Point / Counterpoint

In the dverse poets pub, Laura presents us with a "Palinode form" challenge ~  two stanzas, one contradicting the other! 

The Old Year’s gone away to nothingness and night ~ John Clare, "The Old Year" 

1.

the old year disappears into nothingness

a fleeting shadow lost in time's relentless stream

its joy and laughter ~ gone with fading light

a ghostly trace of what once felt divine 

i mourn the past slipped from my grasp

each moment's glow dissolved with dawn's advance 

i clutch at yesterday ~ knowing it's a futile task

life moves forward in its ceaseless race

and time unbending offers not another chance 

 2.

but wait ~ what of the echoes in its wake

tender threads of memories gently spun

the old year lingers still with every step i take

a bridge of gold beneath the setting sun

it whispers truth ~ my guide along the paths unknown

its painful losses teach ~ joys still light my sky

last year has not left ~ though shadows it did spread 

it shaped me ~ offered hope for this brand new year

for gifts unseen ~ gifts that never die 

Days in Our Lives

Happy New Year Pub Dwellers! Lisa introduces us to the “Burning Haibun” ~ a poetic form that begins with haibun prose, then undergoes erasure until what remains is a haiku / senryu

 

For the past twenty years Carl has worked in a busy supermarket. Everyone knows his name, loves him. He is funny, personable, brightens lives ~ sometimes, his laughter carries across the store loud enough to spread smiles of joy ~ transforming chaos into a shopper's escapade.

His life is not without without pain. We often hear the words "correct and normal" from people these days. As if their version of right, is the only map worth following. Most days he understands they are just words, lines people draw in the sand ~ lines he is able to step over. 

My son's life is not defined by what he cannot do, but by the depth with which he does everything. A reminder that art exists outside the museum. that grace is not reserved for the dance, that life, even with its challenges ~ can still be a masterpiece.

In the depths of supermarket lines / busy hands shuffle coupons / like cards in a game / an escapade designed to hide pain / from rising prices / luxuries / a dance of survival sans grace / defined by what they can afford / not what they deserve / across aisles conversation splits / like frayed seams / 'correct' and 'normal' / words they try to avoid / stepping over cracks too deep for repair / lost in the chaos of divide / the masterpiece of unity / crumbling step by step / under the weight of discord.

life is feeling frayed

art and grace are luxuries

we dance to survive

"TO DO"

A scary word ~ prioritize

where to begin

how to decide

hang on to my coattails

we're goin' for a ride

that list sure is growing

way out of control

clean out my closets

or deep feed my soul

fold all the laundry 

take a long nap

tackle my taxes

or learn how to 'rap'

resolutions calling

full of good cheer

 but let us get real

i'm thinking next year

Shay's Word List

 Belmont Blues

Cheers to rhymes / with a gambler's beat

blues and high stakes / the 'all-in' compete

world is slicked over / with sugar and cold

a musical grit / that dares to be bold

guts meeting claws / in combustible waltz

bully's misstep / the 'house' screaming false

but jazz keeps on riffing / wild on the sly

Belmont's sweet rhythm / cracking the sky

Helene's Fury

 Open Link Night in the dVerse Poets Pub ~ Trying my hand at another Trillonet ~

the ocean stirs, a whisper turns to roar

a swirling beast awakes to claim its due

it gathers strength, an army at its core

the winds unleash their wrath on trembling earth

where trees bow low then break beneath the gale

the waters rise erasing all of worth

while shelters fall, foundations crushed and frail

a lull deceives, the eye looks calm, serene

then chaos strikes again with vengeful hand

what once was whole lies shattered, barely seen

a wasteland carved by nature's fierce demand

its shadows streaking skies from gray to blue

all through the storm the human spirit bends

in ruin's wake it rises, mends, transcends

In Memoriam

 Punam hosts Monday Quadrille in the dVerse Poets Pub ~ the challenge word is "Bang"

bang the drum slowly let echoes resound

for hearts that are buried in hallowed ground

brave souls who have fallen their courage untamed

in whispers of freedom their legacy’s framed

we honor their sacrifice steadfast and true

honor the flag red, white and blue

The Christmas Tree

 Time for Meeting the Bar in the dVerse Pub ~ Laura invites us to create an Etheree in the shape of a Christmas Tree!

Our Deck ~ Winter 2019 

ONE 

BRIGHT MORN

AXE IN HAND

A FATHER LEADS

HIS SIX YOUNG CHILDREN

THROUGH A SNOW-CLAD FOREST

LAUGHTER FILLS THE FROSTY AIR

AS MITTENS POINT TO PERFECT PINES

TOGETHER THEY CHOOSE A PROUD SPRUCE TREE

ITS GREEN BOUGHS A PROMISE OF JOYS TO COME

FACES

AGLOW

Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs

 

Meetup in the Pub ~ the dVerse Pub ~ Melissa is hosting. It's time to reflect on favorite Television Shows. Past and/or present. I was  a huge fan of  Frasier starring Kelsey Grammer.  

Come let's meet Frasier one erudite guy

at his Seattle condo way up in the sky

radio shrink with a voice debonair

yet chaos surrounds him ~ his burden to bear

Next let's meet Niles his fastidious brother

a germaphobe fussier than most any other

hopelessly smitten with Daphne’s sweet charms

but spends half the series just waving his arms

Daphne their housemate with wit dry and wry

keeps the Cranes grounded when tensions run high

a Brit with cute quirks and visions divine

Niles loves her madly floats on cloud nine

Martin their dad in his battered old chair

blue-collar cop with stories to spare

and Eddie his dog who Frasier ignores

would rather see Eddie living outdoors

Roz the producer quite sassy and bold

great at her job keeps Frasier controlled

dating disasters ~ yes more than a few

followed by laughter and quest for next coup

From opera’s high notes to their café au laits

the schemes that collapsed in farcical ways

to Frasier and Gang who brought me delight

a glass full of pinot ~ I cheer you tonight

Spicy Girls

"Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go 'round" 

                  

* song by Queen / lyrics by guitarist Brian May

https://fireblossom-wordgarden.blogspot.com/

Variety they say

is the spice of life

a mix of flavors bold and brash

like fat-bottomed girls

spinning tales of midnight trysts

their laughter, legend

dancing on the edge of song

in a hellish trance of rhythm

like wildflowers in a meadow

a riot of color and curve

OH THE SPICE!

the cinnamon kiss of rebellion

peppery sting of freedom

salty tears of laughter

life needs its fat-bottomed girls

legends in motion ~ unmeasured spice

WINTRY BITE!

  Magaly invites us to create poetry or prose while considering the phrase “Careful: May bite!

Pine scented air bites sharp and clean

each breath a reminder of life 

of the warmth waiting just ahead

our cabin's glow flickering in the distance

promises wrapped in cedar and smoke

inside the fire roars ~

flames cast golden shadows that whisper

of comfort ~ of home

we sink into each other 

the weight of winter 

lifted by your arms

  

Quandary of Sorts

Poetry for Shay and her Word List / Friday Writings too

44 words / a Quadrille

Is it wrong of me to

stroll through summer fall winter spring

pockets crammed full of hoarded sunshine

incandescent light

or would you rather I skulked

limped through gardens

flashlight in hand

a perpetual scowl on my face

digging for worms in the dark

 

Woonie at her Best?

It's all about Sci-Fi in the dVerse Pub ~ Frank is hosting and asks us write science fiction haibuns ~  about the wonders of technology, its impact on our world, the journey we could conceivably take. ** Yes, my grandchildren call me Woonie.

Her grandchildren stared wide-eyed at the flickering hologram of Woonie, their grandmother .. signature Harry Potter glasses perched on her nose, skirt swaying slightly as though caught in an invisible breeze.

"Well," the hologram said, her voice warm .. and as usual sassy. "I suppose this is what happens when you click 'agree' to all those crazy terms and conditions. Spending too much time online? Now, who's first?" Question after rapid-fire question, tumbled from the minds of her spellbound offspring.

Each answer producing a mixture of laughter, recognition, awe. Finally Woonie's hologram leaned forward with a mischievous smile. "Listen, if you learned one thing from me, precious grandchildren, remember life is short, laughter is long, and never trust anyone who doesn’t like (my) fruitcake!"

With grins on their faces, hearts lighter than they’d been in days, Woonie's sass, wit, those endless stories, were going to live forever .. heaven help them.

through all the seasons

in another universe

spending time with her

Unfolding

Shay's Wordlist 

in the museum i search for a luxury

something whole, not yet evaporated

like the narrow streets of my memory.

outside my window a newspaper flutters

flipping its pages into the wind

like a witch's spell forgetting to close.

in some corner i find myself

unfolding, returning to the place 

i left whole / eons ago.

 

Endings

Time for Poetics ~ Melissa is hosting in the Poets Pub ~ time for us to focus on interpreting one of the lovely images she has shared.

Red leaves against a concrete wall

Andrew Ridley

—when skies are hanged and oceans drowned,
the single secret will still be man    e e cummings

remnants of red linger

whisper of summer's breath

fighting against the chill

against the letting go

a bright vine curling

here autumn settles

its last burst of beauty

bold and bare 

WHAT IF ~~~

De is hosting today in the dVerse Poets Pub ~ it's time for a Quadrille! 

"WHAT" is the magic word!

what if I told you

it was never about doubt

never about transgressions

what if I told you

my mistakes were

as unforgivable as yours

I was still in love with you

would you take me back

or would you tell me it’s over

Cradle to Grave

 Breath ~~

in the beginning

a warm new note in the world

small waves find a rhythm

an easy song

years spool forward

breath a steady metronome

guiding hands in work

a quiet hum in the bones

until finally bodies loosen

bones release their stories

 whispers of gratitude leave

with gentleness well earned

Long Ago / Far Away

Bjorn is hosting Open Link Night in the dVerse Poets Pub ~~ Anything Goes ~~ our choice!

She walks beneath a clouded sky
umbrella tipped, shadows high
in the rain, his face appears
her vision blurred by silver tears

She wonders who he might have been
behind the glasses, past the grin
a stranger wrapped in time’s soft glow
whispers only raindrops know

In the mist, she dreams his tale
the thousand lives he might unveil
a fleeting glimpse, a phantom bright
caught between the day, the night

Does she see his laughter’s spark
or trace his steps in growing dark
his gaze, a question in the storm
all the ways a soul is born

Anna ~ Excerpts From Wartime Letters

Dora is hosting Prosery in the Pub today and provides a line from Walt Whitman's  poem "Out of the Cradle" to include in our [ prosery not poetry ]

'Out of the ninth-month midnight'

March 4, 1943 

My love, 

It seems strange writing to you from under these moonlit Kentucky skies, wondering where the bright stars might find you. I have news that fills me with joy, though it aches to tell you in writing instead of whispering it lying beside you.  We are going to have a baby! A piece of you and me. I pray you will be back in time to greet him .. or her. 

Forever yours, Anna

September 18, 1943

My love, 

It was late night when he arrived, our precious son .. out of the ninth-month .. midnight. Like a promise.  His eyes are bright like yours, his smile is contagious. I thought my heart would burst .. could not hold any more love, yet here we are. We wait for you my darling, I will keep our son safe until you return.

Forever,  Anna & Charles

All Hallows' Eve

Time for poets to belly up the the bar (the form bar) in dVerse Poets Pub.  Grace  re-introduces us to the paradelle ~ a modern poetic form invented by Billy Collins ~~ a parody of the villanelle. 

witches cackle under moon's eerie glow

witches cackle under moon's eerie glow

trees cast bare shadows below

trees cast bare shadows below

bare trees cast eerie shadows

under moon's glow below ~ witches cackle

pumpkins don twisty masks ~ ghouls on the prowl

pumpkins don twisty masks ~ ghouls on the prowl

lightening flashes cross haunted night

lightening flashes cross haunted night

haunted ghouls don twisty lightening flashes

pumpkins, masks on the prowl ~ night-cross

voodoo spells bind lovers in eternal dance

voodoo spells bind lovers in eternal dance

visions of forever drift through the air

visions of forever drift through the air

lovers dance, spells bind ~ air-drift through

in voodoo visions of forever-eternal

under moon's eternal voodoo glow

through bare trees cast in haunted visions of 'below'

twisty eerie night shadows air-drift cross  

pumpkins on the prowl don masks ~ ghouls dance

lightening flashes ~ witches cackle

forever-spells ~ lovers bind

OH the Joy of Giving!

 It's Poetics Tuesday in the Pub ~ Punam is hosting and gives us a sort of carte blanche inspired by the Indian Celebration Diwali. We might choose cleaning, cooking our favorite dish, the joy of giving - or how we celebrate a favorite festival.  

I made a board so big and grand

cheeses, meats, deliciously planned

crackers stacked, olives snug

each fig and nut, a perfect plug

Off I went to the neighbor's place

smile wide on my "charcut'ry" face

halfway there - oh fate was mean

a sidewalk crack unseen - unseen

Down I went, splatter and splat

grapes in the gutter, cheeses flat

almonds scattered, crackers broke

my art was gone, in one fell stroke

Scooped it up with wobbly grace

plopped the brie back into place

olives, figs and prosciutto bits

now a mix of cobbled 'fits'  

Oh what a spread! the neighbors cheered

didn't see the olives smeared

with wine in hand, the night went on

charcuterie board ~ great art reborn