Category: Poetry

Love In Ten Lines

Dale, from A Delectable Life, has issued me with a challenge to write a poem about love in ten lines and produce a quote on the same subject. My fault entirely, as I’ve been busy issuing her with challenges over the last few weeks. Apparently I’m responsible for her new addiction to haiku and for her spending an entire morning reading 100-word short stories by Friday Fictioneers, as well as penning a piece of fiction of her own.

The poetry challenge has certain strictures that you can read about below, but first my poem, followed by a quote from my speculative fiction novel, which is presently under the submission microscope.

Red Rose 01

The Poem

Shout love from mountaintops
Kayak over love’s waves
Sink into love’s deeps
Drown in impossible love
Passionate love without cure

Love supernovas consuming all
Such love slays commonsense
Insanity becomes love’s bedfellow
Love itself the aphrodisiac
Obstinate love without cure

The Quote
“Life has fractured us both, yet we deserve love.”
— Sarah Potter, Counting Magpies

The Challenge

  • Write about love using only 10 lines.
  • Use the word love in every line.
  • Each line can only be 4 words long.
  • Nominate others who are up for the challenge.
  • Let them know about the challenge.
  • Title the post:  Love in Ten Lines
  • Include a quote about love (this can be your own)
  • You may write in any language

My Nominations*

  1. Sherry at A View From My Summerhouse
  2. Christy at Poetic Parfait
  3. Blondeusk at Blondewritemore
  4. Tokoni at Beautiful Insanity
  5. Leigh at Leigh’s Wordsmithery

[*No obligation to take up the challenge, or time constraints, as that’s not how the poetic Muse works!]

Monday Morning #Haiku 57 — Desert Flowers

Anza Borrego Desert Wildflowers
Image (c) Cindy Knoke

Girls in pink gymslips
Fragile desert flowers bloom
Brief moments captured

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Many thanks to Cindy Knoke for her kind permission that I use this image to inspire and partner my Monday Morning haiku for this week.

You can see her further amazing shots of Californian desert flowers at http://cindyknoke.com/2015/03/16/anza-borrego-desert-wildflowers/.

Tell 5 Secrets Blog Hop — Snapshots from Early Childhood

Many thanks to my dear friend, Sherri, who has tagged me for Tell 5 Secrets Blog Hop. Those of you who haven’t yet stumbled upon Sherri’s blog, do check out A View From My Summerhouse after your visit here, as it is a veritable treasure trove.

For the challenge, I decided to take five snippets from my early childhood and compose a 31-syllable Tanka poem for each of them.

Clipped copper beech hedge
divides half-acre garden.
~neat lawn, wild woods~
Small girl stands before curtain
watching midnight fairies flit.

Boy likes to show off,
“Insectivorous mammal”
his latest two words.
High-pitched squeaks ~ferocious beast?~
Shrew breaks out of cardboard box.

Never mind Dad’s lungs.
Cigarette cards stored in tins
*star collectibles*
bound to impress boy next door.
Bee stings boy’s bum. Bad timing.

Parental oddness
Off to hairdresser with Mum
~latest auburn tint~
Girl swivels around in chair,
awaiting the rising sun.

Girl climbs up high tree,
determined to outdo boy.
On ground, far below,
cracked cases of horse chestnuts
remind her of broken skulls.

 

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And now who’s the lucky person I’m going to tag for the Tell 5 Secrets Blog Hop? No less than the indomitable Blondeusk at Blondewritemore, who blogs every day and manages to make me smile often, with her wonderful turns of phrase and her ability to laugh at herself.