Kashmir

                                                                             Author: Raphael Tuck 1905 Halftone
Image: The Dal Lake

Prosery: To include the line :
Who can utter the poignance of all that is constantly threatened, invaded, expended.”
  - Denise Levertov, from her poem “In California: Morning, Evening, Late January,” 

The Kashmiri landscape is to be seen to appreciate. Rivulets of clear streams were gushing down the mountainside with snow-capped mountains, all around us. The serenity of undisturbed nature was just overwhelming. 

Who can utter the poignance of all that is constantly threatened, invaded, expended. Land in dispute but we had our day long ago. It brought back fond memories to inspire this.

Hiking came in spurts. The taxi would leave us at a spot for the day.  We would be on our way on foot getting in and out of boats, for quite some distances and resting for food in between. There were as many lakes as mountains. 

We were in Gulmarg and Pahalgam and cruised a fair bit on the Dal Lake. It was all hiking in paradise with no endings until we were back in the house-boats in the evenings

Sanaa at d'Verse - Prosery: From a purely 

aesthetic viewpoint, Levertov

Wild Flowers

                                                                                                            Author Jeff Buck

Image: Variety of Wild Flowers
(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 
Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license)

Dancing in the winds
Provocatively bidding
of youthful vigour

Singing in the rain
Of varied types and colours
Ubiquitously bathing
the wild countryside

Squirming sheepishly
Upon nightfall and slowly
shriveled in the cold

Assuming vigil again 
continuing in the morning, 
unflinching 

innocence of youth

De Jackson at d'Verse Poets Pub Quadrille #259: Sing It!

Take it Easy!

                    
                                                                               Photographer: Tisha Mukherjee

Image: Walking Slowly

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under its 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license)

sigh in the morning 
to limber up easy
mimic a chime to screen off 
any bother and walk slowly

to look up the sky 
to detect a signal 

just walk aimlessly
never a right nor a wrong way

to shore up the inner self

Lisa at dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille Q 258 

I Screen, You Screen, We All Screen…

From the Angels

                                                                                        Author: Vyacheslav Argenberg
Image: Engrossed in Pleasant Dreams

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons Attribution 4.0 International license)

An extension of the imagination
Registers its presence in the nights
Emerging for a split second or longer
Then disappears into tight lockers

If an angel is to deliver its message

Likely it says good dreams are for good living
Bad dreams are aftermath of bad intentions
Not to get mixed up in lots of misgivings
But rather of dreams that are all pleasant

In the realms of the subconscious 

Messages flow from the angel's choice

Rosemary at PSU Friday Writings 

#249: Message from an Angel

A Good Meeting

     

                                                                                                           Author www.konftel.ru

Image: A Well Conducted Meeting                                                                        

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative Commons 

Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license)

To include the line,

“the dead were settling in under their mud roof and something 

was shuffling overhead”

A perennial problem of flotsam in the mind was forever in 

intruding and accumulating fodder to spew lots of hot air.

In a meeting they were happy to dump big logs not driftwood 

to scuttle fresh ideas. The dead were settling in under their mud 

roof and something was shuffling overhead

It was done with such finesse of creating goodness for acceptance. 

The intention was to create a diversion to set a good mood for 

discussion. The idea was to seek minor agreements in between 

but sinister in intentions. 

Such were  antics of certain elements who with spectacular words 

cast a wet blanket over brilliant ideas. They did it with such 

eloquence to win over the fence-sitters. These were people happy 

to remain tight lipped not giving the group the benefit of their wisdom

The meeting would invariably end without a proper conclusion

Kim at d'Verse Prosery: Something shuffling overhead

A Piercing High

                                                                                                    Author: Bruce Marlin
Image: A Cicada

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under the Creative 

Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license)

Melts the quiet of twilight
Sudden piercing highs
But just as suddenly it
turns melodious

Layered
lingering but firm

Oblivious of the
encroaching dark, 
An eerie
ensemble beckons

An orchestra for
the long haul 
Throughout the night
Morbid in nature perhaps

Mating game or distress call

All sounding the same

to the unaccustomed ear

House Calls

                                                                          Artist: René Magritte (1898 – 1967)
Image: Rene's 'Son of Man'

(courtesy of d'Verse OLN #417)

Some few things in being fair
Mind is occupied with thoughts
Good thoughts, making one unaware
It gets therapeutic of sorts

An apple a day is making headway
Engrossed in thoughts without a slide

Going for the better a doctor leads the way

A friend always going with pride

Standing tall making house calls

 All the more at peace with time

For the sick and immobile suppressing his gall
Sacrificing leisure is a healthy sign

It has to do with the heart
It appears all right when relaxed
The mind has a way of being smart

To take it within its stride

Mish at d'Verse Open Link Night # 417

Rendezvous at Night

                                    
                                                                                                     Artist: Azul

Image: Mother and Child by The Rising Moon

(courtesy of Lillian at d'Verse 6 Oct 2026)

drawing on lost times each showing 

concern not having met for so long 

to be a lot nearer the mother kneeling 

the child kissing her with a song

hugging upon meeting excitedly 

talk and friendly banter commenced 

of a meeting of two souls happily

involuntarily separated by parental

divorce now meeting by the moonlight 

not staying put at the starting grid

but to blabber on the stories of old

reminiscences ugly or otherwise

wanting to have them told

with no intention to repair or restrain

or to settle scores but to bear the pain

thinking only on the good times together

insisting it to last forever

Lillian at d'Verse Poets Pub

Introducing an Eight-Year-Old Artist!

sighs of relief

                                                                                                           Author: ID 4653867
Image: Happiness

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons under the Creative 

Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication)

Tedious close to a
good year where many
give sighs of relief

Radiance of new dawn
heralds discourse of hope
But conflicts and social 
woes still exist

Pocketful of rainbows 
in the distance are showing 
good signs of meeting a hope

that appears encouraging

Note: De to please delete # 24, it was a mistake! Thank you.

De Jackson at d'Verse Quadrille #257: 

A Pocket in Your Poems

Memories of Failed Love

                                                                                                       Author: Giles Laurent
Image: A Loving Couple

((courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under 

the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 

International license)

Memories of a failed love
Contending on his mind
He was not about to back-track
A bad experience best forgotten

He loved the company of ladies
And long for their presence
Their perfect upkeep and frailty
Their sweet caresses and humour

What he wouldn't give for 

the resurgence of youth
The succulent exchange of ideas
The elegance that both enjoyed!
Never a dull moment

Magaly's at PSU's Friday Writings #247: 

Reframing Negative Concepts

of love torn apart

                                                                                          Author:WEI, WAN-CHEN
Image: Broken and Torn Apart

(courtesy of Wikimedia Commons given under 

the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 

International license)

A resurgence of yearnings of the heart

Sustenance of love torn apart

The last he remembered was being helpless

No garland of love or flowers

        
Demands from youngsters are more brazen

Santa sneaks in with presents

contrary to Yuletide cheer they declined the offer
expensive items they implore

A city kaleidoscopically engulfed in lights

Foliage but varied and bright

Many were all screened for the position

Why get a younger person?

tumbling, jumping to hold their attention

waif left to his own as an orphan

Grace in d'Verse Poetry Form: Breaking up the Couple(t)

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