Creative Blooming from child and adult's pov

Priorities

Flying up so high

Toe-tips touch the sky

Clouds laugh at me here below

Stones rush by my toes  

And back the swing goes

Then up in the blue I go

Stand and push the swing

Many songs, I sing

Can’t do a thing on my list

But swing her awhile

And take in her smile

There’s nothing better than this

autobiography

Still Dreaming

Still dreaming

Still searching

Still asking questions

as basic as who am I?

Not looking back

on a long list

of accomplishments

like others my age.

Just getting started.

My autobiography

would be more like

a choose-your-own adventure.

Your guess of what happens next

would be as good as mine.

During Vacation

A TV hangs on the motel wall

Enticingly giving its persistent call

But we’ll be down the road

Carrying our load

Going to visit family, one and all

written on vacation

Traveling

Travlin’ down the road

till backsides are sore.

All the cars we passed

along with our time.

Patience helps us wait.

Thoughts not worth a dime.

The truck engines sound,

a guttural rhyme.

Counting off the miles.

Red, white, black, gray cars.

Some zip by so fast.

Drivers have their styles.

Munchers sip and eat.

Singers are all smiles.

Bikers like the clime

and don’t mind the grime.

Poetic Asides malfunction and Creative Bloomings lannet

A Conspiracy Theory

It appears when their warranties run out,

appliances unite and make a pact

that in a certain week, at any time,

they will go on strike, fizzle, stall, expire.

Refrigerators warm up, stoves cool down.

Clocks refuse to tick, CD players stick.

Handles will fall off; knobs will quit turning.

Parts will pop, sizzle, smoke, grind to a stop.

All we can do is sigh and be thankful

they served their purpose as long as they did,

and then go buy something new and improved.

Naughty, conniving gadgets might behave

if they knew they would be trashed and replaced,

but merchants and designers grin in glee. 

limerick

A man in the mood for a sweet

Searched high and low for a treat

But cupboards were bare

And all heard him swear

With words none would dare to repeat

limerick

A fellow who loaned out his drill

Discovered it there at Good Will

So right from the rack

He bought the drill back

And then sent his neighbor the bill 

Creative Bloomings color poem

Periwinkle

P urple-blue like the flower

E legant and dainty like a fairy gown

R eminding me of grandma’s eyes

I cy and vibrant

W arm and relaxed

I ndependantly lovely

N ew-song inspiring

K issed by angels

L ovely and delicate

E ndearing, gentle and cheerful

PA Golden shovel poem

Grace for the Taking

Amazed, puzzled, surprised, no,

just filled with childish wonder,

to know the Mighty One, the

creator of the stars, moon

and sun, the trees, the grass in

fields, the rushing rivers, the

rain drops tapping the window,

the whole world, loves us! It seems

a dazzling dream come true to

understand the gift we have.

It appears we have drifted
into our own schemes far out

of amazing grace, out of

hope, out of peace into a                                                                              

fake and temporary love.

The God, the Man, the Poem

expressed sweet compassion that

wants good things for me and you,

declaring joy to those used

to earning what we’re drawn to.

Shame may divide, but we know

forgiveness was paid for by

the divinely wounded heart.

(From Forgetfulness by Bill Collins)

PA blame it on...

Blame the Cat

I know I’m supposed to be
painting with words,
making music with meter,
providing silky images
or those prodding like a poker,
but my cat chirps for attention,
dancing around my computer,
brushing against me
until at last she nestles on my belly,
purring contentedly,
allowing my fingers
to wiggle out from underneath her,
like little crabs scurrying to the ocean
to write this bit of poem.

PA Golden Shovel

River Rafting

We drift down the river in rubber rafts, the

currents gently carrying us as we bob along laughing, feeling free

 until the water turns white and we wield our oars like wings of a wounded bird.

Our captain shouts orders, “All ahead! Get it together! Get down!” The raft leaps

ahead and suddenly we’re drifting daintily on. 

Then we hit another rush and abruptly one of ours tumbles out of the

raft. We surge ahead, unable to go back

and get him. Such a helpless feeling. But then folks of

another raft pull him in. Rescued! Then as the

stream steadies, we pull our lost one back in from the other raft. The wind

kicks up, the sky darkens, but what’s a little rain when we’re already wet? We stop and

pull the heavy rafts on the mucky bank. We eat, talk and laugh. No raft floats

further as we take a break. The guide rehearses the signals because downstream
is the big challenge. We can bow out and walk in the woods and wait till

the others make it through the rapids. But we, the adventurers, sally forth. The

water churns, soon we’re in the midst. Violent force tosses two of us into the current.

Our comrades pull us in by our vests. Then more rapids. Victorious! Soon our adventure ends.

(From I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou)

PA news, CB monotetra

Come Deliverer

In years past I wondered why

The world watched six million Jews die.

We would stop it, yes, you and I.

At least we’d try, at least we’d try.

Today’s news reads like Stephen King.

To some life doesn’t mean a thing.

We grieve with little hope to cling.

What can we bring? What can we bring?

The landscape’s littered with the dead.

The innocents to deserts fled.

The evil plans fill us with dread.

The cancer’s spread, the cancer’s spread.

Oh, we can’t look the other way—

allow this horror here to stay.

We must stop them now. Today!

Come let us pray, come let us pray.

Poetic Asides based on observation of a person

Out with the Homeless

In a daze, he sits on a curb.

He doesn’t know where he’s from.

Or where he’s going.

A scruffy looking guy approaches.

Dirty, dark complected.

Homeless?

Scruffy guy speaks,

“Hey man, where’s your home?

You shouldn’t be out in the street.”

You should know, he thinks.

“I’m fine.

Just resting.”

And then he remembers.

Ah, the party.

Those pills he took.

He reaches in to his pocket.

A cell phone

He calls home.

Mom’s not going to like this.

PA tough spots

Challenges

Like opponents grant players

opportunities to shine.

Like difficult courses

showcase golfers’ skills.

Like mountains bring out

strength and endurance of climbers.

Trials

Tribulations

Tough spots

manifest magnificence

in you.

Creative Bloomings fear

Blinded by the Height

A hundred feet up and looking down

It’s not of falling that I fear

But that my glasses will start their slide

Tumble down and disappear

acrostic

Outside

O utdoors, I breathe in fresh air and exhale my cares.
U nder cottonwoods, my skin delights in shade’s cool caress.
T o-dos can wait. I need this.
S ky speaks with plane rumbles and trails enticing me to travel.
I would like to hike but indoor projects won’t wait that long.
D ancing and whirling about, I promise I’ll come back soon.
E ntering my house, I’m refreshed and ready for work cut out for me.

Madrigal

Devil’s Bridge

They call it Devil’s Bridge, near Sedona
A long hike up dirt roads, red rocks and pines
The beauty, a sad story undermines

A tragedy in wild Arizona
Three adventurous tourists followed signs
They call it Devil’s Bridge, near Sedona
A long hike up dirt roads, red rocks and pines

They rested there beneath sun’s corona
Admiring nature’s majestic designs
One falls, and grandeur and sorrow entwines
They call it Devil’s Bridge, near Sedona
A long hike up dirt roads, red rocks and pines
The beauty, a sad story undermines

Poetic Asides Upside down

Upside-Down World

We sadly live in an upside down world.

Instead of children playing in the park,

atrocities, and their eyes have gone dark.

Wars rage, the innocent die, insults hurled.

The evil laugh, and kill and leave their mark.

We sadly live in an upside down world,

instead of children playing in the park.

Compared to ISIS, whose black hearts are gnarled,

A. Hitler was a gentleman, a lark.

What has to happen for our ire to spark?

We sadly live in an upside down world.

Instead of children playing in the park

atrocities, and their eyes have gone dark.

Creative Bloomings Hay(na)ku

Morning

Too early

Return to bed

from April PAD chalenge

Since You Left

Since you left, it’s like you died.
But I can’t mourn your passing.
At each turn, I see you there
and I can hear you laughing.
Oh, how I wish you’d come back.

Your clothes hang in the closet.
There’s your fifty pairs of shoes.
The tomatoes are rotting.
I hope they are all I’ll lose.
Oh, how I wish you’d come back.

The words are left unspoken.

For the reason, I still strive.
I have hope for tomorrow.
‘Cause I know you’re still alive.
Oh, how I wish you’d come back.

From April PAD Challenge

Secret Place

Long shadows pass, the night envelops me

My fragile self meets mixed peculiar dreams

My real world shatters like a long-stemmed glass

Thoughts tumble like round stones in countless themes

The night façade blocks out my daily life

A strange unstable refuge, truth in part

The vast array of worlds converge in time

I toss and turn the riddles of my heart

Like delicate rose petals with their scent

A whisper spirit wind breathes soothingly

With love embraces me in gentle sleep

Brings balance to chaotic fantasy

Like treasured rubies in a hidden space

His comfort comes within this secret place

Creative Bloomings two objects converse

The Grapefruit and the Chocolate Bar

Said the grapefruit to the chocolate bar,

“I don’t admire your position.

You are well liked but you will not go far.

You won’t survive with sweet disposition.

And you consist of little nutrition.

Said the candy to the fruit, “You’re sour!

Your flavor, uninviting and dour.

It’s me, most people would much rather eat.

You’ll live longer, but you’ll lose your power.

It’s better for life to be short and sweet.

From April PAD challenge

Poeming

Poeming together helps

Poets improve their skills

Plus gives them some special

Poetic company

Poeming is worth the time

Published or just for fun

Poets, keep poeming on

From April PAD challenge

Goodnight, Workaholic

Just call it a day

Cross tasks from your list

Tomorrow, come what may

Undone to-dos on display

Copy what’s been missed

Just call it a day

It’s time to hit the hay

You need rest, so I persist

Tomorrow, come what may

Please, do what I say

Go to bed, I must insist

Just call it a day

Turn off the light without delay

Cease and desist

Tomorrow, come what may

But don’t forget to pray

And make sure your family’s kissed

Just call it a day

Tomorrow, come what may

From April PAD challenge

Fantasies

I used to dream of being thin

and beautiful, extremely intelligent,

funny, interesting and popular.

I used to dream of a handsome lover,

richer than a king, loving

all the things I love, loving me.

I used to dream of world travel

in a luxury jet, a peaceful world,

and freedom to explore and enjoy.

I used to dream of living a long

and healthy life. Able to perform

unbelievable gymnastics and dance.

But while I’m dreaming I may as well

dream of being young again in a perfect,

eternal world, no sickness or death.

A place where everyone is smart,

beautiful, intelligent, popular, creative

and capable of doing anything they wish.

And a handsome lover for every day of the year.

No need to be rich when everything’s free.

No need for a plane when you can fly.

And I may as well dream

there’s plenty to go around and

there’s nothing to fight about.

Living forever in a place of joy and peace.

Beauty and creativity. Laughter and love.

Dancing and singing. Art and music.

Maybe heaven’s like that.

Creative Bloomings eulogy, Poetic Asides disappointment and madrigal

What Could Have Been

We dreamed of traveling around the world
For all the years of labor we put in

A few more months and then we would begin

We raised our kids, with love, as life unfurled
We, hand in hand, survived through thick and thin
We dreamed of traveling around the world
For all the years of labor we put in

But with your sudden death our dreams were hurled
I’m feeling like a stranger in my skin
And now I think about what could have been
We dreamed of traveling around the world
For all the years of labor we put in

A few more months and then we would begin

from April PAD challenge

Let’s Get Real, Not Racist

In art class, my mom’s friend,

of African ancestry, requested Mom,

of Scotch/English descent, to draw her portrait.

Mom did, complete with realistic shading.

Mom’s friend got mad at her,

which confused Mom till the day she died.

A writing teacher told my friend not to describe

her biracial character as having light black skin

and kinky black hair because it was racist.

If a character has light black complexion

and kinky black hair, why couldn’t she say so?

Observation differs from judgment.

From April PAD challenge

Something to Remember

Turmoil, upheaval, unrest—

such is life.

Even in the daily grind,

uncertainties abound.

Like ducks

headed for a waterfall,

I must remember

I can fly,

on the wings

of faith and prayer.

Creative Bloomings My muse, WD Madrigal form

Like My Cat

My muse is like my crazy Snicker’s cat
At times she’s full of energy and zest
At times she curls up on my lap to rest

Persistent and demanding little brat
A nuisance and a quirky, silly pest
My muse is like my crazy Snicker’s cat
At times she’s full of energy and zest

She comes on her own terms, and that is that
When she is full and fat she’s at her best
She’s beautiful, but often acts possessed
My muse is like my crazy Snickers cat
At times she’s full of energy and zest
At times she curls up on my lap to rest 

from April PAD challenge

Hot Air Balloons

Hot air balloons stretched out aground
Excited people gather ‘round
The trucks, the fans, the gondolas
The early-morning beelike buzz
Designs and colors do astound

They’re blown with air till full and round
Then stand up tall with glory crowned
And folks board with exuberance
Hot air balloons

Then off they go with dragon sound
They gently float up heaven bound
And ride wind like a feather does
Their journey peaceful as a dove
Then softly settle on the ground
Hot air balloons

from April PAD challenge

Resolve

R esolute, with tilt of the chin
E ndlessly dogged, thus digging heels in
S tubborn, won’t take no, settled, bullheaded,
O penly adamant, dream embedded
L aughs at antagonism, determined
V erve and vigor, refuses to rescind
E xact and precise, will take no advice