Stubborn firs stand warm and smug
beside the giving trees,
shadows now of skeletons
against clear blue skies.
Ground glitters red and gold,
cracks beneath the rakers’ feet
as he piles the oldest, most brittle
atop the crimson bright.
Tis time to take our leave
and slowly say goodbye
to those once colorful days
of leaping, laughing youth.
Photos from walks and visits this past week.
I am an old woman
with the audacity to hope.
I shall wear purple
and travel to 1,000 places,
walk in the woods, eat, pray
and make love to a staggering genius.
I shall write letters from the earth
to all my friends above.
Tell them plain and simple,
at this age, the heart leaps
much higher than leaden feet
and I intend to do the long jump.
I will not stay off camera.
And I will settle for nothing less
than a raucous standing ovation
when I do decide to exit
center stage.
In the form of Found Poetry: created from book titles on my shelf – When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple, The Audacity of Hope, 1,000 Places to Live, A Walk in the Woods; Eat, Pray, Love; A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Letters from the Earth, Plain and Simple, and Off Camera.
October 31, 2015
Lines and lines of cars move nowhere
tempers flare, boxed in, horns blare
appointments fester in my mind
hands clamped on wheel,
like talons on prey.
I crave, I need, I must have space.
Foot to brake, pump and pump again
peck my way, inch by inch
peer through smog and fumes
find a seam, create a crack
desperately seeking blue.
I crave, I need, I lust for air.
What if I quit?
Leave it all behind.
Try new wings, not a migratory line.
Free form, to soar, to find
real, life affirming air.
I can, I should, I will.
Sample the edibles
while sauntering by a vendors’ stall
savor the sour and the sweet
lemon tarts with a marzipan carrot beside
devour her lover’s kisses by night
and wake up to humorous tidbits
and some evenings, dine by candle light
lick beads of moisture
from her wine glass
while supping alfresco by the sea.
She fancied herself a chef
stirring the pot
and turning up the heat
if it simmered too low.
Written for Margo’s Poem Tryouts, which I recently found thanks to Chalk Hills Journal, a wonderful blog. Margo asked that we find highly-descriptive words relating to a ‘simple’ subject, make a list of those, and then write to those words. I chose the “simple” subject of eating. Photo taken this past summer on the deck in Provincetown….indeed, eating alfresco!
One step at a time
through difficult uncertainty
we navigate ups and downs.
Watch as eagles soar,
stand in wonder at mountains
firmly rooted, standing tall.
Embrace this fullness of life,
a course to learn trust
no matter the challenge.
We live with the good news
blessed in His care,
every day to count.
Photo: Bryce Canyon National Park – mountains extraordinaire. Dedicated to all those facing difficulties looming ahead. A reminder to live in the moment, thankful for every day.
Aspens quake in fear
Sycamores pretending happiness
turn smile-happy yellow,
while the Mighty Oak
blushes crimson red.
They know Winter lurks
behind crisp cool autumn air,
her cold heart waits impatiently
to unleash harsh winds,
strip them of their dignity.
They will stand naked for all to see
rattle and shiver with no recourse
while we don puffy coats
bright red stocking caps
and hand knit yellow scarves.
We add layers of color
while they stand
dark limbs exposed,
the transition time
when the seasons tilt.
Photo: October 14, 2015 in Boston Public Garden.
The kiss
mouth probes deep
like humming bird
seeks the nectar of life.
The touch
skin to skin
gentle dancing fingertips
massage, caress, progress to joy.
No words
guttural moans and gasps
penultimate vulnerability.
Oh Erotica, I succumb to thee.
My body smiles, hums and throbs
as it melds into his.
Word Press Writing 201 Final Day Prompts: the word “pleasure,“, sonnet (14 lines: stanzas of 4, 4, 3, and 3 lines — rhyming not required in contemporary sonnet), and apostrophe (speaker in poem addresses another person, a personified object or emotion). I’ve enjoyed the class!
She
Was
Fancy
LoverOf
AllThings
ThatSparkle
RubyRedLips
&GemClips
&Golden
Nails
&Tu
Tus
WP Writing 201: Second version of a concrete poem using a diamond (which is otherwise known as cold ice; cold being the word for the day)and anaphora (repetition of a word in beginning lines of verse). First diamond shaped poem of the day for this assignment was Diamond in the Rough....previous post today. Take a look there too!
Do not grasp or fear the sifting sand
savor instead, sweet memories.
Tippee cups and imagined friends
popsicle sticky smiles.
Unabashed big bigger Balooka bubbles
popped on freckled nose.
High pitched yells with a Mary Jane stomp
knock knock jokes giggled silly.
Proscenium now disappeared, curtains askew
props and costumes gone.
Mourn not the little ones of yesteryear,
loose your hand and revel now.
Their roots are strong, let go the sieve
tis time to change the scene
WP Writing 201 prompts: the word “flavor”, enumeratio (listing), and the elegy form. Elegy: usually in couplets, first line longer; can be a longing, loss, mourning, and/or a celebration of life.
There’s a place outside my window
I do not often see,
a million miles across the street
where death decries your plea.
‘Tis a purgatorial place
for the once young at heart,
innocent souls now burned by flame
who thirst for life’s restart.
Red yellow fire once licked their skin
left pain in fissures deep
now loved ones kneel in fervent prayer
their young ones here to keep.
Mine is a neighborhood of hope
for children wrapped in gauze,
doctors, nurses, medical care
united in one cause.
View of Shriners Childrens Hospital in Boston, from my 7th floor deck / my living room window. WP Writing 201 prompt: write in the ballad form, using assonance, and relating to the word “neighborhood.” Ballad: dramatic, emotionally charged, 4 line stanza quatrain, alternating stress lines as in 8 syllables, 6 syllables, 8 syllables, 6 syllables; and using an ABCB rhyme scheme. Assonance: subtle repeat of vowel sounds.
lillian the home poet 