Continuous Return
The years overlap
as they remind us
that all of this
is only a moment,
our perspective changing
with each sunset
/sunrise, each leaf opening
/falling, each point of light
in the infinite star-filled sky
reminding us of the possibilities
behind and before us,
yet contained in the moment,
as one year passes
and another begins.
Kerfe Roig often has a way of sending my mind in unexpected directions,
as she has done with her pantoum, January 2022: into the darkness.
What Is Before Us
for Stephen
Plain sight cannot deny
a truth without camouflage,
your subtle brushstrokes
never relying on memory hidden
within the ebb and flow of life,
always open to the new
as it unfolds, willing
an insight of what may be
repeated, though never taken
for granted. In chords
that stroke the soul,
I have seen your true self.
This poem is inspired by The Quiet Places, by Stephen Tanham.
Please read the original. It’s a short read, and the source of the photo.
one perpetual flow
contemplate a river
reflect on all, above
and below the surface
know the truth
of life flowing past
always flowing, depth
a matter of perception,
perspective found
in the waves that wash
over you in that moment
This poem is inspired by Autumn Astound, by SJaeschke (Jazz),
at Steps and Pauses/Mostly Mindful.
Please read her poem here.
Photo: The Niagara River gorge, seen from the Canadian side
(click image for a larger view of my photo in a new tab)
kinship
one room
three poets
convergence
a matter of perspective
all compass points relative to center
that sweet rose
friendship
gogyohka
three poets in one room
convergence
a matter of perspective
all compass points relative to center
sweet rose of friendship
shadorma
three poets
compass points gathered
convergence
perspective
all relative to center
sweet rose of friendship
cherita
three poets
convergence
a matter of perspective
compass points
relative to center
sweet rose, friendship
lune
three poets
that sweet rose, friendship
convergence
Our trip to Cleveland/Buffalo took us through Indianapolis, where we spent a pleasant evening with Stephanie L. Harper and Robert Okaji.
Yeah, short-form poetry is my thing. I decided to try writing the first free-verse poem in other forms. The definitions of these forms can be found on my Poetic Forms page.
Image source: peakpx.com
Sevenling (the journey)
The journey is never over.
Never complete.
Always open to interpretation.
Destination, always changing,
a matter of conjecture.
Beginning and end have no significance.
The return is just a stop along the way.
I have been inspired by Ron. Lavalette, the master of the sevenling, to write my first.
Sevenling ~ created by Roddy Lumsden, a Scottish poet
~ a seven-line poem composed of three stanzas
~ first stanza ~ three connected or contrasting statements, or a list of three details, names or possibilities. (all of the three lines ~ or ~ contained anywhere within them)
~ second stanza ~ similarly contains an element of three, connected directly or indirectly or not at all to the preceding stanza (again, anywhere within the three lines)
~third stanza ~ a single line that should should act as a narrative summary or punchline or as an unusual juxtaposition
~ the tone should be mysterious, offbeat or disturbing, as if only a fragment of the story has been told
~ title is optional ~ if used, then “Sevenling (first few words)”
Image source: pngegg.com
more than ash
in the end
ash is more than ash
acknowledged
when released
last wish granted with respect
ash much more than ash
This shadorma is inspired by Ron. Lavalette’s Shadorma for Joan,
found here – please read.
In the Moment
inner Self
day-consciousness
complements
in balance
breathe
with calm
inner vision
directed outward
consider a sphere
influence
watch it fade
emptiness
accept the warmth
nothing
draw it inward
with calm
close your eyes
feel the warmth
always home
belonging
compass needle
to the real Self
core empowered
completeness
central to experience
full with oneness
gift of the now
in the moment
This poem is inspired by Steve Tanham’s Radiance of the Invisible Pearl.
Image pearl – 95C at pixabay
needle – Open Clipart-Vectors at pixabay
Inharmony
Sinistrous
And murderous
Lunacy
Conspiracy
Casting pall
Your nightly call
Ebony
Cacophony
Out with thee
And let me be
Nevermore
To hear your lore
Make your home
With somber tomes
Writ by Poe
As you well know
This poem was inspired by Euphony, by Beverly Crawford
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Now
Thoughts like this call to me
Now and then
And then
I realize they’re always there
My lips may not move
Yet I wonder
Do you hear me
And miss me in the same way?
The time since may grow longer
But the time to come
When I may once more
Hold your hand is far shorter
This poem was inspired by Memorial, by Ron. Lavalette.
The Expanse
Thoughts to words
An open heart welcomes
like minds
A poet shares reflections from within
Symmetry an afterthought
A kaleidoscope escaping
its narrow confines
Welcomed for all time
by those who behold
This poem is inspired by By Design, by Betty Hayes Albright
Image by Dmitri Posudin from Pixabay
rivrvlogr 