Artificiality of Glitters of Glamour

                                                                           Author: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma

Image: A Fallen Conker, signifying a break-out

from a sheltered life to a successful future amidst

a thorny environment

Note:
Los Angeles. The city is sometimes called Tinsel town. 
This nickname comes from the shiny, bright and often 

unreal nature of Hollywood and the movie industry - Wiki

The Quadrille:

shiny and bright atop the Christmas tree

so also the life and attraction of Tinsel town

giving attention-seekers living an artificiality of

short marriages and excesses frowned upon

Sadly, the good life often rubbed on as success

stories leading to bigger things in life

(44 words)

Mish at d'Verse - Quadrille#142 -  tinsel

Is it Claus but for not being seen?

                                                                                                 Author: anon

Image: A Guardian Angel soothing

and lovingly at hand  (here)

The homophone sets are:

carrel – study enclosure (a small cubicle with a desk) 

carol – Christmas song

and

Claus – as in Santa

claws – sharp fingernails

clause – contractual unit

Exhausted sensing help is at hand

Is it Claus but for not being seen

Extending the goodness of happiness

Skimming the lights of the darken skies

A Guardian Angel for a blessed soul

Still accomplishing it most discreetly

Anonymous and unseen

Like Santa and his reindeer

Not in his carrel but out there

Antlers leading the way not sharp claws

That is how they are remembered but unseen

Just as Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael.

The four Guardian Angels have always been there

Heard without images of their presence 

but they are around perhaps participating 

in many Christmas carols together singing

Protecting comforting and showing the way 

The absence of any clauses 

of contract unquestioned

weejars at MLMM's Double Take - homophones

Carrie at The Sunday Muse#190

Had a fearful reputation to her name

                                                                                                 Author: Lukario20

Image: A Vicious Taekwondo kick (here)

Micro Verse : An Offering of Limericks

 

A woman who always seemed game
Had a fearful reputation to her name
A guy who tried to get fresh
Was on the behind thrashed
She was of a black belt taekwondo fame

 A fellow was planning to wed
A lass who was playing hard to get
Tried as he might
With all that he had
Excepting him the rest she grabbed

A guy who was covered in sweat
Been trying hard hoping to get
Shove a bee hive with a stick
Honey he thought he would lick
He was much swollen headed instead
 
A fellow who tended to brag
Could never readily hold back
His random boasts
Didn’t come close
As his exploits were just a drag

Rosemary at PSU's - the shorter the sweeter

He has had it made!

                             
                                                                              Photo credit:  One Big Photo (here)

Image: A Croft : an enclosed area of land, 

usually small and arable, and usually, 

with a crofter's dwelling within  -  Wiki.

the 10 of 12 given Wordle words:

borders, safe, smiling, forgetting, 

face, keys, goes, gains, saw, spilled

fenced up all along its borders with 

those of other crofts in the area they 

were safe within their confines. Very 

much like a modern housing estate 

but with the luxury of a bigger 

surrounding area

he kept smiling looking not forgetting 

his childhood years spent there. His face 

lighted up. A bunch of keys safe in his 

clutch-bag had the answer

'It goes without saying'. So it was said!

When you braved the tides and ventured 

out to the big cities the gains of big 

opportunities could translate into untold 

wealth. He saw them. He grabbed them

Greenbacks were 'now practically oozing 

out of his ears' that spilled onto the ground 

so to speak. A flashy car by the gates likewise

attested to that.. 

The keys with him could open many of

the dwellings which had changed hands

to him. He has had it made! 

MMT's Sunday Whirligig Wordle#348

Bjorn at d'Verse OLN#305- Live

I had some truths explained to me

                                                                                                 Author: Ivar Leidus

Image: Many Different kinds 

in a Discussion  (here)

'I dress in their stories patterned and purple as night'

From  “When We Sing of Might,”  by Kimberly Blaeser.

I had some truths explained to me. It came out of a discussion
that went meandering without direction for some while. It was 

not a formal brain-storming session over some pre-determined 

issues. It was a friendly discussion among some friends. The close 

relationship which went back many years perhaps saved the day. 

There was no bruising on any nor any strong stand taken. It was 

all a matured stance by most, orderly not overly serious  but just
.  

It was plain to see all were for wanting a beneficial and friendly 

session in a likeness of a win-win situation. There were some 

ridiculous arguments which were expected in such a situation but 

every body kept their senses right. I too managed to retain sanity 

I dress in their stories patterned and purple as night.

Cleared some doubts, giving way a little though. It ended well.

(144 words)

Lisa Jade in d'Verse's Prosery Monday

It gets therapeutic of sorts

                             Image credits: she.s.a.wolf

Image: A Girl and Her Wolf (here)

Some few things in being fair
Mind is occupied with thoughts
Good thoughts, making one unaware
It gets therapeutic of sorts

Engrossed in thoughts without a slide
Concentrating on it is a healthy sign
A friend sitting above with pride
All the more at peace with time

It has to do with the heart
It appears all right when relaxed
The mind has a way of being smart

To take it within its stride

Shay at The Sunday Muse#189

The Kashmiri Landscape

                                                                                                                 Author: Madhumita Das           

Image: House-boats on Dal Lake, Srinagar (here)

The Wordle of 10 given words:

swim, drink, stories look, bubbly, 

sage, sprinkler, music, broken, violet

The Kashmiri landscape 

it left a fragment in his heart

An experience etched within for a few days

but the memory is sustained forever

Why must the lure of a short span

be carried for a lifetime

Jammu and Kashmir to see is to believe

He touched down a few days ago

He had intended to stay on longer

perhaps a swim in the drink

Bent on seeing his childhood

yearnings fulfilled in this land

of heavenly paradise

He had heard stories told of

abundance of leisurely escapades

like beauty of colours on canvas 

to savour all by himself

He was lucky to stay in a house-boat

the charm of his ideals

Would look good of his bubbly self

A sage of sorts on vacation

Refreshments and meals provided

The house-boat owner saw to that

He was curious of Dal Lake of

Gulmarg and Pahalgam, 

a fascination!

Warned to be wary of political discontent

Marauding groups fighting for a voice

A sprinkler of simmering political scene

Independence separation or whatever

but he did not see any

What he saw were streams of

clear spring waters gushing

down the hill sides shooting colours

of rainbow in the cool breeze

Music to the ear broken only

by sprays glittering in bright sun rays

and peeping over snow-capped mountain tops

Dainty little brooks or expanse of waters

Watering the lush green meandering

around boulders on both sides of

country roads

Spied beautiful maidens with rosy cheeks

Manning little stalls in all innocence

Offering fruits and food to the hungry tourists

Beside them were pelts of leopards and

Bengal tigers and myriads of leather goods

What did he do wrong to be requested home

What was so pressing that his presence was needed

That he could not fathom

He had to leave bidding farewell

To the grand Kashmiri landscape

Of violet blue yellow and maroon

Colours of flowers enhancing the beauty

Though he felt upon ascending

through the clouds he saw Srinagar 

beckoning from below 

wanting for a fragment

of his time again in heaven's name

He is bound to come again

for another visit

That he so decided!

Hank experienced the Kashmiri 

hospitality for a few days a long time ago

MMT with a Wordle at The Whirligig#347

Laura at d'Verse , MTB, picking up the pieces

She walks pass them all

                                                                                              Author: JLC PHOTOS

Image: Walking with Dignity (here)

Drifting thoughts not getting anywhere
To times long past to times laid bare
They have the wisdom and had her praised
Her image so clear they are just amazed

And yet for all that they feel so right
Believing their eyes they had it made
Singing high praises to a lovely maid
Basking in that special moment's limelight

She sits silently not saying a word,
Then gets up walks away not bothered

Suspicious darting eyes slowly follow
A little unruly but she let them be
Slowly and surely without even a nod
She walks pass them all with dignity

Contending in a world of your own

You are happy they leave you alone
You decide then just regard them as stones

Leave ’em burning and then you’re gone

Lillian at d'Verse Poetics

A Crowning Glory

                                                                                                          Author: Hubie Fix

Image: Smiling Even in Her Sleep (here)

Every first born daughter looks like 

the female version of her dad - Wiki

Clattering of sounds 

Scissors, stainless steel containers

A shrill cry

Shuffles of feet

Movements of nurses

A slap on the butt

Hearing it then for the first time

What an accomplishment!

For my loving wife, Shadah

A crowning glory

My first-born, Adura a gift

(44 words)

De at d'Verse Quadrille#141 - crown

Nonchalantly in their own world

                                                                                                            Author: anon

Image: People Sitting in the Subway (here)

People sitting in the Subway
No different Subway, Metro  or Underground

Nonchalantly in their own world

'Please leave me be' a picture of relief

Able to steal a moment of silence

A shuteye for most of them

Tiredness impacting on tired souls

The best place to be having a rest

The more alert brushing through the daily

Irrespective of the news just reading

Others holding onto the strap

Staring in mid-air or at someone

With a stern face or unwittingly smiling

No matter what on their minds

until the next stop

A sudden opening a mad rush

Pandemonium a split second

Going out or rushing in

And it was all over just as fast

Same scenario everyday of the week

Looking at the same face

Meeting the same people at each stop

Getting down together

Still not knowing each other

Happy to act and remain - complete strangers!

Period! Life is such. 

Carrie at Sunday Muse#188

So much to catch up on!

                                                                                                               Author: beth

Image: Tears Flowed Freely (here)

I was in a hurry. I would be late for the appointment. Briskly 

walking along the block not hurrying, not wanting to be sweaty 

upon arrival, I should be there in 15 minutes so I reasoned

I took a turn around the block and, lo and behold, there she was
facing me. We were pleasantly surprised, taken aback in fact.

We stood still quietly looking at each other. 

Then simultaneously we both lurched forward involuntarily and
hugged each other tightly just as it had been decades ago. The
utter shock of a chance meeting again was overwhelming. And 

she was just as sweet and beautiful as before.

So much to catch up on -  how thankful I felt

The appointment could wait!

Stolen my heart once

Tears flowed freely unexplained

Small things meant a lot

Frank's at d'Verse's Haibun Monday - thankful

bidding its time tenaciously

                                                                               Author: meagain 625

Image: An Old Door (here) 

waiting close to five years

the key is rightly in place

for the living souls amid fears

of not returning those many days

against vagaries of the weather

pounding days and nights mercilessly

snow piling thick for a metre

rain sleet hail almost daily

it stood its ground relentlessly 

with strength not wanting to take sides

bidding its time tenaciously

a silly quarrel sustained on account of pride

Carrie's at Sunday Muse#187 - a photo challenge

The Joy of a Mother’s Pride

                                                                                            Author: Carin Araujo

Image: Beautiful baby (here)

it’s all about face

an image so sacred

in physical looks

no two persons resemble another

how so unique

colours enhanced variety

the fairness makes it different

exquisite and beautifully structured

wonder of nature

Providence has a hand

The joy of a mother’s pride

(44 words)

Linda's at d'Verse Quadrille#140

- let's go to the fair

Don't give me sight without vision

                                                                                             Author: Wolfgang Wander

Image:  A Nice to Look at Sparrow (here)

How I dream of love at first sight
Don't give me sight without vision

How I dream of a fair hearing
Not rumour-mongering that cause dissensions

How I dream of peace not sufferings and destruction
If only the perpetrators taste their own medicine

How I dream of the sweet smell of success
Not ostensibly friends that stab you in the back

How I dream of the touch of class
Where all are winners in contention

Mindful though as a given

How I dread of being a modern day dinosaur

With big body mass but 'littlest' brains

But most of all not to dream like a bird

Lest being referred to as bird-brained

Sanaa at d'Verse OLN Live - november edition

Set to while away some sorrows

                                                                                                         Author:  anon

Image: Soft to Touch (here)

An evening out for some fun
Through the various watering holes
Outfits often full of the young ones
Set to while away some sorrows

Through with sleeping at any rate
Grand moments shared among peers
Dismissed from the minds woes of late
Strains of music soothing to the ears

Pondered around for some familiar faces
Meeting penetrating gaze of the other
Garbed in suits quiet in subdued solace

Of subdued souls hiding in one corner

Untouched round for one untried bloke

For another who broke his glass trying

One too many abound for some folks

To each his own those out for a fling

Carrie's at The Sunday Muse #185

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