In a boat on a calm, sunlit lake,
A young soul set out for love’s sake.
With a line cast with care,
He hoped hearts would share,
As he's #fishing for a love that won’t break.
#vss365
Maui, depicted as a handsome man on a surfboard with a hook.
It's April 23, 2026, and today's mythology-inspired #vss365 #prompt is #fishing!
Something that often factors into myths of the demigod Maui from Polynesian mythology. Some myths hold that he created the Hawaiian islands by pulling them up with fish hooks!
It took days but I am patient. Finally, he arrived.
Wise #wolves wander wistfully,
Under willows that sway so blissfully.
In the moonlight they roam,
In the shadows, their home,
Singing rhymes to the moon, oh so playfully!
#vss365
In the moonlight, the #wolves softly howl,
With a chorus that makes the night prowl.
In packs they will roam,
Through forest and foam,
In shadows, the wild spirits growl.
#vss365
A mostly monochromatic gray, black, and white illustration of the god Odin and two wolves (one white and one gray) and a raven. Odin has flowing hair and a flowing beard, an eyepatch, and a single blue eye.
It's April 22, 2026, and today's mythology-inspired #vss365 #prompt: #wolves! As in the wolves of Odin, Geri and Freki.
The Allfather of Norse mythology, Odin is a complex and extremely cool god after whom Wednesday (Odin's day) is named!
He only cared about ONE thing...how it looked on TV. Enough has been said regarding the impossible healing job...not enough said about the depravity it takes to kill your followers to make good television.
There once was a girl named #Jade,
Whose laughter would never fade.
In the sun's golden rays,
She danced through the days,
Bringing joy that would never degrade.
#vss365
The main characters of Journey to the West: the Monkey King, the Jade Dragon, the pig demon, the sand demon, and the Longevity Monk.
It's April 21, 2026, and today's mythology-inspired #vss365 #prompt is #jade! Like the Jade dragon from Journey to the West.
This culturally defining Ancient Chinese epic features a wonderfully colorful main cast, helmed by the wonderfully rebellious Monkey King!
The dragon god Ryujin, a king of the ocean, overlooking green waters in a robed, long-haired human form. The sea reflects his dragon form.
The April 20, 2026 folklore-inspired #vss365 #prompt: #undersea! As in the coral palace of the Japanese sea god, the dragon Ryūjin (龍神).
A tumultuous and powerful god, Ryūjin can take human form and can be as helpful and benevolent as he can be formidable.
In twilight's hush, where whispers blend and curl,
Teasingly twisted tales of #trickery whirl,
Beneath the stars' soft, shimmering embrace,
I find your laughter woven into space.
With every jest, my heart begins to wade,
In trusting depths, where shadows softly fade
#vss365
Anansi, depicted as a handsome man with shoulder-length dreadlocks, a spider earing, a blue robe, and eight limbs (six arms and two legs). He is admiring a gold thread and there's a starry sky background.
The April 19, 2026 folklore-inspired #vss365 #prompt: #trickery! Inspired by the West African trickster, Anansi.
Often (but not always) depicted as a spider, Anansi represents wisdom, wit, cleverness, and defiance. He originates in southern Ghana, with the Akan people.
#vss365
In a hall where ambitions convene,
Impressive #investiture's seen,
With ideals that soar,
Inspiring the core,
Of each heart, a bright vision’s routine.
Nezha, depicted as childlike, wearing red with a blue flaming flaming spear and wheels, and a night sky background.
It’s April 18, 2026, and today's mythology-inspired #vss365 #prompt: #investiture! As in Investiture of the Gods.
This sprawling, violent, very cool Ancient Chinese epic introduces Nezha (哪吒). One of my very favorite gods, I find him to be awesomely rebellious and punk rock.
Softly swirling #seafoam does gleam,
Under sunlight, it dances like cream.
With a twinkle and sigh,
Where the waves kiss the sky,
It whispers a bright, frothy dream.
#vss365
Aphrodite or Venus with rosy gold hair riding a white swan with doves and roses around.
The April 17, 2026 mythology-inspired #vss365 #prompt: #seafoam!
In reference to the birth of the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and fertility, Aphrodite.🦢
Friday is associated with her, and with other goddesses associated with her. A day of love and beauty!
In a forge where our dreams intertwine,
#Hammering hearts in a rhythmic design,
Hewing hope from the past,
In shadows it’s cast,
We shape history's song, bright and fine.
#vss365
Thor in a red furred cloak with long red hair and lightning in the background.
It’s April 16, 2026, and today’s mythology-inspired #vss365 #prompt is #hammer! As in hammer of the gods.
The prompt feels appropriate for today, because it's Thursday; a day of the week named after the Norse god Thor!
In a land where the fanciful play,
Whispers dance in a curious way.
With #words spun like thread,
They craft dreams in your head,
Weaving wisdom that brightens the day.
#vss365
My run as host ends with another false cognate, which has the same spelling but different meanings. In Afrikaans, this one is to become, but it's a unit of language in English. Many people want the last one, making it apt for today. The #vss365 #prompt for April 15, 2026 is #word
In the garden of #letters, where whispers entwine,
You sketch your dreams with a pen so divine,
Each #loop and each swirl, a dance on the page,
Crafting our story, both tender and sage.
Each “o” a heartbeat, each “l” a sigh,
In the ink of your love, our passions can fly.
#vss365
For my penultimate prompt, I'm changing course. A false cognate (or false friend!) has the same spelling in English and Afrikaans, but different meanings. Today's means walk in Afrikaans, but it's a circle or cycle in English. The #vss365 #prompt for April 14, 2026 is #loop
In English, it's a retro way of corresponding. In English and Afrikaans, it's a cognate word for the characters, symbols or script in which we read and write. There are about 150 to 300 such systems globally, some no longer used. The #vss365 #prompt for April 13, 2026 is #letters
In the Suez, where #waters entwine,
With ships navigating the line,
A battle for trade
To defend what is deemed divine.
Now Hormuz holds its breath in the strife,
As nations contend for their life,
With oil in demand,
And power at hand,
The #waters cut sharp like a knife.
#vss365
Our bodies and the earth mostly consist of it. Some fear it, but we need it to live - or to drown. It separates us and keeps us apart. But we can cross it to explore, escape and reunite. It's a cognate in English and Afrikaans. The #vss365 #prompt for April 12, 2026 is #water
Having a shot at a future, no matter how uncertain, beats this war. So, despite her fear of water, she boards the already overcrowded raft.
#vss365 #vss #water
Exclusive: Iranian source says US has agreed to release frozen Iranian assets in Qatar, other banks reut.rs/4t5FaR2
FLOTUS’ PR wasn’t from disgust being associated w/ Epstein.
According to Tim Miller of @thebulwark.com. Amanda Ungaro was married to Paolo Zampolli, Melania’s former modeling agent introduced the 1st couple, used ICE to deport Ungaro to win custody battle, Ungaro warned Melania & Bondi from Brazil
Melania denied things nobody asked. Amanda Ungaro — deported after her ex called ICE — just posted at Melania’s account: “I’ve known you 20 years. Be careful with me, b****.” She knows about the visa. The plane. Watch Zampolli. A bad week for him means the Trumps blinked.