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?Photo: Laura Salas
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here).
Snow is falling hard and fast right now, so maybe by next week, I’ll have a gorgeous snowy image. But for today, it’s a picture from my physical therapy place!
3 things this photo makes me think of:
1) baseball mitt
2) Wooly Willy–remember that magnet/metal shavings face game?
3) the Iron Giant’s hand (I loved that movie)
And here’s my first draft–which makes no sense:
An Unbelievable View
When Machine Man
lifts me high,
I see all the way into
my future
–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved
Now it’s your turn! Have fun? and stick to? 15 WORDS OR LESS!??(Title doesn’t count toward word count:>)?
140 Responses
People are coming
The room’s a mess
No time to tidy
I must confess
Too lazy !
- Anne McKenna
That’s great! Very funny, and I like the rhymes!
That could definitely be me!
Anne, it’s like you peeked into my house!
I never knew how to manage where to put that exercise bike-very funny!
Hee hee! :0)
People are coming
The room’s a mess
No time to tidy
I must confess
Too lazy !
- Anne McKenna
That’s great! Very funny, and I like the rhymes!
That could definitely be me!
Anne, it’s like you peeked into my house!
I never knew how to manage where to put that exercise bike-very funny!
Hee hee! :0)
Your poem does make sense to me, if you see a better more fit you in the future.
I am reminded of my morning workouts at Curves.
Curves
Get ready
I’m ready
One, two, three lift
Change stations now
Repeat
Maintain
Retain
Again
–Margaret Simon
Been there, done that! 🙂
We were both taken to the same place, Margaret (easier to write about the workout than to actually workout?) Your short sentences and rhythm remind me of a workout, especially “Repeat/Maintain/Retain/Again.”
I need to find a Curves now that I’ve moved! Like that repeat/maintain/retain/again!
Ahh…I was thinking science fiction when I wrote my poem, not really workouts/fitness at all. But if that makes it make sense, I’ll take it:>) I like the set-ness of this, the steadfast, routine feeling. It really matches the topic!
Your poem does make sense to me, if you see a better more fit you in the future.
I am reminded of my morning workouts at Curves.
Curves
Get ready
I’m ready
One, two, three lift
Change stations now
Repeat
Maintain
Retain
Again
–Margaret Simon
Been there, done that! 🙂
We were both taken to the same place, Margaret (easier to write about the workout than to actually workout?) Your short sentences and rhythm remind me of a workout, especially “Repeat/Maintain/Retain/Again.”
I need to find a Curves now that I’ve moved! Like that repeat/maintain/retain/again!
Ahh…I was thinking science fiction when I wrote my poem, not really workouts/fitness at all. But if that makes it make sense, I’ll take it:>) I like the set-ness of this, the steadfast, routine feeling. It really matches the topic!
Hand
Lying open
Awaiting new
Possibilities
Cool picture! I love your “see all the way into the future” — Really cool!
Amelia,
I love how you have seen a hand and how it brings you to think of the future. You have captured a big idea in a few words. There is so much to think about from your poem. I really like it!
That’s a lovely image, Amelia! It says so much in so few words! And, thanks:>)
I too love that you imagined a hand-and I see the ‘waiting’ too.
Hand
Lying open
Awaiting new
Possibilities
Cool picture! I love your “see all the way into the future” — Really cool!
Amelia,
I love how you have seen a hand and how it brings you to think of the future. You have captured a big idea in a few words. There is so much to think about from your poem. I really like it!
That’s a lovely image, Amelia! It says so much in so few words! And, thanks:>)
I too love that you imagined a hand-and I see the ‘waiting’ too.
He poked.
He prodded in between.
Finally,
my teeth were clean.
Yes! It looks like a dentist’s chair to me too.
Hehe, Cindyb–you did it again. When is your toddler poetry collection coming out?!
Great imagination. You’ve made me see it now!
He poked.
He prodded in between.
Finally,
my teeth were clean.
Yes! It looks like a dentist’s chair to me too.
Hehe, Cindyb–you did it again. When is your toddler poetry collection coming out?!
Great imagination. You’ve made me see it now!
Oh, what labor to perform
Out of breath,
full of sweat.
You’ve used the 3 key words: labor, breath, sweat! Just right!
I love the ode‑y feeling of this, the way it makes this effort feel like a benediction.
Oh, what labor to perform
Out of breath,
full of sweat.
You’ve used the 3 key words: labor, breath, sweat! Just right!
I love the ode‑y feeling of this, the way it makes this effort feel like a benediction.
Laura, your poem makes perfect sense to me. Now here’s my weird take.
Winter Olympics
Qualifying pilings
await final check-up
before being driven
into snow to support
new ski jump.
I like how you build from the trails to being chosen, success even before the games begin.
Thanks Ellie. I really wanted to drive the pilings into beach sand but in service to the poem I decided to keep it seasonal.
Well, I’m glad it makes sense to someone! What a great, original idea from this pic–I absolutely love that first line. Somehow it’s both a tongue-twister but also a roll-right-off-your-tongue line.
Love the idea of machines being checked too.
Laura, your poem makes perfect sense to me. Now here’s my weird take.
Winter Olympics
Qualifying pilings
await final check-up
before being driven
into snow to support
new ski jump.
I like how you build from the trails to being chosen, success even before the games begin.
Thanks Ellie. I really wanted to drive the pilings into beach sand but in service to the poem I decided to keep it seasonal.
Well, I’m glad it makes sense to someone! What a great, original idea from this pic–I absolutely love that first line. Somehow it’s both a tongue-twister but also a roll-right-off-your-tongue line.
Love the idea of machines being checked too.
A Single Leather Glove
I never learned
the full story
of the time he
spent entrenched
in France.
Diane Mayr
Entrenched.…one powerful word. One glove left behind. Words left unsaid. You have opened doors for my thoughts, Diane. Good to see you in Boston!
Great to meet you, too, and to put a face to a name, or in your case, an initial 😉
That verb entrenched makes the whole poem, Diane! btw, it was so good to see you in Boston–can’t remember if I already said that. And I was going to ask you at Joyce’s thing how Kathy and Andi are doing. Sorry you didn’t end up making it there!
I’m sorry, too, but it was nice to see you again after 10 years!
You’ve found the mystery in this photo I didn’t see, Diane. Nice response.
A Single Leather Glove
I never learned
the full story
of the time he
spent entrenched
in France.
Diane Mayr
Entrenched.…one powerful word. One glove left behind. Words left unsaid. You have opened doors for my thoughts, Diane. Good to see you in Boston!
Great to meet you, too, and to put a face to a name, or in your case, an initial 😉
That verb entrenched makes the whole poem, Diane! btw, it was so good to see you in Boston–can’t remember if I already said that. And I was going to ask you at Joyce’s thing how Kathy and Andi are doing. Sorry you didn’t end up making it there!
I’m sorry, too, but it was nice to see you again after 10 years!
You’ve found the mystery in this photo I didn’t see, Diane. Nice response.
Monday Morning at the Gym
Lift and Flex!
Work those Pecs!
Bend and Stretch!
Don’t K’vetch!
Squat! Press! Squat! Press!
Hahaha. Love the way you rhymed “stretch” with “k’vetch”!
Buffy! I didn’t know you were a personal trainer for your day job;>)
The machines do talk to us, don’t they? You always have such good rhythm, Buffy!
Monday Morning at the Gym
Lift and Flex!
Work those Pecs!
Bend and Stretch!
Don’t K’vetch!
Squat! Press! Squat! Press!
Hahaha. Love the way you rhymed “stretch” with “k’vetch”!
Buffy! I didn’t know you were a personal trainer for your day job;>)
The machines do talk to us, don’t they? You always have such good rhythm, Buffy!
No Pain, No Gain
Gym routine:
vigor, vim
fighting trim.
Writing life:
poems spilled
pages filled.
Honest truth?
Accomplishment.
Amazing how much you fit into this poem. Fighting trim — love it. And your last two lines — the quest in three words. Awesome.
Love this comparison between writing and working out, Janet. So true. They’re both hard work and hugely rewarding!
Terrific to ‘jump’ over to writing with this ‘exercise’, Janet. Love it!
No Pain, No Gain
Gym routine:
vigor, vim
fighting trim.
Writing life:
poems spilled
pages filled.
Honest truth?
Accomplishment.
Amazing how much you fit into this poem. Fighting trim — love it. And your last two lines — the quest in three words. Awesome.
Love this comparison between writing and working out, Janet. So true. They’re both hard work and hugely rewarding!
Terrific to ‘jump’ over to writing with this ‘exercise’, Janet. Love it!
Oh, No!
A new machine
to make me lean?
Muscles sore.
Can’t do more.
Help!
Cute Patricia. My sentiments for sure.
Hehe. I like the succinctness here and that single-word last line.
An exercise lament for sure. Like the rhymes!
Oh, No!
A new machine
to make me lean?
Muscles sore.
Can’t do more.
Help!
Cute Patricia. My sentiments for sure.
Hehe. I like the succinctness here and that single-word last line.
An exercise lament for sure. Like the rhymes!
Running at 51
Running in place,
staring at the wall.
Remember running at 5,
buzzing like an airplane?
?Kate Coombs
Ah yes, when running was fun and effortless instead of exercise. Love this contrast.
Oh, Kate, this is lovely! That final line just sweeps me away. Beautiful.
You remind me of my granddaughter (4), always wanting to race me (she knows she will win!). I like this memory while exercising.
I saw a new gym treadmill, climber, elliptical in one. I am thinking I need to re-do my house and put it in a great spot to use, but I know that won’t work. Must get myself to a gym! Or at least for a walk.
Love those 5 year olds. They need to run. Have you seen the video of a teacher teaching math to Kindergarteners with our new “system”? It was not pretty. Robotic and wrong. Let them fly!
Oh yes!
Running at 51
Running in place,
staring at the wall.
Remember running at 5,
buzzing like an airplane?
?Kate Coombs
Ah yes, when running was fun and effortless instead of exercise. Love this contrast.
Oh, Kate, this is lovely! That final line just sweeps me away. Beautiful.
You remind me of my granddaughter (4), always wanting to race me (she knows she will win!). I like this memory while exercising.
I saw a new gym treadmill, climber, elliptical in one. I am thinking I need to re-do my house and put it in a great spot to use, but I know that won’t work. Must get myself to a gym! Or at least for a walk.
Love those 5 year olds. They need to run. Have you seen the video of a teacher teaching math to Kindergarteners with our new “system”? It was not pretty. Robotic and wrong. Let them fly!
Oh yes!
Hands gripping weights -
checking the clock,
later checking the scale,
the fit of my clothes.
Ah, yes…so you’ve been there too. I like the ch, cl, and gr sounds. MAkes me feel the exertion of working out:>)
It seems if we work out, things should change immediately, right? Great response!
Hands gripping weights -
checking the clock,
later checking the scale,
the fit of my clothes.
Ah, yes…so you’ve been there too. I like the ch, cl, and gr sounds. MAkes me feel the exertion of working out:>)
It seems if we work out, things should change immediately, right? Great response!
Hi Laura, I like your idea of future glory!
Fitness countdown:
Waiting ?
silent and somber,
wakened only
by moving muscles,
and morning resolve.
Oh resolve where are you lol.
Hi Laura, I like your idea of future glory!
Fitness countdown:
Waiting ?
silent and somber,
wakened only
by moving muscles,
and morning resolve.
Oh resolve where are you lol.
The opposites of the picture immediately drew me in, and the progression of motion and emotion followed.
white, black
hard, soft
up, down
hard, easy
easy, hard
weak, strong
down, up
like the relative ‘ease’ of this, Donna-Sometimes good, sometimes not so much! Great use of opposites!
This feels like a zen meditation, Donna. Maybe that’s what I should try to get into when I work out!
The opposites of the picture immediately drew me in, and the progression of motion and emotion followed.
white, black
hard, soft
up, down
hard, easy
easy, hard
weak, strong
down, up
like the relative ‘ease’ of this, Donna-Sometimes good, sometimes not so much! Great use of opposites!
This feels like a zen meditation, Donna. Maybe that’s what I should try to get into when I work out!
Bait and Switch
Open, inviting,
he sucks you in
then
tucks you tight
in smothering love.
~~Barbara Turner
Ooh. Quite claustrophobic, Barbara!
Bait and Switch
Open, inviting,
he sucks you in
then
tucks you tight
in smothering love.
~~Barbara Turner
Ooh. Quite claustrophobic, Barbara!
Love your poem, Laura and wow about seeing the baseball mitt. That is awesome!
Step into my licorice fairground
belt up and be jiggled.
Try not to eat me.
Terrific imagination that licorice fairground!
Thanks Linda!
Oooh, licorice fairground! I love it when a poem makes me feel like I’ve taken some kind of mind-altering drug. It’s a whole other world!
Ha ha! Escaping into the kid zone is the best.
Love your poem, Laura and wow about seeing the baseball mitt. That is awesome!
Step into my licorice fairground
belt up and be jiggled.
Try not to eat me.
Terrific imagination that licorice fairground!
Thanks Linda!
Oooh, licorice fairground! I love it when a poem makes me feel like I’ve taken some kind of mind-altering drug. It’s a whole other world!
Ha ha! Escaping into the kid zone is the best.
WORK OUT
It is time
to hit the gym
my trainer’s svelte
let me look like him.
I didn’t think I could do it in 15 words…Can I call this a thin little poem?
It’s lean and strong! Love it:>)
WORK OUT
It is time
to hit the gym
my trainer’s svelte
let me look like him.
I didn’t think I could do it in 15 words…Can I call this a thin little poem?
It’s lean and strong! Love it:>)
THE SPRINTER?S MANTRA
Pump,
Pull,
Press,
Thrust ?
Leaving
Rivals
In the
Dust.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
Wow–so much packed into 9 words. Excellente, Mr. Waters!
THE SPRINTER?S MANTRA
Pump,
Pull,
Press,
Thrust ?
Leaving
Rivals
In the
Dust.
© Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
Wow–so much packed into 9 words. Excellente, Mr. Waters!