THE POETIC BLOOMINGS READING ROOM #27

Another of the long string of contributors here at POETIC BLOOMINGS is Connie Peters. She had joined us from the very beginning after we first “met” her over at Poetic Asides with Robert Lee Brewer during the April P.A.D. Challenge in 2009. She, the master of Acrostic poetry, has a vision quite refined and defined by her strong faith and her heart for humanity. Connie is also one with an interesting story told in snippets of her poetic wile. She continues to be a strong voice in this poetic community. I am presenting two of Connie’s works, showing her clear vision and her appreciation of the gifts apparent in this life we share. Here are “The Moon” and “Clarence and Marie” by Connie Peters.

The Moon

The moon sat on the mountaintop,
as if it were going to camp there.
Reluctantly, it disappeared,
perhaps searching for poets to inspire
for a romance to rekindle,
or a lake to admire its own reflection.

from PROMPT #192 – THE NIGHT, THE MOON AND THE MUSIC

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Clarence and Marie

“Tell me what you’ll need,
and I’ll show you how to do without it,”
said the kind old man
who lived across the road.

But he and his wife did a lot for us
(a young couple and a baby)
living far away from home,
our friends and relatives.

They became our second parents,
inviting us over for holidays,
running us to Bible Studies,
offering us help and encouragement.

We lost each other over the years,
but we’ll always be grateful for them.

offered for PROMPT #176 – “THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS”

Find Connie’s work at 

http://enthusiasticsoul.blogspot.com/

Marie Elena’s interview with Connie Peters is at

https://poeticbloomings2.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/web-wednesday-connie-peters/

A link to Connie’s Memoir Project Chapbook, “The Party’s Started”

DAY 14 – AUTUMNAL P.A.D. CHAPBOOK EXERCISE: FALL CLOTHES

We’ve reached the end of our exercise. We’ve explored sights and smells and flavors of fall. The colors will soon fade. And we’ll be presented with definitive chill in the air. As we bask in the glow of completing this challenge, let us not forget this one last item to stoke our poetic fires. We will dress for the occasion and the upcoming glimpses of the winter ahead. Today we’ll close on the notion of clothes; Fall attire that will serve us well. Take your jacket and pack it back up until spring. We all know a sweater is better in such cases. Our faces will feel the cold and our hands will stiffen in its insistence. Choose an item of fall clothing and wrap yourself in it. We’ll huddle close to share its warmth and that of the wonderful chapbooks you will deliver.

And we should all be well prepared for the rigors of whatever writing challenge we’ll undertake in November, be it the Poetic Asides P.A.D. Chapbook Challenge that Robert Lee Brewer will offer, the annual NaNoWriMo which is very popular or any other challenge you may encounter. Write well, choose your best words and we’ll read them with enthusiasm and admiration.

 

MARIE’S FALL ENSEMBLE

What I wear in fall:
jeans, boots, sweaters, and mittens
and grins, ear-to-ear.

© Marie Elena Good, 2018

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WALT’S WARDROBE:

FAIR TO PARTLY BLIZZARD CONDITIONS

Mere days away,
a coronation is planned
for autumn’s shortened reign.

The temperatures decline
finding their descent hell-bent
on a rapid departure to parts unknown.

The trees have grown fragile;
the color barrage itching to begin
and within her palette the earth is apparent

an inherent nod to the warmth
sought, but not always embraced,
and faced with the scent of must and moth-balls.

And in the sky, standing tall
the harbinger of winter woes (so it goes
around Buffalo) dark and moody, looming

upon the horizon, rising skyward.
Storms  brewing, or memories
of days of storm-filled pasts recalled,

all seeded in the clouds for near future
reference. Your preference
is a temperate fall ending in spring.

But, here’s the thing:
the winds find their thrill in the chill
they provide. An equinox out of the box

stirring dreads of a White Christmas
long before the sleep of the solstice beckons.
Cumulonimbus is your reminder.

Better hasten to find your coat, scarf and gloves
before the snows reign from above.
Ominous and threatening; keep your guard up.

© Walter J Wojtanik, 2018

 

DAY 5 – AUTUMNAL P.A.D. CHAPBOOK EXERCISE: CORNUCOPIA

We’ve all seen the symbol of harvest time in the cornucopia (Horn of Plenty). It is a gathering of things related in some way that marks the success of an endeavor. Write it literally or go out on a limb and express your abundance! Maybe take each item and equate it to an aspect of life. You’ve got plenty with which to work.

MARIE’S PLENTY:

Horn spills with blessings –
Some not so easily grasped,
but ours nonetheless.

© Marie Elena Good, 2018

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WALT’S BOUNTY:

FEASTING IN PLENITUDE

We’re given all we can handle,
but supply and demand could
leave you short as the days dwindle.
But here, we will be sated on the largess of life,
rife with the best the harvest will offer;
a coffer of wealth and abundance.
Fruits and vegetables aplenty
and whatever else nature holds. 
Come to the table prepared from the horn,
a flowing feast fit for Zeus himself!

© Walter J Wojtanik, 2018

DAY 4 – AUTUMNAL P.A.D. CHAPBOOK EXERCISE: LEAVES

Again with the leaves? But we aren’t talking colors, only the leaf itself. Simply write a leaf poem. Everything is fair game. Maybe your life as a leaf? A leaf’s job. A leaf causing problems. The playful properties of a leaf? Don’t leave any stone unturned.

MARIE’S GENTLE DESCENT:

When summer takes leave,
fall embellishes the views,
and cues winter’s eve.

© Marie Elena Good

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WALT’S BARE BRANCHES:

LEAVES

Some certainly envision
the splay of hues of leaves
and whatever else nature
holds for our viewing.
But, Autumn is brewing.
Making her entrance,
with a warm nuzzle;
a comfortable caress.
Leaves whisper hushed words
expressing what a heart
can feel. It is consuming,
yet not destructive,
soon in rapid decay,
leaves have seen
their last day; a last gasp.
All presented in the sad
rustle of leaves.

© Walter J Wojtanik, 2018

DAY 3 – AUTUMNAL P.A.D. CHAPBOOK EXERCISE: FIRE

This prompt sort of plays in with our first two prompts. A fire can combat the cold and could supply the smells of which we wrote. But what about fire? Write a beneficial or detrimental aspect of fire. It might be a forest fire, a bonfire, a fire in the hearth, even a fire in the hole if it fits within the parameters of our challenge. It’s good to ignite our collective muse and choose to let our words blaze.

MARIE’S BURNING DESIRE:

Autumn Awakens (sonnet for my favorite season)

Its very shadows fall uniquely fall
And that begins the season, in my eyes.
Trees flame with reds, or yellow fireballs
As autumn’s colors blaze against blue skies.

It sets my heart alight, and makes me smile.
Its cool air feels delightful to breathe in.
Its mood ignites a passion in my soul.
It is my chosen season – long has been.

Trees captivate me as their colors spill,
Like kindling for reflections long-since gone –
The merriment my child-heart treasures, still.
So much to love … excuse my rambling on …

But passion for Ohio’s autumn days
Will burn in me forever and always.

© Marie Elena Good, 2018

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WALT’S SMOLDERING EMBER:

FIRE

The ember glows, left to smolder,
the smell of burning leaves fills him,
fending the colder temperatures off
and setting off a blaze of uncontrollable
ferocity. The seeds of love become a blaze
just as volatile. From the first smiled hello
until you are both consumed by its pyre,
love is a fire. It is consuming yet not
destructive, it is instructive and nurturing.
Love will penetrate you and warm your
insides until you are ablaze with her.
You can be sure if you play with fire,
you’re going to get burned.
And fires eventually lose their glow,
from blaze to simmer to smolder and die.
And so someday will you and I.
But, we’ll keep our fire burning until then.

© Walter J Wojtanik, 2018

 

DAY 2 – AUTUMNAL P.A.D. CHAPBOOK EXERCISE: AROMAS

There are many smells and aromas associated with autumn. There may be a fire in the hearth, a pie or roast in the oven, leaves burning (in some municipalities it still happens, I’m sure). There’s a musk, a must, a wafting of both pleasant and offending fragrances.

Your assignment is to choose an aroma of autumn and write about it. Be it a favorite smell or a most odoriferous pungency, I’m sure it will inspire. 

MARIE NOSE

CONFESSION STAND

“Buttered hot popcorn!”
Announced through a bullhorn,
“With ice-cold Coke, cocoa, or beer!”

Fritos and Cheetos, and
Nacho Doritos, and
Truly no will power, here.

Corn dog with mustard,
A large frozen custard,
Some M&M s, and Lotsa Fizz.

Smells like concession stand.
Sounds like confession, and
I don’t know — maybe it is.  😉

© Marie Elena Good, 2018

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WALT SMELLS:

DRIFTING TO PEACE

The smell of burning leaves filled him,
like an aromatic coffee on a brisk morning;
like the dawning of another fresh new day
which comes on the flare of a flugelhorn trill.
The exhilarating breath of Autumn
filters through the screen door
playing tag with his nostrils.
As bright lights fade and shadows creep,
no dodge could free him from its fragrant caress.
But, choosing the familiar scent of his armchair,
he drifts back to sleep in peaceful retreat.

© Walter J Wojtanik, 2018

DAY 1 – AUTUMNAL P.A.D. CHAPBOOK EXERCISE: COLD

With the arrival of autumn we are all set for change. And that change is no more obvious than the change of foliage from green to various stages of color as these leave decay in preparation for winter’s biting cold. We can feel the cooling begin in earnest and it won’t be long before it takes full hold of the season.

The first in this series, you are asked to write a “cold” poem in whatever that dictates to you. Cold temperatures, cold shoulder, cold opening … write your poems as you see fit and then chill!

And remember, today begins our Poem-A-Day Challenge Warm-up. A two-week jaunt into poetry. Stay tuned tomorrow for the next installment. Same poetic time, same poetic blog!

 

MARIE’S COLD GRIP:

PENCHANTS

my air,
chilled

my coffee,
hot

my words,
spilled

my muse,
caught.

© Marie Elena Good, 2018

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WALT’S CHILLY RECEPTION:

NIGHT SHADOWS FALL COLDLY

 Night falls upon the lowly, as bright lights fade and shadows creep right before they slumber. Slowly, they fight their weary eyes to sleep and morning sits in vigil, silent; still. Winter’s moon and stars align at will,warning midnight sprites upon the hill that soon their lights will die, become nil.

Day will pass in its allotted time, while hay made as the sun shines, lingers. May the world know night’s toils in this rhyme, saying all that a heart desires.  Fingers curl to grasp the cold and darkened shroud, frost descends to cover lovers avowed. Nature’s time stamp, to be trampled upon. Hurl the pall so all can call out loud, kissed by winter’s shadow so endowed.

moon set horizon
vanishes as mourning comes
night’s death brings on day

© Walter J Wojtanik, 2018

 

POETIC BLOOMINGS AUTUMNAL P.A.D. WARM-UP BEGINS TOMORROW

In preparations for the November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge at POETIC ASIDES with Robert Lee Brewer, or for the NaNoWriMo exercise (or any other challenge you find and see fit to attempt), Marie Elena and I are offering an Autumnal P.A.D – a Fall Warm-up from October 14th to  (and including) October 27th. So sharpen your muse and choose to join us for a Fall Fling for the next two weeks. Tomorrow begins our trek into poetic brilliance. Consider trying our Autumn Based prompts on for size. They should fit you like a glove!

PROMPT #217 – OH, HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN

As the saying goes, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” Another states, “It’s not how far you fall, it’s how high you bounce back.” Today, celebrating the “one week anniversary” of the First Day of Fall (Autumn) 2018, we are considering the word “FALL.”  Be it the season, or the process of hitting the pavement, we are looking for a FALL poem under the following consideration:

During the two week period between Sunday October 14 to and including Saturday October 27, we will be conducting a Mini-Poem-A-Day Chapbook Exercise in preparation for the November Poem-a-Day Chapbook Challenge being conducted by Robert Lee Brewer over at the Poetic Asides poetry blog. Each poem will be included in your final effort.

Your Mini-chapbook theme will be “AUTUMN” with a daily prompt being something in that regard. Today’s poem title will be the title of your chapbook and will be the first poem in your mini-tome. All successive poems in the challenge will have a relation to or be driven by this first piece in some way beyond just being a Fall poem. Also you will be required to use a line from the previous poem to thread the string. So think about your title and write that poem today, and we’ll play poet in a major way starting on the 14th.

MARIE’S FALL FLING:

Fall of My Heart (Sonnet for Autumn)

Way back, when I was just a little girl
My heart fell hard and fast for autumn’s charms.
As summer ends, the joys of fall unfurl,
With football, marching bands, and pumpkin farms.

Drum cadence seems to beat within my chest
As scarlet, gold, and ginger grace our trees.
The scents of burning leaves, and apples pressed,
Or baked ‘tween flaky crusts, give me weak knees.

When sun shines full in autumn’s deep blue sky,
Or harvest moon looms larger than my home,
It simply leaves me breathless. My-oh-my,
I cannot paint my fondness in a poem.

I have this wish –  believe me, it’s sincere –
I wish fall lingered ten more months per year.

© Marie Elena Good, 2018

 

WALT’S FIRST PLAY OF FALL:

AS THE DAYS DWINDLE,  by Walter J Wojtanik

I hear Roger Williams play
as the days dwindle –
and we’re searching for kindling
and strong Oolong tea brews.
The leaves become the hue of a barn fire,
they take a flyer and are tossed;
lost upon them is their imminent demise.
Gracefully, they drift past the window
as Roger Williams plays.
Tree branches sway in the breeze
pleased to be rid of the molting
vegetation in sad celebration.
The falling leaves of red
and gold embossed with
nature’s time stamp, to be trampled upon
and piled up, hours wiled away –
kids at play. And Roger Williams too.
Summer kisses soon forgotten,
hands once sun-burned and gnarled
beat a retreat and go away, winter’s song
plays. But, I miss you most of all my darling,
when Roger Williams plays.

(C) Walter J Wojtanik – 2018

 

AN ENTERTAINING SUMMER – DAY #31: WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

The last day of July and the sun is setting on another Summer P.A.D. We started out gangbusters and fell off a bit. Either I was a victim of that Facebook scam that posts vile comments which drove our poets away, or someone let the cat out of the bag that I’m Conservative! 😀 But the loyal poets who have posted most if not all prompts deserve accolades and my admiration for sticking it out!

So we’ll end this year’s exercise with inspirations from country singer Kenny Chesney’s When the Sun Goes Down!

 

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

Sun tanned toes ticklin the sand
Cold drink chillin in my right hand
Watchin you sleep in the evening light
Restin up for a long, long night

Cause when the sun goes down, we’ll be groovin
When the sun goes down, we’ll be feelin all right
When the sun sinks down over the water
Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down

All day long just takin it easy
Layin in the hammock where it’s nice and breezy
Sleepin off the night before
Cause when the sun goes down, we’ll be back for more

When the sun goes down, we’ll be groovin
When the sun goes down, we’ll be feeling alright
When the sun sinks down over the water
Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down

This old guitar and my dark sunglasses
This sweet concoction is smooth as molasses
Nothing to do but breathe all day
Until the big moon rises and it’s time to play

When the sun goes down, we’ll be grooving
When the sun goes down, we’ll be feeling alright
When the sun sinks down over the water
She thinks Kracker’s Sexy when the sun goes down

We’ll be feeling alright
When the sun sinks down over the water
Uncle Kennys’ hotter when the sun goes down

When the sun goes down, we’ll be groovin
When the sun goes down, hey Uncle Kenny
When the sun goes down over the water,
Everything is hotter when the sun goes down.

 

Written  by Brett James

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To end this month, write a summer sunset or sundown poem. Use your palette of words to paint a brilliant scene. And thank you for another productive month of poems!

 

We’ll be back Wednesday to resume with our INFORM POETS prompt. Until then, vaya con dos!