I will give it a pass!

                                                                                                   Author:Sarolta Ban
Image:She stood her Ground (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
child fine line lace green design 
relish bite chase mine  trace

now, what have we here?
she is no more a child
nor is there the familiar red hood
she looks to be too sophisticated
dressed in a fine line of clothing
lace with coverings of green
not red like before

complicated designs whet my appetite
it offers a challenge
for it reveals a highly strung
and a clever sort of person
unlike the innocent little girl
in the simple Riding Hood

she appears too confident though
I relish a bite and here
I can do it even without a chase

a pretty head is an attraction
but not a quick mind
a polished and intelligent
woman is unpalatable
it may not be a clean job

mine is more of a quick one
no arguments no quarrels
and ends without a trace

not likely with this lady
she'll struggle and shout
it'll be a din
for she'll make a scene

I'll be a gentleman
she is a lucky lady
I will give it a pass!

Carrie's Sunday Muse #96
Brenda's Sunday's Whirl Wordle #444

to turn a key on an event

                                                                                                   Author Daniel Fehr

Image: Nursing the Loneliness (here)

the 11 of 12 given words: 
feel for move left limit turn 
blood side lost air ease

a feel for a move
left on the outer limits
to turn a key on an event 
blood siblings separated
for a long while

but through sheer luck
they found themselves
sitting next to each other
side by side on a day to remember

very much unplanned
but good fortune played a hand
lost and flabbergasted
at an unlikely encounter
but there was an air of relief

they felt the ease in their favor                                           
divine intervention always forthcoming
when prompted with good intentions

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #443
Nekneeraj's at MLMM's Photo Challenge #303
Lillian's at d'Verse's OLN - from San Diego

a new DSLR daring for a challenge

                                                                          Author: Unknown (fair use)
Image: Using a DSLR camera near white smoke  (here)

enthusiast called upon for a tryout
a new DSLR daring for a challenge
spectacular surroundings sought
though used to capture conflagration

insisting on less of shock explosions
interspersed with a soft background
what better than billowing sections
snatched on grounds of innocence

rising white smoke on moving platform
made for slow belly dancing swirls
wrought with unending wild forms
still a picture of sexy twists and twirls

creations amidst changing blue lights
smoke screens pushed by a slight draft
reminiscent of skies with clouds in flight
migrating birds in formation flying pass

a chosen picture of poetry in motion

Fireblossom's's Sunday Muse #95
Smoke Background images

We went camping a long time ago...

                                                                                   Author Evan-Amos
Image:  A Big Mac - Very Unlike Ours  (here)

We went camping a long time ago
stocked with lots of raw and  tinned stuff
but none which we discovered
later had cooking skills
that prompted me to try my hand
seeing many male chefs who made good
and it seemed easy enough
but not so when the burger meat was crusted dark,
hard as a rock very unlike a real McDonnell's
that we civilized teens had to improvise
by soaking them then later topping them
with a generous mixture of ketchup
honey even vinegar
to gobble at them with eyes closed
pretending them to be a real Big Mac
after having burnt all that we brought along
after some two hours of cooking tryouts

Amaya at d'Verse's MTB  - the death sentence

Winter Yellow

                                                                                            Attribution: Archive Team
Image:  Winter yellow   (here)

winter chrysanthemum,
wearing nothing
but its own light                              Mizuhara Shūōshi

not too much in a hurry
to flaunt its sweet memories            Hank

Chevrefeuille's Carpe Diem  - tan renga

it works the opposite way when one tries too hard

                                                                                                    Author Isiwal
Image: She kept on Trying (here)

paradoxically it works the opposite
way when one tries too hard
to fill the gap

but as a natural reaction
it works itself to maintain
a semblance of balance

a strange phenomena that pulls back
to ensure matters may not be
beyond damage control
(44 words)

De Jackson's at d'Verse's  -
Quadrille #97 – filling the page

showered her with all loving care

                            Attribution: Pinterest

Image: Happiness on finding a partner (here)

10 of 12 given words:
demons breath murmurs scored 
shower fire future sigh smirk churn

the demons in him with bated breath
invoked the urging of the savage breast
no more murmurs but reality was supreme
scored a future partner what a scream

showered her with all loving care
all fired up to create a lineage of polar bears
with a sigh and a smirk to the eavesdropping moon
determined to churn out youngsters ever so soon

the cold North now blended with all warmth
with love in the air that could well happen

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #442
Carrie's Sunday Muse #94

Of happenings beyond reason

                                                                                                Author:Lara Zankoul
Image: A nightmare in daylight (here)

the 10 of 12 given words
arm sign rope cringe gawk  
mind mist chopped form across

What could have happened
Arms holding on tight at the window
Forces beyond comprehension
Being airborne and being pulled up
With no sign of a rope from above
One would cringe if a supernatural
power was involved
Of happenings beyond reason

A rage conniving
against the human kind
Behind closed doors
No one to gawk at the phenomena
But the human mind trudged through the mist
It chopped at imagined foes
of whatever form across the divide
It came and went but was still intact

Perhaps just the end of an era
of peace and quiet
So they rationalized, unperturbed
Being airborne seemed all right
It was not over yet!

Nekneeraj at MLMM's Photo Challenge #301

In all of its mysterious intentions insisting

                                                                            Attribution: Ben Heine Art Photography
Image: Impending Danger Appeared to be (here)

Strangely enough a key was offered to me
In all of its mysterious intentions insisting
Searched the heavens for what it meant to be
No clues nothing untoward and found wanting

Puffed up emotions filled her belly
To register a rationale and tone down the impact
Caught on the wrong foot a rebuff to her ability
So unsettling to her ego for a fact

In all goodness any intention to accept?
Not on her life it further enhanced her anger
Restrained of the pent-up feelings that she felt
But an honorable sidestep to avert untold danger

Carrie's Sunday Muse #93
Magaly's at Poets and Storyteller United
- writer's pantry #5

sweet nothings said softly

                                                                                                  Author:Alan Levine
Image: Calm waters unnerving  (here)

Whispers of sweet nothings softly
Knocked a little a time expecting
How awkward it was to act silly
Pushed in as much of the same trying

Love knew no bounds but still insisting
Mindful of being snubbed as before
Trudged on tired nerves but reckoning
Persisting and pulsating even more

A sly smile was all that he perceived
But just as well there was a response
Open your heart and not to deceive
Desires in calm waters faced resistance

Bjorn's at d'Verse's MTB
music of alliteration assonance and consonance

when come early summer

                                                                                                   Author: Eli Solidum
Image: A Colorful bird Chirping Away (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
why come summer, lovely birds 
where tap lips vanished lads tonight

why, when come early summer
songs permeate the air so lovely
not the dawn chorus of spring any more
but solitary birds individually
in attracting a mate and making a show
in defense of its chosen territory

where feet are tapped and lips in noisy chatter
inhibitions vanished not unlike lads who boast
of their first success as a tea-dance dazzler
with a showy exhibition of their latest moves

great leg-work with graceful dancing
very much like a boxer in time to the tune
tonight is the night to dream big dreams!
like the wise owl crying for the moon

MMT's The Whirligig #251
Lillian's at d'Verse's Tuesday Poetics - dreams

...and the whole world at its mercy!

                                                                                                  Author: Cypp0847
Image: How Fast it had Spread out (here)
(the situation as of 25th Jan 2020)

A Quadrille:
was not of immediate concern
influenza-like the common cold

then death reared its ugly head
it erupted fast sudden and wild
attempts by the authorities
to play it down apparently
but the numbers quickly picked up
it overwhelmed the efforts
2020 a grave beginning!
(44 words)

A Free Verse:
10 of 12 given words:
lone lounge start check crystal blink
shimmer (shine with a soft, slightly wavering light)
still stone fix

a lone being in the lounge
making a start
to check her crystal ball

within a blink it came on strong
the shine shimmered
in the still of the morning
a discovery and clearly danger ahead
many lying on the streets and pavement
stoned and dying
reports of concern and despair
now in the limelight
it was racing fast from Wuhan
H1N1 and SARS were mild in comparison

and there are no fix-it vaccine
and no known cure at the moment
and the whole world at its mercy!

Apologies: Hank took the liberty
to pen an additional Free Verse to
emphasize the bad situation

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #440
Kim's at d'Verse - Quadrille #96 wild Monday

The strongest can then claim victory

                                                                                                  Author Charles J Sharp 
Image: The Leader Always on Alert (here)

bravo to the dominant male
the individual is a level above
not just the survival of the fittest
but much more being asked
it allows access to food and harem
the submissive ones eventually
disappear into oblivion

energy and vitality level at their zenith
bravery and sacrifice are not just buzz words
not lackadaisical none as a sloth do exist
and not a fickle attitude
against a contender without pity
but physically pitting strength and brawn
the strongest can then claim victory

the dominant male is still insisting
but now more of a show-off flaunting good looks
wealth or unwittingly their deficiencies
wanting to be in the limelight
revving a red Lamborghini incessantly
in rude efforts of success and foresight

those with nothing to show
are found at street corners combing
their Elvis hairstyle in fake attraction
the 'fighter syndrome' is kept alive though
with mild forms of territorial markings
where trees mailboxes and lampposts
continue to be fair game
'communicating' to other canines
their immediate sexual availability
and of their boundary confines

admittedly male ego can never be bruised!

Magaly's at Poets and Storytellers United pantry #4

a coming of age for a teenager

                                                                                                   Author Okras
Image: Young Adult (here)

a shift to adulthood to a higher order
a kind of a swap
a coming of age for a teenager
the stage is set, for being an adult

the brilliance providing a sparkle
the gloss of luster in a glass
isn't it fun to be with older people
a hard liquor bottle goes empty fast

fat chance! without doubt but a conjecture
hoping to mirror an adult is not just yet
for you this is a special birthday dinner
just turned 21, an adult legally you bet!

mindful though a parent is not to fail
you're still very much a child, my child.
no drinks for you, just Adam's ale
you're wondering why?

have tears in your eyes but do remember
you're showered with love in all sincerity
well, we do need someone sober
to drive us home safely

Linda's at d'Verse OLN #258

How he loved the sounds!

                                                                                         Author: Matt MacGillivray
Image: How they Swooped in!  (here)

How he loved the sounds
Never had he felt so excited
It was all by accident
It only happened
barely a week ago
Now he is here
Practically every waking hour
Sometimes three times in a day

They craved for him
The familiar engine sound
Of his old jalopy was enough
They swooped, they shrieked
To readily indicate their welcome

Seagulls have that uncanny
ability to recognize car sounds
And like Pavlov’s canine came
back again knowing
there was bread for the picking

He had profusely thanked
the bread-vendor
One who let it be known
of this secret rendezvous
when he had only desired
for a loaf of bread

Yes, that was barely a week ago
He had not looked back since

Merrildsmith at d'Verse': Poetics: want to know a secret?

Please do not hide your face!

                                                                 Attribution: Araki Photograph Studio

Image: Let's hear it out! (here)

The Rock cries out to us today, You may stand upon me, But do not hide your face. Granted, there has to be a beginning however nebulous the situation, and however complicated the circumstances. You, I and Jane make it three.

It tugs at my conscience. It is not my nature to create disruptions in our life. We have been that long together. That cannot be denied. I hate to say it. It twisted into our life. We've been through many things and lots of memorable episodes. Why can't we act normal, Why can't we be like others. Others seem to have it worked out beautifully. It seems like clock-work fashion. They do stuff just like we do. They have their own jobs, they socialize, but they seemed more organized

Please don't hide your face. I'm talking to you! Your lesbian partner is out!
(144 words)

Nekneeraj's at MLMM's - Photo Challenge #299
Frank's at d'Verse  - Prosery 1/20/20: “The Rock cries out…”

a wolf whistle with a swagger gave it a chill

                                                         Artist :George Wilhelm Wanderer (1804-1863)
Image: If Looks Can Kill (here)

10 of 12 given words:
slim chance wolf swagger chill
cloak flew merry owl sun 

was a slim chance of landing a conquest
a wolf whistle and a swagger gave it a chill
seeing him trudge slowly at his own behest
cloaked in mystery of his own free will

flew into a rage when asked of his motives
but they had just intended it to be merry
one need not be a wise owl to think positive
but just basking in the sun and be happy

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #439

She often delve into the unknown

                                                                                       Author Pedro Ribeiro Simões                                      Image: In Deep Thoughts (here)

The scroll of the screen continued 
Even after she closed her eyes.
You could detect them therein subdued
Spied elements of mercy gripped in vice

She often delve into the unknown
Dementia afflicted soliloquy but rekindled
Alone at the kitchen table in early morn
Nonchalantly sitting eloquently  puzzled

She wanted out but silently conformed
No use taking on the world in defiance
Better she thought to invoke more patience
So as not to miss the boat in the long run

Community at large was beyond her influence
But goodness in people helped maintain her relevance
Loads of blessings would drop in by the tonnes
As Providence would largely extend the convenience

Frank's at d'Verse's  - soliloquy
Dylan in MLMM's First Line Friday

charged with dark charms of mystery

                                                                                             Artist: John Peter Russell 
Image: Stormy seas (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
splashed, house, moved, moments, harm 
dark, down, pleasure, cups, tea, aloud,

came on suddenly splashed on the rafters
could well imagine that height of a big wave
the house shook moved but then of no bother
but such moments struck of situations unsafe

a random pick of nature's choice of entry
laid bare to harm's way pending destruction
but charged with dark charms of mystery
deep down in bewildering shock of confusion

could it be the pleasure of cups of tea
to sink to levels of debilitating realization
where shouting aloud in a sense of urgency
anticipating a demise in watery acquiesce

resolute of his situation outwardly dazed
with strains of music that roared of oceans
He was soon borne away by the waves
and lost in darkness and distance  -  Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig  #249
Mish's at d'Verse, Poetics  - last lines

Reflecting on good fortune and walking on air

                                                                           Author :Stanislav Beloglazov
Image: Young and Lively (here)

The  rhyming words given:
air fair pair square bare flair  

Reflecting on good fortune and walking on air
When life was of problematic indications pulsating
Looking to the night sky at stars bidding to be fair
A tussle to recollect images of a pretty plaything

Like imaginations with mutual feelings of a pair
Boy and girl whispering sweet nothings manifold
Insisting on a sacrifice towards a future as a dare
Warm memories nostalgic in part but put on hold

Mindful of pegs in round holes not a square
Careful not to upset the blessed combination
That's the way to a fabric woven without a tear
Gingerly squaring off the common irritations

The winter of their life together laid bare
Meant for each other a relationship so wonderful
What kept alive little anecdotes of blissful flair
Two hearts locked in place exquisitely beautiful

weejars at MLMM's -  Saturday Mix – Rhyme Time
Magaly's at PSU #2  - storms and stories

why so careless as to leave it here alone

                                                                                   Attribution: WallpaperFlare.com

Image: Abandoned in the Open  (here)

10 of 12 given words:

careless matters egg hope family
chart takers stay pie flat  

why so careless as to leave it here alone
were matters so bad to egg them on to flee
to hope that someone would stop to take it home
to provide it with a family?

perhaps to let it chart out ways to survive
reminiscent of kittens with no takers abandoned
within their tiny paws scavenging to stay alive
faceless and living a life of deprivation

no pie in the sky flat out with with stomachs empty
were the drunks and the homeless in a stupor
in backstreets and back lanes lacking dignity
phenomena of the economic downturn around the corner

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #437
Nekneeraj's at MLMM's Photo Challenge #297
Grace's at d'Verse OLN #257

darkness bedeviled bright as day

                                                                                               Author Charles J Sharp
Image: Co-existence a rare commodity (here)

the 12 given words:
ring darkness mournful dying, bells 
spire feud peace false hand wild wars

ring of fire
conflagration of red and orange
eruptions bursting into flames
all within the doorsteps
darkness bedeviled bright as day

mournful of the dying
nothing more than collateral damage
nameless lives strewn
left for dead silent
just as the bells
from the highest spire

feuds among nations
embroiled in the pursuit of peace
false hope given a hand
in wild adventures
wars a convenient plaything

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #247
Magaly's at Poets and Storytellers 

glory be to raise angels of offspring

                                                                                Author: NASA/Apollo 17 crew; taken by 
                                                                                                     either Harrison Schmitt or Ron Evans
Image: The Blue Marble -  a famous photograph
of the Earth taken on December 7, 1972, by the crew
of the Apollo 17 spacecraft (here)

the 12 given words:
glory raise angels offspring flesh light 
life pleased sing second lays die

glory be to raise angels of offspring
of one's own flesh and blood
extending light to life on earth
and not wanting to end a dynasty

if it so pleased the longings due
for seeing a lineage to sing and dance
with that of a second and a third generation
and to continue as Providence would have it

it lays bare of a desire to warm up
to nature as it rides on its own momentum
a progeny of human existence
to populate this rare planet
as Mother Earth comes into being

and to subsequently die happy
of having had a hand in its creation

MMT's Sunday's Whiligig #246

it would curl up at my feet

                                                                                Attribution: Toril Fisher
Image: Cudly Lamby (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
curl cheer giving glow blush 
twinkle shine blow open score 

we had been together
for as long as I could remember
it would curl up at my feet
to cheer me to sleep
giving me that glow of presence
without as much a blush with all confidence
with a twinkle in the eye
to lull me without a sigh

but it had lately caused some concern
the shine now not quite apparent
what a blow to my conscience
and it is very much in the open
and there is no attempt to disguise its feelings
it may perhaps wish to score a bidding

what did I do wrong
when did it start to happen
the pitfalls of having a non-human
not talking back but imbued with emotions

Margaret's at Real Toad's  - artistic interpretations
MLMM's Sunday Whirl Wordle 435

Losers were shoved into oblivion

                                                                                            Attribution: Jason Huffine
Image: A Knock-out (here)

At their heyday all champions hogged the limelight
Muhammad Ali defeated Liston, Foreman, and Bugner
Ali was remembered by the losers’ names in their fights
Losers otherwise shoved into oblivion a nameless fighter

Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Hingis, Sharapova were champs
The Williams sisters and many more greats before and after
But for the runners-up, no one cared and none to be reckoned
Out by the wayside into the bins of history for good measure

The call not just to win but to ‘compete was more important’
A coach’s classic excuse more of a convenient morale booster
And relevant to be repeated all the time in training sessions
Obviously for champions though it would not hold water

Magaly's at PU's Poetry Pantry - pantry-
of-poetry-and-prose-9-goodbye

it is bright and breezy good for a fling

                                                                                                   Attribution: MLMM's
Image: A Whole Range to Choose (here)

That is the ugliest sweater I have ever seen
and you have to choose that for yourself!
but.. but you can well imagine
there was a whole range on the shelf

surely there's something more forgiving
the colour glaringly stands out 
but. it is bright and breezy good for a fling
especially on boys' night out but is it too loud?

yes, I must say so, your loving wife here knows best
perhaps we can put it to test
if you must say so, let's ask Anne
our daughter will surely give a fair comment

yes, mindful though Anne always imagine her father's will
so you may not get the real feel

Marian's at Real Toads - imagine
Dylan's at MLMM's - First Line Friday Dec 20th, 2019
“That is the ugliest sweater I have ever seen"

Have a heart, for a start

                                                                                     Author: Alexander Grebenkov
Image: Ocean Cruise ship at Harbor (here)

Have a heart, for a start
Do it well, make it swell
Meant to surprise, for my loving wife
You are sweet, this is a treat
Remember the last cruise? I slipped all bruised
Not hurt easily, but a holiday put paid sadly
Have a go another time, to make amends?
Honey, I owe you one, this time we'll have fun!

Bjorn at d'Verse MTB  -  with gift rhymes

The one eye is all that I need

                                                                                                Attribution: Nekneeraj

Image:  Relentlessly watching (here)

The one eye is all that I need
To focus direct attention on you
To hear the echo softly bleed

All the niceties I can well read
In adoration clearly in view
The one eye is all that I need

Memories I recollect for a lead
Wonderful reminiscences none so few
To hear the echo softly bleed

Passing cars relent slowing speed
Letting we the lovers to pass through
The one eye is all that I need

Gone days when we used to meet
Holding hands a Fraulein and her beau
To hear the echo softly bleed

If only we can now together sit
To drown the sorrows and the blues
The one eye is all that I need
To hear the echo softly bleed

Nekneeraj's at MLMM's - photo challenge #293
A villanelle for Merril at d'Verse's  Poetics - echo echo

dilemma of a younger sister

                                                                                 Artist: Julia Margaret Cameron.
Image: Sadness (here)

Tossing and turning all night
The night skies were black as coal
Heaven’s doors seemed shut tight
How was she to tell her and be bold
Her tears flowed freely onto the pillow
Broke her heart and she felt hollow

She was to accompany her sister to the airport
Together shedding tears in sadness and laughing at play
An elder sister, a mentor and a friend for support
She would not have it any other way

They were to receive John
Only yesterday her sister had confided in her
She just could not wait to be in John’s arms
John, their neighbor before
Her sister’s childhood buddy
but on a hot and cold relationship only

John had confessed his feelings
for her barely six months ago
There should not therefore be anything
going between him and her sister so
she thought until yesterday

Her sister broke the news about John’s
homecoming and it broke her heart
For John had informed her the week before
of his homecoming himself  but never
mentioning about wanting to meet her sister

She could imagine both of them rushing
the moment he stepped into view
with both wanting to hug him

Must she tell her?
Must she give way?
Must she go to the airport at all?

Rommy at PU's Pantry of poetry and prose #17

being connected enhances the bastions

                                                                             Attribution: Kerry O'Connor
Image: Pharos ~ The Lighthouse
Kerry O'Connor @skyloverpoetry (here)

taking the community's responsibility
not very often
accepted by others willingly
akin to being imprisoned

loneliness reduced with connections
the social media corrects the flaw
being connected enhances the bastions
long desired unlike those experienced before 

still alone but the impending dark
preceding a gap of relative calm
soothes the heart
to begin nights of dedication
(55 words)

Kerry's at Real Toads  - Art Flash 55 in December