It seeps you know, the cold,
into arid sunbaked pores
ringed with salty crusts.
Like a child we plead
for just one more day,
but Nature's timer
has long been set...
Just Desserts...
Mammy taught me not to lie
nor the truth to stretch,
so I always said it wasn't me
but some other little wretch.
A piece of cake went missing
and a pie left on the sill,
it wasn't me I calmly said
proposing it was Bill.
Mammy looked at Bill, then me,
with her head kinked to the side,
not knowing who the guilty was
her time then she did bide.
The truth will always show itself
in one way or another,
Mammy wisely kept her peace
knowing lies would surely bother.
At dinner time we all sat down
before a splendid feast,
my tummy full of cake and pie
rose up just like a beast!
The contents spilled across my lap
as I tried to clear my name,
but Mammy said for me to go,
a liar, now full of shame...
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 croneour 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.
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