to foil a fox

                                                                                   Author:Renee Grayson

Image: Eyeing its Next Move  (here)

to slice ones' desires to shove some

hidden from view under the lunch box

lest one forgets 

to foil a fox known to be sneaky 

is to trust one's conscience

not wanting to ask why 

but to defile a hoax 

the hypocrisy of a twisted mind

it is sad that liars and scammers

rule supreme in the market place

social media is open to the world

given half a chance

will do you in and laugh 

surrounded by their ill-gotten gains

forget the fox for other furry alternatives

a cat is just as cuddly with all its innocence

to let instinct to roll the red carpet

revile in one's own judgment

and live another day!

JadeLi at d'Verse Poetics - the vatic voice

illuminating the skies on most romantic nights

               
                                                                                                Author:Jebulon 

Image:: The Moon over Acropolis 
of Athens in the evening light. (here)

Apparently, you're the planet's only natural satellite. You maintain a  

rotation with Mother Earth so that we can only see the same side of 

you. It is beautiful! 

Romances accentuating your beauty have commonly alluded to your 

stature and they are very unlike the rough surfaces unfairly shown.

during the moon landings - very unflattering to what we have been 

used to.

You are being the second-brightest after the Sun but unlike the Sun 

you can safely be ogled at by loving couples enamored by your presence. 

Most fortunate that you are now given a respite with no more instances 

of interruptions of human presence 

faithfully therein

illuminating the skies

keeping a vigil

Frank at d'Verse Haibun Monday - the moon

brushing aside all of the likes of coldness

                                                                                             Author: Vladimir Pustovit

Image: Happy to be Accorded

the Blessings (here)

it came as no surprise to anyone 

when she entered the arena and found it 

inhabited by fluffy cuddly creatures

she had very much liked to hug someone

or something warm and compromising

the tendency of the new horizon of offering

such an opportunity seems endless

brushing aside all of the likes of coldness

as dark clouds race across preceding the

downpour unexpected to dampen her ego

daring to pick up the pieces she makes a show

of reluctance imbued with braveness in quick

takes of succession of cuddling and of running

she is glad to have found the reason to be 

accorded the goodness in a moment of despair

Michael's at MLMM's  - creating a context

second chance with the new experience

                               
                                                                                                   Author:Jannes Pockele 

Image: Blissful partnership (here)

– divorced and married 

– exit and entrance

to be divorced and married again

is it a mistake meant as a repetition

is it risking the episode without restrain

how's second time around in anticipation

is directly an exit and an entrance

not exactly from the pot into the fire

but second chance with the new experience

to make amends a good start without fear

a lesson in love is always welcomed

weejars at  MLMM's Saturday Mix - opposing forces

but my life is not of my own

                                                                                            Author:Tahsin Shah

Image: Trained for Begging 

with Showmanship (here)  

had never had it so good

good provider all along

gave me shelter and food

not complained for so long

but my life is not of my own

being controlled at his whims

slavery here right at home

to do things that please him 

Grace at d'Verse MTB - protest poetry

Scary but True

                                                                                              Author: Catrin Welz Stein                                      Image: In a Dream (here)

A moment in time a moment of reflection

Life has been in turmoil on many occasions

Never had it been this way

Impinged on life every day

Invisible to the naked eye but such destruction

Wither the answer on many minds asking

It gets tedious with eyes closed, frightening

Innocent lives are waiting

Sadly it is long in coming

Scary as it progressed, come by the vaccine

Lillian's at d'Verse's Poetic - let your 

words be a paintbrush

both exude scenic beauty

                                                                                  Author:Jason M. C., Han

Image: Blue Skies over the Blue Danube (here)

Blue sky, Blue Danube both exude 
scenic beauty providing life-giving 
water facilitating long-distance travels 
accentuating  economic activities 
for sky is the limit. 

Seasonal changes affect the moods 

and lifestyles a damper to nature's 

blessings. However, it makes it more 

interesting with variety in life.

(44 words)

Whimsygizmo's at d'Verse Quadrille\

#112 with 44 words and -  sky

to bask in nature's blessings

                                                                             Artist David Cox Jr.  (1809–1885)

Image: A Lonely Desolated Moorland (here)

moorland (upland areas in temperate shrublands 

characterised by low-growing vegetation) 

peacefully quiet

greenery kind to the eyes

a reassurance

to bask in nature's blessings

of cleaner air and beauty

(a tanka)

Chevrefeuilles' Carpe Diem time-challenge #3-moorland

unashamedly laid bare

                                 
                                                                                      Author:Brooke Shaden

Image: A Flaming Heart (here)

drowned my sorrow 

with a flaming heart
is there no tomorrow 

now that it is apart

rightly open to abuse 

set to be duly warned

is it of any excuse

to discard all the warmth

unashamedly laid bare

exposed fully my soul 

aren't you to forebear

and rightly be bold

my blood my life sentence

not for an empty sacrifice

despite being overwhelmed 

just don't believe their lies

Fireblossom's at Sunday Muse  #126

trudging in slush

                                                                                                   Author: asoqpathak

Image: Muddy road (here)

sitting in deep thoughts
emptiness across the eyes

brightness far beyond

blind to the present sometimes

trudging in slush for some days

(a tanka)

Chevrefeuilles' Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

- Hosomi, preview of Basho's school for haiku

where have the blackbirds flown

                                                                         Author:Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Image: A Red-winged Blackbird (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

blackbird

rumpled (ruffled or dishevelled appearance)

waving sparse rusty seed shawl gate line 
gone conducting

where have the blackbirds flown
to leave a rumpled bed of roses empty 

of  feelings without waving a goodbye
reminiscent of dementia afflicted being
sparse of ideas and rusty in thoughts 

a pity that seeds of memory are cloaked
under a shawl of emptiness not having
the luxury of surmounting beyond the gates
of decency, much sought by those unfortunate
enough to have gone across the line of 
reasoning memory and thoughts that

conducting normal chores are beyond them

MMT's The Whirligig #284

Bjorn's at d'Verse OLN #274

Those gleaming green once of a Spring's showcase

                                                                                                              Author: Bigmouth

Image:  Raking and Blowing into Bags (here)

 Those pale flowers might still have time to fruit 

-  Karina Borowicz’s ‘September Tomatoes’

Those gleaming green once of a Spring's showcase
pale in comparison now transformed with
flowers leaves and branches straddling across which
might incur the wrath of those with the back-breaking tasks of
still having to rake them - courtesy of Autumn leaves that
have fallen much to be expected as a welcome  It is
time to exhibit the male prowess before coming 

to the cold months of restricted activities to the

fruit of labour's lost rightly gained.    

Laura's at d'Verse's: Poetics

it surged through her being

                                                                                 Artist:Johanne Cathrine Krebs (1924)

Image: Contemptplating (here) 

the 11 of 12 given words:

surge drown thoughts heart spinning 

body bulwark bed faults finds luck

it surged  through her being

to drown her sorrows with 

thoughts of him in her heart

spinning without control 

her body a bulwark of resistance

still in bed and still contemplating

were they her faults that drained

her wits through her belly

she realised with finds of queer 

habits still there in him much to 

the annoyance of any 

self-respecting souls 

wanting to make amends

she was praying that with a bit 

of luck the baby would turn out

to be a gem of an angel

Sarah at d'Verse - take a selfie

MMT's at The Whirligig #283

eavesdropping outside the window

                                                                                                     Author: Keithbob

Image: What Can I Get (here)

crying shame
been raining all morning
rainwater gushing from the eaves
little squirrels 
emerging out from their lair
eavesdropping outside the window
spying for crumbs while 
waiting for the rain to stop
no negative intrusions
as humans do
putting their ears to the door
(44 words)

Kim at d'Verse with Quadrille 

Monday #111 with -  ‘eavesdropping’,

To carry a load on one's shoulders

                                                                                         Author:Zeemahgan

Image: A Burden to Shoulder (here)

To carry a load on one's shoulders

Unwanted burden that shudders

Careful not to create blunder

Confront head-on the answer

Clear conscience with no upsets

Rid it off at the onset

To carry a load on one's shoulders

Unwanted burden that shudders

Note: The Octelle, created by Emily Romano, 

with a syllable count structure of 8, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 

and the rhyme scheme of aa/bb/cc/aa. The first two 

lines and the last two lines are identical.

wee jars at MLMM's Saturday Mix Lucky Dip -  an Octelle

using the stepladder format

                                                                                                     Author:Tom Parnell

Image: Looks to be a Strike! (here)

 

the 10 of 12 given words:

using 

stepladder (where the winner 

advances and the loser leaves)

adjusting stepping back room

luck thing change board

using the stepladder format provides 

the drama for it flags itself out naturally

it needs no adjusting but just stepping 

back to see the appearance of a fresh 

face as a contender every time 

there is room for luck to interfere 

though but this is a thing expected 

in any competition 

the change of different persons provides 

more excitement as demanded by viewers 

who pay big money for any grandstand 

views with privileges on board

Michael's at MLMM's Tale Weaver #291  -  flag

MMT's  The Whirligig Wordle #282

Grace at d'Verse's OLN #273

a peculiar accent of speaking

                                                                                        Artist Adolphe Joseph 

                                                                           Thomas Monticelli  (1824–1886)

Image: A Conversation Piece (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

impact accent breath captive power love

vanguard (the forefront of an action or movement)

glancing journey moon scent

the impact of the discovery was telling

it was more of a long lingering drawl

they had a peculiar accent of speaking

breathed out of a warmth lying sprawled

with power more pronounced than love

that can take ordinarily in usual talk

but caresses eagerly sought to move

sweet nothings whispered to the dot

is it not the way of stealing the heart

to be a likely defense of maneuvering

for it can measure up as a vanguard

against a hiccup of ideas gone missing

it is good glancing over the shoulder

every so often as a respite to draw out

some brilliant moves coy to a young lover

such is the journey of survival to be bought

the situation belies a good talker to adore

rather than implore his presence pleading

to moonwalk and offer the scent of pleasure

a knight of armour transformed for a Queen

Brenda's The Sunday Whirl Wordle #471

Michael at MLMM's Sunday Writing - discover

Sanaa's at d'Verse's Poetics : exploring erotica