My puppy wears a Christmas hat
is there something wrong with that?
He stares intently back at me
by the light of the Christmas tree
Two dark eyes and round back nose
what he’s thinking no one knows
But I think that I can guess
okay, boy, more is less!
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #62 photo prompt.
Image credit: Rhaúl V. Alva @ Unsplash
The image shows a puppy wearing a Christmas hat, sitting in a bed. You can see the Christmas tree lit up in the background.
My inner child cowers, confined by conformity
Yearning to be let out, unshackled and free!
Iridescent, uninhibited
Not contained and
Not restrained, she’d
Engineer enjoyment, frivolity and fun.
Raging and rebellious
Chortling and
Howling, craving
Instant satisfaction, but no! Quietly she
Lurks beneath the veil of decorum
Dwelling in the darkness, sadly unfulfilled.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #61 photo prompt.
Image credit: Tim Hüfner @ Unsplash
The image shows wall art. A woman is dressed in 1950’s style. A speech bubble next to her says, ‘Listen to your inner child’. There are cartoons and graffiti on the wall too.
Reaching out across the airwaves
tuneful voices high and sweet
echo brightly from a distant chapel
of vaulted ceilings and flickering candles
She sings along, only slightly out of tune
picturing pews of fresh-faced choirboys
with golden halo hair and snow-white surplices
wide-eyed and open mouthed
Smiling, she chops and slices
as the voices transport her
while her hands work busily
preparing for the feast
Now the warm summer wind drifts
through the open kitchen window
while wintery hymns
embrace her in nostalgia.
It’s my special festive tradition to listen to the carol service from King’s College Cambridge while cooking on Christmas Eve. This year will be no exception. Some particularly fond memories of mine come from the years when my husband had a bike shop and used to go out late on Christmas Eve to deliver the children’s bikes to their houses after they’d gone to bed, just like Santa Claus, while I made us a late supper of fishy treats.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #60 photo prompt.
Image credit: Shche-Team @ Unsplash
(The image shows an outdoor scene. An old fashioned radio is placed next to a couple of candles and a wicker basket. Behind the radio is a pot full of blooming red flowers)
growing up on distant continents
without a common tongue
lives so seemingly different
rich north, poor south
experiences diametrically opposed
.
and yet
sharing corresponding smiles
weeping mutual sorrows
our hearts are touched
by the same love and loss
.
because, in the end
we are all
sisters under the skin
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #58 photo prompt.
Image credit: Cheryl Holt @ Pixabay
(The image shows very two young girls heading off together, holding hands. One is of African heritage and the other seems Caucasian).
Just one tiny cake
a candle-topped treat
two bites big
is all I can eat.
Gone are the days
of parties and thrills
just make sure
I take all my pills.
But with memories rich
I’ll celebrate
don’t you know
I’m a hundred and eight?*
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #57 photo prompt.
Image credit: Angéle Kamp @ Unsplash
(The image shows a a single cupcake with a lit candle on top of it).
*thank you, Goutham @ https://gdutta17.wordpress.com/ (see the comments below)
Look at her
a face illuminated by street lamps, by passing cars
she watches, she waits
the expression on her face is one of… nothingness.
Look at her
dark circles under her eyes, a bruise on her cheek
hidden by her hair
the look in her eyes is one of… emptiness.
Look at her
what did he do? what do you do? while she’s
beaten and broken
one woman, one of many, living in… hopelessness.
Society sleepwalks, liberals shake their heads
say wise but empty words, while behind closed doors
this never ends.
A woman is killed every three hours in South Africa, according to police statistics – a rate five times the world average. Half are murdered by men with whom they had a close relationship.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #56 photo prompt.
Image credit: Phmaxiestevez @ Pixabay
(The image shows a young woman looking out the glass pane of a partially open door, with an indecipherable expression).
Unknown waters lie ahead, our future is opaque, obscure, still uncharted
No more mapped out milestones, no glittering goals to accomplish
Certainty has ceased, while we clutch at withered straws
Ever searching for proper patterns to pursue, the
Return to routine, to the mindful mundane
That frees us, and comforts us
And will sustain our souls
If only in illusion.
No chance of
That hope
Yet
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #54 photo prompt.
Image credit: Evan Clark, Unsplash
(The image shows a person precariously balanced, standing on a fallen tree trunk hanging over a body of water).
– steady now
but there’s so much to explore!
– take your time
but everything’s a toy, a joy!
so many things to see and smell
and feel and taste… oh, eew!!
– yes, but…
look at me!
oopsie!
– be careful, or you’ll fall
the world’s so big
– and you’re so small
but now’s my time, I want it all!
– one day, little one, when you’re grown.
Everything comes to she who waits.
Hold on! Shine bright!
Never lose that spark, that drive
the curiosity of a child.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #54 photo prompt.
Image credit: Billow 926 – Unsplash
(The image shows a baby panda standing in a Moses basket. Next to it us a wicker basket, which it is leaning in to)
Be brave, good knight,
and raise aloft your light
to shine on every corner of
this godforsaken kingdom.
Where people cower
beneath the all-powerful might
that dictates who should receive
the lion’s share of wealth.
Afraid, good knight,
that those in power
will snatch away your sword?
Yet you are on the side of right
your fight is just and true.
Fear not, good knight,
and lift your standard high!
Behold, we raise our heads above the parapet
throwing down the challenge of our begging bowls.
Together we will fight for what is right
for the future good of all.
Written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See #53 photo prompt.
Image credit: Linus Sandvide – Unsplash
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