Welcome in.

I'm so glad you're here.

Therefore, in this first OFFICIAL spring issue, I want to talk about CHOSEN FAMILY, recommend a few books and an AWESOME class for writers that will take them to the next level in their careers AND give tired teachers a break by actually teaching an online poetry activity for them. So, please share this with all the teachers and aspiring writers you know as well as anyone else who might get a kick out of these musings of mine. Remember, these Rainy Dais Newsletters are interactive, so click on the links!

As spring unfolds this year, I wish you joy. I hope you will join me in seeking it out, wherever it may be found--no small task in these tumultuous times. If you spend your energy fretting LIKE I DO about all that's going on in this world (which you really have little to no control over) you're probably longing for respite in this new season. Something fresh. Something sustainable. Something of value. I have to wonder what my own life would look like if I could reign in my knee-jerk responses to all things ugly in this world and, with intention, create some equilibrium in my life by seeking out all that is good?

I must make room for Love to flow freely and somehow trade my frustration for Joy. Replace fear for Peace. Turn my reactions into responses and conjure up some Patience. Skip the sharp retorts, always at the ready, and practice Kindness. Acknowledge the reality that all the bad news we're bombarded with in this world is NOT ACTUAL CRACK AND I DON'T HAVE TO SMOKE IT! I need to cure whatever compels me to it and curate Goodness in my soul instead. Evict the feeling of continual betrayal and invite Faithfulness in. Chip down that tough exterior and encapsulate myself in Gentleness. Because, as you can see, I am more than a tad exhausted. I don't know about you, but I need this season to be about renewal.

May we find it in ourselves and in each other.

Love to all!

Daisy Rain

Imagine an abuser wielding that kind of power over children. If you know me or have read my work, you're probably thinking, Wow. That explains a lot about Daisy and her crappily written deconstruction poetry.

Here's what I now know:

The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.

I am so very grateful for the wonderful biological family members who are so lovingly supportive as well as my family of choice. Those of you who have chosen your families can relate.

Not long ago, our family said goodbye to him... for now. His last words to me were, "That's my girl, Daisy," and he blew me kisses over FaceTime.

Love has never been a problem in our family and never will be. We're swimming in it. But I do confess, I am a somewhat wayward child, having wandered away from the faith and foundation they've laid for whole lot of us. I came with broken pieces, and I've turned out a bit worrisome, which I certainly never wanted for these beautiful souls. It's strange... same religion, different experiences.

Love.

Joy.

Peace.

Patience.

Kindness.

Goodness.

Faithfulness.

Gentleness.

Self-Control.

I have laid aside every weight that bound me, and I will never embrace those things again. I'm just trying to walk in the light that I know.

I love you, Mom and Dad. You've covered me in sunshine.

I wrote this for you.

The Beatitudes of my Chosen Family

Blessed is this used-up child,

poor in spirit,

for we shall set a place for her at our table

and fill her to overflowing.

Blessed is this forsaken child

who mourns for all she never had,

for we shall shelter her under our wings

until she comes to realize

that she deserved love all along.

Blessed is this flinchy, feral child,

for she shall inherit the peace of our hearts,

the calm of our minds

and the gentleness of our spirits.

Blessed is this hollow child,

who hungers and thirsts for righteousness,

for all she's been fed is a stomach-churning simulation.

We will nurture her with truth and grace,

and she will be filled.

Blessed is this merciful child,

who loves justice and experiments with humility,

for we shall journey with her

as she walks in the only light that she knows.

We will unravel the harm that was done.

Blessed is this pining child,

who tries to make peace with her past

with denial

and rage

and quarrels

and heartache

and resignation,

for we shall

see her

and hear her

and heal her.

We shall speak truth to her

and walk beside her

until she is free.

Blessed is this hopeful child,

whose heart is healed as she heals others,

who resurrects others as she, herself is resurrected,

for we shall share in the joy that is hers

for being alive.

Blessed is she who is persecuted

among whitewashed tombs,

for she has made a whip out of cords

and will drive them from the temple,

flipping over their tables and scattering their dirty money.

We shall drop to our knees and pray for her safety...

because that's the kind of shit that gets a girl crucified.

Publicly.

Blessed is she when people insult her,

persecute her and falsely say all kinds of evil things about her

because, really, she couldn't care less.

We shall rejoice and be glad because, she,

along with all of our children

are our eternal reward.

FOR TEACHERS: LET ME TEACH YOUR CLASSES!

Does it seem like summer break is a long way away?

You deserve a break. Please allow me to teach a lesson for you

as we anxiously anticipate our summer break.

I recorded this Blackout Poetry lesson for my school district during the pandemic. (Thus, the bangs.) It can be used for kids from upper elementary through middle school. High schoolers may also buy in, so give the video a click and see what you think. The pdf will be a download--make sure each student has a copy. Plus, they'll all need a regular pencil as well as colored pencils or markers. Please sit back and relax for a hot minute and let me know how it goes! Feel free to share this with every teacher you know! And THANK YOU for everything you do for this planet! Educators really do make the world go 'round.

Rainy Dais Writing Tip:

Do literary agents keep rejecting your queries when you feel like you've taken your manuscript as far as you possibly can?

Because that what was happening to me until I took a class from THIS LADY!

This class equipped me with revision skills that has made all the difference in every project as well as my query journey. My manuscript has been and is currently being considered by amazing literary agents from amazing literary agencies. I'm able to put my work 'out there' with confidence because Ms. Elana thoroughly took me, step by step, through one revision strategy after another. I encourage anyone who is serious about becoming an author to invest in yourself and invest in your work by taking this career-changing instruction.

Book Recommendations for Spring