Friday, January 31, 2014

wordle:prepared, story, question, knowing, proof, journey Receive, house, city, win,

The Quest

Nothing prepared her for the story to unfold.
She sallied forth knowing very little, not even
what questions to ask, just that she needed   
proof of her own identity. The journey
stretched her beyond what she thought possible
and she received not only what she sought, but more—
a house to call her own, not far from the city
where her real parents grew up. She thought
she wouldn’t win, but with God’s help, she did. 

Wordle: turmoil, calories, information, anticipation, winter, must, pork, open, excellence, replaced

Calories Burn

O, the turmoil calories cause us women.
Nutritional information douses anticipation
of eating a gooey desert offered in kindness.

Cuddling up with a book in the winter
must be replaced with hours at the gym.
And it’s all to get a little thinner.  

O, okay, we need to get healthy, too.
Eating such things as chicken, not pork,
opens the door to excellence, theoretically. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Creative Bloomngs lento

Afghan Hound

Black mask, long hair, long head, top knot
Back of the tail curls ‘round, so cute
White, gray, brown, golden, black, a lot
Bright, playful, dignified, aloof

Fine old breed from Afghanistan
Line bred to hunt and watch the herds
They’ve high hip bones and run, they can!
Brave and elegant beyond words

Poetic Asides building poem

A Building Poem

A skilled carpenter,
thrilled to build
a home that fulfilled
his sweetheart’s dreams.
He began building,
totally yielding
to her every whim.
It became a tower
of  power reaching
high to the sky.
He finished with a sigh.
Inside, he tried to reside
but he was tied to his bride
whom he could no longer abide
so he left and she cried.
There were too many rooms,
then the fumes,
the flames and the blames.
The building’s gone now.
Life resumes.
A flower blooms. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Poetic Bloomings That's My Line

Hidden

Silence in the ocean in the world of fishes,
I think I’ll go there.
Daring to dream fantastic schemes and wishes.
I wonder why and where
God came up with such a plan to show off His beauty
Where no one else can see,
Creating such marvels beyond the call of duty
Hiding within the deep.
Pondering His extravagant creativity,
I think He features
Secret wondrous and amazing things
In all His creatures.

 “Silence in the ocean in the world of fishes, I think I’ll go there.” Noises Off by Vivinfrance

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Poetic Bloomings Hey, That's My Line!

Make My Heart Your Home

Flood love to my heart, may it be Your home,
love like electricity giving light.
May faith like a welcome mat bid all come,
and joy be the kitchen, relaxed and bright.

May hope be the door You ask others in,
and peace be Your bed You lie upon here.
May goodness like curtains keep out the sin,
compassion, the paint on the walls for cheer.

May prayer be the walls that stand tall and strong,
and worship be music You sing along.


Holy Water by David DeJong—"Flood love to my heart may it be your home." 

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Memories



The Stories Dad Used to Tell

One day, Dad spied a rabbit
munching lettuce.in the garden.
So he threw a stone to chase it out.
The rabbit fell as if dead.
When Dad went over and looked,
the rabbit jumped up and ran.

One day, Dad, while sunning on the porch said,
“About time that turtle comes through the yard,”
and looking up, he exclaimed,  
“And there it is!”

One day, Dad came from hunting
and a turkey followed him home.
Dad gave her to the neighbors
and she lived with their chickens,
even hatched some chicken eggs
and watched over “her” brood.

One day, Dad’s friends came
for a visit to see if Dad’s potatoes
were as huge as Dad had said.
Dad dug up a hill
and there were the two biggest spuds
he had ever seen.
His friends marveled.
Dad didn't unearth any more.

Mom said the first time she saw Dad,
he was walking off a headache.
Mom’s dad stopped the car
and asked him if he wanted a ride.
Dad declined, but asked if Ginny
could walk with him.
They walked together ever since.

Dad said the first time he saw Mom,
she was stealing apples from their porch. 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Haiku mutant

To-dos stack up like fire wood
Let me set the list aflame
And toast marshmallows 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Poetic Bloomings Parody

Zip-lining Today

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
We’re going to go zip-lining today
Flying high in the town of Skagway
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mr. Mountain Guide at my shoulder
Looking forward to such a delight
Would be great if I could stand the height
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Now, I think, is a good time to pray

Looking down on a small world below
As I stand here way up in this tree
Ready to take deep breaths and a leap
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My eyes are closed and I’m headed your way

So I’ve been there and got the tee shirt
And I’ve got to say, it’s only fair.
I think I’m done walking in thin air
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
I can think of other ways to play

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
I’m all done zip-lining today
I flew high in the town of Skagway
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Poetic Asides Elsewhere


Poetic Discipline

My mind is elsewhere,
not on this poem:
reading a Mary Higgins Clark novel,
swimming laps in a pool,
laughing with my sisters,
walking with my husband,
in Phoenix with my kids,
in Alaska riding electric bikes,
coasting down a mountain in Maui,
worshiping at church,
but my body’s in my recliner
as I tap keys on my laptop
and look at my screen
between my cat’s ears.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Still another sijo

It’s the writing life for me, my computer is my friend.
I tap the keys, write what I please, until the story’s end.
And when it’s all nice and neat, I make a wish and hit send. 

Monday, January 20, 2014

Another Sijo

Hollow feelings pass through tip to toe, again and again.
Passing through with shivers of dread and anguish. O anguish!
Hearing my sister’s gasps and sobs, I know. I know. “Who?” I ask.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Sijo again

Rain poured down, creek ran high, July, nineteen seventy seven.
Next day, Dad checked his minnow trap. Geegosh! It had washed away!
Felt foolish, when he learned seventy-eight souls washed away as well. 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Sijo 2

Tiny sparks, scraps of tinder, a gentle wind, bright licking flame
Extending, lapping, growing, turning into a roaring fire
Friendly smile, a sincere handshake, welcoming eyes, well wishes 

Friday, January 17, 2014

Sijo

In God’s love, lie’s acceptance, hope, joy, through His Son Jesus
Like a bridge from a temporal world to an eternal planet
Yes, we follow the narrow way, but we’re not narrow-minded 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Poetic Asides Stress

Growing Roots

Like a tree needs
a certain amount of drought
to dig its roots down deep,
we need an allotment of
company coming over,
floors to be scrubbed,
children to be fed,
articles due,
publisher rejections,
contests lost,
pounds gained,
climbing crumbly cliffs,
bruised knees,
aches and pains,
flat tires,
money woes,
spousal arguments,
getting lost in the city,
because like an over-watered tree
boredom can kill you. 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

abcb, 9 syllables, bum ba bum


The Great Outdoors

In the country where we kids grew up
I remember games we used to play
Statue, four square, acting out the shows
Sardines, hide and seek, outdoors all day

Splashing in the creek, and riding bikes
Sliding down the hills in winter time
Chasing lightning bugs and catching frogs
Finding tall and branchy trees to climb

It’s no wonder that when I’m indoors
Bright blue skies will beckon me to come
Wind, so fresh and sweet, whispers my name
Till I leave the confines of my home 

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

morning poem

It’s 4:48 AM

Our host home man is playing with the bathroom fan.
Our woman is calling like a humpback whale.
A flush, hubby’s up, too.
The cat’s awake, sitting on my lap,
perturbed she has to share with the computer.
Can I go back to bed now?
Probably not.
Time to pray.
The Lord’s awake, too.
Thankfully, He’s always awake.

Monday, January 13, 2014

from morning pages

Caring and Sharing

Years ago,
at Christmas time,
we kids would leave our gifts
out underneath the tree
for at least a week or so
 and others would come
and visit and see
what loot we had raked in.
It was like receiving gifts
all over again,
because we’d play together
throughout the year
and share our toys.
Now,  
as soon as possible,
we tidy up
and put our things away.



Sunday, January 12, 2014

Poetic Bloomings water

From a Dry Land

My boyfriend from Wyoming
came to Pennsylvania for a visit.
As we crossed a ditch, he asked,
“Is this Shannon Creek?” I laughed
and pointed to a puddle saying,
“Yes, and that is Mirror Lake,  
or, at least, they would be in Wyoming.”

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Sounds again

Morning Sounds

The whirr of my computer
The tap of the keys
J playing with toys
With nose to his knees

Tick of the clock
An isolated cough
The heat turning on
The heat turning off

Friday, January 10, 2014

Sounds

What Kind of Music Do You Like?

I find that an odd question.
I love all music, but played
at the wrong time could drive me batty.
A slow hymn while I’m trying to
clean the house could turn me
into a swearing woman.
Hard rock while I’m trying to sleep?
I could get violent.
I like to wake up to something mellow,
but happy like the Beach Boys.
Daytime chores is right for rock.
Exercise—peppy Celtic.
Dinner—instrumental.
Driving—country.
Writing and painting—classical.
Bedtime—slow praise music.
Music is like humor.
It’s all in the timing.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Poetic Asides This is

This Is What It Is

No side-stepping,
second guessing,
going back, but
face it head on,
deal with it,
get over it,
get real.
But there’s
always plan B.  

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Nove Otto

Ice Skater

She glides along just like a swan,
No feathers, but a silken gown.
Her limbs are stretched so gracefully.
The wind flows through her fine blond hair,
With grace and speed, without a care.
Ecstatic, her spirit soars free.  
A tiny girl with giant dreams
From sidelines watches, wishes, schemes.
She sighs, “If only it were me!”

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

free verse

Waiting

The Christmas tree’s twinkling lights
Shine bright in the morning’s darkness
Dozens of ornaments hide in the shadows
A candy cane here, a shiny ball there.
Soon they will all be stored away
We like ornaments on a tree
Await permanence, relevance

Triolet

Morning Sounds

The furnace roars to life this wee AM
My cat sits on my lap and chirps and purrs
The clock tick tock ticks over and again
The furnace roars to life this wee AM
My heart so beats in time with all of them
The big refrigerator creaks and whirs
The furnace roars to life this wee AM
My cat sits on my lap and chirps and purrs

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Saturday, January 4, 2014

alouette

The Flu

The tree’s still up
Have hot tea in cup
Could be a nice quiet time
But I’m feeling blue
‘cause I have the flu
I’m feeling not so sublime

The tissues mount high
I cough, groan and sigh
This turns the day to a dud
So pass the Nyquil
And some day I will

Escape this miserable crud

Friday, January 3, 2014

abc, 123

Country Church

Church
Trees, hills
Valley, peace
Search
God wills
Sweet release
Perch
God fills
Brings increase

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Poetic Asides Weird


Weird

W hacky and wonderful
E xplosive and calm
I nsane and creative
R idiculous and sensible
D isturbing and peaceful

Poetic Bloomings alouette


20014

Two thousand fourteen
We come, sight unseen
For we know not what’s in store
The last year was kind
Please, have the same mind
As we all step through this door

Let great dreams come true
And trouble be few
Be gentle with the weather
May we walk in peace
May our joys increase

And hearts be knit together