What Looms?

What Looms?

It is so calm before the storm

the sky is bright, there is no wind

in three days it will all transform

it is so calm before the storm

no more will calm remain the norm

as weather will  take another form

it is so calm before the storm

the sky is bright, there is no wind.

The forecaster speaks doom and gloom

predictions seem to change each hour

how many inches of snow do loom

how long until normal will resume

some bite their nails in darkened room

await what fate will bring them soon

the forecaster speaks doom and gloom

predictions seem to change each hour.

This is a 'modified triolet' based on

our present truth. Forecasters

are scaring everyone with talk of a 

storm a few days away.  I am sharing

it with Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Undeniable

Undeniable

A succession of old photographs

flicker across my screen

undeniable reminders

that time has passed.

An imagist poem (I hope!) for dVerse Meeting the Bar.

(I have been going through old photos on my computer, eliminating

duplicates & those I wondered why I took in the first place!  This

will take weeks.  Sigh.)

Kin

Kin

Ant makes its way across a busy sidewalk
Bee flits from flower to flower in the garden
Mouse and rabbit scamper through the grassy field
Spider spins a web in the corner of the room
Robin and cardinal begin the long journey south
Deer scavenges for food on the edge of the forest
Newborn turtles move tentatively into the ocean
Small snake slithers along the gravelly path
Hopeful frog lays its eggs on the edge of the pond
Man drives his car on the snow-covered highway
Woman lets child walk to school for the first time
Humankind has no monopoly on courage
In that regard all are kin.

This is written for Sumana's prompt at Poets United Midweek Motif.  I think that most of the time we humans don't reflect on the courage of living things besides homo sapiens!

Room For All

One of Many Deer Who Share My Property

Room For All

When I take dogs outside at dusk or night
often I see the deer who visit my property
I stand still, acknowledge their presence
and they stand statue stiff, acknowledge mine.

It is essential to share space on this planet
as deer, squirrels, birds, bees all wish to live
and as much as I fear them in my environs
even urban coyotes and skunks need a home.

In calmness I stand under light of the moon
aware that I am not alone on this land
I sense there are more eyes looking at me
than I can know and all is still and good

and what I have is sufficient.

This poem is written for dVerse Poetics,
where we are writing 'eco poetry.'

Passing of Time

Passing of Time

I see you after these five years
you talk friendly now and smile
I talk friendly and smile too
perhaps you hope I forgot
I didn't
perhaps you hope I forgave
I've not succeeded
I wish you would say you're sorry
that you regret what you did
you haven't
you won't
I wonder if it haunts your dreams
we talk friendly and smile
but it isn't the same
it never will be.


Written for Poets United Poetry Pantry.

The Gift

Tulip & Basil - two of my three!

The Gift!

Have you ever taken the time to really
feel the presence of your dog
to hold him so close you
feel his heart beating
as he sighs with ultimate trust?

Have you ever taken the time to really
look into eyes that are always
checking his surroundings
aware of where you are and
wondering what it means for him?

Have you ever taken the time to really
appreciate the gift of his life
his mind always working
his legs energetic and
always looking forward to the next treat?

Have you ever taken the time to really
think deeply about the value of presence
what a gift you were given
to just know a little being as you do
and what a gift you have given in return?

Have you ever taken the time to really
feel the presence of your dog?

 I wrote it as as a second poem for my dVerse Poetics prompt, where we wrote poems inspired by another poet's work, but decided to share this at dVerse Open Link instead.

I continue to be in my 'Mary Oliver phase.' This poem was somewhat inspired by the poem "The Sun" by Mary Oliver, a poet whose works often inspire me.  Many of her poems teach appreciation of nature, surroundings, etc.  Her poem "The Sun" made me think of things that I see every day and kind of take for granted.  I know a dog is so 'small' compared to the sun, but.........       She was also a dog lover and wrote a book Dog Songs which included ONLY poems about her dogs.      

Home

Home

Well I think one day I will move to the mountains
just to see the view of the world from above
do you want to come with me?

Well I think one day I will move to the sea
just to see how it feels to dance in the waves
do you want to come with me?

Well I think one day I will move to the desert
just to feel the heat of the burning sand
do you want to come with me?

Well I think one day I will move to the forest
just to listen to wind sing in the trees.
do you want to come with me?

But then again I think I will stay where I am
just because this place called home - but wonder
do you too wish to stay?

This is written for Susan's prompt at Poets United Midweek Motif:  Mountain.

Listen

Listen

Listen to the world around you
it speaks in the gentle voices
of the rolling waves or the wind
as it rustles through the leaves
or in the howl of the lone coyote

Reflect on  the world around you
there are lessons to be learned
through  nature with its balance
of light and dark, life and death
cycles that repeat again and again.

Learn from the world around you
know that within your humanity
there is no perfection but if
you live in harmony with nature's voices
you too can become part of the plan.

Know that the world goes on
no matter what man does to disrupt
the sun rises and the sun sets
the seasons change, the rivers flow
and that you too have your place

For my prompt at dVerse Poetics today we are writing poetry that responds in some way to a particular poem of another poet.  Perhaps one will agree with the poet, argue with the poet, disagree, or just be inspired in a different some way by their work.

This is my response to Mary Oliver's "Wild Geese."  As I read her poem I thought that it stressed the importance of listening to nature,  that no matter what the world goes on, and that each of us has our place.  I wrote my poem giving a 'nod' to those ideas!

The Dance

The Dance

Take a chance to
dance romance
choose your beat
move your feet
---but be discreet

change your stance
and then perchance
you will feel his glance
---don't look askance

feel the heat
before you meet
and now that this tale
is complete
---let's eat!


This is written for the Quadrille 1 (using exactly 44 words) prompt at dVerse!  The word this week is "dance."

To Life

To Life

You have taught me so well
to treasure each moment as it comes
to find joy in each occasion
just as it is - not expecting more
and to hold each memory dear

with the knowledge

my time will not last forever
and when at last a hand reaches out to me
I need not fear but hold it tight
as it will be that hand that guides me
through the silence into the light.


This poem is written for this Sunday's Poets United Poetry Pantry and also shared with Prompt Night, where the theme is silence.

Tolerance

Tolerance

I am ready for spring to arrive
and strive
to enjoy what can be found in winter day
despite dismay
and when each morn I rise from bed
to dispel dread
I will leave my dismal thoughts unsaid
for I know that though I agonize
I must rise
and strive despite dismay to dispel dread.

This poem is written for dVerse Meeting the Bar, where we are writing the "Ovillejo form" today.

Food for Thought

Food for Thought

Mind works overtime
brain always a-whirr
life presents me with
so much to contemplate
there are days when
I am on overload
cannot slow it down
always so much on my plate
never lacking food for thought.

This is for Poets United Midweek Motif:  Food.

I Am

By U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Department of Homeland Security) 

I Am

I am in every city, every state
I am your neighbor, the one behind you at the check out
I am trying on jeans next to you in the dressing room
I am the one sitting beside you on the bus
I live in fear

I am old, I am young, I am middle aged
I work, I am unemployed, I am trying to find a job
I want a future, I keep trying, I will not give up
I dream

I am a student, a mother, a father, a worker
I speak another language
I speak English.
I speak two languages
I am saving money for a better tomorrow
I must be silent

I pick your vegetables, I cook your food,
I clean your office, your hotel room, your home
I shovel your snow, I landscape your lawn
I work long hours, then work more.
I pay taxes
I receive no benefits
I live in fear

I cannot drive a car
I cannot get a social security number
I cannot get a scholarship to college
I cannot get financial aid
I dream

I cannot tell you about me
I must be silent
I live in fear
I dream

I am undocumented.

Written for dVerse Poetics, where we are writing "Persona Poems."


There are said to be 11.5 million undocumented residents in the United States.
If you have time, watch even a little bit of this 6 minute video.  I guarantee it will move you.

There Is A Time

Copyright Kanzensakura All Rights Reserved
With Permission

There is a Time

There is a time one does not go slowly
when one  knows now is the time
to jump with both feet running,
to cast fear aside, believe with all one's heart
all is as it is meant to be
that this, yes now, is the time!
Today is the time for rebirth!

Unexpected life
overcomes chill of winter
embrace the flower.


This haibun is written for Poets United Poetry Pantry
and also for dVerse Poets Haibun Monday & 
for Prompt Night!

As you comment, rather than commenting
on the words of this poem, I hope you will
tell me if you have ever experienced this.

Dawn

Dawn - Alphonse Mucha - public domain

Dawn

In the early hours of a new day

I feel my heart soar as once again

there is a fresh start, a new beginning, 

a new chance for the world to get it right.

In the early hours of a new day

I feel the gentle kiss of joy.

This is written for Poets United Midweek Motif, where the theme is JOY!

The dawn of each day is something to celebrate.

First Meeting

The Soul Breaking the Bonds that Attach to the Land

First Meeting

And as we went down the elevator
after we met her for the first time
the nurse among us said
we would not see her again

and when I asked why so sure
she said in her presence she smelled
the sweetly pungent odor of death
a harbinger she would not live long

And she was right-
brain cancer.


This is written for dVerse Poetics...a poem inspired by scent.
True story!

Perfection

Perfection

I look in your direction
wonder if we will ever achieve
perfection in anything
and then again I wonder if
we did achieve perfection
what would we aim for next.

I look in your direction
believe what we have is good
not perfect but so very good
as good as it can be
and there is nothing more
I need in this life but you.


This is written for Sanaa's Prompt Night and also will
be shared with Poets United Poetry Pantry on Sunday, January 3.
Happy New Year, Everyone!