Category: Poetry

Collaboration with Jenna (Revived Writer)

When it seems all hope is faded, gone,
We must make up our minds to carry on,
As heart beats ever steady as a drum,
As doting doe spurs on her newborn fawn.

Hope’s a minstrel with a song for some
Whose ears can hear those gentle fingers strum.
No matter how mundane the morning dawn
The mystery of all is it has come.

Text:  This is a collaboration with Jenna (Revived Writer) who wrote the first rubai in bold red as part of Jilly’s September Challenge — Casting Bricks.  I have also linked this with dVerse Open Link Night.  Grace is hosting.

Deeper Magic

Is someone out there looking back when we
Look out observing all those mindless things?
Those fantasies we know we truly see
Are changing through Newtonian alchemy,
But then we hear as deeper magic sings.

Text: Linked to dVerse Poetics. Paul is hosting with the theme “magic”.

Photo: “Pond Inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory” by the author and linked to Frank Jansen’s Tuesday Photo Challenge with the theme “water”.

Let the Light Shine in

Autumn changes focus on school schedules and condo movements, but now for our children, not for us. It’s the same with Spring. In between these events, like sunlight going through the leaves of trees, there is viewing the lake and parkways where trees can reach for the sun because the buildings are small enough for them to have a chance.

LIGHT THROUGH PATIENT TREES
BUILDINGS BLOCK THE AUTUMN SKY
BOTH PROVIDE COOL SHADE

Text: Linked to dVerse Haibun Monday. Toni is hosting with the theme “season changes”.
Linked to Jilly’s Casting Bricks – September Challenge. Consider this one part (first or second) of a double haibun and add another haibun.

Photo: “Sidewalk Flower with Dark Sun” below by the author linked to K’lee and Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge with the theme “Let the Sun Shine in” and Mundane Monday.

Sidewalk Flower and Dark Sun
Sidewalk Flower and Dark Sun

From Noon to Moon

Bright noon, day,
Laughter, play
On through night
On fresh sight,
Moon-round light.

Linked to dVerse Meeting the Bar. I am hosting today. The form is the acrostic.
Photo: “Bright Bloom Day” taken by the author at the Chicago Botanic Garden and linked to Floral Friday Fotos.

FFF

Walking with the Aid of Shoes and Fairy Tales

Serving underneath my feet
Holding on along the side
Often magically complete:
Every fairy tale’s a treat,
Sweet or terrified.

Linked to dVerse Poetics. Kim of Writing in North Norfolk is hosting with the theme “shoes”.  This poem uses the “acrostic” form which I will feature this Thursday on dVerse.  I am practicing using it.
Photo: “Blue Sky With People Wearing Shoes” by the author linked to Frank Jansen’s Tuesday Photo Challenge with the theme “blue”.  I took the photo at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Cloudiness

Circling rain from hurricane
Leaks through the wrecked roof.
Only hope can drain:
Up comes wavy proof
Drowning the dry place
In torrential waste.
Nightmares blocking bliss
End with fear and pain.
Sink with thoughts of only this.
Sink in wet of wider rain.

Linked to dVerse Quadrille Monday hosted by Bjorn using the word “bliss”. I am thinking of Hurricane Harvey.  The poem also represents the “acrostic” form which I plan to use for this Thursday’s dVerse form prompt.
Photo: “Cloudiness” by the author linked to K’lee and Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge with theme “A Cloudy Configuration”.

Love

Life finds milder melodies.
Only laughter sings.
Virtue wipes away decay.
Even frowns grow wings.

Linked to dVerse Open Link Night.  Gayle is hosting.
Photo: “Unusual Flower” by the author taken at the Chicago Botanic Garden and linked to Floral Friday Fotos.

FFF

Announcement   I won second place in Story Seed Vault’s “Bees” flash fiction contest.  I am grateful to the judges for selecting my 140-character micro fiction story.

Announcement   I am a new board member of the Illinois State Poetry Society.  Blogging provides inspiration and contact with other poets.  Local organizations provide something similar on a more personal level.

Pink?

Would you say the color’s pink?
It’s bordering on red.
It’s bordering on darker green.
A brighter green is also seen
Within this flower bed.

Perhaps it’s purple like the eyes
Of dragons when they stare
As border guards for gold held tight
So yellow rarely sees the light
Deep in their dark blue lair.

Linked to dVerse Poetics where Grace is hosting on the theme “borders”.
Photo: “Is There Any Pink In This Photo?” by the author taken at the Chicago Botanic Garden and linked to jasenphoto’s Tuesday Photo Challenge with the theme “pink”.