Dissonance

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr / 2 Comments

Dissonance

Far from poetic,
his words were filled
with discord and discontent,
riffs of repetition railing on
malfeasance and malevolence,
the hypocrisy of do unto others,
do unto the environment,
do whatever the hell you want.
Forget what others fear and others feel,
because it’s a me-first world made
to be used until there’s nothing left
for anyone. All he really wants to do is rant.

This is my response to Day 26 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month 2024 at napowrimo.net, where we’re asked to write a poem that involves alliteration, consonance and assonance. I think I’ve covered all three aspects, even if the assonance in lines 3 & 9 is part of the alliteration.

Alliteration
     – the repetition of a particular consonant sound at the beginning of multiple words
Consonance
     – the repetition of consonant sounds elsewhere in multiple words
Assonance
     – the repetition of vowel sounds

Perspective

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr / 1 Comment

Perspective

You have one life,
yet each moment stands alone,
regardless of the past,
regardless of the future.
In each moment,
there is one chance to get it right.
Be honest with yourself.
There is virtue in perspective.
Decide, or don’t.
Not making a choice is a decision.
Live without regret. Do not
let others make that decision for you.
TANSTAAFL*

This is my response to Day 25 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month 2024 at napowrimo.net, where we are asked to write a poem based on the “Proust Questionnaire,” using a provided variation of the questions.

*There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch

Categorical Catharsis

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr / 23 Comments

Categorical Catharsis
                         for Melissa

Sorry is what you should be
for asking for this post,
but owl try to do my best,
since you’re a gracious host.

Feline pets will never have
a place within my heart.
The reasons, they do add up.
I don’t know where to start.

I’ll begin with lap warmers,
a most annoying trait.
Or cuddles around the neck,
claws out. That’s not so great.

Then, of course, the litter box,
its most obnoxious smell
that tells you if your furry pet
is ill or feeling well.

Or there’s this, my neighbor’s pet,
there on my window sill
looking for a way inside
so he can get his fill.

I so dislike this animal
that I won’t say its name.
You might think I’ll take one in,
but thank you, just the same.

 

This is my response to If you don’t like cats, I’m sorry, the prompt from Melissa at dVerse ~ Poets Pub, which asks us to write a poem about cats, without the word “cat” in the poem or the title – and inspired by one of the illustrations provided by Melissa. I’ve chosen “Cat’s Nightmare,” by Louis Wain.

Image source: illustrationchronicles.com

Off prompt for Day 23 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month at napowrimo.net.

A Matter of Perspective ~ haibun

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr / 12 Comments

A Matter of Perspective

Our planet may still look like a blue marble from space, but the true story is found on the surface. There are no hidden secrets here. The disrespect for Mother Earth is laid bare for all to see. Forests are razed for industry. Air and water pollution may seem on the decline, but to say that it will ever end is denying the truth. We are destroying our planet. Every day should be Earth Day.

her hidden beauty
a matter of perspective
when you know the truth

This is my response to Haibun Monday 4/22/24: Earth Day,
the prompt from Frank Tassone at dVerse ~ Poets Pub.

Off prompt for Day 22 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month at napowrimo.net.

Image source: nasa.gov – Earth seen from a million miles away
by the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite

Once Blue, Always

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr / 2 Comments

Once Blue, Always

Nothing deeper.
Nothing bluer.
No river or lake.
No ocean could hold
the grief that filled his heart,
his soul, his very being.
The blues will consume,
and he was. The pain
might lessen over time,
but some part of him
would always know the blues.

This is my response to Day 21 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month at napowrimo.net, where we are asked to write a poem that repeats or focuses on a single color.

appreciation ~ senryū

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr / Leave a comment

appreciation
for familiar emotions
found in poets’ words

Saturday, 20 April 2024, the Gumbo Bottoms Single Pot Still Poetry Society celebrated its First Annual Poetry Day in Jefferson City, Missouri. The event featured poets from various points in mid-Missouri and two keynote poets, Justin Hamm and William Trowbridge, former Poet Laureate of Missouri.

This senryū is off prompt for Day 20 of National Poetry Writing Month at napowrimo.net.

Missouri Welcome

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr / 2 Comments

Missouri Welcome

Gone a week,
oak and hickory leaves
just budding when we left.
Green trees when we return,
with oak catkins taunting me,
their flowers already
sending pollen into the air,
itching eyes and sniffles
reminding me I’m home.

I moved to Missouri, bought a house with a dozen oak trees within 20 to 100 feet of the house, only to learn I’m allergic to oak.

Photo: one of the many white oaks near my house
          (click for larger view in new tab)

This poem is off prompt for Week 19 of National/Global poetry Writing Month at napowrimo.net.