Most of the older trees here are aging well – Crispina Kemp
~~~
It’s a tiny door,
and a tinier peephole,
I know who lives here.
I’m going to knock,
and say, anyone at home?
oh, there’s no answer.
That’s a shame,
shall I try again?
well, why not?
But no, no avail,
oh well, off I’ll go, I guess,
just strolling a way.
But then I popped back,
aha, got you, little minx,
I knew it was you!
~~~
TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 89, senryu by Colleen
“It’s Halloween, isn’t it,” grinned Uncle Bill.
“We know,” laughed the two boys in unison.
“I’m glad that both of you have popped around here. I know you have your sheets to be ghosts, but I’ve some things in my shed which will help you as well.”
The two of them looked at each other for a moment, then they followed Uncle Bill to the shed.
“Okay, this should do,” as Uncle Bill produced two broomsticks, two small cassocks and two tall pointy hats.”
The two of them grinned while pocketing some tangerines and Polos.
“Have fun and see you soonish,” as he waved them off.
Meanwhile, Uncle Bill finished his open fire in the living room. The flames danced around and became toasty. Then he carefully arranged their treasures, since all three of them had scrumped lots of chestnuts last week. That will warm them up, grinned Uncle Bill.
~~~
150 words
And, look, there colour of the bricks – Crispina Kemp
A few bricks
Aha,
I’m just saying,
a few bricks wouldn’t be missed.
Hmm, what a wonderful idea.
Indeed.
Okay,
here is the deal.
I am dropping them down.
You’ll catch them in that wheelbarrow.
That’s it.
~~~
TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 87, American cinquain by Colleen
“It’s a great place here,” grinned one of the boys.
“Perfect, since we have our fishing tackle with us today.”
“We could sit by the bank, and maybe dabble our toes in the stream…”
“… or we could get rather more wet, and start from that muddy bit.”
“Muddy is always good.”
They removed their socks and trainers, and put them together by the bank, then they brought their rods, including a good strong net.
They waded around a bit and peered by the waters. A couple of tiny minnows rushed past, but that was all.
“We need to be deeper.”
They got rather wet until they climbed onto the large flat rock.
“Aha, this is much better.”
They didn’t get any fish, but they found several coins at the bottom of the stream.
“It seems that some of them could be very old.”
“Ooh, how exciting.”
“Lucky us, eh?”
~~~
150 words
These chunky snails arrived with the Romans or the Normans – Crispina Kemp
~~~
I’m a pretty snail,
I’m patient and persistent,
I do like my house.
I’m a pretty snail,
I am rather chunky
but that’s not a problem.
I’m patient and persistent,
I admit I’m slow,
but slow is often good.
I do like my house,
it’s an excellent place,
and I bring it with me!
~~~
Val‘s Scavenger Hunt – 6th prompt
Write a Troiku, a form devised by Chèvrefeuille.
An Emerald Spreadwing Damselfly – Crispina Kemp
~~~
is the damsel in distress?
well, we don’t think so,
smart and beautiful she is.
shall we get closer to her?
she’s magnificent,
oh, but off she goes, bye then!
~~~
Val‘s Scavenger Hunt – 8th prompt
Write a Kelly Lune. (Created by Robert Kelly) This American form of Haiku consists of a tercet. There is no rhyme required but it is allowed.
“Shall we stop for a bit?” asked one of the boys.
“Yes, good thinking, we’ve been riding for ages.”
“Such a good place here, and right by the nice village pond.”
So, the two of them got off, and put their bikes down, then walked down to the pond.
“This is great, isn’t it,” grinned one of them.
“Should we have a little paddle?”
“We could, although it looks a bit deep, or at least a bit uncomfortable.”
“Okay, let’s walk a little further.”
“Now look at this, this is fab!”
“Gosh, this tree is ancient, isn’t it?”
“It’s called a weeping willow tree, I think.”
“Well, it looks like the Whomping Willow in Harry Potter’s Hogwarts school grounds.”
“I do like that idea of that – a magical tree…”
“… although that could be pretty dangerous.”
The two of them grinned for a bit, then said together: “we’ll ride again.”
~~~
150 words
The two boys had just left that rather nice woman, who had said that she would be happy to see them some time in the future.
“Fun, eh,” grinned one of the boys.
“Oh yes, that huge house was amazing.”
“It’s called The Old Hall.”
“That’s right.”
She had laughed a lot, since she said her name is Ms Hall.
“Still, we need to get moving now,” as the two boys started to pedal more quickly.
Then they continued to bike by the little lane.
“Look just over there. There’s two lovely cows who are munching in the long grass.”
“But that’s not where they stay normally, surely?”
The two of them slowed down to see what was going on.
“Oh look, that farmer is just there, he’s going to herd them back where they are supposed to be.”
“Well, I’m saying, phew.”
“Quite right.”
So off they went smiling.
~~~
150 words
“Is this all for me?” she thought, as she opened the car door, and looked up and around. It was huge. She grabbed her phone and several pages of notes, then got out, closing and locking the door. “Habit,” she muttered to herself.”
The key was hidden under a big bush near the main door as the solicitor had said on email. She held it up for a moment, then poked the key in the lock.
It was dark inside, since all the windows had been bricked up. Still there was a large torch somewhere. But then she saw two young boys on their bikes appear.
“Hello,” said one of them. “Do you need some help?”
“We can see it’s dark, but we’ve our front lights on our bikes and easy to remove them.”
She grinned back and said, “you’ll be handy, and you two will be my new friends!”
~~~
150 words
now this is a super scarlet ship
and she’s massive and marvellous,
she’s sleek and swift in the seas.
there are many major
operations on
this fine vessel.
so what’s next?
shall we
see?
it
was a
dangerous
mission this time.
the crew were clever
as always, as the waves
were lashing and moaning, but
she was able to aid, for all,
such a splendid, superb scarlet ship.
~~~
Crispina Kemp‘s photo – a fascinating fleet! – https://esvagt.com/services/fleet-list/ –
For Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No. 80, Alliteration, Robbie has asked that we write a syllabic form using alliteration. Plus a lovely painting down there.
