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.
I was at the Minnesota Zoo Friday night for an awesome Five for Fighting concert. He was on piano or guitar with string quartet. Very cool. And it was cool. Overcast and a bit drizzly. We were all tucked into the amphitheater in our hoodies/jackets with the bats swooping overhead and the lake shimmering behind the stage and lights playing on the backdrop. Lovely. Anyway, this pic is part of a grouping of eye-catching metal sculptures.
This image makes me think of several things:
- How quietly leopards stalk their prey and then wait–like statues!
- How artists bring life into these basically flat pieces of metal–it’s a mystery
- What kind of music would different animals dance to?
And here’s my first draft. Oh, dear. That took a dark turn, didn’t it? These sculptures were all in an area that is a splash pad for kids when the zoo is open. The other sculptures are less threatening: a big bear and cub, a tapir family, raccoons frolicking overhead…but the leopard looks pretty threatening. I was just picturing kids playing while it watches them.
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
49 Responses
This week I wrote my poem without looking at your draft or comments first. Clearly, I saw the threat of the leopard as well! I love how you structured your poem with those sticky fingered giggling children surrounded by the predator.
Menace
No jaunty polka dots
can camouflage the
lethal grace and
coiled muscles
poised to pounce
I do that too! I see the pic, zip off a draft and THEN look at Laura’s poem. I too easily copy otherwise. And, she always has a great one.
Pounce is such a perfect last word!
I like the contrast between jaunty and danger!
I like your jaunty polka dots.
I love the jaunty polka dots in contrast with lethal and coiled.
Love the “coiled muscles” especially, Molly. I think because coil is not only a great word, but it also calls to mind metal, so it works both with and without the photo!
I also look at the photo and read the inspiration behind it, then write my draft before reading any poems. Jaunty polka dots and menace…very cool!
Oh, the fragrance of sweets and sunscreen and giggles. Nothing better.
I’d track it too.….if I were at the zoo. 😉
When.….
Playing statues
at the zoo
Keep in mind
the rules
Leopards
run faster
than you!
Great ending, Linda!
At the Indpls. Zoo they have a timed race course where a kid can see if he runs faster than a leopard. (I don’t think anyone has, yet!)
Fun ending. So playful and kid-like from beginning to end.
Love the playfulness Linda.
Ooo, love that! The ending was a surprise!
I like the ending and the imagery.
I like the pic today poem By Jessica Bigi
The Artist’s Creation
bellowing hammers steel
flaming sparks create
Arties beware
Chatters sharp teeth
Iron claws awaiting victory
Love your take on this, Jessica. Great word choice!
I like your second and fifth line! Great visuals!
I love all the metal-smithing words–bellows, sparks, iron claws.
Jessica, hammers, steel and sparks aptly portray an artist’s love of working with metals. Good job.
Love those “iron claws”–and isn’t it a fun picture? I did filter the photo, but it looks almost that cool in real life:>)
Yikes, Laura! I’m glad that leopard’s bolted to the ground!
LEAPARD’S LIFE
Silent prowling
through the night,
disappearing
when it’s light.
And if spotted?
What a fright!
Cindy, you described fears I experienced while reading a book about early British settlers in Africa. I like!
I adore those first four lines, Cindy. Feels like a somewhat spooky summary of the leopard’s life, indeed!
The first time I read this, I pictured the leopard statue coming to life at night. Talk about a real fright!
Good morning all. I know a number of kids who would love a leopard on guard at their splash pad.
Calling Dorothy!
Made of metal
Prone to rust
Bring Tin Man’s oil can
Else I become dust.
I love that you went in a different direction and the rhyme!
Ha! Poor Dorothy–all the metal things now relying on her to save them:>)
Haha, Laura, I love your last line. Gruesome but funny.
Tiger
She waits,
an arrow in a bow,
flying as I pass,
skewering my shoe.
Oh, this is wonderful. Is your tiger a housecat? That’s what I’m picturing, but thought I’d double-check. I am in love with “an arrow in a bow.” What a fabulous description of an animal waiting to pounce!
Yes, a house cat. She hunts us sometimes but she’s nice when she catches us.
A pile of gray
Warped and hammered
Bolts and nails and paint and
ROAR
You described well the life-like look of the leopard and the ROAR added the exclamation mark.
Yes! An ode to the power of art!
Sounds like a great setting for a concert.…unless of course, your leopard comes to life!
Nighttime in the Zoo
skin taut as metal
steel muscles ready to spring
faceless menace waits
It was awesome. Ooo, your poem gave me goosebumps, Buffy!
what a perfect and tense description!
Your poem makes me think of all those videos of the big cats stalking kids behind the glass enclosures! I love it. The image coupled with the concert made me think of dancing cats.
Big Band Cats
Leopard does the Lindy Hop
Jaguar, the Jive
Jumping, Twisting, Pouncing
Then they take five
It’s eerie when the big cats pace back and forth watching, isn’t it. Ha! It’s a sock hop with big cats. Love it!
I love how the cat is frozen in its stance.
African Life
Dotted metal leopard sitting in its stance.
Waiting, Waiting, Waiting.
Frozen like a statue.
Silent.
Love the repetition in here! They sure are patient…
Thank you
Playful leopard
poised
in metal sculpture
waves to the crowd
with his tail.
–Margaret Simon
A performer! Fabulous!
My poem is for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. One rescuer plucked an armadillo from the water, but the only place to put it was on a little bit of land crowded with displaced people. I can only imagine how panicked it was, and how helpless the people felt watching their homes go underwater.
water rising
the animals
homeless too
This is so sad. So much devastation. The starkness of your poem, and the fact that it’s unadorned with punctuation or capitalization, emphasizes that.
Laura your ending was perfect, who wouldn’t want to gobble up those sticky, sweet children! You’re concert was the inspiration for my poem.
Jazz beats,
Rhythm and blues.
Stopped me in my tracks,
And soothed the predator inside.
Thanks, Jean! What a nice little ode to the power of music!
Laura, I clearly see how this fabulous piece of art inspired you to write your poem and why you say that it took a “dark turn”. It looks scary…My poem took a dark turn, too…
Statue
Surveys surrounding smugly.
Spotting small, silky sweeties
Slurps saliva,
Smirks,
Soars suddenly!
SNAP!
Silence.
Statue!
Ha! Your poem is so much darker than mine. Love it. Every single evil s sound in it!