She Knows

The secrets of my youth
Tucked neatly in a trunk
Stored in the far recesses of my mind
Refusing to be sealed under lock and key

Unwanted memories ooze through cracks
Like a fine swirling mist
They entwine themselves 
Among otherwise innocuous recollections
Overshadowing scintillas of innocence

There she is - a phantom in the mist
A smirk upon her face
My partner in crime
The knower of my misdeeds
Just as I know hers

I long to reach out to her
But the hidden layers are considerable
And I fear the trunk will spring open under pressure

Through the undulating haze
Her enigmatic gaze remains upon me 
I acquiesce and let her look

W3 Prompt #84: Wea’ve Written Weekly’s poet of the week, Selma, prompts us to write a memory poem of 100-300 words about a person from our past looking in on us. The poem must end with the phrase ‘[l]et him/her look’.

Image generated with Bing AI

Wood Stork

Wood Stork

The Wood Stork is the only native stork in North America. I have never seen one outside of Florida and was delighted to come upon this one fishing in a coastal South Carolina pond.

I. J.’s Birds of the Week Invitation XLI

Gathering

‘December’s Song’ Watercolour by Elaine Bayley Illustrations
White snowy landscape
Brings forth light in the darkness
Dreamy xanadu
Gather creatures great and small
Mother Earth’s benediction

Colleen’s 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 11

Room of Strangers

I am replete with confidence
As I step out of my comfort zone
Destined for the unknown
I arrive in unfamiliar territory
Surrounded by strangers
Surely they can see the wobble in my step
As I scan the vast room of unfamiliar faces
One warm smile 
One friendly greeting
And the wobble is reduced to a mere quiver
Weekend Writing Prompt #340

Pee Day

Image Credit: Bing AI
Today was a pee day
Pees let me explain
A road trip we planned
To escape the mundane

Two adults and two kids
We hopped in the car
And off we all went
But didn’t get far

As kid number one
Had to make a rest stop
We stopped by the vending
Bought snacks and some pop

And would you believe
Before the pop was done
Kid number two
Required a run

A little cafe
Is where we next landed
We could not use the toilet 
And leave empty handed

So my spouse and I
Bought coffee and tea
And ten minutes later
He had to pee

“No more drinks!” I exclaimed
As my husband ran
Into a gas station 
To use the can

But I didn’t consider
I just didn’t think
That I as well
Had too much to drink

Needless to say
We never did view
Our planned destination
We’d hoped to get to

So our little road trip
Is honored “Pee Day”
Grand tour of the toilets
Along the highway

Fox Squirrels


I saw a squirrel in a tree
I must say that it startled me
Larger than I’d ever seen 
A black head with a white body

I heard a shuffle from behind
I turned and thought I’d lost my mind
As in a tree there I did find
A black bodied squirrel entwined

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #309 – Opposites

Tricolored Heron

Tricolored Heron
Little River, South Carolina
November 2023

I. J.’s Birds of the Week Invitation XL

Wild

Angkor Wat
Ancient ruins
Floating village 
Nature preserve
Tropical birds flying
Over jumping fish
Water Buffalo wading
Wild…
Night of dancing
In Siem Reap

Eugi’s Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Nightlife

No Death In Love

Death
Life ceases
Love will survive

Love
Surpasses death
Memories invoke life

Found
Deep love
Knows no death

W3 Prompt #83: Wea’ve Written Weekly’s poet of the week, Michelle, prompts us to write a Hay(na)ku on the topic of ‘love lost and found.’

Light Fixtures

Cee’s Any type of light fixture