Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.
This image (which I’m not going to identify right now) makes me think of several things:
- an avalanche
- Santa’s beard
- straw in a milkshake
And here’s my first draft.
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
59 Responses
Laura, what a delicious image! I love the idea of sipping summer through a straw. My first thought on seeing this photo was…sad to say…vomit. I’m not sure what this says about me, but I definitely prefer your take on it! lol Here’s my short but not-so-sweet draft:
Technicolor Vomit: A Gorger’s Lament
Chewed it
Rued it
Spewed it
oh, my.….you must have a connection to the 80s? Technicolor vomit is a term that is coming back to me from high school. Bwahahahahaha
I have connections to many decades! lol
Yes. Can definitely see that. Though I don’t want to! 🙂
Oh, dear. And on one dramatic School visit–viewed it
Sounds like there’s a story or poem in that visit!
And, I would sure hate to see what a psychoanalyst would say about me based on all the poems I share!
Fun, funny rhyme on a sad subject.
You know, I hadn’t even thought of gorging in terms of an eating disorder–I certainly don’t take that lightly! I thought of it more in terms of “pigging out.” I need to be more careful with my word choice!
Sometimes I wish I could have “spewed it” after eating too much and getting the “rued it” feeling!!
As a nurse I’d have to say “cleaned it.” Funny poem.
I love how you find whimsy and fun in things! Now I want a milkshake. I didn’t see the straw until I read your connections.…which I read after I draft. I was reminded of feathers and scales because of the texture in the photo.
Darn it, I hate going over 15.…I’m at 16 here but I like it as is.
God’s Vanity Table
Every color
all hues
for feathers,
scales, skin
and nails
every animal
of me
of you.
Linda, this is beautiful! Iit’s like the soul sister to Meet My Family. Love the line breaks.
Just lovely!
This is fabulous, Linda! I’m so glad you kept each word, even with the pain of going one over 15!
Love your title, too! I can just imagine all these features and characteristics being laid out on a vanity table to choose from.
How lovely!
Love your poem, Laura! Who wouldn’t agree?
NOT MY FAVORITE MEAL
Spilled her milk
on her dinner.
Sent to bed.
(but she’s the winner!)
Cindy, this sent me the flashbacks of having to sit at the table until the certain meals were completed. No spilling, no feeding the dog, etc, allowed. I’m glad this girl was a winner!
Clever twist at the end.
Ah… but what a sinner!…LOL!
Cute!
Clever, and enjoyable to read!
ha!
This is fun–your protagonist has some spirit! You conveyed so much with so few words–clever!
Swirls of color
fill my worried mind
looking for a rainbow.
I love the visual you’ve created from worry to hope and beauty.
And that’s really the picture of “joy”… you’ll find those rainbows even in worry. Beautiful, Margaret.
Glad you’re looking for a rainbow, Margaret, because you usually find whatever you look for!
ooooh, I like looking for a rainbow
Very nice Margaret. So visual!
I love the warmth and simplicity of your poem, Laura. Today’s image made me think of modern “art.” I prefer a lovely landscape.
My paints spilled.
The drop cloth caught it -
posted on eBay.
Someone bought it!
If you put a high enough price on it, it’s sure to sell!!
Nice take!
Hehehe–I’m not a big modern art fan myself, so this resonated!
love it!
Another clever poem! This made me laugh. 🙂
Good morning Laura and 15 WOL community. Three things I think of: an abstract oil painting, USA weather map, or those luscious summertime slushies in every color of the rainbow.
The Slushie Repository
Melting tinted ice
abandoned
aging out
becomes floatie
for discarded straw.
Aw, the discards are so sad:>( Almost every line here has a word that brings endings to mind. Thanks, Martha!
I’ve gone quite the opposite direction from your summery treat, Laura!
Weather
North Wind’s hand
Swirls up
A storm -
A drizzle slick
From twizzle stick.
Ooh, I love this image of North Wind as a bartender/magician of sorts!
twizzle stick! that’s great.
poem by
Jessica Bigi
Finger Painting Rhyming
clocks with owls and one two three rhyme
ticks tocks splotching splats of swirls
as finger branch’s dance
colors skies across canvases
I love how you always have concrete THINGS in your poems, Jessica–not just abstract ideas. So your poems always make images in my head. Watch the word count, though:>)
is that not good when writing ?
It’s fantastic. Your images always “sing”!
Loved so much of this, Jessica. I always do love your poems! And I hate to take any words out BUT what if when you went over the count of 15, you went back and looked at how to do a “found poem” (just for THIS presentation of course — keep the whole thing still in a file so you don’t lose it)? It COULD be a fun way to edit it… I tried it with yours today and ALMOST got your flavor… not quite though. You have such a beautiful way with words and images, it is hard to change or drop any of it! I know how painful that is, too!
What lovely and helpful feedback, Donna!
poem by
Jessica Bigi
Finger Painting Rhyming
clocks with owls chiming rhymes
ticks tocks splotching splats of swirling
finger branch’s
coloring skies-canvases
Fantastic re-write, Jessica. You’ve captured the wonder of your original poem in only 15 words. Nicely done. I love your branches finger painting the sky canvas. Beautiful.
Great playing with the words, Jessica!
Great photo.
All is calm
In the eye
Of a hurricane,
So why
Aren’t I?
Having been through several, I LOVE this!
That eye is so misleading! Nice!
This poem made me take a deep breath, exhale, and then just sit for a moment. We can all use a reminder to strive for calm, even when it seems the world has gone flipping crazy!
Laura sipping summer sounds divine in this cold winter. I have had a lot of patients with breast issues this week, and your picture immediately reminded me of an ultrasound image.
Guided needle
penetrates tissues turbulent flow,
Seeking dark strangers
unwelcome quarter.
Oh, wow. What a intense turn of emotion.
Oh, so menacing. Thank you for sharing and for being a force for good health! I just got a reminder to schedule my mammogram.
Wow! I love your word choice. I agree with Linda and Laura–intense and menacing!
Inside my mind’s eye
A menagerie of thoughts
unraveling to reveal
Life’s true destiny
Anne McKenna
I love that second line, Anne. Gives me a real sense of variety and activity…