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

A double coincidence of wants

                                                                         Attribution: Twospoonfuls
Image: The Long-awaited 1st Penguin edition of
D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, published
Harmondsworth, England, 1960. (here)

A double coincidence of wants
To provoke a sweet relationship
It evoked the rare consequence
Of two souls raring to keep
alive a fulfilment of an emptiness
In a garden of shared sentiments
Constance's lack of intimacy in fairness
to her husband's inadequate sexual intent
While Mellor's choice to live apart
from his wife's brutish sexual nature
So the setting created the start
to the classic Lady Chatterley's Lover

The protracted legal entanglement
brought DH Lawrence into the limelight
It whipped up all the sentiments
of what constituted obscenity of write
When the courts finally reasoned
Laws of obscenity were not broken
The long-awaited unexpurgated version
then hit the stands with a loud bang
Unprintable words too acquired credence
Descriptive exploits in 'their Garden of Eden'
Thrown to the wind in throes of liberalism
Ultimately nudity was accorded its licence

For Kim's at d'Verse's Poetics  -  johnny's garden

he wished he could learn more

                                                                                            Author: Katja Schulz
Image: Poetry reading Session (here)

11 of the 12 given words:
mute tidewater step guts fake occur 
bibliotaph (A person who hoards books)
wisteria (a climbing shrub)
penetralia (The most private or secret things)
sharp  occur breeze

In mute silence with the lapping of
tidewater at his feet he reflected on his
journey a step a time
They did well to pass judgement on his
ability as a writer he mused and he was
glad he had the guts in facing them
He was terrified initially.

He did present himself as a bibliotaph
but it was no way to make him out as a fake
Just like a wisteria of a kind that proceeded
upwards revealing a penetralia of sharp
wisdom he chose to remain steadfast
He warded off his critics regardless
It did not occur to them that he
did not perpetrate a lie for that
matter for he tried

It was not a breeze nor were there
short-cuts to becoming a writer of standing
He knew that
He had wished though the critiques
could be more balanced
Secretly he preferred harsh critiques
to compliments as these were more helpful

For MLMM's Wordle #129 and
Marian's at Real Toad's   -  the tuesday platform

Welcoming a new Day

                                                                              Attribution: Vomirencostard
Image Moonlight over the Lake (here)

Brightness rightly true
Moon still holding out before
welcoming new day
Not restraining young lovers'
call for romantic try outs

For Chev's carpe diem's Tanka
Splendor no.13 and
Sumana's at PU's Poetry Pantry
#328

But there was a sudden weather change

                                                                                 Attribution: my frilly freudian slip
Image: Privet's Farm (here)

Privet’s Farm, isolated from other farms sat exposed to the 
elements.....
It held its own in trite isolation
'It is my insistence, you hear me' he bellowed.
Workers helped out barely a few weeks ago but many left literally for
greener pastures. A sudden weather change made it considerably
warmer. The greenery withered. He could not stop them. He did not
call them to work there in the first place
'They came on their own. They stumbled in here. The luscious orange
grove then attracted them' he added. The workers were happily
entrenched, family and all for two seasons. They decided to go!
'The workers were discouraged from staying on!' he said 'and left on 
their own accord'
Privet took the cue and decided he too was not about to pursue his
farming days anymore. Perhaps he would sell the farm to seek his
fortune in the city.
(147 words)

Note: picture prompt above was provided with
an opening sentence and we are to finish the story
using an additional 100 to 150 words.

For MLMM's  - finish off friday's (FoF) #1

just an interlude

                                                                Attribution: Diego Castillo Morales

Image: Fun nights  (here)

gracefully moving
right on with a fling
young hearts enjoying fun nights
having it so good
just an interlude
not restrained daintily light

set in somber mood
group of destitute
abundance of snow flakes float
crave for apple pie
set to satisfy
cold nights' desire a hope

Note: an alouette of a
5-5-7-5-5-7 syllable count
with rhyme scheme of a a b c c b

Gayle's MTB at d'Verse
with a new form -  alouette 

He had come this far

                                                                                 Author: Martin Falbisoner
Image: A path opens up ahead (here)

He had come this far
Gone through the blazes
Sought to allay his fears
But he was still troubled
A refuge playing on his mind
What could he do then
Grappling in the dark?

He had come this far
Declined to be led astray
Perceived as a destroyer
But he meant no harm!
A path opened up he thought
He looked into the distance
Through misty eyes he sobbed
Forget her, she was gone!

He had come this far
A lighted path he dared
More in life he mused!
Forget her, gems were there
Waiting but waiting!

For Sumana's at PU's Midweek Motif  -  path

the long awaited first frost - a Tanka

                                                                                              Attribution: Mick Garratt
Image: Leaf Litter from first Frost (here)

what had been missing
from the golden brown colors
but a soothing white
now making an appearance
the long awaited first frost

competing for space
dancing slowly in the dark
floating down murky
accompanied with coolness
eerily in throes of nerves

For Chev's Carpe Diem Tanka at
Universal Jane #6 -  first frost and
Kerry's at Real Toad's  -  the tuesday platform

Set on the mood right on cue - a Quadrille

                                                                   Artist: Antonio Mancini (1852–1930)
Image: A Young Lady (here)

Set on the mood right on cue
As a young lady at her prime
Made to wait for the right to be heard
Without recourse to any thought
An appropriate occasion all she asked
She patiently waited
There had to be a pay-back time

(44 words)

For De's at d'Verse Quadrille #20
and to include the word  - cue

A security threat in the Reno crowd

                                                                                                 Author: VectorOpenStock
Image: The Contenders (here)

the 12 given words:
grab bless lose race red conceal 
stump lock vote blue stick burn

Note: With words like vote race lose
Hank is goaded to continue with the
saga of the race for the Presidency
despite having written 2 in recent
days (here) (here)

DT 'rushed off stage' so read the headlines
A security threat in the Reno crowd
Was grabbed and bundled off. Bless them!
The American public was not about

To lose a likely winner in the Presidential race
Presidential hopefuls on red alert could not conceal
Their jitters for at this late hour the pace
Was heightened that stumped many to feel

The campaign was locked in a tight squeeze
The sanctity of the votes was being put to test
As many diehards were expected to tease
Their allegiance to now favor DT at HC's behest

Blue in the face for, to stick to their conscience
was burning hot inside but it had to be done!

For Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #327 and
Brenda's  Sunday Whirl Wordle #273

spluttering of excuses to ward off blame

                                                   Attribution: National Archives and Records Administration 
Image: Look Back in Anger (here)

porous in thoughts allowing archaic ideas
but not willing or able to prevent a wrangle
that can unleash its strength on unfounded fears
obsessed in sporadic trauma that strangles

spluttering of excuses to ward off blame
wading through the mush with slow steps
obstinately unflinching but outwardly lame
obsessed with unflagging resolve so adept

how to thaw a hard-headed soul unwilling
with tirades of niceties, that just bounce off
a thick skin without any such guilt contending
likely to be a blameworthy lot hard to absolve

For Sanaa's Prompt Nights - Obsession 
continually fills or troubles the mind - #34

It is now coming to a head, November the eighth

                                                                                                 Author: DonkeyHotey
Image: Mr or Ma'am President come Nov 09? (here)

12 of given 13 words:
look lightly go novel forgive God 
cause force toss annoy enemy money

It is now coming to a head, November the eighth
They look furtively tip-toe lightly to go with a bang!
When victory is assured a novel idea is to forgive
Not to be for the swing states' hold cannot withstand
God forbid cause for concern for victory is uncertain

Alternative is to force the issue and toss the challenge
The FBI controversy a shock but surprising no longer
Disregard and annoy the enemy at these closing stages
The electoral college leads as revealed by the hour
To be a better indication of the current mood of voters

HC's lead has plummeted according to poll averages while
Prospective DT's voters more enthusiastic to cast their votes
Not about money but the scenario significantly changed overall
Reminiscent of the Florida situation when it was too close to call

For grapeling's at Real Toad's - November word list and
Victoria's at d'Verse's OLN #183

Jubilance where love fulfills - a Tanka

                                                                                         Author: Sérgio Valle Duarte
Image: Coolness of Rain-drops (here)

3WW given words:
erratic calculate dire

Erratic rain storm
To calculate the distress
factor of dire straits
needs to know wilful effects
of solving the mystery

In dire need of
jubilance where love fulfills
but erratic calls
dampens the joy of having
rain to calculate coolness

For Chev's Carpe Diem Tanka
Splendor #3- rain with mystery and depth
Thomg's 3WW week #504

isn't there something that they can learn?

                                                       Attribution : Sam Hood - State Library of NSW (1935)
Image: Playing in thePark (here)

12 given words:
watching perfectly park dog something
breeze between tea coming sink task retrieve

radiance of playful feet watching the young ones
ambiance perfectly open to child-like innocence
in a park of freedom to movements and fun
not dogged by stress and layers of adult problems
but running and shrieking to their heart's content
isn't there something that adults can learn?

it is a breeze to mingle with the group's peers
nothing that intrudes in between to cause tension
like English tea on a lazy afternoon without fears
mingling devoid of any commercial interference
coming without greed to sink their differences
isn't there something that walls can comprehend?

developments and peace not imposed by war
tasks shared and returns jointly enjoyed by all
hatred retrieved and abandoned out the door
no threats nor strong-armed tactics to forestall
no corruption but good governance in management
isn't there something that the dead could have planned?

MMT's at Sunday's Whirligig #84
Mish's at d'Verse's Poetics  -  if walls could talk
Susan's at PU's Midweek Motif - the day of the dead

Hotel guest no less - a Haibun

                                                                                        Attribution: Alex Zelenko
Image: An Adorable Feline (here)

How to bridge the divide now playing mischievously in both our minds.
My wife refused to own up but her asthmatic self rebelled not wanting
to  accept. I had nothing against her much less her mother I admired her
respect  for her mother but pitied her. We eventually bridged the gap. She
would not be subjected to any asthmatic sniffings anymore. For the duration
of her mother's travels overseas, we  would look after her mother's pussy-cat
as agreed. But for my loving wife's sake we'll send it over to the Pet Hotel
without her mother's knowledge

Love sustained through some
genuine thoughts for a cute cat
Hotel guest no less

For Grace's at d'Verse's Haibun Monday #24