RSS Feed

Tag Archives: 44 words

To the Pool

Posted on

and so it begins, minuscule

granule of sand

clinched between fingers

one revolutionary stem cell or

the distance a brittle leaf tumbles

against the breeze

one drop of sweat

blood

benevolence

a trickling to the pool

fools stand on the edge

dipping their toes

Kim is hosting Quadrille Monday at dVerse Poets Pub. The word she has chosen for us to include in our 44 word poems is “revolution” or a form of the word.

Image: pixabay.com

Between Frames

Posted on
before me, colours bleed
like ancient ink
soaking papyrus skies

persimmon sits, shiftless
when did you boldly gush
against apocalyptic orange?

time is muted, cloud-muffled
I strain to see movement
but you are still to the naked eye
I must wait
sunsets speak slowly


Sunsets over Las Cruces, New Mexico – M.Beauchamp
Sunsets over Las Cruces, New Mexico – M.Beauchamp

We are adding the word “shift” or a derivative to our 44 word poems.

Join us at dVerse Poets Pub for Quadrille Monday.

Doors open at 3 p.m. EST

Spirit Bird

Posted on
Image: Michelle Beauchamp

he arrives at dusk

fearless of nightfall

holding / space

between sun-starved winter days

and fate of sleepless nights

time flakes, falls like snow

boundaries of worlds weaken

I soak in tints of twilight

de-icing darker thoughts

they melt in the glow

of scarlet feathers

For dVerse Poets Pub.

It is my pleasure to be your host for Quadrille Monday as we share poems of 44 words.

The given word is “ice” or a derivative.

Doors open at 3 p.m. EST

Flicker

Posted on

without solid reason to
keep track of time
I burn my days over
hot coals of contrition
watching the embers
die like dreams

it seems…..

we are sempiternity
always in the making
or taking
are we ever done?
is it enough to
simply breathe?

For Quadrille Monday over at dVerse Poets Pub. Merril is our host and she has offered us the word “track” to include in our 44 word poems.

Un-Whirled View

Posted on

she doesn’t drink from
the half-glass-full
would rather choke
on jagged truths
feel the cold-rush rumble
before the storm

she plucks pitch-black petals
from her garden heart
offers them up in bouquets

she types eulogies
in her sleep
for loved ones
not yet passed

For this week’s Quadrille at dVerse Poets Pub.

De has given us the word “type” or any form of the word to include in our 44 word poems.

Image: pixabay.com

Redbird

Posted on

I awake to the white, weary

my thoughts cocooning inward

stone-cold lace cascading

almost too pretty

to cover the pain

but there you are

still sifting for seeds

through winter’s wrath

not a shiver, or sliver of doubt

that the sun will shine again

A quadrille which is an original form from dVerse Poets Pub.

Merril is our host and has chosen the word “shiver” for our 44 word poems.

Photos from my front yard.

Nothin’ But Blue Skies

Posted on

you have a way of tinseling my pain

black and white “poke”-a- dots

over my grey

but grey is where I take my breaths

where I hurt and heal

how I feel

when I’m not juggling gimcracks

rainbow daggers

you carelessly toss my way

“Tinsel” is the word to include in your quadrilles this week.

Join us at dVerse Poets Pub. Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.

Nautical

Posted on

 

Skerwink Trail, Newfoundland

 

 

I will return where

grey flannel clouds drowse

over the sheen of ocean’s facade

where sun spills sparkles

eagle tells me secrets

where the earth rises

to kiss the mist

 trees bow to the Creator

where the hush un-knots my soul

I will return

 

 

It’s Quadrille Monday. I am your host.

We are writing poems of 44 words, including the word “knot”.

dVerse Poets Pub – 3 p.m. EST

 

 

 

If

Posted on

 

 

if the sun can move

mandarin peels over linen skies

 ocean tides turn

at the beckon of the moon

 clouds can criss-cross

horizon-bound

tiny hummingbird flies solo

hundreds of miles

if winds can spiral

and earth can shift

you too will find your way

 

 

Lisa is hosting our Quadrille prompt this week at

dVerse Poets Pub

Write a poem of exactly 44 words in length, not including the title. 

It must include the word “way”. Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.

mucked up

Posted on

 

you planted me

in richest soils

spoke in sunshine-lies

I smiled through shadows, weeds

naive to your gnarly roots

creeping ’round my garden-heart

I forgave the rain

again

ripping petals one by one

but God sees your ways

and I will bloom

without you

 

 

44 words of poetry including the word “garden”.

We are honoured to have Victoria C. Slotto hosting our Quadrille prompt.

Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.

dVerse Poets Pub

 

 

 

 

Image credit: pixabay.com

On Your Birthday

Posted on

 

Announced today, we can hug.

In the park, you watch a tiny chipmunk scamper up a tree.

A cool breeze blows through your longish, white hair.

I watch you smile.

 

clouds move for the sun

time slips through silver threads

nature’s drum beats on

 

 

A Quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub.

Write a poem of exactly 44 words including the word “drum”.

Doors open at 3 p.m. EST. Happy to be your host.

Exfoliation

Posted on

 

 

the sun seems oblivious

as I peel petty layers

fruitless, useless pieces

washed witless from the rain

my blank slate skin

 thirsty for stories, unwritten

I feel the shells of me slip, cold

lying translucent at my feet

I am without, yet with all

 

 

A 44 word quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub.

Linda is our host and the word is “slip”.

You can join in too!

 

Hey You COVID

Posted on

 

you win

drafting me unwillingly

one more warrior

in a choke

….hold

I. could. die.

simply thinking about

the risk

you’ve offered me

on a silver platter

like the devil, sly

with guileful grin

but this fool isn’t your fix

I choose

to live

 

 

I am an RECE ( Registered Early Childhood Educator), “Educator” being the key word. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers learn through hands on exploration, purposeful play and socialization. In the midst of a pandemic, I will soon be expected to return to this environment where social distancing is not possible and little ones require close contact. I am not a health care worker but will be expected to assume the same risk. At 59, I am forced to decide between safety or an income. It haunts me daily.

 

 It’s Quadrille time at dVerse. De is our wonderful host.

The word is “fix” to be included in a 44 word poem.

 

image credit: pixabay.com

 

 

 

Burgeon

Posted on

 

I am a seed

without a season

buried deep

in the cold compost

of my dreams

flood thirsty, time flushed

endless roots reaching

for the reason I rise

but I will not wilt

in recycled soils

I am hidden

only to surprise

the sun

 

 

It’s Quadrille time at dVerse. Pen us a poem of 44 words including the word “flush” or a derivative. I am your host. Doors open at 3 p.m. The prompt is open all week.

 

 

 

Image credit: pixabay.com

 

Picacho Peak

Posted on

 

after the climb

I rest

inhaling indigo

of cloudless skies

exhaling all but my soul

the sun is an ocean

wrapping me lukewarm

politely peeling the pieces

fears flaking

sorrows shedding

I lay them out

stone cold on the mesa

to wilt and wither

 

 

 

A “quadrille” consists of 44 words, not including the title. It is a favourite form over at dVerse Poets Pub. This week we are including the word “peel”. I am pleased to be your host. Feel free to join in. Doors open at 3 p.m.

Southwest

Posted on

 

you are my green chile

kokopelli dream

soft sound of hiking boots

tapping on sandstone

my sun, uninterrupted

blessing mesas

the aqua blue of desert skies

set against canyons calling

in sacred language of silence

scents of cedar, earth and peace

you reset me

 

 

 

44 words is a quadrille, our original poetry form at

dVerse Poet’s Pub.

Merril is our host and the given word is “set”. Feel free to join in.

The Hush

Posted on

 

 

It’s the space between steps

hollow of waves curling

gleam of seagull’s wings

 

  the slow

       tranquil

            ex

             hale

                  slipping off lips

 

as clouds collage in peach

and magenta

 

It’s the wander

without map or path

where trees speak in tongues

of nature lover’s dreams

 

 

A Quadrille for

dVerse Poet’s Pub

 Lillian has offered us “tranquility”

to include in our 44 word poems.

You can join in too!

 

Earthgaze

Posted on

 

merely freckles we are

from the moon’s point of view

with a one-eyed squint

her telescope drawn

pondering our purpose

 where we went wrong

does she feel the love drift

from the earth to the sky

resisting the hatred

does it make her cry?

 

 

A quadrille poem of 44 words, including the word “freckle”.

Join in the fun at dVerse Poets Pub where I am pleased to be your host.

Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.

 

 

 

Return

Posted on

 

 

Follow me, child

Phoneless and free

Where earth sings

Songs of your roots

Ancient and pure

Pluck stars from indigo skies

Put them back into your eyes

Decorate your pale skin

In leaf shadows and sunlight

Relish in the riches

And blessings of nature

 

 

 

It’s Quadrille Monday and Kim is our host. She has offered us the word “rich” to incorporate into a 44 word poem, not including the title. Join in the fun!

dVerse Poets Pub

Self Combustion

Posted on

 

 

I’ve dabbled in darkness

the match, centimeters

from singeing

my fingers, my soul

A symphony of sirens

felt like a lullaby

why?

you’d have to look deeper

I’d have to share more

than embers greyed, tired

I’d have to breathe life

into the fire

 

 

Written for d’verse Poets Pub. De is our host for this week’s Quadrille prompt. A quadrille is a poem of exactly 44 words, not including the title. De has chosen the word ” fire” which must be incorporated into the poem.

Image credit: pixabay.com

 

 

 

 

Shipwrecked

Posted on

 

 

 

We bobble like iron bubbles

Anchored to docks of despair

Waving flags, still bragging

About love of country

Humble hearts whisper

In feathers, doves

But hope does not float

Intentions are stuck in

Stagnant sea scum

Blood flows and God knows

We are tired

 

 

Written for this week’s Quadrille prompt over at dVerse Poets Pub

Image credit: pixabay.com

 

 

Windbag

Posted on

 

 

From your lips

Word balloons drift

A speech bubble blitz

Of braggadocio

Oh Pinocchio

Clouds do not part

For your presence

 

You are marshmallowed

Hollowed

A fairy tale twaddle

Floating on folly

And horse feathers

Oh Romeo

Thy swelled head

Will soften your landing

 

For De’s quadrille prompt over at dVerse.

Write a 44 word poem including the word “balloon”.

 

Image credit: pixabay.com

Seasonal Affair

Posted on

october-2015-072

 

My little maple

Of glistening gold

Flaunting, fluttering as

Sol sister laughs

She knows wind is only

Teasing, breezing by for

One last kiss of autumn

The final dance before

The chill and I will

Cherish your leaves

As fall still breathes

Through winter

 

It’s Quadrille time again and we’d love for you to join us over at dVerse Poets Pub. As your host, I am asking you to write a poem of 44 words (not including the title) and your quadrille must contain the word…

b…r…e…a…t…h…e

or breath, breathtaking, breathable…any variation of the word

Doors open at 3 p.m. EST

Purging Postcards

Posted on

quad

 

 

 

Stop jarring your journeys

Spill them

Leave them dancing

Bubble them in the breeze

Spark your grin

Rose petal your way

To the clouds

With a skip and a twist

Recycle the shimmer

Of open green trails

Memories are melting shadows

Let them lull

 

 

Another one for De’s Q44 prompt at dVerse

My first attempt at using ALL the Quadrille words (19).

Unthink(sink)able

Posted on

may-2016-014

 

 

I am fog, fazed

With weightless words

Coasting on currents

Weakened by my own candor

I am left as embers

After the char

Floating, still flickering

Blindsided by fire

Disguised as sunshine

Treading dark waters

Searching for one open portal

Where skies meet sea

 

A quadrille for Victoria’s prompt this week. She asked that our 44 word poem include the word “open”. The doors are wide open at dVerse Poets Pub. Step right in.  It’s a wonderful place.

 

Exit Stage Right

Posted on

children-1217246_1920

 

 

Smiles bursting, sunlit

Cheeks and chuckles

Eyes sparkling

Neurons set ablaze

Pathways to life, love

All that matters

Chatters, first words

Heard and honoured

Stretched and pondered

One on one

Placing puzzle pieces

Hearts aglow

And I know

 That this

 Is what I leave

 

 

For De’s Q44 at dVerse Poets Pub. A quadrille is a poem of 44 words including a given word and this week the word is “leave”. Coincidentally I resigned from my job this week, leaving behind many young children that I adore.

Image credit: pixabay.com

Plight of a Pickle

Posted on

canning-626204_960_720

I was jarred

Plucked in my prime

Scrubbed and rinsed

Chopped and minced

No mercy!

You threw me to the brine

 

I was so jarred

By your salty ways

I could not process

Lost all that is tang-able

As you relished in

My demise

 

A bit of a cheesy quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub.

Stop by and join in the fun with 44 words.

Tinted

Posted on

girl-1403448_1920

 

There was that one time

When roses did not seem so

Clichéd

She opened the guitar case

Lo and behold a dozen

Long stem intentions spoke

To her in petals and posies

Laughing at every thorn

And jagged edge

Nurturing her delusions

Of love

 

Written for our last Quadrille Monday before we take a brief summer break over at dVerse Poets Pub. Bjorn has given us the word “rose” to be used in a 44 word poem, excluding the title. Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.

Image credit: pixabay.com

 

Chit Chat

Posted on

bench

 

Sit a spell and

Spill with me

Words

‘Til all we have to till

Are recycled revelations

Composted conversations

Speak philosophy

Of fallen trees

In vacant forests

Did you hear it?

Meta my physics

Prove me wrong

Let’s put it in a

Nitty-gritty nutshell

 

 
A quirky little quadrille for dVerse. De is our host and “spill” is the word she has asked us to include in our 44 word poem. Come on over!

 

 

 

 

Unruffled

Posted on

April2015 082

 

B  r  e e  z  e  on by me

Take your tail spin

For a whirlwind

I am marsh mellowed

Sun ripened

Rooted with the reeds

You are dragon winged

Mud flinging

Bumbling with the bees

I’m a water lily lulled

Cattail nap

You got that?

I am breezy

 

 

It’s  our 10th Quadrille Monday over at dVerse.  Get in on the 44 word fun! Bjorn chose the word “breeze”.

 

Begrudged

Posted on

 

 

I remember the green

That took you to lowlands

Con-caved and shallow

Where pools of jealousy

Sat stagnant brooding, breeding

You were like a life-size mosquito

Feeding frantically on bad blood

Spitting out spite, always right

Green grew on you

I didn’t envy you

 

 

green

 

A Quadrille consisting of 44 words and Grace has asked us to incorporate the word, “green”. That is what we are up to at dVerse. You can join in too. Please do! Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.

 

Fall of Duty

Posted on

fall-433581_1280

 

Out on a limb

Poised and pretty

She is downright gritty

Minutes slip fast

Beyond her grasp

She is stalling on a

Tight rope act

And there’s the twist

She is falling like a

Polished death spiral

Gone viral

Scruples clenched

In both hands

 

 

We are serving up some quadrilles at dVerse Poets Pub! What’s a quadrille? A poem with exactly 44 words and this week,  Grace has asked to include the word “twist”.

Shimmer

Posted on

pic for shimmer

 

 

I lie in layers

Of lost and found

Dulling twinkles

Ups and downs

A back float babble

To clouds aloof

 

I am sun striped

Mis-typed ribbons

Caught between waves

Of dim and dimmer

But I shimmer

Against my own

Little piece of the sun

 

A quadrille written for dVerse.

Sheltered

Posted on

dance

 

I danced shadows to shield you
Magnificent steps
Choreographed sweetly
To the beat
Of my breaking heart
You wore my shoes
Heavy with irony
Shuffled down trustworthy trails
Longing to fly barefoot
Across murky dark oceans
Only to dangle your toes
Between shark’s teeth

We are writing quadrilles at Dverse Poets Pub.