A Rare Movement Activity in the Flesh

                                                                               Author: Sarah Marie Jones 

Image: A Man Streaking! (here)

Done with my streaking. You should have seen their eyes
How they popped out more of surprise than anger. They 

did not expect anything like this and it was also a stroke 

of good luck. I did not anticipate the large crowd. Tonight 

it was somehow unusual and they were all very sporting.

Did you see the guy with the red hat? The burly menacing 

looking. I thought he was trying to stop me. I started with 

a slow run further down. The ladies were already screaming
when I reached him.

He came at me. I thought he was swinging a punch. Lo and 

behold! He cleared the path for me. He was making it easier 

for me. In fact he followed slowly to make sure I had a clear 

passage. I owed him one!

It was pretty tiring. That was a long run. I had better get back 

to my bike. Hey! What happened to my clothes?

I was lucky I hid my wallet and bike keys under the stone in 

the bush. I’ll better go get them

Lesson learnt! Next time for a streaking stint. No more bikes!
Bring the car!

Minimise the risks.

Am having fun! Phew!

Never felt that good. Very

so refreshing! Yes!

Note: Hank in a lighter mood. Writing an imaginative

account (this is not a personal experience ) on a one-time 

movement activity popular a long time ago. 

Frank at d'Verse Haibun Monday  -  moving

what pleases me?

                                                                       Author: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma

Image: If only we occupy our

own given domain (here)

what pleases me?

a shine that lights up the morning shadows  
to a gasp of delight of divine assertion

what dotes on me?

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

what eased off my wandering heart?
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

how so simple that life can be good,

if only no complications intrude!

Rosemary at Poets and Storytellers United - friday-writings-87

what-pleases-you

What I desire is what I aspire

                                                                                      Author: Charles J. Sharp

Image: Enough to come by!

Hummingbird hawk moth feeding (here)

What I desire is what I aspire   

But then would I need more than before?    

No, I have enough no need to have more     

Though there were occasions I would cry    

I may really need more and I would cry     

My wants might be limited I do realise     

With limited stipend enough to survive 

It would come a long way to be comfortable

Being comfortable is something luxurious
Having more resources but not hilarious

To return what is due to society

Not to the point of pockets being empty

Not an option for having empty pockets 

What I desire is what I aspire   

Merril at d'Verse MTB - Critique and Craft

the-duplex/

Visit long awaited

                                    
                                                         Artiat: María Berrío, Closed Geometry, 2022

Image:: Neglected  (here)

Sighs of dismay permeated her confused thinking
Lying on her back a mess prodding her mind
Furtively through her heart slowly but prancing
With the slow music an accompaniment to dine

But alone  facing up the sky just quietly blinking
Dressed but chained in her mind searingly disabled
Anxious her system inside beginning to scream
Visit long awaited but nowhere seemed probable

Kicked up a fuss earlier preparing a hot meal
To a level beyond that she was used to do
Trying to trump a good impression to seal
A relationship well nurtured and way overdue

Heat of romance seemingly like a hot summer day
Overwhelmed with a cloak of floating snow flakes
Was it going to be a bust his presence a long delay

She was stood up again by yet another of the fakes

Grace at d'Verse poetics-

ekphrastic-poetry/

Saying sorry to water it down

                                                                                                Author: Ahmed Anfal

Image:  Eventually Made up  (here)

A gathering storm
starts rather innocently
but lashed with fury

Provoked and enraged
stormy union knows no bounds
unwittingly worsened

Both not giving in
Saying sorry to water it down
hardest to do

Endearment tormented 

Rantings eventually pacified,

but was normal and laughed off

(44 words)

De Jackson at d'Verse quadrille-180-

pouring-out-our-poems/

The one eye is all that I need

                                                                                                Author: Kakoula10

Image:   One-eyed Cat (here)

The one eye is all that I need

To focus attention for a meal

To hear the echo softly retreat

All the niceties I can well read

In anticipation clearly in view

Of a meal is all that I bid

Memories I recollect for a lead

Wonderful instances none so few

To gather courage for a feed

Passing cars relent slowing speed

Letting we the hunters to pass through

A fair consideration truly indeed

Gone are days when we used to meet

To share food with a caring tom cat

To hear the purring to softly greet

If only we can now together sit

To drown the sorrows and the blues

A glimmer of hope for a lead

Rommy at Poets and Storytellers United 

friday-writings86-glimmers

while we were on vacation

                                                                                                   Author: Rbalmonia

Image: A Civet cat  (here)

I wish to recall an episode while we were on vacation 
a long time ago. It seemed hilarious now but not when 
it happened. 

We decided on a week's vacation at a small resort with
sea-side sports activities but with the bonus of jungle
trekking and fishing thrown in.

My loving wife Shadah had reservations initially as 

a jungle environment would be fraught with danger. 

I just brushed it off as wild imagination. It was a 

mother's natural tendency of added caution, an 

unnecessary worry.

.
We arrived in the late afternoon enough to have a glimpse
of the sea and the accompanying sea breeze tugging at
wisps of our hair. A wonderful time on the morrow was
eagerly awaited. But what a surprise, for the excitement
did not wait for morning. It happened that very night itself!

We had retired for the night and snugly in bed snoring
away. Suddenly there was a din in the kitchen, a lot of
banging, knocking and sounds of pans falling. 

We were housed in a 3-room chalet and the kitchen was
the back portion. My son Hafidz decided to investigate but
was held back by Shadah. It could be robbers and probably
armed, she cautioned. It could not be as robbers would not
give themselves away I countered.

We called security and a young man, John came by
sneering made a show of bravery and walked confidently
into the kitchen. Things were strewn about dented or
broken. By this time a few of the neighbouring chalets
had awakened and stood around wondering what happened

John looked around and declared things were under  control
They would do a clean-up in the morning and all would back
to normal. Shadah then asked John whether it was safe to
pull back the curtains to let air in as a pot of spilled curry
was emitting some kind of odour.

The kitchen window had wire-mesh so John said it was safe.
He made a move to the window and was just about to pull
back the thick curtains - then it happened!

It jumped out from behind the curtains on to John's face.
John cried out and rushed for the door. He missed a step
and his face smashed against the door itself. 

The honorable thing for the management to do for which we
we were grateful was to have our family transferred to one of their
suites at the main building. We were there for the whole week.

John was given a few days off but he met us before we left
There were still old scars on his face and when he smiled
there was a toothy grin - on account of two missing teeth
in the front.

He explained it was a civet cat that got trapped behind
the curtain because of the wire-mesh. 

A nocturnal creature it was more frightened of John 

than we had imagined. It was not a dangerous animal 

but it was an unexpected visitor which managed to get 

in but not able to get out on its own!

Punam's at d'Verse Tuesday Poetics - vacation-reminiscences/

Beauty is a blessing

                                                                                        Artist: L da Vinci 

Image:  The Beauty of Mona Lisa (here)

For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror - Rainer Maria Rilke

Beauty is a blessing unto those who are privileged. It is not
a monopoly of the chosen few but extended to a few by divine
choice. Many vie for it knowing of the benefits of being admired
which may come from suitors attracted to it.

This will create a demand and a tendency to possess what 
the many others can only wish for. Invariably it will plant feelings
of envy which may translate into innocent jealousy or to reactions
more violent in nature for beauty is nothing but the beginning 

of terror. Beauty is there to be seen but those not having it would

have designs of wanting to destroy or cause likely damage.

It can be the beauty of a Cinderella or an object like Mona Lisa 
which endured envy and acts of violence contrary to expectations
Thus terror is preceded by beauty.

(144 words)

Hank's Reading of the Quote:

Beauty is not terror, but the beginning to a  terror: it is terror which 

does not threaten yet nor is there an immediate danger 

Mish at d'Verse - Prosery-rainer-maria-rilke/

to shine and settle it bravely

                                                                     Author: Stefan Brending (2eight)

Image: Dancing and Swaying (here)

the 12 given Wordle words:

stay trapped cry shine settle run 

stray drain brave pain trim crafty

the tree swayed like a dancer 

moving her hips to the music

to stay trapped in such a stance 

may impose certain limits

It is a far cry from having to 

shine and settle it bravely

 

how then to relieve the 

pain and trim the score

a clever way to respond is

never to run down the whole 

show nor to stray away from 

the intended direction

for it may drain the resources 

thus limiting the choices

man is a brave animal quick 

to adjust never to accept defeat 

for any eventualities

without extending a fair fight

man's ingenuity knows no bounds

never to fall from grace 

with empty hands

give it a shot and see what gives

that's the whole point 

of having a crafty mind   

Note: to include the first line:

the tree swayed like a dancer 

moving her hips to the music

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle-613/

Life's Like That!

                                                                          Artist: Pieter Brueghel the Elder  

Image: An Armed Four-Master 

Putting Out to Sea (here)

Friday Writings #85: First Line

"Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.” 

– Zora Neale Hurston

Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board

This implies life is open to all sorts of experiences of 

gains or losses. What man conceives or desires are not 

readily or easily to be at his disposal. At any one time 

a big question mark hovers over his head

What man dreams can be felt or even can be seen 

developing and progressing but there are difficulties 

or hardships that frustrate the dreams along the way

However not all suffer the same fate for some kind

elements may favour certain individuals who find it

easy to have achieved some semblance of success

Unfortunately it conforms to the luck of the draw and

life takes its own course. Many would resign to accept

the inevitable if they choose not to create opportunities

for themselves. 

Note: Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board

-  a metaphor for the dreams that men have and what they do

to pursue them. While some dreams come in with the tide and 

may come true, but some keep sailing until time runs out

Magaly's at Poets and Storytellers United at 

friday-writings-85-first-lines

Mouth-watering goodness.

                                                                                                     Author: Elliot

Image: Half dozen chargrilled oysters. (here) 

Lovely oysters 

Mouth-watering goodness.

Not unlike 'uncooked' sushi 

Great on the taste-buds 

but daring to take a risk. Why?

Not being naughty 

but it tastes good! 

So what will it be?

Not easily available. 

Might as well

Cheaper by the dozen. 

Twelve pieces, please!

(44 words)

Note: To write a Quadrille in 44 words

and to include the word 'twelve'

Lisa at d'Verse Quadrille : happy-dverse-twelfth-anniversary/

Often walked the path of wonders

                                                                                             Author: 阿橋 HQ

Image: The 'Black Leopard' Shatin 

Orchid Show, Hong Kong  (here)

10 of 12 given Wordle words: 

walk, spins, pick, wishing, bruised 

visit, potions weeds woods keeps

Often walked the path of wonders

Had been through many spins

Plucked from the pick as starters

Wishing what the heart could bring

Bruised with frustrations of many years

Through the many visits that were begun

What became of the potions collected

For the thirst of discovery left undone

Was there then a similar set of weeds

Found in the woods brought to light

Flowers and leaves collected for keeps

Black orchids found were cause for delight

MMT's The Whirligig #430

A good dream is a bonus for good living

                       Author: Hennie Niemann

Image:  In the Land of Dreams (here)

the 10 of 12 given Wordle words:

 patch eliminate immense correlate spectacular 

outnumber shopping plastic movement  winner

To patch up a gap in the extension

To eliminate an immense show of confusion

Flashes to correlate mixed ideas

Emerging for a split second or longer

Then disappears into Davy Jone's locker

There are spectacular dreams that appear

Foretelling of what’s coming in the future

But it outnumbers images that instead emerge

Causing havoc in the minds of the lost

A good dream is a bonus for good living

Bad dreams are the aftermath of bad intentions

Getting mixed up in shopping for ideas

Prodding the plastic show of human feelings

Self imposed in movements of passion

A winner in classic fashion in myriads of colours

In the realms of the subconscious 

Lisa at MLMM's wordle-329/

I'm not given to mischief

                                                                                            Author: Paul Sapiano                                              Image: The Black Widow (here)

Note: The Black Widow so-called 

as it will devour its mate after mating

the 11 of 12 given Wordle words:

dim twitch mingled drifts call split 

words shattered shallow spell gaze 

You call me a dim twitch is that it!

I’m not given to mischief

Neither am I a conceit

But I can well cause grief

I mingled in lots of drifts

More manly than even any man

His call to  have a fling

I said that suits me fine

I’m not of a split element

Nor words had me shattered 

Ridicule me and in an instance

You’ll end up battered    

Not shallow nor under a spell

My gaze cause a lot of pain

My man told me to fizzle

Gobbled him later that’s my gain                          

Barbara's Sunday Whirl. Wordle#611/

He spied a visual he dreaded

                                                                                               Author: Acabashi

Image: 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  

Sanaa's at d'Verse OLN#341 LIVE two-opportunities-to-join-us-live/

Brenda's Sunday Whirl Wordle#532

Note: An event that happened during student days

A reposting of an earlier post (here)

bidding for a clue

                                                                                   Author:  Biswarup Ganguly

Image:  A Kaleidoscopic 

Reflection of Colours  (here)

to set in motion

looking for a solution

bidding for a clue

is Hope as cool as blue?

or such a blinding red

bloodshot a fiery dread

not that,  surely a green

a smoothness of Spring

not forgetting yellow

cowardice a little mellow

but flashed and flushed

on the canvas at last

at the hands of artists

beauty of hope is bliss

Happiness in seeing 

and reflecting on happenings 

of colours in paintings

Sarah at d'Verse : Poetic Tuesday

what-colour-is-hope/

Liberation of ideas

                                                                    Author: U.S. Department of the Treasury

Image:  Serious discussions (here)

Liberation in thoughts, are much maligned nonetheless. What is conceived
as idealistic and lovable are good. But passing through the test of time though 

are the outcome practical and achievable.? It is still therefore not acceptable as 

it may not work the way it is intended. All goes to show dreamers are all in 

our midst and they end up as armchair critics not wanting to venture out and 

show good results in real terms.

While they can be shown to be an active participant in many encounters
formal or otherwise at the end of the day it may just be a release of hot air.

The process entails lots of arguments and many may end up as time-wasters. 

However we are not rid of some such elements in the course of discussions.

It may help to ease off tensions though as they do provide some lighter 

moments often necessary at times.

It takes all kinds but

fruitful discussions demand

some maturity 

 

Frank's at d'Verse Haibun Monday-liberation/

Been in the offing

Image 1: On the morning of departure, one last time ( Norman, Imran, Kimie and Daniel)

Image 2 :No, not to be. They came back again to the house for a big yarn, just minutes to go

               (Daniel, Norman, Imran and Kimie)

Been in the offing quite some bit
None would want to think about it
Young minds might not realize the pain
They knew good friends would meet again!

They knew young Daniel would move out
To L.A. it had been touted
The neighborhood kids took it plain
They knew good friends would meet again

They cycled with all shrieks and squeals
Or kicking football on the field
They were around with all the din
They knew good friends would meet again

The day came sadly last Tuesday
The day young Daniel went away
PS3 now played with restrain
They knew good friends would meet again

Norman and Kimie set their minds

Next stop would now be Anaheim

Apologies, hopefully the above meets the prompt needs:

Note 1- A reposting of a Kyrielle written in 2012 (here) 

comprising of rhymed quatrains and a couplet maintaining 

8 syllables in each line and with a repetition of the last line)

Note 2 - Fast forward 11years after, both of Hank's grandies 

are reading for their Bachelor of Engineering, Norman in his 

Final Year (B.E Electronics) and Kimie in his Second Year

(B.E Mechatronics - with emphasis on AI (Artificial Intelligence)

and Robotics.

Bjorn at d'Verse : MTB

with-john-donne-and-his-heroic-sonnet/

A Treasured Memory

                                                      

                                                                              Author: Hank

Image: Hank's own soft pastel sketch 

on an A4 size dark drawing paper

a treasured present 

received long ago
a box of water colours

it signaled a change

appreciation rekindled
from lines and shadows
of depths and perspectives
into images transformed
of complex measures later

in hues of oils acrylics 

and pastels

created colours of life's beauty

(44 words)

Lillian at d'Verse  - Quadrille : come-imbibe-with-me-today/

Time flies even though when time stops

                                                                          Author: Pedro Ribeiro Simões 

Image: A Loving Couple (here)

Through bright days and of darkest nights,
We share our laughter we do things right

With open arms, we offer support,
In times of need, a comforting lot

In your warm embrace, I was often caught
Time flies even though when time stops

Through thick and thin, we'll always remain,
Linked by feelings of a love that's blind

No distance or time can break our ties
For in our hearts, friendship will not die.

For you, my dearest, I'm forever grateful,
A treasure unmatched, a bond so wonderful

Laura at d'Verse : MTB - when "we" writes poetry/

to be written in couplets

For he had strayed, with lessons to learn.

       

                                   Author: Musfiqswajan

Image: A Sad Boy (here)

the 12 given Wordle words:

boy, naked, pole, punishment, late, older, 

shower, smiling, touch, faded, ritual, shining

A shout in the dark and a tale so bold

Of a boy, once carefree, his story unfolds

Naked he stood, innocence on display,

Beside a wooden pole, there to stay

A punishment awaited, cruel and stern,

For he had strayed, with lessons to learn.

The hour grew late, the moon older awhile,

As destiny's shower played, him with a smile

With touch of class, his scars slowly faded,

Ritual of strength awakened, long ago jaded.

Shining in that quiet moment, where shadows blend,

He found solace within, his ego on the mend.

MMT Sunday's Whirligig#426.

Quality of Silence

                                                                                           Author: Tomascastelazo

Image: Peace and Tranquility (here)

The quality of silence, is an accepted grace,
It speaks volumes, though none are expressed

Presence is felt despite sound being misplaced

Often misconstrued of not showing interest

The quality of silence, is an accepted wisdom

Not to unsettle the apple cart, and peace is maintained

The richness of silence is often said to be golden,
For within its depth provocation is restrained

In the quality of silence, is an accepted principle
Where the stillness of intrusion makes things stable

Kim's at d'Verse  Poetics-quality-poems/

Still Early in the Evening

                                                                                          Author: John S Turner

Image: The Rising Moon  (here)

Prosery - to include the line:
"An early moon is just a piece of change
in the softening sky. “  — James Masao Mitsui, 

Still early in the evening. The brightness of day is slowly giving way to softer shades. It appears to be  masking an impending mysterious night which is slowly broken by a rising moon in the horizon. An early moon is just a piece of change in the softening sky. It appears small like a twinkling diamond that quickly takes command.

Reflecting on many episodes in life, small turning big quickly is accompanied often by disasters and calamities. Looking forward to something good and rewarding can often end up in bad consequences when out of control. Nature is the ultimate balance if it chooses to be. More often than not it takes its own course and man is helpless.

There are instances where human intrusion saves the day but more often than not human factors in the equation may well contribute to more undesired circumstances.

(144 words)

Merril in d'Verse Prosery  - breathing-and-moons/

when they were young.

                                                                          Author: Pedro Ribeiro Simões

Image:  A Loving Couple (here)

the 12 given Wordle words:

cheek new apple journey mouth touch 

grief dreams hunger pain melt burden

dancing cheek to cheek 

with a new apple of the eye 

to embark on a journey, 

uncertain but for a taste of life

there were mouth watering 

episodes for every likely touch,

when they were young.

but there were grief, sorrow or joys 

for dreams that couldn't last.

hunger for love was the incentive

though pain may linger or melt

a reminder that broken hearts 

did carry burdens for 

those inexperienced

Mish at d'Verse OLN  #340/

MMT at  The Sunday's Whirligig Wordle #425

was just horsing around

                                                                                  Author: Photo by Karl Kuntz

Image: Wild Party  (here)

the youngsters being wild
on the dance floor
were just horsing around
thinking it was easy to dance
aping with leaps and jumps
bugging the wits of old couples
who still held on to the grace
of holding hands and dancing
close together
but eventually and unwittingly 
hounding them off the floor

they on their own did not 
cause a scene but wormed 
themselves slowly away 
from all the din of present day 
wild dancing moves

Let them enjoy themselves
after all we were also young

once ourselves so they reasoned

Sarah at d'Verse  acting-like-animals/

a gentle kick

                                                                                              Author: Nikodem Nijaki

Image: Hot and Colourful  (here)

to awaken the taste buds,

sprinkled lightly,

transforming dishes, 

hot peppers and spice

a gentle kick,

symphony of peppery delight,

a flavour's trick.

peppering adds zest, 

a culinary take

enhancing meals, 

a pinch, a sprinkle, 

a burst of surprise

peppering, 

the chef's secret dice

(44 words)

Punam's at d'Verse : Quadrille

pass-the-pepper-please/

glowing in the night

                                                                                                   Artist : Diggie Vitt 

Image:  Burning Love (Muse #198) (here)

a burning bouquet 

glowing in the night
akin to love that ignites 

but with this fire 

comes a price

for a burning love 

a flaming episode

is causing more pain 

in the inside

strangely though

knowingly embraced 

this searing heat 

is a treasured welcome

in many instances

for the love 

that eternally burns 

without a doubt

Carrie in The Sunday Muse #261

Cubism

                                                                               Artist: Thorvald Hellesen

Image: Suitor. Figure with Bouquet” 

painted in 1917-1918 (here)

The world of art unveils its grand design,
There appears a visionary, a maestro of the 

canvas, Thorvald Hellesen

The world presented in fragments 

an innovative form, in Cubism

Breaking boundaries, defying the norm,

In allowing for Thorvald's insistence

for the past and present to fuse 

into each other 

it creates an interplay to get 

the viewer to indulge 

in moments of puzzle-solving

Faces appear in fragmented glory,
Each angle tells a different story.

For the rave of the day then

a branch of abstract art 

emerges for acceptance

Lillian at d'Verse  an-artist-gets-his-due/

The Relics of a Recent Past

                                                                                                         Author: anon

Image: Hung in a Row (here)

Leather bell strap, worn and weathered by time
You've witnessed tales of bravery, and tales of woe,

Through deserts, mountains, and valleys you did go

.
In rugged lands you ventured out , tied to a steed,
With each stride, a melody, a rhythm in the air,
Guiding weary travelers with a jingle everywhere

Cowboys riding in the country you followed
A faithful companion, a guardian from the start
Symbol of connection, bridging worlds far apart

weejars at Mindlove Misery's Menagerie photo-challenge-465/

still a big question!

                                                                                        Author: Ankita15dombe

Image: A Loving Couple  (here)

There she was standing forlornly with looks of expectations and concerns written all over. Waiting for a friend she later confessed shyly.

Amidst the bustling corridors and lecture rooms, our paths met. I remember the fluttering heartbeat, the nervous glances, that preceded the first approach. She, the freshie lost in her thoughts and I the senior ever hoping for a 'victim'.

Those carefree days, when time was often a neglected luxury the world outside seemed distant and irrelevant. We indulged in the simplicity of playful banter, oblivious to the responsibilities that awaited beyond the campus gates. 

When college life drew to a close, warmth of courtship transformed to uncertainties, It served as a reminder of the impending options and choices open before us. But it strengthened the transformative power of young love into something bigger. So we thought!

This memory stays with me, like a treasured relic from a bygone era. But sadly whispers of innocence of fleeting moments and possibilities fizzled into nothingness. Time may have carried us on separate paths, but the memory of our courtship in college shall forever be a cherished treasure. Just wondering what the intricacies of life would have been on the road not taken!

Emotions nurtured
Blessed feelings when it lasted

But life could be cruel

Frank at d'Verse Haibun Monday-memory/