Through the fields of hope
we walk, eyes and ears open
but often blinkered,
observing yet ignoring
the obstacles in life’s path
Category Archives: Self compositions
#Weekly Tanka Prompt #Poetry Challenge – Week 112 – Hope & Observing, An optimist’s view
Filed under nature inspired, Self compositions, Tanka
MLMM’s #First Line Friday: August 31st, 2018
Summer died that night. It was a time of celebration, the deep fire-pit, filled to the height of a man with peat, brush, bracken and branches ready to be lit. The cattle, pigs, sheep and fowl driven in to the central enclosure ready for the elders to carry out their grisly task,
The children had asked the usual questions which we had asked when we were young. The answer was always the same throughout the years. “This is the way it has always been.”
“The beasts we have nurtured lovingly throughout the year must repay our kindness. There will be feasting for everyone before the dark days come as they surely will. There is not enough goodness in the fields to keep and sustain our flocks and herds. Only the necessary few will be kept for our daily needs.”
“The offering we make now will be noted by the sky-dwellers and if pleased they will send the bright sun back to lighten our days once more when the time is right. This is as it has always been.”
As we watched the great fire was lit. Bright scarlet and yellow tongues of flame leaped into the not yet dark sky. Our animal’s eyes rolled at the sight. As each one was led through the narrow entrance between the stakes into the very heart of the village the remainder started to grow restless and were snorting, bleating and clucking wildly. We could hear the loud cries of pain from within and panic started to spread through the now terrified animals. We beat them furiously to try and stop the by then dangerous mayhem.
A greasy cloud of dark smoke hung motionless in the air above the cluster of thatched dwellings and the smell of animal fat was strong in ours and the remaining animal’s nostrils. The addition of the animal fat helped the flames to reach high above the height of the palisade for all to see.
The last beast was lead through the opening, their dark, deadly destiny assured. Gradually we heard the sound of drums performing an increasingly louder, rhythmic, hypnotic beat. It was hard to stop our feet from stamping and dancing in time to the music.
Finally the last of the sun’s rays died and only then were we able to pass through the portal to join the great feast marking the change of the seasons.
RonovanWrites Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge #217 Poison&Past
The poison bottle
held memories of her past
trying not to smile
Filed under As you read it, Haiku, Self compositions
Sue Vincent’s #Thursday photo prompt: Watcher #writephoto
We look upon a mournful scene,
is it mist or just the sheen
of sadness in the eyes downcast.
With folded arms and child at breast
she realises that no more
on lapping wave her paramour,
will reappear on rising tide
but now departs for the last time,
her clifftop vigil will soon end as
arms outstretched she will descend.
No-one will mourn, nothing to keep
her from making this fateful leap.
Filed under As you read it, From the heart, Inspired by fable, Self compositions
#Weekly Tanka Prompt #Poetry Challenge – Week 111 – Climate & Energy
Sensing the climate
of the office being cool,
we all donned our frowns
the sexual energy
was gone, never to return
Filed under As you read it, Factual, Self compositions, Tanka
Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 99, “Change & Defy,” #SynonymsOnly
Great men ever try
to thwart their peer’s inertia
and alter the world
long experience has shown
nature will often help them
Filed under As you read it, Factual, Self compositions, Tanka, Uncategorized
Enlightened
their eyes open wide
in recognition of truth
lives changed forever
Filed under As you read it, faith, Haiku, Self compositions
RonovanWrites Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge 216 Hero&Coward
The hero never
seeks to condemn the coward
equals before God
in the cool dark earth
hero and coward await
the final journey
Filed under faith, Haiku, Self compositions
MlMM Sunday writing prompt #One Place to Another
Earduk looked into the mist. It was fourteen sunrises since his father Shardan had ceased his part in the tribe.
It was time for the final ritual. This was Earduk’s personal ceremony.
Hanging from his shoulder the jute bag felt heavy as it bounced on his right thigh with each step.
He stopped in a kind of reverie, wondering how far his father was on his journey. Today would be a great help to him, Earduk was sure.
He tapped the bag at his side and with a smile remembered how hard it had been to prepare the heavy sword within. He and two of his brother’s had strained for many fire-burnings to bend the blade exactly as required. It’s spirit was now released and it was ready to work for it’s owner.
His father would be waiting to feel it in his hand once more. Only then could he continue his journey with his wife Lucine, Earduk’s beloved mother.
The mist was starting to clear. He could hear the rush of wings as the flock of geese that resided on the lake in safety overnight started to lift off from the lake to fly over to the grassy plain to start the day’s feeding.
He could see the causeway ahead and he slowly reached into his bag. Reverently withdrawing the blade he turned it over and over in his hands. The blade flashing in the rising sun casting shafts of light onto the dark waters lapping gently at the reed-covered banks.
Taking three paces onto the causeway he raised the u-shaped blade above his head and with a loud cry cast the offering far into the pool.
The splash caused a stir among the remaining geese and hastened them in their decision to take off. The ripples dislowly diminished and with the ritual complete Earduk turned back to the shore.
Earduk would be able to tell the elders that Shardan could now be placed in the niche near to the door of the family roundhouse. Once more armed Shardan would continue to protect his family as before.
Filed under Alternative history, faith, Inspired by fable, Self compositions
Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No. 98, “Sad & Write,” #SynonymsOnly
Although grief-stricken
he was able to compose
for consolation
a brief but meaningful ode
to treasure her memory
Filed under From the heart, Self compositions, Tanka
