Ekphrastic from nature pics

 Familiar Scene

 

A field of orange poppies

led to orange and green hills

under a blue sky

painted with puffy white clouds.

And I wondered,

Where’s Dorothy?

Unexpected Poetic Asides

 Photogenic

 

No one expected

to see Pompei’s only living resident,

a big white cat,

cozily lying on a rock in the ruins.

One tourist commented,

“More people are taking pictures of the cat

than of the ruins.”

Morning Meditation

Alignment

 

Like a spine out of alignment with a head

wreaks havoc on a body,

a mind out of line with the Word of God

wreaks havoc on a spirit.

May my mind, my actions, and emotions

align with Your word and Your will for me. 

Easy Walk Poetic Bloomings

 It’s So Easy

 

It’s so easy

to walk around the house,

gathering the trash

in one big bag,

setting down the bag,

replacing all of the little bags,

slipping on my slip-on shoes,

putting on my jacket,

grabbing the big bag,

going out the back door,

feeling the sun on my face,

walking up the drive,

unlocking the gate,

flinging the bag in the can,

saying hi to the barking neighbor’s dog,

locking the gate,

walking back down the driveway,

feeling the sun on my shoulders,

walking around the back yard,

checking on the autumn condition

of my bushes and flowers,

entering the house,

wiping off and stepping out of my shoes,

and taking off my jacket,

that I wonder why I procrastinate,

and even pause to write a poem about it?

Morning quiet time

 Praise Worthy

 

P raise worthy, that’s what You are.

R ighteous, good, Holy, perfect, joyful

A lmighty, omniscient and omnipresent

I nspiring, intimate, beautiful, creative

S acrificial, loving, forgiving Father

E ternal, gracious and merciful guide

 

W orthy of our complete devotion

O pens and closes doors, in control

R ich, giving, the way, the truth and the life

T eacher, discipler, healer, my song and peace

H elper, hope, strength, sanity, our purpose in being.

Y ou are worthy to be praised every minute of the day.

Ekphrastic Blue Grotto

 

The Blue Grotto in Capri Italy 

 

Narrow cave opening

Lie down in small wooden boat

Boat man pulls us through on a chain

Open eyes, sit up.

Beautiful blue cave lit up

Boat men singing

Worth the waiting three hours

bobbing in a motor boat?

Yes, I think so.

Cozy Poetic Asides

 Coziness and Curiosity

 

A red, cozy, country cottage,

a foreground of green grass

between it and the road.

Behind it a tall forest

gradually rising to a steep hill.

 

And though that scene

contains mountains

of childhood memories,

I couldn’t tell you

what lies beyond that hill.

 

And I wonder if the coziness

outweighed my curiosity.

Poetic Bloomings Old

 Old Stomping Grounds

Ten days ago, we visited
the place where we grew up
in Western Pennsylvania.
The house is no longer there.
My youngest sister, now owner,
had it demolished years ago,
when bad renters destroyed it.

Now, from California,
she has a local man mow it every summer.
The three acres now look like a park.
Charlie, the huge oak tree, still stands.
The towering pines that line,
where once was the driveway,
had grown up as tall as Charlie.

I remember when my parents
were taller than the pines.
When I think of the country place
where we grew up,
their hard work, their love
in caring for their five daughters,
to me, they’re still taller than the pines.

Ekphrastic from trip picture Youngstown, Ohio

 Two Ducks in Gold

 

In the Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, Ohio,

the pale golden leaves reflect in the water.

Two ducks on a log primp and preen,

their reflections mimicking them.

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard

taking their morning bath,

unaware they make a beautiful picture.

Ekphrastic from trip photo

Shannon Girl Number One

 

I lean forward on the back of her chair.

The old lady, with white shoulder-length hair,

snuggled in her mother’s day blanket, smiles.

My oldest sister.

I say, “Goodbye, see you next time.”

But like the picture in “Back to the Future,”

she seems to be disappearing

before my eyes.

Italy Trip 2024

 Italy Trip Day 37

 

I’m glad for uneventful drives.

Just sit and drive, at last we’re home.

And good to see my plants still thrive.

Friend cared for them; I was in Rome.

 

What’s this? I have to cook again?

I had a chef, but that was then.

Yard work and clean and teach and write.

I think I’ll rest just one more night.

Italy Trip 2024

 Italy Trip Day 36

 

I’m winding down and gearing up.

Last minute tasks, ready to go.

We splurged on takeout for our sup.

It is my birthday soon, you know.

 

Poor Lori had a belly ache.

So Eli went for meds to take.

We played a game. I watched a show.

Next morning will be time to go.  

Italy Trip 2024, Poetic Asides, Use words: dream, fall, own, rain, tree, window

 Italy Trip Day 35

 

It’s fall, but the tall tree is green.

No rain has come for many weeks.

My own cute yard waits like a dream.

And soon I’ll drive by mountain peaks.

 

I’ll say goodbye to son and sis.

There’s never been a trip like this.

In Arizona, time to go.

I’ll soon, look out my home’s window.

Italy Trip 2024

Italy Trip Day 34

 

Today, I looked at what I spent.

On souvenirs, food, and the like.

I wondered where my money went.

No wonder, I can’t buy a bike.

 

Exploring Italy was great.

Where will we go at future date?

Right now, I’m ready to go home.

With thoughts of Tuscany to Rome.

Italy Trip 2024

 Italy Trip Day 33

 

I’m barely moving with the flu,

A runny nose and itchy throat.

Since I’ve been here, have lots to do.

But to do nothing gets my vote.

 

Played Canasta with my daughter.

She is playful like an otter.

I gave them all their souvenirs.

And they got many through the years.

Italy Trip 2024, Poetic Bloomings danger

 Italy Trip Day 32

 

We walked and talked in Youngstown park.

We said goodbyes to oldest Sis.

Time spent with sisters was a lark.

All five of us were up for this.

 

And then to Mesa, a long flight.

Arrived there well into the night.

 And rushed to hubby’s open arms.

Glad I was kept from all that harms.

Italy Trip 2024, poetic asides tele blank

Italy Trip Day 31

 

It would be nice to teleport,

With no more cars, trains, or airplanes.

To travel would be such a sport.

No weaving in and out of lanes.

 

By travel we would get our kicks.

Tomorrow, I’d beam to Phoenix.

Teleport, or by car and plane,

The joy of seeing hubby—same!

Italy Trip 2024

 

Italy Trip Day 30

 

In Youngstown, but visit P-A.

To see the place where we were raised.

Some memories stirred up today.

Country living and kin be praised.

 

Walked the land where our house once was.

Then ‘cross the road to see our cuz.

Two cousins and old neighbor friend.

Too soon, our visit had an end.

Italy Trip 2024

 Day 29 Italy Trip

 

Lost souvenirs, but they’re returned.

What a relief, a guard found them.

Candy bar’s gone, but it was earned.  

With all going on around them.

 

In Ohio, five together,

Thankful for this and fine weather.

Saw the new baby, what a doll.

Yay for family, one and all!

Italy Trip 2024

 

Day 28 Italy Trip

 

The day came as we knew it would.

An airport staff man sang goodbye.

I watched three movies since I could.  

So much stress but, I like to fly.

 

Happy day seeing little sis!

And my nephew at the hotel.

I’m glad for travel such as this.

Safe in PA and all is well.

Italy Trip 2024

 

Day 27 Italy Trip

 

Italian driving is crazy,

At least it’s so where we have been.

Especially lovely Capri

On roads that are high, rough, and thin.

 

The island’s a beautiful jewel.

To experience it is cool.

Blue grotto is fun in row boats.

A sunny day, no need for coats.

Italy Trip 2024, Poetic Bloomings, change

 

Day 26 Italy Trip

 

We changed hotels again today,

As we go through Italian towns.

Sorrento, Naples and Pompeii,

As we make our touristy rounds.

 

Pompei is all it’s said to be.

Those people had no time to flee,

And so beautiful by the sea.

Next, we plan to go to Capri.

Italy Trip 2024

 Day 25 Italy Trip

 

We toured the Vatican today,

Statues, paintings, and lots of pomp.

And clicking photos all the way,

We followed the guide’s every prompt.

 

And what a busy place it was!

The Sistine Chapel—lots of fuss.

We paid a lot to taxi home.

from the Holy See within Rome.

Italy Trip 2014

 Day 24 Italy Trip

 

Went to Montepulciano

A medieval town on a hill

We enjoyed lasagna although

The diners in small room were shrill

 

Old buildings and quaint, narrow streets

We shopped for souvenirs and treats

Nestled in hills, vineyards, Cyprus

We slept clear to Rome on the bus   

Italy Trip 2024

 

Day 23 Italy Trip

 

Ah Venice! Yes! So romantic.

Ride gondolas in the canals

Too bad the rain made us frantic.

We sloshed in Venice with our pals.

 

Tag-along so I won’t get lost.

Toured a palace at a high cost.

Sister stayed at the hotel. Smart!

Next day, we’ll get an early start.

Italy Trip 2024, Poetic Asides Resource

 Day 22 Italy Trip

The Resources of Old Things and Pizza.

 

From Florence to Bologna town.

We saw clock tower and a church.

We went up a long hill and down.

Left my poor sister in a lurch.

 

We went to Padua. It rained.

The roads appear to be one-laned.

Ate pizza till we could no more.

In Venice now, it’s time to snore.

Italy Trip 2024

 Day 21 Italy Trip

 

We walked in Florence in the rain.

My new raincoat failed. I got wet.

Statue-filled piazza’s do reign.

The guide explained all through headset.

 

Ate lunch and back to the hotel.

I sat on the bed, almost fell.

I dried off and then took a nap.

Tomorrow, three spots on the map.

Italy Trip 2024

 

Day 20 Italy Trip

 

We left Rome on a big coach bus

St. Frances of Assisi crypt

The town was beautiful to us

It was a highlight of the trip

 

Siena’s hills and narrow streets

A challenge, had to stop for sweets

Piazza del Campo, the place

Of Palio, famous horse race

Italy Trip 2024

 

Day 20 Italy Trip

 

We left Rome on a big coach bus

St. Frances of Assisi crypt

The town was beautiful to us

It was a highlight of the trip

 

Siena’s hills and narrow streets

A challenge, had to stop for sweets

Piazza del Campo, the place

Of Palio, famous horse race

Italy Trip 2024

 Day 19 Italy Trip

 

We took a train--Florence to Rome.

Of Roman ruins there’s no end.

Coliseum once had a dome.

Exciting to see ‘round each bend.  

 

The nine-day tour begins tonight.

We’ll walk two hours in dim light.

We’ll rise early and board a bus,

I hope we make it with no fuss.

Italy Trip 2024

 

Day 18 of Italy Trip

 

Goodbye to the Write Away folks.

And we managed to catch a train.

We bumbled through and felt like jokes.

We made it to Rome safe and sane.

 

We found the hotel a bit late.

We scheduled a previous date.  

A golf cart tour to see the sights

It got so dark, they turned on lights.