A Slow Night Walk

 

                                                                                                Artist: John Atkinson Grimshaw.

Image: John Atkinson Grimshaw's Silvery 

Moonlight (1836-1893) public domain

Choice of the Masterpiece

Hank picked the above as it gives a perfect perspective effect. It is akin

to standing in the middle of a railway track which appears to meet at the top. 

It provides a depth effect 

A straight and lonely street

Late at night accentuating the creeps

The moon shy in emitting light

Lingering smokescreen of long misty nights

Phantoms real or imagined

Following not far behind it would seem

The feeling when walking alone

Still far from home

Loose pebbles on the ground

Being kicked the only sound

Setting eerily in motion

With wild imaginations

Words and names could not describe

Like water gurgling out a broken pipe

Trudging along and not a treat

Walking slowly with heavy feet

Sanaa at d'Verse Poetics – Through the eyes 

of John Atkinson Grimshaw

Heavens Above

                                                                                             Author: Mathias Krumbholz
Image: A Starry Night Sky

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license).

glory be to raise angels 
of one's own flesh and blood
extending light to life on earth

if it so pleased the longings 

due for seeing a lineage to 

sing and dance with that of a 

second and a third generation

it lays bare of a desire to 

warm up to nature as it 

rides on its own momentum 

to populate this planet and 

to subsequently lie back 

happy of having had a 

hand in its creation

bright light in the day

glitters splashed over at night

Mars we are coming

Frank at d'Verse Haibun Monday 

9-28-26: vision

privilege of cautiousness

 

                                                                                                     Author: Harless Todd

Image: Discussion At a Strategic Meeting

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons released into the public domain 

by its author. This applies worldwide)

The Sunday Whirl
The 10 of 12 given words:

swallow delirium spells find music just senses swelling knowing tag 

a fall from grace is difficult to swallow

and staring into the delirium of failure 

spells deep-seated feelings of helplessness

arising from a series of failed responses

it would seem lucky to find the last 

nudge of a face-saving offer

it was music to his ears just

the senses necessary as an assault on 

his swelling ego knowing fully well

his invincibility is being tested

he is determined to make amends 

as the tag of a successful entrepreneur 

is at stake 

 

to run for cover with brave efforts

of cost-saving measures would certainly 

lift feelings of guilt of his choices and

quality of decision-making lately

he could afford the privilege of

cautiousness as the only way up

it would be a case of fine play of 

measured strokes of ability minus 

the recklessness

Brenda's The Sunday Whirl Wordle 776

A Matter of Style

                                                                                                   Author:Giles Laurent

Image: Together Choosing a Common Direction 
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons through its

Giles Laurent, gileslaurent.com, License CC BY-SA)

PSU's Friday Writings 

the 7 given words:
foldelol - nonsense, foolish talk, or unnecessary fuss
frippery - showy, silly, or unnecessary decorations, clothes, or displays

tender, singing sweet delight, new.

no telling what I desire?

nothing foldelol on what I aspire

I don't need more than I require?

I have enough to come by

there were occasions I would vie

not being frippery but just a matter of style

tenderly deciding what I need to acquire

not more than I would need to spend

living on a limited stipend

would come a long way no way so grand

singing a sweet delight 

not to unwisely perspire

would it be something luxurious

and should not be that hilarious

and certainly nothing spurious

nothing new but good for all of its entire

Rosemary at PSU's Friday Writings #246: 

Light-hearted words for Spring

Young Hearts - A Privilege

                                               
                                                                                    Artist: Alphonse Mucha

Image: By Alphonse Mucha – Art Renewal Center Museum,

image 4426, Public Domain

exquisite cob-webs

glisten in the morning sun

but just for a while

sticks to touch which wraps around

anything that moves 

tenacity of a trap

for unfortunate little insects

layered in meadows

ghostly dreams sparkle in daylight

stroking at young hearts

coupled with Autumn's show-case

amidst brilliance of colours

joyful feelings leaving 

looking forward to 

change from golden hues 

to colder months ahead

a lovely maiden an alluring 

winsome show-piece 

waiting for her beau as young hearts 

would have it

to cradle a wonderful future 

as they anticipate a right 

of wonder together

Bjorn at d'Verse Open Link Night 416

 – September Live

A Migratory Journey

                                                                                                             Author: IXU79
Image: Migratory birds at Jayakwadi Dam, Aurangabad INDIA

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

Stuck within the expanse of the water's

surface among greenery and little fishes
they dropped in chirping with stories to tell 

of a tired journey

A crowded evening they landed 

by instinct to draw clues as to what 

were there ahead

They laid back to rest against a 

pile of drift-wood in the mud 

their claws embedded 

tired and spent

Amidst a secret rendezvous undisturbed 

the flock of wild birds which landed 

in twos for the solace of a lake enveloped

with a blanket of mist so serene

Resting awhile chomping a little a time

enough to fill in empty bellies 

just enough for the night

To later continue their perilous endeavors
guided only by the natural instincts

befitting of migratory birds

Bjorn's at d'Verse Poet's Pub - Poetics: 

Pilgrimage, revisiting your journey

Flying High!

 

                                                                                                          Author:Luc Viatour

Image: It is Squawking loudly!

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the 

Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)

it does not seem to hum a tune 
but progresses on its own steam unconcerned
to eventually relinquish with a bang

must it be playing games with our resolve
tickling our conscience to impose guilt feelings

that it should later seek to innocently absolve

De Jackson at d'Verse Quadrille #256 – Ho-hum,

it’s time to Poem

When Things are Looking Good

 

                                                                                                              Autho:Wrsrachma
Image: Waiting for the Next Move
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

The Sunday Whirl

the 11 of 12 given words:

folly phase cold hungry reckoning evil 

casualties profit complicit dawn drop

there was a ghost of a chance

that love could be regarded as a folly

it spoke of phases cold and hungry

with its strengths high in reckonings

lost times devoid of a fragrance

when hearing evaporated to pass

evil ways were ways to enhance

in as much as to make things last

love neglected invited casualties

energy waned in unsettled bids

buoyed in forms of evil intentions

to profit from an inability to succeed

lovers complicit in pursuing solutions

sincerity and trust had to be earned

it dawned on them to drop the thought

but to compromise with good intentions

Brenda at The Sunday Whirl 775

Five Leavings from Home

          

                                                                                                  Author: HundenvonPenang

          Image: Drone photo of the Penang skyline
          (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its Creative 

           Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

          The Poem
          Hank's abode, Penang, variously so named 'the Pearl of the Orient'

          as a destination for British tourists of old. Snug among the lure to the 

          East with greenery and bright colours all year round. Twinkling bright lights 

          make the days extend longer. Eastern cuisine cheap and tasty a shout away a 

          fascination not in eating but observing the different ways of consuming

          Going North great expanse of desert secrets overwhelm with mysteries of Ali

          Baba proportions with the tensions of Hormuz putting a damper on the belly 

         dancing and shipments of oil movements. An anticipation of a rise in family 

         budgets disastrous globally to smaller economies a likely prospect. There has 

         to be a return to good times we had for the generations following. It is not fair!

         The good Mother earth is all we have unless and until colonising Mars is 

         a reality. Going Far East teaming up with great economies will be useful to 

         shorten the waiting time. Mankind clamouring for success is a given thing

         Humanity stands closer than ever to answering the ultimate question which

         had perplexed us with UFOs time and again. Is there life in the universe?

         If only Paradise is orderly staged Going South through canvas doors with 

         such ideal settings for a safe place to live in is sadly not to be. 

        There is no end to hoping for a peaceful world with belligerent happenings

         elsewhere . It's better off if present day Nostradamus predictions can tell 

         less of disasters and unsavoury calamities that are forthcoming

         Going West yellow hills foraging the environment with large areas facing rage 

         of global warming. A generation easily provoked to bring life to young hearts 

         waiting at Heaven's gate. Yearnings for all the pleasures to find what could 

          be so specific to accentuate a hold on the natural inquisitive minds. Goaded by

          the excitement of the AI phenomena a pull factor to make life a lot easier to manage

Laura suggesting  - 

To write 25 lines in 5 stanzas – 1st stanza is your home (real or imaginary) 

next 4 stanzas – each compass point away from your home 

 

Not a requirement but Hank is taking a cue from Herrera’s poem “Five Directions 

Home” posted on d'Verse of 5th Oct 2023 to include one of the following in each 

of the stanzas namely: a name, desert secrets, the earth, canvas door and yellow hills

           Laura at d'Verse Poets Pub - MTB: Critique and Craft - Five Leavings from Home

Good Intentions but...!

                                                                                                      Author Derek Ramsey
Image: A White Gold Wedding Ring

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license)

His mind declined to answer. Sadly it had happened again

He let slip the chance yet again

Had he gone bananas? When the option showed up beaming

he could not wrap it up

He towered over the rest when at his best but he burned 

the goodness again this time around. He could only manage to

breathe some light greetings before he began to stammer.

Stuck in the mud he  wondered in bewilderment

His shoes didn't fit. Rarely caught unawares he looked 

into the distance. The reality seemed apparent. The 

Starpainters were taking over now. The regular stance 

called for a review to stoke his confidence a few notches up

The ring was safely in his grips but still in his pocket!

To think this was the second attempt

Why was it so difficult to pop the six-million dollar 

question and slip it on?

Mish at d'Verse Prosery: Tribute to Gordon Downie

Cinderella -The Glass Slippers Fit?

 

                                                                              Author:Paramount Pictures
Image: Poster for the American fantasy 

film A Kiss for Cinderella (1925)
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Petrified of her shadows
Pangs of loneliness
affected her health

If only she could trade places

Perhaps being Snow White 

having 7 little friends

No! the jealous Queen will 

look for a new mirror far worse

Hair disheveled dress crumpled
Her memory lingered

I'll be Cinderella in the grand 

carriage then with my Prince in the palace

No! a jealous Queen now aided

by 3 jealous sisters still after her

No. not a Beauty and the Beast
Her winsome beau revered in memory
Marauding thoughts ran wildly
No. not Jack and his Beans 
up high a giant shadowing him
No, much less a Frog Prince

nor Ali Baba with forty in tow

Guilt pervaded her mind
If only she brought herself
out of the abyss

She would overcome
Her resolve was determined

No more self pity 

Rommy's at PSU's Friday Writings #244: 

If the Glass Slipper Fits

Winning Ways

                                                                                             Author: Phyllis Bramson

Image: “Between the Falling in Love Parts,” 

by Phyllis Bramson

(courtesy of d'Verse at OLN)

Set to be settled not in a meek way undeterred
It was enduring with many happenings in between

When these occurred parts on love as expected

Were all the while there in the background

Young hearts in a groove of good assertions
Enjoying nights extending with wonderful skills

Lots of reasons to end up with stable outcomes
Determined to clamber back onto an even keel

To extend support aligned to their feelings
Friends were expected to lend a helping hand

Best to go along in parts ending in happiness

Success in wanting to stay in togetherness

Lisa at d'Verse Open Link Night #415

Teaching oneself not to bother others!

 

                                                                                                  Author :Susan Spaulding
Image: Learning Well
(courtesy of Sunday Photo Fiction – June 17, 2018)

What a treat!
To be sitting atop the table all alone
Seeing the world go leisurely by

It may take your breath away
Seeing an unusual stance
But it is not in harm's way
to any one
In fact, even the duck is able to tell
That I'm a safe bet to be with

How I sit is my bother
You may call it a passing fancy
but it is none of anyone's concern!

It may be late in the day
but as a parting shot let us say
that I need not tower over others
to earn my keeps
nor do I need to fiddle over their affairs

I don't owe anyone a living!

Punam's at d'Verse Poet's Pub Poetics Tuesday: To ma’am/sir…

I'm Bored..!

 

                                                                                                         Author: Martin Falbisoner

Image: '... ho-hum!..'

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under the 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

Such a relief!
All of nine months
Like a xenolith undisturbed
Now I am free
No more in the tummy

No, not again!

"Such a lovely baby!"

Smooching all over me
My granny!

Just cannot stomach the torture

Why can't they leave me alone!

Melissa's at d'Verse Poets Pub - Quadrille #255: X marks the spot

We Rule the World!

                                                               Author:Haliaeetus_leucocephalus_LC0195.jpg: Jörg Hempel

Image: A Menacing Bald Eagle

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Germany license)

The Sunday Whirl Wordle

The 10 of 12 given words: 

fantasy ruffle plumage tufts mosses 

forest fabric filtering threads cracks 

I just cannot  bear it

It is not a fantasy

We belong in the wilds

But we need to prosper

Why ruffle our plumage

The tufts and mosses within the forest

To provide salvation

That was the contention

A fabric filtering known threads

We belong in the wilds

But shoving us to be with humans

It cracks upon the spirit

It is sacred!

At least provide a wild environment

We were supposed to be progressive

To interact more with humans

To live like humans

To eventually take over the human race

We are expected to rule the world

We are allowed to take on a couple of humans as pets

Come to think of it

That is not a bad idea

Yes, that will be fun

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle773

A Second Love

                                                                                    Author: Hank's
Image: A Younger Hank during 

Competition A Long time Ago

Can’t  make out what’s happening
Running helter-skelter round and round

Why all these buzzing, swooping and swirling
A bee hive smoked out is not as bad

Head spinning wildly the world is moving
No! a merry-go-round has taken over my being
Spinning faster and faster….

Change of stance is apparent
Physically it’s all confusion
A physical would be a revelation

Doc, help me!

You have a headache?
Did you throw up?

Doc, I feel so weak!
I’m all cob-webs!
My mind’s blank

This happened before?
Once before…it was normally two rounds
But I did four yesterday
That’s what happened also before 

The physical is now done!

Nothing’s wrong with you my man!
It’s just exhaustion
From now on just the normal two rounds
Not more than that...

At your age, golf is meant to be enjoyed!

Rommy's at PSU Friday Writings #243: By the Numbers

Strange Occurrence

                                                                   Author: Rene Magritte

     Image: Split out

     (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

a chunk of flesh

separated from the person

persuaded to drift out 

             

moved to the side 

not veiled or covered

but rose sparingly

a piece of a form

a pearl of nature

a scarce happening  

a little piece 

not to be placed in the sand

or entombed in clay

such is the idea

of a split personality

waiting for a bid

to correct its being

Grace at d'Verse : Poetry Form: Descort

Quiet and Tired

                                                                                                            Author: Jim Fischer

Image: Forty winks

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its 

Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)

A bundle of heap
He laid still in a stupor
Oblivious of stares

The bench was god-sent

One of the many homeless!
The crowd sympathized 

Looked spent and tired

Perhaps lost his wallet and

slowly walking home

Or resting awhile

Had one too many and stoned 

on leaving the pub

Dora at d'Verse Poetics: Lyric Petrologies

A Marriage Made in Heaven

 

                                                             Ainee the Elegant Bride

The Playful Gesture of the Traditional  'Cake Tasting'

The Wedding: It was solemnised a long time ago

between Ainee a friend of Hank's daughter Azlin 

and Hendroff a Caucasian.

Images: Attributed to Azlin and her friends

 

The bride wore white of Victorian tradition demurely chic perhaps even docile

as a choice. Not strapless nor sleeveless but just as elegant, It was matched with 

the groom dressed in Malay costume. Teary eyed Mom emotional as seen often 

but not on this occasion looking brave as ever. Dad and family extending support 

with their presence. 

Friends of the bride threw in their lot accentuating their all, Not anything raucous 

but enough. They squeezed in a Bachelorette Party. They sacrificed time for three 

separate occasions, The Bachelorette, the akad (marriage vows ceremony) and the 

wedding reception. Drawing on experiences and a variety of  talents, they handled

it all for a modest outing hurriedly but perfect in execution

A whirlwind romance Hendroff and Ainee in matrimonial bliss uniting two families 

from two continents. For them both we would gladly wish them the best for the 

future, for that wonderful marriage made in heaven.

Blending two cultures

Supported by office mates

A blissful future

Mish at d'Verse Poets Pub Haibun Monday: Wedding Bliss

The Economic Front

 

                                                                                                     Author: Rene Hernandez

Image: Modern Cities

(Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)

The Sunday Whirl Wordle

the 10 of the 12 given words: 

shadow stone compass random 

silver echo drone clip dry velvet

He's lost! Beyond a shadow of doubt

He has to get out of the situation

There is a thick jungle to go through

He's not going to leave stones unturned

Life's challenges present the test

 

No compass to provide directions

A random search for easy solutions

will not be the answer

Can he expect a silver lining 

in such an environment!

 

A global disaster is in the making

A build-up towards an economic

downturn is the ultimate scenario

It may echo the Depression of the 30's

But the reality of developments of 2 

different eras present a portent difference 

Given the current AL phenomenon 

with its exponential targets achieved it

is a revelation of beneficial perspectives

forthcoming. There are no drones 

of old from above dropping leaflets

but surprises of achievements are there

with no ending!

With BRICS, small countries will be

welcomed and not clipped high and dry 

when strong nations made decisions on 

a nice velvet fabric favouring big nations

Brenda at The Sunday Whirl Wordle 772

Magaly at PSU Friday Writings #242: Perspective

Simple Fables

                             
                                                                                             Author: Malene Thyssen
Image: The Wily Fox
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

It is fun and simple
Often relates to some things
familiar and at hand
It’ll catch immediate attention

Who has not heard of the Hare
and the Tortoise!

Fables have always been around
to instill awareness and
wonder in young minds

Explained simply 

yet effectively
Elements of fairy tales
yet with credibility

Never trust a flatterer
in the Fox and the Crow
Familiarity breeds contempt
in the Fox and the Lion

Why must it always be

the wily Fox, anyway!

Grace at d'Verse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight #414

Flowers Galore

                                                                         Egon Schiele, Field of Flowers (1910)

Image: The Beauty of Spring

(courtesy of Melissa's Poetics at d'Verse)

Comes the time nature’s
swing moods clamouring towards
beauty of spring-time

Riding high buoyant
circle of life about to
accord fresh upsurge

Steadfast in splendour
greenery and flowers rule

drab cold forgotten

Melissa's at d'Verse : Poetics -Pulling poetry from the landscape

All is Not Lost!

                                                                                                           Author: Kody8958
Image; Youngsters at Play

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

Mark of innocence

Reckless show of defiance

Protesting for no good reason

Youngsters seen as indifferent

A process of growing up

Dare make an attempt

To accord due respect to elders

Prolonged process of awareness

Rough diamonds need polishing

But all is not lost!

Punam at d'Verse - Quadrille #354: I Protest

Modern China

                                                                                                      Author: ermell

Image: Chinese High Speed trains in Shanghai-
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 

3.0 Unported license)

Looking at the illusion and to be able to 
breeze through a scattered gaze is plain 
to the eye but difficult  to fathom

Won the Korean currency is bent to gain 
international splendour upon a gathering
of strength befitting the hardy and hard-
working fervour of its people

It is beginning to rattle other growing 
economies through its ability to harness
and harvest the benefits of international 
commerce.They penetrate right through
the skin to lodge in to the secular and
jugular core of business acumen and ethics. 

They got over the stigma of inferior quality 
of products and are now worthy  successors 
to the Japanese who have lately sagged and 
lagged behind in their competitive advantage 
and are instead trailing from the rear.

Hank had written the above on Nov 30, 2014
With a little more than a decade we are 
privileged, and astounded to witness 
the change attributed to China.

An Epilogue
China has been blessed with the dedication
and foresight of its leadership. Deng Xiaoping
bravely emerged after Mao but not without 

challenges to his personal self. Nonetheless 

things changed variously and tremendously,

which is an understatement.

Barely a few years ago the change was felt
and expected but only until very recently it
thrived without a known ending

The AI 'revolution' brought it out in the open
and DeepSeek became known particularly.
The world is now basking in the exponential
development of things AL and no one can 
tell what's brewing!

Rosemary's at PSU Friday Writings #241: Change

In the Failing Lights

                                                                                                      Author Mariusz Guć

Image: Visions and Shadows

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

to include the following lines in the prose:

." . . and the iridescent image swims through a mirror that flows.” 
 -  Stanley Kunitz from his  poem King of the River.

Iridescent means: showing bright colours that seem 

to change when you move or look from a different angle.

Failing lights follow the rocking of the boat. 

It reserves a thought for what is in store in the morning. 

One feels the concern for the guilt for not coming 

back with a decent decision and looks like the 

iridescent image swims through a mirror that flows.

It appears better from the other side and then the 

other, depending on the movement of the sun earlier

Is it with full abandon to just raise both hands 

and prepare to give up.

Many have walked this path. Many are familiar with the

underlying frustrations of not being satisfied with the ones

done lately. Time constraints may not be the reason. 

It is perhaps to throw everything to the winds and to see 

what is giving way. Building walls around one's options 

may not get the desired results. It stifles growth and that 

is not good at all!

Dora at d'Verse's Prosery—Luminous Accounting

But dreams lingered on...!

                                                                                                   Author: Chris Downer
Image: Lady in the Distance

(Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)

Rue to the one who thought

The eyes were seeing things
What apparition, playing tricks

Someone familiar out there?
Ruefully..
Check !

Someone beckoning in the distance

So he thought
An uncanny resemblance
How she had transformed
Sultry in the failing light

He asked, was it for real?
Stagnant in thoughts
Check again!

Undaunted he surged forward
He called out her name and waited….

There was no response
Just the cool of the day
There was nothingness
His stomach squirmed
His mind numbed
He yearned for her

His senses malfunctioned
Lost in thoughts…
She had been long gone
Reality was not easy to accept
But dreams lingered on...

Ruefully…
A quiet prayer….solace in silence!

There would be someone…!

Sanaa in d'Verse Open Link Night #413 

with Live Edition

Belimbing

 

Image:1 A bunch of belimbing on the tree in our backyard

Image:2 Taken from another angle of the same tree. The flowers are seen on the right side, red in colour

Note: A distant cousin of the star-fruit, smaller in size but rounded not star-shaped. Measures about 6cm (2.5 inch) The tree in our backyard sprouted a generous offering. Very sour, can be taken raw but not munched as a fruit. It is taken as an appetizer.. 

Pounded with chillies

Whets the appetite with meals

In place of chutney

As a curry dish

With fish and coconut milk

Fun with rice for lunch

Dried out in the sun

Thrown in as one of items

To make mixed pickles

Sumana's Open Link at 'What's Going On?' 

This is an old posting.

Kissing in the Rain

                                                                            Author ClickFlashPhotos / Nicki Varkevisser

Image: Wonders of the Weather
(Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under the

Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)

Letting the rain to run down in rivulets
There they are oblivious of the wet
Resolute in not wanting to regret
 A panacea of pain failing to observe
Clasped in the entanglements of love

 

Sweetness belies feelings less of trivia 

Turbulent in thoughts but standing on air

Tugging in the cold they don’t deserve

Let loose emotions that are hazardous

A couple in throes of falling in love

Exudes warmness in having to let
Can man continue without feelings of guilt? 
Obliquely avoiding words of despair
Headstrong pushing seemingly unfair
 
Twinkling eyes of the lady a respite
Not revealing the dumbness of the plight
Softening the savage breast of the ardour 

Kissing in the rain is an obvious splendour

Lisa in dVerse Poetics — Have You Ever Seen the Rain?