The Scent of Remembrance...

 Violets remember, long after 

the death of one who once

walked upon this earth;

the engravings, lost to time, 

offer no assistance now,

nor records of death or birth. 

Violets bring a gentle solace

 as they perfume this unkept grave,

honoring the departed's worth.

Kim, at dverse poets, has given today's quadrille prompt. It must be exactly 44 words, not counting the title, and must include the word 'engrave' in some form. Here's the link: Engraving Poetry

Here I Am, Send Me...

 "I need a volunteer!" shouted the Captain of the Army. "Someone who is willing to go out on a limb. Anyone?"

The soldiers shuffled their feet, not daring to look at their Captain. 

The Captain continued his exhortation, " I cannot guarantee you will come through unscathed. You may even lose your life. There will be no medals, nor will there be any accolades for you to receive. Yet, be reassured, there's a lullaby for suffering."

"Excuse me," came a gentle voice. "I will volunteer for this assignment for I know the words to that lullaby, Sir." 

And with that a young man began to sing:

"Do not let your heart be troubled, 

nor let it be afraid. 

Let My perfect peace

calm you in every circumstance, 

and give you courage and strength

for every challenge."

The Captain then knew, the right soldier had volunteered...

Bjorn, at dverse poets, has set the prompt to pen a 144 word prosery. It must contain the line "there's a lullaby for suffering" which comes from Leonard Cohen's song "You Want it Darker" The song's words in my story come from the Gospel of John Chapter 14 verse 27.

Here's the link: Prosery Leonard Cohen

Carpe Diem...

An open window caught my eye,

held me fast when I did try

to seize the day and fly away

this open window bid me stay.

I wrestled hard to break on free

 to see beyond the timid me

for freedom fought is freedom won

yet to my head there was no gun.

You can do it, said my heart

it's up to you when you shall start.

Seize the day and don't look back

you'll find your way to stay on track.

With that I moved and flew on through

the open window and oh the view;

new vistas opened wide my eyes

with fresh insight on every rise.

Dora, at dverse poets, has prompted us to write a poem alluding to a window of some kind.

Here's the link: Poetry Windows

 

An Owl on the Prowl...

Time for mice to run and hide,

 as daylight fades to dusk,

replete they are from dining on,

  the gleanings of cornhusk.

The hooting of an owl is heard

amongst the forest trees,

a hapless mouse that ventures out

the owl does quickly seize.

De, at dverse poets, has prompted us to write a quadrille of exactly 44 words, not counting the title. It must contain some form of the word 'hoot'. Here's the link: Poetic Hootenanny

  

 

Curiouser and Curiouser...

Perhaps my parents should have named me

Alice,

 after the girl who went through the glass of

looking.

Would have been more appropriate

for a

lass who often ventured down rabbit holes where

reason

was elusive, yet, they named me Carol ~ 'a joyous song

to sing.'

Laura, at dverse poets, has prompted us to write a poem of 10 lines with each 'even' line having only 2 syllables. The even lines should convey a little poem in their own right. The rest of the lines are without any particular format.

Here's the link: The Poetry of Names

 

Precious Water...

water

to refresh one

in times of drought or thirst;

to swim in, to swallow, to pour

over

Kim @ dversepoets, has prompted us to write a poem about one of the four elements - fire/water/air/earth

I have chosen to write a 'cinquain' poem about water. Here's the link: Four Elements

After the Storm...

An afterglow of indigo

signals the storm's now spent

as the wind ceases her howling

leaving the trees twisted and bent.

The clouds, once filled with rain,

have wrung themselves complete,

the greening of the wet earth below

now marches to nature's fresh beat.

Lillian, at dverse poets, is leading the charge for our quadrille of exactly 44 words. It must include the word 'indigo'.

Here's the link: Indigo Quadrilles

 

 

A Kindness Shown...

 It was a time of war where men fought men, in the hope of securing peace. Ironically, peace was difficult to come by as both sides were under orders to fight, so any proposed peace would surely remain elusive.

One particular day a woman was found wandering through the stark, war-torn countryside, her eyes staring, her heart bleeding.

A soldier approached her.

"Here," the soldier said, " Some food for your body and a blanket to warm you."

The woman stared vacantly at him. 

"Go on, take it," the soldier said kindly, for he could see she was shell-shocked.

The woman didn't know what to make of it. 

"A parka for your soul if you like", smiled the soldier. 

Warmed by the soldier's kindness the woman accepted his offerings, not knowing whether he was friend or foe. It didn't matter to either of them...

Lisa, at dverse poets, has prompted us to pen a 144 word prosery.

 It must include the line: 

'Make of it a parka

For your soul.'

(By Alice Walker.)  The words must remain in the original order but may be punctuated to alter their meaning.

Here is the link to dverse poets: Making a Parka

My Valentine...

My sweet Valentine's baby,

you suffer me to feed you,

to wipe your rear end

to shower away the daily soil

that you cannot do for yourself.

Love does that you know,

  a mother's love for a son...

Born on a distant Valentine,

 you came without instructions.

Together we have climbed mountains,

forded unknown murky waters

and have soldiered on repeatedly.

Love does that you know,

    a mother's love for a son...

Forty-nine years thus far

you're doing well, all things considered;

the ongoing medical appointments 

the unexpected seizures and distresses,

yet I will hold your hand my sweet boy.

Love does that you know,

  a mother's love for a son...

It was no accident that you

were born on Valentine's Day;

for you love all who surround you,

 all who help you navigate your world;

your smile lights up the room!

Love does that you know,

 a son's love for a mother...

Sanaa, at dverse poets, has asked us to write a poem alluding to Valentine's Day [14th February]. We were given 3 options as to style. I have chosen option 2- Love Letters Through Time: Write a poem in the form of a love letter. It can be addressed to yourself, to someone special and/or in memory of a person who has passed.

Here's the link to dverse poets: Valentine Poetry

Chilli Hot!

To the table I bring

 some zest and some zing;

a meal on a plate 

so please don't be late!

The food will impress, 

 as your tastebuds caress

the hot flaming spice

all flavoured and nice.

Now, don't be afraid

for it's zingfully made!

De, at dverse poets, has prompted us to pen a 44 word quadrille, which must contain the word 'zing' in some form or another.  Here's the link: Poems with Zing

Taking a Swim...

They said she was taking a swim, 

cooling off 

in the scorching heat, not understanding

 that today 

she was floating amongst the soft clouds 

up, up, up.

Eyes closed with her breath steady

way above 

the scorching trials of life itself,

peace gently 

and divinely wrapped itself 

around her.

 She wasn't taking anything at all, 

let alone

 a perceived cool dip in the pool.

  Instead, she 

was receiving rest and necessary renewal

  for her soul...

Dora at dverse poets, has asked us to write a poem that challenges the presentation of ordinary things.

Here's the link: Reimagining the Familiar 

The Puppet Show...

 Nose,

one cause even;

 were crone 

our summer.

Kim, @ dverse poets, has given us a challenge for sure! She has provided us with a few 'sets' of words, from which we can choose one or more sets to form a poem, without changing their sequence. [See below] My contribution reflects the times when Punch and Judy puppet shows were a highlight on the beaches in Summertime. They would not be very politically correct today!  Here's the link to dverse poets: Random Optician's Words

Here are the sets we got to choose from:

nose – one – cause – even
were – crone – our – summer
name – use – means – arose
near – can – remove – sure
crow – verse – see – renew
assume – once- van – sum
aware – caves – sea – cream

Disappointment Personified...

Just a hint, a glint, 

an inkling, a twinkling

of her lover's intention to kiss;

she holds herself ready

with lips quite steady

not wanting for him to miss.

Her right hand he does take,

and gives it a shake,

she wasn't expecting this!

Mish @ dverse poets has challenged us to pen a quadrille of exactly 44 words, which must include some form of the word 'hint'. Here's the link: Can You Take a Hint?

 

Southern Seasons...

November heralds summer heat

where cool and warm entwine and meet

with plans for weather hotter still.

Clothes from winter are stored away

blankets fewer on beds today

as birds begin to sing and trill.

Christmas goods displayed to entice

have you been naughty or quite nice

 with children's stockings soon to fill.

Grace at dverse poets, has prompted us to pen a seasonal/November poem in the Nove Otto style.

Here is the link: Nove Otto Poetry

 

 

Game Over...

Many moons of long-ago

 dragons flew the skies;

from their lairs in lofty peaks

soared these dragonflies.

With fiery breath and clawed feet,

mean eyes plus barbed tail;

they ruled the skies far and wide,

 scale by scaly scale.

One day the peaks roared to life,

 with fire and with flame;

all the dragons left for dead,

'OVER' said the Game.

Kim @ dverse poets has prompted us to pen a poem about 'dragons'. Here's the link: Legendary Creatures

 

At the Going Down of the Sun...

What would you do

 if war came for you

hide in a box 'til done? 

You may be scared

 the blasts and the red,

blood baths tactically run.

One way or another

 a mother or brother

in a box at the red setting sun.

De Jackson, at dverse poets, has given us todays prompt for our 44 word quadrille. It must contain some form of the word 'what'.

Here's the link: What's Next?

'Til Death Do Us Part...

 September was the month that caused the old man the most grief. He sadly remembered when out of the ninth month midnight had forever darkened his soul. Happiness was no longer attainable as far as he was concerned, for his wife had shot through with his best mate that dark night, leaving the man bereft. He vowed he would never forgive her. Never, ever!

Thus, alone he lived and alone he remained, until one particular day when there was a knock on his door. Upon opening the door, he found his wife standing there, bold as brass. She looked him in the eye and announced that she was back! No sorrow or regrets were expressed, nor did she seem bothered by what she had put him through.

Slowly the old man reached for the rifle that he kept behind the door...

Dora, at dverse poets, has prompted us to pen a prosery of 144 words, or less. We must include the line:

'out of the ninth month midnight' ~ which is from Walt Whitman's poem 'Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking.'

Here's the link: Prosery Today