FOP #1

10.7 special occasion

As the bell tolls
at the start of this special day
when so many young men
were caught up in conflict
one hundred years ago
to this very day

the first world war
should have been a warning
against human sacrifice
on such a global scale.

Yet violence still reigns
around the world
as we remember those
that gave their last breath
in the hope
that man would live with man.

10.8 Wild card

You can only find love
in eyes that meet yours
and lock, and smile.

Those eyes can be those
of your child's
when he opens them for the first time.

Or from your loved one
when she repeats those vows
nervously

we can be blessed with many true loves
when we look into eyes to discover it.

11.1 Senses

There are little girls
throwing hoops around waists
and laughing carelessly
into the sunshine,
bare feet and hot pink toes
dance across the gravel
without a care in the world.

I watch them with
a knowing smile,
the innocence of childhood
and how quickly
she passes.

*****whoops

11.2
Funny

There once was a man named Frank
who spilled everything he drank
He laughed until he cried
Up 'til the day he died
Having already cleaned out his bank.

11.3

Formed poem

Sun blazes, scorching
lightning strikes ignite fires
August must be here.

11.4 country/state/town

What do I perceive
Texas to be?
With boots and bulls
horse riding and pistol whipping
talking with a draw
twisters, blistering heat and more
is this too stereotypical
for my Texan friends
to stomach?
(something they have in abundance)

11.5 30-36 syllables

Cries and echoes disturb frightened foragers
whilst they mope around
many unmarked graves
looking for answers
to life's eternal questions.

11.6 Religion

When I am hiding
in this of darkest places
there is a voice
that challenges me to recede
away from this madness
of non believers
I find myself
asking him
to forgive.

11.7 Special Occasion

And so ends those wild days
of partying hard
spending my graft
on beers and bands

Stopping out till dawn
family life a yawn
this young man knew best
until my first child was born.

11.8 Wild card

I wonder is a cloud really lonely
when the blue sky is invaded by
a jumbled mass of white

The sun yearning to burn a way through
as the flowers droop
looking for light to lift them

Where does the sky stop
and space begin
is it at the first star
or the surface of the moon

This earth is like a pea
lost on the kitchen floor

so how can a cloud be alone
amongst such a vast opening
with only a beginning
but not an end.

12.1 Senses

Don't close the door
and expect me to want to taste
the whiskey on your breath
at three in the morning -
closed doors close hearts
and a lack of attention
isn't soothing for my soul.

12.2 Funny

Twigs and sticks
get stuck in places
they don't belong:
noses, butts, business -
they don't get along!

12.3 Formed poem

Naked fairy dance
happens along empty logs
glitter left behind.

12.4 Country/State/Town

Oh, God - rescue Your people
from the hatred of others.
Humanity is losing itself,
and You're our only compass
may Israel continue
to look to You during
these tribulations.

12.5 30/36 syllables.

You're an anchor to my
fingertips, when all hope
has been lost. Your whisper
softens my edges,
and I fall harder each time.

12.6 Religion

I nourish my soul
with the Word You have provided,
and I long to hear Your voice
in this middle of my darkness.
Your comfort in my stillness
is overwhelming, and I praise You
for Your care. For Your plans
are bigger than my own, and I must
hold onto the peace You provide
in my storms. I receive Your blessings
with each breath, and praise You always.

12.7 Special Occasions

Months and tears spent
on creating a day
with lace runners
and baskets full of broken flowers,
all for a five second kiss -
what we go through
to promise our lives to one another
makes memories like this worth it.

12.8 Wild Card

Petals falling down
tangled in her brunette hair -
small pixie smiles.

13.1 Senses

Most of all I thought about, those nights in the trenches,
more than the muddy hell we were entrenched in,
more than the hundreds of bodies they carry out each day,
was the silk touch of your fingertips
back home, under our sycamore tree.
Where we made our swing in summer and you marveled
at the butterflies and I never knew what awaited me
across the sea.

13.2 Funny

I saw a badger once, his name was Ted
and all he wanted was a nice warm bed,
He slept all day and rambled all night,
what a diva, afraid of sunlight!
'I'm sorry young sir,' he said, poor of sight,
'I was wondering if I, erm, maybe might
have a cup of tea or some sunny delight?'
When I woke up I banged my head,
Ouch! That's what you get for dreaming about badgers
Ted said.

13.3

Haiku

Sunlight trickles down
from a azure blanket sky,
showering comfort.

13.4 - Country/state/town

The ground was the reddest I'd ever seen,
and the bits of grass that grew were brown
here in South Australia. A dust-cloud shadowed us
across the flat roads, like a plane leaving a jet stream
in an orange/red sky. At sundown, kangeroos
were most active and they bounced alongside us
like land-bourne dolphins.

We set up the barbie in the bush
in no mans land, Dad flipped steaks
as I followed snake trails as far
as I could dare. The outback night held sounds
that were new to my ears and the night sky
was new and dark and wonderful.

13.5 30-36 syllables

You looked different in your graduation gown.
Taller, your stride lengthened,
your smile widened, your shoulders unburdened
with the weight of my expectation.

13.6 Religion

I have taken my shoes off and stepped
into the temple of the laughing Buddha,
I have queued up and toured
the grandeur of St. Peter's Bascilica,
I have trekked and visited
the Great Mosque of Xi'an,
I have prayed in many languages but haven't
found the dictionary to translate God's answer.

13.7 Special Occasion

Witches cackle and mummies moan,
banshees wail as zombies groan,
Jack'O lanterns avenue the spooky streets
that echo with calls of 'trick or treat.'
The night is dark and filled with tales
of grisly deaths and stormy gales,
So hold on tight, try not to scream
Because tonight its Halloween!

13.8 Wild Card

Senryu

Naught to sixty in
two point 8 seconds, back home
an eternity.

14.1 Senses

I can't hear a dog barking at a full moon
nor rain pattering the rooftops. Can't hear
the snores from next door nor the low hum
of night traffic. I can only hear the space
of my own thoughts.

14.2 Funny

The microphone stood, ominous as a gun
and faces beyond the lights were growling.
His shoes weighted with lead and his suit
was hot as an electric blanket.
Step, step, don't shake too much,
clear your throat, look down, look up,
you can do this, the time is now!
'Testing, 1-2,' you did it, somehow!

14.3 Formed

Haiku

Butterflies flutter
flower to flower, making
the most of their wings.

14.4 Country/state/town

In the shadow of the Maracana,
the favelas were crowded with boys
arguing over who got to be Neymar
in their makeshift soccer game. Touts
sprang up around the city selling jerseys,
flags, novelties. While the shadow of Christ the Redeemer
was faint over the bright yellow sands
of Copocabana. Rio bustled with the life
of an actor on a Broadway stage.

14.5 30-36 syllables

I always liked the cup I chipped
when I was 15, the handle was cracked
and the '40' had faded. It's tea
always tasted sweeter

14.6 Religion

You looked out of place, antiquated on
My school timetable. After Maths on Monday,
Before Science on Thursday. And your classes
Were the abstraction from exams and academics
I needed. Now I realise I needed them for
A whole lot more.

14.7 Special Occasion

Bunnies hop bringing chocolate eggs
In their ribboned baskets, and lay people act
Out the Passion at the alter and strangers
Turn up for the mass. Schools out, Lent is over,
Enjoy the holiday, happy Easter!

14.8

We were 5 and 7
When mornings tasted
Like maple syrup

And we tried to catch
The sun in cookie jars

Now, my diet is sugar-free
Yet I still drag my feet every
morning and you

learnt to carry aspirin
Instead of lemon drops.

we meet every now and then.

we meet every now and then
I order coffee with low fat milk
As I wait for you to grab a newspaper
And sit purse-mouthed, frowning
Down at each and every single headline

You look like father,
more than he does, these days.
He's been smoking again
And mom has been swearing
For the past 9 years that she's had
Enough of it all.

Outside, Cairo is little but noise
and movement In equal portions
overflowing the city brim.

Funny. Remember how we used to dream
Of living on the coast? Forget about
Living. I'd like to die..

I'd like to die somewhere
near the sea.

15.1 Raven

You first saw her
The day she cut
Her long, long dark hair
in mourning

Yet wore bright red lipstick.

You watched her light
a candle at the foot of
every fresh grave, whispering:

Now you have the sun.

She didn't look fragile or innocent
She didn't look any of the things
Your grandmother said the girl
You'd fall in love with would,
15 years ago.

She had dirt under her nails,
You had dirt under

your heart.

15.2 funny

Bra bra bra
Bla
Bras everywhere

Underneath clothes and blankets
And hooking onto washing machines
As the cats cry like babies and the cups
Variate from a kitten's sleeping places
To covers for baby fists

And the men have eyes like binoculars
Spotting bras bras bras
Everywhere

15.3 formed - haiku

Burning campfire
Lits up sleeping mosquitoes
Lie stingless for once

15.4 country/state/city

In East-Europe, the underground bars
Use bathtubs as decoration in the middle
Of the dancefloor, and walls are graffitied,
As if creating a scene for the badass punker
To offer you a drink, a cinematic situation
Where you, the neat girl gone wild,
Takes his cigarette and puts it to your lips
Just to cough ... and cough ... and blush.

15.5 30-36 syll

Seriously, stop making me count
On my fingers, I'm going insane
With the ticking of the clock
Distracting me ... 8 ... 9
Tick ... tock ... 9 ... wait 10