White-out world
cold and stark
bleak as the day
you went away
alone in the dark
heart beating
soul freezing
night closes in
no-one to love
no-one to hold
without you
everything
comes to a halt
please will you
throw me
a rope.
A quadrille, written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #89 photo prompt.
Image credit: Oziel Goméz
The image shows an old car parked in snow. The luggage rack on the top of the car has a rubber raft on it.
Staring up, beyond the confines of my yard
Up into the sky, so wide and blue
Paws poised
Ears and eyes alert
Ready to run, jump, fly!
Don’t try to stop me, no…
On I go,
Go, Superdog, Go!
(At least, that’s what I think he’s thinking)
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #88 photo prompt.
Image credit: Elias Castillo @ Unsplash
The image shows a dog wearing a shirt with “Superman” logo on it. There is a cape flowing from the back of the T- shirt.
Reach out! Reach up!
Climb the highest height
Follow your dreams
Let hope give you wings
Be brave, be bold, be strong!
Look to a new day
A bright not a blue day
Stand straight, walk tall, be you
For you are unique, you burn so bright
You, the wonderful you!
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #87 photo prompt.
Image credit: Dakota Corbin @ Unsplash
The image shows a wall decorated by splashes of colour. There are outlined sketches of two hands on the wall. Above the decorations, the words “The best gift is you” are written. A woman can be seen walking a baby in a stroller in the front.
Behind those sapphire eyes
a trusting soul peers out
your little heart beats apace
tiny mouth mews silently
oh, little kitten
I am smitten
beholding a world
of wonder
anew.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #85 photo prompt.
Image credit: Iqbal Nuril @ Pixabay
The image shows a small kitten looking inquisitively, from under a table.
It’s my great pleasure to welcome Jude Itakali to this month’s Launch Pad spot. Many of you will already be familiar with Jude through his blog, Tales Told Different, but let’s find out a little bit more about him from his author bio.
Jude was born and lives in Kampala, Uganda, and when not being an athlete on the rugby field, or crunching down numbers on a computer for work, he delicately pens the epiphanies from life and its different relationships and encounters.
He writes about all sorts of topics, finding a way to relate them with each other because no one theme exists in a vacuum.
Empathy is sometimes considered a gift, and Jude has it in abundance.
Jude has recently released his first book, Crossroads (Winds of Love) – a collection of poetry, prose and short stories. Here he is to tell us all about it. Take it away, Jude!
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Thank you for inviting me onto your blog today, Chris. I’m excited to tell you all about my book, which is entitled Crossroads (Winds of Love).
This is my debut publication and I used poetry because of its ability to touch a variety of people in a variety of ways. I admire the creativity it gives and the outlet of emotions that might otherwise fester within. The ability to exercise the breadth of language to pass on a message has always captivated me because it touches and evokes much deeper than plain words.
CROSSROADS (Winds of love) is a collection of poems, prose, and short stories written in verse. Many times, romantic love is depicted as a formula: advice on ways in which to get the best out of love. In my time and experience through many kinds of love, some my own, many from the people closest to me, and a few from the world testimonies and stories, I have come to understand that each situation is different, and not all advice is applicable for everyone. Love is not bound by rules, and in most cases, it does not make sense.
I wrote and compiled these poems and stories to show multiple aspects of love, to show the reader that they are not alone, that they should not be judged, and even though love’s pleasures may come with even greater pains, that in the end, the power to change it or discover it in its best form, lies within us.
This precious gem of a book has poetry in structured forms including, but not limited to sonnets, haiku, etheree, tanka, cinquain, shadorma, and many more. It also contains free verse poetry and a splattering of short stories. It takes us on an adventure through longing, intimacy, heartbreak and healing.
Click here for some of my latest reviews and some short extracts from the book.
The Blurb
In the corridors of love,
At the crossroads of loneliness,
We stand at our most vulnerable.
As the winds of love swirl, we are often ill-prepared for the portends and promises they carry;
The longing, fear, and deception.
The intimacy, and the horrors of heartbreak.
But also the hope, renewal and strength from the trials we have survived.
May these poems, prose and short stories touch each in their own particular way,
And bring us all perspective, compassion, hope and ultimately;
Love!
Find it on Amazon in ebook and paperback: USA ~ UK ~ IND ~ AUS ~ CAN ~ ESP ~ Rest of the World
If it’s available in your region, I’d recommend you order a paperback copy – so much better for poetry.
My copy arrived just a few days ago.
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Follow Jude here!
Goodreads: Goodreads Author Jude Kirya Itakali
Blog: WordPress – Tales Told Different
Facebook: Kirya Itakali Jude
Twitter: @jude_clutch
Instagram: judeitakali
Contact him on email: judekirya37@gmail.com
Slender notes as crisp as frost
cast silver beads across the grass
colour-drained trees old and bare
echo tunes on winter air
Melodies fill the sunless day
where morning shadows long to to play
perched upon a lonely pew
fragile memories form anew
Snippets snatched from days long past
pervade an emptiness that’s vast
remembrances both sweet and dear
proffer us a tender tear.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #84 photo prompt.
Image credit: Clay Banks @ Unsplash
The image shows an older man sitting on a bench by a park. There is a trolley bag behind him. He is playing a stringed instrument and has a collection bag by his feet.
Thanks to Cassa of Flicker of Thoughts and Spira of inSPIRAation I have learned what the instrument in the photo is. Called a Erhu, it makes a most beautiful sound:
What better way to celebrate than by treating yourself to a poetry collection?
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By the waterfall
In the darkness of the dawn
by the waterfall where wet curtains meet
she tiptoes over slippery rocks
singing softly to rising ripples.
In the cool of the morning
peals of giggles ring out like raindrops
as she drops her dress and lifts her face
to whirl in liberated circles.
In the heat of the afternoon
she dives through silver sheets
into the limpid pool below
where herons dart and fishes swim.
In the shade of the evening
she floats among sunlit shadows
surrounded by scented petals
cloaked in azure calm.
©2021 Chris Hall
from Creation and the Cosmos
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Creation and the Cosmos ~ A Poetic Anthology Inspired by Nature
Featuring:
Artists: emje mccarty, Heather Trotter, Steven Bryson
Authors: Braeden Michaels, Brandon White, Robert Birkhofer, Stephanie Lamb, Hidden Bear, Jenny Hayut, Chris Nelson, Chris Hall, Mark Ryan, Mark Tulin, R.H. Alexander, Sarah Licht, Oleg Kagan, Meredith Heller, Rachael Holmes, Kathryn Winograd, fara tucker, CG Tenpenny, Cassa Bassa, Cara Feral, Colleen Machut, Dvon Bridgeforth,
Photographer: Jimmi Campkin
Edited by: tara caribou
The official launch day is Tuesday 23 March, 2021
In the meantime, here are the links to where you can purchase this beautiful book.
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Although there is an ebook version, I’d strongly recommend you choose the paperback. See how beautiful it is, shown off in this video by fellow contributor, Cassa Bassa.
I know you’re there
watching, silently
out there, always out there
monitoring my movements
the click of a camera
the slam of a car door
behind me
a flash of movement
reflected in a window
will I ever be rid of you?
monitoring my movements
out there, always out there
watching, silently
I know you’re there.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #73 photo prompt.
Image credit: Sonny Mauricio @ Unsplash
The image shows a bald eagle sitting in the bare branches of a tree. It is looking down at the camera.
Last Friday, it was with great delight that I released a new word into the blogosphere. Braccaneer has been added to the lexicon of our lives. No sooner was the post out, than Tom from Beyond the Sphere, had come up with a badge! Not just one, but a range from which to choose. As Tom has generously offered, go and help yourselves!
Words link us all together, don’t they? That’s what we do here on WP.
Out in the big wide world, words also bring us together and it was just two years ago that I became involved in the Writing My City Project which brought people from all over Cape Town together to write stories and poems about their city. My small part of the project was, with the invaluable help of the Head Librarian, Bongi, to lead a series of writing workshops in her library for a group of women whose life experiences and life chances are very different to mine. Together we teased out some beautiful and heart-wrenching stories. It was a privilege to share the experience with them.
I hadn’t thought about it recently, but I was really saddened to learn that the Suiderstrand Library, where our writing group met, had burned to the ground last weekend. I really hope the City of Cape Town rebuild it for the sake of the local community and the dedicated staff. My copy of the anthology, containing my humble contribution is safe on my shelves at home, but I’m sorry for the loss of a great little library and its books.
But on a much brighter note, here’s my big news of the week
Diverse contributors around the worId have been brought together in a new collection of poetry and art, edited and published by Tara Caribou of Raw Earth Ink. Tara writes the most exquisite, visceral poetry and I’m honoured that she selected all five of the poems that I submitted to her latest project, Creation and the Cosmos.
Within “Creation and the Cosmos”, you will discover nature’s revelation transformed into poetry, rhyme, digital photographic art, painting, photography, and more.
Throughout these pages, thirty-two artists and writers from all over the world express their emotions and thoughts as seen through the wide-open eyes of nature. From stars and moon, birds in flight, the raging storm, a deer’s quiet passing, the salty depths of the sea, rolling hills and towering mountains: there is art in all creation.
Sink your hands into the rich soul-soil of humanity’s finest creators and allow all of nature, both dark and light, to impress its artistry in your heart.
Creation and the Cosmos will be out in paperback and ebook, and is due for release on 23rd March 2021. I haven’t seen the book yet, but I know from my own paperback copy of Tara’s poetry collection Four, that this will be a beautiful book to hold in your hands. Save the release date when I’ll be posting the links to where you can get your hands on a copy.
“…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”~ Vincent Van Gogh
Today I’m still waiting by the track
choices limited, just forward or back
when at dawn, new light ascends
empty platform, empty track, possibilities
Choices limited, just forward or back
step on, step up, step up to the plate
empty platform, empty track, possibilities
which route shall I take?
Step on, step up, step up to the plate
hurry now, it’s not too late
which route shall I take?
inertia stays my feet
Hurry now, it’s not too late
when at dawn, new light ascends
inertia stays my feet
today I’m still waiting by the track
Written in response to Sadje‘s What do You See #63 photo prompt.
Image credit: Rodrigo Curi @ Unsplash
The image shows the sun setting over the horizon and in the foreground you can see rail tracks.
luna's on line 