she’s a little black and white cat
who tippy toes around the house
walking silently then staring out

now she’s in the garden
clawing the old bench
then she prowls around

she climbs on the wall
who’s out there?

there’s no one in the close
and no one in the bushes
where are they?

she’s back in the garden
sauntering and scampering

but soon she’s ready to snooze
suddenly she’s awake
who is it?

there’s almost a squabble
but the other cat as already gone
and quite right too

now it’s back to base
and it’s lunchtime
and lots of purring

a little later
she’s gone back to bed
what a lovely life she has!

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Image credit:  Jon Tyson @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a wall graffiti: a picture of a black cat with mismatched eyes, and different words scrolled on the wall around it.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #239 photo prompt.

What do you see # 239- May 20, 2024

the lanterns spring up
all around the world
little specks of light
filling up with glee

the colours are vivid
from crimson to mauve
as they skipped around with joy
what a beautiful globe

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Image credit: Leon Contreras @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows many lanterns floating into the night sky. Some are nearby are more visible than others which are far away.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #238 photo prompt.

What do you see # 238- May 13, 2024

the angel and the mermaid
what we do every day
we stand in the park
not moving at all
but later, it’s dark and silent
and the gates are closed
and in the moon light
the glorious graceful dancers
whirling and swaying
spreading joy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Marianna Smiley @Unsplash “Thrive” by Danial Pooper a sculpture in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a giant female figure who is opening her chest to show the greenery inside. There are cracks on the visage and torso of this sculpture.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #237 photo prompt.

What do you see # 237- May 6, 2024

so many people
reaching out more

rage, rage, rage again

too much pollution
too many plastic bags and bottles

it should be a better place
so make it happen

just a little help
and hope

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Tom Barrett @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a view of a walkway/ street, at a time when the shadows cast by the sun are out of proportion larger than the people walking the street.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #235 photo prompt

What do you see # 235- 22 April, 2024

Monkey was always a little friend
but he only lived on the couch

Monkey liked to play with his people
but often he was alone

Monkey could look out to see what’s happening
but he had nothing to say

But one day he has a new friend
and he certainly looks familiar…

He used to live in Darkest Peru
but now he’s called Paddington

Monkey and Paddington talk all day
and sometimes they get into mischief!

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Image credit: Anastasiia Krutota@ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows two stuffed toys sitting on a cushion. The monkey on one side has its arm around the other stuffed toy that appears to be a hybrid between a bear and a penguin. (you can imagine your own combination)

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #231 photo prompt

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What do you see #231- March 25, 2024

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

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This week’s image is in honor of international women’s day, celebrated on March 8th. This image shows a diverse group of five women holding a placard on which the word “ WOMEN” is written in bold letters. In the background you can see other people holding different placards too.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #228 photo prompt

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I wrote my poem back in 2020. It was also International Women’s Day too. I wanted to remind us that wherever we may be in the world, we have a bond of common experience. I’ve found it when travelling in parts of rural Greece and Spain and, when I moved to South Africa and met women from more diverse cultures and with very different life experiences, this connection came even more sharply into focus for me.

Another reason is for my lovely friend, Michnavs – Poetry by Mich.
Here’s her powerful and beautiful book: After Rain Skies by Michelle Ayon Navajas.
My review is here too.

https://www.amazon.com/AFTER-RAIN-SKIES-Michelle-Navajas/dp/B0B2TYMSFZ