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.
Last week was my dad’s birthday, the anniversary of my mom’s death, a medical emergency for my dad, the arrival home of my daughter Maddie for a 7‑week visit (she lives overseas and hasn’t been home for two years), and the arrival of my sister Patty for a 1‑week visit. Wow. Talk about a roller coaster.
Here’s a picture I took in the convention center in Washington DC when I was at ALA last month.
This image makes me think of several things:
- musical chairs
- The Circle of Life (cue Lion King music)
- the Eye of Sauron
And here’s my first draft. I was thinking about how the people (and animals) we love, whether they live or die, live closeby or a world away, are always, always with us, connected to us as concretely as the barstools in this art piece.
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
27 Responses
Thanks for saving us a spot! This was a tuffy for me.
Petal Symbols
sunflower gold
rose sweet
daisy joy
lily lithe
Barstool–
Barstool?
Drink deep
I love the double take on Barstool?
This picture made me think of a giant eye and reminded me of the bluebird who watches me every morning from inside her house.
Call to Action
Be kind
and just
Care for all.
The world is watching.
Counting on
You.
I love line 4. Every action we take affects everybody else!
While working on my response, I took a break on Facebook and found Teach Write’s word of the day, simpatico. It means compatible.
Pull up a chair.
Sit right here.
A story to share
with simpatico cheer.
Margaret Simon
I love the inviting tone, Margaret:)
Laura, wishing you happy days ahead; enjoy the visits with your daughter and sister. The picture took me all over the place, first thought was the “crown of thorns.” Then, another thought.
Synchronized Swimming
Arms extended
legs afloat
synched to music
learned by rote.
Poetry in motion.
This picture reminded me of a giant eye and the bluebird who peeks out from her nesting box every morning to watch me.
Call to Action
Be kind
and just.
Care for all.
The world is watching.
Counting on
You.
In Appreciation Of
Ruby tipped metal thorns
embellish crown –
an honorable nod
to wait staff
at Diner Royale
Those first two lines are a great image, Suzanne…
Phew! You’ve had a whirlwind of activity and memories! So glad events don’t always intersect like that…but sometimes they just do.
Here are two thoughts this morning for that wonderful wreath!
Ring-around-the-rosy seats
Sitting where Mad Hatter eats;
Certainly would be fun
Finishing where you’ve begun!
The tornado took the diner in
And gave the stools a little spin!
Ha! These are delightfully surreal, Donna:)
Your week was enough excitement for a month or two. Hope you were able to enjoy, and not stress! (And hope all is well with your dad.)
Reunions
“Grab a chair.
Sit down and share.
How have you been?”
They circle in…
family.
very nice, Cindy! I love the jovial tone.
Oh, my–that ending is perfect, Cindy!
Musical chairs. Wow. Love this!!!
Thanks so much, Michelle:)
Wow, it may be cliché to say life is a rollercoaster, but it’s a good fit for your last week (and for the pic). Congrats on having your daughter home!
Circle
Circle of morning,
circle of night,
Life is a circle,
shadowed and bright.
—Kate Coombs
Ah, Kate, I love the essential truth in this elegant poem. So much captured in so few lines!
poem by Jessica Bigi
Walking The High Wire
C
Circes
Oh
My
Center
ring
Lions
Hoops
Roars
spinning
in my
seat
Spence
Wire
Flips
I like the concrete things in your poem, Jessica–“Center ring Lions Hoops” Nice!
Thanks for sharing this interesting sculpture piece Laura. I like how your poem and comment both connect to people that are here and that were here before. Sounds like you had an overwhelming week, hope it’s slowed down some for you.
Here’s my poem:
Portal of sunshine
spiderleg dance,
dotted red cushions
portals of
chance…
Thanks, Michelle, for the good wishes:) I adore your unusual choices here–especially “spiderleg dance.” Amazing!
A haiku by Dianne Moritz
summer pool parties
gathered round the fire pit
friends, bonded by love
Love the scene this paints!
Dragonfly Eye
Thousands of facets
in each bulging eye–
kaleidoscope view of
kaleidoscope sky.
Ooooh, love this. Especially “bulging” and the repetition of “kaleidoscope.”