I’ve decided . . .

lillian

to thrive in this topsy turvey world.
I shall walk upside down, toes in the stars,
leave diamond shaped footsteps in the sky.

When down is up and in is out,
I shall touch the soil with outstretched arms
fingers wriggling in earthworm rings.

I will be a handstand acrobat
padding through sunflower fields,
pollen dust knees attracting bees.

When the sun sets, I shall ride the moon,
kicking stars into nova showers
and I shall never wane.

img_0112

Bjorn is tending bar at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. He challenges us to make our words into the equivalent of expressionistic art. “The simplest and most effective way to define expressionism is that you present the world in a totally subjective perspective.” He also asks us to write in the first person. Bar opens at 3:on PM Boston time. Come join us!  Artwork: The Starry Night by Van Gogh.

51 thoughts on “I’ve decided . . .”

  1. Misky February 16, 2017 / 11:11 am

    Interesting method. Look forward to giving it a shot later. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) February 16, 2017 / 12:17 pm

    I can actually see that you also tied in the sunflower fields.. which makes it even more Van Gogh.. love that dance with the stars which fits the painting so well

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 7:59 am

      Thanks Björn. I must have been channeling Van Gogh as only Starry Night came to mind — and actually I had a Sunflowers print of his in my dorm room in college and in our first apartment. Love the Sunflowers!

      Like

      Reply
  3. kim881 February 16, 2017 / 3:14 pm

    I’ve decided I really like poems in which the title is part of the whole! I love the upbeat feel to this poem, Lillian, with the ‘toes in the stars’, ‘diamond shaped footsteps in the sky’, ‘acrobat padding through sunflower beds’ and ‘kicking stars into nova showers’. Bermuda is a great tonic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:01 am

      I enjoy writing in the early mornings here, sitting on the deck with the harbor in front of me. Even when it rains, we sit inside facing a wall of windows to the harbor. Peaceful here. And so so friendly! Glad you enjoyed this one!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Glenn Buttkus February 16, 2017 / 3:17 pm

    Vincent is smiling, holding his severed withered ear in one hand & an accolade for you in the other, Van Gogh can be a cruel Muse, poetics tinged with madness. I went with an lesser known artist, feeling free to put in the backstory. I like your lines /I will be a handstand acrobat/padding through sunflower fields/.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:02 am

      Thanks, Glenn. I always delight in seeing your comments – I had fun with this one 😊

      Like

      Reply
  5. kanzensakura February 16, 2017 / 3:18 pm

    Great poem, truly. I love the upside down acrobat dancing in the stars. I see you are moving on from the politics and into true art. I wish more of our poets would move on and grow and thrive as you seem to have. Blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:05 am

      Oh what a lovely lovely comment. Thank you! Yes, I’ve decided to let go the stress and make my writing time once again for me. Doesn’t change what is happening in the world but it does carve out a time of calm which I especially think is needed for creativity and to help us face whatever challenges may come our way. Thank you again for this very special comment!❤

      Like

      Reply
  6. welshstream February 16, 2017 / 3:28 pm

    That’s a great poem Lillian with a wonderful sense of rhythm. You’ve managed to take an iconic piece of art, steered well clear of clichéd writing and delivered a gem.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:06 am

      Oh I so appreciate your words here! Thank you!

      Like

      Reply
  7. frankhubeny February 16, 2017 / 3:31 pm

    I like “kicking stars into nova showers”. That does look like what could have happened in Van Gogh’s painting.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. paul scribbles February 16, 2017 / 3:52 pm

    Love the dance you painted here with a little help from Vincent. Delightful and colourful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:07 am

      Thank you, Paul. I had a lot of fun with this one! We all need a bit of dancing each day 😊

      Like

      Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:08 am

      Exactly! To keep smiling and dancing no matter the challenges 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:09 am

      Thank you! It was a fun one to do!

      Like

      Reply
  11. Grace February 16, 2017 / 6:13 pm

    Opening lines are rushing of diamond-filled energy ~ Love the positive outlook towards life Lillian ~

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:09 am

      It’s my vow in my rejuvenatement days! 😊

      Like

      Reply
  12. Bev February 16, 2017 / 6:31 pm

    I love the upside-down wonder of this. So creative and beautifully written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:10 am

      It was fun to do! 🙃. Glad you enjoyed!

      Like

      Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:12 am

      So glad! Always happy to hand out smiles in this topsey turvey world 🙃

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. georgeplace2013 February 16, 2017 / 7:07 pm

    “I shall walk upside down, toes in the stars,
    leave diamond shaped footsteps in the sky.” Lovely, lovely imagery throughout the poem

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:13 am

      Thank you! Van Gogh’s Starry Night just reverberates magic. Was fun to paint it with words!

      Like

      Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:13 am

      Come ride with me! Always happy to hand out smiles! 😊

      Like

      Reply
  17. Kathy Reed February 17, 2017 / 7:26 am

    Uplifting in these times of battling the news out there….toes in the stars is my favorite part…the entire poem is stunning.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:15 am

      Thank you! Yes – more necessary than ever to keep smiling in these topsey turvey days — 🙃That’s the challenge right? To see the positive while fighting the wrongs!

      Like

      Reply
  18. Laura Bloomsbury February 17, 2017 / 7:43 am

    a charmingly woven picture of life in starry sky

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:16 am

      Thank you Laura. So glad you enjoyed!

      Like

      Reply
  19. NJ February 17, 2017 / 7:47 am

    The entire poem is just so cheery and uplifting 🙂 it would be wonderful if one could actually do all of that 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
      • NJ February 19, 2017 / 11:10 am

        Haha, love the upside down emoticon 🙃

        Like

    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:17 am

      Always happy to hand out joyful smiles! 🙃

      Like

      Reply
  23. Bryan Ens February 19, 2017 / 12:12 am

    I think that Van Gogh might have framed this poem next to his painting. They go together beautifully!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:19 am

      What a wonderful thing to write!! Thank you Bryan. Much appreciated 😊

      Like

      Reply
  24. kaykuala h February 19, 2017 / 5:39 am

    to thrive in this topsy turvey world.
    I shall walk upside down, toes in the stars,
    leave diamond shaped footsteps in the sky.

    The first stanza itself is indicative of the line of creative mode taken for the rest, outlandishly in a contrasting manner.

    Hank

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian February 19, 2017 / 8:18 am

      Glad you enjoyed, Hank! I had fun with this one 🙃

      Like

      Reply
  25. emangarduque February 19, 2017 / 9:03 pm

    wow! enjoyed it. makes me think you embodied the painter’s mind in making the art.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment