I. J.’s Birds of the Week Invitation CXXXV
Remembering Hurricane Helene
Utter stillness
until she arrives
with little warning
of the disaster she unleashes
upon the mountains
in a fury of floods
that cause land to slide and houses to topple
into bloated rivers that wash away
everything
but the survivors
who observe the wreckage
in stunned silence
W3 Prompt #178: Wea’ve Written Weekly hosted by poet of the week, Jaideep.
Higher ground safety
Quite simply a delusion
There is no escape
Autumn mountains slide away
Helene passes through clueless
TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 31, hosted by Yvette.
Deserted
I walk the empty park trails
Winding a serene lake
One lone fisherman perched at shore
A deserted bench yearning for comfort
I feel the waning warmth upon bare skin
Listen to northern breezes rustle tree leaves
Heed the warning of cold days ahead
W3 Prompt #177: Wea’ve Written Weekly poet of the week, Lisa, prompts us to write a Quadrille on the theme of transitions. For added inspiration, she provides a quote by Friedrich Neitzche: “I notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.”
Xingfumama’s Pull-up a Seat Photo Challenge, Week 38
A Chōka: Burdens Recast
Early morning fog
Encircles the lone giant
Dew weighs heavily
The cedar weeps under strain
Droplets roll down limbs
They cling to tips of needles
Refusing to fall
Rays of sun break through the gloom
Each branch bejeweled with diamonds
Dawn brings perspective
In light of new beginnings
Burdens are recast
Enchantment hewn from sorrows
Heavy limbs buoyed with joy
TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 30, 24 Seasons by Colleen.
In Flight
The spirit of flight
Dressed in yellow and orange
Colorful landings
Sunday Stills Monthly #Color Challenge: Vibrant Yellow and Orange Hues
Not a Fairy-Tale
Skin of brown, red or yellow
Sure to be a targeted fellow
(or woman or child)
We do not discriminate
Each to get their fair share of hate
Cross the border and you will see
The ICE men can imprison thee
(in another country, of course)
Even with valid documentation
Maybe while you are on vacation
It doesn’t matter if legal or innocent
You may be deported (even if you’re a citizen)
W3 Prompt #176: Wea’ve Written Weekly poet of the week, Jaideep, prompts us to write a bright poetic form on dark subject matter.
Featured image created by ChatGPT.
Tanka Puente: Reminiscence
Much reminiscence
Triggered by evening showers
Smell of petrichor
Touch of early autumn breeze
Transports me back to childhood
The true art of memory is the art of attention. *
Lakeside wandering
Vociferous bullfrogs croak
Mist covered mountains
Bittersweet farewells proclaimed
As summer slyly retreats
deVerse Quadrille #231: Making Much of Poems, hosted by De Jackson.
TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 29, Memories, hosted by Willow.
* Quote by Samuel Johnson — Idler #74 (September 15, 1759).
Fungi Network
damp-earth
sprouts tiny spores
stunning mushrooms break ground
just a peak of what lies beneath
networks
dVerse MTB: cinquains revisited, hosted by Björn
A Tanka: Predawn Sky
Cotton candy clouds
Dress violet predawn sky
Venus slowly fades
I, but a mere speck of dust,
Gaze out the kitchen window
TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 28, hosted by Melissa.
W3 Prompt #175: Wea’ve Written Weekly poet of the week, Sadje, prompts us write a poem using imagery.
Featured image assisted by Microsoft AI.
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