to never ever trust a stranger

                                                                                                      Author: Fischer.H

Image: Strange Bedfellows

can be Risky  (here)

A Trinet, a form with these specifications:
Line 1 – 2 words
Line 2 – 2 words
Line 3 – 6 words
Line 4 – 6 words
Line 5 – 2 words
Line 6 – 2 words

Line 7 – 2 words

trudging alone

sitting duck

to never ever trust a stranger

play safe trusting one's own wits

not worrying

better choice

no regrets

weejars at MLMM's Lucky Dip

it flew past others

                                                                                         Author: Peachyeung316

Image: A Gleaming Danger (here)

it flew past others
careened at the corner

a few cars behind
jammed the brakes

surely some had cursed
‘he will be a statistics
only pray for him’

hopes of change 

in behavior bodes well

defensive driving
for peace-loving  citizens

is the right answer

(44 words)

Lillian's Quadrille at d'Verse

- to include the word 'careen'

a rare taste of love

                                                                            Author: João Silas joaosilas

Image: Happily Entangled in Love  (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

rare, taste, love, crude, rich habitat,

ripens, heat, seed, sea survive

a rare taste of love

somewhat crude in  a rich

habitat given to an environment

strange in its make-up

love ripens to reach a crescendo

high in its intensity 

a temperament befitting 

of young lovers in heat

the seeds of matrimony

once provoked in a sea 

of expectations will withstand

an onslaught of madness

pandemic or no pandemic

the will to survive 

and fight to be heard

is supreme in young hearts

MMT at The Whirligig#342

Linda at d'Verse's OLN #302

Lone hearts cower in silence

                                                                                                 Author: FTPPTF

Image:  An Eerie feel (here)

He thought he could discern glimpses of movements 

behind him darting across chasms of emptiness, playing 

tricks with his imagination. They were even accompanied 

with sounds. Why were there rustling leaves?

Trudging in the evening sun all alone through tall trees 

of stony silence. Fear he had to endure for his house 

was at the far end. Why must he walk alone?

He had to brave the quiet path idyllic in its structure. He 

kept asking why he was subjected to all this. No choice 

was extended to him. What did he do wrong?

Imagination

lone hearts cower in fear shows

measure of conscience

Frank's at d'Verse with Haibun Monday

to include, the word, fear

his head kept spinning his thoughts numbed

                                                                                                  Author: CalistaZ

Image: Sleeping Soundly 

Despite Bad Dreams (here)

fragments of his memories or
just figments of his imagination

salacious episodes popping
like crackers all heavy and juicy
light and dark images dancing
in the shadows gone berserk

nothing had changed in his routines
but must dreams raucous and ravenous
keep appearing in the still of nights

he watched the clock ticking when
startled from his slumber his eyes blurry

theft of his sleeping hours would leave 
him woozy but he remained uptight
he kept asking but answers eluded him

what could he do to rid off the dilemma
he had not been thoughtless but still his
head kept spinning his thoughts numbed

not that young to be privileged with
erotic dreams he persisted to get answers

he would like to dream again tonight!

Magaly's at PSU Writer's pantry#93

somewhere up high in the sky

                                                                           Author: Photo credit Sebastian Wahlhutter

Image: Leisurely Hammock Crossing (here)

somewhere up high in the sky
I had my short leisure in a hammock

it was there and then it moved
a slow pace like a tired red fox
along a line bridge together with many others
 
my short leisure of merriment 
has no bearing whatsoever on heights
no time to worry
it is a straight destination to the other end
to experience a rare moment in space
with a deep fall down below

but extending an alternative if it fails to move
 
all is not lost, a fulfilment of sorts somewhere 
a choice offered in jest above the Kansas Prairie
holding the key of life
against a slight wind.

 
how it offered a simple solution

the beauty of a bungee jump

with no strings attached

The Original Poem 

Lost in Plain Sight
BY PETER SCHNEIDER
Somewhere recently
I lost my short-term memory.
It was there and then it moved
like the flash of a red fox
along a line fence.
 
My short-term memory
has no address but here
no time but now.
It is a straight-man, waiting to speak
to fill in empty space
with name, date, trivia, punch line.
And then it fails to show.
 
It is lost, hiding somewhere out back
a dried ragweed stalk on the Kansas Prairie
holding the shadow of its life
against a January wind.

weejars at MLMM's Photo Challenge#387

Laura at d'Verse Poetics - lost poems

and found poetry

an ashen faced shock

                                                                                     Author: Dickinstein

Image: A Near Tragedy 

- just a Black Eye  (here)  

seemingly contrived 

bemoaned of feel

more of embarrassment 

for being careless

not physically hurt 

but it did seal

an ashen faced shock 

nonetheless

happened sudden 

in times of stress 

mouth 'masked' 

but more blinded

to woes of worry 

when the survival instinct 

is supreme

(44 words)

Shay at Sunday Muse#182

with Photo Challenge

Sarah at d'Verse's Quadrille

- to include the word 'ash' in

44 words

he was nabbed by the police subject to rigorous questioning

                                                                                       Author: DingoFilter

Image: Wrapped under an Arbuthnot Tartan plaid (here)

10 of 12 given words:

cringe freeze privacy hilltops hide escape sorrow swivel limp
miscreant (a person who has done something wrong or unlawful)

plaid (chequered or tartan twilled cloth)

he cringed to think how close it was
trying to freeze his privacy unto himself

as a way of forgetting the woes impacting

a hermit's routine ideal up the hilltops

it was not  to hide nor to escape the sorrow
to just bid his time to be alone to swivel
around without any particular reason
but he was sporting a limp the past week
when he slipped unceremoniously in the 
driveway and crumbled in a blob 

the miscreant they were looking for had

an uncanny resemblance in gait and also

headed for the hills on the last count

it was his ill-luck to have pulled the plaid

from the drawers on the way out of the house 

again a blunder

he was nabbed by the police subject to

rigorous questioning as to the colourful 

tartan plaid which appeared similar

just goes to show one cannot take lightly

anything colourful to have on one's person   

MLMM's  at Wordle #261

Lillian at d'Verse OLN LIVE 

Nothing is static as it is all relative

                                                                                                  Author: Keven Law

Image:   Moving forward (here)

Nothing is static as it is all relative
Remaining unchanged and inactive
will not mean remaining unaffected
It is regressing when others move forward

To change is to keep pace not to falter
To innovate is to change for the better

Logically progress should be accepted
It will have to be seen as readily adhered
For resistance to change is a natural

As the comfort zone is constantly rattled

Rosemary at PSU Writer's Pantry#91

more gamers with sophisticated devices now!

                             
                                                                                             Author: Carrie

Image:  Your move! (here)

on adjacent squares to the Black King

the two Queens menacingly facing up

the timer keeps ticking

a critical moment thinking hard

your move!

such is the beauty of the game

strategy, planning, moves

all in the head within split seconds

with two Generals trying to outwit

in battle in the most 

sterile moment in time

brought to its highest level

during the Fischer and Spassky era

which captured the attention

of the enthusiasts and players

Grandmasters' openings 

on everyone's lips

in the meantime having to tolerate 

Fischer's strategic antics

the ever-patient Spassky 

tested and provoked to the fullest

there are players now, yet

but there are more gamers

with sophisticated devices

gone are the days

that used to get every enthusiast 

transfixed and hypnotized

Carrie at The Sunday Muse #181

power comes with responsibility

                                                                                       Author: Michael Törnqvist

Image:  Menacingly Huge (here)

Power thrust unto them
Politicians, newspaper editors
Pray uphold for the many
who are weak, helpless and lost
Not to further make life
miserable for the deprived

Those powerful seem to forget
power entrusted upon them
comes with responsibility not

stoned with drunken fervour

(44 words)

De at d'Verse's Quadrille Monday

for a poem of 44 words and to 

include the word - stone

to love and be loved

                                                                                              Author: Carrie

Image: Two in One (here)

the 12 given Wordle words:

find make faces father men bitter became 

beard buying mends bowed blocks

never had it so good

to find it all in one

a make-up on faces

for a father's child

now fully grown

men's privilege

to adore and forget

bitter encounters and

other unpleasant memories

what became of women's

tenderness in turn for

mustache and beard

to love and be loved

looking for the blessings

buying for time

that mends the heartache

with heads bowed

both looking forward

minus the mental blocks

to hug each other again

MMT's The Whirligig Wordle #338

Carrie's The Sunday Muse #180

set to move

                                                             Author: Kyle Green

Image:  Waiting for the Signal (here)

set to move

for a winning streak

waiting to break loose

hungry beaks

get out of the groove

why so to speak

to be no more a recluse

from a duck retreat

so yearning for a boost

but still on their feet

so what is the juice?

realism an untiring feat

Rosemary at PSU Weekly Scribblings#89
- keeping it real

weejars at MLMM's Photo Challenge#384

clear blue skies above

                                                                                        Author: Manal Qayum

Image:  Clear Blue Sky (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:

clear blue grace open seek room 
spacious waves simple plains 

clear blue skies above

with the grace of Providence

in all of His benevolence 

and love all in the open 

being evidence 

of the care for all of us

seek rooms spaciously

in the comfort of freedom

like waves across the sea 

simple pleasures to roam

the plains across borders

so as to overcome the distress

of the lockdown

all in the spirit 

of awareness and sharing 

long-absent

viciously imposed

for many months

stay safe people

for all the simple joys together

even though under siege 

to huddle for now 

with hopes for the better

 

Brenda's Sunday Whirl  Wordle#520

Marie's Poetic Blooming: Take comfort 

Prompt #353

Lisa at d'Verse OLN #293

for the love of a friend

                                                                                                              Author: Pixoos

Image:  A Dignified Persian (here)

A cat generally is quite a friend
Just need to stroke below its neck
It'll purr and stretch to no end
It'll  brush your legs or lie on its back

Can accomplish togetherness happily
A walk around with a celebrated kitty

But wait up you got to still clean up
Rightly sieving through the sand
To take it and stomach all the muck
All for the bother and love of a friend

Regular wash necessary to avoid ticks
Clean hygiene ought to be uppermost
Lots of fun then with their playful tricks

Never to regret precious time to play host

Rommy at PSU Writer's Pantry #89: 

Ghost Walk

due now for a serious makeover

                                                                                                                 Author: Carrie

Image: Abandoned and Neglected  (here)

At a glance it was rather obvious

That a kiss of life was well in order

The state of neglect was preposterous

Was it due now for a serious makeover?

The French window could well remain

A new coat of paint to liven things up

With hues of red to rightly regain

Its stature of an abode of higher-ups

To heal the hurt of the previous occupants

Right to have some extra rooms for their pets

Was it their parakeet then that had sadly flown

Or its fate sealed after a brush with the Tomcat 

Should the new house look spectacular

To incorporate elements of functionality

A cross of the old and modern to feature

Only then it would fulfill its individuality

Carrie at Sunday Muse #179

happiness is a matter of style

                                                                              Author:Pedro Ribeiro Simões

Image: Happy being together  (here)

Poetry Form Zejel:  with a syllable

scheme of aaa bbba ccca at eight

syllables per line

no telling what I desire?

should be on what I aspire

I need more than I require?

no, I have enough to come by

there were occasions I would vie

for it is a matter of style

deciding what to acquire

not more than I would need to spend

living on limited stipend

would come a long way not so grand

not to unwisely perspire

would it be something luxurious

and should not be that hilarious

and certainly nothing spurious

good for all of its entire

Grace at d'Verse on Poetry Form : Zejel

Water Apples aka Jambu

                                                                                                    Author:Tu7uh

Image:  Succulent and Sweet (here)

crunchy and sweet

blessed fruit of the East

to parched lips

a most welcomed 'feast'

the nature of its beauty 

can be eaten raw in many ways

best plucked direct from the tree

to quench dry lips in the day

better yet cut a small piece

to be dipped in thick soya sauce

a mouth-watering bliss

a mouthful of a kick

with some crushed chilies 

at a midday meal 

and it is always in season

Note: More of above in 

an earlier poem (here)

Mish at d'Verse  Poetics: always in season

a man's dilemma

                                                                                                 Author:Juliescribbles

Image: Easy does it! (here)

the ring safely in his grips
but still in his pocket!
to think this is the second attempt

long in coming and slow to end
lingering doubts are disturbing
man's dilemma

why is it so difficult to pop the

question and slip it on?.

(44 words)

Linda at d'Verse's Quadrille Monday#136

relationships valued with dignity

                                                                                    Author: Andrew Welch

Image: Clear Measure of Good Feelings (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
daily fray line nothing moths seeks rights free streaming 

sheen (a soft lustre on a surface)

a daily fray into the line of nothingness

a moth that seeks its rights during the day

free from interference but still streaming

on its own in a lost world of clear daylight

what can a crushed velvet in a slight sheen

beg of a lover not responding to her pleas

driving a hard bargain is always a slight joy

wry on the surface at risk of wrong intentions

losing face smack at the ego goes a long way

not a good idea to fooling around on emotions

when relationships valued with dignity by both

will provide good dividends to young hearts

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle#519

tedious to the close of a troubled year

                                                                      Author:  Alan Rickman at Pinterest

Image: Worries and Helplessness (here)

homophone sets are:

accept – welcome
except – leave out, exclude
and

coarse – rough
course – path, route

tedious to the close of a troubled year 

where many could not accept the varied 

outcomes but to cry among hungry mouths

except for the radiance of the new year

that heralded a discourse of expectations

it gave only a glimmer of hope to some 

course thinking with impending hysteria 

still under wraps social woes on course

casting long shadows behind the scene

amusing oneself with a host of resolutions

and staying alive with strategies of survival

would wear out fast the air of steadfastness 

being alive and kicking is already a blessing

Fireblossom's at Sunday Muse#178

weejar's at MLMM's Double Take

Saturday Mix -  homophone

only a luminous streak of imagination

                 

                                                                                                          Photo credit Pobble365

Image: Desiring a Reality (here)

the 11  of 12 Wordle given words:

basking last maybe lifetime luminous pretend mix original 

proprioception (is the body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location)

cicatrix (the scar of a healed wound or a scar on the bark of a tree)

tongue

not basking in the limelight

prospects of being caged

to last maybe for a lifetime

and not being able to engage 

with the outside world

only a luminous streak 

of imagination to pretend 

a mix of the original desire 

of being free as well as being

contained against roving freely 

without proprioception

the cicatrix is freely visible 

to those who are emphatic enough

to care but tongue-tied to do more

MLMM's at Wordle#257

weejars at MLMM's Photo Challenge#382

given to fine grooming

                                                                                               Author: anon
Image: Fine grooming 

in the morning (here)

given to fine grooming
cutting off the shackles loose

first thing in the morning

made to scare off the blues

to present a sophistication

expected of a lady of fashion

finely braided still within reasons

given to fine living

matured in good surroundings

 

you young gentlemen

she's a lady

and you are lucky

if you must find it special

there are a few essentials

yes, you got it

it's plain to see

if you must know

yes.....a rich widow

Carrie's at Sunday Muse Wordle#177

weejar's at MLMM Saturday Mix - to write an Epigram

-  a bit of a cliche at the close hopefully an acceptable epigram

divine strength the propensity of whims

                                                                                              Author: AJ.iitm

Image: Poetry in Motion (here)

Note: A Novelinee - is a nine-line stanza poem of 

10 syllables for each line with a rhyme sequence 

of a,b,a,b,c,d,c,d,d  

.

you came by from nowhere just like magic    - a
twirled around so fast making me dizzy    -  b    
makings of superhuman angelic   -  a                   
movements of the world pretty as can be    -  b     
a chosen one and it was such a thrill     -   c          
divine strength the propensity of whims     -  d    
talents showcased with none of the perils    -   c                                   

to match a primadonna, what a scream     -   d                                           

but alas, it was only just a dream    -   d          

Laura's at d'Verse MTB - something novel-in-lines

it has a lot to do with the heart

                                                                                      Author: AdinaVoicu

Image: In Deep Thoughts (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

wonder navigate clear detours light 

breaks far delays wreck art split

a few wonders do come to bear

when a mind navigates with thoughts

have clear detours, but nice to be aware

for it gets to be therapeutic of sorts

in the light of those that persist

reading it happily as a healthy sign

with breaks in between to insist

while still having it fresh in the mind

far from thinking of any delays

to wreck the thought unnecessarily

meeting it head-on is an art at play

half the battle is won quite easily

it has a lot to do with the heart

not to appear split but act with pride

the mind has a way of being smart

to take it all within its stride

MMT's Whirligig Wordle#335

conformity to rules is a mean thing

                                                                                  Author: Jonny Joo, One Big Photo.

Image:  the luxury of choice offers 

less like that of  a narrow beam (here)

“Perhaps we are reading the shadows wrong; 

forever cannot draw a conclusion.” – Sanaa: Petals of the Sun

“Perhaps we are reading the shadows wrong; 

forever cannot draw a circle.” – Winter Moon ~ Part Three: Petals of the Sun

(original quote)

conformity to rules is a mean thing

it reduces the options to venture out

it likely narrows parameters of whims

very much losing its expected clout

open-ended flight of fancy a fringe benefit

already ingrained in many youngsters

expected with doses of medicine to bid

for the love of a caring parent that bothers

perceived as visible of a simple practice

one is often led astray to wrongly regulate

to form good habits but at times sadly missed

by not setting a pattern for them to emulate

such are specimens of good upbringing

on a generation engrossed in the current rave

of the social media and gamers existing

unwittingly not given enough space

in reality conclusions lacked the advantage

by elders not given to technological advancement

who are being deprived of the privilege

relied just on common sense of life's experience

Sanaa's at d'Verse Poetics: Dungeons and Derivatives

weejars at MLMM's Photo Challenge #381

unshackled post lockdown

                                                                                         Author: subhamshome28

Image: Aftermath of forced

'hibernation'   (here)  

smooth talker 
unshackled post lockdown
hello, world! 
sporting a groovy bushy chin
and craving a haircut
and to make up for lost time

happy hours
babbled-mouthed buddies
where are you holed up
missed you guys

yearning the old normal
no holds barred
show yourself!

(44 words)

De at d'Verse - Quadrille of 44 words

and to include the word 'groovy'

Viva Las Vegas!

                                                                                                          Author: anon

Image: High Hopes in Vegas, Woweee!  (here)

Synonyms: to take the five challenge 

words and NOT use them in the write-up. 
hello - greetings hi howdy welcome

good - excellent exceptional marvelous
happy - cheerful delighted elated thrilled

red - crimson flaming maroon

plant  - shrub herb vine bush

welcome to Las Vegas 

so says the signboard

and also says the King

how very inviting, marvelous

a grand entrance to heaven's name

we are having fun and we are thrilled

Viva Las Vegas!

a jalopy to take me there

in bright orange when new

could still remember the smell

a new car brings 

if we play our cards right

we might just come back home

in place of the old faithful of a jalopy

in a new flaming Ferrari 

Viva Las Vegas!

driving through shrub country

nice and easy

one can never know 

lady luck may shine!

this time!

Carrie's at Sunday Muse #176

felt good not affected the least

                                                                                Author: Raziakhatun12

Image: Beauty of Sign Alphabet  (here)

wound down to the last twist
conserved energy betraying his affliction
felt good not affected the least
by the intrusion of the sounds of silence

losing the ability to hear was devastating
the beauty of human voice was a miracle
undescribable to admire a real blessing
a debacle accepted as something natural 

Simon and Garfunkle gave the added touch
season's contribution that topped the charts
those afflicted rewarded with knowing much

lip-reading and sign language warmed the hearts

Grace at d'Verse OLN#299

Stephanie's at MLMM's Tale Weaver

- the sound of silence

taking care of the body mass is not a lone effort

                                                                     Author: Anderson Mancini from Sao Paulo, Brazil 

Image: There are Those Happy 

Being Rotund and Round! (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:

matter, bliss choice side chest 

final margin lone wide, counted

lost as a matter of thickening bliss so blessed

softening of the choices accorded by chance

wretched on the belly side thumping the chest

overtaken by the desire to be slim for once

such loss of desire of a disheartened soul

stemmed by the final effects of memory loss

fatal to a harmonious will of being bold

when the age-old act of dieting is enforced

how else the margin of error may be overcome

as seen by those left unashamedly in old folks homes

sadly the case as experienced by the elderly ones'

when minders unwittingly left them on their own

taking care of the body mass and all of its sensitivities 

is not a lone effort as widely believed by those able

care counted as a commitment and a responsibility

to proudly uphold the expected act of being noble

MMT's the Whirligig Wordle #334

Magaly's at Poets and Storytellers United

- Weekly's Scribbling#85 - take care of your body!