Hopes dashed it smacked at his girl's happiness

                                                                              Author: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma

Image: An Addict's Craving knows

no Bounds but goes in all Directions (here)

A likable guy for whom all are proud
Very well mannered full of humour
Well dressed not outwardly loud

Ideally suitable as his daughter's partner

She was lauded for landing a big fish

Mommy all agog right from day one

Fitted the bill to a tee for everyone's wish

Waiting for the big day to rightly come

Dad making preparations all in earnest

Amidst all the enthusiasm it came to a stop

Dashed hopes smacked at his girl's happiness

On discovering he was a convicted drug lord

Michael's at MLMM's Sunday Writing Prompt

- discovering the past

Only a minute ago. Things were riotous

                                                                                                             Author: W.carter

Image: Waiting for the next move (here)

He came home. Said nothing  -  Wislawa Szymborska - Going Home

He came home. Said nothing.
What now. You could hear a pin drop

All quiet. All of a sudden

No one moved. There were three of them

Now there were four

Only a minute ago. Things were riotous

They were sitting. They were reminiscing

They just came from the airport. Lucy on tow

The two friends Tom and Jane braved the rain

The three meeting again. It had been four years

Jack stood transfixed. Not expecting visitors

They were all not strangers. Still, Jack was mum

A quizzical look sported. Still not a word

Tom his house-mate had not informed him

He was not forewarned. Why this gathering

He was still wondering. His mind muddled

It was a boys' night out. A lot of boozing

His head was spinning. He had forgotten the occasion

Surprise, Happy birthday Jack! 

Peter at d'Verse MTB - opening lines..beginnings

beauty of numbers sustaining the fury

                                                          Attribution: Fir0002/Flagstaffotos under the GFDL 1.2:

Image: Strength of Numbers (here)

the 12 given words:
wind, rain, held, keys, birds, ants, worms, 

whispering, uncut, overgrown, inherit, buckle

“You fling it open for the first time but I’m gone” - Mohja Kahf ~ Wall

wind rain and unsparingly the elements

that held a strong liking to impose their power

with keys intact to unleash untold destruction

but little creatures and birds did not cower

strengthened with ants worms rightly suspicious

that ran a whispering campaign surreptitiously

uncut diamonds below under overgrown bushes

stubbornly inherited from dominance previously

not to buckle under the onslaught but to fight on

notably an insistence upon the discovery 

and tenacity of belief seeing that he was gone

with the beauty of numbers sustaining the fury

Laura's at d'Verse Poetics - beginning at the end

MMT's The Whirligig  #303

it needs an initiator

                                              Author:Clodomiro Esteves Junior

Image: The way forward (here)

what makes things move. 
nothing will progress to develop on its own

a way forward that maintains the inertia
will need less force
to relax at cruising speed

it needs an initiator 

to start the ball rolling
with lots of energy
a rare breed indeed 

(44 words)

MSJadeli at d'Verse - quadrille 120 - way

But we can't go on meeting this way

                                       

                                                                                    Image Source (here)

I want to be with you

Why?

You are wise of regal silence and of fierce intelligence

Accepted and you are known for your intelligence and adaptability

We are made for each other

But we can't go on meeting this way

Why?

I'm nocturnally adapted

Don't worry no one is going to take potshots at us

But where is everybody?

Lockdown!

The virus will not be dangerous?

We are safe

Why?

We maintain social distance!

Carrie's at Sunday Muse #144

lost in the clouds up on mountain high

                                                                                                    Author: Alexthomascv

Image: On a Cloudy Day (here)

lost in the clouds up on mountain high

stuttering unselfishly where eagles cry

sought the solution to correct the morrow

gritting his teeth not to succumb to sorrow

down deep  the abyss of the bottomless pit 

finding hard to saunter around or to even sit

entertaining penance of wrongs of yesteryear

a realization mournfully of the lingering fear

mustering courage listlessly tugging for strength

an uncanny episode deja vu browsing at length

remembering it fizzled in the shadows quietly

inaction with less worry the solution eventually

not to worry sick but to stamp out the depression

it worked before not much hurt but still a solution

newepicauthor at MLMM's challenge #174

 - up where we belong

Sanaa's at d'Verse's  OLN - open link #282

her heart failed to see the overtures

                                                                                                              Author: Vivaystn

Image: Not as Simple as it Looks (here)

what was the drift?
his mind declined to answer
sadly it had happened again

he let slip the open chance
he tried to keep his chin up
in vain efforts of maintaining
some form of authority

he could not even wrap it up
there was no finality
when given the chance
he could have tried

he towered over the rest
when at his best
but he burned the
goodness this time around
he could only manage to
breathe out some light greetings
before he began to stammer

his heart was open ever so expecting
her heart failed to see the overtures
his mind cluttered and his words muddled
she could guess his attempts 
his body language said so
the ring was safely in his grips
but still in his pocket!
to think this was the second attempt
he could not make the connection

why was it so difficult to pop
the six-million dollar question

and slip it on?.

Merril at d'Verse Poetics - connections

. "I'm in charge, don't you ever forget it" she scowled!

                                                                                  Attribution: Manuel Martín Vicente

Image: Nice to be Organised (here)

Gigi assembled her planners, her calendars, her pens, 
pouches, and post-its before her on the desk and stood 

over them like a general surveying a map.

"I'm in charge, don't you ever forget it" she scowled!

"I'm in no mood to play games" she added looking down

the line to detect anything out of place, any smirks on 

their faces to belittle her efforts and her authority

Once she sensed some rebellious intent from the left corner 

of the room. She quickly pulled up the little guy who turned 

out to be the informal leader. That's the way it should be - to

nip it in the bud. At other times she showered praises on those

mostly at the centre of the room.

"Credit must be given where credit is due", she muttered softly.

Five minutes to the hour, she stopped. She was done for the 

day. She would resume again tomorrow. She had been on the

roleplay mode for over a week now. 

The play is fast approaching the opening night!

Dyland's at MLMM's - first line Friday

nothing beats the come hither look

                                                                                                Author: Wiki edit2 

Image: Blue and Green Eyes (here)

bewitching naughtily playful
a pair that looks good
I'm conveniently placed in front
looking ahead
not at the back or I'm dead

I'm two dainty eyes doe-like beady
glassy misty hazy squinting and dreamy

almond-shaped blinking

I can appear differently

not just black as many expect

also sexily so they say

in blue black brown and green
because I'm coloured 
or I can just remain closed

but be forewarned though 
for sometimes sharp as spears
and piercing I can kill
greatness of Providence
for all the blessings

 
eyes to see with emotions

for different moods and occasions
sadness excitement with laughter
and happiness all bringing tears
in friendly banter

but nothing beats the come hither look
a bane to many young hearts
and also to the stronger sex who
pathetically succumb
with just one look
from the weaker sex

who invariably remain stronger

Grace at d'Verse MTB - personification and imagery

an object of envy

                                                                                                 Author: Alexandre Louis

Image: A Brouhot Car in Paris in 1910 (here)

this is not a car

but a convenient item

of a people mover

an object of envy

when in flashy red

of a branded make

it epitomizes success

in the rat race of yuppies

especially accentuated

adorned with a pretty face

at the passenger seat

an object of love

more of value

to the passenger seated

such is the way

 

but the beauty of it all

when you are 

in the driver's seat

you are the prime mover

Mish at d'Verse Poetics - an object poem

why scammers are successful

                                                                                             Author: anon

Image: Bad intentions are mirrored

to unsuspecting victims (here)

 

Homophones: double take

acts – things done 
ax – chopping tool  
complacent – self-satisfied 

complaisant – willing to please

one often wonders

why scammers are successful

they are overly confident

they easily get their way 

their Modus Operandi is time tested

their acts are simple and can be anticipated 

but yet victims are there for the asking

the scammers mirror bad intentions

by extolling the good side

of the half-eaten apple

that appeals to the victim's greed

they hide behind the ease of the social media

and ax their victims to pieces

who ended up parting with their hard-earned money

easily and happily

for the victims are naive and complacent of attitude

and scammers are complaisant in endeavours

weejars at MLMM's Double Take Saturday Mix

Carrie's at Sunday Muse #142

To look back and reflect

                                                                                Author: Bart Everson

Image: New Year Fireworks 

(a thing of the past - post-pandemic ) (here)

Feeling great somehow
Woken up in January
Days of reckoning
For the joy of the morrow
Giving serious thoughts
Contending on good old days

Life-changing in many ways
But to relive the two episodes
Given prominence within the days
Memorable in nature
To look back and reflect
A back to back annual affair
One the low-key Christmas cheer
Two, a quiet New Year 
 How different this time around
To think with all sincerity

Given time to prepare 
To refrain from rushing
Staring at empty walls
The beauty accorded 
By the new experience 
Of the long-standing lockdown

Just being fair to oneself
Given a scenario 
Much out of one's direct control
Not much of it came to fruition

Not much of the elusive resolutions

Sanaa at d'Verse OLN #281

time to act

                                                                                                                     Author anon
Image: Timeless Energy to Face it (here)

the 11 of 12 given words  

head check silence spine when 

risk yard metal dry haze sleeping 

keeping my head

to check the onslaught 

suffering in silence

all these while

not any more

not being spineless

when it matters

time to act

armed to the teeth

to face the risks

measured in yards or meters

may not be important

chained armor or otherwise

bare hands or metal protection 

it is no dry run

the haze is clearing

no more sleeping

bring the vaccine

here we come

2021!

Carrie's the Sunday Muse #141

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #489

to plant its balloon

                                                                                 Author: Annija Veldre

Image: Fly Me to the Planets (here)

The 10 of 12 given words:

trail fly up date words 

still cold late say change 

to set a trail to fly up 

to visit each of the planets 

to plant its balloon

each on an auspicious date 

reaching out in other words

to throw some light

to resolve life's mystery

still begging for an answer

a cold fact for a finality

say it is not too late in the day

to change the prevailing wisdom

that plagued mankind's thoughts

since time immemorial 

is there life in the universe?

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #488

Nekneeraj's at MLMM's Photo Challenge #347

living is lean in the year ahead

                                                                                                         Author: anon

Image: Lights to lead the Way (here)

The  10 of 12 given words: 

down path trees apart naked 

chased fields whisper lean silver  

 

contending to be well at ease

down the path with trees far apart

rather naked seeking out peace

with the plea of avoiding false starts

chased in the preceding year 

by the fields of confusion straying 

through the new normal in a whisper

into the pandemic without warning

living is lean in the year ahead

to forget all the surprises that rocked 

hoping for the normalcy of old instead

no resolutions to temper the shock

praying for a whimper of silver lining 

loss of life of jobs and broken homes 

but craving for answers in between

with hopes to let the imagination roam 

Chrissa's at Sunday Muse #140 - in between

MMT's Sunday Whirlgig Wordle #298

a shine that lights up the morning shadows

                                   Photo by cottonbro

Image: Dignified and of Regal Bearing (here)

the 10 of 12 given words:

shine light morning gasp divine 

breathe sigh  follow show open

a shine that lights up the morning shadows  

to a gasp of delight of divine assertion

to breathe a sigh of relief that follows
never to show true feelings of dejection

a lovely lady dignified of regal stature

open to critique friendly in attitude

progressive in outlook tolerant by nature

a valuable find to keep in all gratitude

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle#487

Nekneeraj at MLMM's Photo Challenge #346

the present is leading to despair

                                                                                              Picture: Laura Nyro

Image: Drowning her Sorrows  (here) 

the 10 of 12 given words:

seem fly stream swim present 

lean mouths trim after fire 

time seems to fly away

just as the stream glides fast

to swim the waters at play

is a thing of the past

the present is leading to despair

lean in outlook prospects a gamble

mouths to feed jobs getting rare

politics may head into a muddle

to trim down after-effects of division

among opinions of the elusive vaccine

is providing fire in the imagination 

hoping a happy solution is forthcoming

Fireblossom at Sunday Muse #139

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #486

strengths for all those blessed

                     
                                                                                             Author: Basile Morin
Image: Benevolent Cloud Cover (here)

mysterious landscapes 

rise and unfold before my eyes 

worlds of clouds   -   Chevrefeuilles

mysterious landscapes 

juxtaposed in loud colors

a seeker's secret

rise and unfold before my eyes 

astound doubtful minds 

enticing scene

worlds of clouds

divine cover for fair-hearted souls

strengths for all those blessed

Bjorn's at d'Verse OLN #280

Chevrefeuilles' at Carpe Diem - a troiku

(only one troiku posted)

large expanses transformed

                                                                                                    Author:Frankemann

Image: Barren Landscape of Melting Glaciers(here) 

to melt and be like a running brook 

that sings its melody to the night  (Gibran)

comes fast depriving nature's might

to melt and be like a running brook 

that sings its melody to the night                         

foraging asunder sans a second look

environment due for a drastic change

large expanses transformed affecting

life forms in a barren iceless  terrain

subdued facing rage of global warming

Laura's at d'Verse Poetics - stepping-off-the-sidewalk

Staying calm is a virtue

                                                                                                   Author:Michal Klajban

Image: Calm Day before Sunset (here)

the 11 given words:
yes type outside rhythm perfect 

swim down answer clump wall  

tirrivee  (tantrum) 

Reading what I have just written, I now believe in the sanctity of patience. Yes, it is a type good on the inside and reflects well on the outside. It maintains a rhythm to perfectly able to swim smoothly down the line Staying calm is a virtue not readily enjoyed nor bestowed on everyone. The answer is all stacked in the clump of bushes mixed but unruly and unplanned. 

Thinking twice before taking the plunge into deciding on issues is paying. To do things fast is to do them one thing at a time Not creating walls at every turn when finishing one item before proceeding to the next can avoid tirrivee. It is less necessary for corrections and time wastage is controlled to a minimum. It certainly is less stressful and It makes it well for maintaining some semblance of dignity for oneself  (144 words)

MLMM's with Wordle #218

Lillian's at d'Verse - some prosery cheer

beauty of its weathered texture

                                                   
                                                                                                                                  Author: anon

Image: The strength of old age (here)

old windows and old doors on old buildings

ubiquitously holding out tenaciously bidding

it's oak of old, sturdy strong materials being

replaced by new flimsy panels now seeing

but the beauty of its weathered texture 

much as the maturity of old citizens who 

braved out the debilitating forces of nature

to stake a claim of the privileged few 

under testing conditions to adequately prosper

such is the tenacity of the old and the aged

physically frail in a seemingly weakened frame

but strong in mind who surprisingly managed

to survive with their self-respect maintained

 

Carrie's at Sunday Muse #137

sustenance of unarmed combat

                                       
                                                                                 Author Николай Максимович

Image: Bruce Lee statue (here)

how he stood his grounds

and the music stopped for an eerie silence

enough for those expecting things to happen

but the music erupted again

accompanied by flashes  of red and orange

rays that plunged and rose again

sustenance of unarmed combat

highlighted by the grace of movements

this time error-free but in peaceful blue

with a sudden shriek of blood-curling shout

that stabbed the air hand in hand

with bluish-gray culminating in deathly black

it went a level higher in a melee weapons attack

such is the grace of poetry in motion

movements of ballet stature but of brute force

seen in a dance sequence of colors

  

Grace at d'Verse MTB - synesthesia

They say only the south wind flattens grass

                                                                                                                                                    Author:Oleg Oprisco

Image: What has happened?

10 of the 12 given words

after morning wall lead throw 

stories hold small want black 

after a strenuous hike up the mountains

the morning wind parts company

a blank wall separates the feelings

in open compartments but not enclosed

now they rest for a breather but a new normal

what transpired up there is not important

a tinge of sadness close to offering a lead 

the nearness of the warmth still being felt

a throwback to good times together

they say only the south wind flattens grass
stories can offer a glimmer of hope

hold your fire and start small

wants of relationships may dive down

but a roller-coaster will eventually

come to a stop on stable ground

black as the episode may have been

nothing like putting some colors back

Note: To write a poem with the title:

They say only the south wind flattens grass

Sarah's at d'Verse Poetics - travels in the wild

Image from MLMM's Photo Challenge #343

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #484 with the given words

makes for a disciplined mind

                                                                                                         Author Joseph Lazer

Image:  Confusion and time wastage (here)

never had it been declared
to abide by the rules 
self-imposed or otherwise
makes for a disciplined mind

restrictive in movements 
but just a little inconvenience 
for the returns are bountiful

better seen when not abiding

would result in unnecessary 

time and money wastage

(44 words)

Jade Li's at d'Verse Quadrille - abide

submerged in murky waters unperturbed

                                                                                          Attribution: anon

Image: Water acrobatics (here)

11 of 12 given words:

ice obstinate murky  garble drama quite 

surrender lighthouse bestow crumble spills 

ice-cold but am I being obstinate
submerged in murky waters unperturbed
no way to communicate but garbled drama

am not quite rational in my thinking
to surrender to the pleadings 

of the lighthouse-keeper 

who is bent on entertaining visitors

to his abode recently bestowed with honor

and appreciation for having located

a vessel that crumbled on the rocks

I am now being asked to do spills and splits

in this glass cage in the absence 

of other forms of entertainment

after all the visitors having braved

the elements coming this far

Chrissa at Sunday Muse #136

MMT's Wordle $217

here I stand to dream the ultimate

                                                                                      Author Hunter Tober

Image:  Meant to Go Forward (here)

 

the 12 given words:

stand dream slip wonder hawk heat

hands shell push pillow call find

here I stand to dream the ultimate

lingering but not to let it slip by  

crying out loud for Heaven's wonder 

clawing for Nirvana's salvation

a hawk in my nature 

imploring to invoke the heat 

despite hands being empty 

eyes blindfolded but not enclosed 

in a shell so I'm still lethal 

not to push a pillow to my head 

I am called to find the strength 

to fight for my cause

Nekneeraj's at MLMM's Photo Challenge #342

MMT's The Whirligig #294

Sanaa's at d'Verse OLN #279

Pleiades are of the mysterious 'seven' in the heavens

                                 

                                                                                      Author:Pablo Carlos Budassi

Image: The Pleiades star cluster as photographed 

by Pablo Carlos Budassi an amateur astronomer (here)

Pleiades are of the mysterious 'seven' in the heavens

Lie in a cluster but claimed by many in contention

Exopolitics believe they are off-world distant cousins to humans

Iroquois petition the constellation for happiness and salvation 

Assist humanity in spiritual transformation echoed the Pleiadians

Distinctive Nordic, appearance still in progress in evolutionary terms

Earth's closest cluster used cosmic distance ladder to plot distances 

Subaru took it upon themselves as their logo in  all permanence

Note: The Pleiades or the 'Seven Sisters' is a conspicuous cluster of stars in 

the constellation Taurus. In Greek mythology, these are the seven daughters 

of Titan Atlas and Oceanid Pleione who were turned into a group of stars. 

Hank chose the  ACROSTIC poem of PLEIADES 

with each letter starting the first word of subsequent lines

Laura's at d'Verse's Poetics - stars that count

caring reflects the tenderness

                                                                                                                User: RuneX2

Image:  A Mother's Love (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

reason thread life goddess reflect doorway

 savor message prove catalyst keep

There is no reason not to believe that the thread of life

lies in the hands of the mother. A goddess in her ways

of caring reflects the tenderness as nature has intended

Hank's cat gave birth recently. It is fun to watch its antics

One can detect the pull of motherly love. She may be going 

through the doorway or along the floor walking slowly but 

when she gets waylaid by the brood on the ground she 

would lie for them to savor the goodness of motherhood. 

The message is clear. The motherly instinct proves to be 

overwhelmingly strong as a catalyst to keep the progeny 

going for the next generation 

mothers invented

the world has not looked back but

is in awe of her

Kim's at d'Verse's Haibun Monday

so don't blame me!

                                                                             Author: Justin Dingwall (here)

Image: Now I Know!

where is everybody?

the gate was left open
I gladly walked out
how careless can they be
but where is everybody? 
I thought the grass is greener
over this side

so don't blame me

it is a fattening time for Thanksgiving

is it a turkey or me?

I'm not going to stick 

- my neck out

- to find out

- count me out

- have to chill out

- I have to look out

for her

where is Little Bo-Peep?

Carrie's at Sunday Muse #135

the sincere feelings of togetherness

                                                                                                   Author: Benh LIEU SONG
Image: Contented, none to bother (here)

the 12 given words:
family mince tender wind road silver  

frill flow gratitude feed home finger  

family and friends 

are quick to understand

they do not mince their words 

tender as they are

the winds of change

belie their concern

they are on the road to discovery

the silver lining is apparent

but they are not to lose their senses

no frills need be invoked

just plain flow of gratitude

to feed home 

the sincere feelings of togetherness

not to put the finger 

unnecessarily into the pie

trying times beget unusual initiatives

these are trying times

tolerate the minor irritants

and things will fall into place

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #483