Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!
Here’s a forgotten photo I found on my phone . This is a sculpture in an art gallery in one of the skyways in downtown Minneapolis.?This image makes me think of:
1)?the Jetsons
2)?how would you shower if you were made of metal?
3) who would push an empty stroller?
And here’s my?first draft:
Oil Rain
Amber oil splashes
from translucent gold sky?
Steel farmers unfold,
creaking,
from the fields
–Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved
Now it’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS!??(Title doesn’t count toward word count:>)?
Also, I want to give a shout-out to Lauren McBride, a long-time 15 Words or Less participant who has actually gone on to publish a number of poems that started out as drafts for the 15WOL weekly challenge. Lauren specializes in speculative poetry, and you can see her latest publication, a gorgeous poem called “Mournful,”?here–and she even mentions 15 Words or Less! Thanks, Lauren, and congratulations!
212 Responses
I’ve got money
and a cart,
but no brain so
can’t shop smart.
Cindy — you’ve seen me shopping without my list? 😉
Ooh, a little biting poem today, Cindyb:>) I know lots of people like this…and I’m sure I’m one of them, sometimes:>)
Avoid the oil isle. Never shop when your hungry, right?
Not a real cart, either, poor woman. I don’t do lists well, either.
I’ve often said I have a memory like a sieve! She must be related to me.
I’ve got money
and a cart,
but no brain so
can’t shop smart.
Cindy — you’ve seen me shopping without my list? 😉
Ooh, a little biting poem today, Cindyb:>) I know lots of people like this…and I’m sure I’m one of them, sometimes:>)
Avoid the oil isle. Never shop when your hungry, right?
Not a real cart, either, poor woman. I don’t do lists well, either.
I’ve often said I have a memory like a sieve! She must be related to me.
My ex with an axe
Found his heart in Oz.
Then wanted joint custody
Just because.
Oh, Cathy–I LOVE those opening two lines!
Ex with an axe — what an image!
Beautifully creative. The wizard of Oz has really influenced us, hasn’t he?
“Found his heart in Oz”…and it looks like she lost her heart. “An ex with an axe” — doesn’t get any better than that. Someone should write a murder mystery with that title. Of course, you’ve given away the killer then…nevermind.
My ex with an axe
Found his heart in Oz.
Then wanted joint custody
Just because.
Oh, Cathy–I LOVE those opening two lines!
Ex with an axe — what an image!
Beautifully creative. The wizard of Oz has really influenced us, hasn’t he?
“Found his heart in Oz”…and it looks like she lost her heart. “An ex with an axe” — doesn’t get any better than that. Someone should write a murder mystery with that title. Of course, you’ve given away the killer then…nevermind.
Thank you so much for the shout-out Laura. What an incredible surprise this morning!
I was delighted to mention 15wol with “Mournful” as a way of thanking you for all you’ve done for me! As you know, I find your blog inspirational because people aren’t afraid to try invented words or unusual shapes. They are not thinking of how to please an editor — they are just “playing” and I have learned so much from reading the poems and comments over the years! And playing under a pen name where I feel even freer to experiment.
Love today’s picture and your poem, especially the image of farmers creaking up from their fields.
Here’s my try:
PLEASE take a nap, so I can too…
On leaden legs
I stroll
till baby sleeps.
Instead,
he giggles.
Then -
so do I.
Thanks, Lauren–I agree that playing with words and poems on a regular basis teaches me so much! Love those leaden legs and the image of a weary mom still cheered by her baby’s giggle:>)
Hearing your story and your poem are wonderful
I guess we’ve all been there, strolling a long while, & hoping. I love your sweet ending, although not what she wished for.
Thank you so much for the shout-out Laura. What an incredible surprise this morning!
I was delighted to mention 15wol with “Mournful” as a way of thanking you for all you’ve done for me! As you know, I find your blog inspirational because people aren’t afraid to try invented words or unusual shapes. They are not thinking of how to please an editor — they are just “playing” and I have learned so much from reading the poems and comments over the years! And playing under a pen name where I feel even freer to experiment.
Love today’s picture and your poem, especially the image of farmers creaking up from their fields.
Here’s my try:
PLEASE take a nap, so I can too…
On leaden legs
I stroll
till baby sleeps.
Instead,
he giggles.
Then -
so do I.
Thanks, Lauren–I agree that playing with words and poems on a regular basis teaches me so much! Love those leaden legs and the image of a weary mom still cheered by her baby’s giggle:>)
Hearing your story and your poem are wonderful
I guess we’ve all been there, strolling a long while, & hoping. I love your sweet ending, although not what she wished for.
Shop
I shop
and shop
but everything
drops
and still
I have a cart
to fill.
?Kate Coombs
Endless shopping! I’ve felt that way.
This reminds me of back-to-school shopping with the never-ending list.
I like the repeating, feels very real-never ending!
Hmm. I’ve dropped little things through the holes in my cart before. So irritating to find that I don’t have that small item and that it is somewhere in the store on the floor instead of in my cart! This poor woman is doing worse than I though!
Shop
I shop
and shop
but everything
drops
and still
I have a cart
to fill.
?Kate Coombs
Endless shopping! I’ve felt that way.
This reminds me of back-to-school shopping with the never-ending list.
I like the repeating, feels very real-never ending!
Hmm. I’ve dropped little things through the holes in my cart before. So irritating to find that I don’t have that small item and that it is somewhere in the store on the floor instead of in my cart! This poor woman is doing worse than I though!
Mom’s Night Out
Dad will sit
so Mom won’t wilt;
costume party’s perfect
for hiding lack of guilt.
Wow! What an image. Based on some of the current TV programs, there is definitely room for doom and gloom, but so far everyone is in a good mood. Love all comments.
I love that second line, Martha. And the concept of hiding how much we enjoy our nights out–I can relate to that:>)
How fun! Love wilt/guilt.
I like the idea of a costume party-trading off, too. Great rhythm.
awesome last 2 lines — love it!
Mom’s Night Out
Dad will sit
so Mom won’t wilt;
costume party’s perfect
for hiding lack of guilt.
Wow! What an image. Based on some of the current TV programs, there is definitely room for doom and gloom, but so far everyone is in a good mood. Love all comments.
I love that second line, Martha. And the concept of hiding how much we enjoy our nights out–I can relate to that:>)
How fun! Love wilt/guilt.
I like the idea of a costume party-trading off, too. Great rhythm.
awesome last 2 lines — love it!
The God of Scrap Metal
Breathes life with
oxy-acetylene torch.
Finishes with the
subtlety of hammer,
file & grinding wheel.
Diane Mayr
Love this description of a sculptor–awesome title!
Ha! Costume party! Now that’s a good idea.
Oops! I’m so sorry. I thought I was posting on Martha’s efforts.
Diane, I like your idea of a “God of Scrap Metal.”
Great title. I can see the sculptor at work in your words. And yet I envision robots.
Yes indeed, someone created this, Diane. I love the tools included too.
We have a few sculptors locally who do this work. They do seem to breathe life into these metals.
The God of Scrap Metal
Breathes life with
oxy-acetylene torch.
Finishes with the
subtlety of hammer,
file & grinding wheel.
Diane Mayr
Love this description of a sculptor–awesome title!
Ha! Costume party! Now that’s a good idea.
Oops! I’m so sorry. I thought I was posting on Martha’s efforts.
Diane, I like your idea of a “God of Scrap Metal.”
Great title. I can see the sculptor at work in your words. And yet I envision robots.
Yes indeed, someone created this, Diane. I love the tools included too.
We have a few sculptors locally who do this work. They do seem to breathe life into these metals.
So often fearful
I wished for mettle.
Who knew the wish fairies
flunked
spelling?
Hehehe–a great lesson in how important the correct spelling is! You got a lot in to 14 words!
Ha. Love your play on mettle and metal.
Oh how funny to imagine the mistake. Great idea!
your sense of humor… the homophone is awesome — great twist Cyn!
Used mettle in mine today too…
Wish fairies shouldn’t meddle in things if they can’t get the “spell” right!
So often fearful
I wished for mettle.
Who knew the wish fairies
flunked
spelling?
Hehehe–a great lesson in how important the correct spelling is! You got a lot in to 14 words!
Ha. Love your play on mettle and metal.
Oh how funny to imagine the mistake. Great idea!
your sense of humor… the homophone is awesome — great twist Cyn!
Used mettle in mine today too…
Wish fairies shouldn’t meddle in things if they can’t get the “spell” right!
Oh, what a funny piece of art. Lots of ideas it could inspire. I like your “oil rain” idea.
I thought of a walker, instead of a stroller. Must be my age 🙂
Using My Walker
Wheels squeak.
Bones crack.
Knees creak.
Aching back.
Think I need
an oily snack.
I hear you, Pat! My knees and hips make inhuman noises all the time. Love all those /k/ sounds. Very sharp and almost painful sounding.
A fun rhyme. For me the fix would be chocolate, but the aches are the same.
Love those rhymes & it’s a terrific (funny?) end.
Pat, I’m with you. I saw a walker too. Maybedaily visiting my 93 year old father-in-law who uses a walker has something to do with it.
Fascinating take on the sculpture — made me chuckle — nice job
Thanks for the comments, Laura, Geri, Lauren and Linda.
I do have fun writing these 15wol short little poems.
Like Geri and Martha said, this is a great site and fun to participate.
“Oily snack”! Perfect!
Oh, what a funny piece of art. Lots of ideas it could inspire. I like your “oil rain” idea.
I thought of a walker, instead of a stroller. Must be my age 🙂
Using My Walker
Wheels squeak.
Bones crack.
Knees creak.
Aching back.
Think I need
an oily snack.
I hear you, Pat! My knees and hips make inhuman noises all the time. Love all those /k/ sounds. Very sharp and almost painful sounding.
A fun rhyme. For me the fix would be chocolate, but the aches are the same.
Love those rhymes & it’s a terrific (funny?) end.
Pat, I’m with you. I saw a walker too. Maybedaily visiting my 93 year old father-in-law who uses a walker has something to do with it.
Fascinating take on the sculpture — made me chuckle — nice job
Thanks for the comments, Laura, Geri, Lauren and Linda.
I do have fun writing these 15wol short little poems.
Like Geri and Martha said, this is a great site and fun to participate.
“Oily snack”! Perfect!
Homeless
walking in a vicious circle?
pushing the past aside?
on an endless journey to nowhere?
Oh, Geri, this is heartbreaking. That “vicious circle”…
That sculpture spoke to me Laura — the disheveled woman and with an empty cart — hardened by reality (the metal) in a cold world. Reminded me of the homeless I would see in NYC in the early morning back in the 70s and 80s when I worked there… or a battered woman who lost her baby and her way and is stuck in the cycle of abuse. Powerful stuff — and a bit serious for the overall tone of this posting — lol but hey I looked at it for a minute and the words spilled onto the page 🙂
Really enjoy this blog BTW Awesome creative exercise!
Ditto Geri. I had to fight the urge to not address so many doom and gloom possibilities. I’ve said this to a number of folks already, but I really love Thursday mornings, specifically for 15WOL.
I love how different forms of art reach right into our chests and grip us. And, just so you know, while I try to keep blatant sex and gore off the blog, serious and/or dark poems are more than welcome. So glad you’re part of our community!
Ooh, I love the way you expressed this.
What a variety of ideas people are having today.
Love reading all of them.
Beautiful, Geri.
Thanks Cyn and thank you to all who commented here and who came up with some very creative things 🙂 Wish I had time to comment more but work calls :-
Love the contrast between the effort in line two and the hopelessness in line three.
My response is close to this, sad to read that ‘vicious circle’. Well done.
A sad journey to take.
Homeless
walking in a vicious circle?
pushing the past aside?
on an endless journey to nowhere?
Oh, Geri, this is heartbreaking. That “vicious circle”…
That sculpture spoke to me Laura — the disheveled woman and with an empty cart — hardened by reality (the metal) in a cold world. Reminded me of the homeless I would see in NYC in the early morning back in the 70s and 80s when I worked there… or a battered woman who lost her baby and her way and is stuck in the cycle of abuse. Powerful stuff — and a bit serious for the overall tone of this posting — lol but hey I looked at it for a minute and the words spilled onto the page 🙂
Really enjoy this blog BTW Awesome creative exercise!
Ditto Geri. I had to fight the urge to not address so many doom and gloom possibilities. I’ve said this to a number of folks already, but I really love Thursday mornings, specifically for 15WOL.
I love how different forms of art reach right into our chests and grip us. And, just so you know, while I try to keep blatant sex and gore off the blog, serious and/or dark poems are more than welcome. So glad you’re part of our community!
Ooh, I love the way you expressed this.
What a variety of ideas people are having today.
Love reading all of them.
Beautiful, Geri.
Thanks Cyn and thank you to all who commented here and who came up with some very creative things 🙂 Wish I had time to comment more but work calls :-
Love the contrast between the effort in line two and the hopelessness in line three.
My response is close to this, sad to read that ‘vicious circle’. Well done.
A sad journey to take.
Don’t We Shine
look closely
I cast reflections
of the woman
how have molded
you into the
person you
are today
poem by Jessica Bigi
sorry it is a few words over I love ever ones poems today
I love reflections and molded and how we are shaped by others.
I enjoyed the creative idea that this is a mold carried into the future.
Don’t We Shine
look closely
I cast reflections
of the woman
how have molded
you into the
person you
are today
poem by Jessica Bigi
sorry it is a few words over I love ever ones poems today
I love reflections and molded and how we are shaped by others.
I enjoyed the creative idea that this is a mold carried into the future.
Don?t We Shine
look closely
I cast reflections
of the woman
how have molded
us into the
persons we
are today
poem by Jessica Bigi
sorry it is a few words over I love ever ones poems today
Reply
I love this metaphor, Jessica, of how we reflect our mothers or others who have shaped us. This is poignant and lovely.
Don?t We Shine
look closely
I cast reflections
of the woman
how have molded
us into the
persons we
are today
poem by Jessica Bigi
sorry it is a few words over I love ever ones poems today
Reply
I love this metaphor, Jessica, of how we reflect our mothers or others who have shaped us. This is poignant and lovely.
I like that idea of the steel farmers unfolding, then creaking, Laura. A ‘new’ machine age? My thoughts are dark today because of a colleague’s recent loss.
Missing
Stroller empty,
faithful mother travels
up and down
grocery aisles.
Up, down,
up and down…
Linda Baie ? All Rights Reserved
Yes, I can feel the sadness this expresses.
This is sad
So lost without her child — repetition really adds to the sorrow captured in your poem.
Thanks Pat, Jessica & Lauren-had to write it. Somehow that metal art spoke loudly.
Somehow we were on the same page. I like your rendition so much. It was a sad picture to me also.
Linda — good art evokes emotion. This sculpture has an air of despair and wandering aimlessly about it to me too — I mean look at her boots! Sorry about your colleague’s loss, but really nice solution!
Thank for the responses, Gerri, & Donna. And Donna, we do think alike quite a bit-serendipity across the air?
This is heart-breaking, Linda. That word “faithful” is like being stabbed. Really powerful poem…
Thanks Laura. Sometimes a picture just brings it out, doesn’t it? Your photos each week are amazing!
I like that idea of the steel farmers unfolding, then creaking, Laura. A ‘new’ machine age? My thoughts are dark today because of a colleague’s recent loss.
Missing
Stroller empty,
faithful mother travels
up and down
grocery aisles.
Up, down,
up and down…
Linda Baie ? All Rights Reserved
Yes, I can feel the sadness this expresses.
This is sad
So lost without her child — repetition really adds to the sorrow captured in your poem.
Thanks Pat, Jessica & Lauren-had to write it. Somehow that metal art spoke loudly.
Somehow we were on the same page. I like your rendition so much. It was a sad picture to me also.
Linda — good art evokes emotion. This sculpture has an air of despair and wandering aimlessly about it to me too — I mean look at her boots! Sorry about your colleague’s loss, but really nice solution!
Thank for the responses, Gerri, & Donna. And Donna, we do think alike quite a bit-serendipity across the air?
This is heart-breaking, Linda. That word “faithful” is like being stabbed. Really powerful poem…
Thanks Laura. Sometimes a picture just brings it out, doesn’t it? Your photos each week are amazing!
During the Dog Days of Summer…
MetalMom flexes
steel muscles,
ready to conquer
kid-squabbling tussles,
dreaming of autumn:
squeaky school bussles.
Ruling with an iron fist — I love it!
Love that strong, “metal mom”-wishing. Great idea.
Fun rhymes, Buffy. I dreamt of autumn every summer! Well, I still do, even though my kids are out of school!
Love the rhyming of tussles and bussles! Cute!
During the Dog Days of Summer…
MetalMom flexes
steel muscles,
ready to conquer
kid-squabbling tussles,
dreaming of autumn:
squeaky school bussles.
Ruling with an iron fist — I love it!
Love that strong, “metal mom”-wishing. Great idea.
Fun rhymes, Buffy. I dreamt of autumn every summer! Well, I still do, even though my kids are out of school!
Love the rhyming of tussles and bussles! Cute!
Bough broken
Now
En-Armored with base metal
Steeling herself
Against loss
Her mettle tested.
Love the image that ‘bough broken’ brings to me, Donna. It is sorrowful, as you said.
Lovely word choices, Donna. I especially love your double-meaning last line!
Bough broken
Now
En-Armored with base metal
Steeling herself
Against loss
Her mettle tested.
Love the image that ‘bough broken’ brings to me, Donna. It is sorrowful, as you said.
Lovely word choices, Donna. I especially love your double-meaning last line!
Even Robots Grow Old
I’m growing old
but who should squack
I push my walker
when I walk.
What a great title, Joy. Nobody could read that title and not read the poem.
Yes, we were thinking the same thing.
I like your take on it — calling it an old robot. Clever.
Poor robot, creaking & squeaking I imagine. Terrific, Joy!
Yup. Could definitely be a walker… Hope people don’t start squawking when I start squeaking!
Even Robots Grow Old
I’m growing old
but who should squack
I push my walker
when I walk.
What a great title, Joy. Nobody could read that title and not read the poem.
Yes, we were thinking the same thing.
I like your take on it — calling it an old robot. Clever.
Poor robot, creaking & squeaking I imagine. Terrific, Joy!
Yup. Could definitely be a walker… Hope people don’t start squawking when I start squeaking!
Love those last three lines, Laura! There’s a SF story in there somewhere.
ALONE
Nameless
faceless
she searches
for an oasis
in the junkyard
of her life.
~~Barbara J. Turner
Barbara, I’ve been away from my pc for awhile. Just read your poem. Love it. Sometimes I feel like I am the person you describe, spinning my wheels.
Martha, maybe we all feel that way sometimes.
That’s why it’s a good poem, Barbara. It touches people.
love it — awesome!
I really like that phrase “the junkyard of my life.”
And the description “faceless.” Creative work.
Oh, those last four words. Sigh. Visceral.
I love the rhymes, & that punch at the end. I didn’t imagine a junkyard, but it works!
“in the junkyard of her life” — wow! Not too pretty a view. Love that line.
Love those last three lines, Laura! There’s a SF story in there somewhere.
ALONE
Nameless
faceless
she searches
for an oasis
in the junkyard
of her life.
~~Barbara J. Turner
Barbara, I’ve been away from my pc for awhile. Just read your poem. Love it. Sometimes I feel like I am the person you describe, spinning my wheels.
Martha, maybe we all feel that way sometimes.
That’s why it’s a good poem, Barbara. It touches people.
love it — awesome!
I really like that phrase “the junkyard of my life.”
And the description “faceless.” Creative work.
Oh, those last four words. Sigh. Visceral.
I love the rhymes, & that punch at the end. I didn’t imagine a junkyard, but it works!
“in the junkyard of her life” — wow! Not too pretty a view. Love that line.
This just popped into my head:
I’m strong and shiny,
slightly naughty;
Tin Man thinks
I’m a total hottie!
Great pic — and I love some of these comments!
Truly beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
BTW Donna, I love the double-meaning of your poem’s last line!
Wonderful
Tin Man has found a heart (throb), again! Good job Matt.
Hehe–love that! What guy doesn’t love a naughty robot?
This just popped into my head:
I’m strong and shiny,
slightly naughty;
Tin Man thinks
I’m a total hottie!
Great pic — and I love some of these comments!
Truly beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
BTW Donna, I love the double-meaning of your poem’s last line!
Wonderful
Tin Man has found a heart (throb), again! Good job Matt.
Hehe–love that! What guy doesn’t love a naughty robot?
Just wondering
if
I should
come in
out
of the
rain…
Yes! 🙂 I love the way I have to say this slowly…
Just wondering
if
I should
come in
out
of the
rain…
Yes! 🙂 I love the way I have to say this slowly…
What a great prompt! And the poems were especially fun!
Welded Walker
A nut,
a bolt,
a hinge,
a screw?
Clankity-Clank
I?m metaling through.
Yet another take on pic and words. I like.
Love the hardware terms and sound effect, Penny!
What a great prompt! And the poems were especially fun!
Welded Walker
A nut,
a bolt,
a hinge,
a screw?
Clankity-Clank
I?m metaling through.
Yet another take on pic and words. I like.
Love the hardware terms and sound effect, Penny!
FACADE
My facades metal
Tough to smash, pull apart,
In this world, I hide my heart.
FACADE
My facades metal
Tough to smash, pull apart,
In this world, I hide my heart.