A moment in time/A timeless moment

Inscription on the Back of a Snapshot, 1915

Conditions are a little grim,

but what can one expect?

Our rations are…well, they are slim:

we use what we collect.

We get by on our wit and whim

but with all due respect,

in war it’s all just sink or swim.

May peace soon take effect. 

###

Notes:  Sepia Saturday posted this snapshot of some World War I soldiers cooking a meal out of a helmet.  The field behind them is wasted and desolate.  When you look at this photo, you are almost glad it is in black and white, and not color - although the starkness, by virtue of the lack of hues, is probably more powerful in the end.

The form is Hymnal Octave.

 

Double Meanings

Double Meanings

The tiny king said, “What’s the news?

With morning cup, I’ll read the views

of all my loyal subject folk.”

The paper told a tale of spoon,

of dish and cow, of magic moon,      

of little dog and artichoke

and dainty princess and a pea.

He read some more and sipped his tea

and said, “It’s all an equivoke.”

###

Notes: The form is Nove Otto.  The above picture is by Michael Sowa from The Little King, and was used as the prompt from Magpie Tales this week. 

In keeping with my love of learning cool new words, I discovered the word 'equivoke' today, which means an equivocation, a pun or a double meaning.  

An Epicure Din-o-sperience (Not)

Image courtesy of Bella's Website

I Like My Steak Rawr!

Don’t dine, O’Saure

at Cretaceous Pub.

The food will vex;

the sweet tea wrecks.

###

Notes:  This is a quick-n-cute one, because I am in a sleepy/punchy frame of mind.  The form (thanks, Sal Buttaci!) is Pun-ku. 

In other news, my poem, Missing the Point, was Walt's pick for Bloom of the Week at Poetic Bloomings (thanks Walt and Marie!) and my limerick, Bizarre Foods, got an Honorable Mention this week at Mad Kane's Humor Blog (thanks, Madeleine!)

-♥-

Who am I? Two Four Six Oh One!

Les Ms.

In this production, Jean Valjean

wears taffeta, silk and chiffon.

A different take, but that's showbiz.

The alto voice?  That's Javert’s range

since he’s a she.  A small exchange,

but higher register’s what is.           

And at the barricade, a thrill:

the first soprano goes full trill

as ladies only 'do' Les Mis.

###

Notes:  First of all, yeah, okay.  I'm early.  A bit.  

Why?  

Because this is the prompt for this coming Saturday from Sepia Saturday.  I got an idea (and that song) in my head and simply had to let it out.  You know how it is, right?  

Actually, the above picture was taken from some Danish archives.  It's a photograph which shows women marching for social justice and inclusion.  Interestingly, it's not entirely unlike some of the events going on around the world today.  Something to think about, huh?

Anyway, the form is Nove Otto.  

And one more thing...in this case, yes, I really do hear the people sing.  So..."Who am I?  Two four six oh one."

No Recall

Between the waking and the sleeping, something strange comes…

I thought I saw within my dream

a flying elephant.  This theme

did not make any sense at all.

That is, until I thought about

proboscides and wings, no doubt,

escaping from a hazy pall

of man-made nightmare.  But awake

the truth became a bit opaque

then faded.  Now I can't recall.

###

Note:  The form is Nove Otto.  Magpie Tales posted the above picture as the prompt.  I thought it was fascinating and actually kind of cute - that is until I noticed the reactor towers in the distance.  I thought that didn't make sense, but the truth is, I think I didn't want it to make sense.  So I made a trunk call (get it?!) and wrote about a place in between waking and sleeping where things fly fast, but fade just as fast, too.

The New Issue

The New Issue

Who is Jean Harlow?  Yes, who is she really?

Nineteen thirty seven…it’s anyone’s guess!

If you read our magazine, you’ll ideally

learn this – and so much more.  Stratosphere Express!

Want to see your signs and portents?  This, we know,

is just the tip of the iceberg.  And although

Great Sea Stories also fill our pages

we’re perfect for all literary sages!

###

Notes of Issue (get it??!!): Today, Sepia Saturday posted the above magazine cover art as their prompt.  Very cool, right?  Since I am still in Rispetto mode (thank you, Robert Lee Brewer and Poetic Asides) that's the form I used for the poem.  And obviously, as you can see, I just decided to write a cover for the cover!

Finally, if you get the chance, check out Poetic Bloomings.  They interviewed moi for this week's poets' spotlight.  

Thanks - and have a great weekend!