Sunday, March 31, 2013

Mothers


                                                     Between Heaven and Hell 1989 by Jecek Yerka
Image: Courtesy of Tess' Mag

Nature’s way of ensuring life’s being
Baby’s wailings are sure signs of
either the diapers need changing
or hunger is forcing an issue

Moms, the mobile kitchen are always
at hand. Mom comes running to appease anger
Infants are spared of pangs of hunger
But not for long as change of diet
requires a proper kitchen besides
breast-feeding, warmth and loving care

Early in life the kitchen is seen as an
unequalled savior in the household,
a sanctuary for  mothers to hone her culinary
skills, useful in the long run to ease off from
breast-feeding, or to whip up a quickie snack
for the growing-up years and to stack up the
 ‘fridge and warmers ready for the fast moving
teenagers.  All the while in the background
though, expectation is high from the head of the
household who may sometimes be more
demanding.  An intelligent lady ought to
make adjustments to keep the cries of
empty stomachs within wraps

That’s the reason why mothers are invented
and kept busy!

Note: Apologies all round! Can't thank mothers enough for being there when we need them!

Written for Tess' Magpie Tales #162

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Elvis the King

                                                                         Attribution to MGM Inc
Image: Elvis Promoting Jailhouse Rock
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Twins Jesse Garon Presley and Elvis Aaron Presley
were born on Jan 08 1935 but  the elder Jesse
was still-born. Elvis went on to be ‘The King’
and dominated the world music scene

He had wanted a bicycle or a gun for his birthday
But he got a guitar, a less costly alternative

But what a blessing it was and music was not
the same since

‘That’s All Right’ reportedly meant for his mother’s
birthday topped the charts and opened the way
for others beginning 1953. Inspired by  Bill Hayley’s
Rock Around the Clock which was No.1 on the Charts
in 1954 he never looked back.  What masterly
good fortune that he found  ‘rock and roll’ bursting
onto the scene at the same time as that of his singing.

Blessed with good looks and the African-American
voice of Rhythm and Blues, the music world was at
his bidding. By 1956 he had 8 singles as No.1 on the US
Charts. Among the notable ones were Heartbreak Hotel, Don’t
Be Cruel, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender and All Shook Up

Riding on his popularity,  he got onto the silver screen
with Love Me Tender (1956) Jailhouse Rock (1957) and
Blue Hawaii (1961) More hits on the Charts and more films
followed. His gyrations on stage and young girls swooning
at  Elvis the Pelvis (a handle he abhorred) kept the 60’s and
70’s on high. But ‘on high’ at this time was not just a buzz word
but also a bad word in the entertainment world. The drug scene
initially seen as an exclusive and accepted phenomena later
was viewed with disdain and condemned many talented
artists into oblivion and early death.

Most unfortunately The King was no exception.  Prescribed  by his
physician it meant it was ok to Elvis. It was thought to be so! But
not so.

He was more depressed when his former bodyguards who
had close access to him wrote a tell-all book on his drug habit

Elvis was found comatose on his bed on Aug 16 1977 apparently
following a heart attack brought on by drug abuse for a long period
of time. It was most unfortunate that it happened at a young age of 42

Despite that  he could still top the charts posthumously with
singles JailhouseRock (2002) One Night (2005) and
It’s Now or Never (2005) among others!

Hail the King!

Note: I didn't bring this posting to other means, dimensions or tweak it
as suggested by Mary 'cos one wouldn't unnecessarily mess around with
the King. Actually I didn't manage to do it and kept it factual to be safe

Mary hosting at de’Verse Poetics – Modern Day Mythology want us to write
on a character we admire

Friday, March 29, 2013

Bride-to-be

Image: The bride-to-be

A             Heard say there were suitors for my niece’s hand
B             Holding on to conservative values
B             Parents took center stage, decided the dues
A             Daughter happy with choice of the good man

A             The family circle were informed then
B             Everyone lauded the happy news
B             My niece took it within her and just mused
A             Demure and pretty, ever confident

C             Date was fixed and things started to move fast
D             Then more good news, younger sister was wooed
E             Grand double quite certain in the offing
C             Wedding dress, venue,  guests, food, a  grand blast
D             Friends, relatives even the neighborhood
E             Would make it a grand fairy tale wedding

Note: 1. Image of younger sister is unfortunately not available
          2. A traditional wedding here would invariably involve not just the extended
              family but also the neighbors.

Sam at d'Verse is hosting Forms for All, with suggestions of creating a sonnet.
I've adopted the ABBA-ABBA-CDECDE rhyming structure and maintaining the 10-syllable count

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

No. #1

No. #1!
Everybody take notice
Been lots of fun!
A slight hiccup but nothing’s amiss
I’m staking my claim
for my numero uno
I’ve been away lately
but not any more

Now I’ve got it back!
It’s sweet seeing all others
Vying for the same
It’s all in the game
One has to go for it
Fun of winning
Is not an easy thing
It may be a little pain
But there are lots of gain
One must have the passion
With all the gumption
Of a champion

No. #1! No.# 1!
It sure is fun!
I’m back!
Don’t forget that!

Gleefully these are perhaps
what ran through his mind
Words befitting  of a sports icon
Tiger Woods has returned
to the top of world ranking
Tiger replaces Rory Mc Illroy
As World No.1 when he won
The Arnold Palmer Invitational
Over the week-end!

Note: It is usual and expected that Tiger is at the World's No.#1 ranking. He was there before!
(I hope this can meet Mary's prompt 'usual and unusual' at Poetry Jam)

                                                               Attribution to Molly A Burgess
Image: Tiger teeing off at the Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Maryland
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Written for Kim's hosting at Poets United with prompt Verse First 'passion' and Mary's hosting at Poetry Jam with prompt 'usual and unusual'

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Shunto (Spring Lanterns)


                                                                                     Attribution to Fa2f
Image: Decorative Multi-colored Lanterns
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Spring lantern flickers
Swaying  slightly in the breeze
On  a lovingly warm night

The owl stood its ground
Wisely with a commanding
view of life below

A Japanese fare
Innocence of evening
Sipping light sake

Written for Chev' haiku at CARPE DIEM #154 with prompt Spring Lantern and d'Verse OpenLinkNight week #89

Monday, March 25, 2013

Haru ta (Spring Paddy Fields)

                                                                             Attributed to Namanegara
Image: Green Paddy Fields
Source:  Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Coolness of weather
Expanse of greenery of
nature undisturbed

By the  late spring a
vigorous growth rate ensures
sturdy stalks stand tall

Staple food to those
In the East supporting large
population growth

Deft use of chopsticks
Cleverly held by fingers
for way of eating

Written for Chev's haiku at CARPE DIEM #153 with prompt Late Spring Paddy and shared with  Kerry's hosting at Real Toad's Open Link Monday

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Future Twin Godfathers


                                                                        Photo by Rene Magritte
Image: Courtesy of Tess' Mag

Moments in time of varied capture
Fleeting through in a blinding flash
Or tip-toeing slowly for all at leisure
In between a quick and random dash

Moments in time of aggressive runs
Surreptitiously vying for some privacy
Crude may it seem but two young guns
Creating a power  base  in all simplicity

Moments in time of a street fighter
Who had to survive with his wits intact
Scrimping and looking for the better
Instinct his weapon strong as yet

Seeing double  is a worked out decoy
Reflection here is a planned deception
Terrible twins are known to destroy
To achieve the duo’s wicked ambitions 

Written for Tess’ Magpie Tales #161 and shared with One Single Impression #265 with prompt - moment and Poets United's Poetry Pantry #143

Friday, March 22, 2013

Cracks

                                                                            Attribution to Hannes Grobe
Image: Desiccation Cracks in Dried Sludge
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Get cracking, go for it!
Get moving crack the whip

But crackpots crave for some fun
Smoking crack a tragedy in the sun
Cracking software a test of wills
Cracked copies risking the bill

Crack a code
That’s a big load
Crack at the job
Shows a big flop
Crack a safe
Not nicely made
A crack shot
Is all that’s required

Not cracking under pressure
Lawyers knocking at the defendant’s composure

Driving’s  a real pleasure
If not cracking 70 miles per hour
Crackdown on speeding
To rope them in

At the crack of dawn
Lots of movements
Cracking the time
To earn a living


A crack shot with lots of potential
Crack at the job is very essential
Crack in the head working like a dog
And cracking up from overwork

Written for Fireblossom's Friday at Real Toads: The Cracks In Everything

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Who?

Looks can be deceiving
You may not have seen me
But my reputation precedes me
You would have heard of me
It’s all attributed to my looks

You probably would have conjured
something different. I’ve been thought
to be very beautiful not that I’m not. But
I’ve been known to be brightly and
loudly colored. Splashes of green, red
and blue are generously part and
parcel of my kind. I’m known to hunt
for my keeps in that unusual way
I hunt not on land nor do I consume
little insects or berries. I go for the
big kill, sometimes bigger than me.
And another thing! I’m not a swimmer
but I can zero in and dive into murky
waters to get what I want
Look at me! You think I’m what I am?

A kingfisher?

Yes, I’m a kingfisher from the Amazons and this
is how I look. Not that colorful but a
Kingfisher no less.

                                                                                   Attribution to Lip Kee Yap
Image: An Amazon Kingfisher 
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Anna at d’Verse’s Meeting the Bar had suggested on writing of a persona of something.
I’ve not seen what Anna had explained but I’ve taken the lead from Brian’s posting.
I wonder if this is correctly assumed.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Icon in the Making

                                                                             Attributed to Neelix
Image: A male winner
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

There she was, lithe and supple gracefully
walking.

She walked past ignoring all the quiet whispers
Not really aware and not really bothered of the
impending outcome. She held her own, an iconic
being bent on doing her own thing. She felt edgy
but that was only natural. She had gone through this
far and there was no turning back. Her mother’s words
rang true. Go for it baby! Remember the tigress had
woken from her lair, she reminded her. She walked
slowly gingerly taking soft steps aware of the threats
all around her. It had been a few seasons where the
weaker sex was blithely proven to be weak. Mindful
of the burden of choice she was carrying  she proceeded.
There had not been a lady winner these
last few seasons and she stood to stake her claim.
This was to be a psyche game. Who was there to say
of how she was going to fare. One must have a golden voice.
That was all she knew.

She walked on to the stage, the lights were blinding. The
crowd roared and there were lots of clapping. She was
faintly aware of the judges.

She was ready with her number. She had nothing to lose
That was how it felt, she thought. 

The few seconds before they took to the mike
at the America Idol! 

Written for 3WW with words lithe, iconic and edgy and shared with d'Verse OpenLinkNight week#88

Monday, March 18, 2013

Aomugi (Green Barley)


                                                                                  Attributed to Dfsp spirit
Image:  Rows of Green Barley
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Enchanting rows
Soft green, idyllic, wholesome
and kind to the eyes

The morning dew stuck
like pearls of sparkling crystals
swaying in the breeze

Billed most nutritious
supplement, cover against
nature’s impending ills

Written for Chev's haiku at CARPE DIEM #148 with prompt Aomugi (green barley). Shared with Kerry's hosting at Open Link Monday at Real Toads

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Micro Fiction



Image:  Courtesy of Grandma's Goulash

Laundering your smile
so lavishly.So happy
today!
Yes,I am
Your goggles so
sweet
So are yours
Two hearts together
and everything
that's nice

(140 characters)
as counted through Design215

Grandma’s Goulash aka Linda at Succinctly Yours challenged us to write a Micro Fiction not exceeding 140 characters based on the pic provided above. To include the word – launder  where possible

Anaconda


                                                               Author: Image Attributed to LA Dawson
Image: A Green Anaconda
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Green with envy seeing
one so big. It is one of
the longest big snakes

Olive green with black
blotches along its body
Reason it is ‘green’

Frightening to hear
Can swallow humans whole just
not for the squeamish

‘Anaconda’ with
its three sequels created
that horror feeling

March seventeenth, a
remembrance to snakes driven
out of Irish lands

Happy St Patrick's Day!


Written for K's hosting at d'Verse with all things green and shared
with Poets United's Poetry Pantry # 142

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Feeding Time


                                                                       Author: Attribution to H Dahlmo
Image 1: Feeding giraffe at the Giraffe Center outside Nairobi. Kenya
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Ho-hum!
Where are they now?
Normally on time, ah!
finally! Need to stretch my neck
for this!

                                                               Author: Attributed to Snjeschok
Image 2: A Camel in a Zoo
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Thirsty?
No!  Hungry?  yes!
Not complaining but not
fair. Lots of food here but just a
morsel?

                                                                 Author:  Attributed to Cesar Astudillo
Image 3: The White Thingy is a Fish
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Feeding
motivates. An
incentive to react
Trainers  reward good performance
It works

Tony is hosting  at d’Verse with Forms for All - a cinquain (a form that has a syllabic count of 2,4,6,8 and 2) 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Flowers


                                                                Author: Attributed to Andre Karwath
Image: A Few Primulas of the species Primula Hortensis
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Flowers that will not wait
for the snow to steal away
its strength,  its fate
sealed when led astray

Likeness of  adaptations
Clusters of low brush
Twisted in its elation
Taking the silent roar of the vast
wooded jungle of thorn saplings
Stout-stemmed twisted but strong
slowly, zigzagging

A picture of sensibility
To survive, stealing the sun
to glow in a phony
protocol of the wayward son

Flowers that employ the wind
To garner support to retain
its beauty, an outright sin
but for a good cause without restrain

A thing of beauty
In all its tenacity!

Kerry's hosting had De Jackson of Whimsy Gismo  to compile for Real Toads
a Botanical wordlist and phrases for us to use in a poem. We can adopt one or as many
as we want. I had taken a few (in italics) in this verse. Thanks Kerry and De Jackson!


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Nature's Wrath


                                                                    Author: Original upload by Fir002

Image: Turbulent Skies
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Provocatively dark
Swirling in motions not likely
to find a solution
Turbulent skies
Pugilistic

Uncharitable, undeterred
Volatile in its make
Ready to unleash
the power within

Underlings on earth
Preparing a defense
Against an expected
stormy encounter

The Heavens falling!
Be it snow, rain, hailstones
Blizzards and sandstorms
The Heaven's warning!
Volcanic eruptions,earthquakes
and tsunami

Global warming!
Retribution demands
a correction to ills of human folly

Repent!


Written for Claudia's at d'Verse OpenLinkNight week#87

Monday, March 11, 2013

Warmth


                                                             Author: Attributed to Ryan Linton
Image: The Grand Canyon from the Desert View Watch Tower
Source:  Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

A serene visual
Three layered blended within
pulsating colors

Mid-spring facade set
in motion feelings of awe
Ostensibly cool

Not so, one of the
Seven Wonders carved out by
the Colorado

Seventeen million
years snaking through Death Valley
ever eroding

Written for Chev’s CARPE DIEM #142 daily haiku with prompt -serene-. Shared with Kerry's at Real Toads's Open Link Mondays and Mary's Poets United's Poetry Pantry #141

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Peace


                                                                   Author: Attributed to Robin Gosnall 
Image: Meal Beach, Burra Isles, Shetland
Source: Courtesy of Tess' Mag

A very quiet beach
Devoid of human forms
Early morning mist
Nor other animal movements

Except for the slow lashing
of the lazy waves on the shore
In the distance glistening
As a glass sheet crystal clear

Peaceful as it is!

The same cannot be said
Of what's around the local scene
The crime wave driving us mad
Of profiteers ever so mean

It's no better globally
Power play against the weak
Those not affected take it lightly
'Not in my backyard' we play it meek

Peace clamored for!

The beach is ever so peaceful
Semblance of regulated nature's ways
Not readily offered in a world of plentiful
Where greed and high handedness held sway

Peace so elusive!

Written for Tess' Mag #159

Saturday, March 9, 2013

At a Loss!


                                                                            Author: Attribution to JLPC
Image: Crossroads, Charente, France
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

He is still at a loss
He thought he had it made
It all seemed too easy
None as to be that complicated
She had said ‘yes’
He had known her that long

Now this!
Why?
Why did she change her mind?

Standing at the crossroads
This is a challenge
He has learnt that much
about her to know her
He has to bid his time
He has to give her time
It is only fair
She had gone through so much herself
He had not been that easy a guy
to be with
It was easy before
But not now

He’ll be fair
He’ll give in this time
Afterall Mom knows best!

Written for Carry on Tuesday #196 with prompt – standing at the crossroads

Friday, March 8, 2013

It's Virtually Similar!

 Image:1 Lilies I think!
 Image: 2 Not sure what it's called
 Image:3 A mango
Image: 4 Papayas
Source: All images from Hank's backyard

People were more open
The people are friendly

The  food was amazing
We too have a variety

Family and friends were
 what mattered most

Agree wholeheartedly
And it’s such a boost

We lived in Oaxaca
for the first six years

We lived in P. Jaya
For just as many years

a source of writing inspiration
a likeness of environment

We live at an  elevation
of over 7, 000 feet, where
bougainvillea bloom year-round

We have similar high elevation
at Cameron Highlands where
flowers of all kinds abound

 Italian, Brazilian, Argentinean,
French, Chinese and Japanese
No lack of finding something delicious to eat

Italian, Malay, Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern
French, Chinese and Japanese
We also have a smorgasbord of treats

It’s virtually similar!
Pam at her city of Puebla
Hank at our city of Kuala Lumpur

Note: Those in italics are Pam's description of her city 
matched by almost similar elements here in our part of 
the world except that we do not have any smoking volcanoes

Victoria had invited Pam, a wonderful friend, to write about her city and we're to write about ours at d"Verse - Oh, the Places we Live!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

City Park


Image: City Park
Source: Courtesy of Chev's CARPE DIEM

A most welcomed sight
Expanse of water nestled
among greenery

Coolness exudes feel
of serenity, wildlife
frolic in the sun

Unlike city folks
within a concrete jungle
and seemingly free

Written for Chev's haiku at CARPE DIEM's  imagination #3 -city park-

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Moths


                                                             Photo : Attribution to Didier Descouens
Image: Madagascar Sunset Moths
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

A species nocturnal in nature                    
Fluttering in the cool breeze
Of a right feel delicate in stature
Not groping in the very least

Conversant of life in the dark
Not active but graceful in movements
Skirting tree to tree bark to bark
Sedentary a while at some moments

Idyllic setting none so right
But for predators lurking in wait
May upset the quiet of the night
Caught in a skirmish and left for dead

Slow moving life forms bear the danger
Elements of the animal world's way of attrition
Risks of transfer from one perch to the other
Brutal but bears witness of natural occurrence

Written for 3WW (3WordWednesday) with words - grope,transfer and brutal


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Usurai (thin ice)

                                                                 Author: Attributed to Bugboy52.40

Image: Wing Structure and Venation of Cicada Wings
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

kigo in early
spring. Usurai is clear thin
ice on cold spring nights

A cool lingering
phenomena thinly guised
of sparkling diamonds

Semigoori like
thin cicadas wings. Shiny
lined network of art

Note: Kris tells of the season’s connection to haiku, a kigo. Usurai is thin clear ice
that normally forms on cold spring nights. It’s also referred to as semigoori, 
liken to clear cicada wings

Written for Chev’s haiku at CARPE DIEM #137 with prompt –usurai- Shared with d’Verse at OpenLinkNight week #86

Monday, March 4, 2013

Unlimited Wants

By way of wants
The yearnings of yonder
That's not how it had all begun
The wonder of wonders

Unlimited wants
Unlimited yearnings
Care for a show?

Scarcity all whims
Creating demands unsurpassed
Grinds the wheel moving
Feed them in the past

Adam Smith leads the way
Born of  the Wealth of Nations
Held spell-bound, held sway
Right on with the actions

Principles and theories
Come into play in absolute terms
Not creating worries
But providing answers and solutions

Economics had been fun
Satisfying unlimited wants!

Written for Sandy's One Single Impression with prompt #262 - unlimited- and

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Innocence


                                                                        Photo by TheFoxandTheRaven
Image: Courtesy of Tess' Mag

Young hearts of innocence
Little things mean a lot
Taking them all at face value
That  words sweetly uttered
Bound feelings of love

But he left…
Not without reasons
But just
But why?

Tolerance spread thin
It’s a disappointment!
Left in the lurch
Strings unattached
All alone in this cruel world
Cared less and abandoned
Why must she be made to suffer
Her heart shattered into a million pieces
Left in the cold
Drenched to the skin

No, mankind hadn’t been hurting
Humankind wasn’t at fault
It’s about him and him alone

I’m young
I’m pretty
I’m strong!

Faith in a good man
Hadn’t waned
It’s a blessing
I’m now better prepared
My tears shed but I’ve learnt

I’ll overcome!
A good man is waiting!

Written for Tess' Mag #158

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Dolls Festival Day


                                                                           Author: Attributed to Katorisi
Image: Dolls Displayed at the Girl's Festival
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here) with GFDL permission

Doll Festival Day
March 3 not a day longer
Lest pain of ill-luck

Hina Matsuri
Neatly arranged on platforms
Dolls on red carpets

Power to contain
evil spirits, dolls displayed
of Heian court dressings

Universal by
nature. Dolls are soothingly
joyful and revered 

Note:  Haiku on Girl's Festival or Hina Matsuri the Japanese Doll Festival Day. Celebrated on Mar 03 and not a day longer which otherwise might invoke bad luck

Written for Chev’s CARPE DIEM #135 with prompt - Hina Matsuri.  Shared with d’Verse where Fred is hosting on An Evening of Short Verses, where haiku is accepted