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.
After last week’s beautiful but emotional poems, I was trying to pick something lighthearted for this week. But I had no silly photos handy on my phone. I will be keeping my eyes open for some this week, I swear! This little beetle on a petunia (I think) makes me think of several things:
- Bugs don’t have much flat “ground” to travel on
- Dewdrops are one of the pretties things in the world
- I’m not really a big fan of bugs. I think it’s the exoskeleton
And here’s my first draft. Ack! Even here I had to fight against going all philosophical. Abstraction is usually not the way to good poetry. So I forced myself to just focus on what I saw this time.
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
45 Responses
Nice contrast between armored and dewy petals.
Between each
dewdrop
an urge
to sip.
Betwixt
the petunias
a reason
to skip.
Skipping through petunias–love that image!
Picturing a beetle happily skipping!
I love the shift in tone from mysterious to joyous.
Linda I love your skipping beetle, very fun!
Beetle’s mirrored shell
Reflects
The dewy drops
On petuna petals.
Lovely alliteration, Joy!
Mirrored shell…very pretty! This was nice to read.
OOOOH, you got it. I wanted to capture something about that metallic sheen on the beetle. I didn’t come to me. Nice. job.
Loved “blunders across a petunia”! Mine today was focused on those fine hairs on the petunia and the dew. What a great opportunity for a bug to start the day all clean and shiny!
Hit the Showers
Hail, hairy flower,
Beautiful shower
Where dew and feet
Meet
Scrubbing power;
Polished neat.
Sweet!
Thanks, Donna! What a jam-packed 15 words–love how densely you packed this with imagery, details, rhyme, and info.
I noticed those hairs too Donna. Great use of 15 words!
I love all the alliteration and the rhyme. You always pack so much into your poems!
This was fun to read!
Very fun! I love the personification.…that beetle scrubbing in the shower. I’ll bet it sings, too 😉
Laura, “tiny armored truck” brings a smile, as do petunias, at least to this household. Petunia Pig has always been a favorite for our little ones.
Fickle Flower
Beetle tickles
petunia retracts
until
it takes its leave
onto
neighbor’s back.
Martha I just love Beetle tickles, I can feel it!
Beetle tickles…love
Poor unwanted beetle! Love “tickles” and retracts.” Great scratchy kind of words that bring creeping bug feet to mind. Shudder:>)
I love the image of the little truck blundering over the petunia.
In the pocket of her pleated skirt,
Flora hides a precious jewel—
a shimmering golden beetle.
Elizabeth your poem reminded me of a story my mother told once about my brother removing a large water bug from his pocket to give to her as a present. Not quite the beautifully described precious jewel of a golden beetle. (So lovely). Her screams can still be heard.
I like the idea of a beetle being a precious jewel. My daughter thinks they’re pretty, but she would never pick one up…maybe if I tell her they’re like treasure? 🙂
ooooooh.…what a nice image.…kinda sneaky that beetle
Lovely alliteration and word choices. And now I’m intrigued about the story, Elizabeth!
After my shower
drying with this flower -
my carapace a jewel
shining among the minuscule.
Wow, Lauren, so beautiful.
Isn’t carapace such an awesome word? Love lines 3 and 4 especially.
Laura I love your “Tiny armored truck” line. I too am not a big fan of bugs.
Sweat poured down my spiny flesh
as you creped your way through my petals.
Eeww!
I love the creepy feel from the POV of the plant. Nice!
Oh, I love the idea of taking the flower’s point of view!
Love the focus on the dew in your photo and in everyone’s poems this morning.
Six-Legged Parade
wading through morning dew
trek, trek, trek
creeping under towering stems
step, step, step
I love the rhythm and repetition in your poem, Buffy. What a fun one to say or have kids act out.
That repetition works so well here. You are great at using repetition in your poems! Love the towering stems.
I like the rhythm & motion here…is such a short space!
What a fun read aloud poem.
I love the idea of combining a truck with something dainty like a flower. You’re dislike of exoskeletons got me thinking…
A Bat Snack
Crunchy coating
The best part
Burst of flavor
Gooey heart
Euuuuuueeeew! I’m glad I no longer eat Fruit Gushers…because I don’t think I could now. Ha!
hahahahaha.….and if there are a bunch of beetles it’s like a Whitman sampler! You have to use the key on the cover or stick your finger in it to find out what the flavor is.
Yes, I’m late to this party, but I wasn’t in bed!
WAKE UP CALL
Sun’s up.
You’re not
Come on, sleepy head.
Even bugs crawl out of bed.
I like the way the rhythm gets rolling as the reader wakes up:>)
Glad you are here. Great addition to this collection.
Now that’s a wake up call. I love the last line!
Sorry I’m so late today was at a county far today
Poem By Jessica Bigi
Netters Jims
betel broaches
on tulip gowns
sipping cocktails
of peril due
I could instantly see the fancy jewelry! Love the idea of tulip gowns. One of my favorite songs, called “Forever Autumn,” has a line that goes: “Through autumn’s golden gown we used to kick our way.” Seeing those piles of gold leaves as a gown is another image I love:>)
Tulip gowns and peril dew cocktails…really fantastic!