bold starting out strong

                                          Attribution: Christian Ferrer / W.Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Image: An Elmleaf Blackberry (here)

(the image shows stages of the formation of flowers and fruits. 

1. Flower bud. 2. Flower. 3. Faded flower. 4. Fruit buds which 

form from the faded flowers)

bold starting out strong

virgin green fresh as Springtime

to start a lineage 

(Flower bud - bottom right)

flowering beauty

spray of colours brightly spun

domain of the bees

(Flower - top right)

it worked its wonders

attraction no more, fulfilled

mothering the young

(Faded flower - top left)

life cycle invoked

beginnings of a breakout

bold starting out strong

(Fruit buds - bottom left)

Note: all the 4 haiku structured in 

a traditional 5-7-5 syllable count

Frank's at d'Verse's MTB - haiku sequence

take heart in the soothing effects of sunrise

                                                                                   Attribution: Michael

Image: Sunrise (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:

tormented eyes heart advise self 

pity unforeseen comfort mile smile

for the tormented eyes of all tormented souls

none of your fault that the world is in turmoil

take heart in the soothing effects of sunrise

stay safe to always heed all the good advice

self-pity not a convenience in such trying times

unforeseen that many businesses on the decline

comfort in all good health to gain the extra mile

happiness is all-important to always sport a smile

pray for the vaccine which is long in coming

there is a cure for every ailment it has always been

MMT's The WhirliGig #277

Michael at MLMM's Tale Weaver #286

bouncing merrily soaring high

                                            Attribution:  AndyD (CC-SELF; CC-BY-SA-2.5).
Image: Getting dizzy
with bouncing fun (here)

bouncing merrily soaring high
lost in the clouds looking down
what fun to experience  a nocturnal
flight of fancy like a superman of old

one needs a big belly to have the
springing effect to laugh at those
thin 'with hungry looks' to easily
knock them off tangent leaving
them groveling in the dust

it certainly deserves another round
perhaps the following night since
it gives a sense of superiority

can it be repeated upon request
on a cool night a wonderful dream?

Laura's at d'Verse's Poetics - flight of fancy

morose with the singularity of purpose

                                                                            Attribution: David Altmejd

Image: Clawing back desperately (here)

10 of 12 given words:

morose singularity soar claw yo-yo 

neck stain creep floorboards knight 

morose with the singularity of purpose 

soaring up from the brambles clawing back 

where a yo-yo situation is avoided

at breakneck speed to surpass those 

already stained creeping along the 

floorboards not the knight in armour 

creaking  under their weight for a way out

(44 words)

MLMM's Wordle 199-3

Nekneeraj at MLMM's Photo Challenge

Linda's at d'Verse's Quadrille #108

such is the beauty of nature's whispers

                                                                                     Attribution: Sunday Muse #118
Image: Musical Dance 

of a Water's Drop (here)

the given rhymes:
life wife strive knife rife

can you see it, a plop in still waters

a picture of a double bass player emerges

such is the beauty of nature's whispers

on the quiet but it transforms to pictures

not a stormy life rife with a loving wife

but strive for the best for the everlasting love

romantic moments not to cut off like a knife

but to pursue great times without a shove

Carrie's at the Sunday Muse #118
weejars at MLMM's Saturday's Mix - rhyme time

never to face the onslaught head-on

                                                                                              Author Zeynel Cebeci
Image: Sea Daffodils (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

someone explain harder give incoherent 

dementia quit longtime friend knows, advice

does it need someone to explain
how do the daffodils face the blast
high winds a prelude to heavy rain
harder for the inexperienced to grasp

never to face the onslaught head-on
give in,  the way the daffodils relent
incoherent dementia-like seeking a bond 
not to quit helping a longtime friend

knows how to extend counsel and advice
to forgive a noble act not readily sought
maturity an element absent on the unwise
blessings of divine intervention not to avoid 

MMT's  at the Whirligig #276 

Mish at d'Verse OLN #270

the Fab Four, a group one of a kind

                                                                                                Attribution: EMI

Image: Trade ad for Beatles' 1964 Grammys (here)
The ad appeared in the 1 May 1965 issue of Billboard
The ad is not covered by any copyrights for Billboard.

the Fab Four, a group one of a kind 

from the many foursomes of the time

they revolutionize not just the industry

but the whole generation in the 60's

ensemble of trendsetters set hearts fluttering  

a sensation in unison of all the four singing

mop-haired appearance gained acceptance

not considered in furtherance of a bad influence

some adults were steadfast with their stand

an MBE recipient reported of having returned 

it when the Beatles were awarded the same

such mixed reactions previously unknown

Merril's at d'Verse Poetics  - Revolutions

it was dead centre

                                                                     Author : Nekneeraj

Image: The sweetness of candy (here)

10 of 12 given words: 

dead bag deny throw voices 

tunnel wail signal still skip

it was dead centre
right in the bag no denying
it was just a throw from reality

I was amazed
the fortune-teller got it right

voices in the tunnel
she said not a wail just whispers
but very apparent and very real

a signal to skip the search

we are on to something

still not everything will jive

it is getting closer 

it's coming your way

it'll be in your hands. 

My prediction as a fortune-teller

for you

I'm offering you a bowl full of candy

you've been very accurate before

hopefully your winning streak sustains

with the sweetness of the candy

more 'supplements' are helpful 

but skip the candy

you mean you are expecting 

additional payments

yes!

Michael's at MLMM's Sunday Writing 

prompt - I was amazed

Brenda's Sunday Whirl #464

Nekneeraj's at MLMM's Photo 

Challenge #324

Never had it been so frustrating.

                                                                                              Author Judgefloro

Image: The new normal taken to great 

length in certain communities (here)

Moan like an autumn wind high 

in the lonesome treetops  -  from Carl Sandburg’s Jazz Fantasia.

Never had it been so frustrating.  Adjustments, adjournments, preempting, cancelled plans.
Look up to the sky for answers. Never any good 

Moan like an autumn wind high in the lonesome treetops. It gives way to unnatural glottal stops midstream in conversations, breathless like a grand-dad in the throes of early dementia. No one seems to be thinking right or talking sense unlike before.

It is not a temporary discomfort but due to sustaining for a few years so say the experts
The youngsters gladly succumbed glued to their handsets. No, bother and not bothering
others. Old folks welcomed the quiet but it runs against their long-standing habits now
gone haywire.

Everything to do, time on their hands but nothing got done. Confusion reign in confused
minds.Solace in the divine quiet for most and some turning religious against their will

What is a new normal?
(144 words)

Lillian at d'Verse's  -  Prosery Monday

ever wondered of a distant object

                                                                                                     Attribution: Shay
Image: What's cooking!  (here)

cogitate (think deeply about something)
gawk (stare openly and stupidly)

preen (look attractive and then 

admire one's appearance)

madly scribble visit done link

ever wondered of a distant object
to speculate on a speck nonchalantly 

standing alone and to cogitate a moment
on its origin notwithstanding the bother

but to gawk unwittingly blind to the moment

is there a desire for preening oneself

and to madly scribble a thought of selfish 

reasons in one's mind

it is good to cause a visit to one's 

thinking process lest one gets carried away

a good deed done sincerely 

needs no broadcasting

just link it perhaps to satisfying 

one's own craving of wanting recognition

it doesn't hurt anyone, period!

Note: Hank took the prompt's ending as a 

Wordle as it looks to be a good set of words

Fireblossom at Sunday's Muse #117

Why can't they leave me alone!

                                                                                                   Author: Bathanka
Image: Don't disturb me! (here)

It is such a relief
You are not to belief
Out of the strict confines
All of nine months
Now I am so free
No more in the tummy
Floating in the bag
Was just a drag

No, not again!
Here she comes smiling

"Oh, such a lovely baby!"
Smooching all over me
I hate it! My granny!

Sometimes she brings a whole group
Surrounding looking down on me
I just cannot stomach the torture
Toothy grins and grandpa proudly
Making endless announcements
Smelling of beer

Why can't they leave me alone!

Grace at d'Verse : first-person narrative

Hearing it then for the first time

                                                                                     Attribution: Ernest F. / CC BY-SA
Image: That Poignant Moment (here)

The day dawned early
A day earlier it had all started
She complained of searing pain
Inexperienced I could only lament
Heard say around the abdomen

Seeing it then for the first time

Twisting and turning, grimacing
Heavens dropped from the sky
This has to be it, I sighed

I stepped on the gas
As fast as I could manage
In no time she was in good hands
Snugly between the sheets
Assurance all round
the doctor, the nurse
This was quite normal,
they said in unison
Intermittent pains through the night
She took it bravely
That I could see

I got back early the next morning
She had been rolled in
I made a request to be by her side
Garbed in the hospital attire
I held her hands and waited

Immobile, manacled more or less
She could still manage a smile
Dr. McCoy, eminent gynae
Kept repeating, ‘it’s ok, love
It’ll only take a minute, love
Hold  your breath, love
Push, yes, push, love
There you are!

A clattering of sounds followed
Scissors, stainless steel containers
Shuffles of feet
Movements of nurses
A slap on the butt
A shrill cry
Oh! such a wonderful sound

Hearing it then for the first time

What an accomplishment!
My loving wife, Shadah
My first-born, Adura a gift
A bundle of joy with blessings
from God, the Almighty

Brian at d'Verse: Poetics

Discovered when referring to the side mirror

                                                                                                 Author: Susie Clovenger
Image A Moment in Time (here)

Stealing stealthily into a time long gone
Bending the memories against stalling often
It had been sensational in righting a wrong
Was it not the often quoted reality of the norm

Assessing on matters at hand to get some lead
Experience could be a good teacher for a bid
Why ineffective though in going for the kill

Not a moment too soon unmoving staying still

Looking back to moments of an unnerving error

Unwittingly discovered when referring to the side mirror

Not fair to expect rewards when much unskilled

When contributions were meagre much unfulfilled

Carrie's The Sunday Muse #116

strike the orange cord

                                                                                              Author: Colin Keigher

Image: Horizontal Traffic lights (here)

the 12 given words
field stumble meteor eerie blood sleep never reject orange
Vox Populi (popular opinion)
fade place 

in the field of human endeavor
should one stumble or be struck
by a falling meteor 
eerie it would seem blood-curdling
but very unlikely to happen
wise not to lose sleep over it
nor to be unduly worried

strike the orange cord just be forewarned
not to strike green and immediately fly away
to vamoose without thinking

it is best to be hesitant

to strike red and to be cool
unmoving for that split second

never to reject outright the Vox Populi
of an outcome yearned for
a big election rally may not translate to easy victory
stay cool and rate the chances objectively
experience in such a situation is the ideal teacher
strike orange stay cool let the clouds fade slowly away
a clearer picture will be educational
success is better placed to allow for likely victory

MLMM's Wordle #197

not to dice about but to reach out

                                                                    Attribution: Atelier Manasse Studio
Image: The Elegance of Fine Wine (here)

The use of antithesis in  opposing forces :
ascend and descend 
hope and despair

to ascend to belittle from the highest steeple
a smirk contending to provide company
but more to stand astride against the common man
that having breached the limit fate has tempted
to say and insist on a descend later boastfully with pride
it is never to ascend and descend within reasons
but to rekindle upmanship with a sly smile
given that my descent is from a higher plane

not to dice about but to reach out
for hope is there looking through grainy smog
to blanket the seemingly lucky streak of goodness
playing hard to get to stultify a yearning
where human labour is exhaustively appealing
to rally the call where there is life there is hope
where there is hope there is every possibility
success is in the hands of those bidding their time
to shove off despair to walk the plank

for they are forever playing tricks  

on those of impatience of standing

who by nature is continually bothered 

silently entertaining anger with gritted teeth

it should always be invitingly friendly
like fine wine to be taken with sips
slowly with the elegance of blessed upbringing
lest one gets unduly drunk in fine company

weejar's in MLMM's Saturday Mix - opposing forces
Carrie's at Sunday Muse # 115

hair looking clean in braids

                                                                                               Author: Stilfehler                                    

Image: Girl in Braids (here)

the 12 given words:

middle back times simple joy bliss make gate

braids (a length of hair of three or more interlaced strand)

grace swimming parade

unwittingly being in the middle of it all

it was so to speak back to good times

simple joy blindly accepted having a ball
a bliss in any of a kind without a bind

crying in silence to make for the gates 

on the sly to avoid being taken for a ride
set woven hair looking clean in braids

organized thinking extended with pride

grace of swimming gently in her head

a picture of a changed person in identity
exhibiting imbued confidence as on parade

overcoming likely irritants with dignity 

MMT's Whirligig #273