nothing untoward in the legitimacy

                                                                            Attribution: – PrettyScary @ Deviantart
Image: The Return of a
Long-lost Soul-mate (here)

once upon a slumber
dedication of a sleeping partner
given to heaven's blessings
of sharing a bed

nothing untoward
in the legitimacy
of  perhaps of being a ladies' man
caught red-handed but
rather keeping company
to ease off a faint heart
requiring attention

the sacred will of a longing
for a childhood friend
a soul-mate
long lost but appeared
one day at the door-step
to claim the love and affections
of a friend of having
grown up together
now united and inseparable

Nekneeraj's  at MLMM's Photo Challenge #236
Lillian's at d'Verse's  - stock phrases

putting a gag to a gibbon's guffaw

                                                                                                          Author: suneko
Image:  a black-haired arborícola gibbon  (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
gag gibbon guffaw given graze graphic
gnathonic ((n.) sycophantic, flattering
gruff (rough, brusque, or stern in manner, speech)
glyph (a pictorial sign as a prehistoric cave drawing or a graph or chart)
galaxy (a gravitational bound system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas)

putting a gag to a gibbon's guffaw
maybe a test of laughs and wonder
given the shrill long distance cry
constant in frequency and penetrating
in effect, it would just graze the surface
as it could be heard miles away

not uncommonly gnathonic nor gruff
but it had that uncanny melodic balance
a very distinct sounding high and low
which could be charted in a graphic
glyph of sorts somewhat unique in the
galaxy of things around the sound system.

Yves' MLMM's Bonus Wordle - the letter 'G'
willow-switches Pat's at Real Toad's
- tuesday's platform bliss

a misty morning with a slight breeze

                                                                                      Attribution: Tatiana Bashinskaya
Image: A Stony Look
with a Runny Nose (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
misty breeze child runny spray 
sing drive eggs movies find

a misty morning with a slight breeze
air of silence like a child with runny nose
wanting a spray to clear the passage with ease
but never satisfied with the given dose

sing a song of praise to the spirits
in the hope it will drive off the affliction
or perhaps take a couple of boiled eggs
as in the movies to clear the congestion

the common cold one finds very irritating
is but an ailment more of the moment
rather than one that is life threatening
often brushed off as being just a nuisance

Brenda's The Sunday Whirl #375
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #426

extending an honor blessed - a Tan Renga

                                                                     Artist: Pierre Subleyras  (1699–1749)
Image: A Courtesan in Loving Care (here)

courtesan and monk,
sleeping  under one roof together,
moon in a field of clover                        © Basho (Tr. Chèvrefeuille)

courtesan and monk,
sleeping  under one roof together,
moon in a field of clover    
dignity and honor for
sacrifices to others                                 ©  Hank

Chevrefeuilles Carpe Diem- 1529 - together (tan-renga)

a canopy of wild illusions

                                                                                                   Author: Ivan Bandura
Image: A Windy Day with a
Canopy of Dark Clouds (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
brother beneath skies voice lost 
stump (to cause someone to be unable to understand)
tree willow unrest silver

oh brother! what was causing the commotion
seen in the confusion clamoring for an answer
beneath the skies a canopy of wild illusions
a voice lost and stumped into coils of bother

a solitary tree dancing furiously in the winds
unlike a willow giving way but standing bold 
such was unrest invoked by a mysterious wailing
to succumb into inactivity of the winter's cold 

a silver lining to counter the imposed cover
sought by folks as an option of a way out
pacing them to extend support of an alms-giver
to offer a respite to dispel the recurring doubt

MMT's Sunday's Whiligig #185
Sumana's at PU's Midweek Motif -  winter

sophisticated and cultured

                                                                            Artist Leo Gestel  (1881–1941)
Image:   Two elegant ladies (brush and
black ink and watercolour on paper) (here)

the 12 given words:
femininity floodgate flutter foreshadow
fashionista  (a person devoted to fashion)
forfeit
flibbertigibbet ((n.) a gossip)         
fault froth flesh flight attendant fruitless

femininity at the floodgates
waiting to overcome the gatekeepers
causing a flutter to foreshadow
an icon of a fashionista
dedicated to elegance

cleanly forfeiting the unproductive
culture long identified with that of a
flibbertigibbet of old

the good ladies have been
intelligent beings to a fault
sophisticated and cultured
not frothing at the mouth
with juicy tales nor seen as
flesh objects least of all not
to be taken for granted

responsible better half
helpful as a flight attendant
loving counterpart
most of all a caregiver
for family and friends

no more a fruitless search
for a unique specimen on earth

Yves' MLMM's Bonus Wordle  -  the letter 'F'
Sanaa's at Real Toad's  -  the tuesday platform

laid bare to waste and abandoned

                                                                                Photo courtesy of Fandango
Image:  Bare and Decadent (here)

10 of 12 given words:
pick charge charm electricity sink site wave
resonate (filled with a deep clear sound that continues)
needle class 

stumbled upon an exciting situation
with pick of nature's choice of entry
laid bare to waste and sadly abandoned
but charged with charms of mystery

of bewildering wonder in acquiesce
what could it be with no electricity
to sink to levels of debilitating appearance
where absent was a sense of urgency

on site resolute of its own standing
with waves of music that resonate in tribute
needling the inquisitive mind wondering
perhaps props in a class of artistic pursuits

Susan's Sunday Photo Fiction -  october- 2018/
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #425

Struck at with fury

                                                                                                Author: Juliette Khalil
Image: Strong waves (here)

Struck at with fury
Up against the water lost
What did I do wrong?

Made known the hard way
As strong waves let out a cry
They set the ground rules

Chevrefeuilles' Carpe Diem Leafless Tree #1
introduction "beautiful waves"

colors of twilight with hues of brown

                                                                                                       Author: myself
Image: Twilight near Brenig
in Germany (here)
                 
the 10 chosen words:
aspect October  plunge colors twilight frost gravel touch 
lucid (clear perception or understanding; rational) 
leaf                 
(Hank decided to take more
than the minimum 4 words)
   
an aspect of October plunged into
colors of twilight with hues of brown

detesting frost gravel-like even
with a touch of cotton's softness

lucid moment in its madness
of frightfully expecting the white
of frost to envelop the landscape

a leaf with its hues of brown
changing colors at great speed
floated down wanting a quick kill

it should sleep well prostrated
on the ground among little
creatures hurrying to comforts
of hibernation

set to tone down surprises of
seeing bare branches devoid of
leaves it was but just a mild
compensation of  an annual
phenomenon

Sanaa"s at Real Toad's  -
get listed - october's edition
Grace's at d'Verse's OLN #230

facets of youthful abundance

                                                                                         Photographer: Peter Asprey.
Image: A Measure of Youthful Abundance (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
youth, false wisdom ripe green bitter 
time stale longing ground dead 

facets of youthful abundance
conjured images of false wisdom
ripe for pickings but a little green
bitter in essence wanting to appear prim

at times stale not ready for a refresh
but persistence created a longing
able to grind to a halt dead on target
such was the strength of character
best provoked by youthful vigor

Susan's at PU's Midweek Motif  -  abundance
MMT's Sunday'sWhirligig #184

is it something unforgivable?

                                                                                           Author: Brocken Inaglory
Image: A hermit crab in an unusual shell fighting
another hermit crab for a new home  (here)

it is not a desired act
for the need to hijack
one that belongs to others
imposing dishonest measures
not legit nor acceptable
for in principle
tossing norms out the window
one is up against a foe
for one's selfish intentions
clearly in defiance
with a swagger one strode
to occupy another's abode

but is it something unforgivable
when one by nature is evolved
fleshy and soft with no outer cover
the next best thing to do
is to find a shelter
lest one gets into a fight
when showing a formidable might
hopefully it is as empty
as can be

Isn't it a beautiful thing
it may be ugly not to build one's own
but still beautiful to recycle
an abandoned 'home'

Mish's at d'Verse Poetics: beauty in ugliness  

emulation of a rare mermaid's gambit

                                                                             Author: Manipulation Arts

Image: Lady of Leisure (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
elsewhere enough exact entry
emulation ((n.) jealous rivalry)
ethereal (extremely delicate or refined) 
edge erase 
exoteric ((adj.) suitable to be communicated to the general public
easement (something that gives ease; a convenience)

elsewhere seems a picture of emptiness
enough to endure but lacking of pleasure
exacting into realms of powers of fondness
for entry into an exclusive club of leisure

emulation of a rare mermaid's gambit
ethereal beauty of exquisite measure
in its wonder for affections' exquisite
with images of a dashing paramour

sitting on edge unsure since morning
exoteric in its quest for quiet protection
likely to erase any pretenses delimiting
for easement of attracting attention

Carrie's the Sunday Muse #25
Yves at MLMM's with Bonus Wordle 'E'
Vivian's at Real Toad's the tuesday platform

much to be desired at the moment of truth

                                                                                             Photo by Scott Bauer. 
Image: A pinto bean variety that resists a host
of harmful fungi and viruses that can otherwise
cheat growers of a bountiful harvest (here)

(The pinto bean is most often eaten whole in broth
or mashed. It is a common filling for burritos)

the use of antithesis through two opposing words
– harvest and plant
– lower and raise

much to be desired at the moment of truth
setting a norm to allay fears at random
engaged in efforts most wanting to refuse
were there fairness in attesting to wisdom?

to lower expectations to then raise the bar
how to balance current deeds for future needs
to draw on hidden talents underutilized this far
worth the efforts a noble choice indeed

satisfaction to harvest fair returns to the plant
to be one step ahead was often elusive by nature
sensitive to growth the eager beaver would want
hoping for bountiful blessings for a great future

Yves' at MLMM's  - saturday-mix-opposing-forces
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #424

to learn rudiments of counting

                                                                     Author:Dietmar Rabich  (1962–) 
Image: Four Bells a Ringing (here)

"one for sorrow, two for mirth, 
three for a wedding, four for a birth, 
five for silver, six for gold, 
seven for a secret that's never been told"  -  .Cassandra Clare

'one for sorrow, two for mirth'
never seems silly of recounting
trending easily for all of its worth
avoiding a bedlam of remembering

with means ready for musings
a nursery rhyme set in motion
to learn rudiments of counting
some little structure as fashioned

to remember it as 'learning by heart'
learning by rote that makes it easy
it all means less of stress right from start
when already imprinted in memory

MLMM's First Line Friday  - 
'one for sorrow, two for mirth'

a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet

                                                                                   Author: IndiaFM
Image:  Indian actress Preity Zinta
(modesty apparently is maintained
by a little twist in the name)  (here)

'Hank' means 'Ruler of the Home'
Taken to mean leadership is provided
within the environment  of home
The brood within given shelter not scattered
Stable home surroundings extended
Matching to Hank born a Leo the lion-hearted

'So what's in a name?

'A rose by any other name would
smell just as sweet' so quipped Juliet to her beau, Romeo.!

Whatever had been given to those privileged as a name
are called upon to jealously, and honorably keep them
safely guarded. It is the sweetest word in the dictionary
for one to hear one's own name and it is offensive to
not calling a person by their names

There will be attempts in real life to cause anguish and
that a name may be subjected  to ridicule and besmirched
perhaps through uncalled for rivalry or through bad intentions.

It has been said a name with some dubious meanings but
sweet-sounding unwittingly given may cause hardships to
the person who are often dogged by ill-luck through life

On the other hand there are old fashioned beliefs among
eastern cultures that one should not antagonize the spirits
by unabashedly giving names like Miss Beautiful to a
pretty girl. In fact modesty may even be taken to the
extreme by naming the pretty child as Miss Ugly just
so she is not scorned by others for thinking too highly
of herself so Mom unashamedly named her so.

So what's in a name?

Amaya's at d'Verse's Poetics  -  what's in a name?
 

never devilish in attitude nor derelict in thinking

                                                                                  Author:BardanBand
Image: Music to the Ears (here)

10 of 12 given 'D' words:
devilish derelict darkness drench drizzle 
drywall (a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate ie gypsum board)
dandelion (a weed with yellow flowers but with health benefits)
diapason ((n.) a full, rich outpouring of melodious sound)
dispensation (something that is distributed or given out)
deafen

never devilish in attitude nor derelict
in thinking but the darkness in creativity
may drench more than just a drizzle
to dampen the confidence

it may be as thin as a drywall to
overcome with ease but it has the
tenacity of a stubborn dandelion

the tendency to erupt into a diapason
of melodious talent is always there

its tactful dispensation of musical
strains is so pleasing to the ears

it helps to deafen the presence of
hecklers out for some mischief

Yves' at MLMM's -  bonus wordle 'D'
Sanaa's at Real Toad's -  the tuesday platform

to the stars the moon a relenting matriarch

                                                                                   Author:Amanda Clark
Image: The Hare and the Crow (here)

to the stars the moon a relenting matriarch
to welcome the day's end for space above
stragglers hurrying home before it got dark
into the arms of those whom they loved

the hare frantic in its desire to be home with ease
avoiding along the way whatever forms of distractions
still smarting from the debacle with the tortoise
not to engage the crow and with no compunction

out for some mischief and some unrehearsed fun
the crow contended a hunting party was behind
flying overhead and taunting for a faster run
harassing and gleefully enjoying such pranks

in its haste it missed a step and landed in water
crocodile-infested untimely reversal of fortunes
its fate sealed despite just foolery and light banter
no bad intentions but still paid for the importunes

Carrie's Sunday Muse #24

a radiance that gleamed of hope

                                                                                  Author Fir0002 at en.wikipedia

Image: Beauty of Lights and Shadows (here)

to use synonyms of the given words:
light - glare shine radiance gleam
man -  dude gentleman
handle - grip designation moniker
bag - grapple pouch
wind - breeze tempest gale waft

the glare gave it a good shine
a radiance that gleamed of hope
the dude a gentleman refined
extending a grip within the scope

that of an accepted designation
a moniker enough to grapple
with a derogatory reference
of an uncomplimentary pouch

managing to breeze through
a contemptuous tempest of a gale
which was reduced to just a waft
given his personality that prevailed

Yves' at MLMM's Saturday Mix - sams same but different
Mary at PU's Poetry Pantry #423

a fight among equals

                                                                    Author: Christopher Peterson. Izvor:
Image: Paul Newman at a political rally
for Eugene McCarthy in Wisconsin, 1968

the 11 of 12 given words:
fight among breath balance delight 
bring loss waste leave crowds
tumult (highly distressing agitation of mind)

a fight among equals
a breath balanced in nature
a delight to witness
to bring a loss to waste
to leave crowds in titters

to conceal tumult of defeat
the vanquished laid bare
very unlikely though
a smack on the face for
they were all thick skinned

political disagreements
among known icons
were often public knowledge
left trending and actively
alive for in politics there
were no permanent friends
nor permanent enemies

they could cut a deal
where it suited them
all in furtherance of
personal interests rather
than fighting for a cause

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #182
Grace at d'Verse's OLN #229

a repertoire of works

                                                                                           Author: Natalie Ruka
Image: Crammed space but
a productive mind (here)

up early in the morning
in an artist's workspace
confidently and quietly musing
a song in a studio a place

to fondly call one's own
where within such restraints
seeds had been sown
faithfully all in her own domain

an alignment of works contending
banding together in artistic fields
varied and expanding
songs created to fulfill

a hungry void ever present
of a prolific young talent
a measure of creative abundance
a repertoire well balanced

Nekneeraj's at MLMM's Photo Challenge #232
Susan's at PU's Midweek Motif  -  balance
willow-switches at RealToad's  - the tuesday platform

A Crush on her Demeanour - Haibun Monday

                                                                          Attribution: Walter Baxter  CC BY-SA 2.0

Image: A Murmuration of Starlings at Gretna

the 11 of 12 given words:
crush consider currency chronic 
callous (feeling or showing no sympathy for others )
cervical ( adj. pertaining to the female
cervix: i.e. the neck of the uterus)
cause contemptuous 
counterweight (a weight that, by exerting an
opposite force, provides balance and stability)
closure

The Prose
A crush on her demeanour but not down and out
Rallying all energy and efforts to consider currency
of purpose for her to combat a chronic ailment
accentuating her manic mood and continuing silence

A callous indifference to her sufferings tactless 
response and reactions perhaps the cause of a 
relapse of cervical cancer for which she took 
pride in being a survivor the past few years

The presence of contemptuous minders akin 
to  murmuration of starlings that twist and turn
come and go but a negative counterweight
- an element very much a curse to basic human
sentiments are ever present and she is
crying for a closure

The Haiku
What was to become
Humane in thoughts damned to fail
in deeds extended

Yves' at MLMM's Bonus Wordle - the letter 'c'
qbit's at d'Verse - Haibun Monday - murmuration