back to basics

04 Jul 2020 7 Comments

by lynn__ in question poem, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

 

My fellow Americans,

What is happening to our country?

We are ONE nation but some are trying to divide us!

Have we forgotten our pledge of allegiance to her?

America’s past isn’t perfect; let us learn from our mistakes.

America’s future is full of promise if we reach for her ideals;

If we preserve freedom’s principle to protect individual rights,

If we respect our Constitution and agree to live united under law.

Have we forgotten GOD who is the source of life, law, and justice?

Let us humble ourselves, give thanks for our blessings of opportunity,

and keep working together toward true liberty and justice for ALL!

 

1rwyie

 

 

just asking

23 Apr 2020 3 Comments

by lynn__ in american sentence, question poem, Uncategorized

So…what is it about men that it always has to be their idea?!   😉

politics

22 Apr 2020 Leave a comment

by lynn__ in question poem, rhyming verse Tags: , , , ,

 

why do we find it our forte to fight?

why so obsessed to prove we are right?

an ancient blame game that began in the garden

who knew how bad seed of sin’s fruit would harden?!

 

 

 

 

 

into the shadows

08 Nov 2019 6 Comments

by lynn__ in free verse, question poem Tags: , , , , ,

 

searching for any witnesses,
he questioned as if suspect:
“where were you?” he probed
“in my room,” a shocked reply
(nowhere near bloodied body)

at least, victim didn’t feel much,
unexpected and instantaneous.
trucker on road never slowed,
could not see in night’s blackness
didn’t notice impact, drove on.

circles under eyes mark grief
remembered as good mother;
affectionate, gave warm gifts.
she’d lived life until the ninth
when bad luck found black cat.

how often we commit dark deeds;
does ignorance prove innocence?

 

Linking to dVerse poets. This “mystery” poem fits previous prompt (shades of black) and current prompt (changing perspective). Written in third person about our barn cat found on the road but also thinking of a former acquaintance who was struck by a truck and killed. It’s always sad when animals die but how much more a human being?!

 

violence against humanity

05 Aug 2019 2 Comments

by lynn__ in haibun, question poem, Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

 

Awful week of three senseless public shootings by U.S. citizens at garlic festival in Gilroy CA, Walmart shopping center in El Paso TX, and popular nightclub neighborhood in Dayton OH.

We wonder why domestic terrorists perpetrate violence against unsuspecting victims? Why should innocent people die while enjoying their life? Why is our society spiraling down into a culture of hate and mayhem?

Why is it legal for mothers (whose nature is nurture) to pay doctors (whose profession is healing) to dismember their preborn infants? Why do fathers abandon or abuse their own children after conceiving them? Why do we insist our lives are superior and consider other lives expendable? Why not choose to love and protect one another, starting with our family?

Perhaps there is some connection here, an unnatural progression from selfishness, disrespect, broken relationships and alienation into a macabre culture of death. The shooters are guilty of crimes against humanity but we are all culpable.

shopping

killing on home turf

abortion births death culture

all victims bleed red

 

 

give honor where honor due

04 Aug 2019 1 Comment

by lynn__ in free verse, question poem, scripture Tags: , , , ,

 

Hallowed be your name?

be set apart, made holy

to know God, to make him known

but we are an unholy people

hollow/hollowed out, hurt/ hurting

we’ve brought shame on your name

we have put out the bright signal fires

even dousing them with tepid water

yet, when life’s trouble terrifies us

we again take your name on our lips

cry for help in hopeless places

look for you in unfamiliar faces

you hear, you answer, you come

dispel our soul darkness

heal our heart wounds

wake us to our real life

Hallowed be your name!

 

 

will all find tolerance?

19 Feb 2019 34 Comments

by lynn__ in free verse, list poem, question poem, scripture Tags: , , ,

 

i am a believer

i am an American

i am white-skinned

i am a college graduate

i am married, to one man

i work at home on the farm

i feed beef cattle to feed people

i am a home owner and land owner

i am conservative in my political views

 

are these statements provocative?
unacceptable, politically incorrect?
should i apologize to the world?
do we really believe in tolerance?
does diversity respect equally?

 

 

i want to listen and learn

i may disagree but that

does not mean i hate

yes, i am privileged

to love & be loved

to also bleed red

i thank God for

his blessings

every day;

you?

 

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:6)

unboxing day

08 Nov 2018 31 Comments

by lynn__ in free verse, question poem Tags: , , , , ,

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why shove live people into boxes?

for ease of handling:

tape flaps shut
apply (libel) labels
stack, shelve, and ship

boxes help us to:

stratify society
control communication
justify judgementalism

but humans are fluid (57-60% water)

leaking out of boxes, eluding labels with:

nuances of personality
unique life history
flow of opinions and
distilled philosophy

(even cats, who adore boxes, should not be forced inside
but rather choose which box to curl up in and when to exit)

considering final insult we sustain as body is finally laid in a box,

let us celebrate un-boxing holiday
let people out of cramped boxes
we’ve assembled and stuffed them in

in fact, let’s get rid of the boxes altogether!

 

 

Linking to dVerse metaphor/figure of speech prompt.

least resistance

14 Oct 2018 2 Comments

by lynn__ in question poem, tanka Tags: , , , , ,

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.

-Lao Tzu

 

creek overflows banks

floodwaters rise with fall rains

toads tired of swimming

 

what is softer than snow melt?

what is stronger than water?

 

Quote and inspiration from Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.

 

feathered peace

10 Aug 2018 8 Comments

by lynn__ in list poem, question poem Tags: , , , , ,

Weekly challenge at Ramblings of a Writer using words: paloma & imagination

 

do you hear birds cooing?

paloma blanca

rock dove

tumbler

common pigeon

turtledove

 

what do you imagine?

ear worm of once-popular song

nest in niche of ancient stone wall

performance of flying back flips

disrespected military statue in park

gentle hearts of monogamous mates

 

 

 

humility and honor

22 Nov 2017 2 Comments

by lynn__ in question poem Tags: , , , , ,

give-thanks-printable-1000-250x250

Our first President, George Washington, made this proclamation in 1789:

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

 

where have all the good men gone?

who respected God’s ordered civility

who defended their homes and families

who united to fight against tyranny

where have all the good men gone?

 

where have all the good women gone?

who prayed on their knees in humility

who provided for needs of their families

who united to speak against slavery

where have all the good women gone?

 

where have all the good children gone?

who obeyed their parents’ authority

who contributed help to their families

who united to honor friends’ loyalty

where have all the good children gone?

 

 

If you know someone of good character, let them know you appreciate them!

 

 

 

ticket to ride!

15 Mar 2017 8 Comments

by lynn__ in free verse, question poem Tags: , , ,

“Amuse me!” is fair theme at dVerse poets with Lillian spinning our memories.

 

calliope music

summer sunburn

sticky cotton candy

magical carousel ride

double-decked imagination

a young girl’s fantasy choice:

to trade precious tickets for

high-kickin’ striped zebra,

long-legged white hare

or sleek blue dolphin?

climb in saddle!

 

IMG_3172

photo by lynn – Kemah TX

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