shades of white spider-like blooms

                                                                                                   Author PumpkinSky
Image: The White Pink Spider Flower (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
white native jungle, pretend confound 
police  parents ditch shanties,record 

colorful shades of white spider-like
blooms with purple or pink stamens

native to the jungles of South
America a pretender with ability
to attract with its variety of colors

it is not necessary to confound
'predators' being overly deer
and rabbit resistant species

instead blessed with abundance
of butterflies and hummingbird
suitors milling around in the warm
days of its hardy existence

free from having to police
its presence like a matured lady
who ditched her parents to
stake freely a living as survivors
in menacing shanties to
record undisturbed growth

Sunday's Whirligig #177
Sanaa's at Real Toad's - the tuesday platform

the brave men in overalls

                                                                                                          Author Elsie esq.
Image:  Often Works on
Second Jobs Evenings (here)

A Trois-par-Huit
A form created by Lorraine M. Kanter.
comprising three stanzas
of 3, 3 and 2 lines OR 3, 2 and 3 lines - 8 lines in total
with a syllable count of 3, 6, 9, 12, 12, 9, 6, 3.

The rhyming pattern is AAB BBC CC
where the last line is the title of the poem
and summarizes the meaning of the poem.

standing tall

brave men in overalls

with tools in hands never complaining

have to feed the family even work evenings

mandatory for head of the household to bring

never a dull moment at home

happy and not alone

Great Husband!

Amber at MLMM's  -  Saturday Mix 

- lucky dip
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #417

set to shine in its creation

                                                                                                Author Ruy Carvalho
Image: The Night Walks Menacingly (here)

"in the street of the sky
night walks scattering poems" - E E Cummings

in the street of the sky
the night walks scattering poems
that runs helter-skelter
in the streets of confusion

poems stand on their own
seizing on opportunities
whenever favors are sown
it strengthens on simplicity

set to shine in its creation
with finesse a factor to consider
readily appreciated for their talents
a poet is a known denominator

Sanaa's at Real Toad's  - on edge of starry night

where bravery is a curse

                                                                                             Author Lucapatrone
Image: Packs a Punch (here)

given out to lots of fun
for as long as she wants
in streets of bravado
where bravery is a curse
where feeligs are bandied about
loosely with lots of shouts
such is the blessing accorded

do beware all the heavy-set louts
here is a fighter standing proud
young as she is
often thinking out loud
never a moment too soon to shoot
a young heart set in different moulds
delicate hands flailing
not bound for wailimgs
but packs a punch
a finality,
not without a victory dance
and musing, 'I have won'

Grace at d'Verse's OLN #226

a beautiful place a gem of a find

                                                                                                 Author Paul Hamilton
Image: Precariously from
a Distance (here)

the 10 of the 12 given words:
hillside summer faint guests terrace 
melting bite glittering teams axe

perched atop by the hillside
precariously from a distance
but strongly positioned like a rock
a weekend retreat for the summer

faintly visible but known to the
many guests frequently seen at the
terrace a melting pot of various
nationalities ready to pounce

such is a bite into the standing
of affluence of the selected crowd

glittering teams of the rich with an
axe to grind upon the masses do
frequently stream in across the floor
of the palatial home of the host

a beautiful place a gem of a find
for the rich and famous there

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig Wordle #176
Sumana's at PU's Midweek Motif
the world is a beautiful place

Destined for an existence of nothingness

                                                                                             Attribution: CityVarsity
Image: A Measure of Change (here)

Destined for an existence of nothingness
Cursed on the unlikely pretense of loving
Enticed in all innocence into realms of blindness
Caught like a rat in a trap of good feelings

Why should she in a moment of longings
Picture his image in thoughts of her mind
Allowing capture unwittingly unknowing
By the elf specializing in balloon designs

Lesson learnt not to stray in thoughts
Lodged in elements who are brain-dead
To be manipulated in all cheekiness wrought
With weird imaginations of a human head

NEKNEERAJ's at  MLMM's Photo Challenge #227

never to hide his contempt but with howls of laughter

                                                                                                     Author Chenspec
Image: A Loving Couple (here)

the 12 given Wordle words:
green rolls  tongues never hide howls 
smokes stare mean mysteries through mist 

the given opposing forces words:
– whisper and shout
– humid and dry

green with envy it rolls unselfishly across his tongue
never to hide his contempt but with howls of laughter
he creates a smokescreen to allay fears unsprung
which invariably manifests itself in outright anger

a cold stare is often mistaken for quiet reprimand
it appears rather mean and menacing to the young
mysteries governing body language can be bland
seeing through the mist a bravado of the unsung

what then to voice a hidden whisper without a shout
with a semblance of tact to allow for loving care
sweaty on the outside but left dry in the throat
basking in love's options his initiatives laid bare

Brenda's at Sunday Whirl Wordle #365
Amber's at MLMM's Saturday Mix  -  opposing forces
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #416

A question of not throwing away opportunities but to grab the cake

                                                                                       Author Rich Niewiroski Jr.
Image:  A Jagged Horizon in the Distance (here)

The sun simmered red as it slunk towards the jagged horizon.
Feverishly fighting for time as the day turned progressively darker
Not about to indulge in any fancy footwork but just frowned
Contending of ways to save the day for things larger

How did it come to this, a question that kept playing in his mind
Not overly ambitious in his keeps nor expecting a finality of feelings
He reasoned to just keep seeing them as  non-evasive and acting blind
Working instead on his defenses completely engrossed and waiting

Could someone else be made responsible to hold on to the stake
The rewards were aplenty for the patience and outright  persistence
A question of not throwing away opportunities but to grab the cake
Lesson learnt reflecting on previous disappointments experienced

Amber's at MLMM's - first line friday

In motion the likes of sweet poetry

                                                                                                Author John Vermette
Image: C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) is a
long-period comet discovered on
17 August 2014 by Terry Lovejoy (here)
(by sheer coincidence tomorrow
is the 4th anniversary of the discovery)

On a night cool and breezy
As it progresses nonchalantly
In motion the likes of sweet poetry

A poem lovely as....
a flower in bloom makes its entry

A stunning damsel in all innocence
The focus of all aspiring attention
Skipping along devoid of hindrance

A poem lovely as .....
the rainbow emblazoned invokes questions

Do I stand a chance
To entice her for a dance?

Kerry's at Real Toad's - Micro Poetry ~
a poem lovely as...

back to school turns out to be one of mixed feelings

                                                             Author Lukebetts at English Wikipedia (Luke Betts).
Image: An Outing is Always Fun (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
turns, ripens, walk, pleasure, measure 
belong, horse, empty, belts, cancer, silver,

back to school turns out to be one of mixed feelings
it ripens the build-up of excitements into reality
it may invoke the sweaty long walks in the mornings
or the pleasure of a bus ride for the privileged many

some may take it as an opportunity of making new friends
others as a measure of wanting to be seen as 'little experts'
some others as an obligation to appease dominating parents
whatever it takes it belongs to a childhood long remembered

there are occasions of trying to lead a horse to water
the obstinate who sees school as an 'empty' requirement
nothing under their belts but enhancing a dreaded cancer
later regretting not reaching for gold but a silver performance

whatever the outcome later in life as adults one treasures
all the joys and fun but not forgetting all the added tears

Amaya's at d'Verse's Poetics - back to school
MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #175

with the temperature rising unimpeded

                                                                                       Author: – Anka Zhuravleva

Image: Cool Sip in the Searing Heat (here)

the 12 given words:
temperature 
calescent ((adj.) growing warm; increasing in heat)
forehead dizzy damp breeze comfort 
kneel sheets window tea kettle
paroxysm ((n.) any sudden, violent outburst)

with the temperature rising unimpeded
a calescent day is to be expected
from the forehead a dripping of droplets
not tiny shiny gems but likened to rivulets

being dizzy and damp in the light breeze
can comfort be adequately measured in reality
from that cool mornings enveloped by mist
to being exposed to the sun's intensity

to kneel in prayers or snug under the sheets
or sitting by the window in quiet meditation
to escape the inconvenience of the searing heat
is a choice open to varied permutations

the tea kettle full to the brim awaiting execution
to be sipped nonchalantly in light fashion
not really an unguarded moment of hesitation
but to avoid perhaps an encroachment of paroxysm

MLMM's Bonus Wordle - sick day
MLMM's Photo Challenge #226
Sanaa's at Real Toad's - the tuesday platform #14

speckled with colorful reflects of fears

                                                                                                 Attribution: anon
Image: Perspective of a Lonely Road (here)

the 12 given words:
longing  dusty quiet shy yield thin  brilliant
speckled (covered with a large number of small spots or patches of colour.)
rippled blend rain
lilting (A cheerful or lively manner of speaking)

a longing for the big times
wondering of fortunes ahead
barely out of his teens
on a dusty quiet road ramrod and straight

unsuspecting perspectives
shy of his expectations
to yield thinly disguised initiatives
never revealing real intentions

brilliant moves to overcome obstacles
speckled with colorful reflects of fears
that was how spread of life's ripples
with blends of creative ideas

a lilting comedy of shifting of sentiments
from walking in the rain to those snow-bound
but never drenched nor caught in wet moments
such resilience of challenges so pronounced

Brenda's The Sunday Whirl #364
Carrie's Sunday Muse#16 
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #415

simple thoughts are more challenging - a Gogyohka

                                                                                  Artist: Albert Anker (1831–1910)
Image: Thinking Hard (here)

simple thoughts
are more challenging
as creating them
will draw on more
thinking endeavors

after writing a long
letter a sage once
apologized for having
no time
to write a short one

Gogyohka simply means a verse written
in five lines,.The idea is to take the traditional
form of Tanka poetry (of 5-7-5-7-7 which
is written in five lines) and liberate its structure
creating a freer form of verse with no
syllabic count limitations

Chev's Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation #45
Gogyohka, a modern way of writing/creating tanka

Rightly a special day for all to endeavor

                                                                            Author Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Image: Clasping More than just Holding (here)

What it might create is something
That goes through varied human feelings
A sign of warmness open to loving
Ever welcoming prior to snuggling

It may not be that intimate generally
As long as it leaves everyone happy
Often coupled with loads of kindness
Extended with care and much finesse

Blind to social position or anxiety of color
Young and old both make it most popular
Whatever the make-up is not such a bother
Poems conform to a varied thinking endeavor

Note:  August 9th is officially the
National Hand Holding Day

Lillian's at d'Verse's OLN - Aug 9th
- celebrate with me today
Sumana's at  PU's Midweek Motif
-  of poems

fathers and sons developing a relationship

                                                                                  Author Filios Sazeides sazeides

Image: Sharing Quality time Together (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
starved, dreaming,nursing, blast, fathers, 
sons, bodies, gallop, nights, beers, against, 

starved of moments away from home
dreaming to be wholesomely happy
nursing delights of life on their own
what a blast so they thought to be free

aren't they seeing what's coming
fathers and sons developing a relationship
avoidance of conversations seen looming
bodies to gallop separately sans courtship

nights of beer guzzling on the sly
aren't these just fleeting moments of joy
going against the nature of family ties
blind to the blessings that fathers deploy

the right time leaving the nest
would have been the best

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #174
Jilly's at d'Verse Poetics  -  unseen things

such a shame to bend the rules - a Haibun

                                                                                                 Author John Benson
Image:  Canada Geese flying in a
V-shaped Formation  (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
bones shame bend refrain 
stones shells sea weight
skein (a flock of wild geese in flight)
shade twine

the Prose
Make no bones about it. Such a shame
to bend the rules nature has determined
One is to refrain from having stones and shells
removed from their rightful place by the sea

A weight off the mind seeing a balance above,
a skein in V-formation - not a shade of threat
to worry about. Let nature take its course
to twine and wind along as it pleases but in
clock-work fashion so as to leave one
in awe of blessings accorded to mankind

The peace and quiet, a stark contrast to the
sufferings of the mushroom-shaped horror
imposed by others on their fellow beings

the Haiku
anniversary
observed to avoid future
annihilation

Note: Today marks the anniversary of Hiroshima. The
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony is held each year
on August 6th, at Japan's Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Brenda's The Sunday Whirl #363
Frank's at d'Verse Haibun Monday - peace memorial

but it drooped aimlessly

                                                                  Artist: Adolph de Meyer (1908)
Image: Wilting - Life's Attrition Process (here)

what had got into it
the day seemed destined
to be a good day every bit
ordinarily outlined
but it drooped aimlessly
not wanting to be involved
unduly unaffected but selfishly
wanting to resolve
life's hopes and endeavors

from a subdued position
it set about to be devoured
when much concerned
with thoughts to avoid wasting
life's blessings accorded to a flower
subject to the weakness of wilting
a natural debilitating process sans water

but there is water
why? it is a wonder!

Kerry's at Real Toad's  - camera flash

deafening but the resilience is humanly absent

                                                                      Author Dietmar Rabich (1962–) 
Image: Peace and Quiet (here)

chasms are wide open but the sound of silence
seeped through surreptitiously invisible to view
deafening but the resilience is humanly absent
opening up is so complicating to a chosen few

when one is saddled with self-made inhibitions
the journey does not seem to come to an end
it progresses on its own steam unconcerned
perhaps to eventually extinguish with a bang

why it must be playing games with our resolve
tickling our conscience to impose guilt feelings
that it should meekly seek to innocently dissolve
when one gives in knocked down hard reeling 

Dwight's at d'Verse -  the sounds of silence

acts of cooperation in the animal world

                                                                                          Author Charles J Sharp
Image: African buffalo with red-billed
ox-pecker at its nose (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:
scrimshank ((v.) to avoid one’s obligations/duties; to shirk)
cellmate larder operation
torporific (n.)) causing lethargy)

malign martyr review panting negligible

an ox-pecker perched gingerly mindful
not to scrimshank on a 'cellmate'
having a nose area a larder of live goodies

such is the quiet operation in acts
of cooperation in the animal world

the torporific buffalo unperturbed
maligned a little surveying the scene
perhaps with designs to turn itself
into a martyr of sorts fighting
for a cause

it provides a respite to review its
thoughts without panting in excitement
with negligible distractions to both

Amber's at MLMM's Wordle #205
Sanaa's at Real Toad's - the tuesday platform

to create a path for raw talent

                                                                                                          Author: anon 
Image: A Budding Talent (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
gift heart sign staircase trip
quilt (a warm bed covering made of padding)
time travel picture pine pass

a gifted child warming to the heart
a good sign of a quick step up the staircase
ideal moment to anticipate an acceleration
to create a path for raw talent
to take root to be nurtured and developed

a trip that draws the child out
from under the quilt of early mornings
to actively sharpen the rough diamond within

time travel fast forward
a picture of Liberace in the horizon
clearly to inspire and to pine for
to pass over quickly a childhood
not of games and gadgets
but of raw nerve putting hours
behind a faithful piano

no two-ways about parental sacrifices
of time, efforts and financial obligations

Note: Wladziu Valentino Liberace. - known
for his romantic arrangements of popular piano
classics and for his flamboyant costumes - wiki

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #362
Carrie's Sunday Muse #14
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry - #413

the beach crowded the white sand flawless

                                                                               Author: Fritz Cohen (1913–1981)
Image: The Beach - Peaceful
and Crowded in 1956 (here)

it used to be a big family event
thought off in advance and well planned
like transferring the house to the beach
activities and fun plus a big feast

all included the siblings mom and dad
surprises of surprises even the cat
a memorable event of decades ago
a celebration at the seaside we did go

the beach crowded the white sand flawless
only people with beach-balls nothing motorized
still very safe for youngsters and infants
wading close to shore amidst laughter and fun

the scene now is different open to dangers
they come with skiers boats and scooters
though confined to the deeper parts no less
with people or among them they often crash

the carefree days of old are now transformed
kite-flying or lazing on floats are long forgotten

Kim's at Real Toad's  - Weekend
Mini Challenge - at the seaside

not the boring piped music monotonously running

                                                                                             Author: anon
Image: On Offer are Favorites (here)

10 of 12 given words:
beef piped running archaic everything 
carry appear shoulders stone hay

where's the beef?
not the boring piped music
monotonously running but variety
not archaic but contemporary
favorites that whet the appetite

everything one desires
requests entertained willingly
they carry a repertoire
that can appear anytime
spanning the years

with just a guitar strap
over the shoulders
not stoned nor playing haywire
but very alert
not minus-one nor pre-recorded
but musical fare offerings at real time

street performers have
come a long way!

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #172
MLMM's Tale Weaver #181  -
Kim's at d'Verse's OLN #224

Of those good times like water-babies

                                                                                Author: Mari Lezhava via Unsplash
Image: Mermaid ballerina (here)

Reflecting on events that impinged on me lately
Like fleeting rain that wet my being utterly
Do I have to care for his feelings regardless
When he stormed out and left me in the wilderness

Regretfully images keep playing profusely in serials
Of those good times like water-babies as a couple
Encouraging memories in learning the various strokes
In an empty pool reminiscing that unduly provokes

Ever swaying incessantly like walking on a tightrope
Life is but a longing that continues with a lot of hope

Amber's at MLMM's Photo Challenge #223
Sumana's at PU's Midweek Motif -  wilderness

contend with asking questions later

                                                                       ATTRIBUTION. © by James G. Howes, 2008.

Image: Gunfight at the OK Corral (here)

the 12 given words:
lawman holster gunslinger 
churlish ((adj.) rude)
vittles (n.)) food supplies, provisions)
saloon lasso hang spurs
cactus wine ((n.) made with tequila and peyote)
outlaw frontier 

a lawman with holster opened at the ready
a gunslinger churlish in demeanor smirking
he came for his weekly vittles cautiously
not likely a showdown in the right setting

but why a bee-line to the saloon for a look
with a lasso made to hang loosely at the shoulder
spurs depositing mud freely every step he took
after a hard day thin on patience not open to blabber

his favorite cactus wine in a jiffy to whet a thirst
and he thought nothing of the impending danger
but law enforcement was rather to shoot first
and to contend with asking questions later

an outlaw or not would have known better
of the classic unwritten rule at the frontier

Amber at MLMM's Bonus Wordle  -  wild west
Rommy's at Real Toad's - tuesday platform

created space in the dark

                                                                                  Author Raseem Mammunni
Image: All by Itself  in its Own Space (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
name space dark tinged cry 
tap bound strap cracks red cup

made a name for himself
created space in the dark
but tinged with regret he could cry
it did not materialize earlier

he could easily tap his talents

bound and gagged strapped tight
he could only lament

why he succumbed to procrastination?

cracks came in the way
he now realized
red with tears he insisted
it was not his cup of tea

he resolved to make amends

Brenda's at Sunday Whirl Wordle #361
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #412

and to unwittingly succumb to the shedding of tears

                                                                    Author Alfred T. Palmer (1906–1993)
Image: The Poignant moment
Prior to Tears (here)

last she remembered she was sauntering along
exhausted from having to escape from the danger
she stopped rested a while but before long
she found himself in the air as leader

of the pack having outwitted the pursuers

she got up realizing she was having a dream
no wonder the sequence of events were truncated
the flow of progress were illogically seen
moving in many directions but unrelated

glad she managed to wake up but amid fears

it was stressful when it showed the outcome
depicting sufferings and isolation in full view
it could be preempting an imminent event
to an  insistence that bad dreams could come true

and to unwittingly succumb to the shedding of tears

Brendan's at Real Toad's 
Weekend Challenge

happy with no bitterness towards none

                                                Authors: Wyeth, N. C. (Newell Convers), 1882-1945
Image: Happiness Written all Over (here)

10 of 12 given words:
thought distress
indigence (a state of extreme poverty)
shift fog alone emboldened 
happy bitterness eyes 

thoughts in distress indigence of ideas
contending to shift gears out of the fog
alone embroiled in a conflict within
but largely not of his own undoing
emboldened push forward out of the rut
happy with no bitterness towards none
guilt deflected from eyes of Providence

MMT's Sunday's Whirligig #171
Frank's at d'Verse's - seventh anniversary
(a Septet - a seven-line stanza with 10 syllables for each line)

where clouds meet the mountain tops

                                                                        Author: Gamze Boskaya (here)
Image: High up in the Heavens (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:
preta (n.)) a wandering or disturbed ghost)
cry wither mournful 
cauterize (to burn an injury to stop bleeding and prevent infection.)
Sawbones ((n.) a surgeon or physician)
latex gloves crouch marsh breakable cellar  

all alone high up in the sky
where heavy clouds meet the mountain tops
here I am a preta wondering why
I should be lamenting between sobs

I cry seeing the winds ganging on the trees
wither the sadness mournful of late
to cauterize the bleeding feeling with ease
where no sawbones need to wait

no operation or latex gloves to be utilized
to crouch in the marsh not a necessity
nothing breakable to unwittingly realize
up high in the heavens with ideas aplenty

winds of change brushing tousled hair
not confined in a cellar of darkness
favored position after-all up in the air
provoked into action in all fairness

Amber at MLMM's Photo Challenge #222
Sanaa's at Real Toad's -  the tuesday platform

create patterns trim at the edges

                                                                      Author Jacklee Terence Chua 
                                                                                   Permission (Reusing this file) CC-BY-2.0.
Image:  Fiery Speech for an Impact (here)

the 12 given words:
climb spread tight simple path knots 
pattern trim edge low spray  gravel

in climbing to the top
spread your wings
in tight simple paths
but not tied in knots

create patterns
trim at the edges
low in complexities

avoid itch of spraying
gravel or stones
to maintain harmony

respect human factors
to get over unnecessary
conflicts
(44 words)

Brenda's Sunday Whirl #360
Grace at d'Verse's Quadrille #60

Been eyeing you calm as a distant lake

                                                                            Artist: Toril Fisher Fine Art
Image: A Raven in Anticipation (here)

Been eyeing you calm as a distant lake
You've been eyeing me eyes unrelenting
It perhaps need a stone to flash a take
That you slip away and get moving

Why are humans bothered with a raven
Am I not a living creature just as much
Why I have to be eyed with suspicion
Is it then a privilege accorded as such

Open seas with regular rolling of the waves
Undulating yet moving with a regular rhythm
I'm just an innocent visitor for as many days
To regard you a calm and friendly person

A raven can be just as human and sensible
Moving in groups gregarious by nature
Wonder if we can be treated in ways noble
Respected like a peacock just as regal

Margaret's at Real Toad's -  artistic interpretations