Naked and bent here I stand all alone, save
for the efflorescent rocks and the parched grass
you ruin me, making mother earth my grave
your rapacious, pillaging ways so crass
one day for my brethren’s shade you’ll crave
scorched earth and rivers will be muddy morass
unsullied skies continue celestial dance
heavenly bodies shine and meteors prance!
Written for Sadje’s what do you see and Val’s scavanger hunt (ottava rima).
Absent friends crawl out of woodwork;
fans of my versatility
lip-smacking, sour, tangy citrusy;
my taste in your memory lurks
I’m no longer the free perk
you can indulge in this summer
my sky-high price is a bummer
a whiter shade of pale you turn
my charms you unwillingly spurn
safe from squeezing, I gladly smirk!
(This summer lemons are almost four times their price! In India, most people rely on lemons for cool refreshing drinks. But the start of summer has been different.)
Today’s NaPoWriMo challenge is to write a poem that anthropomorphizes a kind of food. It could be a favorite food of yours, or maybe one you feel conflicted about.
Written for dVerse. Today’s host, Merril says: Choose one—or more–of the names from the list below and use it in your poem OR as a title for your poem. Just to be clear, you can write in any style or form, and the poems do not have to be about roses or flowers.
Absent Friends
Absolutely Fabulous
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Bobby Dazzler
Boule de Neige
Julia’s Kiss
Leaping Salmon
Pretty Jessica
Purple Tiger
Sylvia
Twice in a Blue Moon
I am also responding to Val’s scavenger hunt. Write a Espinela poem or write a poem on the theme of passion.
(My apologies for not responding to your comments or reading your posts these last few days. I have been down with stomach flu. Today I am better. Will catch up soon.)
My heart always flipflops
at the sight of strays
my poor heart does flipflop at the sight of strays
for it was a lovable stray who turned my life’s ways
I remember the adoration and love in his chocolate eyes
I do remember the adoration and love in his chocolate eyes
now tears flow incessantly and my heart sighs
Thirteen long years he lorded over my heart
for thirteen long years he lorded over my heart
without him I don’t know from where to start
The aching void that he has left in my life
the gaping void that he has left in my life
that hollow emptiness sure cuts like a knife
I long for the furry company in my life again
I sure long for the furry company in my life again
but I can’t have my broken heart broken all over again.
Today’s challenge is to think about dogs you have known, seen, or heard about, and then use them as a springboard into wherever they take you.
Written also for Val’s scavenger hunt. Write a Blues Stanza or write a poem using the theme of resilience.
Your rapier sharp words joint my heart
shards of love I pluck from the void
the melancholic cricket
sings laments every night
vows float like debris
sleep eludes me
sit by me
let’s count
scars
Because it’s a Saturday, write in a specific form – the nonet! A nonet has nine lines. The first line has nine syllables, the second has eight, and so on until you get to the last line, which has just one syllable.
Also Val has asked us to write a nonet or write a poem using the word “joint” and “bent”.
I am also sharing another poem written for Val’s scavenger hunt. She says, write a Cascade poem or write a poem using the word “limber”.
As I limber up for a month of writing
I worry if I’ve taken too much on my plate
but writing is what satiates my soul.
All kinds of thoughts rush through my mind
does being prolific a poet make, I wonder
as I limber up for a month of writing.
Shouldn’t poetic ideas incubate for a while
marinate properly in creative juices
I worry if I’ve taken too much on my plate.
Abandon the idea and step back should I
who likes half-baked amateurish verses
but writing is what satiates my soul.
Today, my alter ego, Ms. Sourpuss takes centre stage.
I mostly lie dormant quietly inside
But sometimes peel the facade to peer outside
My conniving heart does need a release
I like to rave and rant and not always please.
I am sickened to the core when you are trite
Being servile makes me really uptight
There are times your throat I want to seize
I like to rave and rant and not always please.
How long do you wanna me to hide
Come on own me, take me in your stride!
Stop always daydreaming about peace
I like to rave and rant and not always please.
Today’s prompt asks you to name your alter-ego, and then describe him/her in detail. Then write in your alter-ego’s voice.
Also written for Val’s scavenger hunt. Write a Kyrielle or write a poem on servitude.
He scratches his head
totally perplexed
could not the old biddy read!
his four signs** ignored
not coming aboard
why wasn’t she ready to yield!
He descends on earth
for all that he’s worth
to persuade her to ascend.
she thinks he’s a cook
from his swarthy look
so she asks him to stove tend!
At tethers end he
finds himself. For he
is no cook for sure. Ladles,
pots, pans and cooker
he is in stupor
’tis not easy as saying toodles!
She solemnly vows
there’ll be no more rows
cook one meal for frau elder
willingly she’ll go
to the yamalok***
her last wish if he’d grant her!
He bends at the stove
as he is behove
his belly comes in his way
sweat and tears pour down
he tries not to frown
who’d thought he’d see such a day!
* deity of death
** he had promised to give four signs before whisking away people to his abode. Namely, grey hair, falling teeth, hearing difficulty and bent waist!
*** abode of Yama
You can read more about Yama here.
Today’s challenge is to write a poem about a mythical person or creature doing something unusual – or at least something that seems unusual in relation to that person/creature. Read more here.
Also written for Val’s scavenger hunt. An alouette including the word yield.
Two weeks you stood on my table
ignored but not so completely
your scent made me miserable
though you did nod your heads sweetly.
I mussitate but unstable
I’m not. Am not angry with you
at glisk I kiddle your fair hue
but can’t forgive his caddish ways
the sleepless nights, the restless days
Dear blooms, my love for him was true!
Today’s optional prompt is to write a poem based on a word featured in a tweet from Haggard Hawks, an account devoted to obscure and interesting English words. I chose the following three.
Also written for Val’s scavenger hunt: Write a Decima poem or write a poem using the theme of roses.
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