Friday, April 20, 2012

A Better Offer



Offer
 it up they say;
offer your suffering
to the Lord for the sins of all.
But why would God want all that suffering?
Instead, why not offer up joy,
or a big belly laugh?
That’s a better
offer!

Image from edparton.com

As a kid when anything went wrong I was told this.  Is it just a Catholic thing?  This offering is actually for G-Man though, who is feeling bad enough to not host his usual FF55.  Hope you're laughing again soon!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Tangle (reading)

There is more
than sex and death,
black and white

There is
the smooth, firm curve of grey,
with infinite points along
the cusp

This is where we live –
in the tangle
amid agony that may
(at any moment)
 reveal
bliss


Here is my poem Tangle read by Avril Yospa.  Enjoy!


A Note: This poem has been posted earlier on my blog, here but when my friend with the lovely voice agreed to record it for me I decided to re-post it.  This was originally a Magpie Tale along with an absurd Top Ten List back in February.

Monday, April 16, 2012

On the Bus


One day in seventh grade
Robin made the mistake
of wearing white pants.

Her jacket wasn’t long enough to cover
the small, but spreading, red spot
on the seat of those white, white pants
as she got on the bus.

We weren't friends,
but there was no animosity between us.
Two boys snickered
and I turned away,
embarrassed for her.
It was only 7:15.
She had a long day ahead.
……..
I watched her get on the bus
to go home,
same white pants,
jacket tied at her waist.
She kept her head up,
as she walked toward
the back
staring defiantly,
not looking left or right,
not meeting my eyes.
She sat alone,
turned to stone,
as the taunts ricocheted off her.

Image: Red Roofs by Marc Chagall, 1954

I still remember this true-to-my-less-than-trustworthy-memory vividly.  I still feel so sorry and embarrassed for the 12 year old girl I sort-of knew.  And I still feel bad that I was too afraid to speak out on her behalf.  I hope she doesn't remember this as well as I do.  The writing prompt that brought this memory back to me can be found at The Mag.  The poem, along with many others, can also be found at dVerse open link night.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Another Triolet

I lower the shutters behind my eyes
so no one can see what’s missing,
blindly beguiled by a clever disguise.

I lower the shutters behind my eyes
and hold your attention between my thighs
with wine, cabaret and kissing.

I lower the shutters behind my eyes
so no one can see what’s missing.




This triolet is exactly 55 words, so I offer it to FF55 where G-man offers, and asks for 55 words about anything at all.  The triolet is a short poem of eight line 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.  This gives a deceptively simple appearance: ABaAbAB, where capital letters indicate repeated lines.  

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Precocious - Group Poem



Some claim April rain                            (Grace of Words like foam on the waves)
brings the blossoms of May, but
trees here are hasty


like youth, ardor unrestrained               (( Margaret - Art Happens 365)
eager for springs first sweet kiss


Sakura blossoms                                    (Kerry O'Connor of Skylover)
In the arms of old man tree
Drops of moonlit milk


showgirls will perform a dance             Ella's Edge
inspired by Moon light's embrace


her graceful waves in                            Laurie Kolp Poetry
a risque spring ballet, legs
kick the darkened sky


stars wink at rainbow feathers              Susie Clevenger of Confessions of A L. G.
that tease with each fluttering



My full heart flutters,                           Me
I become dancer and dance
under April’s moon


Imaginary Garden with Real Toads is having us do a group poem!  It's called a renga, and has an alternating syllable pattern in the stanzas of 5-7-5 / 7-7.  The challenge is presented by Grace, who did the first stanza.  I am the 7th participant.  Take a look at the whole thing, and the details by clicking on the Imaginary Garden link, and join the fun!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter


The greatest gift of Easter is hope.   -Basil Hume


Image: henrykisor.blogspot.com

Saturday, April 7, 2012

A-muse-ing Assistant


When I write, Otis
is constant inspiration
and impediment 




Check out the Purple Treehouse for more humor.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Archimede's Lover



 Where do I place the
 fulcrum
  to move
heaven         and          earth
 for
 you?





Image: engraving from Mechanics Magazine London, 1824

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Meanwhile

     
     What will be recalled
     through distant times and places?
     A throw-away phrase
     could linger on for ages
     in the mind of another.




Monday, April 2, 2012

Doctor, Doctor!


I’m waiting for a magic box
to take me far away from here
with just one key for all its locks.

I’m waiting for a magic box
to turn back time and foil the clocks.
I’ll step inside and disappear.

I’m waiting for a magic box
to take me far away from here.

This form is a triolet: 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.  Only the first two end-words are used to complete the tight rhyme scheme: ABaAabAB, where capital letters indicate repeated lines.


This is for Real Toads where you can go to read some wonderful poetry.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Nesting


    He sits
    knitting a house of sticks
    to stave off harpies
    who would
    pluck his bloody,
    still beating heart
    from the vest pocket
    where he keeps it,
    wrapped
    in a monogramed
    handkerchief.

Check out The Mag for more responses to this curious image.

Image by ParkeHarrison