The luck of the draw has us back to a quote:
“The quarrels of lovers are like summer storms. Everything is more beautiful when they have passed.”
~Madame Necker
This is a beautiful simile which makes me smile! The comparison of arguing lovers being like a summer storm creates quite an image! And the aftermath gives a glimmer of hopefulness which is quite poetic on its own.
Compare a summer something with how it is like something else, and write a poem about it.
And I haven’t forgotten: being Wednesday, we will feature the form Triolet!
##
As we remember:
Triolet is an 8-line French verse form. Its rhyme scheme is ABaAabAB and all lines are in iambic tetrameter; the first, fourth and seventh lines are identical, as are the second and final lines, thereby making the initial and final couplets identical as well.
Example of a Triolet (and not my submission to the prompt):
TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS
We live with what this day will give us
for that is all we’re assured.
So there’s no need to make a big fuss
we live with what this day will give us.
There’s so much of life that’s a plus,
to look past today is all blurred.
We live with what this day will give us
for that is all we’re assured.
Copyright © Walter J. Wojtanik – 2012
If you need more room to expand your thoughts, by all means string a few triolets stanzas together!
###
This morning we had received word that our friend and poetess extraordinaire, Vivienne Blake (Vivinfrance) had passed away. Vivienne was a generous soul, always the first to encourage and laud poets for their efforts, downplaying her own wonderful poetry. Her work was brilliant and brought her spirit to each and every one of us, no matter how distant in miles we were from her. Her sense of humor and sense of self were beyond reproach. Her final message to us on the eve of this July P.A.D. read as such:
“Thank you, and bon courage for all the prompting and reading. Sorry I’ve been missing a bit lately – I seem to have lost my poetic mojo. I’m off to UK tomorrow for a week, so perhaps travel will broaden my mind as well as my behind!
Vivienne Blake was a true lady and she will be sorely missed. The Bistro is closed, but her words and “heart” will live on. Bon courage, Viv.
And Bon Voyage!
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
RAMPAGING PORES
When summer comes it brings great sweat
that cascades down my nose and chin
and forms in pools; I wipe, and yet,
when summer comes it brings great sweat
that coats me in a salted fret.
I yearn for autumn’s kinder djinn
when summer comes; it brings great sweat
that cascades down my nose and chin.
haha! William, your skill,wit and humour wins smiles and admiration! another fine chuckle and a-a-h today. thank-you!
Walt, thank-you for that great example(very helpful) and another FUN prompt!
yes! wonderfully enjoyable
Not the summer here far North… a much cooler kind actually.
I love it William! We appear to be on similar wave lengths today. 🙂
How fun is this! 😀
Whew! Good one.
Another winner, William!
Smiling–not so much here in desert climate–unless I’m gardening.
Of Canvas and Creation
Each day is like a piece of art
Soon it will deck the halls of thought
Summer, what beauty you impart
Each day is like a piece of art
A masterpiece of earth and heart
Beneath a Hand of mercy wrought
Each day is like a piece of art
Soon it will deck the halls of thought
Speaking of a piece of art…..
perfectly lovely example of this art
Lovely!
I do agree that summer paints my canvas best
Lovely. Just like you. 🙂
lovely line….”A masterpiece of earth and heart”
Janet, your writing is a perfect example of art.
Yes, And each day, we become God’s work of art!
They’re saying on Facebook that Viv has died.
Thanks for letting us know, Barbara.
thank-you SO much for letting us know! Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.
Thank you, Barbara. I found out through Amy. So sad to lose another of our own.
I’m hearing this morning of our good friend Vivienne Blake’s passing. I am saddened by this and ask that you all keep her family in your thoughts. She’ll be remembered fondly.
Vivienne’s last posting was on the June 29th announcement of the P.A.D. She was off to the UK for a week “to find her mojo”. She’s found her rest instead.
Amen.
GREY DAY IN THE GARDEN
The flowers are posed in a somber stance;
they miss the caresses of Vivinfrance.
thank-you William for this tribute that utters each gardener’s heart today!
Thanks Bill!
Thank you for those lovely words, William.
Oh, yes.
A Stormy Affair
The shock and awe of flash and boom
bring on a spirited deluge.
As thunder rolls, summer storms bloom
the shock and awe of flash and boom.
Emotions race, soon harsh words zoom.
Unlike the storm, there’s no refuge
when shock and awe of flash and boom
bring a dispirited deluge.
Quite the rumble, Rob. Well done!
Thanks, Walt
I like this, a lot. I’ve read it several times. It’s a great one!
Thanks, Michelle
What a vivid one.
Wow. This is excellent, in my opinion.
Thanks, William
Rob, it is just so good to be able to enjoy your words again. A stormy affair, indeed. 🙂
Thanks, Marie. I’m happy to be back at writing. Glad that I saw Walt’s post that he was doing a PAD again.
such power
This makes the heart race with the head, Rob. Wonderful!
Summer does seem to go hand-in-hand with shock and awe.
[…] Prompt: And I Quote Again […]
A SUMMER TRIOLET
The angels wave their wands at seeds
and summer comes on dancing feet
providing gifts that nature needs.
The angels wave their wands at seeds,
then flowers bloom where once were weeds.
No fear of snow or hail or sleet.
The angels wave their wands at seeds
and summer comes on dancing feet.
#
A summer two-step. What an image, Sal!
Lovely imagery!
I do love those dancing feet… Barefoot I hope.
This is close to a monorhyme; love it.
gorgeous!
“Summer comes on dancing feet” LOVE this!
this made me smile with joy
I can see dancers and hear music in this, Sal.
Delightful.
the summer blooms within your speech
like wings of butterflies caress
your laughter’s call and love beseech
the summer blooms within your speech
we are like waves upon the beach
the summer blooms within your speech
like wings of butterflies caress
“like waves upon the beach” we surely are. Good observation, Bjorn!
Amen
Oh, this is just beautiful, Bjorn! I find this form difficult to create beauty with, and you have managed … well … beautifully.
‘your laughter’s call and love beseech’ – Love this line, Bjorn. It has such a romantic feeling to it.
So perfect for Viv.
Walt, your sample triolet is poignant in light of the news of ViV’s passing…and, being ViVinFRANCE…a fitting form, today. I’m so better from having known ViV, if only in cyberspace. I always told her I wanted to grow up to be like her. That is still my wish. Her presence among us will be missed.
You picked a good model by which to gauge yourself, Paula! Vivienne will be missed.
Aww! Such sweet sentiment, and I couldn’t agree more. ❤
So sad to hear of Viv’s passing. She will be missed.
Summer Triolet
A thought arises, lingers not, departs,
as our summer too soon becomes the fall.
This is true in writing, in all the arts.
A thought arises, lingers not, departs.
We must soon act on what is in our hearts,
lest we would forget, lose our soul, our all.
A thought arises, lingers not, departs,
as our summer too soon becomes the fall.
Tempus Fugit, Daniel. Love the triolet and the reflective air to your words. Very well written!
The sense of just an interlude is strong in your words.
For me, “lingers not” makes this poem work so well. Wonderful.
So much better than “stays awhile”, I think
Oh yes … gorgeously penned, my friend. I especially love your repeating lines.
‘love this comparison, ‘This is true in writing, in all the arts.’ yes! really enjoyed this poem.
A summer thought must depart even more quickly than one in winter. Lovely.
What a perfect metaphor. And it only gets worse as years go by.
Summer Plums
Ripe summer plums which fill the tree
Like promises fulfilled by God
His loving proof to you and me
Ripe summer plums which fill the tree
Just hanging there for all to see
To taste and know that He is good
Ripe summer plums which fill the tree
Like promises fulfilled by God
Beautiful, Connie!
Indeed so.
Oh the love of those summer blessings.
Summer does bring God’s promises to mind, to fruition.
SON ESPRIT COMME UNE BRISE D’ÉTÉ
Her spirit like a summer breeze,
born of her elegance and charm.
Her words flowed as sweet as you please,
her spirit like a summer breeze.
Her poet heart is now at ease,
the news took us much by alarm.
Son esprit comme une brise d’ete,
born of her elegance and charm.
(C) Walter J. Wojtanik – 2016
A poem is homage to Vivienne Blake. As Paula had mentioned, it is rather fitting that the form chosen for today was a triolet (French form), and in hindsight, my “sample” poem holds some significance if not in keeping with the form, but the message it gives to us all!
A very fitting and lovely tribute, this triolet.
Thanks, Paula! She deserved more that a triolet.
Maybe so, but I’ll bet she’d love this one.
Beautiful, Walt!
So sad to hear this. Viv was such a wonderful addition to all the poetry sites.
Wow. This is a GORGEOUS piece and tribute. Such elegance and charm in your writing, echoing our Viv with perfection. WOW.
A fitting tribute to a lovely woman.
Eh bien, elle etait comme un brise refraichessant pour moi. And this is so “Viv.”
I feel like I’ve lost a wonderful, crotchety relative.
She loved these French forms, and I can never get them right.
Life Is Like A Summer Afternoon
Like neat, three-panel cartoon strips–
summer days with afternoon storms
begin with smiles and end with drips.
Like neat three-panel cartoon strips
Each four o’clock apocalypse
Conforms, contains, transforms the norms.
Like neat, three-panel cartoon strips–
summer days with afternoon storms.
You did Viv proud, Barbara! True to form. I do cranky well, but I can work on my crotchety if you need! Thanks for this poem, BTW.
Wonderful, like the quilts…
I like this, especially “begin with smiles and end with drips.”
Perfect. You sell yourself short, Barbara. And I didn’t think about how appropriate Walt’s selection of Triolet for today was.
well done, indeed!
This made me think of Viv’s quilts. Lovely, Barbara.
Only Viv could do crochety in such a delightful way. Perfect.
[…] Shared at Poetic Bloomings: AN ENTERTAINING SUMMER – DAY #6: AND I QUOTE SUMMER AGAIN / TRIOLET […]
ViV was such an encouragement to me through my melancholy days, often making the comment that my poems were sad. I think this one would have brought her a smile!
HOT DAYS OF SUMMER
The temperature rises
in this summer heat.
Watching as he exercises
the temperature rises
and it’s no surprise
my heart skips a beat.
The temperature rises
in this summer heat.
Ha ha! Love it Paula! Viv would love it too!
Ha 🙂 exactly
Smiling here.
Aww! She certainly would! (And hon, I’m so sorry you lost a true mentor. Hugs.)
oh that summer “heat”
Good one, Paula!
Great excuse not to exercise.
Hot Rain Drops
Summer is like sitting in a sauna,
the sweat running like hot rain drops
as you gaze at the flora and fauna.
Summer is like sitting in a sauna,
your own nightmare version of nirvana
where everything, including time…stops.
Summer is like sitting in a sauna,
the sweat running like hot rain drops.
Even in Minnesota, eh? I love this, partly for the imagery and partly for the rhyming, especially the inclusion of nirvana.
Well, only on some days. Most days it’s quite pleasant. 😉 Thanks William!
Hot rain drops. NICE! Good to see you here, Michelle!
We had a sauna day here in PA today
You had me with that title, Michelle.
Bon Courage and Bon Voyage Viv! Sympathy and strength to all her family and loved ones. More than her words will be missed.
Ha… Thankfully not up in our north… So we light the sauna instead
Ha ha! I took a little license here, Minnesota can be humid and hot but usually not to often. 🙂 Where are you from Bjorn?
I live in Stockholm Sweden… so maybe we are related, I have heard that there are lot of Swedes in Minnesota.
lol – Yes there are a lot of Swedes here but I’m not one of them but I did marry one. 😉
I can’t believe it. I am just reading of Viv’s death. My heart is broken. Such a lovely, amazing lady and a true poet. Rest in peace, beautiful lady. You will be dearly, profoundly missed.
❤ (It's all I have)
Every End Becomes an Ache
Summer has lost a friend,
Slipped and tipped over like dominoes,
The soft sorrow of roses, forfend,
Summer has lost a friend,
Lost its bird song and country lane’s end,
Lost the sweetness of hedgerows,
Summer has lost a friend,
Slipped and tipped over like dominoes.
.
To my forever-friend, Viv
I hear soft music with this. Beautiful.
A beautiful tribute from a friend to a friend! Thank you for this Marilyn.
Oh my heart … tears are flowing …
beautiful tribute – I’m so glad I had a chance to meet her here in the blogosphere
Gorgeous writing. Thanks, Misk.
Oh this is so sad… yes summer has lost that friend.
Sigh. We all have lost a friend.
Following your lead, Walt, always, my Triolet Partner.
I am still in shock, and heartbroken.
Every breath is a fragile bird, feathered closer to the sky
For that is all we are assured,
uncertain as a summer shiver:
a life abundant, full, but whirled –
for that is all we are assured.
Even the moon mourns heaven’s curl,
unquiet as a dark sky sliver.
For that is all we are assured,
uncertain as a summer shiver.
Wow…. “summer shiver.” What a superb way to capture evanescence.
Thank you for this tribute to an extraordinary lady, De. Forgive me if I forego out usual wordplay, saved for another day.
I’ve suffered some personal losses just recently, and this woman whom I have never met influenced me as they have. They’ve helped me aspire to be a better person and man. We lose those we consider close to us and sometimes without them knowing how much they are loved.
We’ve all share so much in this space and have grown to know each other by our words and the heart that they convey. So I will take this moment to say, I love you all. We are a family of sort and when one of us suffers, we all suffer. When we feel joy, we are all happy. Stay safe, go in peace and love, and know you matter a great deal!
De, I commented on site, but had not yet heard about Viv and didn’t realize your beautifully haunting piece is hers. Oh my … more tears …
so poignant
Summer shiver says it all, De.
Oh this is a wonderful tribute.
So perfect, De.
[…] Prompted by Poetic Bloomings. I’ve just learned that a dear poetic friend, Viv Blake, died last night, suddenly. […]
Summer Sisters
They stand across the garden, waving
wearing pretty summer frocks
a little flirty – but behaving
They stand across the garden, waving
blazing sun and storm clouds braving
zinnia, rose, and hollyhocks
They stand across the garden waving
wearing pretty summer frocks
~
with thoughts of Viv and her beloved gardens
Exceptional, Candy. Thank you!
Oh Candy, this is perfection …
Amen
Written with love, Candy.
She would love this.
Too Much Of A Good Thing
On a scorching summer day
we welcome a setting sun.
In winter, we dreamed of mango sorbet
on a scorching summer day.
We went for a swim in the bay.
Now we are worn out, quite done.
On a scorching summer day
we welcome a setting sun.
(Will be back to comment later. I am thinking of Viv, her photos, quilts, poems,
and lovely personality.)
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. But never enough of good people. All who have thoughts of our friend reflect the goodness she espoused. And in that, she has touched us all! Well done, Sara!
Beautiful, Sara. ❤
A sunset in summer is like water in the desert. Wonderful.
Thanks, all.
Love the thought of that mango sweetness.
Setting sun…perfect for today.
Walt: Thank you for including Viv’s final words to us today. My goodness … it just doesn’t seem real.
Very appropriate to include them. She worried she was letting us down. But that was furthest from the truth. That was Vivienne, uplifting others before herself. And I was honored to include your interview with the fine lady from 2012.
Thank you. Truly.
DIAL BACK TIME (a triolet)
Back then, our clocks had hands and feet
No wings, yet time still seemed to fly
As singing trucks brought ice cream treats.
Back then, our clocks had hands and feet
And we played kickball in the street
While friends and neighbors happened by.
Back then, our clocks had hands and feet
No wings, yet time still seemed to fly.
© Marie Elena Good
Ah, nostalgia, singing trucks and all.
thanks for these memories
Interesting. I never read anyone else’s before posting. Seems we had similar thoughts on this one. By the way, now I want some ice cream.
I just read and commented. That’s amazing! 😀
I hear Good Humor’s bell dinging!
What wonderful days they were… I have never experienced ice-cream trucks but it sounds wonderful
My daughter runs a home daycare for children. Sometimes the ice cream truck comes through our neighborhood while the kids are awake and aware. She calls it the “dance truck,” and instead of all wanting to buy ice cream treats, they now all start dancing. It’s the cutest thing! 🙂
🙂
Ah, the wonder of summer for us when we were young. And those ice cream trucks! Perfect.
Thank you! 🙂
Seasons Fly By
Seasons fly by at breakneck speed
Nothing we do will slow them down
All aboard for the ride, indeed
Seasons fly by at breakneck speed
Make the best of where they may lead
Ignore the clock hands spinning ‘round
Seasons fly by at breakneck speed
Nothing we do will slow them down
© Earl Parsons
I would love to be able to slow it down… maybe we should cease to look forward to the next bend of the road.
Interesting thought, Bjorn. I wonder if that’s in part why time seems to pass more slowly when we are children … as adults we need to be more present in the moment.
How interesting that yours and mine are back-to-back! Great minds, eh Earl! 😉
And it only goes faster as we age.
I am never right
When arguing with my love
It’s in the contract
😀 !
11:59
Eleven-fifty-nine ticks loud
Though silent is that tick to most
They know not it’s their final bow
Eleven-fifty-nine ticks loud
What if life’s time clock ticked out loud
What if your last minute was now
Eleven-fifty-nine ticks loud
Though silent is that tick to most
© Earl Parsons
Oops. Didn’t follow the rhyming pattern. Here’s the corrected poem.
11:59
Eleven-fifty-nine ticks loud
Though silent is that tick to most
They know not it’s their final bow
Eleven-fifty-nine ticks loud
What if your last minute was now
What would your friends say at your roast
Eleven-fifty-nine ticks loud
Though silent is that tick to most
© Earl Parsons
Eleven fifty nine. Nice. Oh, to live as though each moment was our last.
Poetic license…I got creative with it, too.
[…] struggled with this poem that I’m linking to Poetic Bloomings Day 6. Both the form and the topic stretched me. We were asked to do a summer simile using the Triolet […]
Adieu, Ma Chère Amie
A Triolet for Viv
Summer is like a fragile bird—
her beauty fills our world with bliss,
her song surpasses spoken word.
Summer is like a fragile bird—
too soon she falls, no longer heard.
Her soul takes flight from this abyss.
Summer is like a fragile bird.
A poet falls, her presence missed.
Beautiful, Victoria! She’ll be sorely missed.
Not in perfect form, but here is my triolet for Viv. Posted on my blog and also linked to Victoria’s post for tributes.
For Viv
A tear surprised my face today
as lavender and sweet bouquets
swayed gently to the clarinet
A tear surprised my face today
for all you penned upon a page
when petals drop before they fade
A tear surprised my face today
though we had never met
A very familiar emotion for any poet who had the pleasure to post alongside of and be commented on by Vivienne.