Is This Just Fantasy? [15 Words or Less]

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. 

Photo: Laura P. Salas
Photo: Randy A. Salas

Okay, I try not to be too repetitive with images, but everyone had such fun with the chalk art photo a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to share two more images from the Maple Grove Chalk Art Festival. We stopped by a second time after the festival officially ended, and the street cleaner was coming down the street, washing away all the amazing art! It was a blast to see all the completed works and hop in and get some photos, though I suppose I should have tried to look terrified!

These images makes me think of several things:

  1. Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody
  2. Sea World 2.0
  3. Jurassic Park

And here’s my first draft. Goodness knows today’s new drivers have some things to contend with that I didn’t when I was learning to drive. Who knows what’s to come?

It’s your turn! Write a short poem inspired by either or both photos. Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)

 

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28 Responses

  1. ONLY IN MINNESOTA

    New theory about potholes:
    Moles are transforming
    into ancient cousins-
    Beware.
    They eat cars.

    1. Haha, so you’re familiar with that summer, otherwise known as road work season! Love your creative take on this.

  2. lol.…I admit, the pop-up dinosaur in traffic does make things dicey.

    Street Turtle

    Patterned chalk
    glides through traffic
    and my walk
    shadow pavement
    asphalt sea
    strange, new
    ecology

  3. Art transforms.
    Chalk becomes a sea turtle
    on a sidewalk.
    You become
    sailor-
    dreamer.

  4. Good morning Laura, love all of the “d” sounds in your poem. Whimsical and poignant. Moving to be near kids, grands & greats. Camping out in empty house, that makes us “squatters” and since the two of you are in somewhat of a squat position … ahem!

    The Street Washer Cometh

    Hop astride
    one last ride
    then jump aside
    as rainbow rivulets
    offer a teary goodbye.

  5. I love this art work and everyone poems

    poems by Jessica Bigi

    Dino
    wright‑o
    scar‑o
    quack‑o
    shack‑o
    not sneeze
    doctor sad
    poetry‑o
    ictuses

    tubular
    tortes
    turf
    surfing
    super
    waves
    erasing
    racing
    ending
    wining
    won

    1. These are fun, Jessica! I especially like your tubular tortoise–totally brought back the slang of that era:)

    1. Ha! Drawn–hehe! I love how I read this one way on its own and a totally different way when paired with the pictures.

  6. “Large and in charge”

    Cold blooded assassins,
    Leather skinned dictators
    Slow-witted, soulless monsters
    Beware the reptilian overlords!

    1. Leather skinned dictators! I especially like that line and the ominous feel of all of this. And digressing a bit, they say too many tanning bed sessions do cause leathery skin… Just [like on] our own little would be dictator. [I should not be replying to comments while on the treadmill!]

      1. I will fully admit a bit of metaphorical comparison between some of our current politicians and the mighty T‑Rex.

  7. Maybe you have a future as a dino-dentist, Laura? Those teeth are sparkly white!

    Turtle Rider

    Flipppers flap
    on leatherback.
    Waves crash.
    Salty splash.
    Hold tight.
    Land in sight.

  8. Good morning and happy oceanic thoughts! I, too, am more drawn to the turtle than the scary creature. 🙂

    Tar diving,
    got some
    deep-sea pitch
    on my flippers,
    gotta stretch,
    soar into
    clean blue.

    —Kate Coombs

  9. Actually I want to add two words to smooth things out and a title change:

    Ancient Truths in Lies

    Under this road
    lies a dinosaur,
    a turtle, a sea.
    Under this road
    lies history.

    — Jilanne Hoffmann

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