I just wonder!

                         

                                                                                      Author: Ethan Cheatwood

Image:  Guilty as Charged (here)

I for Integrity

Looks like he's not coming at all!
No, couldn’t be. He was all too happy
in the afternoon. He even reminded me
Yes, he had graciously invited me
‘A dinner if you may?’ a week a ago

and I had relented
Not that I lack dinner invitations
My admirers are aplenty
I’m fairly good looking. 

Better than most But why?
Why must he do this to me?

He had been most polite. He chose his words
well. He wasn’t pushy, nor was I obnoxious
We talked informally, I mean how much you
need to when inviting someone out
Sure, I could  play hard to get
We’re mature enough to act as adults
I thought the evening was made

I told him not to pick me up
As he had to come all the way
and back again. It was more convenient
for my sister to drop me here

I know better now!

There must be some reasons
It is not like him
Does he lack frankness, 

a conscience a guilt feel

Big or small honesty 

will touch the sensitivities

Integrity is supreme

I just wonder!

            
A to Z April Challenge - I

happy to be set free!

                                                                                      Author:  Joiedevivre89

Image: Blessings of Freedom (here)

H for Happy

                                                          

given to niceties

growing up through the  years

life had been forgiving

towards challenging times

opening up to old age

health-wise afflictions

slowly creep in, on the quiet

but progressively

testing times on hold

or arrested wholly, lucky me

work or at play one takes

the middle road

happy to be set free

out of the cage so lucky

like a bird bidding its time

to greet the day of freedom

thankful for the morrow

that offers so much for those

who strive at their own pace

Carrie's Sunday Muse #206

A to Z April Challenge -  H 

 

a finality gone sour

                                                                                                   Author: yoppy

Image: Frustrating morning after (here)

G for a finality Gone Sour

                          

scalded in his thoughts for another
welcomed like a  bonfire in a ball
to await for a passionate character
who was somewhat a living doll

that was what he thought of her 

when it happened but not anymore
now he was searching for a door
to avoid failure in a stupor

he could not muster his courage 
by himself  he could only hallucinate
through a mosaic of shadow play
all he could do rightly so obstinate

obstructing like a wall of vinyl sheet
difficulty to uphold a strong power
to put a closure to the relationship
the morning after a finality gone sour

Laura at d'Verse MTB - morning has broken

A to Z  April Challenge 

reminiscent of a masterpiece on canvas

                                                                                                  Author: division, CSIRO

Image: Rough Seas (here)

‘The sea is high again today, with a thrilling flush of wind'

– Lawrence Durrell, Justine (Alexandria Quartet) Faber, 1961

moments ago a picturesque gesture

reminiscent of a masterpiece on canvas

a sight to behold of a famous master

a sudden change enduring of a blast

the sea is high again today

with a thrilling flush of wind

never to deter an angel at play

but an intimidating testing scene

an incline to prosper a surge of surfers

bevy of beauties to tame the waves

disappearing under and appearing later

teasing skillful maneuvers in its place

weaving and sliding in and out a beauty

a picture of motion in all of confidence

beach boys taking on a challenge not a rarity

comes another day another show of appearance

Linda Lee at d'Verse : Poetics

-opening-sentences-of-famous-novels/

what did he do wrong?

                                                                                                        Author:Sosisda33

Image: Peace and Quiet that

it dreamed of (here)

the 11 of 12 given words:

dawn tips stretched whirred awoke 

off quiet mists laughter again blur

it dawned on him that tips 

extended stretched beyond

his imagination

it whirred menacingly in front

of his eyes that it awoke him

from his dreams

he shook it off quietly

mists of disturbing laughter 

still playing across 

his mind 

it registered a blur in his 

thinking for bad dreams

seem to shadow him lately 

perhaps karma eventually

caught up with him again

what did he do wrong?

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle#546

she is an accomplished pretender

                                                                                                                 Author: anon

Image: Talking Over Tea (here)

the given words:

first light, mirror, rolling fog, tea with Florence,

chemise (a dress hanging 

straight from the shoulders

trumpet, masquerade

in the first light of the agonizing

day mirrored by the misty rolling fog

that transcends slowly 

he is having tea with Florence who is 

dressed in an alluring chemise about the only

saving piece of garment in the drab afternoon 

it trumpets the triumphant efforts  in 

her beau's unrelenting masquerades

which now comes to fruition 

she is an accomplished pretender 

looking happy 

so is he, just as elated

putting up an act himself!

Sarah at d'Verse - colour me poetry

One or in separate bills?

                                                                           Author: "Reflection" by G-Crew

Image: Some risky Pub Ventures (here)

Tulips and windmills

Of canals and maple trees

Den Haag and Centrum

Wooden clogs and Delft

blue. Herring in onions

Fries, with or without?

Dining is bliss, hot

pizza, Indische rijsttafels

or just Chinese takeaways

Reflecting on sojourn 

in Holland long ago

Lots to see new things

to eat but no bottoms-up

Still youthful not

into hard liquor then

no risk of one too many

But always the classic 

end of dinner question

when the waiter came

to the table when it

was time to pay to ask

One or in separate bills?

whether one was paying

or each around the table 

were paying their own

Beauty of a Dutch treat

Asteblieft and Dag....

Note: Hank came face to face with 

the act of a Dutch Treat that we often

hear. The waiter had a big pouch around

his waist dishing out the exact change

to each person upon receiving payment

one by one around the table. Each would

pay only for his own meal. It was fascinating!

Carrie at Sunday Muse #203

What was she to do

                                                                    Author: https://www.myupchar.com/en

Image: Decidedly Depressed (here)

Decidedly depressed
Could not hide her emotions
Others did not express
Any kinds of suggestions

What was she to do
It was a lone battle
Fuzzy and feeling blue
It was a big muddle

The love of her life
Had frittered away
Her being now nose-dived
Much to her dismay

Easy in giving her all
Nurtured of good tidings
Now felt rather small
All had gone with the wind

More guarded now
In expending feelings
Not way she did before

Which left her reeling

Bjorn at d'Verse OLN#312

She is determined to try again

                                                                                                         Author:  anon

Image: She is Determined to Try Harder (here)

"I wandered lonely as a cloud”.-  the given phrase

to be included

She felt a little edgy. A cryptic message was 
delivered a while ago. Little did she anticipate 
a serene morning to bring bad tidings. It broke 
her little heart. Drumbeat of rapidly broken 

tunes bite into her memory. Shrill cricket 

sounds permeate the air.

She had yearnings of becoming a master chef to
climb and bid for the moon.  It is a calling peppered
with designs of familiar entrees, salads and desserts to
leverage on Mom’s specialties. This is the carriage
of conscience upon her shoulders borne of a family
tradition. Sadly it is not to be. If only she had been able to
surmount the first hurdle it would have been
plain sailing. But "I wandered lonely as a cloud”.
she reminisced regretfully.

She is determined to try again! Her fearless nature

now takes over the bidding

Lillian at d'Verse - Prosery Monday -winter be gone

the pull of Everest

                                                                   Author:  Vintage photo taken by a companion of Mallory

Image:  Mallory and Irvine (here)

During the 1924 expedition, Mallory and his climbing 

partner, Irvine, disappeared on the northeast ridge of Everest. 

The pair was last seen when they were about 800 vertical 

feet (245 m) from the summit  -  Wiki

the 10 of 12 given Wordle words:

death face drag book climb barrier 
ways vigil letters memento 

the pull of Everest is still there

to reach-out to the top of the world

may now not signal a big fanfare

unlike before Hilary and Tenzing

a few met their deaths trying

to face the challenge 'for it is there'

but it is a drag now to book a climb

formalities a barrier in many ways

many still in line waiting in vigil

despite the 'exchange of letters' 

a memento of a selfie at the top

is certainly a fulfilment of pride

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle 544

I am a Royal Bengal Tigress

                                                 

                                                                                               Author: anon

Image: A Pair of Distant Cousins (here)

I am a Royal Bengal Tigress

There are some marked difference

But I am the long standing flag carrier

I don't need furs whiskers or fangs

Nor looking fierce and wild

Just acting innocent and slick

For my demeanor and style

Green eyes skin smooth as silk

I am a Royal Bengal Tigress

Had not been under any duress

 

Carrie: At Sunday Muse #202

Choice of a Picture prompt

oblivious of the wet

                                                                                     Author: Roberto Trm

Image: Kissing in the Rain  (here)

There they are and oblivious of the wet
Resolute in yearnings not to regret
Clasped tight in the entanglements of love
Panacea of pain set not to observe

Turbulent in thoughts and standing on air
Let loose emotions that are hazardous

Exudes warmness rightly unaware

Tugging in the cold they don’t deserve

Softening the savage breast to the fore

Kissing in the rain an obvious splendour

Note: A ten-lined stanza 

with 10 syllables in each line

Laura at d'Verse MTB - numbering ten

Satisfying unlimited wants!

                                                                          Author:Josiah Warren

Image: An Early Discourse to Resolve:

 Equitable Commerce (1852) by Josiah Warren (here) 

 
The Three Voices, Four Riddles, Echoes  -  Lewis Carrol

By way of wants
The yearnings of a reality
That's not how it had all begun
The wonders of scarcity

The three whispers awaiting solutions

Unlimited wants
Unlimited yearnings

Unlimited restrains
Care for a show?

Answers to get the wheel moving

Scarcity of all whims
Creating demands unsurpassed
Grinds the solution to the brim
Able to feed them in the past

Reflecting on the resolutions
Adam Smith leads the way
Born of  the Wealth of Nations
Held spell-bound, held sway
Right on with the actions

Principles and theories
Come into play in absolute terms
Not creating worries
But providing answers for all seasons

Economics had been fun

Satisfying unlimited wants!

Sanaa's at d'Verse Poetics : carrol crush saga

Will he take the Risk?

                                                                      Author: Photo by Jonah Reenders
Image:  These shoes are 

made for Walking (here)

A lot is expected of his being

Stepping into someone's shoes

None to be ashamed of the call

For one is the chosen one

The only concern is whether its

size fits the one who grabbed it

It is heavy on the shoulders should

the realization be unduly ignored

None can be reassured to be comfortable

if the shoes are too big to step into

Many find it daunting and frightfully true

but the wisdom unfortunately comes too late 

Carrie's at Sunday Muse #201

Old habits die hard

                                                                                                   Author: Tom Adriaenssen

Image:  Happy With an Old Habit (here)

Old habits die hard
Scant attention with whims to discard 
One can act with due regard
But many do not act smart

Undoing of ingrained suffering
By virtue of gathering strength
Be rid of silliness long-standing
To lessen the gap to reduce length

Breaking a habit is selective
Is no mean easy but rather
Needs strong resolve to be effective
Once decided never to falter

Avoid cycle of tryouts
Stay true to a reformed self
Deserving  then of a shout-out

Having triumphed above all else

JadeLi  at d'Verse OLN 311

feeling free is a privilege

                                                                                            Author: anon

Image: Such a relief (here)

the 12 given Wordle words:

turtle neck shell hidden threshold no

spin fiddle amidst noise vinyl design 

feeling free is a privilege

akin to a turtle neck out of its shell

stiff but out in the open

hidden not by choice

on the threshold of discovery

why?

this is no spin to fiddle 

amidst all the noise the past week

lying on the cold vinyl sheet

wondering their designs 

on my captivity

why?

why am I released?

Hank is a single father turning 78 years in August 

with 3 grown-up gainfully employed children with 

5 grandees. Hank's loving spouse, Shadah passed

on 5 years ago after 46 years of blissful marriage.

Hank has a penchant for sketching and drawings.

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle #542

Carrie's Sunday Muse #200

but in commerce it works perfectly

                                

                                                     Author/Source: Collection Auckland War Memorial Museum 

Image: 1-2 dollar New York; 

sewn together, numbered 3480 (here)

A sudden blackout in class
'No panic' said the Prof

'raise your hands everyone!'

So everyone did and the lights came on

'see! 'the Prof said, 'many hands make light work!

So it did!

Cooperation and cooperating

adding on and sharing

has never failed in time

Somewhat akin to compounding

it worked itself with time

A perfect invention

Call it what may

It may be interest 

or usury in some quarters

but in commerce it works perfectly

Ref. “Many hands make light work.” Adagia

Lillian at d'Verse, a penny for your thoughts

a little a time and enjoying fine dining

                                                                                          Author: syvwlch

Image: Tiny fish and Shiitake mushroom, 

fried and lightly salted to perfection (here)

two scoops would mean

the salted caramel sits on top

prevents fast melting

little tips go a long way

to enjoy salted Japanese 

give due respect

taking time taking bits

akin to a ritual

a little a time and enjoying

dining with no mess 

De at d'Verse - Quadrille #146

let's get salty

well worth the efforts

                                                                                         Author:Bernard DUPONT

Image: Nibbling is an art  (here)

struck and stuck in the middle
unlike nibbling a biscuit nibbling 
on an idea is to travel

in space without really thinking

but unwittingly one idea may be good

it'll register a victory

it gets to change the mood
well worth the efforts certainly

(44 Words)

Mish at d'Verse with Quadrille#145

to include the word 'nibble'

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