I am
a puzzler,
a worder,
a counter of things
(though I can’t
imagine anyone
surprised
to know
that’s mentioned in my
answer key)
I am
a planner,
a thinker,
a system worker-outer
(because I gave you
two guesses
and the first one
didn’t count)
I am
a watcher,
a wonder-er,
a looker at skies
(and I admit
that’s the “C”
of my
all-of-the-above)
I started this post thinking it was going to be a retelling of my day through the different puzzles I did and how. Then I realized…I do an embarrassingly large number of puzzles. So today’s post started coming out my fingers as a poem, whether I liked it or not. I think I was also inspired by Ona’s clever SAT post, if you’d like to give her a peek!
Will there be a post about the puzzles I do? Probably. I just have to own it…
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
Love your title and structure, especially the lines in parentheses ending each verse. I’m trying to guess the puzzles you do from your poem…
Meanwhile, own that nerd identity- you’re in good company here.
Great title! I often tell my students if they looked up nerd in the dictionary they might find my picture. 😂
Right next to mine!
I’ve been doing a lot of word puzzles too. They are good for the brain! I love the way you turned this into a poem.
Thanks, Lisa! It was almost like I couldn’t help it. I sat down to write a listicle or sorts, but my fingers and brain were like, “Nope. You’re writing poetry today.”
Nothing wrong with nerdiness! Plus, puzzles keep the brain sharp – neuroscience says they help guard against, or at least slow the effects, of dementia. Perhaps I need to do more puzzles…I love a good Wordle and used to do crosswords all the time, but am not inclined to try mathematical puzzles. I think you use your whole brain, Lainie – none of that left-right stuff!
…and as someone who seems marked for dementia (father, paternal grandmother), I’m going to do everything I can, to keep as many marbles as I can, for however long as I can!
And yes, I am inclined to math puzzles as well. Many folks don’t know or realize that I’m as much of a number geek as I am a word geek.
Come to think of it, I’m just a LEARNING geek.
Your nerdiness is why I love connecting with you! Your poetry both inspires me to try it, but also scares me because it’s so good!
Aw thanks Vivian! And…I’ve seen your prose. My guess is you’re a WHOLE lot more poetic than you give yourself credit for!
Puzzles keep the mind active. I just read that we should all do different kinds of puzzles. So, keep at those puzzles and don’t forget that “nerd” spelled backward is “dren” whatever that means.
That makes “Children” into “nerdlich” – which sounds delightfully Yiddish. I’m here for it!
Agree with others about your title, the cadence of this poetry, and all things nerdy. Word play and puzzles? Sign me up! I’ll be sure to wear my “I’m a nerd, and not the cool kind” socks.
I NEED THOSE SOCKS!
All hail to the nerdicals! I like how you mentioned this post came out of your fingers as a poem. I like some puzzles, but then I get frustrated and another tab in my brain opens (so I can think about the abandoned puzzle in the background.)
Thanks! yes, there are some puzzles I have the stamina for, and others that I don’t. Like you, there are certain puzzles that I play until stuck, then come back to with fresh eyes later on…