Pocket Lint

2 Replies

This poem was inspired by Joanne Fisher and her “What’s In Your Pocket?” prompt for Chel Owen’s Terrible Poetry Contest. The poem was to be written as a Tanka and you can find my official entry here. I also wrote this little ditty that strayed way too far from the rules and really should never have seen the light of day. I admit, I thought about burying it forever for just the briefest of moments and then said bleep it and published it anyway. Sorry in advance…

I know it’s here someplace,
Where, oh where did it go,
‘neath lint covered bubble gum
That’s long lost its blow.

That feels like a skittle,
Or a raisin left to grow,
If entered in the science fair,
It’s guaranteed best in show.

Bottomless it seems,
My T in up to the sleeve,
Dear Lord, a used rubber,
Sans baby batter, I beg, please.

Is that the telly remote,
I’d wondered where it had gone,
Of course, the dang replacement,
Just arrived from Amazon.

Down deeper I dig,
how much further, O-M-Gee,
a fusty festering tissue,
may hold a cure for SARS CoVee.

An apple that’s sprouted,
And the hamster I’d set free,
One thing’s for damned certain,
There’s no sign of my key.

Continue reading →

Hand In My Pocket

6 Replies

Hand in my pocket,
Looking to steal my spare change.
I’ve left a surprise,
Cold, moist, just a hint of slime.
“A used handkerchief, you swine!”

Continue reading →

Safe Passage

5 Replies

Bombs rained down around the village, now a target in a tyrant’s senseless war. Heorhiy thumb the cracked screens on the electronic gadgets in his hands hoping the screens and circuitry survived the concussive force of nearby explosions.

He was a farmer, not a fighter but she knew he would defend his homeland to the end. First worked to secure safe passage for his family. Lesya did not want to leave him but he insisted. She understood and accepted his need to see them safe. She watched him frantic, harried, as he searched for a signal from anywhere. Seeking information on the safest corridor, ensuring they safely fled to refugee centers across the border.

As they joined the convoy of millions moving north she could see he was torn, tempted to stay. She begged him to abandon this foolish fight and stay with them. The losses inflicted were enormous. She knew staying was a death sentence.

Continue reading →

Farewell, Old Friend

9 Replies

Farewell old friend, you will be missed.

I remember when you first came home, Andrew was adamant you were going to be named Spiderman. He lived and breathed the web-spinning superhero and nothing else would do. It took a little convincing but eventually you became Parker. Yes, we stayed with the Spiderman theme; you were named after the webhead’s alter ego Peter Parker.

In true Bichon Frise fashion, you were loyal to the last person to pay you any attention. A ball of white fluff, a big suck so tough barking at every dog that passed from behind the windowpane but hiding behind my leg if we ran into a four-legged friend in the park. You were a good companion to both Andrew and Emily being a constant for them through some difficult times. We are all richer for having you in our lives.

So as you head off to that big dog run in the sky, remember to sniff every fire hydrant you pass, chew every bone you can get your teeth on and remember us fondly as we will never forget you.

Farewell old friend, may you rest in peace.

Continue reading →

The Voyager

4 Replies

Like a comet wandering across the heavens,
My restless heart dances amongst the stars…

Beauty I have touched,
and wonders I did see,
on the journey I have traveled,
seeking liberty.

Precious silence!

Like a lovers breath upon soft lips,
My mind burns with anticipation…

Waiting on the road ahead,
or seeping from beneath my skin,
finding new discoveries from
the fires that burn within.

Precious existence!

Like a leaf blowing aimless in the autumn wind,
My weary soul searches for a place to settle…

Where I come to rest,
Amongst the remnants of my past,
Will the seeds I’ve left behind me
leave a legacy to last?

Precious freedom!

Like a comet streaking through the heavens,
I embark on my star-crossed voyage.

Continue reading →

Peaches

3 Replies

Fruit is food from the Gods. It has eye catching curves and beautiful shapes. It’s soft and supple, gently yielding in your hand when ripe for the picking. Once bitten its sweet intoxicating nectar flows forth filling ones senses with joy. Is it any wonder men have written poems and songs comparing the fairer sex to that of fruit?

Continue reading →

The Ancient Gods

1 Reply

Dr. Hiltunen stood at the center of the dig site deciphering an inscription carved on stone. As he read aloud he recognized the verse as a variation on an old Finnish rune. Ancient mythology had consumed him from a young age.

As he continued, the winds began swirling and the clouds spun clockwise. The doctor did not notice the coming storm even as the others scramble for shelter. The sky above Hiltunen opened and a rainbow column descended from the heavens. The doctor and the stone were pulled through the beam into the clouds, into Asgard.

Continue reading →

Hayin’ Season

9 Replies

Late June in Ontario, Dad’s station wagon pack and pointed northward. It was hayin’ season on my Uncle’s farm and for the next week it was all hands on deck.

Riding the fields, we’d watch our fathers, row upon row, hooking the rectangular blocks emerging from the contraption sandwiched between tractor and trailer, neatly stacking the bales, back to front.

Somewhere in the middle we’d play in the hayblock forts fashioned for us while they toiled in the midday sun.

As always, the harvest would come to an end but we wished we could live on the farm forever.

Continue reading →

This Used To Be My Kingdom

1 Reply

Seriously, you’re not going to let that thing lose again. Jeebus, I’m still missing two handfuls of fur and have a permanent kink in my tail from last time.

You know this used to be my kingdom but…

No, here it comes, ewww… get it away,

Continue reading →

Jack’s Secret

1 Reply

Elsie and Jack had dated for awhile. They’d been to her apartment but any suggestion of going to his place was met with resistance. She thought nothing of it at first but as time passed it became odd. Was he hiding something? A wife, children, his victims? She thought the worst as she slipped the key from his chain…

Everything seemed in order walking through the immaculate brownstone. Leaving the bedroom until last, Elsie opened the door and came face to face with Jack’s mannequin.  

Continue reading →