Beneath Green Lawn

Beneath Green Lawn

Alas the liar has been caught

his lies betray the sin of him

he cannot flee what he had got

though he has claimed his memory dim

it does not pay to walk in shade

what comes so freely also goes

and caught red-handed in the glade

his every fib a river that flows 

since all his fame was built on lies

he tripped on self-made path of stone

he'll find no peace until he dies

the bells will ring in somber tone

his body interred beneath green lawn

and none will miss him when he's gone.

I decided to play a bit with Bjorn's challenge of writing a poem with Bout-Rimés, which he presented at Toads.  For me it was fun wordplay! We had to use these words to end each line - and in the order they were given: caught, him, got, dim, shade, goes, glade, flows, lies, stone, dies, tone, lawn, gone.  I only linked this poem at Poets United Poetry Pantry, as that is generally enough people for me to comment 

Cautionary Tale

Cautionary Tale

When life begins to fill with weed

we must get out the trowel and hoe

to make sure wanted plants succeed

when life begins to fill with weed

so greediness won't supersede

the good accomplished by our deed

when life begins to fill with weed

we must get out the trowel and hoe.

A triolet written for Poets United Midweek Motif where we are writing about 'weediness.'  It is also writting for dVerse Meeting the Bar - where we are challenged to write a 'form poem' and explain why we used that form!  I am not one who writes a lot of form poems.  I appreciate them more than write them; but one form I really, really like is the triolet form.  It resonates with me,  I am not totally sure why.

Spring Ritual

                               Spring Ritual

Freshly planted tomato plant

Grass seeds are sown
I water but hope for rain
wait for them to take root

Tomato plants are planted
pepper plant, fresh basil
I wish for them to thrive

Spring ritual repeats
each year the same
delight in new life

Spring leads to summer
plants bear their fruits
fresh to savor each day

A patch of 'grass' - a work in progress

Grass greens and thickens
enriches the soil
blanket for the world.

This is written for dVerse Poetics, where the prompt is "everyday poetry."   I decided to write a 'down to earth' (smiles) poem.

There was a Time

There was a Time

There was a time we could talk

could talk we seemed so close

so close before you left me

before you left me standing

standing with suitcase on your porch

on your porch waiting

waiting for the taxi you called

you called to take me to the airport

to the airport out of your life

out of your life forever

and sometimes I wonder

I wonder if I miss those days 

those days before the very end

the very end the time

the time that was the last time

and truth is I don't think

I don't think I feel any missing

any missing of what we had

what we had I once thought was good

good but today there is no missing

I guess I'd been through it before

before that and still before 

before when I held onto hope

hope lived until this time

this time I finally lost all  trust

and I wonder if you ever miss

miss what we once had

once had before that day

that day you threw it all away

away and you so righteous unashamed left me

left me standing with suitcase on the porch

on the porch you said you didn't

you didn't want to see me again

again perhaps some day you may miss

you may miss when it is too late

when it is too late to repair

to repair what you uncaringly tossed away

the ball now is as always

is as always yours

always yours but as for me

as for me I no longer care.

This is written for Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Messenger

Messenger

He wears shorts
college t-shirt
converse on his feet

no white robe or collar
speaks plain
speaks his mind

dares to differ
makes one think
remember words

leave with message
have faith seek peace
carry love into the world.

This is written for dVerse Open Link - Thursday.

If a Lifetime

If a Lifetime

If a lifetime is a clock
what time is best for love
which hour prime for passion
does infatuation turn the corner
at 2 a.m. or 4 a.m. or 10?

when is it the witching hour
or the bewitching hour
the perfect time to find
the happiness you seek as
hands of the clock move on?

if a lifetime is a clock
into how many segments
would life partition
and how many true loves
can one lifetime hold?

is love discoverable
or is love the initiator
at 2 a.m. when least expected
beneath moon and stars
darkest hours before dawn?

If a lifetime is a clock
what time is best for love?

This is written for dVerse Poetics
where the theme is 2 a.m. and
also for Poets United Midweek
Motif where the theme is happiness.

Life Happens As We Linger

Life Happens As We Linger

Though you have left your essence lingers
the perfume of you still fills the air
your voice echoes in silent moments
and I wonder if you collected good memories
to reminisce your journey from afar.

Life happens in moments we linger together
one day lived and then another
the scents and sights along the path
delicious tastes of home-cooked meals
peaceful rest at the end of the day.

Some days after you arrive you are gone
life is going and coming and going again
we never know if there will be another meeting
but it is good that today your perfume lingers
the essence of you still fills the air.

This is written for Poets United Poetry Pantry #252

Antithesis

Victor Borisov-Musatov1899

Antithesis

If you hate yourself your enemy will love you

but if you love yourself your enemy will hate you

sow your words so others can reap the meaning

drown yourself in solitude  to rescue your soul

it is only in slumber that your heart will awaken

and you must be lost before you can be found.

For dVerse MTB Bjorn is having us write using antithesis.

Together Alone

Together Alone

And as he stood alone
he oversaw his world
and he knew in his mind
he had accomplished much
but still in his heart
he felt waves of regret
not for what he had done
but for all he had not

And as she stood alone
she oversaw her world
she knew in her mind
she deserved more than this
and deep within her heart
she felt waves of envy
for what she did not have
what she deemed she needed

And as they stood together
they oversaw their world
each from their own perspective
unhappy with their lot
and deep within each heart
each felt waves of resentment
toward the other who felt
waves of resentment in return.

This is for Poets United Midweek Motif.  The prompt this week is "wave" or "waves."

A New Day

A New Day


Today is the day to open
           the curtains wide

            whisk away all dust of wind

let in the sun so that it bites your cheek
clean your conscience of all grit that burns

                 then

cast your sins into the tornado 
         so they will
       whirl
               whirl
        whirl
                swirl
                        away

                      and begin again
                                  with fresh soul

a new day
         a new way

curtains no longer necessary.


This is written for dVerse Poetics where we are writing poems that have 'layers.'  Ha, if you think this poem is Claudia-esque, you are right.  She is tending the bar.  Smiles. 

I See Her

I See Her

I see  her face along the tree-lined avenue
hear her voice in the aria of chirping birds
smell her perfume in the mist of the morning

and I dream I am once again a young girl
fine blonde hair blowing in the spring breeze
my whole life still on the horizon

and in this dream I pick a dandelion bouquet
she will like more than anything in the world
and I wait for her arms to reach to surround me

with love and a smile only a mother can give
and as I hold the flowers near my heart
I find she has gone where I cannot yet follow

I see her face along the tree-lined avenue
hear her voice in the aria of chirping birds
smell her perfume in the mist of the morning.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.


This is written for Poets United Poetry Pantry.
It is Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10.
(My mother has been deceased about 28 years.)

The Elder

The Elder

Do not judge him by wrinkled skin
his greying hair his slowing step
he still has his pride and his dreams.

Do not judge him by his weakened voice
his hesitant speech and what he doesn't hear
he still has his pride and his dreams.

Do not judge him only as who he was
remember to love him just as he is
he still has his pride and his dreams.

Do not think he does not see your face
if you give him a look of disdain
he still has his pride and his dreams.

Do not forget his mind still works
his heart still beats and soul still yearns
he will always hold fast to his dreams.

This is written for dVerse Open Link
and also for Poets United Midweek Motif (Honoring our Elders)

Communication

Communication

They who speak
in circles
make no points

They who speak
in platitudes
chirp and bray

Big words disguise
small ideas

Big ideas demand
good presentation

Big mouth
small person

Long words
big dictionary

Long digressions
foolish man's bluff

Eyes speak
the mouth's unspoken

Non response
a strong response

Yes or no
can change a life.


This is written (sort of) in the style of Gregory Orr's poetry for dVerse Poetics.  We are asked to write a poem in the style of a poet who inspired us.  Gregory Orr is one of my favorite poets, but one I discovered only about 5 years ago when a friend who had heard him read poetry gave me one of his books (autographed to me).  Since that time I have acquired a few more of his books.  He writes 'short,' but his ideas are deep and memorable.  I recommend him as a poet to check out.  If you have time, check out some of his work here.