april challenge

Castle Rock

 

It rose up

against the slate

New Mexico sky,

arched by a muted rainbow.

I stared, searching for castle doors,

but saw none.

Why do real castles in a storm

seem like ominous monsters

while their rock counterparts

appear as a work of beauty?

from april pad challenge

Indigo

 

A fairy dancing in moonlight

A stallion galloping at dusk

Mystery, fantasy, adventure

 

A calm nighttime sea

A spectrum of the rainbow

A fat bird named bunting

 

Seductive, sexy, smooth

Voice of Marilyn Monroe

A cowboy’s new jeans

 

From April PAD challenge

Gray

A soldier dreams in black and white

of deadly visions in the night, 

his buddies sleeping side by side.

Memories move in shades of gray

of loved ones all so far away.

His hopes and longings all denied.

When he awakes the world’s still dim.

He wonders if they think of him.

Moves on, not knowing that he cried. 

PA use new words, CB rhyme royal

My Bestie

My bestie beats all other friends hands down

A bookaholic genius—unsurpassed  

A wackadoodle, quirky gal, a clown

 

A DIYer, skills and gifts are vast

Her words are not monotic or too fast

To her do-overs are a form of play

Yes, she deserves a herogram each day

from the April PAD challenge

Green

 

In Pennsylvania springs,

green becomes a verb.

Not a gradual budding of bushes

or gentle unfolding of leaves.

Branchy brown hills,

bare roadsides,

drab yards

GREEN up!

Devil Dance

The devil danced in the sky.

Roads became rivers.

Trees transformed to dams.

Busses became boats.

People, now slaves,

set to the labor of rebuilding.

Creative Bloomings I Once Dreamed About...

The Dog of My Dreams

I always liked big dogs.

My idea of a perfect dog

was a Great Dane until

I met a beautiful half-

breed, a part St. Bernard,

all of the good features,

and no slobber. That’s

the dog I wanted.

Seven years later,

I had two kids but no

St. Bernard mix. And I

had pretty much given up on

finding one. But then when

visiting a friend, there

stood a dog, larger than life,

with St. Bernard markings.

She was even prettier

than the one I first saw.

My friend said, “Take her.

She’s a stray with no collar.”

I took her home, ecstatic

God had given her to me.

Hubby even recognized her

as the one I’d been hoping for.

But happiness was short lived.

We got a call from a lady

a few miles down the road.

She wanted her dog back.

We had named her Autumn

for her burnt orange coat.

But she called her Amber.

We returned the dog.

That weekend I wondered

why God would send Amber

and then take her away.

That night my daughter and I

dreamed we got her back.

I told her God speaks that way,

at times. Then we got a call—

the lady looking for Amber.

She said if we found her

we could have her. Next,

our pastor, our neighbor, phoned.

Earlier, I had shared about Amber.

When we picked her up,

he Cheshire cat grinned

at God’s goodness to bless us

with the dog of my dreams.

From April PAD Challenge

Escape

 

I had the creeps, the jitters, too.

Ill-omened gray replaced the blue.

Wild wind breathed hard my terror grew.

I must escape! I must escape!

 

The house was empty, but for me,

The windows scraped by claws of tree.

The monster’s growl dared me to flee.

I must escape! I must escape!

 

With pounding heart and knees too weak

And goose bumped skin, and feeling bleak,

I called my cousin ‘cross the creek.

“I must escape! I must escape!”

 

What else was I supposed to do?

She braved the rain, the lightning, too.

In Gremlin car she made it through.

I did escape, I did escape.

PAD Challenge

 

 

Good News

 

The good that happens

through social media

is often overlooked.

While news watchers gasp at tragedies,

a band of Twitter users

organize aide.

While others complain about injustice,

Facebook friends post petitions,

making a difference.

While some wait for a rich uncle

to die to help the poor,

online people pool pennies

and donate thousands of dollars.

Just like fire can burn down buildings

or cook food and heat homes,

social media can build up

or destroy. It just depends

on how you use it.

Bref Double

In Truth and Love

 

We’re alarmed when actions aren’t to par,

but stemmed from hate and intolerance.  

Narrow-mindedness and vanity

eschews the adverse ones deemed unfit.               

 

So, why can’t we all just get along?

It seems to live and let live is hard,

and maintain those values we hold dear.

How can we make love prerequisite?

 

Let’s let love shine like a guiding star,

but still embrace our own moral code.

For neglecting truth will leave a scar,

as sure as hate and vile bigotry.

 

Let’s accept each other as we are,

and see each other as we can be.

 

 

Creative Bloomings Staccato

Vamoose!

My time is pilfered by a common thief. 

It’s persistent and why I need relief.

Be gone! Be gone! O dreadful fear!

You’ll steal no more. Get out of here!

Let boldness come, conquer and defeat you. 

Be gone! May confidence catch and beat you.

My life is nibbled down by gnawing mice. 

That’s why I often frown; they take their price.

Get out! Get out! Worry, vamoose!

You’ve gobbled too much, now cut loose!

Let faith be the giant cat that eats you.

Get out! Let trust be the one that cheats you.

I’m being followed by a giant snake.

I may be swallowed in one quick intake.

Scurry! Scurry! Depression, go!

Away with you, and don’t be slow!

May deep-seated joy decapitate you. 

Scurry! May happiness lacerate you.

PAD Challenge

Pop Culture

Music, movies, memes and games

Celebrities, scandals, well-known names

What they wear, what they do

What they say, false or true

Who they love and who they hate

Who they leave and who they date

The hype, the heartbreak, the hullaballoo

What’s passé and what is new

Instagram, Pintrest, Facebook, Twitter

Learn of all the glitz and glitter

Did they die or did they not

What’s his name, I forgot

All the hoopla, angst, and bling

I wonder if it means a thing.

PAD Challenge

If pop culture’s what you wish

Put cola in a Petri dish

Let it incubate

Examine the plate

Now your work is done

Go have some fun. 

5 18 Creative Bloomins song titles

I’m There

Feel like a stranger

drivin’ my life away.

Gone too far,

great old American town,

Rocky Mountain music.

It’s me I’m running from,

runnin’ with the wind.

On second thought,

I love a rainy night.

I can’t help myself.

Hearts on fire.

Hurtin’ for you.

Hold on to me,

one and only one, amazing love.

You can’t run from love.

Eddy Rabbitt Titles

5 17 PAD

Here lies a man, thought pedantic.

Looking for love, he grew frantic.

Down through the years,

He bored women to tears.

He died an incurable romantic. 

Creative Bloomings 5 16

When your writing needs a tweak,

It’s good to go for critique.

But when comments fly, don’t shriek!

5 15 PAD Challenge

Mom and Dad

It’s true, you died two months apart

You broke our heart

Our Mom and Dad

Best to be had

All your five daughters miss you much

Your loving touch

Your tender care

Your constant prayer

As time flies by we all still grieve

And we perceive

That you taught

More than we thought 

May 14 PAD Challenge

Love

Thrilling, fulfilling

Hugging, kissing, loving

House, kids, fights, luggage

Seething, leaving, forgetting

Painful, bitter

Hate

5 13 PAD Challenge

He chased her till she caught him.

She loved and then forgot him.

Then another girl came calling,

And he felt himself falling.

Will he be fooled twice? Not him.

May 13 PAD Challenge

We Will

It’s been almost 35 years

Since we made the promise

I will

We’re like westward-bound pioneers 

Fooling doubting Thomas

Uphill

Been through mountains, valleys, deserts

Raised two kids and then some

Time flew

We have learned love heals, thrills and hurts

It’s been real, a pain, fun

Luv you 

poetic bloomings worst thing to say to someone who's dumped

Cheer Up

So I just want to let you know

He cheated and he lied

He’s like veneer, all just for show

So, cheer up, no one died

You’ve wasted all your time with him

And all the tears you’ve cried

Yes, he was just an empty whim

So, cheer up, no one died

Behind your back, he asked me out

Refused, at least I tried 

It’s nothing to complain about

So, cheer up, no one died

5 10 PAD

If I were Allergic to my Computer

My house would be clean,

I would be thin

from cooking healthy meals

and spending time at the gym.

I’d finish the books I’m reading

and spend more time with my family.

I’d have lunch with friends,

keeping long overdue promises.

I’d plant a garden, do yard work,

paint my house.

If I were allergic to my computer

I’d have to write longhand

and that would be no fun. 

PAD 5 9

If I were my Cat

I’d be photogenic.

I’d cozy up in crocheted afghans,

wiggle my whiskers,

lick my lips and dream of tuna.

When I got an energy spurt

I’d race up and down the hall

like a crazy person

and climb the walls.

I’d chirp at light

dancing on the ceiling

or sit in a sunny window.

I’d insist on lying on the laptop

and let my human watch the screen

between my ears.

She’d stroke my fur

and treat me like a queen.

I’d do whatever I want,

and take the world on my own terms.

I’d choose my friends

and turn my nose up at everyone else.

If I were my cat, I’d have it made.

April challenge 5 8

If I Were a More Avid Reader

My world wouldn’t be so small.

I ‘d jet around the planet,

go back in time

and off into the future,

without leaving my recliner.

But alas, I’m so consumed

with my to-do list;

I may shrink to a speck of dust

and blow away in the wind. 

Poetic Asides The Girl Who, Creative Bloomings wrapped refrain

The Girl Who Worried

The rapping sound, knuckles on wood.

Her heart skipped beats from where she stood.

Though weary, she rushed to the door.

At least, she would worry no more.

Not a sober faced policeman making his round!

Her tingling flesh, her heart, the door, the rapping sound.

Seared in her mind from that day hence,

Like old paintings of great expense,

A dream come true, him bearing gifts.

She smiled as her perspective shifts.

Bright bouquet, box of chocolates, him being kind.

His apologetic look now seared in her mind.

pad challenge 5 6

The African Bush Elephant

The biggest critter of the land

With four strong legs on which to stand

A tusk about as big as man

The African Bush Elephant

With ears the shape of Africa

A trunk that’s very practical

A mind that’s almost magical

The African Bush Elephant

The elephant’s an herbivore

And they may live to sixty four

They have one calf which they adore

The African Bush Elephant

They are extremely sociable

Like poets, they’re emotional

That goes for both the cow and bull

The African Bush Elephant

They mostly have no enemy

But those who hunt for ivory

And those who crowd where they run free

The African Bush Elephant

PAD 5 5

Faith

If all was taken from my life

Except my faith in Jesus Christ

I’d still have hope, love, joy and peace

I’d still rely on promises                    

                                                          

My purpose would remain the same

If I still held His precious name

And if I didn’t own a thing

I’d still be richer than a king

If all was taken, even sight

I’d live my life by His bright light

If hearing loss was in the deal

I yet would hear His voice so still

No legs to stand, no feet to walk

No tongue to sing, no mouth to talk

No hands to grasp, no arms to raise

I’d still have cause to give Him praise

At the last sound of trumpet ring

I’d find I hadn’t lost a thing 

Creative Bloomings A world without gadgets

A World Without Stereos

Gone are the days when

friends, aunts, uncles, cousins

came out of the woodwork

wielding musical instruments:

banjos, bongos, guitars, fiddles,

flutes, maracas, mandolins

and with old and original songs

would sing and dance away

the night. Now we have

a stately silver box atop

the entertainment center

doling out canned music.

PAD Challenge 5 3

City Stress

A horrendous headache

renders me weak, feeling like

a mob of monsters stomping

in step to the Macarena. 

Or a razor cutting

 through my neurons

wielded by curious monkeys in

sharp-heeled cowboy boots.

Or tourists dotting my mind

destined to be exploited

like landmarks worn down until

there’s nothing left to give.

A brown haze covers my vision

and my attention splinters like glass.

Thunder of traffic rattles and rumbles

until my head might explode.

I long for what is familiar as an apple

but here I am in a smoggy city

wishing for wings to whisk me away

to a cozy cottage in the country. 

PAD Challenge 5 2

Phoenix, Arizona

Saguaro cactus, barren hills

A desert full of sun and life

A busy city, many thrills

A fertile place in which to thrive

Libraries, churches, parks and schools

And well made roads on which to drive

Its entertainment surely rules

A fertile place in which to thrive

But summers are extremely hot

Need central air in to survive

But winters are well worth the lot

A fertile place in which to thrive

Museums, restaurants, gardens, lakes

And worthy work for which to strive

This sunny town has what it takes

A fertile place in which to thrive

PAD 5 1

Lincoln, Nebraska

“Why do you want to live there?”

one friend asked, “It’s just a city

someone planted in a cornfield.”

Interesting jobs, green parks,

cleans streets, small town feel

and friendly folks who took us in.

For my sisters, a peaceful place to work,

settle down, meet husbands and raise kids.

In my case, 1,000 miles closer to my fiancé.

PAD 4 30

Denver

When I moved to Denver

the first thing I noticed was the noise:

sirens sounding, horns honking,

voices of the young, old, busy, crazy, homeless.

Next, I discovered a lot to do:

live shows, shopping, cool classes,

restaurants—not just places to eat,

but experiences to savor and remember.

Colfax Avenue always pulsed nearby,

and if you kept to your own set of

post office, library, school, church and mall

you weren’t overwhelmed by the city’s size.

Nearly three million people

bustled about like buzzing bees,

dreaming of sweet escapes

to the mountains for the weekend. 

PAD 4 29

A Woman Needs a Man Like a Fish Needs a Bicycle

But Goldie would glitter and gleam

Pedaling along on a two-wheeled machine

Blowing bubbles and grinning

With shiny wheels spinning

Lttle fishes would complete the scene

PAD 4 28

Accidents will Happen

Faux pas, blunders, mistakes and goofs

You will need no other proofs

That you’re human and ordinary

Life will be a bit more merry

If you accept this well known truth

PAD 4 27

The Way to a Man’s Heart is Through His Stomach

She aimed to steal his heart that day

with sex appeal and hips that sway.

She should have baked him cakes and bread.

And shot for his tummy, instead, he walked away.