our fun. Poetry Soup has to be a little every day, not too much, and that is where I fall behind sometimes, our 34 year old business needs TLC always. Your five F's are a must in life, although I would re-arrange them differently. Great poem, Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/6/2022 12:18:00 PM
They are not going by order of importance. Even though food was my first big love, it's not the most important of these!! thanks, Jennifer.
Date: 4/6/2022 1:36:00 AM
I never saw such a long poem from you. You begin with food, then fun, go to family and end adoring God. A great poem Best for a win. Hugs.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/6/2022 6:44:00 AM
believe me. I have had longer ones. It was hard for me to get into this one since I was not allowed to use rhyme. Thanks for best wish. I need it.
Date: 4/6/2022 12:55:00 AM
You are one busy lady Andrea, I bet you never get bored. Tom
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/6/2022 12:12:00 PM
you are like me in so many ways, Milt (except that liberal part. haha)
Hankins Avatar
L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/6/2022 10:57:00 AM
Oh, Andrea, I have been saying this for years! I cannot understand how so many people submit to boredom, and I never experience it...even though I live alone. I stay busy and involved with positive projects and plans. Sorry to interrupt here.
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/6/2022 6:45:00 AM
No, I never do. I am always working on projects and they are projects on how to have fun mainly!!! I detest when people say they are bored. Life has too much to offer to ever feel bored
Date: 4/5/2022 9:39:00 PM
I love this! Wish I could spend even a simple popcorn day with you on weekends while talking about poetry. What keeps you going keeps you blooming like spring. All the best Andie.
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/6/2022 6:46:00 AM
Can you eat popcorn for two hours? That would be our popcorn time together. And I would not want to talk about poetry. hahaha. Thanks for your comment.
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