Gives a kick at lunch

                                                                                  Author: Hank

Image: Hank's pastel sketch 

on an A4 dark drawing paper

Note: This is a revamp of an earlier poem

Glistening with pride of varied colours 
A show of green orange red and yellow 
A spread of capsicum 
For fondness of chili peppers

Amidst bunched with other greens
With cut-up cilantro onions and avocado
A hot and spicy stance taken raw
Gives a kick at lunch

Hotplate with servings
Spicing up the chow

Fitting for the hungry

With a big appetite

Melissa at d'Verse -  holy-guacamole

Gloomy scene for all

                                                                                             Author:  Gabriel Santiago

Image: Snowy Tree Tops  (here)

‘Snow would be the easy way out'  -  Rita Dove

in ‘November for Beginners’.  

What a sight! White on the tree tops. Cold weather 

outside and it has not even received the full impact 

of Winter. Warmth blankets the family and loved 

ones together. They are within the domain of safety 

in front of the idiot box.

Looking at the destructive power unleashed they 

could clearly see mayhem of explosions, black smoke 

and broken blocks in front of their eyes in real-time 

The injured were carried helter-skelter amidst the

rubbles, Praying for peace. Expecting a breakthrough?

Not likely.

Despairing thoughts though

Rough times for business ahead

Gloomy scene for all

Snow would be the easy way out

Perhaps as a likely excuse

Kim at d'Verse Prosery - november-for-beginners/

On buttoning the suit

                                                           Author:  Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga 

Image: Army Brass buttons (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:

seeker relic tell air fly running 

yearn calm through resonate 

On buttoning the suit it looks 

good when done proper by the dude

a seeker of good looks

Not entirely a relic of the past

but it tells of good fashion sense

Etiquette demands that it

should remain buttoned

until one sits and fastens

on standing again

it gives an air of being informed

more of being practical though

With three buttons just

button the top two or just

the centre button

Some bothered by conformity 

in their haste, have been 

known to inadvertently 

leave their fly open

Some do not conform

Unbuttoned, flailing, it looks

more macho it seems

Running away from tradition

they yearn to be accepted

Calm and alluring ladies

may leave unbuttoned top of cleavage

Is it fashionable!

more perhaps through a playful

desire of being naughty

It resonates with the idea of 

being a good strategist

Brenda's at Sunday Whirl wordle-626/

An extension of one's imagination

                                                                                   Author: David S. Soriano

Image: Sweet Dreams (here)

An extension of one's imagination
Registers its presence in the nights
Not wanting to show its true colours
But rather flashes of staccato bites
Emerging for a split second or longer
Then disappears into Davy Jone's locker

Can one believe dreams that appear
Foretelling of what’s coming in the future
But why must the images emerge
And then wrecking, inflicting damage
Causing havoc in the minds of the lost
Playing tricks to test the human resolve!

A good dream is a bonus for good living
Bad dreams are the aftermath of bad intentions
Getting mixed up juxtaposed in lots of misgivings
Prodding the human self in torrid simulations
In classic fashion and in myriads of colours

In the realms of the subconscious 

Grace at d'Verse   Open Link Night-349/ 

sense of responsibility blurs with excuses

                                                                                         Author: L E X commons

Image:  Tug of War is acceptable (here)

when they take a defensive stance
they go into fancy footwork as in a dance
trying hard to convince all

blame liberally assigned to others
finger-pointing with a smirk
sense of responsibility blurs with excuses

refusal to admit, a cause so lame

in the hand combat of old those targeted 

were fair game uniformed fighters but

wars now are fought from the safety of

the general's domain behind the lines

now civilian targets are not spared 

the weak the children and the aged

are now termed as collateral  damage

conflicts must be resolved at the

negotiation table, period!

Punam at d'Verse poetics-why-war/

greenery galore, picturesque and colourful.

                                                                                              Author: Curdles70

Image:  Calmness of a Spring morning

with blue sky and lush greenery (here)

It has been a blistering hot Autumn 

and outdoor activities are restrained
though stragglers are still on the beach
Some misty mornings may appear with
the low chirping of restless birds. 

Bathed in copper tones changing 

colours set the mood

Following the cold months down 

south Spring is known to sneak in 

early with greenery galore, picturesque 

and colourful. A respite hopefully from 

all the crying shame politically 

taking centre stage now.

Covid 19 just 

left but we are at real war

with great loss of life

Frank's at d"Verse  : Haibun-Monday-

fall-foliage-or-spring-blossoms/

Why so unforgiving!

                   Author:  why don't we

Image: Yes! Why shouldn't we!

He searched his conscience
He thought he had it made
Sweetie Pie, he even gave a name
But she would rather have him dead

What did he do wrong?
Whispering sweet nothings?
Choice of words 

was a culprit all along

But why so unforgiving

Not compromising so intriguing

Nothing promising? 

But he was not about to give up
Faint heart be given a nudge
Plodding on would be smart

Time would be the judge

Rosemary at PoetsandStorytellersUnited. 

friday-writings-99-why.

We love the good news

                          

                                                                                Author:  Vyacheslav Argenberg

Image: A glacial field covered with snow. 

Nepal, Himalayas (here) A peaceful scene naturally true

Not wanting to make light
of rumours garnered through
the grape-vine nothing is
more frustrating than to
hear tell it was the truth

That bad news is what it is - bad news!

Tell it even when it hurts

We do love the good news

No one disputes that

What is the need to be told lies

What value do they put into it

We want to know the good

We want to rejoice together

Ours is the desire that we are together

We laugh together

It is group therapy so it seems

We cry together if need be

We do not fancy laughing 

When some others are crying
but tell the truth

The might of the mighty
could be seared at the seams
just through a sliver-thin
confirmation of unsolicited
information

The truth hurts

but tell it as it is

Nothing desirous 

to be taken for a ride

Credibility is a potent ally

Bjorn at d'Verse  meet-the-bar-

by-writing-from-a-collective-point-of-view/

He bade farewell to the good life

                                                                                                    Author: Vincent van Gogh

Image: Seeing the Goodness outside (here)

He stood there holding out for his own
Not the slightest bother on others around
His mind wandered far but he stood his grounds
Seemingly confident without a sound

Wrinkles lined his pock-marked face
Had seen better days before in his heyday
He reflected on the twist of fate
It could not be any other way

It was a good lesson
He should have stood up for his rights
He was innocent
But he let his guard down without a fight

He shouldn’t have trusted others
They looked after their own
They disappeared when  it mattered
And left him holding the baby alone

He bade farewell to the good life
Fugitive from himself knocking off troubles

now depended on his wiles to survive

To stamp his strength later when able

Melissa at d'Verse - haunted/

only the sphere is perfect

Author: Darkdadaah

Image: A Perfect Sphere  (here)

one meets life’s challenges
attaining success and recognition
but not always
many others fold up in different ways
only the sphere is perfect

human failings, greed, dishonesty
amongst others ensure 
the downfall  of 

good intentions of muddled priorities 

but somehow that makes life interesting

(44 words)

De Jackson at d'Verse quadrille-186-fold/

a basket of bare nerves

                                                                                  Author: George Chernilevsky

Image: Picked edible fungi in basket  (here)

10 of 12 given words:

wrapped bare slack gather grief 

hostage heights pockets veiled sigh

Wrapped in a basket of bare nerves

Love slackened down on a wild run

Gathering the strength of manly verve

The grieving could start with some fun

Held hostage by the innocence of the young

Given to heights of enjoying high emotions

Raised to a higher level of satisfying wants

Complete with pockets of outright devotion

Falling in love a measure of veiled desires

Feelings of being in love and rushing in blindly

Falling out of love reflecting unwanted failures

Sighs of a second chance crying out for sympathy

Brenda's the Sunday Whirl.wordle-623/

Sanaa at d'Verse OLN-348-join-us-live/

the month of October

                                                                                           Author:  大久保藍

Image: Autumn Leaves (here)

the month of October is there

to usher in the impending 

winter months blanketing 

the earth’s surface with 

Heaven’s goodness of brown

colours of maple leaves

among others and  the coolness 

of the Autumn breeze that 

sustains romances and dreams

Rommy's at Poets Storytellers United

Friday-writings-97-October.

Brushing it Off

                                                                            Author: Pedro Ribeiro Simões 

Image: Making out (here)

A loving couple in all innocence. 

Making it together taking the risks 

inherent in all permutations. But 

some few rudely discover an 

unworthy partner 

Brushing off the bad from the 

good twirling the wheel of fortune.

For  two hearts to elucidate 

their eloquence

(44 words)

Jade Lisa at d'Verse  Quadrille#185-brushing-the-dust-off/

that’s the orangutan!

                                                                                                    Author: Sabar Minsyah

Image: An Orangutan with Junior (here)

slow in movements but like magic
it can be expected to cover
much grounds roaming

the whole expanse
this is home!

they thrive on their own prowess
to survive
They swarm upon each other
in friendly banter without words 

maintaining passions
as a human in all mannerisms

for this is home!

much can be revealed
in body language, storming,
shrieking or lying lazily

A creature of the forest
It jumps hangs and swings

this is home

and enjoying every minute

of it all
and that’s the orangutan

threatened with extinction

in his beloved home

Rosemary at Poets and Storytellers United.friday-writings-96

Being Duly Prepared

                                                                                  Author: Holly Booth
Image:  The Tools of Trade (here)

Having the right kind of tools at hand

Just simple housewife kinds easy to find
True to form, like wearing other's shoes
Easy to use to knock off the blues

We should not choose to restrain
It'll be an education if we can feel the pain
The universe is there to garner the facts
Hold on to it yet, and give it a check

The whole world to see where it leads
Go for a  wholesome thrust till it bleeds
No holds barred, no wisdom marred.

Give it all you’ve got, give it a shot.

When you’re done, reflect on your wants
If it’s tough give it a laugh
Venture out and push for a long ride

You never know until you've tried

Sarah's at MLMM's Photo Challenge-483/

Mish at d'Verse OLN open-link-night-347/

There were ways to bridge the gap

                                                         Author/Artist: Pauline Auzou  (1775–1835)  

Image: Portrait of a Young Man  (here)

He stood there thinking 

with an empty smile

In his young mind
Untested with ways of the world

He was weighing his options

He should work fast

There were ways to bridge the gap

and get what he desired 

What could be wandering
in his mind

Thinking of one so dear
He was lucky to get away

from his latest find

It would have been a big struggle

There would have to be short-cuts he reckoned

Perhaps he should win 

the sympathies of a rich widow

A bridge too far for now

Myriads of possibilities
A young mind so free

‘What Me Worry’

No one to care

A lucky break could 

come rolling his way 

bridging the expectations

Punam at d'Verse poetics-building-bridges/

Autumn Folds

                                                                                               Author: Johann Jaritz

Image: Autumn Lakeside (here)

Autumn days camouflaged lakeside

Gliding in calm waters and mysterious
Paradise was knocked senseless outright
Rustic abode with idyllic tranquility
Unspoiled hideaway camouflaged lakeside
Golden brown season's exotic shades
Swept by cool winds forcing nature’s right
Falling leaves with gravity exerted power
Clinging into the emptiness of free flight
Racing to piles of crowded groundswell

Shadowing sights of a camouflaged lakeside

Melissa's at d'Verse with Gillena's folding-into-autumn/

Smashing Strategy

                                                                                                                             Author:  Adrian S Pye 

Image: Push Me Pull You (here)

a force contending 
to  accord him protection
imposing its will

smack going against his wishes
such is the push and pull-peril

but being pulled back by forces
must he smash his way through then
for it can be viewed as a 

hindrance to progress

(44 words}

De Jackson at d'Verse Quadrille-184-smashing-poems/ 

A portrait of one!

                                                                                                          Author: Vincent Van Gogh

Image: Self-Portrait (here)

It’s all about face
An image so sacred

A portrait of one

Where there are 

No takers to others on earth

Even identical twins are different

In physical looks
A person is one and only
No two persons resemble another
How so unique
How so sublime

The wonder of nature
Providence has a hand
But let nature take its course
The individual
Is unto himself
It’s his domain
It’s him to savour
It’s him to take cognizance
A look in the mirror

The portrait of a mother’s pride
And no one to dispute!

Bjorn at d'Verse  OLN Live September

What's of a best friend?

Image: 1 The Beak - An Acrylic abstract

Image: 2 An Okra - A Pastel sketch

Images;  Hank's creations done sometime ago

What is going on? 

What about it of having 

a best friend

Not all the time by your side
Though ever willing 

To give a helping hand

To extend empathy 

with a shoulder to cry on

Feisty little darling in good times
Meddlesome sometimes 
invariably an irritant

but a joy to be around with

What is it of the worst 

kind of best friend
Sneaking with a  Brutus’ ploy
To stab in the back
Or a Cassius’ stance
Of every suspicious character

But one of my best friends 

who is more than all that!

Extending inspiration

Stroke by stroke in richness
Colourful in softness
Fulfillment of gaps and emptiness

Just waiting 
Of various types and stature
not answering back
nor biting when angered
to be dipped and splashed freely

Ever willing to capture my imagination
In hues rich in colour
Though often times
I was guilty of leaving them alone
seething with neglect

But a best friend always by my side!

My faithful paint brushes

Sherry's at What's Going On.

living the fast lane that of a stuntman

          

                                                                                                                                   Author: Yannick Croissant

Image: A Stunt Show (here)

Taking cautionary steps on a lazy afternoon
To avoid daring acts dangerous to perform
Just easy, nothing wild and not to take to heart
No negative comments that might likely disrupt

Wanting an assurance of an impression
Would  not be lighting fires without reasons
Rather living the fast lane that of a stuntman
To rest awhile if caught in tight situations

'Fasten the seat belts' a good escape clause
A good reason to feel reassured to a cause
Nothing untoward would likely to appear

If carefully nurtured to care for any fear

Grace at d'Verse  openlinknight-345/

siblings faithfully all in single file

                                                                                                                               Author: Oxyman 

Image: Highly tutored to reduce frictions (here)

siblings faithfully all in a single file
mother's insistence to be six in a row
seemed inclined to test the waters
but rooted along their narrow domains

not moving neither were they spent

breaking rules were strictly not tolerated
tattered in thoughts a swan's dilemma
no sibling rivalry overtaking to snatch victory
nor throw a sly spin to make one to retreat

A curved passage could offer alternatives
but caught in the middle of a problem
avoiding any nerve-wracking intrusion

freedom to choose was no free holiday 

Paean's at d'Verse Poetics

siblings-the-ties-that-bind-and-gag/

Autumn begging to be appreciated

                                                                                                                           Author: Mostafameraji

Image: Autumn at Vake Park, Tbilisi City, Georgia (here)

Autumn begging to be appreciated
Did well as a transition from warm to cold
To accord succulent fruits to be harvested
With perhaps a whole turkey into the fold

Chill of winter waving, blue of sky greyish
Many resigned to less hectic of activities
Halloween invented to liven up as a wish
Perceived melancholy seemed unhealthy

Holidays ended back to school for young ones
Lively sporting season built up to a crescendo
Major league games wrapped up within the months

To be mentally prepared for 'hibernation' woes

Magaly at Poets and Storytellers United 

Friday Writings #91:  - muscle memory

Holding hands, pitching a wish

                                                                                                                                        Author: Crew crew

Image: Such Bliss  (here)

The world whirled slowly by
Medley of forms and activities
Some accepted some on the sly
And many others of mediocrity

Many who planned to procure
Executed them with perfection
But some just failed to endure
Unashamedly await for salvation

Oblivious to what transpired
The outside world was no bother
Adhering to whims and desires
Young couples aligned their rudder

In a world of their own venture
Holding hands, pitching a wish
Time stood still pristine in nature

Have we elders not savoured such bliss?

Lillian at d'Verse  OLN-live-again/

where are we heading?

                                                                            Author:  George Hodan 

Image: Bottled up choices (here)

License: CC0 Public Domain

what was the drift?

his mind declined to answer

sadly it had happened

he let slip the opportunity

a sure sign of misjudgment

he tried to keep his chin up

in vain efforts of maintaining

some form of authority

we anticipate good decisions

to welcome a new beginning

- that he realised

but where are we heading?

silence is not really an option

all bottled up reduced the choices

Grace at d'Verse - poetics-bottled-poetry/

blight on its conscience

                                                                                                                  Author: Henry Söderlund

Image:  A Hungry Squirrel (here)

looking for a bite
and bothered by the cold 

without a stocked larder
it was a grave misjudgment
worsening of the weather
meant an empty stomach 

in hibernation
 

blight on its conscience

now pining for food

utter regret often 

the wages of blunder

(44 words)

De at d'Verse : Quadrille-181

-are-you-pining-for-poems/

Japanese food was much fun

                       

                                           The tapenyaki which I thought was less filling 

                                         The Tempura that followed. This was after the opening sushi that I had earlier

My elder son Hafidz 
and his charming wife Qhaty 
invited us for lunch again

‘We’re going Japanese 
It’ll be at the same venue 
that we had before’ they said. 
This is an ‘eat as much 
as you can joint’.

I remember what happened 
the last time. 
I was naughty  

I ate as much as I could then

and was breathless with a 

full tummy when we left

. 

I told myself  I would 
be less naughty today 
and would exercise 
utmost care not to overeat.

Japanese buffet, yes!

How nice?
Eat as much as you can eat
It’s a tall order

Would I be naughty again?

Tendency is to do so
Must control myself
No sushi with rice
Other offerings would do
They are less filling

How did it go?
I was still naughty
Japanese food was much fun

I could not help it

Rosemary at Poets and Storytellers United - 

friday-wrings-90-food-andor-eating.html

Broadway for one's bidding!

                                                                               Author/Artist: Childe Hassam

Image: Fifth Ave NYC - Nocturne (here)

Music, when soft voices die, 

Vibrates in the memory - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Typical of a small city street

Very unlike those one sees

Old fashioned cobblestones

NYC  is not that sane and quiet

Big Apple is what Times Square is

The sophistication of Broadway

But barely half a block away

The third rate movie theatres

Reeking of weed smokers

And sudden blurting of curses

Interspersed with the F-word

Makes one sick to the bones

The one and only experience

Was just about enough to know

Instead in stark contrast

Just nip over nearby to any of Broadway’s

Overcoats at the cloak-room

Upon arrival and once inside

Not a whisper or a pin drop

Silence observed except

The music and voice from the stage

Music, when soft voices die, 

Vibrates in the memory 

Zorba the Greek

Anthony Quinn himself

playing the lead in person

on stage in 1984

Just as in the film of 1964

but the run was for weeks

on Broadway

At Intermission half-way

For light refreshments

All in all a most satisfying

evening with formal trappings

But informal in all instances

These are the NYC theatres

Broadway for one's bidding!

Note: Revamp of an old poem 

recounting Hank's sojourn at the

Big Apple.

Merril at d'Verse : poetics-august-transitions/

It was most breath-taking

                                                                                                            Author: Khoshhat

Image: Mountain top View (here)

the 12 given Wordle Words:

bones trouble  

hearth (the floor of a fireplace)

weeping wilderness cry bread 

withered grass, come answer

reproach (the expression of disapproval). 

What a relief now that 

we are at the bottom

It was most breath-taking 

up there

make no bones about it

it was a mountain-top 

viewing phenomena

A sight to behold

Nature-lovers were however 

troubled seeing the hearth 

of rubbish on the ground 

the weeping wilderness

a far cry of the scenic scene 

above

stale bread upon withered grass

empty bottles and torn boxes

among them 

Despite the love for 

conservation come a look 

of reproach was no answer 

they were losing out 

to anti-social elements

These people found it 

convenient to have the

environment dressed up 

with all sorts of remnants

upon leaving the scene

Jadeli at d'Verse OLN-343-august/

MMT at The Whirligig.-434

A Rare Movement Activity in the Flesh

                                                                               Author: Sarah Marie Jones 

Image: A Man Streaking! (here)

Done with my streaking. You should have seen their eyes
How they popped out more of surprise than anger. They 

did not expect anything like this and it was also a stroke 

of good luck. I did not anticipate the large crowd. Tonight 

it was somehow unusual and they were all very sporting.

Did you see the guy with the red hat? The burly menacing 

looking. I thought he was trying to stop me. I started with 

a slow run further down. The ladies were already screaming
when I reached him.

He came at me. I thought he was swinging a punch. Lo and 

behold! He cleared the path for me. He was making it easier 

for me. In fact he followed slowly to make sure I had a clear 

passage. I owed him one!

It was pretty tiring. That was a long run. I had better get back 

to my bike. Hey! What happened to my clothes?

I was lucky I hid my wallet and bike keys under the stone in 

the bush. I’ll better go get them

Lesson learnt! Next time for a streaking stint. No more bikes!
Bring the car!

Minimise the risks.

Am having fun! Phew!

Never felt that good. Very

so refreshing! Yes!

Note: Hank in a lighter mood. Writing an imaginative

account (this is not a personal experience ) on a one-time 

movement activity popular a long time ago. 

Frank at d'Verse Haibun Monday  -  moving

what pleases me?

                                                                       Author: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma

Image: If only we occupy our

own given domain (here)

what pleases me?

a shine that lights up the morning shadows  
to a gasp of delight of divine assertion

what dotes on me?

to breathe a sigh of relief that follows
never to show true feelings of dejection

what eased off my wandering heart?
a lovely lady dignified of regal stature
open to critique friendly in attitude
progressive in outlook tolerant by nature

a valuable find to keep in all gratitude

how so simple that life can be good,

if only no complications intrude!

Rosemary at Poets and Storytellers United - friday-writings-87

what-pleases-you

What I desire is what I aspire

                                                                                      Author: Charles J. Sharp

Image: Enough to come by!

Hummingbird hawk moth feeding (here)

What I desire is what I aspire   

But then would I need more than before?    

No, I have enough no need to have more     

Though there were occasions I would cry    

I may really need more and I would cry     

My wants might be limited I do realise     

With limited stipend enough to survive 

It would come a long way to be comfortable

Being comfortable is something luxurious
Having more resources but not hilarious

To return what is due to society

Not to the point of pockets being empty

Not an option for having empty pockets 

What I desire is what I aspire   

Merril at d'Verse MTB - Critique and Craft

the-duplex/

Visit long awaited

                                    
                                                         Artiat: María Berrío, Closed Geometry, 2022

Image:: Neglected  (here)

Sighs of dismay permeated her confused thinking
Lying on her back a mess prodding her mind
Furtively through her heart slowly but prancing
With the slow music an accompaniment to dine

But alone  facing up the sky just quietly blinking
Dressed but chained in her mind searingly disabled
Anxious her system inside beginning to scream
Visit long awaited but nowhere seemed probable

Kicked up a fuss earlier preparing a hot meal
To a level beyond that she was used to do
Trying to trump a good impression to seal
A relationship well nurtured and way overdue

Heat of romance seemingly like a hot summer day
Overwhelmed with a cloak of floating snow flakes
Was it going to be a bust his presence a long delay

She was stood up again by yet another of the fakes

Grace at d'Verse poetics-

ekphrastic-poetry/

Saying sorry to water it down

                                                                                                Author: Ahmed Anfal

Image:  Eventually Made up  (here)

A gathering storm
starts rather innocently
but lashed with fury

Provoked and enraged
stormy union knows no bounds
unwittingly worsened

Both not giving in
Saying sorry to water it down
hardest to do

Endearment tormented 

Rantings eventually pacified,

but was normal and laughed off

(44 words)

De Jackson at d'Verse quadrille-180-

pouring-out-our-poems/

The one eye is all that I need

                                                                                                Author: Kakoula10

Image:   One-eyed Cat (here)

The one eye is all that I need

To focus attention for a meal

To hear the echo softly retreat

All the niceties I can well read

In anticipation clearly in view

Of a meal is all that I bid

Memories I recollect for a lead

Wonderful instances none so few

To gather courage for a feed

Passing cars relent slowing speed

Letting we the hunters to pass through

A fair consideration truly indeed

Gone are days when we used to meet

To share food with a caring tom cat

To hear the purring to softly greet

If only we can now together sit

To drown the sorrows and the blues

A glimmer of hope for a lead

Rommy at Poets and Storytellers United 

friday-writings86-glimmers

while we were on vacation

                                                                                                   Author: Rbalmonia

Image: A Civet cat  (here)

I wish to recall an episode while we were on vacation 
a long time ago. It seemed hilarious now but not when 
it happened. 

We decided on a week's vacation at a small resort with
sea-side sports activities but with the bonus of jungle
trekking and fishing thrown in.

My loving wife Shadah had reservations initially as 

a jungle environment would be fraught with danger. 

I just brushed it off as wild imagination. It was a 

mother's natural tendency of added caution, an 

unnecessary worry.

.
We arrived in the late afternoon enough to have a glimpse
of the sea and the accompanying sea breeze tugging at
wisps of our hair. A wonderful time on the morrow was
eagerly awaited. But what a surprise, for the excitement
did not wait for morning. It happened that very night itself!

We had retired for the night and snugly in bed snoring
away. Suddenly there was a din in the kitchen, a lot of
banging, knocking and sounds of pans falling. 

We were housed in a 3-room chalet and the kitchen was
the back portion. My son Hafidz decided to investigate but
was held back by Shadah. It could be robbers and probably
armed, she cautioned. It could not be as robbers would not
give themselves away I countered.

We called security and a young man, John came by
sneering made a show of bravery and walked confidently
into the kitchen. Things were strewn about dented or
broken. By this time a few of the neighbouring chalets
had awakened and stood around wondering what happened

John looked around and declared things were under  control
They would do a clean-up in the morning and all would back
to normal. Shadah then asked John whether it was safe to
pull back the curtains to let air in as a pot of spilled curry
was emitting some kind of odour.

The kitchen window had wire-mesh so John said it was safe.
He made a move to the window and was just about to pull
back the thick curtains - then it happened!

It jumped out from behind the curtains on to John's face.
John cried out and rushed for the door. He missed a step
and his face smashed against the door itself. 

The honorable thing for the management to do for which we
we were grateful was to have our family transferred to one of their
suites at the main building. We were there for the whole week.

John was given a few days off but he met us before we left
There were still old scars on his face and when he smiled
there was a toothy grin - on account of two missing teeth
in the front.

He explained it was a civet cat that got trapped behind
the curtain because of the wire-mesh. 

A nocturnal creature it was more frightened of John 

than we had imagined. It was not a dangerous animal 

but it was an unexpected visitor which managed to get 

in but not able to get out on its own!

Punam's at d'Verse Tuesday Poetics - vacation-reminiscences/

Beauty is a blessing

                                                                                        Artist: L da Vinci 

Image:  The Beauty of Mona Lisa (here)

For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror - Rainer Maria Rilke

Beauty is a blessing unto those who are privileged. It is not
a monopoly of the chosen few but extended to a few by divine
choice. Many vie for it knowing of the benefits of being admired
which may come from suitors attracted to it.

This will create a demand and a tendency to possess what 
the many others can only wish for. Invariably it will plant feelings
of envy which may translate into innocent jealousy or to reactions
more violent in nature for beauty is nothing but the beginning 

of terror. Beauty is there to be seen but those not having it would

have designs of wanting to destroy or cause likely damage.

It can be the beauty of a Cinderella or an object like Mona Lisa 
which endured envy and acts of violence contrary to expectations
Thus terror is preceded by beauty.

(144 words)

Hank's Reading of the Quote:

Beauty is not terror, but the beginning to a  terror: it is terror which 

does not threaten yet nor is there an immediate danger 

Mish at d'Verse - Prosery-rainer-maria-rilke/

to shine and settle it bravely

                                                                     Author: Stefan Brending (2eight)

Image: Dancing and Swaying (here)

the 12 given Wordle words:

stay trapped cry shine settle run 

stray drain brave pain trim crafty

the tree swayed like a dancer 

moving her hips to the music

to stay trapped in such a stance 

may impose certain limits

It is a far cry from having to 

shine and settle it bravely

 

how then to relieve the 

pain and trim the score

a clever way to respond is

never to run down the whole 

show nor to stray away from 

the intended direction

for it may drain the resources 

thus limiting the choices

man is a brave animal quick 

to adjust never to accept defeat 

for any eventualities

without extending a fair fight

man's ingenuity knows no bounds

never to fall from grace 

with empty hands

give it a shot and see what gives

that's the whole point 

of having a crafty mind   

Note: to include the first line:

the tree swayed like a dancer 

moving her hips to the music

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle-613/

Life's Like That!

                                                                          Artist: Pieter Brueghel the Elder  

Image: An Armed Four-Master 

Putting Out to Sea (here)

Friday Writings #85: First Line

"Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.” 

– Zora Neale Hurston

Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board

This implies life is open to all sorts of experiences of 

gains or losses. What man conceives or desires are not 

readily or easily to be at his disposal. At any one time 

a big question mark hovers over his head

What man dreams can be felt or even can be seen 

developing and progressing but there are difficulties 

or hardships that frustrate the dreams along the way

However not all suffer the same fate for some kind

elements may favour certain individuals who find it

easy to have achieved some semblance of success

Unfortunately it conforms to the luck of the draw and

life takes its own course. Many would resign to accept

the inevitable if they choose not to create opportunities

for themselves. 

Note: Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board

-  a metaphor for the dreams that men have and what they do

to pursue them. While some dreams come in with the tide and 

may come true, but some keep sailing until time runs out

Magaly's at Poets and Storytellers United at 

friday-writings-85-first-lines