Mask [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. 

Original art by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre. Filtered photo by Laura P. Salas
Original art by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre. Filtered photo by Laura P. Salas

Here’s another piece from the art crawl at the mall:>) This image makes me think of several things:

  1. coasters (I just cleaned my stone coasters today)
  2. trying to tie a tie or bowtie
  3. icons and emojis

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.)

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22 Responses

  1. Oh, what a knowing old lady this is….I had a tough time. My schooling in western NY took me to the ‘Three Sisters’ of corn, bean, squash….but that’s not beans. I do like the list poem…perhaps our old lady is shopping? So fun.

    Behold
    our fortune teller
    waits
    takes your gifts
    of corn,
    wheat,
    gourd
    and gold

  2. LOL! That’ great, Laura!

    Ruminations

    Inside my head
    ideas roam
    to plant or not to plant
    the corn?

    1. I love this, Suzanne–we are all deciding every single minute whether or not to plant “corn.” (Or ideas, drawings, etc.)

  3. What a fun, filtered photo! Love the words “art crawl at the mall” and the idea of an ancient convenience store!! The headdress took me to this past weekend’s Kentucky Derby.

    Derby Fiasco

    Crepe paper posies
    hang in shame,
    waterproof mascara
    ruined in rain,
    one horse
    denied fame.

    1. Wow! This is awesome, Martha! You captured a really specific setting and story here in so few words. I love how much of a picture you give us in those first four lines.

    1. Yes! Love how the mask and final two lines link us to wild animals, to the less uniform and domesticated side of human nature.

  4. Such a lovely thought Dianne. I catch myself studying faces when out and about, and trying to decide whether or not I should offer a greeting or make a friendly comment. Difficult to tell if what we see is indeed a mask.

  5. Buffy, you and Dianne are thinking along the same lines. I suppose we all wear different masks in different situations, especially when we need to be strong for someone else, while inside we are freaking out.

  6. Been cooking breakfast for my grandchildren when I’m watching them. I make slow-cooked oatmeal with blueberries and real maple syrup or pancakes (again with real Maine blueberries and maple syrup)…the kids call them Nancakes : ) … I think back to my grandmother cooking for us…

    Nannie

    Carrot pudding
    hand-formed biscuits,
    lobster fresh caught -
    she gave her world
    to us.

  7. I love this image Laura, it reminds me of some of the life size puppets I’ve seem made by Bread and Puppet Theatre Company. Thanks for sharing the image and your staff of life poem!

    Wise old wisdom waits for those who have patience…

  8. Love this Thank you so much for the beautiful pic I love the two books of your I just got in the main
    Happy mothers day and to everyon in pourt group
    poem By Jessica Bigij
    Words To Live By

    If you child
    take wheat of time
    planting wisdom
    in all hearts
    you’ll be as wise
    as great-grandfather

    1. Thanks so much, Jessica! I love the epic but storytelling voice of this poem.

  9. Happy Mothers Day every one Love everyons poems
    poem by Jessi

    Words To Live By

    You child
    take wheat’ of time
    planting wisdom in all hears
    be as wise as
    great-grandfather

  10. At the Library

    Books!
    Joy
    Story time
    Community
    Knowledge
    Adventure
    Learning
    Fun
    Friends
    Computers
    Games
    Movies
    Music
    Art
    HAPPINESS!!!

    1. I love this list poem that captures some of the many wonders to be found at the library! Thanks for playing.

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