Fox on a Boat

Finishing off the month with something a little simpler.. -- Lanturne #1 Stars Comfort Remind you You are always Loved -- Lanturne #2 Skies Contain Hope and peace Watch the birds, they Know -- Lanturne #3 Cat Whiskers Find their way Sensors, almost Radars -- Yes, I did somewhat get lazy towards the end.. but it is 23:42 and I think it's fair to say I'm a little tired! It was a fun month, anyhow. Better than last year in numbers! Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Little Prince by Antoine de St Exupery From Imaginary Garden' s prompt: "For your word list challenge today, I ask that you write an original poem (or re-work an older pen) in the spirit of the book, using at least 3 of these words, post to Mr. Linky, and then return to visit and comment on all the other posts. I'll be sure to visit periodically in the days to come in case you choose to join later." The list: primeval, adventures, grown-ups, clad, reputation, ephemeral, flower, lucky, poison, stars, bank, forget, odd, million, reflective, trouble, baobabs, silence, naive, explorer. -- "Mon étoile, ça sera pour toi une des étoiles. Alors, toutes les étoiles, tu aimeras les regarder… Elles seront toutes tes amies." - Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry -- Stars When all else in life fails Look at the stars Each and every star Has a name, never forgotten. You are worthy of a million stars Never for...

A pond in Roehampton - photo by me These three were also written in the park. It's not easy writing good poems after a month!  -- Wicklow Lune There's a hill Where travellers go, seeking truth I have Wicklow -- (Following the 2,4,6,8,2 word pattern) Wicklow Cinquain Next year When memories have faded I'll paint Wicklow on the wall Pretend the secrets it contains are all mine - Forget yours. -- Reading Rilke Rilke had it right, with his ideas of love. "For holding on comes easily; we do not need to learn it.”  The night transforms it, it seeps through the walls. Laying alone with thoughts for company Love the other side of Earth, A young poet waits for letters -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than othe...

Lake under the sun - photo by me Three poems for the price of one.. I went cycling earlier, and enjoyed the sunshine in one of our many London parks, and wrote poems.. -- Goodbye to April May around the corner Once again noses run Sneezes around but The sun makes it worthwhile. The lake shimmers this final April afternoon. I sit and write poems. -- The Dark Side of the Sun A group of people are cooking a BBQ and I sit close-by to admire the park and the beauty of hot spring days. These are the days where happiness resides But did you know suicide rates go up in May? -- End of Month Haiku Sparkling sunlit lake May the other side of Earth Time to change my life -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quit...

Modified prompt from day twenty. Writing in the voice of another person. -- Words From The Other Side Of course I don't hate you or forget you but I cannot change my mind At this time Yes I too have my silly head problems and Cannot get past this block But one day I'll wake up who knows and remember you for you Now, I can only love you From afar. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Picture from Wikimedia Commons  Today, I attempt to catch up and write all remaining poems.. This one is promptless, free verse.. -- Which Love Do You Choose? Perhaps love could be like a bowl Handed down generation to generation Beautiful and fragile Do you set it on your shelf Run the risk of breakage Or keep it under lock and key Carefully wrapped but Hiding the beauty? I don't choose love's bowl But rather I prefer love's flowers That come and go but stay in your mind Growing wildly on sides of roads Asking nothing but giving joy I don't need to hold on to those flowers To know their value and beauty -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaP...

Picture from Wikimedia Commons  Shared with Imaginary Garden "Talk to the animals in poetic form" Please come out earlier So the light can capture your photographs My cubs / need to be safe / in the dark / no danger I would never hurt you I watch you from a distance I admire your cunning eyes We fight different wars / your kind is not mine / we are your vermin I've always loved you and your kind I would never call you vermin Your fire coat is beauty and grace I fight a solitary battle / no one by my side / to read me my rights I am sorry on behalf of my kind We have stolen your land Complaining of your kind I am not one of them Dear human, I cannot trust / but I thank you / for keeping your distance One by one the little family retires beneath the bushes -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). Howe...

From Wikimedia Commons Shared with Poets United I thought I'd try my hand at lunes again. This poem can have a deeper metaphorical meaning if you want.. or not.. It's up to you I guess.. ;) -- As you sit Enjoy the silence and peace Sip your tea Turn off phones Disconnect from the outside world Drink your tea Discover new books Stories you didn't know existed Enjoy your tea Smile at memories Cry a little bit, too No more tea -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Little owl in Texas As We Walked Home Sitting atop the fence a tiny baby owl eyes narrowed as we shine a torch Staring -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Shared with Poets United -- Chemistry Class We make rocket water bottles and set our hands on fire without burning them. Our crazy teacher shouts a lot And throws pens across the room  When they don't work. Chemistry is rather like comedy And yes I feel smug about being The only one who understands his swearing In French. And that he doesn't know. But then it's all bonds and ions and rules and experiments that fail if you misread by point zero zero of.. something.. I fill card after card of info, and revise test after test struggling Then forget it all promptly the minute we move on. Still I look back With a smile Liquids changing colour Spontaneous combustion Forget the hours of boring lecture.. I held fire in my hand. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what yo...

Day 18 prompt: write a ruba’i. -- Wading through ideas Always my mind who steers There's not much for a poem But plenty to kindle my fears. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Picture from Wikimedia Commons - source NaPoWriMo's prompt of the day is to use a seashell name to inspire a poem. Snout Otter Clam Head back, paws ready Clam crushed, dinner time. Otter floats, otter knows Best ways to break a shell Best time for holding hands. -- Now, here is a promptless poem I wrote a couple of days ago: Dying on a Hospital Bed Take it away No rules, no laws. No consequences. Can you face the truth- your truth? Deep inside your mind Secrets so terrible you Have to sleep to reveal them. Those monsters in your sleep They're all you, you know. They're not under your bed Or even in your head. They are you. -- Now I still have a few poems to write to catch up, as well as replies to comments and other blogs to visit.. busy busy! -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel fre...

From Imaginary Garden Following  Imaginary Garden's prompt , I tried to write a poem based on the above picture. -- Patchwork Cat P oetry patchwork cat A t your service! T onight, under the stars, Patchwork C at brings colours to life H elps tiny seedlings to grow W aters them with words O f great inspiration R eads them letter of joy K icks the speaking slugs away C ome and talk to this cat A nd your sorrows melt T owers of poems and colour await. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Picture from Wikimedia Commons From the  Imaginary Garden  prompt -- Hiding Under the Wisteria Hues Blue and pink Twist around my thoughts Growing taller, hanging Over fences, bridging Gaps in trees, no more sky. A soft wind Pushes blossom on my face Tickles my eye Smells surrounding Imagining. A chink of light passing through Sweet like summer Vivid like spring As I lay on a carpet of flowers. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free to tell me what you think about them, and if you enjoy certain lines more than others - I'm quite OK with constructive criticism! Are you participating in NaPo? Do you write poetry? Feel free to comment below and leave a link to your day one poems, and any general comments you wish to leave.

Shared on Poets United  following the prompt. -- Wrong Turn on a Holiday Walk Parakeets roam the beach Investigate the sandcastle we could never make. A breeze, in the warmth leads us to the ocean's edge. Here, some postcards, an ice cream box. We turn left. Here a hotel, and a pool with nobody in it. Early morning for the holidaying women and men, The sun not fully burning the skin. The woman in front is very red With thin white stripes on her shoulders Tourist's tattoo. We glance at each other, our olive skin, second home. Time has passed and there are trees A forest, we joke, with wolves. It wasn't here before and now we figure We went the wrong way. Walking forever that day, uphill, mostly Passing rows and rows of coloured houses and cats, who make the island theirs. Perdon , I think, practising asking for directions. We will not be lost visitors. I take matters in my hands. I will lead u...

Catching up with yesterday, and writing a poem for today. First one is a lune. -- He Had Purple Shoes And his name? I could have asked him. I prefer mysteries. -- Si Les Souhaits Etaient Des Chevaux.. Des Cheveux? What's that word I look for that starts with a, with a, with a.. L?  No maybe it was an N Nooooo Neh neh neh That sounds wrong... Como, como, como I don't speak perfect Spanish or perfect a n y t h i n g really. Do you? Sure, I could be working harder and not be so lazy But those umlauts and tildes and oh Finnish numbers are so eeeeaaaaasy - I mean, have you tried counting  or or Do you think it is IMPOSSIBLE HARDEST LANGUAGE TOO OLD for learning? Well tell me then, when is one meant to learn if the cut-off age you say is 6 14 or three??? Really, three? So I suppose all our lives are lies and if we weren't born bilingual it's rotten. Tell ...

Sunday night, finally caught up with the poem writing.. And.. I have no idea what happened here! I used the Sunday Whirl prompt and well.. this happened:  Zip      Zip          Zip The swing we cling to suspends us in the air for a brief moment s e c o n d s and.. off it goes, zooming, zipping 'hang on to the strap!' Liberating movement Cascades, waterfall The pleats of your skirt unruffle in the wind but you are giggling too much to worry. The wind creates a barrier between us I hear whistles and your choked voice but We are making no sense and the wind carries our words away. Words have no power. Tough on you, grammar pedants! No one will hear your cries. The detail is in the diamond. Us, here, now. We are the diamond. -- Disclaimer: These are poems I won't be spending a lot of time on. As such, I don't expect perfection (neither do I need it). However feel free...

I've let myself slide with NaPoWriMo, so this will be a double post, and later tonight I'll write Sunday's post. I'll be using the PAD prompt  for the first poem, and the 'Golden Shovel' prompt for the second. Since Last Night's Rain It's been grey all day, but dry, that's something, and the fox came again, to her usual spot, napping, Whilst the cats roam around in gardens, on roofs Schedule a five o'clock meeting (I have proof). They were four, in the front yard, two and two, My two, of course, but two extra, too. The fox is still sleeping, her babies wait For her nightly return, after the hunt's gain. --- Artichoke A ray of sunlight paints half an artichoke Sitting sadly on the side, oh,  It's a sad sight, to see this vegetable heart Cast aside, as common potatoes are weighed. But come down and I'll show you, by a simply made sauce, so much taste will emerge, many pieces to share...

It's just past 23:00 and I haven't written my Day Three poem. This is insane - one can't lose inspiration after just two poems! Crazy crazy.. I looked at my seeds again, that still have not shown signs of life. I'm so impatient. I want those herbs to be growing already, so fast I don't realise it! Same for the front yard and my flowers.. I'd just wake up, look out, and they'd have burst out in a firework of colours.. Yes, this is why I don't garden often. Hardly ever, really. I wouldn't call it gardening . All this waiting does not even bring poems, which is quite sad. Am I lacking inspiration, or simply lacking motivation? Or am I, without even really realising, simply 'blocked' because I fear my poetry will be / already is bad? Actually, that fear is real, and I do realise it, mostly. I will always have an inside voice telling me it's maybe not that good , what I write. But I can often shut it up - I use my best Joe Strummer voic...

Also shared on Poets United  and Imaginary Garden With Real Toads It's day two of NaPoWriMo, and I'm back with a late night poem! (If you consider this time to be late. I suppose it depends!). I've been reading Stones and Stars , dipping in and out, since I never read poetry collections cover to cover, and the poems are really lovely. Then, last night, I couldn't sleep, and at around 2 am I had an idea for a poem - a conversation between a stone and a star. At first I had the idea that the stone would be lamenting its lack of qualities to the star, and then I realised it would be much nicer to have the stone itself know of its qualities.. Yes it's all a little silly, but the idea stayed with me all day. I very much hope you like it! -- Dialogue Between a Stone and a Star The Star: I am above, dear stone, both in matter and place I quite literally fill the whole of space. I shine and give hope to lost souls in the dark And lost trav...

Today didn't go off to a very good start (let's just say there was some.. throwing..), but I actually recovered faster than expected. (Also, banana on toast is quite nice for a snack, I would say). After a bit of a lie-in, I was almost back to normal, the sun was shining, and I decided to plant today the mint I had been saying I would plant. So off I went to buy the seeds, and came back with mint.. and coriander, parsley, basil, thyme and rocket. And a flower mix packet for the front yard. I take gardening seriously! (Actually, I pretty much don't. I blame my lack of patience and gardening commitment on my  artistic temperament ). But, now and again, I do quite enjoy faffing about in the garden, the herbs are supposedly easy to take care of - I quite like low maintenance plants - and I wanted to add colour to the front yard now that winter is behind us. During all of this, I was, of course, not writing poetry, but I like to think that every moment spent not w...