bouncing merrily soaring high

                                            Attribution:  AndyD (CC-SELF; CC-BY-SA-2.5).
Image: Getting dizzy
with bouncing fun (here)

bouncing merrily soaring high
lost in the clouds looking down
what fun to experience  a nocturnal
flight of fancy like a superman of old

one needs a big belly to have the
springing effect to laugh at those
thin 'with hungry looks' to easily
knock them off tangent leaving
them groveling in the dust

it certainly deserves another round
perhaps the following night since
it gives a sense of superiority

can it be repeated upon request
on a cool night a wonderful dream?

Laura's at d'Verse's Poetics - flight of fancy

morose with the singularity of purpose

                                                                            Attribution: David Altmejd

Image: Clawing back desperately (here)

10 of 12 given words:

morose singularity soar claw yo-yo 

neck stain creep floorboards knight 

morose with the singularity of purpose 

soaring up from the brambles clawing back 

where a yo-yo situation is avoided

at breakneck speed to surpass those 

already stained creeping along the 

floorboards not the knight in armour 

creaking  under their weight for a way out

(44 words)

MLMM's Wordle 199-3

Nekneeraj at MLMM's Photo Challenge

Linda's at d'Verse's Quadrille #108

such is the beauty of nature's whispers

                                                                                     Attribution: Sunday Muse #118
Image: Musical Dance 

of a Water's Drop (here)

the given rhymes:
life wife strive knife rife

can you see it, a plop in still waters

a picture of a double bass player emerges

such is the beauty of nature's whispers

on the quiet but it transforms to pictures

not a stormy life rife with a loving wife

but strive for the best for the everlasting love

romantic moments not to cut off like a knife

but to pursue great times without a shove

Carrie's at the Sunday Muse #118
weejars at MLMM's Saturday's Mix - rhyme time

never to face the onslaught head-on

                                                                                              Author Zeynel Cebeci
Image: Sea Daffodils (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

someone explain harder give incoherent 

dementia quit longtime friend knows, advice

does it need someone to explain
how do the daffodils face the blast
high winds a prelude to heavy rain
harder for the inexperienced to grasp

never to face the onslaught head-on
give in,  the way the daffodils relent
incoherent dementia-like seeking a bond 
not to quit helping a longtime friend

knows how to extend counsel and advice
to forgive a noble act not readily sought
maturity an element absent on the unwise
blessings of divine intervention not to avoid 

MMT's  at the Whirligig #276 

Mish at d'Verse OLN #270

the Fab Four, a group one of a kind

                                                                                                Attribution: EMI

Image: Trade ad for Beatles' 1964 Grammys (here)
The ad appeared in the 1 May 1965 issue of Billboard
The ad is not covered by any copyrights for Billboard.

the Fab Four, a group one of a kind 

from the many foursomes of the time

they revolutionize not just the industry

but the whole generation in the 60's

ensemble of trendsetters set hearts fluttering  

a sensation in unison of all the four singing

mop-haired appearance gained acceptance

not considered in furtherance of a bad influence

some adults were steadfast with their stand

an MBE recipient reported of having returned 

it when the Beatles were awarded the same

such mixed reactions previously unknown

Merril's at d'Verse Poetics  - Revolutions

it was dead centre

                                                                     Author : Nekneeraj

Image: The sweetness of candy (here)

10 of 12 given words: 

dead bag deny throw voices 

tunnel wail signal still skip

it was dead centre
right in the bag no denying
it was just a throw from reality

I was amazed
the fortune-teller got it right

voices in the tunnel
she said not a wail just whispers
but very apparent and very real

a signal to skip the search

we are on to something

still not everything will jive

it is getting closer 

it's coming your way

it'll be in your hands. 

My prediction as a fortune-teller

for you

I'm offering you a bowl full of candy

you've been very accurate before

hopefully your winning streak sustains

with the sweetness of the candy

more 'supplements' are helpful 

but skip the candy

you mean you are expecting 

additional payments

yes!

Michael's at MLMM's Sunday Writing 

prompt - I was amazed

Brenda's Sunday Whirl #464

Nekneeraj's at MLMM's Photo 

Challenge #324

Never had it been so frustrating.

                                                                                              Author Judgefloro

Image: The new normal taken to great 

length in certain communities (here)

Moan like an autumn wind high 

in the lonesome treetops  -  from Carl Sandburg’s Jazz Fantasia.

Never had it been so frustrating.  Adjustments, adjournments, preempting, cancelled plans.
Look up to the sky for answers. Never any good 

Moan like an autumn wind high in the lonesome treetops. It gives way to unnatural glottal stops midstream in conversations, breathless like a grand-dad in the throes of early dementia. No one seems to be thinking right or talking sense unlike before.

It is not a temporary discomfort but due to sustaining for a few years so say the experts
The youngsters gladly succumbed glued to their handsets. No, bother and not bothering
others. Old folks welcomed the quiet but it runs against their long-standing habits now
gone haywire.

Everything to do, time on their hands but nothing got done. Confusion reign in confused
minds.Solace in the divine quiet for most and some turning religious against their will

What is a new normal?
(144 words)

Lillian at d'Verse's  -  Prosery Monday

ever wondered of a distant object

                                                                                                     Attribution: Shay
Image: What's cooking!  (here)

cogitate (think deeply about something)
gawk (stare openly and stupidly)

preen (look attractive and then 

admire one's appearance)

madly scribble visit done link

ever wondered of a distant object
to speculate on a speck nonchalantly 

standing alone and to cogitate a moment
on its origin notwithstanding the bother

but to gawk unwittingly blind to the moment

is there a desire for preening oneself

and to madly scribble a thought of selfish 

reasons in one's mind

it is good to cause a visit to one's 

thinking process lest one gets carried away

a good deed done sincerely 

needs no broadcasting

just link it perhaps to satisfying 

one's own craving of wanting recognition

it doesn't hurt anyone, period!

Note: Hank took the prompt's ending as a 

Wordle as it looks to be a good set of words

Fireblossom at Sunday's Muse #117

Why can't they leave me alone!

                                                                                                   Author: Bathanka
Image: Don't disturb me! (here)

It is such a relief
You are not to belief
Out of the strict confines
All of nine months
Now I am so free
No more in the tummy
Floating in the bag
Was just a drag

No, not again!
Here she comes smiling

"Oh, such a lovely baby!"
Smooching all over me
I hate it! My granny!

Sometimes she brings a whole group
Surrounding looking down on me
I just cannot stomach the torture
Toothy grins and grandpa proudly
Making endless announcements
Smelling of beer

Why can't they leave me alone!

Grace at d'Verse : first-person narrative

Hearing it then for the first time

                                                                                     Attribution: Ernest F. / CC BY-SA
Image: That Poignant Moment (here)

The day dawned early
A day earlier it had all started
She complained of searing pain
Inexperienced I could only lament
Heard say around the abdomen

Seeing it then for the first time

Twisting and turning, grimacing
Heavens dropped from the sky
This has to be it, I sighed

I stepped on the gas
As fast as I could manage
In no time she was in good hands
Snugly between the sheets
Assurance all round
the doctor, the nurse
This was quite normal,
they said in unison
Intermittent pains through the night
She took it bravely
That I could see

I got back early the next morning
She had been rolled in
I made a request to be by her side
Garbed in the hospital attire
I held her hands and waited

Immobile, manacled more or less
She could still manage a smile
Dr. McCoy, eminent gynae
Kept repeating, ‘it’s ok, love
It’ll only take a minute, love
Hold  your breath, love
Push, yes, push, love
There you are!

A clattering of sounds followed
Scissors, stainless steel containers
Shuffles of feet
Movements of nurses
A slap on the butt
A shrill cry
Oh! such a wonderful sound

Hearing it then for the first time

What an accomplishment!
My loving wife, Shadah
My first-born, Adura a gift
A bundle of joy with blessings
from God, the Almighty

Brian at d'Verse: Poetics

Discovered when referring to the side mirror

                                                                                                 Author: Susie Clovenger
Image A Moment in Time (here)

Stealing stealthily into a time long gone
Bending the memories against stalling often
It had been sensational in righting a wrong
Was it not the often quoted reality of the norm

Assessing on matters at hand to get some lead
Experience could be a good teacher for a bid
Why ineffective though in going for the kill

Not a moment too soon unmoving staying still

Looking back to moments of an unnerving error

Unwittingly discovered when referring to the side mirror

Not fair to expect rewards when much unskilled

When contributions were meagre much unfulfilled

Carrie's The Sunday Muse #116

strike the orange cord

                                                                                              Author: Colin Keigher

Image: Horizontal Traffic lights (here)

the 12 given words
field stumble meteor eerie blood sleep never reject orange
Vox Populi (popular opinion)
fade place 

in the field of human endeavor
should one stumble or be struck
by a falling meteor 
eerie it would seem blood-curdling
but very unlikely to happen
wise not to lose sleep over it
nor to be unduly worried

strike the orange cord just be forewarned
not to strike green and immediately fly away
to vamoose without thinking

it is best to be hesitant

to strike red and to be cool
unmoving for that split second

never to reject outright the Vox Populi
of an outcome yearned for
a big election rally may not translate to easy victory
stay cool and rate the chances objectively
experience in such a situation is the ideal teacher
strike orange stay cool let the clouds fade slowly away
a clearer picture will be educational
success is better placed to allow for likely victory

MLMM's Wordle #197

not to dice about but to reach out

                                                                    Attribution: Atelier Manasse Studio
Image: The Elegance of Fine Wine (here)

The use of antithesis in  opposing forces :
ascend and descend 
hope and despair

to ascend to belittle from the highest steeple
a smirk contending to provide company
but more to stand astride against the common man
that having breached the limit fate has tempted
to say and insist on a descend later boastfully with pride
it is never to ascend and descend within reasons
but to rekindle upmanship with a sly smile
given that my descent is from a higher plane

not to dice about but to reach out
for hope is there looking through grainy smog
to blanket the seemingly lucky streak of goodness
playing hard to get to stultify a yearning
where human labour is exhaustively appealing
to rally the call where there is life there is hope
where there is hope there is every possibility
success is in the hands of those bidding their time
to shove off despair to walk the plank

for they are forever playing tricks  

on those of impatience of standing

who by nature is continually bothered 

silently entertaining anger with gritted teeth

it should always be invitingly friendly
like fine wine to be taken with sips
slowly with the elegance of blessed upbringing
lest one gets unduly drunk in fine company

weejar's in MLMM's Saturday Mix - opposing forces
Carrie's at Sunday Muse # 115

hair looking clean in braids

                                                                                               Author: Stilfehler                                    

Image: Girl in Braids (here)

the 12 given words:

middle back times simple joy bliss make gate

braids (a length of hair of three or more interlaced strand)

grace swimming parade

unwittingly being in the middle of it all

it was so to speak back to good times

simple joy blindly accepted having a ball
a bliss in any of a kind without a bind

crying in silence to make for the gates 

on the sly to avoid being taken for a ride
set woven hair looking clean in braids

organized thinking extended with pride

grace of swimming gently in her head

a picture of a changed person in identity
exhibiting imbued confidence as on parade

overcoming likely irritants with dignity 

MMT's Whirligig #273

to caress a column of cumulonimbus

                                                       Author Karlunun

Image: A Developing Cumulonimbus (here)

the 12 given words:
call cart can
cacophony (a harsh discordant mixture of sounds). 

caress column cover cotton coal color corona 
covet 

a call to cart them off is received

can expect to confront an unruly crowd

a cacophony of deafening roar in disbelief

extends over the air culminating in shouts

to caress a column of cumulonimbus cover

threatening and progressing slowly but surely

cotton forming and darkening coal in colour 

taking the likes of a coronavirus in intensity

a crown precariously perched on the head 

teetering in the cold winds of a pandemic

out of control despite assurances made

a coveted vaccine longed for to avert panic

Brenda's Sunday Whirl #462

Stuck in a cloudy mess of smoky pink

                                                                                                   Attribution; Carrie's
Image: White Rose,
a Solitary fight-back (here)

A white rose bravely taking a stand
Stuck in a cloudy mess of smoky pink
Holding on fighting back on the bend
Wanting to stick to its guns with a sting

Looking down from way up in the sky
A bird's eye view spanning the horizon
Moral support lacking either way up high
Tightly in a sphere painstakingly bound

Doubly protected with a thorny aroma
Shooting blanks in noisy staccato bursts
Playing to a show of set political drama
Contending to win easily with lots of firsts

Chrissa's at Sunday Muse #114

not expecting a welcome he waited at the gates

                            Photo by mh cheraghi on Pexels.com

Image: Stopped in his tracks (here)

the 12 given words:
welcome waited gates forged fire edge 

belly kettle wanted bread swallows float 

walking taking baby steps ever so slow
not expecting a welcome he waited at the gates

having forged a relationship some time ago 

he sought to renew thinking of her of late

fire in him burning had put him on edge

belly of a boiling kettle oozing with energy

he wanted bread wanting to make a pledge

to swallow his pride making himself ready

her images floating in colours that danced

his mind full of anticipation leading him on

part of growing up with feelings unbalanced

could only hope being still on shaky grounds

Nekneeraj at MLMM's Photo Challenge #321

MMT's at Whirligig #272

Bjorn at d'Verse OLN #269

it gave a chill thinking of the ascent

                                                         Attribution: Hedgewitch 's Autochrome Lumiere

Image: In anticipation (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:  

chill mountain trail yearning camp 

smoke vapour monarch birdsong current 

it gave  a chill thinking of the ascent

mountain high trail engaged with friends 

snake-like that gripped at the imagination

yearning for the fun of pitching camp 

smoke of vapour that screened the vision

where a monarch butterfly groped blindly

in anticipation of the strains of a birdsong

to break the current stillness of inactivity 

inspiration upwards to the sky insisting

for a friendly hand of a loved one to appear

not forgotten of moments shared now missing

warmth in memory of one long gone forever  

Brenda's at Sunday Whirl Wordle #461

Fireblossom's at Sunday Muse #113

Sitting alone not unduly worried

                                                                                                       Attribution: Pixabay
Image: My gosh, not again! (here)

Sitting alone not unduly worried

Morning sun blazing hot at midday

Even clouds running fast hurried

Chased by the incoming twilight rays

Destined to be buoyed leisurely

By a slow-moving river belly full

Life undeniably knocked into inactivity

Not seen its worst as yet heavy and brimful

Resigned to be resting the tired bones

Must you make an unscheduled stopover

A messy cook up it was the previous occasion

When your friends too took refuge, remember?  

Donna's at Sunday's Photo Fiction

a surprise would be a pleasant act of love

                                    Author Michael Coghlan

Image: A Happy Couple (here)

Jaime spent the whole day browsing the antique store

and left with just one thing clear yet, but what a bore

had designs of getting an antique bed a matching double

considering time spent loafing around was plain trouble

a surprise would be a pleasant act of love and affections

in passing had playfully voiced to her of his intentions

painfully it took a toll on his time and efforts to acquire

wore off his manly frame oak strong but doomed to failure

just the beginning and he was not expected to succumb easily

but interested parties were putting him under close scrutiny

she felt comfortable though not being aware of any flaw 

but not so her stern father, his prospective father-in-law

Dylan's at MLMM's First Line Friday

putting weight on sane lips

                                                                                             Author: Alvin Mahmudov

Image: Slow dancing (here)

the 10 of 12 given words

bruised dancing joints wedding 

music fiddled bar dusty weight lips

bruised ego dancing

in seedy joints to forget

a disappointment

no wedding music

fiddled with the liberal

bar's downing of booze

but to clear dusty 

minds putting weight on sane lips

like dignified souls

MMT's Whirligig #271

Frank's at d'Verse MTB  -  imagism

with haiku

to bring to their senses the beauty of piety

                                                            Oil on canvas, by Konstantin Filippov, c. 1871

Image: Religious festival in Manglisi. (here)

to bring to their senses the beauty of piety
to benefit those of hard-headed elements
an exercise of wisdom, an exercise of futility
drummed into their heads in no uncertain terms

their tendency initially is  to view it as bait
but knowing that wisdom often comes too late
it takes a bit of legwork to intrude past the gate

lending the ever often quoted that it is all fate

the pride of a group of like people is offered

the minority, religious or those of  a chosen way

all have rights of living and must be respected

piety transcends to overcome a negative decay

Anmol (HA) at d'Verse Poetics - pride

a dismaying display of courageous bravado

                                                                  Photo courtesy of Morguefile

Image: A Failed Attempt (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
dismaying meant envy 

goofy (foolish or harmlessly eccentric)

pray rights jeopardized threat war 

history waver 

a dismaying display of courageous bravado

meant to be the envy of the small vehicle owners
to be able to do justice to its size with impunity

it was plain goofy that unwittingly turned sour

a vain attempt of creating some jest in public

pray be that rights of safety-loving motorists

are not unnecessarily jeopardized by such antics

threats of warring factions may take up the challenge

to exhibit their prowess in instigating such actions

history may just repeat itself, it had not wavered

The Sunday Photo Fiction

The Sunday Whirl Wordle #460

it was a big relief

                                                                                            Author Yumi Kimura

Image: Happy on Success (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
design drill stripes wild pander 

fill shock press line pass mine

designed to fulfill a need
drilled into his head
he was wary
lest led along a wayward path

stripes of pleasurable tendencies
wild in its make-up
that kept pandering to base instincts
filled his mind lately

shocked at the direction
and pressed for a quick getaway

he quickly checked himself
he managed to draw the line

he got pass the time-zone
out of the mines of a timeless pit 

full of clawing hordes of seekers
out for his blood

it brought a chill to his senses

he was adamant

he had to do it
he  managed to outwit them at their game
it was a big relief

Brenda Sunday Whirl Wordle #459

Grace at d'Verse OLN #268

unmoving except for a lone fly

                                                                                                  Author: Paul Goyette
Image: Unmoving and Undisturbed (here)

barely a few hours ago
he was lying on the park bench
unmoving except for a lone fly
keeping him company

thought to be sleeping
had one too many perhaps
stopped sat awhile apparently
none there to bother
nor anyone for company
for the bench looked inviting
tired, his head swirling fell asleep

thus the last moments
not of a wayward hobo
but a respectable community leader
an initiator for community service
well dressed
not unkempt like a homeless

there he was found
a massive heart attack did him in
identified through his wallet
with wads of greenback still intact
the innocent victim with a heart condition
who insisted to be with his buddies at the pub
but left early hoping for a taxi
in the wee hours of the morning

Laura's at d'Verse  - Poetics

Life is meant to run smoothly

                                                                                                 Author Ronyyz

Image: Happiness when successful (here)

This is not something ordinary. This is not imposed nor ostensibly 

a direction to break the impasse. It is a definite desire to explore. 

We go in different directions down the imperturbable street. Why

must there be nature progressing in a clockwork fashion only to be

intruded into by the racketeers and other dishonest elements breaking

the flow with violence and destruction

Life is meant to run smoothly as it would have been planned formally

or otherwise but given a touch of class overcoming kinks along the 

way. Kinks interspersed in between to accord variety making life to be

naturally interesting and more challenging. It does work that way

Why then the testing exceeded the expectations that these ended in 

tragedy instead of ending happily in laughter. 

Is it a hint one is not blessed for recent events and not accorded 

the desired happiness? 

(144 words)

Merril at dVerse Prosery Monday

unfolding right before our realms of seeing

                                                                                                Author: Uoaei1
Image: Groping for an answer (here)

the 12 given words:
unfolding realm spirit, foremother lines  roots
coast, sending, healing string wisdom lessons

unfolding right before our realms of seeing
the spirit of our foremothers of the enormity
of extending empathy towards our fellow beings

lines of the deprived and hungry building up
learning from our roots in all magnanimity
that things are beginning to worsen to disrupt

from coast to coast sending a clear message
none waving the magic wand to invoke healing
instead the old normal to a new reality of bondage

a string of depressing commentary a timely reminder
wisdom of brilliant corporate moves seemed failing
lessons learned of crowd mentality courting disaster

Frank's at d'Verse  - triplets/tercets
MMT's The Whirligig Wordle  #269

dark clouds like protruding eye bags

                                                                                                     Author: Sam Hood
                                                                                                             State Library of New South Wales
Image: Martin Place, Sydney 1937 (here)

dark clouds like protruding eye bags
below tired eyes building up progressively
uneasiness prior to the downpour that lags
rain ganging in to disrupt the planned activity

engaging distaste and frustrations
with gritted teeth but accepted as normal
in the tropics barely a thought as God-sent
most treasured in dry lands as wet gold

inconveniences are fleeting for the few
for an after rain smile beats them all

life-giving elements meant for those chosen
come in abundance for those appreciative
but develop into life-threatening flood waters
otherwise who detest it as disruptive

Sarah's at d'Verse Poetics - rain

a crescent moon in the distance

                                                                                            Attribution: Mind Core
Image: A Crescent Moon (here)

the 12 given words:
frothy breathe cottage eggs dish order 
touch whiskey singe lift smoke empty  

frothy in the mouth
to breathe of the night air
a crescent moon in the distance

cottage cheese eggs and bread
with a touch of whiskey water
nothing unusual
of a dish in a single order

enough to singe
the long unkempt white beard
and lift the mood to a higher level

smoke swirling upwards
from the expensive cigar
clenched tight and angry
for not having the right company

feeling empty and uneasy
in a lockdown situation
alone at the table

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #458
Nekneeraj's at MLMM's
Photo Challenge #318

his concentration in tatters

                                                                                     Author: Lolavies
Image:  Sad looking
and chained up (here)

on reflection how he regretted it
off guard, he let slip
flying into the wilderness
his concentration in tatters
his mind in confusion
crying in shame

it played havoc
on his normally stable demeanor
his dad's advice flung aside

no, he acted too fast!
(44 words)

Linda's at d'Verse' Quadrille
(to include the word 'slip')