reflection on aging

21 Jan 2025 11 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet Tags: , , , , ,

Raymond McIntyre – Flowers with a Mirror (1968)

we plead, “mirror, mirror, upon the wall”
like vanity before snow white’s death fall
“what have you done to me? that’s not my face!”
bouquet of flowered beauty –not a trace
youth’s pink blush gone, now yellowing appears
and sleek combed hair sticks up in fern-like spears
sweet bloom arranged in lovely china vase
reflecting back some weedy basket case!
what once were tender buds, no blossoms brag
where perky petals peeked, dry sepals sag
sketchy mirror, you lie! –won’t tolerate
image alone does not determine fate
perhaps the mirror does reveal true age
but real wisdom’s grateful to reach this stage.

Linking to Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction challenge…check it out!

idyllic daydreams

06 Sep 2024 22 Comments

by lynn__ in ekphrastic, sonnet Tags: , , , , ,

“Boys in a Pasture” by American artist, Winslow Homer (1836-1910)

______________

last lazy summer day in pastures green
one week of freedom before starting school
stiff grasses tickle, prickle calloused feet
noon sun shines hot but breezes gently cool

two cousins sit together amiably
companionship does not require words
they watch the cows while clouds float easily
from distant trees, they hear the caw of birds

they dream a pirate’s dream on desert isle
of treasure buried deep beneath the sand
although there’s no high seas for many a mile
boys can imagine sword fights on dry land

covered by straw hats, long hair falls in curls
time’s brief, as young minds soon will follow girls

_______________

An ekphrastic sonnet linked to W3 prompt at The Skeptic’s Kaddish.

miss bibli ophelia

05 Jun 2024 14 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet, Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

Linking to dVerse poetics and feeling nostalgic with Lillian this evening…

in comfortable chair with eager arms
she opens book to uncover its charms
from pages living letters, words escape
in visions of an author’s storyscape;
such rich imaginations fill her head
with true ideals, aspiring soul is fed.
her heart in chest does real affection swell
how many pleasant hours she’ll not tell;
another’s point of view now understood
to grow inside with character proves good.
she wanders on from scene to shining scene
and wonders what a metaphor might mean.
reader will thrill at unexpected plot;
whether one owns a signed copy or not.

woman with a book by artist, Catrin Welz-Stein

sonnet in my bonnet

17 Mar 2022 24 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet Tags: , , , , ,

yes, i remember fondly my first hat
white straw with strap on chin and blue ribbon
with lacy gloves on church bench there i sat
clean folded hankie was Easter sermon.

my father had lieutenant’s naval cap
we played with it as kids in neighborhood
whoever wore the hat commanded map
and others followed orders as they should.

now that i’m older, friends go out in style
we dress in purple bling, red hats feathered
when we appear, we usually bring a smile
we laugh and learn to love life well-weathered.

reveal under my hat, mind’s mystery
read thoughts at blog: mad hatter poetry!

the invisibles

06 Feb 2019 18 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet Tags: , , , ,

 

who go unseen by fine society?
the ones unnoticed and unheard today
they live invisible to you and me

on city streets with nowhere else to stay
he sits on curb, searches through garbage can
inside small tent or under bridge he’ll lay

she’s taught by pimp to satisfy the man
but now that she is pregnant, he’s enraged
he curses in her face, hits her with hand

they live forgotten in home for the aged
small rooms smell sour as wander down the hall
both residents and staff are feeling caged

if listen closely can we hear them call?
with open eyes and hearts respond to all.

 

A sonnet consists of 14 lines structured into two parts: first part gives an “argument” and second part a “solution” separated by a “volta” (turn).

English sonnets are usuallly written in iambic pentameter (10 syllables in 5 feet), which resembles natural speech in a “da DUM” rhythm.

Terza Rima is a sonnet divided into 4 tercets and a couplet with the rhyme scheme: ABA BCB CDC DED EE.

Sonnet information from Frank and “invisible” prompt by Merril at dVerse poets pub.

no more ugly americans

04 Jan 2019 36 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet Tags: , , , , ,

Write a sonnet? We’re on it…join us at dVerse Poets pub.

 

Nation in danger when politics rule
Tyranny takes away power from fools
Everyone divided is fascist goal
Everyone’s private life under control
Left’s thought police want to strip away rights
Right’s arming themselves for future gunfights
Name-calling reveals our lack of respect
Angry tantrums reveal moral defect
Democracy works when wisdom prevails
But tyrants take over when self-rule fails
America’s greatness in books on shelves
We will be ruled if we don’t rule ourselves
Let’s learn to debate in civilized way
United AND diverse, in strength today.

 

Often sonnets are love poems and I do love America. But we Americans can give too much “weight” to politicians / politics of power and miss the greater picture of “We, the people”. Can we celebrate plurality but not force conformity? Can we discuss our differences and respect all persons? Let’s each work on our own character rather than defame another’s. No more being “ugly” to fellow Americans!

revenge of the dolls

04 Oct 2018 18 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet Tags: , , , ,

A sinister sonnet…not my usual genre but we all have a dark side.

IMG_8963

 

last night i lay upon inn’s guest room bed

where host’s mute daughter slept long years ago

alas, young girl was found mysteriously dead

in bloodied sheets which stains too well i’d know

 

her childhood room preserved in musty pink

suspicious dolls stare down from shelf by crib

false alibis reveal dark murderous link

they point toy dagger tip against my rib

 

“what evil lurks?” i scream in pulsing fear

but mannequins no mercy feel for flesh

not even ragged ann would shed a tear

berserk and vicious furies of knife flash

 

in morning, landlord spies fresh doll on shelf

that plastic face, i’d recognize…  myself!

 

 

 

 

 

evening news commentary

24 Aug 2017 31 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet Tags: , , , ,

IMG_1871

 

For thoughtful minds, a mystery
to watch modern iconoclasts
destroy statues of fathers’ cast;
we cannot erase history
so why hate sculpture bitterly?
Denial will repeat the past:
agenda hides behind a mask,
mobs pave a road to anarchy.

Remember that all men bleed red,
to judge by skin is fool’s extreme.
Lament the blood spilled on our sod,
mourn hostile words in anger said,
let truth and justice reign supreme
and leave all vengeance unto God!

 

See Daily Wire’s brief comments and video by former NBA star, Charles Barkley

home’sc(h)ool sonnet

18 Aug 2015 31 Comments

by lynn__ in sonnet Tags: , , ,

Swift summer spent, we know it’s back to school

when FedEx truck delivers loads of books.

To study here at home we think it’s cool

yet clueless people give us funny looks

because we never worry what we wear;

Change out of your pajamas, I must ask

then after chores, at least please comb your hair;

put on proud smile, you’re always top of class!

Peer pressure is a concept we don’t know

though sibling rivalry we understand.

Real life relationships can bloom and grow

when we learn side by side, walk hand in hand.

 

If there’s one thing home school deprived of us

we’d like, just once, to ride in yellow bus!
 

dreamstime_s_21148917

Linking to dVerse poetics where Gabriella’s prompt is “back to school”