Sunday, December 25, 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

Solstice Triolet



Ration the sun, portion out light
more urgent with each shortened day
slate geese smudge as they take flight
ration the sun, portion out light
cold shadows lengthen into night
feel the rhythm of brown and grey
ration the sun, portion out light
more urgent with each shortened day


In this form I have used some of the same ideas and language as in my previous post, Solstice but this time within the confines of the triolet form.  I also would like to thank the gang at FEPC for help with this!  
Please go to Poets United Poetry Pantry to check out lots of great poetry and/or share some of yours.


And here's the basics about Triolet: The triolet is eight lines with only two rhymes used throughout. The first line is repeated in the fourth and seventh lines; the second line is repeated in the final line; and only the first two end-words are used to complete the tight rhyme scheme. Thus: ABaAabAB, where capital letters indicate repeated lines.  Meter, is most commonly 8 beats per line.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Solstice


Solstice approaches
 autumn leaves
with wisps of winter trailing after
more potent
with each shortened day

Portion out light
ration the sun
sing down snow, like blessings
piled knee deep

Still, we doubt
instead of wonder



This is for dVerse Open Link Night, where you can go to read some amazing poems about Christmas and the like.  The picture is from my little corner in the middle of nowhere.  

Friday, December 16, 2011

Jingle Bells?

     Image by Currier and Ives

Personally, 
I feel that I’m filled
with more than my quota
of Christmas Spirit, but 

Jimmy, what were you thinking when
you wrote that second verse of
Jingle Bells?
What the hell is this ‘upsot’?
And Fanny Bright?  Really?  C’mon, really?
You gotta be kiddin’.

Sounds more like
a case of
Christmas spirits
to me!


Historical Note: The author and composer of Jingle Bells was James Lord Pierpoint of Boston, who composed the song in 1857 for children celebrating his Sunday School Thanksgiving. The song was so popular that it was repeated at Christmas, and indeed Jingle Bells has been reprised ever since.

These 55 foolish words were written for Mr. Knowitall Friday Flash 55.  Check it out and maybe contribute your own 55 word long ditty.

100 Posts and 100 People!


 Here we are at this momentous occasion - my 100th blog post of the year.  (Ok, so maybe not actually momentous, but a big deal for me)   Also, several days ago I also reached 100 followers thanks to Niels Blomberg, who I didn't even pay!  Then, I just crashed right though that record to 101 followers when my friend Leela Harrop joined.  Thanks to both of you - and of course the other 99 of you as well!   :o)
So a big Woo Hoo!  And it's all gravy from here to the end of the year.  Though, I'm not really a gravy fan, so maybe a different metaphor is called for here.  Anyway, enough of my rambling and I just want to 

THANK YOU ALL!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Treading Water


   image by Mostafa Habibi


The boat is there,
just waiting…

Every day,
patterns become rituals become cages;
treading water.

Heat is slowly rising,
but I can’t seem to get in the boat
or raise my arms to the oars.

Treading water;
patterns become rituals become cages,
every day.

Just waiting,
the boat is there...

This was written in response to Magpie Tales where Tess Kincade provides a visual writing prompt each week.  Follow the link to find others' responses.  This can also be found at dVerse Poets Open Link Night where lots of great poetry can be found.  

Friday, December 9, 2011

Every Day


    Photo credit: Google Images Free-photos.biz



Another day, another sunrise, another miracle
scattered along the path.
Ho hum.
I count them off with tally marks
 otherwise I would lose track

Smooth stones
each one makes ripples in the pool
as I drop them
plunk
     plunk
          plunk
the circles spread apart
farther and farther

Shadows meet and bow and dance


This was written for Mr. Know-it-all's Flash 55 where you can find a whole bunch of 55 word gems.

Autumn Migration

    Photo credit: Google image, Muskrat's Photos

Cold grey geese
wing away;
smudges dancing between the lines
of earth and heaven
fill my sky
and my ears

Migration is necessary for survival;
time is passing
earth is rotating
seasons are slipping away

And here I stand, rooted
in this sheltered glen
dead leaves at my feet
watching it all
pass by

This is for Mr. Know-it-all Friday 55.  Go there to find lots of 55 word gems.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Hope


I have
a bright green sprout
peeking out of the dirt
so tender and vulnerable
fragile shoots reach up, trusting.
I ask you to tend it for me,
give it the attention
it needs, this hope
I have

Written for dVerse Poets Pub.

Monday, December 5, 2011

One More Magpie



I sit here in my suit
along with the rest,
trying to fit in.
Pretending to be a grown up,
I look down, concentrating

Do they guess the truth,
any of them?
Can they tell, in an unguarded moment
sparks could fly from my finger tips
and lightning bolts may shoot  out
through my skull
like electric blue hair

Do they know, with a blink and a wink
I could step into myth, step through time,
Climb over this lunch table,
up through the skylight,
past the Milky Way and on to infinity?

What’s holding me here
is so very tenuous,
I must look down, concentrating,
pretending to be a grown up,
trying to fit in
with the rest,
as I sit here in my suit

This picture prompt is from Magpie Tales, when can be found by clicking on the title.  The poem has also been submitted to Gooseberry Garden where you can read a variety of interesting poems.

How to remain alone in a crowd:



1. look down
    keep to yourself
    don't make eye contact


2. hunch your shoulders
    into a shield
    to deflect any possible interactions


3. draw your indifference
    tight around yourself
    don't make eye contact


  

Written for the delightful Magpie Tales.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Discarded


At the curb on big item pick-up day,
battered and threadbare,
sits our dingy, faded love.

Smelling of dirty socks and rancid peanut butter,
It has been re-purposed.

Now we sit in comfort,
if not in style,
watching the parade go by.

This was written in response to the visual prompt at Magpie Tales.  It is also posted at Poets United Poetry Pantry.  Both are great sites for readers and writers; check 'em out! 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Giving Thanks

Image by en.wikipedia.org

I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old fashioned way.  I invited everyone in the neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.   -Jon Stewart


Perhaps I should just let this quote stand alone, but I feel compelled to add that I am thankful for a number of things, both tangible and intangible.  I do not mean this to be disrespectful, just to remind myself...and anyone else who happens to find themselves here, that the things we have often come to us at the expense of others.  So, let's all share and play nice!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Magpie #92


Yin-Yang curves around
a summersault smooch

Our crazy, cartwheeling, kaleidoscope love
spins me to paradise

Baby, I’m head-over-heels for you!


This delightful photo prompt is provided by Tess Kincade at Magpie Tales.  Click on the title to go there.  This is also linked to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads.  Their theme is gratitude though they also allow other topics too.  While this isn't exactly about gratitude, who isn't grateful for love like this?

Friday, November 18, 2011

Some Days


i am Tonto
i am Robin -
a side kick, kicked aside
during the central action.
i am the second sister:
Jan, not Marcia

i am the ideal wing man,
better, not best;
never the initiator.

my sterling qualities:
support, loyalty, deference;
my sins
are those of weakness
not malice.

i am peripheral

This is for Mr. Know-it-all.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Just for Fun


She always was outstanding in her field!

And now for something completely different: a silly take on the prompt at Magpie Tales.  Go there to see some more worthy efforts :o)

Disassociation


I'm waiting;
once again, the last to be chosen

Why do I stay,
with old whispers and lukewarm coffee
as my only consolation

The pale, grey sky is nearly absent

What will hold me to the ground
if the sky lifts completely
and gravity fails?

I'm barely making contact now

This is in response to the photo writing prompt offered at Magpie Tales.  Go there to see lots of wonderful writing.  Photo is taken from Google images, unknown photographer.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

In Time



Tick
tock
you must
make a choice;
every minute you
delay opportunity dies.
Your world, your future depend on it - but no pressure...

This is called Fibonacci poem (or Fib) is a multiple-line verse based on the Fibonacci sequence so that the number of syllables in each line equals the total number of syllables in the preceding two lines.  There is no set number of lines, but of course, it's more difficult with each succeeding line so most are 6 - 8 lines long.  I learned of this form through a wonderful  example by Annie Perconti.  (Photo by ice891)

Friday, November 11, 2011

SOLD!


Coat. Keys. Purse.
Ok, let's go!

Everything half off! Hurry - one day only!
Creamy, cashmere dress,
sooo soft
skinny jeans
tall, black leather boots
with a chain across the heel
lacey panites – pink, teal, black
pretty, little nightie
supple black leather
driving gloves...
sold.

Sometimes the soul of a poet
requires retail therapy!

This was written just for fun, for Mr. Know-it-all's Flash Friday 55.  Check it out here: 55!  Also at dVerse Poets open link night

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dark December


In her holy dance
Earth turns away,
            from light
            from warmth
            from life

With each inspiration
of cold, sharp air
lungs ache

Visible breath,
ghost at the lips,
dissipates
leaving jewels of condensation
on all it touches

The austere landscape
is covered by
a night sky
of extravagant beauty,                       
hung with pulsing diamonds

As we run
tears freeze in our eyes
cold burns our ears
we taste darkness;
            no light
            no warmth
            no life

Yet this is the dark of hope-
the cold that sets the bulbs- 
the death that brings resurrection   

What are we running from?
Grace surrounds us.


This is a poem I wrote some time ago, which I am linking to Poets United for their prompt Winter.  Check out their site here: PU Thursday Think Tank I highly recommend it!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Trust

Trust

You ask ‘Do you think
you will ever be able
to trust me completely?’

I don’t know how to
answer - for how can I trust you
when I can’t trust myself?


This has been linked to Gooseberry Garden for their prompt 'feathers, fidelity, figment and fables.' 

Sunday, November 6, 2011

A Reminder



As
raw winds
gust, we pause
and remember.
Omens of winter,
the dead leaves scatter.
In their wake, barren ground
covers the bones of those who sleep,
wasted in sunken, cement chambers.

As raw winds gust, we pause and remember.

This is written in response to the picture writing prompt provided at Magpie Tales and the promp 'Omen' offered from Sunday Scribblings.  Click on the names to check out both these sites.  The from is a Dectina Refrain created by Marion Friedenthal, with each line containing the following syllables: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and the refrain repeats lines 1-4.  

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Dear John



Well, not really John of course...
Dear Superman,

We've been together for a long time now. But,
it just isn't working anymore
for me

You have many good qualities like

your big, broad shoulders,
baby blue eyes
and sterling character -
always fighting for
TRUTH, JUSTICE and the AMERICAN WAY

And, you really know how to
sweep a girl off her feet.

But Baby, I can't take it anymore...
I know you try, but I'm just
so frustrated with that
faster-than-a-speeding-bullet thing.

I hope we can still be friends.
But don't call.

Sincerely, Lois

This foolishness was written in response to a prompt from Magpie Tales.  It's a great site, go see for yourself! Also submitted to dVerse for thier cartoon topic. 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Woo Hoo - Interview!



The delightful Sherry Blue Sky of Poets United interviewed me for their 'Life of a Poet' series.  You can read it  here: Poets United!  Thanks so much Sherry!  By the way, this is a great writing community for anyone interested  in both information about and encouragement with their writing.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Time Passed


In the frosty morning
each grass blade coated, silvery,
crunches as I step.
A leaf falls
and another
and a thousand.
They are so lovely as they die

When did this happen?
I wasn’t paying attention, then
I turned and summer was gone. 
Days diminish;
November closes in
dark and stark and raw.

This was written for Mr. Knowitall's Flash Friday 55.  To see lots of 55 word poems and stories click on the name.  Try one yourself!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Missing



Your absence
is a very real taste
on the back of my tongue,
a heaviness
stooping my shoulders,
pressing on my solar plexus.

Filling my lungs
is such hard work.

My chest echoes,
empty.

This is in response to the prompt: longing, loss, losing and failure at Gooseberry Garden, although I was a too late to link it to their site.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Done



Give it up sweetie.
I know what you’re thinking
but, your goose is cooked.


This haiku was inspired by the writing prompt at Magpie Tales and is also linked to The Poetry Pantry at Poets United.  And yes, I know they're actually ducks, but I can't resist a good (or bad) pun.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Red Sky at Night...


Red reflection bleeds
across the water as Sun
surrenders the day

I too relinquish,
give this day up to the tomes
of time past – finished
though still incomplete.
Long wavelengths shimmer, quiver
flash upon the cones

The brightest beauty
revealed for just a moment
do not turn away.

Written for Thursday Think Tank at Poets United.  Click on the name to go to this wonderful site that encourages and assists poets in so many ways.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Snake Charmer


Wind's soft yawn
rustles tall grass
tickles Catalpa leaves

River slows
sways
in her race to the
ocean

Sentinel moon
hangs heavy
host-like
in the thick, velvet sky

Licorice whip snakes
eyes dull
entranced with opiate music
of the goddess
rise  

This was written for Magpie Tales which gives a weekly pictorial writing prompt, this week Rousseau's The Snake Charmer, and Three Word Wednesday which this week challenged writers with the words yawn, dull and race.  

Monday, September 19, 2011

Meet Otis

Rummage sale find
one puppy - sixty dollars
How could she say no?


Well, she couldn't of course.  My daughter bought this little guy, but as she's a full time student living in an efficiency with a cat Otis, the new puppy lives at my house.  And I couldn't say no because she's wearing my genes; you might say we're cut from the same cloth.  
And yes, that's my camera strap in his mouth!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Just a Little Difference












Abandoned by my muse, I decided to start small: Haiku.
And as I was playing around with words, I noticed what a big difference just one small word can make. I'll show you what I mean:


Held together by
nothing but surface tension
I struggle forward


And now:


Held together by
nothing but surface tension
we struggle forward


This is up at the Poets United Poetry Pantry.  Click on th title to go there.  You should go there; it's an amazing place.




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Thursday, September 1, 2011

What's for Breakfast



The chicken looked at me
Imperiously
And said
Don’t try to distract me
With that
‘Sky is falling’ shit
Those are my babies
Scrambled on your plate -
Barbarian!


Here is a humorous poem for Poetry Jam, a great site for writing prompts.  To go there and read more click on the title.  This poem is one I wrote awhile ago for Magpie Tales, another great site and that's the picture is from.




Monday, August 29, 2011

Vacation


Haven't posted in awhile because I was here (see pic above).

Monday, August 8, 2011

Love Song



















Giorgio de Chirico, Love Song


A blank look spread over his face
When the doctor said,
‘Now turn your head and cough.’


There are times that I take myself too seriously. But this is not one of them. This is written for the poetry challenge given by Mark Kerstetter for d'Verse Poets Pub . We are to write a poem based on one of the paintings of Giorgio de Chirico, who was a of the leading proponents of the Surrealist movement. He has done a wonderful job presenting the history and philosophy of the movement, and my poem is absolutely unworthy of this. I hope it will be accepted as it is offered, in the spirit of fun.  So, just as well, I didn't make their deadline to link it; but, if you would like to see some serious poems on about Chirico's paintings click on the link above.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

August Days



August days follow
one after another like links in a chain

weighted down by heat
I drag the sun behind me

an epithet

stirring dust devils
with each step







Written for Magpie Tales where Tess Kincade provides a weekly pictoral writing prompt.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Quench


Softly raindrops fall
soaking me through to the skin,
each one a blessing.

This is my first time linking to d'verse Poets' Pub, Poetics by Sheila Moore for their prompt 'water.'  Click on the title to go to the Pub.



Saturday, July 30, 2011

Eviscerate






Each
vital
incision
scores another
claim, another pain,
etches what cannot be,
rips me inside out, spilling
austere entrails to be studied,
traced, read to find the most ruthless barb.
Each vital incision scores another.

This poetic form is called The Acrostic Dectina, and is a variation the Dectina Refrain what was created by Marion Friedenthal. The accrostic portion was added by Philip of Poet Freak. It is a 10 letter word with same first and last letters, which makes up the 10 lines of the poem. The syllable count is 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/ and 10 being the first 10 syllables (or 4 lines) of the acrostic.

Submitted to d'Verse Poets' Pub Open Link Night.  To read them all click on the title.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Sirius


Paired stars
one visible
Sirius A and B
smaller, dimmer sister star hid
by the blazing light of her companion
much like the way you eclipse me
being invisible
has grown on me
pared star


Not actually so much to do with this whimsical picture, but when I look into Sirius a bit this got me thinking: What the naked eye perceives as a single star is actually a binary star system, consisting of a white main sequence star, termed Sirius A, and a faint white dwarf companion, termed Sirius B.  For more takes on this go to Magpie Tales where Tess Kincade proveds a visual writing prompt each week.

Sun and Moon


I have been out with the bright sun,
among the sensible people
of the work-a-day world
where everyone has lists and suits and goals.
Click-clack go fast footsteps
of women with their souls
Squeezed into high heels,
their essences
listed in descending order of importance.

But as the moon rises
and empties the sky of light,
I shed the concerns
of that left-brained world.
In the darkness
I am the dawdler by the bridge
dipping my fingers in cool, inky ripples of time.
My essence defies listing, definition,
jumps off the note pad
and dances seductively,
scandalously,
uproariously!

I lose myself
in deep night sky,
yet Moon’s cool, silver light
will guide me back
from outer-most edges of
imagination.

This has been linked to the Open Link Night at d'Verse Poets Pub.  A fabulous place to go to read or share poetry.  To get there just click on the title.  It's well worth a visit.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Haiku Blues




Blue and purple cliffs
reach out for heaven; instead
clouds slip through their grasp




New York’s central park:
oasis surrounded by
a concrete wasteland




Life in blues, shimmers
just under the surface of
a grey existance

'In Tandem' at Alias Jinksy has this writing prompt.  Click on the title to see it for your self!  This is my first visit time participating - thanks Jinksy!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Magpie #74

 
Behind the serene smile
you will find me
hidden,
if you care to look.

Writing prompt provided by Tess Kincade at Magpie Tales.  To see for your self just click on the title.



Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summer


Above
the Cyclops god
lovely and relentless -
feel her nurturing, scorching
below

Wheat fields
waver, whisper.
Dreaming of bread and beer
they nod their heavy heads towards
the sun

Daylight
loiters too long;
finally cool whispers,
shadows lengthen, deepen into
evening

Cinquain: A five-line stanza of syllabic verse, the successive lines containing two, four, six, eight and two syllables.  This is written for Magpie Tales, a weekly pictoral writing prompt that can be found here:Mag 72

Friday, July 1, 2011

Choose

Lovely as a scab,
indecision hangs her head;
broken-toothed smile
drips a bloodied goodbye
in the pocket of yesterday
and you think back, forever
to what almost wasn’t
and wish away
the other
knowing, here in the doorway
any step you take
destroys an infinite number
of possibles -
eggshells break
beneath your blistered feet


This cheery little piece is for Mr. Knowitall's Friday Flash 55, where he prompts us to say our piece in exactly 55 words.  Click on the title to go there
Also posted on One Shot Wednesday, One Stop Poetry

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

June


June days are
strung out before me
round and shimmering,
like pearls on a necklace,
each one
a treasure of great price.

June is gentle, playful,
warm enough for afternoon naps
in my shirt sleeves;
bare feet,
take me wherever I need to go
in June.

I wear the perfume of
sugar snap peas
on my fingers.
they are fresh and green
all morning.

Peals of laughter
ring from birds
as they share my garden.

Bees hum a happy song
as they dance from bloom to bloom;
I am delighted with their sweet work.

Worms work for me too:
“Eat dirt!” I command –
and they gladly do my bidding.

I think I am Queen of the Garden,
until I realize
I am no pearl
nor string
nor clasp
that holds all together.
I am not even a knot
to separate each pearly day.
I simply am;
and that is enough,
in June.

Sunday Scribblings gave the word 'opportunity' for the writing prompt this week.  Soooo...I took the opportunity to post a poem I wrote some time ago about June.  To check out Sunday Scribblings for yourself click on the title above.