This week we are taking a look at the basic human emotion. Love. The poets of the ages have made much of their muses in this regard. For this prompt, we want you to write a “love” poem. Love whatever or whoever you want, but bring your passion to life here.
Marie’s Words:
Poppa
(For my husband: living proof that a “step” grandfather loves no less)
At the sight of him,
The blue eyes of her 24-pound frame light up,
She flashes a two-toothed smile,
Lifts pudgy little hands toward the ceiling,
And clearly says, “Poppa.”
At the sight of her,
The blue eyes of his 220-pound frame soften,
He beams from tip to toe,
Extends muscular arms to scoop her up,
And tenderly says, “There’s my pumpkin.”
At the sight of these exchanges,
My own eyes regularly mist,
My already full heart floods
With more love than it can contain. Love
For her, for him, and for the God of second chances.
Walt’s emotion:
I see you in the morning mist, a vision;
my tired eyes welcome it. And your gown flows
in a gentle cascade, my only mission
is to take you up into my arms and show
you all that my love can teach you; a lesson
your mind will learn, but your heart already knows.
In close silhouette, your beauty is revealed.
My longing for you cannot be concealed.
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
Oh my goodness, both so achingly Beautiful!!! I am so inspired, Thank you!!!
Thank YOU, Hentreitta Katie! Hoping to see your own poetic response to the prompt. 😉
Marie Elena
Oh, thank you, Marie Elena; for now I am reminded of a quote by (I hope) Charlie Porter: “…It was important to me that I didn’t publicize anything. I was afraid I would destroy it…” Perhaps, some day I will be able to let go of the magic…Sincerely, Henrietta
Very Beautiful Marie Elana. I love the theme and the way you brought this relationship to our reality thru your words. Thanks. Walt, I wish I’d have written that, but you are much better at it than I. Fabulous Work both of you!
I agree with Henreitta! Marie with a melting heart love and Walt, with a surging passionate love both “achingly beautiful!” Warm smiles to you both!
And I agree with you Hannah…which means I agree with Henreitta! My goodness…
Marie: as someone who has a stepdad who calls me “his baby” (STILL…and I’m now 45!), I can relate to the wonder of it all.
Walt: though I continue to pray for the “tired eyes” to not be so tired these days, may they always be filled with vision.
A truly “love”ly prompt.
Thank you Hannah! And Paula, that is just so heart warming.
Marie Elena
Agree with Marie (WHO KNEW?)
Thanks to Hannah for the air of agreement.
And Paula, it is indeed warming to know. and be assured the “tired eyes” are much less lately. I’m a more wide awake and eyes opened guy of late. My visions are more inspired and uplifting lately. Seems the prayers of you and others is doing the trick. Thanks for all of it.
Great to hear that, Walt! More prayers coming your way. TTFN!
~GREATER~
Faint and far off
I hear an echo
Tranquil chimes
Voiced by the Wind
A memory
Words spent
Wisely:
“I love you.”
Very sweet Hannah. Words spent wisely 🙂
Thank you so much, Benjamin! 🙂
I love the idea of “spending” words…nice! 🙂
Thank you, Paula!! 🙂
how tender and musical – just lovely
Thank you, Jane!
“tranquil chimes/voiced by the wind” – what beautiful lines.
I appreciate the comment!
Red Light, Green Light
There is a spot on my neck
that tickles when you kiss it
and I have to giggle
and turn away from you.
STOP that.
I need you to find the place
that calms when you kiss it
and I have to moan
and turn here into you.
START that.
This reminded me of my husband. I am always getting irritated with him for kissing my neck and giving me goosebumps. I read it to my husband and he liked it as well; the title fit just right.
That is so sweet! Love frequently contains an element of irritation.
Love Here
Today is our forty-second anniversary
some years much longer than others
as time rolled us through, tumbled
us onto this now comfortable shore
Thick length of ills’ dark heaviness
necessity upon necessity, rumbling
ruffling each hint of calm blue flow
in the waters of those days
Remembering I feel myself slipping
wanting to kick away, play
in the thick grass
of my father’s once lush lawn
Where grass grew strong
despite the fact of his huge oak
spreading cool shelter in the melt-down
of Georgia’s summer sun
That red brick home, sweet corner
lives in my today’s almost
more vibrant, vivid than then
at ten than now
When I no longer spin and spin
to let the craziness of dizziness
drop me into that green sea
but instead I reach up, lean close
Remind myself how strokes, one
and then another, us taking turns
to breath have brought us home
to rest, side by side, love here.
Jane Penland Hoover
November 13, 2011
change line – sorry – “to breathe, have brought us home…”
Very Nice Jane,
Penland poetic style! Happy anniversary! And how appropriate for today’s prompt.
Georgia is very beautiful. Love the architecture there.
An effortless flow the words and sentiment with it’s gentle ending.
meant these words for your poem, Ben
42 years today? The perfect prompt for you! Good job, Walt! 😉
Seriously, congratulations, Jane. What an inspiration!
opps! – this is the story – there was a prose piece that began ‘today is our fourty-second’
and that seemed a good begining. At that time April of 2008 now over three years an some months ago – still it seemed the begining of a feel that remains and remains. Poets and writers and license to experiement with sensation and ideas. Your comments are a delight always.
Beautiful visions and memories Jane. I love the way you put this together. The ending is very peaceful. Congratulations on your 42 years.
Clever use of metaphor to show the loving journey. Happy anniversary.
a warm wind in november, leaves falling upward, trees
bending do-se-do, you; rabbits by moonlight, crows chasing
buzzards, swirls on the pond where the fishtails curl, you;
black and white photos with arrogant shadows, cats in the
window, toads, salamanders, lais of marie; marbles, beads,
buttons, bangles, persimmons; you, shiny things in the dirt
on the ridgetop trail, picnics from bailey & cato, coffee
from sip, trailer trash ice cream from piper, brunch at
marche; puffy and button and jasmin and kate, bluegrass,
boardwalk empire, true blood, you; tigers and white sox,
fishing still water, opals and rubies, earl gray; dark choc-
olate, watching it rain; alphabetising books, making up
stories for men on the street; having you to hear poems
hot off the iPad; watching you read in your sleep; dreaming;
sweaters with vee necks, dark green, dandelions, snow;
clouds on the moon, peaches; lemonade, beeswax, you.
love the inclusiviness of life loves this presents
Absolutely charming and captivating. I really like it. 🙂
Warm Ponderings
Thinking of you.
Again.
and again
and again
obsessed
with rich
warm ponderings
Still images
effortlessly flowing
to satisfy
a slowly
meditated zeal
with sex appeal
a brewed passion
steeped in desire
from the depths
well beneath
the surface
occupied by you
and you alone
you reside in this
heart’s trenches
it’s every furrow
avenue, street
your possession
Yes, I am thinking
of you and you alone
helplessly contemplating
your chiseled
robust frame
luscious lips
dressed with want
pressed firmly
along with wandering hands
that know no limit
no boundary
gliding fingers
electric touch
dazzled spines
igniting every nerve
in rapturous fire
once again inflamed
yes, still thinking of you.
so long is a lovers wait
Hope to see you soon…
Zowie. 😉
Benjamin, I can’t even describe how this one touched me.
This one is fabulous Benjamin!
Thanks Jane, Mike, Purplepen, and Paula!
I left my comment for your poem beneath your reply to mine. Eventually I’ll learn to manager the mechanics. Thanks for your comments to mine too.
You
Moist eyes
each time you succeed
or try your best
filling my heart
it takes up more than my chest
fills my belly as well.
It almost hurts
how much I love
you.
For my children: Ashlyn, Darrien, Emily, and Lathaniel.
this love so much more that words – a poem pouring out the love
Shannon…you penned perfectly the emotions I feel for my four as well! Beautiful!
Cute! And so true!
Marie and Walt, such beautiful poems.
Thank you, Shannon!
Marie Elena
[…] for Poetic Bloomings prompt to write a “love” poem; and The Sunday Whirl prompt to use these twelve words: […]
Yay! It didn’t take me an entire week to write and post, this time! 🙂
COMPLEX LESSONS
I studied her,
motionless,
from the safety
of the stairs – at just
the right point
where I could watch
but not be seen –
my gaze
hidden by the banister…
I learned about life.
From my perch
I could see her
busy herself,
cleaning the home
of her family –
lovingly, yet rapidly
she worked
to complete her tasks…
Other times I witnessed
her inner strength
amidst crises of all sizes –
misplaced papers,
or times when lives hung
in the balance –
her words comforted
loved ones; her prayers,
eloquent; perfect…
My lessons about birds
and bees
came through
the banister rails as well,
I caught glimpses
of a painted coral fingertip
curling seductively,
the swivel of hips,
a wordless call
to her lover…
Some people say
I developed a complex –
however,
I believe I learned
the best lessons in life;
I fell in love with my mother
which helped me find
my soulmate, my wife.
2011-11-13
P. Wanken
like you imagery – it allows us to the see the child – the mom –
then we readers here to watch both characters sensing the whole of what is received – lovely
Thank you so much! 🙂
Marie and Walt, Incredibly moving poems. I haven’t read any others yet, but I will catch up.
Sara
Thanks so much, Sara!
Marie Elena
I can see that I’m going to have an even harder time than usual, choosing only one poem for this week’s Beautiful Bloom. It will only get worse as the week goes on. I can’t think of a better problem to have. You all ROCK!
Marie Elena
so glad I found this site again so I could relax let you guys inspire me each week – thank you
I’m amazed we have this many late on a SUnday. We’re in good trouble.. Walt
oh yes – good to see this many here – enjoying this so much – thank you both
My fave:
“My own eyes regularly mist,
My already full heart floods
With more love than it can contain …”
and
” … a lesson
your mind will learn, but your heart already knows.”
Beautiful ~
Fall, in Love
Just this:
The crunch of leaves under our feet and the sound of our kids playing nearby and the way my hand fits just right inside of yours. The way you always want to take pictures of me even though I hate to have my picture taken, because you say your fancy camera seeks the greatest beauty (even amid all this golden-crimson-vermillion magic). The flash of blue in your eyes against this crazy Baltimore sky and the fact that you came on this trip at all, took time off work to joyfully hang out with my family, taking photo after photo of our nephew, keeping our own kids sane while I try to soak up that which is only mine two or three times a year. The dear and doting way my mom looks at you as if you were her son, because you are, and says you “spoil her so.” It’s the flutter of a sunset-hued leaf dancing down from tallest tree, and the flutter in my chest knowing you love me.
Oh, Father of my children, Keeper of my heart, it is autumn here. How is it we are somehow still in our most vibrant, growing spring?
absolutely beautiful, de
lovely.
this is amazing – giving us the picture of the feel of love and being in the midst of it – each word seems so carefully chosen and yet it also seems as if there could be no other way to say this much – joyful hearts live there
Your work never fails to delight me.
There’s real love in there – a prose poem gives so much room to expand. Why didn’t I think ofthat?
You are describing my Keith. ❤
Love those Second Chance men, sweet Marie. 😉
Thanks, all, for your generous comments.
Marie, your “Poppa” did me in. So perfect.
A Steady Road
It wasn’t an avalanche
nor a fall nor a trip nor
a stumble. It wasn’t being
swept away nor knocked clean off
my feet. It was slow and steady,
warm and comforting. It was
revealing but never an upheaval.
It was life changing and life
affirming. It was the end
of my past and the beginning
of my future. Loving you
meant life would never, thankfully,
be the same again.
sure enjoy the quiet smooth comfort embedded in these two stanzas and the slow move into change not unwanted – affirming yes
Slow, gradual, steadfast and lovely.
Still Falling
Talking for hours, just like it began.
Sharing and laughing, walking hand in hand.
Acting like newlyweds, still so much in love.
Celebrating twenty years; we are blessed from Above!
Partners, best friends, husband and wife;
from here to forever, you’re the love of my life!
how sweet and easy this feels
Awww… Congratulations on twenty years! And still falling!
Walt & Marie – Outstanding!
Here’s a short one from me:
Light
Each time that person
steps into
your vision,
light circles outline his form.
Two smiles beam as one.
Marge
She bared her soul to me,
and I to she, a bond stronger
than blood relation. Her laugh
rang silver, her caring, gold.
She was the person I could cry
with, and giggle to tears with,
in the same conversation. I learned
from her–which ingredients were best
for Spanish cooking, a love for
Latin music, and how easy
conversation could flow. She bubbled
over like the steamed milk
she would forget on the stove. Gone
six months now, I think of her, love her,
and my cousin who brought her to us.
Very sweet heartfelt poem. She sounds like a very pleasant person.
A very sensitive and loving piece.
Thank you Poetryshack & Misk. She was indeed a special woman.
Marie: Your poem had me very close to tears.
Walt: Oh, my!
Love Designed
planted
tiny
life
growing
nauseous
beating
breathing
growing
bigger
thumping
pushing
growing
features
kicking
elbowing
growing
stronger
arriving
celebrating
growing
love
I’ve come late to this as I’ve been having a busy time with Tillybud and her husband.
I really am useless at love poetry. So I chose to write my PAD 15 contribution using the http://wewritepoems.wordpress.com/ prompt to make a list of memory jogging words and use them to write poemlets. My first few words were the jog that sent me back more than a quarter of a century to how I met my husband.
Love poemlets
blind date, unwanted, unasked
by disillusioned divorcee
delicious dancing banished loneliness
funny stories first time heard
lives blended, families merged
in ventures blithely undertaken
all passion spent, the love remains
comfortable, comforting
through rarely thick and often thin
mutual dependence intertwined
with constant laughter
a sigh
a sob
caught
tremulous
a hot tear
rolls
aching
to touch
that ever present
you
sprawled
invading all
the crevices
of my being
it will only
ever
be you
love poem might
I might stop sunset
where it suits the shape of sedge grass,
spiking a winter field, untaste
a granny smith zigzagged with honey
whiffed with cinnamon, stuff
a mushroom cloud into a mason jar, and not
know what to do without you
One Love
One love for all the world to see.
One love for all eternity.
Love that lives forever in the soul.
One love so blessed and so true.
One love reserved for only you.
Love that grows inside and makes us whole.
By Michael Grove
Ain’t no love here for ya’ (Poetic Asides Prompt 15)
Listen.
We have to talk.
This is going to be tough for you, I know.
Well…There’s no sense of walking on egg shells.
Let’s just get the cat out of the bag.
The truth is I don’t love you.
I never did and never will.
So you can take that straight to the bank.
Good. I’m glad we got that worked out…
Soap Operas
Church’s Chicken
Chicken livers
Clam Chowder
November PAD Challenge Day 15 Prompt “Two for Tuesday” Write a love poem and/or ant-love poem
VOWED LOVE
As I look and peer
into your eyes
noticing your poor
disheveled countenance
discerning the index of your eyes
as I often do
doubts arise
in genuine concern
for your beloved grandfather
who is alive but can
no longer walk and whose
health is now uncertain
sobs break forth
tears stream
in rapid succession
down each cheek
striking a painful cord
deep in my heart
bringing to remembrance that day
that sweet wedding day
I uttered those words
to cherish you always
and wipe away
each
tear…
I just clocked in to get the comment tally to 80! WOW! Blooms, you guys are GROWING! 🙂 Wondrous stuff to savor here today. I wish I had time to comment on each separately, but know I read and enjoy the seeds for thought that I know will stay with me today.
SOLAR LOVE ECLIPSED
Once upon a time
many moons ago
we were in the midst
of the day
basking in the sunshine
soaking up the ray
wrestling in the meadow
making out in the shadow
until our day was eclipsed
into sudden darkness
where I could no longer see your face
appreciate your beauty
and you vanished from reality
like a mist gone from the wind
such romantic and wonderful poems! mine took a while to compose but here it is:
http://lolamousedroppings.blogspot.com/2011/11/bloom.html
[…] Poetic Bloomings asks us to take on one of the most written about, and therefore hard to do well, emotions, and that is love. You might combine your idea with one of the forms they suggest this week, the nonet, or the etheree. Both forms work well with this emotion, as one closes down and the other unfolds. […]
Love Lingers
You sat on the couch
falling asleep.
It was late,
you should go,
but we wouldn’t see each other for a week.
You didn’t want to leave.
I’ve been loved deeply
by God and other people,
but I never felt so valued.
Connie,
What a combination of sadness and hope you have struck.
So great having you join us!
Marie Elena