The Lady is Fair Game

                                                                     Boris Hoppek's Tokyo exhibit 'Ever'
Image1: Courtesy of Tess' Magpie

Time out!!

Whassup!

Let me see again. This a new game you said! We’ve been at it for the past hour. I have as yet to be told the name of the game. You said it is not strip poker. Ok, that’s fine. Rightly so. We’re not having any card games, anyway. But the way this game is going seems odd.

There’s nothing odd. It is all fair and square

Fair you said?  Look at me. I’m all tied up like a sushi, fair you said?

But you were out voted.

But...

You know the rules

But the rules keep changing!

As long as you are out voted you have to do our  bidding

But there are 5 of you guys! I get outvoted most times

No, Joe was the first to be outvoted

Ok, I know that

Followed by Jack...

I know that too!

And then it was Steve...

Yes, but they’re  all dressed up! I'm all but naked

No, Joe was Tarzan, remember? Loin clothed and all

Okayy....

And Jack was Robinson Crusoe. You even requested a bare-backed Robinson Crusoe.

But it’s not the same! A half-naked guy is not the same as for a lady!

Why not?

I was de Milo and who would have heard of a naked Lady Chatterley

But Lady Chatterley had to be naked to do all those things

And you all made me trot around the room  shouting ‘I’m Godiva’ for the third one and …

But we have no horses here for you ……that was hilarious!

And now this!…a naked sushi me!

We’re having fun! Aren’t you?

I am, but…

Shall we continue?

Okaaay….! But I still don’t know what’s the game called!

Submitted for Magpie#101

Starfruit

Image: 1 My pencil sketch of a starfruit

Shaped like one as named

Starfruit star shaped thou so  blessed

One so succulent

Crunchy and so sweet

Taken raw or plain juicing

Vitamin C rich

High water content

To quench the thirst so ideal

Enticing health-wise

Is good for the heart

Not seasonal  by  nature

Seen throughout the year

FB

Image by Farmville through Google Images

FAD

FB where’s the beef

Lately some changes made

Some expressed opinions on this

On the other hand some are not bothered

Sure, it intruded unto our lives

Facing the screen for hours

We no longer socialize

We hate meeting and conversing with friends

Life is just not the same

Sure, we prefer to poke or like or comment

Better yet to check on Farmville

In the early mornings

To start crop planting

To make sure it’s completed

So as to resume during lunch-time

Sure, we just can’t help it

We are now addicts

It’s not a fad

We’re addicted

Termed FAD by the doctor

Facebook Addiction Disorder

We’re to seek medical advice

A move considered wise

Remember it’s a FAD

We’ve been had

Submitted to Grandma's Goulash WWR

Tsunami

                                                                               taylor, jason decaires

Image:1 Courtesy of Tess' Magpie

 Image:2 Dainty little cottages hurriedly constructed, typical of post Tsunami construction patterns

 Image:3 One of the memorials of mass graves

 Image:4 Life goes on. Taken at the week-end market on Jan 15,2012

 Image:5 The imposing International Airport completed in 2008 apparently with the German government's assistance

Image:6 One of the many billboards imploring for the tourist dollar

I was in Bandar Acheh for the week-end. Not much of the remnants of destruction of the 2004 tsunami are seen on the ground. Reconstruction had apparently taken a fast pace the past 7 years.

They were overwhelmed

Walls of water stories high

It came suddenly

A city flattened

Devastation in its wake

Human lives were snuffed

Seven years after

A people vindicated

Unhindered with pride

Inspired by Tess' Magpie#100

Limericks 9

Submitted to Madeleine Kane's Humor Blog who provided the first line and we were to continue.

Apologies: Been on the road of and on and again this week-end. Have not responded to many in last 2 postings. Will make amends upon my return.

kaykuala says:

November 27, 2011 at 9:56 pm

A fellow whose last dime was spent                       

Still mystified where the rest went

Just some while

Friends went wild

Grim lesson of friends not worth a cent

kaykuala says:

November 20, 2011 at 9:51 pm

A gal was attempting to eat                                        

Adorned herself pretty looking neat

Played hard to get

Much to her regret

Ended hungry just shuffling her feet

Note: Will be out of state for the week-end. Will be back by Jan 16th but off again in 3rd week of Jan.

Rough Diamonds

Picture Credit: Google Images

Young Upstarts

Dare make an attempt

Fascination struck softly

None that are refined

Mark of innocence

Reckless show of defiance

Unrelenting kinds

Juvenile and crude

Not one to be seen friendly

Unbridled upstarts

Unflinching movements

Rough diamonds lack polishing

But all is not lost!

Haiku inspired for d'Verse OpenLinkNight

The Actor

                                                                                                  Image: Lee Friedlander
Image:1 Courtesy of Tess' Magpie

 Image:2 As King Mongkut in 'The King and I'

 Image:3 As Chris in 'The Magnificent Seven'

Yul Brynner

The King and I

You'll remember the Yul guy

Being a baldy

Has respectability
He was Rameses II
In the 10 Commandments

He was Magnificent

One of the 7

His commanding stance

Across the distance

Sharp eyes piercing

Sets the skyline burning

A semblance of authority

Of Hollywood's fraternity

Not just an accomplished actor

But also a photographer

Such is the aura

Of an icon from Mongolia

Where he claimed part ancestry

But Russian-born in reality

Inspired by Tess' Magpie #99 and submitted to Real Toad's OpenLinkNight and Poet's United The Poetry Pantry

Colorful Start

Image:1 Colors

(Picture Credit: Poetry Jam)

Image:2 The NBC Peacock

Note: SparkleFarkle in the first comment alluded to the colorful outstretched feathers of the NBC Peacock. I thought it cool to have the image uploaded here. Thanks Sparkle Ma'am!

Color me blue

Ain’t no use crying

If things aren’t working well

Warm tears flowing

Nothing to stop the blues

Eyes red bloodshot hues

Likening to the blue Danube

That overflows its banks

A Purple Heart signifies

Valor in men

Soldiers in blue

Contrasts the Red Army

A Green Revolution

Is a preferred solution

A duel to the death

Is just a memory

Now the  contenders  jostle

Within the party

Seeking endorsements

Of the GOPs

As they proceed

To consolidate their positions

It is now the next round

Debates most profound

New Hampshire beckons

Note: The first part has to do with a lot of colors. The second part strayed to the current Presidential debates which are just as colorful.

Submitted for Poetry Jam with prompt - 'Color Your Life'

The Republican

Image:1  Mitt Romney

(Picture Credit: Google images)

A Challenger?

A unique system

A democratic process

Iowa’s caucuses kicked off

The Presidential campaign’s lead-off

A known significance

Of a  good showing in Iowa’s

Are eventual Republican challengers

A narrow margin

For Romney a slim win

All of his own bidding

The Democrats are waiting

The world is watching

Submitted for Grandma's Goulash WWR 2012 #1

Partners

                                                     River  -  Marina Moevs 2005
Picture Credit: Tess' Magpie

Hippos,Piranha and Crocs 

Illuminating
Life forms cavorting below
Serene and peaceful

Idyllic and calm
Solidarity engaged
Luxuriant stillness

Unsuspecting souls
Be mindful murky waters
Danger lurks beneath

Toppling hippo backs
Gnashing sharp teeth,snapping jaws
Macabre carnage

Submitted to Tess' Magpie #98 and d'Verse OpenLinkNight week25

Angling

Once upon a time

We scoured the sea for some sport

Fishing seems good fun

None during the day

Frustrating to say the least

Angling is pure luck

Change for the better

Still of nights and dawn were bites

The best saved for last

Process Note: A verse posting of an earlier prose in my Nostalgia Series (here)

Submitted for Grandma's Goulash:  2011 WWR #52 and Poets United Poetry Pantry #81

Resolutions

Image: Not quite the New Year yet
(Picture Credit: Google Images)

Resolutions more resolutions

Better than not having none

Make it a % game

No excuses so lame

Don't expect a 100%

At least achieve some

At year's end you're done

See!  It can be fun

Lamenting and regretting

For breaking resolutions yet again

Will be a thing of the past

Have a big laugh

The idea is

Double the no. and insist

That I’ll break only half

But diligently do the rest a must

Then your conscience is clear

To welcome the New Year!

Happy New Year every one

2011 has been much fun!

Submitted for d'Verse FormForAll - Couplets for the New Year

Norma

                                                                                         Photo: Bert Stern 
Image:1 A Laughing MM
(Photo Image: Courtesy of Tess' Magpie)

 Image:2  The Classic Picture:  Marilyn's skirt blows up as a train passes under the subway grate in 1955

(Picture Credit: Google Images)

An infectious smile

The exuberance of youth

An icon no less

Etched in memory

A picture of a heart throb

A wind-blown up skirt

An untimely death

Snuffed off a brilliant career

Barbiturates!  Sure?

Submitted to Tess' Magpie #97 , d'Verse OpenLinkNight Week#24 and Purple Treehouse - Haiku

Merry Christmas!

Picture Credit: Google Images

Star,pine tree,tinsel
Colorful lights, mistletoe
Care for a kiss, girl?

Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas every one
Hail to Yuletide cheer!

Has been lots of fun
Friends galore the world over
Need we ask for more?

Has been fantastic
Looking forward for better
And Happy New Year!

Submitted to d'Verse - Christmas and Haiku Heights - Christmas

Is it True?

Image:1 The Mayan Calendar
(Picture Credit: Google Images)

That's it, good-bye everyone.It has been a good year.2011 has been wonderful.I'm making my countdown.I've exactly one year,365 days to do what I want to do.Yes just one complete year and there's so much to do, Dec 21,2012,one year from now.
What're you rambling about?
That's all the time.Time is running out!
Time for what.Is there someone who has 1 year to live?
Not just someone,everyone!
Hey,be serious
Yes,everyone! It's the end of the world. Apocalypse Now!
Come off it!
Don't ho! ho! ho! this!That's what the Mayans said.The end of the world is on Dec 21 next year.
I don't want to believe it! Maybe we can build bomb shelters (sarcastic) That's what everyone did during the Cold War.
But that would be ok if it skims off things on the surface. We're talking of the whole world!A gigantic meteor is supposed to smash Earth to smithereens!
Yeah,that's true. Or maybe shift the earth's orbit! It can be done.Einstian said so (sarcastic)
Yeah,we can get the Apple people to think about it.They are innovative,they should know what to do!

But one thing!
What,what!
Why are we bothered
Yeah,it's the world's problem,not yours or mine
That's not what I mean
What exactly you mean?
Why should we be bothered (soliloquy)
You've said that!
Ok,I mean the Mayans aren't bothered
What?
They're looking forward to the date. the whole of Mexico!In fact they're making a count-down from today,Dec21 2011.There is even in Tapachula an 8-foot digital clock to monitor the count-down
Really?
Yeah, in fact it has taken a commercial angle!
Meaning?
They're selling it! Mexico's tourism agency expects to draw 52 million visitors next year, more than double the 22 million presently.And this is only to Chiapas,Yucatan,Quintan Roo,Tabasco and Campeche.
And that's not even the whole of Mexico!
Yeah,many archaeologists believe the 2012 reference found on the 1300 year-old tablet only makes reference to the end of an era,a cycle in the Mayan calendar.'The world will not end' a tourism spokesman said.For us it is only a message of hope'
That's what they said.So why are you all worked up?
I don't know!
Sheesh...!

Note: Fear and boldness, contrast in effect. While we thought they fear but they are welcoming it!


Submitted for d'Verse Meeting the Bar - contrast

Jambu

 Image:1 My Jambu tree in a corner of the house compound

 Image:2 The first sprig of flowers hidden among the leaves

Image:3 The young leaves purplish against the luscious green

 Image:4 The sour variety smaller in size not commercially sought after

 Image:5 The black diamond variety succulent and sweet

Image:6 The best way to enjoy jambu as shown above is with a dipper comprising soya sauce with cut onions, chilly and a dash of celery or mint. Yummy, my mouth just waters!

(Picture Source: I snapped Images #1 till 3 on Dec 10, 2011. Images #4 till 6 are from Google images)

Water Apples 

Jambu tree, at last

You finally spawned some buds

Some years of waiting

The toil and fond care

Over  zealous  manuring

Leaves greener than green

December arrived

Wondering what variety

Just eager to see!

The water apple ( Eugenia aquea) is variously known as jambu ayer (Malaysia)  djamboo wer (Indonesia ) tambis (Philippines) chom-phu-pa ( Thailand) and chambekka (Malayalam, India) This is indicative of its wide distribution in South East Asia.

It is succulent and crunchy, some varieties are sweet whilst some are sour. It is available all year round

Process Notes: Just over a week ago I noticed my Jambu tree had spawned its first flowers. I’ve nurtured and applied fertilizers regularly for the past couple of years. I had initially applied NPK but I realized it was not good for the soil. I later got treated organic manure and had positive results  The leaves came with a rich dark green and more luscious than before.This was the day that I had waited for. I’ll record the number of days from the flowers to  the fruit.

Submitted for Gooseberry Gardens Week 18 - with prompts Snow,December,Winter,Vacation& Wildness
and d'Verse OpenLinkNight Week#23

Time Stood Still

                                                              Image: Lee Friedlander 1966

Picture Credit: Courtesy of Tess' Magpie

He stood there smiling

An empty smile

Food for your thoughts

What could be wandering

In his mind

That time stood still

What could he be pondering

That he stood there waiting

In his young mind

Untested with ways of the world

Thinking of one so dear

He hurt her feelings

He managed to get out fast

A sheepish smile of a jilted lover

Won the sympathies of a rich widow

What could it be?

Myriads of possibilities

A young mind so free

Standing by the door

Minding his own business

‘What Me Worry’

No one to care

And no one to bother!

Submitted to Magpie Tales Mag #96 and
Poets United Poetry Pantry #80

Rain

                                                                    Image by Tera Zajack

What could be the Matter?

Crying in the rain

What could have been the matter?

I tried to persuade her

Not to venture out

Not in this weather

It was intermittent

now it's a downpour

She  could have at least

taken precautions

An umbrella for one

and shoes, yes shoes

Those cobblestones

could be hurting

Hasty decisions

could come back to haunt her

She could have waited

He sent a  text otw, yes 'on the way'

She could have waited

‘Get into my car

I’ll take you back!’

‘But your car will be all wet

in the inside’

‘Never mind just hop in

get into warm clothes’

‘But I like this red colored dress’

‘Don’t worry,  Janet’s favorite is red

You have a lot to choose from

just get into the car

and we'll be on your way

That’s the least I could do’

‘Ok, I’ll get into your car!

Is Janet in the house?’

‘Yes, waiting for you!’

You think she minds?

‘My wife is ok!’ You'll bring it back next time you're here

‘ Danke!’

‘Asterblief'

Submitted for d'Verse - Poetics Out the Sketchbook

Hot Meals

 Image:1 My pencil sketch of one from the kitchen.

Image:2 Another sketch in soft pastel on A4 size dark creative paper with soft shadings.

Note: Please bear with me. The objects drawn are not arranged in a nice Still Life format. This was done in a hurry, rather crude. I'm trying to pick up sketching again. I'm inspired by someone and I need to practise a lot.  Simple objects readily available in the kitchen is fun!

Mouth Waters

Hot chilly peppers

Malaysian nasi lemak

Hot Indian curry

Hotter the better

Szechuan  fried prawn with chilly

Dutch sambal oeleck

Oozing through the ears

Mouth opens tongue hot and wet

Eye waters, nose red

And tabasco sauce?

Appetizing  and filling

Hot stuff  holding ground

Haiku inspired verse.

The Rat Race

Image:1  The evening rush hour
(Picture Credit: Google images)


Just Another Day!


Note: This is not a lullabye a carol nor a ballad as asked for in the prompt. The word lullabye is in the poem not quite legitimizing it though. 

Brightness fading at the horizon by the seconds

Glowing yellow to golden hues mystically transforms

End of day a precursor to myriads of happenings

Staging a madness on the road, hurrying home surging

To avoid the imminent rush, sweaty and angry

Hordes of man and machines clogging the highway

While one comes slowly to an end another is to begin

Noisy  hawkers and  pretty butterflies of the night swarming

Of couples at leisure  scouring for places to wine and dine

Leading his spouse and brood for dinner  the family man

The young at heart at the hotspots in raucous splendor

The young layabouts  with their mean machines of terror

House-breakers working their moves when they please

The law enforcers just as ready armed with their expertise

The people movers bidding their fares ferrying the crowd

Of tourists, service personnel, traders, shoppers and the lot

The youngsters to chat, glued to FB, YouTube till wee hours

Mothers seeing to home-work or singing  a lullabye, engrossed

Fathers computer engaged over business matters poring

The law abiding  by the idiot box resigned to a sane evening

Preceding  the night to begin a new day in anticipation

A sedentary existence reflecting the lifestyle of the generation

Submitted to d'Verse Forms for All  and
Grandma's Goulash Weekend Writer's Retreat #50

Limericks 8

Submitted to Madeleine Kane's Humor Blog who provided the first line and we were to continue.

kaykuala says:

September 13, 2011 at 1:41 am

A guy who was covered in sweat                             

Didn’t get to do what he intended

Shove a bee hive with a stick

Honey he thought he would lick

He was  much swollen headed instead

‘Pick a card’ was a phrase I would hear                                  

A ‘budding magician’ I rather not be near

He would fumble

He would grumble

Sympathized yes, but thankfully not a jeer

kaykuala says:                                                                  

September 4, 2011 at 9:43 am

A fellow was trying to dine                                                         

With a fair lady, and fine wine

He tried to be nice

It was just no dice

Couldn't be hurting and hope things were fine!

Aloe Vera

My pencil sketch of cut stems. The gel can be extracted from the cut at the bottom of the stem.

Alternative Remedy

Unattractive plant

Sans aroma and colors

But herbal secret

Right through the ages

Loyal  and dependable

Won hearts of maidens

Modern remedy

Ready source of reliance

A miracle gel

Process Notes: I was trying hard to know about the goodness of Aloe Vera in its natural state. There are bottles of processed supplements, sun blocks, shampoos,moisturizers and the like in the market but these won’t do. I was lucky last weekend during a visit. It happened that a relative gave some insight on the  application of  the natural gel on the head of her daughter. Apparently to make her mop of hair more luxuriant and black. And she swore by it.

The preparation process is simple. To be safe she does  only for external application. Have a pair of plastic gloves when handling the raw gel she said. It would case itchiness  otherwise.

Cut the stem and pull away the top part to expose the gel. Scrape the gel into a container and leave in the ‘fridge overnight. It can be used the day after to be applied directly to the skin or on the head on the raw.

Aloe Vera gel apparently had been used for a variety of skin care. Helps the formation of new skin cells and hasten healing. With its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties it can help reduce swelling ,relieve stinging  effects or itchiness in case of insect bites bruises and blisters. Gives a soothing effect on sunburned skin too.

Submitted to Real Toads OpenLink Monday and d'Verse OpenLinkNight week 22

Dilemma

                                          Image: Moustafa Habibi
Picture Credit: Courtesy of Tess' Magpie


Any Way Out?

You and I looking

Wondering what is in store

I in my domain

You are free to float

When the tide comes you are safe

But what about me?

Inspired by Tess' Magpie #95

Y.E.S.

Image1: A common thing to seen these days
Picture Credit: Google images

Image2: Designing quilts apparently. Meant for Christmas sale too?
Picture Credit: d'Verse

What Is It?

Checking my email
Y.E.S., Y.E.S. funny, what is it?
Y.E.S. Christmas sale? Quilts?

That's all? Come off it!
Ring!... a text  message, let's see!
Y.E.S.! what? Year End Sales?

Submitted for d'Verse Fabric of our Lives with prompt Quilts

Warmness

Picture credit: Google images


Devoid of malice

Absence invokes warm feelings

Sentiments declared

Fond feelings relent

Courting positive response

From someone so dear

Submitted for Sensational Haiku Wednesday with prompt 'malice'
and Meeting the Bar at d"Verse - Writing Emotions

Limericks 7

Limericks submitted earlier to Madeleine Kane's Humor Blog at the various dates. Madeleine posted the first line and we were to continue.

kaykuala says:

October 6, 2011 at 9:51 am

A woman who dressed with much flair

Was such a joy to see for those who care

Flaunting her assets

Got the wives upset

Much to the delight of the menfolk there

Hank

kaykuala says:

October 2, 2011 at 7:21 am

A gal in the mood for a bite…

Met a guy who wants something light

They got going

For a light fling

But it got right through a raucous night

Hank

Submitted for d'Verse OpenLinkNights Week #21

Left Hand

 Image1: Half way through my stubby left

Image2: I can make it less stubby as a finished 'product'. Can still be improved with more shadings but will do for this purpose.    

               

A Sketch

Note: I was taken up with seeing some very good sketches of budding artists while browsing. Portraits are nice but to maintain a likeness of someone well known is something else. Like any sport, constant practice is necessary. Figure sketching can lead to portrait painting. For want of a better object, my left hand can be a start. I did a quick one just 20 minutes ago.

                                Tugging a little

                                Space of wondrous expanse, bright

                                Tickling on my mind

                                Paper and pencil

                                Want of an object to sketch

                                Stubby left will do

Submitted for Haiku Heights Prompt #97 'space'

Whassup!

Image: Medusa Cameo


A Cameo:  A Cameo form is a purely syllabic form consisting of  6 lines with a syllable count of, 2,5,8,3,8,7,2. 


                                                                      Whassup?
                                                             Goes without saying
                                                       Man is asking why, what about ?

                                                                 I don't know
                                                      Can we have some authority?
                                                     It gets on my nerves, that’s why
                                                                  Sure thing!


Note: Had intended this for the previous prompt. But since for this week this is an Open Link I'm submitting it here just the same

Submitted to Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads
And Courtesy of Picture Image

Peanuts

Charlie Brown the famous cartoon character of Charles M Schulz' s Peanuts

(Picture Credit: Google images)

Peanuts ain’t no peanuts

In 1950 it started

Till 2000 it was running strong

All of 50 years , that long

Charles M Schulz

Brought laughter to the world

Rewarded handsomely in return

And currently on printed re-runs

Of major newspapers

Who could forget

Linus and his warm blanket

Snoopy running around

And Charlie Brown

On the pitcher’s mould alone

Running

and later tumbling

When Lucy snatched the ball

A kick he missed, and had a fall

Lucy’s love interest we’ve seen before

Schroeder bent on his piano

But till the end

Charlie’s girl friend

The Little Red-Hooded Girl

Wasn’t seen at all

In all probability

A Charles Schulz way

Of insisting Charlie Browns’s character

Is maintained as a Born Loser

Submitted to d'Verse, Poetics we're Going Comic

Unruly Assembly

Humdrum of a vile assembly

Igniting phases of idyllic supremacy

An ideology succumbed  to  violence

Fiercely opposed imbibed with vengeance

Autocracy is dead, hail democracies

Reeked of sub human tendencies

Young and old of humid tantrums

Killing and laughing in unison

Without remorse and  kicking

Reeling beyond reason but standing

A common slant to a power crazy syndrome

The new propped up and old jettisoned

Behave treacherous mob!

A sudden awakening

Dubbed the Arab Spring

Across boundaries vibrating

On countries long in acquiescence

Disrupting a structure of power

Of benevolent despots, dictators

Sacked from their power base

Kicked out in disgrace

One dragged through the mud tortured

Who, not too long ago, a demagogue

Then Occupy Wall St

An overkill, raving in its stead

Sacrilege replete with warnings

Unfinished business unflinching

Financial Whiz kids, bankers

Option seekers, failed investors

Saved by bailouts

Not done yet , another fallout?

Still apparent and sensing

Waiting in the wings

Bidding their time to hoodwink

Again!

Submitted for d'Verse Forms For All, Poetic Devices and
3WW with words ' behave, mob, jettison'