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.
We live near our state capitol building, and the other day as we were driving somewhere, I saw the building neatly framed in my rearview mirror and snapped a pic.
This image makes me think of several things:
- why do things in our past look bigger or smaller?
- mirror mazes
- glasses (just shopped for new eyeglasses with our younger daughter)
And here’s my first draft. When I was a teacher, the kids always wondered how I knew something was going on. Of course, I’d tell them I had eyes in the back of my head. But, really, backward-looking eyes are pretty limited…
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
24 Responses
Eldest literally just drove out of the driveway on her way to her senior year of college. Instead of crying I’m looking at a photo of a rearview mirror and am stuck a little in remembering her girlhood.
Drive slowly
from me
whoheld you
until
you couldgo
away
Drive slowly,
Love
Hugs, Linda. Oh, mercy, this is stunning. I hope you print it out beautifully and gift it to your daughter. Those joined words…sigh.
So lovely Linda.
Illusions of sight
wonder, delight
turn the world
topsy, turvy
reflect
deflect
incorrect
Lovely wordplay, Margaret:)
Lovely verse Laura. We must all look to the future with hope. My two, 21 months apart, always thought that if they turned their backs to me, the eyes in the back of my head could not see what they were up to! All four seasons have their particular beauty, but Fall has always been my favorite. Maybe because of my September birth. ????
Favorite Season
Summer rearward
Fall ahead
brings
bluer skies
whiter clouds
until leaves shed
bring
winter’s dread.
Fall is my favorite, too, Martha. I love this fresh take on it!
I’m a September birthday too and partial to fall. Love your poem.
I love your take on having eyes in the front of our heads.
Driving Away
Sometimes the past
disappears in the rearview mirror.
Sometimes it chases me.
Ooh…kind of foreboding—love it!
Reflected perspective
of past
is now
melted and
molded dimensions
Wow!
Interesting perspective, Suzanne. Love the sense of wonder!
yadot rof esneS
on sekam dnA
sdrawkcab lla sI
tsap ehT
drawrof evoM
SO clever, Donna! (I changed your r to a t in the word past. Hope that’s okay.)
Your poem made me smile, Laura. When I was little my mom told me she had eyes in the back of her head, and for years I was sure that they were hidden beneath her poofy hair.
I’m clearly not sure what I’m saying here, but will post anyway.
thinking in circles
the future an ambition
the past an illusion
searching
I’m glad you posted, Buffy. I think searching for what we want to say within a poem is such a common experience, and it’s good for everyone to see that. To just let the words reflect your state of mind…
Laura I admire how you look to the future with “awe.” I just love this picture. I will be teaching for the first time, and reflection will be a big tool in the area I will be working in, so your picture really struck a chord with me.
Reflecting
Time and experience
Were on my side,
But flesh and bone
Deceived me…
Oooh, what a mournful and lovely lament, Jean…
Advice for Life
by D. Moritz
The past it past.
It’s over, done.
NOW…
Love, laugh, live,
enjoy, have fun!
Lovely advice for moving forward!
The Future Beckons
I glance behind
to where I’ve been
then look ahead-
I play to win.
Interesting turn in that last line, Cindy!
poem by Jessica Bigi
behind us seeing what
was once in front of us
in front of us
seeing our furthers
I like the way you think about the past and future and how we perceive them and define them, Jessica.