Volcano [15 Words or Less Poems]

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.

volcano 15wol
Photo: Laura P. Salas

Writer and educator friends, can you tell what this is? I’m not going to tell you right now, but when I filtered the image, it reminded me of several things:

  1. love spell (see the heart?)
  2. volcano
  3. quill pen and ink jar

And here’s my first draft, where I thought about the transformation a feather might go through from bird’s wing to inkwell.

feather reincarnation 

Blanket statement for July/August/early September. Hope you’re having a wonderful summer/start to fall. Mine is overwhelmingly busy and emotional. When you Comment, I get an email, and I will be doing my best to read every poem you guys write. But my availability over the summer to comment on each poem will be limited. In fact, this week, I am in Florida helping my dad with some technology and household stuff. I have spent today (Wednesday) framing pictures of my mom and hanging them, visiting a park and donut shop that Mom and Dad used to go to, and going to the hospital where Mom spent a lot of time over the last few years of her life, and where she spent her final days. Dad and I also went to the fitness center they always went to. I must have been introduced to at least 12 people who knew Mom and had lovely stories to tell about her. What a gift. Anyway, I am exhausted! By mid-September, I should be back to normal as far as posting and replying to comments/poems. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll write because you love it and enjoy this community. Please know I value your participation, even if I am not able to respond much right now.

It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count)

39 Responses

  1. Laura, sounds like you’re having an emotionally exhausting week- enjoy your time with your dad and treasure all comments about your mom.

    I have no idea what the picture is in reality- looks like a dog at the base of a statue? I decided it was a child and his mom…

    SLIP OF THE TONGUE

    Mom errupted

    just like that!

    I’m sorry now

    I called her fat.

    1. Oh dear. I remember hearing a very young child refer to a woman as fat at a store, and the mom was mortified, of course. It was stated as fact, just a, “That fat woman’s buying the same thing we are” or something–nothing malicious. But so hurtful.

    2. Cindy, the beautiful thing about a young child is their honesty void of malicious intent. I love your poem.

  2. When the morning is dark,
    remember
    from the deepest fire,
    the Phoenix
    will rise.

    –Margaret Simon

  3. Laura, I can’t imagine how drained you are now after all these months of emotional ups and downs. Thank you for keeping 15 WOL going, and thank you for your kind comments at Your Daily Poem yesterday.

    “Slurped sky, drink ink” — love it.

    I have no idea what is in the picture, but I imagined a Kleenex sticking up out of its box.

    My eyes itch.
    I begin to sneeze.
    All Fall I ask,
    “More Kleenex, please.”

    1. Thanks, Lauren, and I was so happy to see your poem there! Woohoo! I have had both a cold and allergies recently, and your poem is hitting a little too close to home:>)

    2. Lauren, too cute. In spite of such words of truth, Fall is still my favorite season.

  4. Good morning Laura and fellow poets. So far you have all outdone yourselves with today’s pic. Excitement builds and who knows, someone may come up with the correct image. What fun and thanks Laura for keeping the “community” connected. Special thoughts of you and your family. I see a little crested feathered friend wearing sunglasses. I own a cranky one, no sunglasses.

    Pepper’s Genie

    He summons
    she answers
    he demands food.
    You’ve been good?
    “I refuse to answer .…”

      1. This is so heart-wrenching Buffy, and wonderful at the same time. In response to “demands,” they come from my 20 yr. old Cockatiel Pepper. He knows what he wants and when he wants it. His bird food is a given but he is very vocal about his people food.

  5. Sallow servant serving steaming supper,
    Supposing someone is seated and satiated
    and ready to slurp some soup.

    1. Amelia, your “s’s” bring to mind the poet Carl Sandburg — when he filled to the brim with whatever, his words were “I’ve had sufficient for suffocity.” (not sure about the spelling of the last word)

  6. Laura, glad you are with your dad in Florida. Your stay there should be healing for both of you.

    Interesting picture, but I could only think of something yummy with a liquor set aflame.

    Festive Desssert

    To celebrate I’ll bake
    flaming chocolate lava cake.
    When the flame dies
    Flavor will surprise.

  7. Laura Thank you four taking time for us at this difficult moment in your life In joy your time with your dad I hope that you are all doing okay this image is interesting I saw a little dragon in the shadow
    Poem By Jessica Bigi

    Dragon asked
    mountain spirit
    to grant one wish
    he wish to fly
    Dragonfly

  8. Oh I love the image of slurping the sky–it’s unexpected and vivid. Lots of interesting takes on this prompt!

    Wavering

    One wing lifts,
    intending to fly

    the other tucks,
    fearing goodbye.

  9. Are you going to share the real identity? This is what I saw.

    Out of luminous clouds
    Angel waits for wings
    To fly away.

    1. I will…next week! But I’ll put you out of guessing misery now. It’s an onion “volcano” at a teppanyaki restaurant (Benihana) where they build a little cone of onion rings, each smaller than next, on the hot grill. Then they pour vinegar in it (I think) and it erupts with steam and such. I took a quick pic, and when I filtered it, it was hard to tell what it was–which I kind of like:>)

  10. Laura,
    I’m glad I found your blog! I attended your workshop at The International Literacy Institute in Boston and loved it! I had to leave a bit early and did not receive your handouts and saw that there were none posted on the ILA app.

    Love this image and all the interpretations of it! I have to admit I am glad you posted what the “volcano” was!

    My school email is kcerami@apps.portsmouth.k12.nh.us

    I would be thrilled if you would be able to send along all the great stuff we did while in the workshop so I can try it out myself and with the kiddos!

    Thanks so much for the inspiration and fun!

    1. Hi Kris, So glad you found me! I’m out of town right now but can be in touch with the leaders of the session. The whole slideshow is available online, but I confess I’m not sure of its location off-hand. I’ll look into that and be in touch in the next several days. Glad you enjoyed the session:>)

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