Salt

For DVerse’s Quadrille Monday, our word is “Pepper.” I had planned on trying to write something but was having trouble. Then, just now, I finished writing this so decided to post it because why not. 🙂

I pepper my poetry with imagery,
Trying to add metaphor  and simile,
Perhaps allusions to classical mythology --
But sometimes those words won't come. 

I write with pillars of salt
More often than spice;
Sometimes the plainest words suffice
To say I miss the past. 

In Praise of the Flowers

I had fun with the quatern for DVerse yesterday so write another one tonight. The picture of the sunflowers was taken yesterday, in my backyard garden.

Remembering the sunflowers
Turning their heads to source of light,
Making the most of cloudy days,
Even in absence of sun's rays.

When dull becomes my inner gaze,
Remembering the sunflowers
I think that there is present joy
Somewhere, inside this life of mine.

Remembering all small delights:
Coffee and food, music and books,
Remembering the sunflowers 
Themselves, with yellow-petalled looks.

Inspiration blooms well today
Inside this heart, the soil is rich
And certain light will always shine, 
Remembering the sunflowers.
Photo taken by me in my yard

Not Long Mine

I'm glad I loved you while I could,
Although you weren't long mine to hold,
Spring rain to sun to winter-cold
In May, with much more left to say. 

Although you will not hear it all
I'm glad to've loved you while I could, 
And tears do not mean bitterness 
Except unto myself, my dear.

To have inspired such poetry 
Is quite a feat, and much of it.
I'm glad I loved you while I could,
Even if you deserved it not. 

I thought you always would be there
Mon Cher, how foolish and naive 
I should have known. Although I grieve
I'm glad I loved you while I could. 

For DVerse, we are writing quaterns, a French poetry form. I am also linking to Thursday Inspiration, since the theme is hold. Comments are appreciated. I know I didn’t put a lot of imagery in this, but I’ve just got to write my feelings, or I might literally die. 

love free standing letters on top of cabinet
Photo by Tomer Dahari on Pexels.com

Overthinking

For One-Liner Wednesday, I wanted to post a “Midweek Meme.” It was a really funny raccoon meme that I originally found on Instagram, but when I looked for it again I couldn’t find it.

I watched a movie today, “Because of Winn-Dixie.” It’s based on a book that I read in 4th grade, so I was curious to watch the movie version. I really enjoyed it and thought about sharing a quote from that movie. However, I gravitated back to the raccoon memes and found a different one to share:

Young Girl Writing…

I have a sijo on Monday for you this time! This week’s sijo theme is ART. I was inspired by the painting “Young Girl Writing a Love Letter” by Pietro Antonio Rotari, a print of which I have framed in my room. 

'Young_Girl_Writing_a_Love_Letter'_by_Pietro_Antonio_Rotari,_Norton_Simon_Museum

Look at her daydreaming  lovesick look on her pretty face,
Blush-pink cheek resting upon her left hand, feather-quill in her right --
I will not ruin her reverie, with a cynical ending

Raw Memory

It’s Haibun Monday at DVerse, and Frank suggests the theme of MEMORY. This was difficult and is more stream-of-consciousness style (so if it sucks, that’s why). It was inspired not only by recent events in my life but by the image that Frank chose to illustrate the original post:

pond-ripples


 

orange leaves floating 
juxtaposed on navy lake
amid faint ripples

It is spring; what is with the images of autumn? It seems the seasons have flipped, for the world is upside-down. 

The concept of "memory" feels too painful to probe. I remember your electrifying touch, yet closer is the searing flame of knowing I will never experience it again. 

Tears prick my eyes. I remember the last time it rained, and you were there near me with your warmth. It is spring, yet it is a cold and cloudy day, and I shiver. 

bare tree branches --
what was present now is left
crunching underfoot
Photo by Daniel Frank on Pexels.com

A Question

Fandango’s response to Jim Adams’s Thursday Inspiration prompt used the above picture, and it punched me in the gut. That inspired me to immediately post the following poem, which I did not write today but did write yesterday. I am much more than moderately sad but am actually doing better than the last few days. Sharing with DVerse OLN this week.

Did you truly love me,
Or did you just love
How I made you feel?

I found out through tears
That I truly love you, 
Irrespective of your answer.

I am a broken shell
Missing the sounds
Of the ocean

Affliction

For One-Liner Wednesday, I have a Bible verse and a poem to go with it.


 

Every tear
Is agony when love
Is unrequited, turns one-sided.

Every tear 
Is grief for what could be,
Is pain that the happiness has passed.

Every tear
Is worth its weight in gold,
Because suffering is not wasted.

For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NRSVCE)