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 love boats and water and bridges. I took this pic while we were on our Thames Rocket boat tour, as the guide explained to us that when a U.S. businessman bought the London Bridge (now in Lake Havasu, Arizona), he thought THIS was the bridge he was buying. This image makes me think of several things:
- people holding hands across borders
- bombing of bridges during war
- self-building robotic bridges
And here’s my first draft. Even when robots are building bridges, it still works best to have two (or two teams) of robots starting on opposite shores and working toward each other. My poem feels more like a maxim or a proverb than a poem, but it’s all I’ve got time for today!
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
26 Responses
Ahhhh…summer vacation has finally arrived! I’ve missed participating during these last few hectic weeks. Laura, I love your poem, maxim, proverb and its message of finding strength when both sides “stretch toward the center.” Here’s my not-nearly-so-profound take:
What a surprise!
Can’t believe my eyes!
A picture from London
showing bright blue skies!
Of course. Those blue skies jump right out at you! Love the rhythm and rhyme.
Thank goodness for not-so-profound! Yes! This was a stunningly beautiful day in London. The weekend we were there were record high temps for that time of year (early May). Not at all what I expected;>) Happy summer, Molly!
Love the happy, skippy beat!
BRIDGE UNBUILDING
London bridge is falling
and my mother’s calling,
“Ouch!”
(Lego pieces make a grouch.)
Cute Cindy. I have a vivid picture in my mind of my little great-granddaughters building those towers with their “largest” Legos.
Hehe–the danger of falling bridges!
Is there anyone on the planet that doesn’t “feel” this poem??? Cute!
Strength and wisdom in your verse Laura. I’ve always enjoyed the history of the “real” London Bridge. September is fast approaching and my eyes saw:
Twin Towers
Stately, strong
standing tall
evil wrongs
towers fall
yet still
hearts fill,
we stand tall.
What lovely use of rhyme, and I love the way your words and line breaks force me to pause between last three lines. Powerful stuff, Martha–thank you.
Seeing the Twin Towers in this image — nice.
You’ve captured the sorrow all over again, yet end on hope. Lovely.
Your picture and your poem made me think of politics, Laura, and the shockingly evil insults folks feel they have the right to say publicly. I like watching old movies. People talked to each other nicer back then.
Bridging the Gap
How to agree
to disagree
when too angry
for civility?
Beautifully said Lauren.
I like old books, too. Much more civil, less bloodshed, more intelligent words.
Could doses of
Civility
and touches of
Humility
bring back our lost
Gentility?
I like your poem reply. Yes, definitely old books too.
I’m listening to a great audiobook called, Wait, What? Funny but fabulous thoughts on communication. https://amzn.to/2tJ0m3Z A little civility in the world would sure be nice…love the simplicity and rhythm of your poem.
Alas, I could see nothing friendly about this picture. But for some reason, the poems kept coming fast and furious. I shall stop and close this up now before I ramble on more…
No hugs lost here:
Some fear,
Some cheer;
Two distant shores
Between I steer.
Or:
At arms length
With elbows rigid
Two shores touch
But water’s frigid
Or
Too many bridges crossed
Too far away,
You’re lost.
Burned bridges
At what cost?
Oh, that middle one is the one that captured me! A cold war in 12 words…
You are on a roll, Donna. I might like your middle poem best, but all three are good.
Cat’s Cradle
Pinkies pick up string,
turning fish in a dish
to cat’s eyes,
bridging us
together.
Love the merging of bridges and string games!
Poem by Jessica Bigi
our minds arching worlds
building, creating,
teaching, learning
towing cloud- books
reading time- passages
We remember
Lovely image of our minds bridging information and time…
it should be towering
BTW this picture had me researching later -
https://www.history.com/news/how-london-bridge-ended-up-in-arizona
Great article on the “other London Bridge”.