15 Words or Less and Poem-a-Day: #5

I interrupt this regularly scheduled 15 Words or Less post to direct you to David Harrison’s blog, where he is featuring BookSpeak today–thank you, David!

Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!

Sorry for the delay, you earlybirds–computer issues this morning!

Photo: Dietrich Krieger

I think horses are just about the most beautiful animals on Earth. Can’t begin to guess how many hours I spent copying/drawing horse pictures when I was a kid and mooning over my small collection of Breyer horses. This picture makes me think of:

1.?Horse-shaped clouds
2. A horse galloping across clouds
3. How devastated I was when they euthanized racehorse?Ruffian when I was 8 or 9 years old

Here’s my poem first draft, conveniently in haiku to fall in with my Poetry Month Haiku-a-Day:>)

heavy hooves pound clouds,
racing for fog-laced finish,
ghost horse?gallops on
–Laura Purdie Salas

What does this image make YOU think of? Whatever enters your mind, write a quick 15 words or less poem and share it in the comments! Feel free to comment on each others? poems and tell what your favorite part is:>)

100 Responses

    1. I like poised out there by itself. And I like how you kept the gallop but not necessarily the horse.

    1. I like poised out there by itself. And I like how you kept the gallop but not necessarily the horse.

  1. That’s beautiful Laura!

    The light drew me to this precipice
    The dawn will keep me here to gaze.

    1. I really like the distinction between being drawn to notice something and being compelled to stay.

    2. This is lovely, Catherine. I especially like gaze because it draws to mind graze if I do pair it with the photo, but of course stands completely alone without the photo…

      1. Thanks Liz and Laura, it’s not very horsey but oh well. I didn’t even think of gaze and graze, I might explore and expand it.

        1. Oh, but it doesn’t HAVE to be horsey–it’s just whatever the image makes you think of. That’s the beauty of it:>) But I think every poem is co-created by the poet and by the reader, and that’s just what association came to mind for me because I had horses on the brain:>)

  2. That’s beautiful Laura!

    The light drew me to this precipice
    The dawn will keep me here to gaze.

    1. I really like the distinction between being drawn to notice something and being compelled to stay.

    2. This is lovely, Catherine. I especially like gaze because it draws to mind graze if I do pair it with the photo, but of course stands completely alone without the photo…

      1. Thanks Liz and Laura, it’s not very horsey but oh well. I didn’t even think of gaze and graze, I might explore and expand it.

        1. Oh, but it doesn’t HAVE to be horsey–it’s just whatever the image makes you think of. That’s the beauty of it:>) But I think every poem is co-created by the poet and by the reader, and that’s just what association came to mind for me because I had horses on the brain:>)

  3. Pause a moment;
    watch the painter sweep away the stars
    and dab on the day.

    I’m new here.…a first time share from Janet.

    1. Welcome, Janet! We’re happy to have you here! I love both the image and the sounds of your 2nd and 3rd lines. Just lovely.

    2. I absolutely love this. Dab — the perfect word. Sweep away the stars and dab on the day — just beautiful.

      ellie

      1. Thank you, ellie. I was thinking, then wondering if the horse (and other animals) notice the beauty of the sunrise and if they might ponder it, somehow. IE, who is responsible for this breath-taking natural artwork? Those “knowing” eyes, as delzy noted.….I am very new to sharing my poems, so thank you for your kind words. Heidi at My Juicy Universe gets credit for urging me to find the blogosphere of poets. So glad for her advice; what treasure to be among other poets, and those who connect with children, too. Many thanks to you, too, Laura.

        1. We are happy to have you here, Janet. The online children’s poetry community (though not all the poems we share are strictly children’s poems) is very friendly and generous. Hope to see more of you and your work!

  4. Pause a moment;
    watch the painter sweep away the stars
    and dab on the day.

    I’m new here.…a first time share from Janet.

    1. Welcome, Janet! We’re happy to have you here! I love both the image and the sounds of your 2nd and 3rd lines. Just lovely.

    2. I absolutely love this. Dab — the perfect word. Sweep away the stars and dab on the day — just beautiful.

      ellie

      1. Thank you, ellie. I was thinking, then wondering if the horse (and other animals) notice the beauty of the sunrise and if they might ponder it, somehow. IE, who is responsible for this breath-taking natural artwork? Those “knowing” eyes, as delzy noted.….I am very new to sharing my poems, so thank you for your kind words. Heidi at My Juicy Universe gets credit for urging me to find the blogosphere of poets. So glad for her advice; what treasure to be among other poets, and those who connect with children, too. Many thanks to you, too, Laura.

        1. We are happy to have you here, Janet. The online children’s poetry community (though not all the poems we share are strictly children’s poems) is very friendly and generous. Hope to see more of you and your work!

  5. Laura,
    I like how Ruffian is the ghost horse.….still galloping, still there, still pounding in the fog.
    I went through a “love horses” phase, too.

  6. Laura,
    I like how Ruffian is the ghost horse.….still galloping, still there, still pounding in the fog.
    I went through a “love horses” phase, too.

  7. full gallop
    wind rushing me cloud to cloud
    untethered from land

    - ellie

    Your daily haiku have presented some amazing images, today’s included. However, unlike you, I am very much NOT a horse person, but I did manage a gallop once, and to me it felt like flying.

    1. Oh! Untethered is the perfect word here!

      I wish I had a horse or could at least ride regularly. It’s really an amazing feeling. Better than flying, because you’re not weightless, you’re strong and grounded and powerful–but fast!

        1. Maybe I would, too:>) It’s been a whole lot of years since I really rode a horse. We’re talking in my pre-teen years here, when a friend had a beautiful quarter-horse I got to ride.

  8. full gallop
    wind rushing me cloud to cloud
    untethered from land

    - ellie

    Your daily haiku have presented some amazing images, today’s included. However, unlike you, I am very much NOT a horse person, but I did manage a gallop once, and to me it felt like flying.

    1. Oh! Untethered is the perfect word here!

      I wish I had a horse or could at least ride regularly. It’s really an amazing feeling. Better than flying, because you’re not weightless, you’re strong and grounded and powerful–but fast!

        1. Maybe I would, too:>) It’s been a whole lot of years since I really rode a horse. We’re talking in my pre-teen years here, when a friend had a beautiful quarter-horse I got to ride.

  9. Whether racer, trotter, dray
    mare, stallion, colt
    you still need time
    and place
    to dream

    A little question, Laura. Is it ok for me to post on my poetry blog, with my poem, the prompt photo (with attribution, of course, and a link back to your site)? Thanks!

    1. Lovely–especially the rhythm of that first line. And yes, that is fine to do. I appreciate the link back so others can come play. Thanks for asking:>)

  10. Whether racer, trotter, dray
    mare, stallion, colt
    you still need time
    and place
    to dream

    A little question, Laura. Is it ok for me to post on my poetry blog, with my poem, the prompt photo (with attribution, of course, and a link back to your site)? Thanks!

    1. Lovely–especially the rhythm of that first line. And yes, that is fine to do. I appreciate the link back so others can come play. Thanks for asking:>)

  11. Laura ~ love your first line, with the hooves that pound clouds…here’s mine.

    Hearing whispers
    of her whinny
    lost in a sea
    of clouds
    longing
    to nuzzle
    again.

  12. Laura ~ love your first line, with the hooves that pound clouds…here’s mine.

    Hearing whispers
    of her whinny
    lost in a sea
    of clouds
    longing
    to nuzzle
    again.

  13. How lonely you are
    Out there without me
    Randomly waiting
    So sad beyond reproach
    Everlasting

    - Anne McKenna

    1. Anne, I’m so intrigued by that line Randomly waiting. Makes me think about who or what is waiting, and whether it’s someone from the narrator’s past or someone she is destined to meet later…

  14. How lonely you are
    Out there without me
    Randomly waiting
    So sad beyond reproach
    Everlasting

    - Anne McKenna

    1. Anne, I’m so intrigued by that line Randomly waiting. Makes me think about who or what is waiting, and whether it’s someone from the narrator’s past or someone she is destined to meet later…

  15. I found your challenge at the perfect time…I needed an inspiration for my poem of the day. Between your challenge and photo, you helped me out tremendously. Thank you!

    Wandering

    As the sun
    Warms the frozen grass
    My mind wanders
    Like a wild horse.

    1. You’re welcome, Melinda. And you ARE welcome, any time:>) Ooh, this is so delicate and sparse and beautiful. I love that frozen grass. Unexpected!

  16. I found your challenge at the perfect time…I needed an inspiration for my poem of the day. Between your challenge and photo, you helped me out tremendously. Thank you!

    Wandering

    As the sun
    Warms the frozen grass
    My mind wanders
    Like a wild horse.

    1. You’re welcome, Melinda. And you ARE welcome, any time:>) Ooh, this is so delicate and sparse and beautiful. I love that frozen grass. Unexpected!

  17. in your haunting eyes
    do we look as majestic
    as you do in ours?

    just to explain, whenever i get close to animals i try looking into their eyes to see if i can connect. some animals find this threatening, but others can see through us. i was at chincoteague last summer and got a little too close to the wild horses, but i got looked at in a way that made me wonder… what do they really think of us?

    1. I can really relate to your poem. I know exactly what you mean. I have taken the time to really look into the eyes of a beautiful horse, with the most magnificent blue eyes. Yes they do seem to stare right through you. Often I wonder what she is thinking. I know she loves me though and I truly believe she saved my life. She is a therapy horse.

      Anne McKenna

      1. This made me think of a poem in my book, Fuzzy-Fast Blur: Poems About Pets. It’s a picture of a girl and her horse, and the poem is:

        Partners

        You are bigger than me, but
        I always feel safe by your side
        I lead you
        I groom you
        I ride you

        but I know the truth?

        You take care of me, too

    2. I hope to go to Chincoteague someday, David. I love this…I do the same thing, but I usually only get the opportunity at zoos (or with pets, of course). Not quite the same thing!

      1. i don’t know, we have three cats in this house and you can “hear” them when they look at you. they’re ideosyncratic but they are unmistakable looks. i’ve made eye contact with birds and turtles, too. don’t write off the pets!

        1. Oh, I definitely don’t. Our guinea pigs, cats, dogs, etc., have had many tales to tell:>) But there’s something different about deep eye contact with a wild animal, who has not had much if any exposure to humans…

  18. in your haunting eyes
    do we look as majestic
    as you do in ours?

    just to explain, whenever i get close to animals i try looking into their eyes to see if i can connect. some animals find this threatening, but others can see through us. i was at chincoteague last summer and got a little too close to the wild horses, but i got looked at in a way that made me wonder… what do they really think of us?

    1. I can really relate to your poem. I know exactly what you mean. I have taken the time to really look into the eyes of a beautiful horse, with the most magnificent blue eyes. Yes they do seem to stare right through you. Often I wonder what she is thinking. I know she loves me though and I truly believe she saved my life. She is a therapy horse.

      Anne McKenna

      1. This made me think of a poem in my book, Fuzzy-Fast Blur: Poems About Pets. It’s a picture of a girl and her horse, and the poem is:

        Partners

        You are bigger than me, but
        I always feel safe by your side
        I lead you
        I groom you
        I ride you

        but I know the truth?

        You take care of me, too

    2. I hope to go to Chincoteague someday, David. I love this…I do the same thing, but I usually only get the opportunity at zoos (or with pets, of course). Not quite the same thing!

      1. i don’t know, we have three cats in this house and you can “hear” them when they look at you. they’re ideosyncratic but they are unmistakable looks. i’ve made eye contact with birds and turtles, too. don’t write off the pets!

        1. Oh, I definitely don’t. Our guinea pigs, cats, dogs, etc., have had many tales to tell:>) But there’s something different about deep eye contact with a wild animal, who has not had much if any exposure to humans…

    1. Love this “after the night” feeling, the new dawn and the being all alone…really creates a mood of resignation and determination for me. That knowledge that we are each alone, really.

    1. Love this “after the night” feeling, the new dawn and the being all alone…really creates a mood of resignation and determination for me. That knowledge that we are each alone, really.

    1. I learned a new word–thank you! I love this. Especially the line break after over. Because it’s not really over. It’s just that one aspect, or one goal of it, is over. I’m also enamored of Midstream:>)

      1. Thank you, my love Laura. Must say that the word “Midstream” is what kicked off the poem for me this week. I saw the image and I immediately heard my favorite Bob Dylan song, YOU’RE A BIG GIRL NOW playing somewhere in the corners of my weary mind. “A change in the weather is known to be extreme/ But what?s the sense of changing horses in midstream?”

        This is my life. Not Act Two. Not even close. I am midstream, in between acts, with lots of living — and writing– to do. You write too. {}

        -Pamela

    1. I learned a new word–thank you! I love this. Especially the line break after over. Because it’s not really over. It’s just that one aspect, or one goal of it, is over. I’m also enamored of Midstream:>)

      1. Thank you, my love Laura. Must say that the word “Midstream” is what kicked off the poem for me this week. I saw the image and I immediately heard my favorite Bob Dylan song, YOU’RE A BIG GIRL NOW playing somewhere in the corners of my weary mind. “A change in the weather is known to be extreme/ But what?s the sense of changing horses in midstream?”

        This is my life. Not Act Two. Not even close. I am midstream, in between acts, with lots of living — and writing– to do. You write too. {}

        -Pamela

  19. Standing at the High Water Mark

    Low tide
    Greedy waves roll in
    Roll out
    You can?t touch me here

  20. Standing at the High Water Mark

    Low tide
    Greedy waves roll in
    Roll out
    You can?t touch me here

  21. PALOMINO

    Palomino faces apricot sunset,
    wipes hoofs on salt encrusted terra firma,
    ready for morning jog.

    © Charles Waters 2012 all rights reserved.

    1. I love that apricot sunset. Gorgeous and not only makes me see the color but gives a sense of juicy richness, too. And that salt-encrusted…great texture!

  22. PALOMINO

    Palomino faces apricot sunset,
    wipes hoofs on salt encrusted terra firma,
    ready for morning jog.

    © Charles Waters 2012 all rights reserved.

    1. I love that apricot sunset. Gorgeous and not only makes me see the color but gives a sense of juicy richness, too. And that salt-encrusted…great texture!

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