learning war and peace
grandchildren fight over toy
everyone wants it
let’s all remember to share
isolate till passions cool
re-enactment of Waterloo from wikicommons
Joining Elsie at Ramblings of a Writer for weekly tanka challenge, War & Peace.
poem in your pocket day
27 Apr 2017 2 Comments
in rhyming verse Tags: day, home-grown, loam, pocket, poem
When i began this blog 5 Mays ago, i did not realize today is designated annual “Poem in Your Pocket Day” by The League of Canadian Poets and Academy of American Poets! How cool is that? Here’s a pocket-sized poem for the occasion.
a fresh poem
home-grown in
fertile loam of
heart’s dark tome
let thoughts roam
new ideas phloem
seeded, weeded, and
(hopefully) read(ed)
whether new haiku
or favorite sonnet
remember
to carry a
poem in
your pocket!
community unity meals
26 Apr 2017 12 Comments
in free verse Tags: blood, community, food, table, unity
Join the community of poets as Paul scribbles at dVerse Poets Pub!
connection by blood
relatives around a table
share past family history
gather for holiday food
connection like blood
friends around a table
share current life history
gather over favorite food
connection spite blood
neighbors around a table
share convergent history
gather with communal food
connection shed blood
nations around a table
share territorial history
gather to distribute food
connection in his blood
believers around the table
share biblical faith history
gather for spiritual food
Check out World Renew video of working with communities to end poverty:
disappointment’s questions
24 Apr 2017 33 Comments
in quadrille Tags: calf, cow, granddaughters, kittens, push, stillborn
cow pushes
hard, long
granddaughters
come along
to witness birth of calf
girls interested in kittens
already few weeks old
realize something wrong
in birth canal – nose, one hoof
show but never second foot
leg bent unnaturally
cannot push out
(naturally)
must pull
stillborn
Unfortunately, this was our experience yesterday…linking quadrille to dVerse.
japanese spring (II)
24 Apr 2017 Leave a comment
in classical haiku Tags: Akebia, blooms, chocolate, Japanese, lavender
japanese spring (I)
24 Apr 2017 2 Comments
in classical haiku Tags: Andromeda, flowers, Japanese, spring
civil (?) rights
21 Apr 2017 15 Comments
in free verse Tags: abortion, baby, girl, rights, woman
Joining Real Toads in Imaginary Garden today on the theme: “I Have No Mouth but I Must Scream” -title by Harlan Ellison
unborn baby girl
dodging abortion’s
sharp instruments
has mouth but
voice not heard
muffled in womb
unsafe sanctuary
tiny life unwanted
no fault of her own
they shout about
women’s rights,
“now let me grow
into a woman
strong, nurturing
seasoned in love —
help! it’s got me!
torn me…bleeding”
hear silent scream
new life on the farm
20 Apr 2017 4 Comments
in haiku series Tags: calves, eggs, kittens, raindrops, rhododendron, spring
tulips point skyward
pregnant buds open up life
colorful prayers
_______
speckled easter eggs
killdeer cry out distraction
spring clutch nests on ground
_______
raindrops kiss clover
walk barefoot across wet lawn
holding hands with spring
_______
straw bedding in barn
cows moo news of fresh spring calves
maternity ward
_______
mews, purrs, stretches paw
mama nurses new kittens
fur balls’ eyes closed tight
_______
blossoms pop purple
rhododendron awakens
spring resurrection
postcard poem
18 Apr 2017 40 Comments
in free verse Tags: armadillo, barbecue, posse, star, Texas
Wishing you were here at dVerse poetics with De, postcard poeming…
hi all, y’all
how r u, lone star?
roundin’ up a posse
for saucy bar-be-Q
hopin’ to see live
armadillo near amarillo
with lotta luv from
big ole’ heart o’ texas!
no fear in love
18 Apr 2017 18 Comments
in haibun, quote Tags: fear, mental illness, mind, psychotic
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear… I John 4:18
I’m not afraid of people who live with a mental illness. I feel empathy and compassion for them in their struggle. Most are not dangerous but very gentle, if overly sensitive souls. Instead of lashing out, they often desperately turn inward. They need to be listened to and comforted. Fears, both real and irrational, plague them. I know friends and relatives who’ve suffered mental illness. My father experienced a psychotic break at age 74 when his life circumstances produced the perfect storm. His disturbed mind, suddenly snapped into suicidal mode, which scared us all. A police officer saved him, family rallied around him, and he responded to treatment for bi-polar disorder. Thanks be to God, he is doing well in recovery with medication and a balanced lifestyle. No, I’m not afraid of a person with a mental illness…but I do fear suffering a serious mental illness myself.
secret storm swells dread
losing control of mind’s eye
uninvited guests
Participating in dVerse Poets haibun Monday on topic of fear…
full circle haiku
17 Apr 2017 7 Comments
in classical haiku Tags: blossom, meadow, poplar, sunflower
last snow melt reveals
bright blue-eyes blossom in lawn
startling beauty
_____
dune sunflower blooms
beach birds will feast on dry seeds
taste of salty waves
_____
clouds sail azure sky
dappled appaloosa horse
grazes wild meadow
_____
row of poplar sways
warm sun coaxes leaves to bud
gentled by spring rain
Challenge at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai to write four haiku using word list in order.
what wondrous love!
16 Apr 2017 1 Comment
in haiku, scripture Tags: agape, love, ransom, sacrifice, unconditional
greek word “agape”
God’s unconditional love
reaches for rebels
he humbly disrobed
to wash Judas’ dirty feet
king assumed servant role
he lay down own life
to pay ransom for captives
sweat pressed in garden
Jesus’ sacrifice
blood shed on altar for sin
perfect Lamb of God
remembering him
my first love, true love, best love
sing with gratitude
a poem in my pocket 
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