All dressed up but with reservations

                                                                                                  Attribution: MlMM's
Image: All Dressed up for the New Year (here)

Many may not realize it
We anticipate just as much
To welcome a new beginning
All dressed up but with reservations
Where are we heading?
(25 words)

MLMM's New Year’s Eve
Flash Bash: in 25 words or less

Silence is not really an option

                                                                         Attribution: Ben Manski (CC-BY-SA 2.5)
Image: Campaigning can be Fiery (here)

Mama Zen's given words:
adulting - (in a way characteristic of a responsible adult)
alt-right (an ideological grouping characterized by a rejection of mainstream politics and by the use of online media to disseminate deliberately controversial content)
glass cliff  (woman or minority aspiring to a leadership position where the risk is high)
latinx (A gender-neutral or to Latino or Latina)
woke (alert to injustice in society, especially racism)

Elizabeth's given word:
Day 39  -  silence

Silence is not really an option
Adulting through an alt-right insistence
is not right either

Treading on a fine line
whether a glass cliff or latinx
will alert impacts on woke

Beauty of online media being an
unlikely savior to the wiles of
shenanigan assertions of wild
politics is kept in check

Though the euphoria of supporters
is still on high but the voice of
skeptics are just as deafening
(70 words)

Mama Zen's at Real Toad's  -  words 
count with Mama Zen
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 39

It was a mountain-top viewing phenomena

                                                                                                   Attribution: Alegna
Image: The Matterhorn (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
bottom breath discovered blue mirror 
match drowning love losing dressed

3WW given words:
dappled (having spots of a different shade, tone, or color)
elaborate  filthy,

Elizabeth's Challenge  - relief

What a relief now one was at the bottom
It was most breath-taking up there
Discovered by chance a long
time ago by some enthusiasts
it was a mountain-top viewing phenomena
A sight to behold

Everything seemed in hues of blue
Though there were spots  dappled of other
tones mottled mirror-like in the foreground
It was an elaborate match to the vicinity of
that around the Matterhorn

Nature-lovers were drowning in sorrow though
Despite the love for conservation they were losing
out to the filthy habits of the anti-social elements
These people found it convenient to have the
environment dressed up with all sorts of rubbish
upon leaving the scene

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #92
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 38  -  relief
Thomg's 3WW week #512

Sustenance of its beauty

                                                                                      Attribution: Mohitmongia99
Image: Moon's reflection on its
Dome a wonder to behold (here)

Posthumous love cries
Shah Jahan's Taj for Mumtaz
Path of eloquence
Strums of sita melody
Sustenance of its beauty

Enhanced reflections
Over its marble structure
Mesmerized mankind
Gradient of honour music
in tandem with Lord Buddha

Chev's Carpe Diem #1109 Siddharta's
Journey by Guy Sweens
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 37 - path

a rich uncle bequeathed untold riches

                                                                                                    Attribution; Olevy
Image: Part of the largest treasure of gold
coins found from an exposed seabed (here)

the 12 given words:
stroke gutter discolour sound impatience fabric knife
passel (a group or lot of indeterminate number)
rum cull (a rich fool, easily cheated)
jackboot (bullying authoritarian measures)
gloss (to give a deceptively good appearance)
terminal (forming the end or of something)

By a stroke of good fortune
a rich uncle had bequeathed untold riches
unto his favourite nephew

Having a passel of cronies the
lucky soul was determined not to
be taken in for a rum cull easily
He would not be tamed through
a gutter of spins to discolour
his sound judgement

The vultures' impatience spun
through  a fabric weaved of well-paying
commercial ventures were forthcoming
It could perhaps be nurtured with jackboot
tendencies that might slice cleanly like
a knife unto his head

It would be 'convenient' for them
then to easily lay their hands
on the inheritance

To gloss over a flawed business plan
would be invigorating but invariably
time-wasting and might even prove fatal

A terminal feature of his wealth-saving
device was simple -  just laugh it off!

He was not to  be taken up by any
crazy propositions from such
fair-weather 'friends'

MLMM's Wordle #135
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 36  -  invigorate
Marian's at Real Toad's -  the tuesday platform

what was the drift?

                                                                                          Attribution: Petar Milošević
Image: He got it right! (here)

the 12 given words:
drift mind decline slip chime sign 
melt chin bananas wrap tower burn

what was the drift?
his mind declined to answer
sadly it had happened

he let slip the chime
a sure sign it did melt
he tried to keep his chin up
in vain efforts of maintaining
some form of authority

had he gone bananas?
he could not even wrap it up
when given the chance

he towered over the rest
when at his best
but he burned the
goodness this time around
he could only manage to
breathe some light greetings
before he began to stammer

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?.

Brenda's Sunday Whirl's Wordle #279
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 35  -  greetings

....and not caught just yet!

                                                                                        Attribution: Pinterest
Image: Fair use through Pinterest

A riddle through a Shadorma:
a six-lined stanza (or sestet) with
a syllable count of  3/5/3/3/7/5

of no known
address with eight friends
roaming nights
presumed with
gifts unseen but happy and
appeared drunk on coke

be wary
for had the habit
of sneaking
unannounced
into houses with children
but not caught just yet!

For Bastet's at MMLM's B&P Shadorma and Beyond  -  Christmas,
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 34  -  gifts and
Gillena's at Real Toad's  -  collaborating with Christmas 

He came and went unannounced

                                                                                                       Attribution: Jared
Image: Spectacle of Dancing Lights
 - Santa & Reindeer  (here)

Surreptitiously
In public in a jiffy
And all in one night

Made it all happen
Finality to efforts
On the Christmas tree
Stockings all stuffed with presents
He came and went unannounced

For Chev's Carpe Diem 2016
#7 - Twas The Night Before Christmas
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 33  -  public

A prayer so true

                                                                           Attribution: longtrekhome
Image: A Falun Dafa's  Fifth  meditation exercise (here)

Hands clasped together
Hoping beyond salvation
A prayer so true
Quiet meditation sought
With no loss of directions

For Chev's Carpe Diem 2016 #6  -  meditation
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 32   -  prayer

One of its kind still found on the road

                                                                                          Attribution : Fanny Schertzer
Image: A Vintage Vainly Sought after (here)

11 of 12 given words:
painted white wildest streams 
passing city swish water sleeve cars
pines (to yearn deeply)

3WW given words:
clunker (something worthless or inferior)
bashful
apathy (absence of interest in or enthusiasm)

Clunker of a jalopy many had mistakenly
believed but of which he was extremely proud
One of its kind still found on the road
Bashful neither
Embarrassed none
Apathy of others had not rubbed on

Had been tinkering on it for many years
The better of his life so to speak
Had it painted in conservative white
not of any wildest of psychedelic colors

Was challenged by streams of youngsters
passing in their sleek speedsters on occasions
whenever in the city

They menacingly swished past
splashing muddied water in the process
even on his sleeves laughing away

He had not pined for any fast cars
for he breathed satisfaction on this one
and enjoyed the leisurely pace

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #91
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 31  -  breathe
Thomg's 3WW week #511

had a way then to transform them

                                                                                          Attribution: Name invalid
Image:Three drug addicts seen smoking
a huge amount of crack cocaine (here)

the 12 given words:
swill wildness tidal barefaced
zilch (zero, nothing)
amphetamine (a drug to lift the mood from a depressive state)
relent (to change become more mild or amenable
reverie (a daydream)
avarice (insatiable greed for riches)
The Fourth Rule (there is an exception to every rule.)
sandpaper
sanguine (cheerfully optimistic)

A mind that swilled in wildness
Likened to tidal wave proportions
impacting on a barefaced soul
They were lost  in a zilch of nothingness

The amphetamine's initial effects
had a way then to transform them
It was a slow progress towards a relaxed
state to relent in beautiful riverie

That was what every junkie sadly
hoped for every time and all the time
after popping in a fix
No more cravings in enhancing
an avarice of worldly wealth

But there seemed a common possibility
 though of The Fourth Rule being triggered off
There could be spasms of violent reactions
to sandpaper all the expectations of
 a sanguine peacefulness.

They eventually suffered alone in a dream-like
stupor not bothered nor aware of the real world

MLMM's Wordle #134
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 30  -  beautiful
Kerry's at Real Toad's   -  the tuesday platform

Red-nosed guiding light

                                                                                                        User: Lomvi Cornelia.
Image: Hurry, Christmas is Coming! (here)

Glowed bright in the night
Protected them on the rounds
Red-nosed guiding light
Earlier taunts long forgotten
Now they gleefully took flight

For Carpe Diem 2016 #3 Christmas Carols and
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 29 - protect

A symbol of the times

                                                                                Attribution: Joe Mabel
Engrossed in talking (here)

12 of 13 given words:
card couch cushion lounge grave now
machine volume never symbol groove grind 

It is on the cards
A couch potato snug on the cushions
Having the lounge all to himself
Appears to be a habit in the making

It may seem grave but now rampant
A mean machine and the TV is on
The volume is full blast
Never a dull moment

A symbol of the times
One is in the groove
A world of one's own!

Fingers on the smart-phone
Grinding his teeth one moment
And laughter the next moment
Interspersed with an occasional obscenity
A game in progress most intense
With someone somewhere
but unknown and unseen
Books do not interest them
The youngsters of today

Brenda's Sunday Whirl #278  -  baker's dozen
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #333
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge
Day 27  -  laughter
Day 28  -  symbol

He held out on his own strength

                                                                                          Attribution: Charlesjsharp
A Confident Self (here)

Bane of great talents
Development lacked sponsors
No threat to Onslow
He held out on his own strength
All the gain to French music

Chev's Carpe Diem  #1098
Symphony No. 1 by Georges Onslow
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 26 - threat

Expected to be mothered all the time

                                                                                              Attribution: Julianortega
Image: Nursing 4 Kittens (here)

11 of 12 given words:
warp mutter mother sticky wasting 
ways slipped faces father mouth straw

3WW words:
unacceptable vain wakeful

Held onto a warped view of life
Muttering incessantly to himself
Expected to be mothered all the time
Rather sticky responding to orders
In his own wasting ways
he was vain in his attitude
A father figure mouthing
unpleasantries whenever
he felt like doing it

In his wakeful hours he wanted
them to serve him well
When he slipped under the covers
to retire the night there were
happy faces from those around

He was beginning to be unacceptable
It was the last straw until they realized
it was all but some silly mistakes
He was a she after all!
and 'he' was pregnant!

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #90
Thomg's 3WW #510
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 25  -  mistakes
Bjorn's at d'Verse's OLN #186

Flowing leisurely it seeks to throw its weight around - a Twiglet

                                                                                  Attribution:  NOAA Photo Library,
Image: Cumulonimbus (Thunderstorm)
forming in background (here)

Flowing leisurely it seeks to throw
its weight around to seek its own
level. Mindful though it is shadowed
by the clouds above ever willing to
release its weight when convenient

For Miskey's Twiglet #2  -  the weight of water
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 24  -  shadow

Why couldn't they be more tolerant?

                                                                                                Attribution: Sage Ross
Image: A Hand-held Saviour (here)
(comes in handy with a 'clock')

It made him boil for an instant
He had just walked into the room
Sheepishly he remarked without thinking
'sorry I'm late'
Then someone replied,
'it is ok, we're just leaving!'

On another occasion, unwittingly he blurted out
without even looking up,
'what's the time now, anyone?'
A nerd (Yes, he was!) stood up
He went into a discourse on how to make a watch

Why couldn't they be more tolerant?
Why indulge in sarcasm to show displeasure?
Why time wasting to square off points?
Why not allow for some freedom in little mistakes?

All goes to show the truth of the adage,
'look before you leap'

For Lillian's at d'Verse   -  It’s all in the timing!
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 23  -  freedom

with intent to capture their hearts

                                                                                         Attribution: Nigel Chadwick
Image: Birds Skimming the Water (here)

10 of 12 given words:
birdseed capture heart
ludic (playful in an aimless way)
descendent askance
edelweiss (a liqueur flavored with alpine flowers)
lantern gnash curse

birdseeds placed in the empty cage
with intent to capture their hearts
ludic in a way trying to lure them in
but as a descendant of a wild predator
they looked askance at all the furore
thoughts seemed numbed of edelweiss
they still advanced forward safety as a group
but a sudden gust with force
like a lantern caught in the wind
slammed the window with a loud bang
it tweaked their focus off they flew again
knowing for certain unsafe to be back

how he gnashed  his teeth with fury
how silly to have left the aviary ajar
was there a reason to curse and rant
for forgetfulness endured
was a grim lesson

For MLMM's Wordle #133
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 22  -  endure

Very high on a woman's priority of listings

                                                                                           Attribution: H.-U. Küenle

Image:Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) (here)

11 of 12 given words:

three hit momentum board answer 

instinct high foul sport win spin

To nurture and guide the three fledgelings

In hitting the right momentum of their being

Together on board on the road to motherhood 

Assurance of security for the innocent broods

The right answer to the maternal instincts

Very high on a woman's priority of listings

Not to run foul of extending the progeny

To be fully conversant of her responsibility

Sporting a winning hand for the family

With a spin around the lake in all gaiety

Four adult Black swans gliding gracefully

To be ogled at subject to close scrutiny

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #277

Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 21 -  woman

Unusually luxuriant in its blessings

                                                                                               Attribution: leslie.jenny
Image: Snow Flakes Slowly Floating
at 'Snow Birthed Tales' (here)

given words:
snow cabin ice

With folding of hands together
More in acts of prayers shown
A coolness to a given cheer
Free yet perplexed being alone

Warmth in the cabin sweltering
Despite thick snowfall outdoors
Unusually luxuriant in its blessings
Ice on the road none that bothers

Such an undertone augurs well
Watered down a little in earnest
Within the few days would be swell
Sustenance to a White Christmas

For Magaly's at Real Toad's  -  poetry and flash fiction
of not more than 13 lines
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 20  -  water

Propriety to one so honoured

                                                                                                    Attribution: Sanaa
Image: Ever so sweet! (here)
(fair use but mindful of copyright)

Inspired by:
Round hour of dawning blush, 
come blow me a Wish – Birthday Special 🎂

Appreciating a dawning of joy
Propriety to one so honoured
Masked with strict compliance

Flash! breakaway in bright colours
Momentous moment centre-stage
Unmasked and there surrounded
Adored as one leading a pack
From wonders of prophetic stars
Contending with lots of action

Conscious of gleaming faces
Of friends from near and afar
Laborious yet so gregarious
With propensity of joy together
Happy Birthday dear Sanaa!
Gem of a star brightly shining!

Sanaa's Dash of Sunny  -  Prompt Nights Special
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 19  -  mask
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #332

Moonwalk and sidewalk acrobatics

                                                                         Attribution: White House Photo Office
Image: A Grand Welcome to the White House (here)

Dolce steps in staccato outbursts
Audace R 'n R dancing without rehearse
Following Bill Haley onto the scene
It propped up Elvis into a regal being

Gyrations stoked the spokes unfaltering
Chubby Checker then came a-twisting
Three allegro unprecedented offerings
Music was never the same again

Kind of diminuendo came a-knocking
Sidewalk acrobatics and break dancing
Hijacked the movement's intensity
Paving the way for Michael's entry

Beat it! Moonwalk special a likely ruse
Sporting purple socks and dancing shoes
His forte that kept others near paranoid
Untimely demise left a glaring void

Victoria's at d'Verse MTB
  - make music of those words
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 18  -  three
Susie's at Real Toad's  -  shoes

Ready to provide a shield of protection

                                                                                          Attribution: Lviatour
Image: Must be Seen to Act (here)

the 12 given words:
shield, unsteady, touch, 
tangles (something that hampers, obstructs)
rejoice, scorn shame grime sane wait tarnished ,
mesh (any arrangement of interlocking metal links)

3WW words:
snuff specific tempting

Ready to provide a shield of protection
Though unsteady but he had the touch
Avoiding tangles nor rejoicing in the deal
No scorn intended nor shame be accepted
He had the ability
He had to take on the responsibility!

Had painstakingly gone through the grime
A sane proposition had to be implemented fast
Fatal to wait for others to move
The specifics must be addressed in the now
Tempting not to act on someone else's folly
But it should not be allowed to fester
For they had tarnished the family name

The mesh had to be unravelled amicably
To snuff off impending disaster pervading
which was likely to overwhelm in its enormity
He had to act

Being the eldest he must be seen to act!

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #89
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 17  -  ability
Thomg's 3WW week #509

An inexhaustible bidding

                                                    Artist: Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740–1808)
Image: Portrait of a Gentleman (here)

10 of 12 given words:
groove inexhaustible late clutter handbag flattery 
nuance (slight difference in color or tone)
faustian ( spiritual dissatisfaction or torment)
bellwether (male sheep that leads the flock, ringleader)
marrow

He went through the groove
An inexhaustible bidding
Though late in the day
A clutter in a handbag of goodies
More of a flattery to his ego

He recognized the nuances
that colored his virtues
Faustian in outlook
he felt the big letdown
His mind was dancing with
naughty thoughts
But he was  unperturbed
a bellwether of a soul
He meant to show them he
was no pushover

From the marrow of his insides
To the tone of his voice
He had the looks and the power
The drive for a push
Was he not a BMOC of old?

Note: BMOC -  big-man-on-campus

For MLMM's Wordle Dec #132
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day16 -  color
Kerry's at Real Toad's  - the tuesday platform

Two lovely kittens nonchalantly at play - a Quadrille

                                                                                            Attribution: Pravee1207
Image: Playfully aggressive (here)

Two lovely kittens nonchalantly at play
One bit playfully while the other responded
Aggression invoked to their dismay
At each other's throats they went unaided
She intruded to calm them
They both then pounced on her
Caused scratches mayhem
Scarred her frayed nerves forever

(44 words)

For De's at d'Verse's 44 -word 

Quadrille#22  -  scar

changing patterns of behaviour

                                                                          Attribution: Josh Semans
Image: Ardent Chat-partner (here)

10 of 12 given words

heave screeching dead chatter patterns 
doors anatomy back reload files 

Slow cruising others heaving sighs of relief
But screeching dead stops were shocking
Could well prove fatal to end up in grief
For chatter at the wheel had many fuming

Together with changing patterns of behaviour
Having a cell-phone was more of a nuisance
No more like talking behind closed doors
But blurting outright without much concern

Zombies walking into walls knocked senseless
Remember anatomy of Pokemon Go back then
Reload on the go with files of virtual monsters
A mobile game that took the world by storm

Novelty waned now, less lustre lacking enthusiasm
Despite updates such as the recent Halloween event
And Thanksgiving with rewards for stardust and experience
Discussions together between friends had died down

For Brenda's Sunday Whirl #277 and
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 15  -  together

Swept off the ground shocked

                                                                                         Attribution: Guérin Nicolas
Image: A Hot Kiss (here)

Night to discover
Reminiscent of surprise
Swept off the ground shocked
Sudden hug out of the blue
Uncharitable first kiss

For Chev's tanka at Carpe Diem #1085  -  the kiss 
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 14  -  hug
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #331

Warm memories nostalgic in part but put on hold

                                                                                   Attribution: Lookatdesktop
Image: Young Lovers (here)

Inspired by the saying::
Winter my dear would be cold without warm memories
                                                                          -  Sanaa
What of it?
Reflecting on good fortune snug on a pedestal
When life was of prophetic indications pulsating
Looking to the sky clouds bidding as palatable
A tussle to recollect images of a pretty plaything

What of sweet recollections?
Gracious imaginations with mutual feelings of awe
Boy and girl whispering sweet nothings manifold
Insisting on a sacrifice towards a future together
Warm memories nostalgic in  part but put on hold

What of uncanny acquiesce?
The winter of their life together devoid of fears
Meant for each other a relationship so blissful
What kept alive little anecdotes of yesteryears
Two hearts locked in place exquisitely beautiful

For Sanaa's A Dash of Sunny  -  Prompt Nights – #37 and
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge  Day 13  -  imaginations

Jim Delligatti who invented the quintessential Big Mac

                                                                         Attribution:  Evan-Amos                                              

Image:Jim's Big Mac (here)

10 of 12 given words:
die loss exceptional coming outline,
languid (lacking in vigor)
back, more longing hinted

3WW words
quintessential (of the pure and essential essence)
rabid (furious or raging; violently intense)
prickly

Jim Delligatti who invented the quintessential
Big Mac died at 98 yesterday, a big loss
He was exceptional in coming with an idea
that outlined thinking out of the box

Not languid in desire but rabid in putting it
across he got back more than he bargained for
Prickly news when first mooted but it was
a longing for an impact of diversity in thoughts
that chalked up sales to dizzying heights

It was not just hinted propositions but a
reality that changed the business philosophy
of McD to spice up their products
into innovative offerings

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #88
Thomg's 3WW #508
Elizabeth;s Creativity Challenge #12  -  diversity
Grace's at d'Verse's OLN #185

Softness of touch caressing

                                                                                        Attribution: Leon Brooks
Image: Raindrops to the Ground (here)

Standing in the rain
Light pattering on the face
Raindrops from the sky
Softness of touch caressing
Tranquility pervading

Eyes kept close dreaming
Unflinching in his resolve
Wetness on his face
Thoughts of  childhood innocence
Raced back through his memory

For Chev's Carpe Diem #1082  - raindrops 

Faith was the driving force

                                                                                            Photo by John Hill
Image: Sikh Pilgrims on Bus to Manikaran (here)

Faith a driving force
Brimming with enthusiasm
Salvation pursued
Reaching out with inner strength
Spiritual beliefs sustained

Mystical cleansing
Fulfilment of craving for
redemption of void
Perceived to enhance good luck
Inspired by strong voice above

For Chev's Carpe Diem Tanka Splendor #30 - pilgrimage
Elizabeth's Creative Challenge #10  - voice
Marian's at Real Toad's  -  the tuesday platform

Why must accidents be allowed to happen?

                                                                                     Attribution: Sara Shakeel
Image: A Good Picture Depicting of
the Imminent Danger in Rides (here)

Been hearing of unfortunate incidents of attractions that
involved revolving movements. These attractions that
dotted the landscape had all been through the works for
a duration of time. Why must accidents be allowed to
happen when experience in their construction had been
tested all along.It could be human error in construction
and maintenance or likelihood of sabotage. Or perhaps
without any possibility of evil intentions it was just plain
tough luck. Those youngsters were most unfortunate to be
there then. And to think they were there bent on enjoying
themselves was smack against the parents' conscience
Undivided support for a high degree of safety awareness
and safety measures must always be emphasised.

Such rides known to be
cancelled due to bad weather
Winter has its 'faults'

Such fun for youngsters
Was it disaster waiting
to happen? Pity!

Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge #9  -  support 
Toni's at d'Verse's Haibun Monday and
MLMM's Photo Challenge #141

in grips of surprises in a wave of conflict

                                                                                            Attribution: Suhaknoke
Image: A Misumena-vatia spider having captured a bee (here)

11 of 12 words given
grip wave episode slight fend famous reference
stelliferous (having or abounding with stars.)
sedate (undisturbed by passion or excitement)
moribund (In a dying state; near death)
penny dreadful (a cheap, sensational novel)

in grips of surprises in a wave of conflict
an episode quite damaging to its well-being
set to a slight dampening of spirits but so tacit
buoyed by escapism which appeared trifling

but yet to fend for itself against all odds
imagined or otherwise but in a way famous
in a stelliferous stance as a defence of sorts
sedate in all manner of salvaging a status

aligned for success in a stupendous surge
of enthusiasm with a reference of honour
not moribund but so much alive to splurge
a strength beyond penny dreadful misnomer

For MLMM's Wordle #131 and
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 8  -  defence

A wonderful family of four

                                                                                       Attribution: josephine101
Image: A Tall Order  (here)

10 of 12 given words:
add drive window handle 
tray law mess vent pot spray  

A wonderful family of four
and add a loving wife
What an inspiration
to drive home the whole point

Was conferred with a PhD
Barely a year passed
He contrived upon a line of call
A strategy that gave him
enough leeway before

Now contending with that window
of opportunity he was to extend enough
space for her to pursue hers

She handled single-handedly the home's
tray of chores that he remembered but
mindful of his Mother-in-law's tall
order 'to clean up the mess'  the right
environment for an ideal home

They were to give vent to any
disagreements by a readiness to
reciprocate with a helping hand
That was the rationale for rapport
to validate the 'happy family
syndrome' amid the pressures
and stresses of keeping house

There had to be a role reversal
She had to now go for her own PhD
While he had to man the house

It was plainly acceptable and
recognised for a housewife to do
what a housewife was expected
to do - knocking pots and pans or
spraying disinfectants but what
of it for a house-husband?

Sanaa's Prompt Nights #36 -  role reversal
MLMM's Writing Prompt   -  what a world
Brenda's Sunday Whirl #276  -  wordle
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day 6  -  inspiration
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry#330

Unsatiated by show of power unleashed

                                                                                             Attribution: Diego Delso
Image: The Poor with nothing (on the right)
Facing the Bastion of Wealth (on the left) (here)

Unsatiated by show of power unleashed
Contending to envelop under a cloud of innocence
Provided ostensibly a reckoning of goodness
To the deprived and the struggling many
But lame in perfunctory intentions

What then was the idea of appearing
Garbed in Santa's ever recognisable red
But with a sinister hidden agenda
To exploit for only one's own interests

What then was the motive in all innocence
Likened to a benefactor throwing the greenbacks
Freely with the right hand very elegantly
But clawing back with the suspicious left

Many were then left stranded robbed of what little
While they amid celebrations announced to the world
As a saviour and a champion to mankind
But ever hiding a twisted smile gleefully hidden
Of a 'pious' monster wilfully triumphant

For Bjorn's at d'Verse's MTB Critique
and Craft  -  Caravaggio and Chiaroscuro

It burns hot and cold

                                                                                           Attribution: Jon Sullivan
Image: Embers Extend more Heat (here)

Appreciating life
It does not discriminate
It burns hot and cold
Set to show planning may help
Problems solved but to a point

Like charcoal embers
Burns hotter without a blaze
Minds one's own business
With no fanfare but given
to goodness of a blessed soul

For Chev's Carpe Diem Tanka with prompt- charcoal and
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day #5  -  life's meaning

They gave furtive glances

                                                                         Attribution: The Library of Virginia (1956)
Image: Teens' Swinging Time (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
furtive church, swinging kids weirdness smell dabbing

liturgy (to which public religious worship is conducted)

coughs valves heads

3WW with words:

oaf nauseating 

machismo (masculinity macho)

acceptance

They gave furtive glances quiet as a church mouse
They were in for a swinging time it would be fun
But being kids they could even be seen like an oaf
A weirdness to hide their lacking of experience

Had signed up to add to the crowd for a tea-dance
Somewhat nauseating getting a whiff of cheap perfume
Trying to smell good they appeared walking in a trance
Been dabbing them all over a machismo they assumed

Not to a liturgy to be seen but still gave little coughs
To mask lack of confidence and more so to get attention
Process of growing up opened up the valves of laughs
To make heads turn acting as adults hungry for acceptance

Sunday's Whirligig #87

Thomg's 3WW #507
Elizabeth's Creativity Challenge Day #3  -  acceptance

She gingerly cupped the bowl in her tiny hands

                                                                                 Attribution Source: Slrlounge.com
Image: Fish Bowl on the Move (here)

She gingerly cupped the bowl in her tiny hands
Barely able to hold it safely in between sobs
She profusely uttered all of her sincere thanks
For the purchase to the Uncle she so adored

She had come face to face and was swayed
With the then forlorn-looking little 'Nemo'
Which in no time was given a home to stay
Instead of an old aquarium in one corner

Now outgrown in size Nemo had been a dare
If only it could be led around safely on a leash
they could then explore the outdoors as a pair
Despite the downside Nemo still got her wish!

MLMM's Photo Challenge #140
For Kerry's at Real Toad's  -  the tuesday platform

Out of breath but he soldiered on - A Quadrille

                                                                                            Attribution: Geoff Gallice
Image: Menacing Jungle Stream (here)

Out of breath but he soldiered on
along the jungle stream, safer by
any means. He conjured some wild
animals ready to pounce from the
shadows but he was unperturbed.
Was lost in the jungle once before so
what would be a repeat, anyway
(44 words)

For Mish's Quadrille #21 of 44 words
at d'Verse and to include the word  -  breath

Call of the motherly instinct

                                                                                                  Attribution: Laitche
Image: Barn Swallow Feeding its Young (here)

the 12 given words:  
call righteous work hold keys 
pattern lies feed ends drop flat easy

Call of the motherly instinct
Righteous work that holds the key
to love patterns of living things
Therein lies the responsibility
Whereby right from birth
To feed the baby bird outright
Will mean scouring Mother Earth
for edibles to provide

Such is the irk
for not being blessed
with the goodness of mother's milk
Instead mother bird is hard pressed
endlessly for likely substitutes
To be dropped into waiting mouths
berries or worms as food
even at great speed flat out

Such is the ingenuity
for continuance of the progeny
Mother bird has to fast intrude daily
and makes it look so easy

For Brenda's Sunday Whirl's Wordle #275 and
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #329

Broad smiles seen from all

                                                                                                        Author Votesmall
Image: Cool breeze Over Calm Waters (here)

Cool breeze leisurely
floats to reduce the slight warmth
Broad smiles seen from all

For Chev's Carpe Diem
revise the haiku #7 and
Kerry's at Real Toad's 
- micro poetry

Why must one be so luckless!

                                                                                     Author :Tsutomu Takasu
Image: Frustrations (here)

Looking to the sky
Inspiration forthcoming
Slow in appearance
Sincere hopes just fizzled off
Why must one be so luckless!

For Chev's tanka  at Carpe Diem
Splendor #18 -  depression 

Invisibility is not a disadvantage

                                                                                         Author: Remiz pendulinus
Image: A Singing Voice (here)

the 12 given words:
voice sing joyful dumb words without
noise means 

primal (of first importance)

plaintive (expressing sorrow)
trills (to sing in a succession of rapidly alternating sounds)

banal (lacking force or originality)

It is connecting in whatever circumstances
The beauty of a God-given gift
bestowed to the select few
The King, Old Blue Eyes
Michael's moon-walk
Satchmo's resounding wind-pipes
and many more
Invisibility is not a disadvantage
With the voice they sing and
are not even physically seen
Perhaps primal of awareness,
joyful or plaintive, trills or otherwise all precede their reputations
nowhere banal without doubt
a blessing to mankind

The deprived can be dumb but words
are necessarily noises in regulated forms

articulated as a means or as a medium
of intrusion into the sane minds
Throw in poetry and story-writing
to complete the loop
How most fortunate the creative juices
are flowing freely, rightly so!

MMT's Sunday Whirligig #86

Susan's at Poet United's Midweek Motif - invisibility  
Grace's at d'Verse's OLN #184