August 2019 – Image & Verse

Still

“About a cat, and his mistress.”

Still

still
it sits

atop the bench
by our garden wall
just where she left it

our cat Taja
hides inside at play
pokes up his furry head
to look my way

he knows
it is her can

he waits every day
for his mistress
to tenderly pat his head
to reach her gentle hand
and lift her can

how many lilies
has it nourished
how many daisies
lilacs
roses
how many morning glories

it dispenses
its life giving waters
so gracefully in her hand

a delicate hand
gentle in its loving touch

gentle in its task
of planting
gentle in its tend

but rugged on any weeds
threatening her garden

she
the giver of life
the guardian
of her realm

but she could not stop
all that threatened
and I had not
her gift of giving life

and so it rests
atop the bench
just where she left it

no longer is it lifted
by her tender nurturing hand

that hand now
is still

~ ~ ~

Click below to check out some other cats on dVerse:

dVerse Poetics: On All Things Feline!

Ongoing Ballad of Lil’Queen

“This tanka is the third poem in my Lil’Queen series.”

Ongoing Ballad of Lil’Queen

ONE BAAAD KITTY!

lil’ queen struts haughty

purring low, she’ll be naughty

feline on the prowl

this night ‘neath sil’vry moonlight

this kitty will have her way

~ ~ ~

~> More adventures of Lil’Queen <~

Click to check out Lil’Queen & Ziggy

Click to check out Lil’Queen’s Warning

Click below to check out some other cats on dVerse:

dVerse Poetics: On All Things Feline!

“Black Cat – Janet Jackson”…

Hi! I’m Edgrrr, rob’s shih tzu.

Tranquil Center

“Seeing the world for what it is makes one smart.
Seeing the world for what it could be — makes one wise.”

Tranquil Center
BE A SOLUTON~

there are conflicts
in our daily toil
to sustain the body

keep these
from your inner being
these do not feed the spirit

lift someone in need
seek the components of peace
create enduring possibility

with these
feed your spirit
sustain your tranquil center

~ ~ ~

pink water lily in rock garden - meditation of soul

Click below for more beautiful words at dVerse:

. . . and the most beautiful words are . . .

“Human beings have dominion over nature.” How absurd! Beyond smoke&mirrors, this is an absolute lie of a devastating magnitude. Human’s have inflicted inconceivable abuses on the natural world, as a result of this most self-destructive belief. For example, it has given birth to these abominations we call zoos. These institutions of cruel incarceration are a horrifying tragedy of perverse human arrogance.

Beautiful!

from rippled sinew black as midnight
bores a stare of molten gold

searing deep to burn your soul
a beautiful, furious, calm inferno

unyielding is this panther’s pace
held captive in this foolish zoo

brutalized by human arrogance
denied the freedom that is its soul

cold eyes rivet snarled contempt
unfathomed pools of quiet rage

on this panther paces paces
turns and paces back he paces

graceful stride of brute resolve
presses on to test his bounds

proud this captive soul just paces
frustration turns anger retraces

this brutal prison of false environ
does not fool this mighty beast

observe how he continues pacing
instinct certain this is not home

his piercing gaze fixed well beyond
his suffered fate of cruel confine

see the panther pacing pacing
his nature steeled his spirit strong

relentless sorrow wild longing
drive on and on his constant stride

this will not break his fierce resolve
he tracks freedom he stalks life

imprisoned he will forever pace
and he will pace
and he will die

~ ~

caged beast close your eyes
have no fear of letting go
dream of wild freedom

~ ~ ~

Click below for more smoke & mirrors at dVerse:

Poetics: Smoke and Mirrors

River Whispers

This is a 144 word flash fiction piece written in response to a dVerse prompt. This one is focused at the beauty and power of the Pacific Northwest, the land that I embrace, and dearly love — my home! You can click at the bottom of this post if you would like to listen to the soothing sound of the river while you read.

I highly recommend headphones for full immersion in the natural energy!

CC BY-NC-ND Bruno Monginoux www.photo-paysage.com www.landscape-photo.net

River Whispers

I’m at peace wandering these mountains, spellbound by the vastness of their forests, searching their rivers, letting them carry my spirit over their boulders and falls. My soul hears ancient secrets whispered by their waters, echoed in the treetops by birds’ quiet songs. The tumble of their current is the lifeblood of my heart.

These pristine mountains are breathtaking, unspoiled natural beauty. They ignite my imaginings. The fragrance of conifers and wild flowers blend to intoxicate the breezes, wafting all around me, as sun rays drift down dreamlike from their emerald forest canopies, sparkling diamond-like on the chill chop-waters of their wild mountain rivers.

This special place is close to my heart. Here my spirit soars like the melody of a song. When I’m lost, the mystery of this magic place finds me. Here you will love again the stranger who was your self.

~ ~ ~

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LiiYMEWKVnY

“listen to the river while you read”

Click below to read other’s self discovery at dVerse:

Prosery #3: Love After Love

Such Wonder

This challenging form is called a sestina. This is the second I’ve written in response to a dVerse prompt. This one is focused at the beauty and power of the Pacific Northwest, the land that I embrace, and dearly love. My home! The region is a soul stirring, life transforming miracle! I’ve opened the door — take a look! You can click at the bottom of this post if you would like to listen to the soothing sound of the stream, and bird songs.

I highly recommend headphones for full immersion in the natural energy!

Such Wonder

I find peace wandering these mountains
my searching spirit slips along its rivers
spellbound by the vastness of its forests
its ancient secrets whisper on the breeze
echoing in the treetops like quiet song
to resonate forever my beating heart

to this mystic realm I lost my heart
awestruck by these majestic mountains
rushing whitewaters serenade with song
roaring over rocks in crisp wild rivers
‘round each bend stirs a freshened breeze
wafting through timeless emerald forests

breathtaking — these pristine forests
unspoiled natural beauty steals your heart
fragrant conifers intoxicate the breeze
sun rays fall dreamlike on the mountains
sparkle diamondly on cold chop-water rivers
beauty so glorious as to celebrate in song

bles’sed mornings I wake to nature’s song
cradled joyful beneath the canopy of forests
dreams dance crisp clear waters of the rivers
nature’s energy excites the rhythm of my heart
resonant as root-chambers in old-growth forests
“be glad” breaths the quiet voice of the breeze

a treetop osprey’s cry echoes in the breeze
beautifully eerie this raptor’s haunting song
it seeks prey in the waters of these mountains
as the airborne master fisher of these forests
doing battle with a wild trout is in its heart
I use a wooden boat to fish these rivers

my imagination flows free as these rivers
life’s become light as a soft evening breeze
I hold this special place close to my heart
my spirit soars like the melody of a song
ever captive to the mystery of these forests
enchanted by the wonders of these mountains

the rush of wild rivers is like a brightening song
carried on the breeze through these ancient forests
my heart’s song resonates in these mighty mountains

~ ~ ~

“listen to the sounds of nature while you read — be relaxed”

Click below to read other sestinas at dVerse:

Poetry Form: Sestina

Cruel Verse

I am not a big fan of strict-form structured poetry. This form is called a sestina, and was written in response to a prompt at dVerse Poets. This form was quite challenging, so I wrote a tongue-in-cheek sestina in response. Please read lightheartedly.

Cruel Verse

this poet slumps before you soul in chains
my witty sense of humor quickly waning
trying to pursue this poetic violation
this form of 6 times 6 plus 3 is cruelty
it’s a soul-debilitating stifling threat
it traps my free-thinking in consternation

how can I avoid this creative consternation
and free my poet’s soul from these chains
I must resist this frightful pending threat
I fear my will to fight is slowly waning
as my poet’s spirit suffers this cruelty
can my true voice survive this violation

I must stand strong against this violation
stimulate my voice ‘midst this consternation
shield my free expression from this cruelty
my soul must not falter ‘neath these chains
resolve must be steady — be never waning
it’s imperative I withstand this awful threat

is it fair a poet be subjected to such threat
why must I confront such heartless violation
you see why my resistance might be waning
entangled in this creative consternation
and the pressing weight of these heavy chains
you must admit that this is unusual cruelty

I know that others here now face this cruelty
and must also stare down this unseemly threat
others here endure the heft of these same chains
I am not the only one who feels the violation
many victims here caught in this consternation
likely feeling their courage is ever waning

my love of pure free verse is never waning
I steadfastly rebuke this attempt at cruelty
I will not be swayed by foolish consternation
nor will I cower to this mean but failed threat
my poet’s voice will overcome this violation
I’ll wield my poet’s pen to break the chains

free of poetic consternation, my creativity’s no longer waning
chains on my poet’s soul are broken, I am beyond the cruelty
no more threat to my free thinking, I’ve survived the violation

~ ~ ~

Click below to read other sestinas at dVerse:

Poetry Form: Sestina

Two Bodies

This poem was inspired by the late Octavio Paz poem of the same title. Though they are certainly different, I used an essence from of each of Octavio’s 5 verses to influence each of my five verses: ocean, desert, roots, sparks, and stars. Click at the bottom here to read the Octavio Paz poem at dVerse.

Two Bodies

turning I reach across
this ocean of desire
to wrap her in my arms
as moonlit passion’s tide
slowly starts to rise

I begin to run my fingers
slowly down her trembling back
as it tapers ‘neath my touch
flesh warm as twilight sands
at desert’s coming nocturne

in firm but gentle grasp
I cup the tender swells
atop taut velvet thighs
as we urgently entwine
tight as fresh young banyans

skin to skin we smolder
our bodies firing sparks
lover’s flint and steel
until we ignite to blaze
an inferno of molten bliss

our lust consumed and spent
we collapse body to body
in love’s sweet intoxication
the embers of our passion
rise to mingle with the stars

~ ~ ~

Click below to read other poems at dVerse:

Tuesday Poetics: Lost in Translation

From Her Lips

From Her Lips

distant
reverberant
fading

like a voice
in a canyon
I hear her calling
in memories

my name
rolling sweet as nectar
from lips
soft as orchid petals

glistening crimson
as they wrapped softly
‘round each precious syllable

that night her voice
was forever silenced

~ ~ ~

Click below to hear he voices at dVerse:

Quadrille #85 – Raising our Poetic Voices

My Dream

“ My ecstatic vision ”

My Dream

reach to touch
my splendrous dream

a place of beauty
pure as light

of goodness
strong as sterling

a place of plenty
where no one wants

precious gifts
freely bestowed
to those
that dwell in truth

whose voices rise
in sensuous song
of celebraton

~ ~ ~

Click below to hear he voices at dVerse:

Quadrille #85 – Raising our Poetic Voices

Seeking the Mystery

Seeking the Mystery~

/\
with
a life halved
far from the familiar
beyond security of certainties
separated from the sheltering embrace
where truth is shadowed vague and ambiguous
it’s here I am searching for the elusive
seeking that which often hides
hoping to find insight
I remain open
to all
\/

~ ~ ~

Click to check out what they’re poeming at Toads

Sanctuary

Tuesday’s dVerse prompt, my grandson’s approaching birthday, my father who died this time of year, my precarious health, the beauty of where I live, the blessings of my life — these all put me deep in reflection the past couple days. This haibun bubbled up from all that, so I want to share it here on dVerse OLN.

Oregon Coast

Sanctuary~

For 43 years I tried to find a place where I felt I belonged, where I could feel my heart and soul open, where I could draw close to the ones I love and truly feel that love fully unfold, with my new wife, and for my children. Where I could find peace of mind, and leave ugly, hurtful memories behind me.

I found that in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, in 1990. Quite unexpectedly, I also found the spirit of the man who adopted me from the orphanage, gave me his name, and was my rock during a traumatic childhood. This world, that is the Pacific Northwest, is alive with the same wilderness energy he introduced me to in Canada — to experience, understand, and come to love. That world, which we explored together every summer, until his death in 1983.

I hadn’t understood how much I missed his presence, until I arrived here and felt it so vividly, all around me, this same energy that he loved. Wild lakes and rivers to fish, beautiful forests to hike, majestic mountains — clean open sky over pure pristine land! And I found something he would have loved — the incredible Oregon Pacific Ocean coast. This is more than just a place to me, and he was more than just my father. They both were my sanctuary!

I found freedom here
I found my father’s spirit
I found paradise

Clackamas River, Oregon Cascade Mountains

~ ~ ~

Click either below to see what other poets are sharing at dVerse:

Poetics- Purifying the Mind

OpenLinkNight #248

Time’s Window

“This is the 4th anniversary of my wife Kathleen and I moving to Seattle to be with our grandson Alex. I posted this new piece containing mindful reflections on leaving our home in Oregon, and our new Seattle home. The photos are of our Oregon yard in the Cascade Mountain foothills. That is my wife Kathy standing under, and peering up into our 2 giant banana palms. The poem is just below the photos.“

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Time’s Window~

we now have a wonderful
new Seattle home
shared with family
ruled by my little guy
my precious 6-year-old grandson
and I know sweet happiness

but there are moments
with eyes closed
I can gaze back
through time’s window

I see my beloved Oregon home
of 25 amazing years
vividly alive this morning
here in my memories…

through my window this day
I see the scurry of creatures
warmed by the Oregon summer

I hear nature
in splendid voice

the chuff
of a tree’d red squirrel

the song
chirp
and trill of birds

chickadee
goldfinch
western bluebird
and others

fly
flutter
and flit

in a flash of orange
a striking northern flicker
momentarily eschewing insects
is peck peck pecking
cracking black-oil sunflower seeds
that spill from our feeder

a red-tailed hawk
calls
from atop a Sitka spruce
swaying
in the crisp blue sky

the muffled belling of a deer
wandering the safety of old-growth
whispers
through the foothills

the distant bark
of a neighbor’s dog
echoing the basin
up along our stream
reminds me
we have friends nearby

my wife’s
gentle laughter
validates the friendship

her tender smile
validates our love

the rustle of leaves
stirred by the breeze
wafting through the valley

smartly punctuated
by the staccato
of conifer cones
that fall
from time to time
wrested free by chickaree
and chipmunk
chattering high in Douglas fir
busy with their forage

wap wap wap

they bounce off our roof
striking the ground

closely followed
by the scamper
of their liberators
crunching their way
to the heart-meat of the cone
the delicacy
that elicits this furious industry

drifting in the window
intoxicating fragrances

cedar
pine
fir

lily
rose
lilac

grasses
loam
and more

a rich
earthy bouquet

caught in my reverie
I breathe in
deeply
to suddenly remember

…I’m not in my Oregon home
I am in my new Seattle home
and it’s filled to overflowing
with family
and love

for a moment
I do not open my eyes
I linger a bit longer
in my beautiful dream
of my Oregon

my heart will forever be there
but we will likely never go back
not until my ashes are spread
high in the Cascade Mountains
on Mt. Hood
across breathtaking Lost Lake

but here
now
on this day
filled with memories
and joy
a solitary tear
falls

~ ~ ~

This new write was a remarkably mind purifying write for me. Click to see how others are purifying their minds on dVerse:

Poetics- Purifying the Mind

Click to check out the haps at Toads

Hour of the Beast

“Look carefully at yourself America”

“Emperor of the Dawn” — by: Quincy Washington

Hour of the Beast

when in our ignorance
we begin to believe
we’ve risen above
the bloody birth
of our origin

when in our reflection
we see perverse transcendence
towards entitlement
in which no allegiance
or kinship to the natural way
binds us to our center

when we do not recognize
the fumbling
frightened flesh parade
in which we all lock step
shoulder to shoulder
flailing for our survival

when our insanity of arrogance
so distorts our vision
of our place in time
blind to the sacred ancient truths
removed from bone-broken reality
of human failure and weakness

when facts annoy and fiction comforts
and we begin to eat our own
while fornicating with false gods
of greed, power, and prejudice
on forsaken gilded alters
of perjured cruelty

then the hour of the beast
is certainly at hand
and we are
by deed and apathy
its deserving helpless prey

~ ~ ~

Click to check out the Emporer’s influence at Toads

Regal Bird

Regal Bird

red tailed hawk cries out in the woods nearby
his eyes focused sharp on the ground below
when prey scurries by he will launch and fly
a cunning predator he hunts solo
takes his victim quick — swoops in fast and low

talons like knives he’s a lethal machine
the wound is deadly and delivered clean
with stunning precision, power, and pace
survival instincts impeccably keen
a proud regal bird, true majestic grace

~ ~ ~

Click below to check out more dizain at dVerse:

More Dizain

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