a poem in my pocket

when everyone wears masks

not just the thugs—who can

tell the difference between

bank teller or bank robber?

depends who holds the gun,

i suppose, that’s how it goes

down around town now?

coronavirus makes everyday

an unpaid masquerade

who misses the kisses?

what deprivation of hugs?

if love is to die for then

who can tell the difference

between death by covid or

death from a lonely heart?

carry them out dressed in

hazmat suits—travelers

in wilderness of contagion

Linking to dVerse poets where Sarah offers titles as writing prompt…

10 – Force changes from top down instead of allowing choices.

9 – Throw out rule of law (baby) to get rid of injustice (bathwater).

8 – Define diversity to mean all people must talk and think alike.

7 – Censor any contradicting opinions or disagreeable science.

6 – Hope that weak family bonds will strengthen social fabric.

5 – Live entitled; expect government to supply every need.

4 – Assign politicians as gods in control of natural disasters.

3 – Incentivize irresponsibility while punishing productivity.

2 – Promote mob rule as higher value than individual rights.

1 – Polarize the public, demonize dissenters, create civil chaos.

It’s not very poetic, more of a list on the “folly” theme…linking to dVerse 🙂

if one drafts blueprints for a lovely home
you must consider every detail well,
for family and friends to feel welcome
and when you leave the property will sell.

place windows to allow natural light
yet insulate to conserve energy
do you want doors a standard width and height?
should you design with perfect symmetry?

plan how to best use space in every room
a basement or a second floor include?
back deck or outdoor patio presume
to bring fresh air and set a pleasant mood

’tis folly if foundation’s not secure
stability of residence… be sure!

True for building a house, a life, or a nation.  Join the follies at dVerse  🙂

garden of summers past

held a palmed rose

colours of petals everlast

in memory’s soft repose

final flower sighed tears

under dying sun’s pale heat

dreams wilt in urgent fears

sad colours earned retreat

Based on five charms (phrases) taken from Samuel Greenberg’s “The Pale Impromptu” (1915): a palmed rose, flower sighed tears, pale heat, urgent fears, colours earned retreat. Laura hosts at dVerse poets pub tonight.

Linking to dVerse poets where De hosts “magnetic” quadrilles…

when a man is a man
and woman is woman
basic biology
may prove to be
an initial distraction
which if pursued can lead
to powerful pull of
an opposite attraction
poles easily magnetized, idealized,
romanticized, even scandalized
are predictable results
of scientific methodology

”Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” (Song of Songs 8:4)

I’m grateful for harvest yet weary of politics and COVID 19…

i’m falling out of love

with fall, that’s all…

a seasonal thing that

marks end of our fling

gorgeous colors nearly past

victims of wind’s chilly blast

old trees embarrassed to undress and

wheelbarrow shows oxidized distress

smoke from fire numbs my nose

garden hose lies stiffly froze

harvest moon wanes from full glow

day turns gray and threatens snow

my gloved fingers feel a tingle

much too soon for sleigh bells jingle

gathered crops leave dry fields bare

dusty roads don’t give a care

rejected pumpkin left to rot…

seems fall, after all, loves me not.

Join dVerse where Sarah gives us 3 little words to find our way around London….I chose frost/driven/proper which pinpoint Penguin Beach 🙂

if ever you’re in London

a’wandering and lost,  be

sure to wear tweed sweater

to shield you from the frost.

if wet and woolly weather

has driven Brits indoors,

enjoy their spiced hot toddy

before you explore the moors.

if adventures zoological

are within a cabbie’s reach,

please rent proper tuxedo

to go visit Penguin Beach!

Image source and link to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai…

van gogh’s sunny art

birds wait as seed snacks ripen

farm weed in flower