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.
Our maple tree has been bare for ages, except for one or two last, lonely leaves. This image makes me think of several things:
- being the last one picked for the team
- how a leaf might try to imitate a bird to bring summer back
- branches reaching out toward the sun
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.)
PLEASE NOTE: I’m largely off the grid and won’t be able to respond to poems. If I can get Wi-fi, I’ll Like your Comment, and you’ll at least know I’ve read and enjoyed the poem. Have fun!
41 Responses
so hungry.….naked branches toward the sky. That is lovely. I’m off to think. I’ll be back with some words.
OOPS! I meant to come back to the same comment box. Sorry about that.
Jealous
Of winter branch
natural beauty
Stained glass windows
tantrum–
throwing
blue, pink
and violet
shade.
I’m looking forward to coming by later and seeing words of others. Have a good morning everyone
I saw stained glass, too.
That glass art image resonates with me, too.
Yep, me too. Love the image of a stained glass tantrum–that’s unexpected!
Laura,
I feel like the tree…stretching high for some sun, hoping winter will just go away quietly from now on. Your poem, perfect!
Linda,
I saw the stained glass. So pretty in Laura’s photo. You bring it to life! Kind of when the poems or characters we create demand their due!! You’ve captured that.
Beautiful poem, Laura.
A SUBJECTIVE WORLD
Mom sees my pants,
she rants.
Stained glass windows, okay.
Grass stained pants, no way.
ha! Truth and beauty in okay.…no way
Beauty, the eye of the beholder and laundry. Clever twist. Your poem made me smile, Cindy.
A surprising and clever twist. Love it.
Stained Glass
The master
places each piece
side by side
seeing beyond glass
into a future.
Beautiful.….The master.…makes it so
I agree with Linda–that single word “master” lifts this poem to another level.
Margaret,
I love the idea of vision.…planning, pursuing. So many thoughts “masterfully” woven into your beautiful poem. Elegant, like a mathematical proof.
Laura–your photo is stunning and I love the idea of the tree branches hungry for the sun. I’m feeling similarly these days! Somehow, my thoughts turned to bubble solution and wouldn’t budge.
Bubble Leaves
Submerge a branch
in soapy solution
Blow gently
Watch iridescent leaves
emerge into cerulean skies
Molly Hogan © 2017
I see this image perfectly, the soapy branch capturing bubbles. Isn’t cerulean a wonderful word to turn over on your tongue?
Yes! “Cerulean sky.”
A color not named often enough. And taken from a bird, I believe.
Smilies for the bubble thoughts.
oh, fun! I can picture dunking a tree and watching the wind blow bubbles.
Really nice, Molly. Iridescent leaves and that cerulean sky, terrific.… you’ve captured the beauty of bubbles on a sunny day and Laura’s photo.
Laura I really like your poem and pic
Poem By Jessica Bigi
February
Black licorices
branches
framing tangerine
skies
like stingless
windows
as I lookout
upon winters
Day
Lovely poem, Jessica!
I love your black licoice branches, Jessica. Perspective is everything, right. And “tangerine” sky!
oh, licorice! that’s great!
I saw soap bubbles too, but I loved mbhmaine’s Bubble Leaves so much, I went with something else. The poems today are fantastic. I hope I have time to come back and comment. I am trying another 6 word hay(na)ku for my poem.
caught in branches
cobwebs and
fog
I love how you saw fog and cobwebs. I’ll have to look at the form. I’m a haiku fan, this is even more challenging I bet.
Meant add, I enjoyed this, Lauren.
I LOVE this photograph. Did you use a filter? It’s just exquisite.
Nature of Reality
Nature’s cathedral
drawn on the sky,
or perhaps
its reflection.
Yvonne,
You have reminded me of the gorgeous ceilings in Tuscanny’s cathedrals.….we do need to look up more!!! You also remind me that some of my favorite photos are sky and land reflected in all kinds of water. Lovely poem.
We had warm weather last week but last night it snowed again. It’s that time of year!
Black branches dream
winter dreams
till mother sun
whispers them awake.
—Kate Coombs
Oh mama, sing your song!!! Stop those whispers. I’m a little done, but staying strong.
Meant done WITH WINTER!!
Love this photo–and your sun hungry tree, Laura!
February Murmurs
Huddled beneath icy wraps
willows whisper:
warm breeze
green leaves
snug nests
spring.
Oooooo, Buffy. Superb. Lovely. Favorites: your title, willow whispers and snug nests.
Are you maybe going to be playing “basketball” ?
My little friends are loving there new books, sharing, doing lots of reading. Next, a new bookcase when I can.
* oops their
Hope Paris is grand! Instead of looking up, I looked down, a frozen puddle reflection of icy beauty. Led me here.
Venturing Out of my Comfort Zone
I step
gingerly.
You,
my gentle
guide.
Traverse
icy paths.
Awake open-eyed.
Mystified,
edified,
gratified.
This speaks to you, Laura, and others in this nurturing poetry for kids community online and in real time. Thanks, as ever for this space and all the rest.
What a great take on this photo. Combining the step gingerly with the icy paths nails the idea of venturing out of the comfort zone.
* think I should change it to Awaken open-eyed.
“Awaken” sounds more like a beginning, which I think is where your poem is going. Poetry constantly takes me out of my comfort zone. I like how timid, but boldly you go and end on gratified.
Thanks, Lauren. I agree !!
Lovely poem Laura. Just returning from out-of-town. It’s late but it isn’t Thursday without participating in 15 WOL. At first sight I immediately thought of web worms that we experience here when leaves are still on the tree, and expecting a lush feast .…
Surprise!
Larvae patiently
await unveiling
from gossamer cocoons
to realize mother nature’s
weird sense of humor.
Jessica,
Your poem makes me want to go & buy licorice now!
This perspective of the image is inventive.
Wish I had thought of it.