for a taste bud for the hot and spicy

                                                                                   Author: Hank

Image: Hank's own soft pastel sketch of

a Capsicum on an A4 - size dark drawing paper

Glistening with pride hidden a taste, spicy
Fondness for chili peppers amidst fine servings
A capsicum sneaky of yellow, red and green

Gives a kick at lunch mixed with other greens
A salad bowl for a taste bud for hot and spicy
Creates a howl for those timid in their servings

Hotplate with meaty offerings of fine servings
Gnashed and gnawed at chow time of varied greens
Fitting for a King at a lunch sitting all that’s spicy

Spicy servings an adventure with greens

Note: A Tritinas, characterized by repeat 

endings. A revamp of an old posting

Rosemary's at Poets and Storytellers United.

friday-writings - colour

He kept asking but answers eluded him

                                                                                                Author: BarbicanMan 

Image: Heavenly (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 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!

Linda's at d'Verse OLN#309

Let me see the sun!

                                                                                                       Author: Jagandrk

Image: Smiling Snowman of old (here)

The dreaded London smog would engulf all in its path.
Often dark tunnel like where no sun rays dared encroach
pitch black took upon itself to deny movements leaving
all agog. Imaginations run wild  Apparitions in the shadows 
prancing low as they often do Eerie when visions are 
affected. Venture not, must stop. Cold and wet Winter's 
sneaking in.

Unlike through the years not too long ago. Seen the many
versions of snowmen ever smiling a warm scarf around
its neck taking on all the pot-shots of snowballs thrown
leisurely by young boys and girls.

Not any more. No more boys and girls They are snug on 
warm cushion seats. They do not fancy wasting their time 
outdoors but rather are busy twitching and clicking on 
their respective devices

Let me see the sun
Where is it in abundance?

Down south nice and warm

Frank's at d'Verse: Haibun Monday winter

wooing the lady of his dreams

                                                                                              Author: Peter O'Connor 

Image: They just walked past! (here)

wooing the lady of his dreams
tried by some means
did not succeed
tried other bids

a close friend answered his invite
was glad to help
the girl looked fine
but would take time

one day they were in the distance
walked hand in hand
reached him at last

but they walked past

Grace at d'Verse The Poetry Form

the minute poem

The winds lashed at the windows

                                                                                                 Author: Yaswanth

Image: The baby birds feel safe

with their mother bird (here)

“After last night’s storm the tulip petals are strewn 

across the patio where they mortally fluttered.”- Church, Jim Harrison

It's funny! It is not even a cold day

Absence of snow is evident and it

is as warm as the palm on the forehead

The winds lashed at the windows

clattering dancing an angry number

reminiscent of Elvis at his heyday

After last night’s storm the tulip petals 

are strewn across the patio where 

they mortally fluttered.

It flew a distance from the patch

in the gardens now disheveled

It was an angry night not experienced

in recent times ending 

very much like a homeless

sans directions laying still in the alley

Is that how one would wish to be 

discovered in the late morning sun

- mortally fluttered just a nameless soul

In a way it has been the case for many

unfortunate enough to be caught

in the cross-fire of confusion 

in the past year

Here's hoping remedial circumstances

should show a glimmer of hope

in the ensuing year

We do not fancy facing testing times

coupled with destructive elements

consecutively two years running!

Linda's at d'Verse : Poetics - Songs of Unreason

- to include the line of quotation

it could be the last straw

                                                                                                     Author: Charles J. Sharp  

Image: come what may! (here): 

10 of 12 given words:

cool think purple straw world 

drown mouth rattle disheveled sulk 

the dreamy faraway look

attesting to something cool he thought

but it is so worrying

to let bygones be bygones

not to lose sleep

so he decided 

not the time to think about it

could end up purple with rage 

he could already anticipate

it could be the last straw

what in the world is happening

there were times he asked himself

he would not want to bother with it

to drown the worries 

to reduce the stress

his mouth is short of revealing the truth

he could readily rattle it off

but it was not him to rekindle the old hurts

disheveled in thoughts 

the wound might just fester

that he would not like to happen

it had involved third parties before

those dear to his heart

he was not there to sulk

he could afford to extend the reach

there must be a finality

come what may!

Lillian at d'Verse OLN Live

Twilight industry that mellowed

                                                                                        Author: Urbain J. Kinet 

Image:  Tilling the Rice Fields (here)

Comes a time when a beast

of burden falls from grace

Twilight industry that mellowed

Overtaken by developments

in housing, plantations and golf courses

Ripples until now but unashamedly

with a resolute at a much faster pace

Housing developers, entrepreneurs

and governments gladly break

away with fresh new ideas of modernization

Just a knock on the wrist

But a cultural shock on farmers

bent on tilling their lands

to maintain a dying industry

to feed hungry mouths

That's progress

Like it or not!

Marie's at Poetic Bloomings #369 - Animal Instincts

Discard my glasses or dispute my imagination?

                                             Author: anon

Image: Forlornly Discarded and Alone (here)

The moon had inspired many

With its inherent attraction and beauty

Unwittingly real with the owl even pining

And no dearth of poets with their writings

But when man landed on the moon

It was rocky, dusty not as was shown

The same could be said of mountains

Bluish and greenish in the distance

Discard my glasses or dispute my imagination?

Distance ruefully makes a difference

Carrie at The Sunday Muse #194

with a photo prompt

Would you still remember?

                                                                                                  Author: Fir0002

Image: The Squishy Mush of Sweetness (here)

 I just wonder
Would you still remember?
That uncanny tag line
Years before
‘Melts in your mouth, not in your hands’
Promoting a popular brand name
we can feel the squishy mush of sweetness
For a split second we turn juvenile

One of the handful among them then
‘Rountrees, Smarties, Cadbury’s’
Those were the days
That I remember always
Of milk chocolate bars
Multi-colored Smarties 
or blue clad Cadbury’s
None of the brownies 
or chocolate cakes
That we now so often see displayed
At the local cake shops and across the counter
Tell me, was it similar the world over

Could you relate to what I remember?

I just wonder!

sarahsouthwest at d'Verse - tuesday poetics -food

Survival in Trying Times

                                                                                     Author: Charles James Sharp 

Image: Even the Best of Camouflage

Would not Work (here)

not wanting to attract attention
she mused nonchalantly 
by the corner all by herself

she is all donned up
bathed in rainbow colours
all painted the eyes, cheeks

clad in the brightest hues
of varied inclination
and she is expected not 

to be noticed!

(44 words)

De at d'Verse Quadrille #143 

a verse of 44 words and to include

the word - muse 

A heart throb!

                                                                            Author;  Dennis Stock

Image: James Dean playing the bongos, 

NYC, 1955. (here)

A heart throb
You came on the scene
Made it in a flash
a fleeting appearance
Scared the daylights
of peers and others around you
Rebel Without A Cause
 
Oh! How they swooned and moan
Natalie was a gem
To hold you spellbound
Extended all the support
A pretty lass
Your following wanting more
 
The big names of Hudson and Taylor
Were cast with you in Giant
But you stood tall
A couple of starring roles just

Written in the stars
Destined for fame
 
But alas, on Sept 30th 1955
That fateful day
In a moment of shocking encounter
The unbelievable
A disaster, a car crash
Snuffed the young life
A bright future already in hand
In the middle of the making
of Giant, disrupting the scene
To save the day
A double was brought in
 
Shattered the dreams of many
The teeny, the young and the old
A legend upon your demise
Obliterated from the scene though
But in place an icon was born
Untimely but never forgotten
Broken hearts aplenty
Chanting

Dean, James Dean!

Carrie's Sunday Muse #193

Life in The Fast Lane

                                                                                                       Author: Isiwal

Image: Taking It to Extremes (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:

wind, extreme, together, feather, dust, 

voice, seasons, carry, scream, back

the winds of change

extreme at times

but put together

it is an experience

birds of a feather 

biting the dust

merry-making in a loud voice

a welcomed change nonetheless

seasons change

but to carry-on as usual

is a love affair

enjoy one's freedom

it is a scream upon looking back

such is life in the fast lane

MMT's The Whirligig  Wordle#352

Mish at d'Verse OLN #307 Eat Your Own Grapes

in for the long haul

                                                                                         Image Credit: anon

Image: A Journey of Expectations (here)

in for the long haul
just where does the wind blow
on an early morning enthralled
blinkered looks that sadly glow

expectations run high quietly vying
to create a fortune westward bound
'go west young man' constantly goading
where riches-lining pavements are found

some get bored will sadly discover
unwittingly they let slip opportunities
but those who painstakingly endeavour
will rise atop a pile of sanity

tremendous luck will give a hand
but luck alone flows a trifle slow
nothing like using the head and mind

at working smart that steals the show

Carrie's SUNDAY Muse #192                       

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

                                                                                          Author: CCDBarcodeScanner

Image:  The Christmas Tree (here)

a standing pine green and lean

is tenderly carried in 

pride of place at a right corner 

hail to the Yuletide cheer and more

stand below it, 'care for a kiss’

for the young hearts a Christmas wish

colourful lights and the mistletoe

hail to the Yuletide cheer and more

Santa sneaks in with the presents          

demands from youngsters more brazen

expensive items they implore

in the spirit of Yuletide cheer and more

Merry Christmas Happy New Year

He spied a visual he dreaded

                                                                                                     Author: Acabashi

Image: A Finished Meal  (here)

 the 10 of 12 Wordle words:

chase drifting flow draft linger 

pass fray how sign spell 

To the kitchen he headed
To chase a drifting thought
But it broke his little heart
He spied a visual he dreaded
The flow of the draft 
That lingers slowly pass 
brought him into the fray
He could only muse in dismay

A bad sign, it spelled trouble

A room-mate had just left

An empty plate on the table
Brought home to consume

None left of the earlier edibles

He lost, it was one down
A fatal mistake he quipped
Should have tucked in earlier he frowned
His buddy rifled the goodies indeed

when he inadvertently dozed off  

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle#532

That time stood still

                      Author: anon

Image:  The Catman - That time stood still

He stood there intrigued 
Mesmerized beyond words
What could be wandering
in his mind

Food for your thoughts
What could he be pondering
That he stood there waiting
in his young mind
Untested with ways of the world

Thinking of one so dear
He hurt her feelings
He managed to get out fast

It is not his nature to go away
but he had to

What could it be?
A young mind so free
Minding his own business
‘What Me Worry’
No one to care

And no one to bother!

Fireblossom at Sunday Muse#191

brightness fading at the horizon

                                                                                           Author: Musyajackson

Image: Serious Traffic Congestion (here)

brightness fading at the horizon 

by the seconds

glowing yellow to golden hues

mystically transforms

end of day a precursor to myriads of happenings

staging a madness on the road, hurrying home surging

to avoid the imminent rush, sweaty and angry

hordes of man and machines clogging the highway

sounding their horns hoping to get attention

hoping to get it over with to be home

while one comes slowly to an end another is to begin

noisy  hawkers and  pretty butterflies of the night swarming

of couples at leisure  scouring for places to wine and dine

leading his spouse and brood for dinner  the family man

the young at heart at the hotspots in raucous splendour

the young layabouts  with their mean machines of terror

house-breakers working their moves when they please

the law enforcers just as ready armed with their expertise

the people movers bidding their fares ferrying the crowd

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

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

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

fathers computer engaged over business matters poring

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

preceding  the night to begin a new day in anticipation

a sedentary existence reflecting the lifestyle of the generation

blessings for sound 

wherever found blaring on solid grounds

Grace at d'Verse Poetry Forms  -  kwansaba blessings

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