Exercise 365

Umbrella

2009-06-03T10:16:00.001-07:00

Rainbow of colors--
Thats my umbrella
Light streams through it's top
My jackets turned yella.

Red on my hands too!
And a greenish sheen;
Delightful color blue

Splish, Splash, liquid darts
Slap at my brown shoes
They dance as the deluge starts

Safe Under my friend
Boom, Boom of thunder
A tug of war with the wind!

Daggers of sharp light
Put lines in the sky!
Now I'm not sure of my plight!
But..
I'm a dry fella...
Safe under cover
Of my rainbow umbrella.

Poems Transfered fromanother blog

2008-02-12T15:00:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, February 12, 2008
W A R
(Gray, blue, white and red.)
Flags wave as drums tap and boys fall down,
too many young men shot dead.

Who will be responsible for this carnage, the general that led
the charge as the battle cries screamed their piercing sound?
(Gray, blue, white and red.)

Vultures pluck bones clean, growing fat on flesh fed;
Some soldiers lucky to even get buried six foot underground.
Too many young men shot dead.

When mama got the news about Johnny she took to bed,
Overcome with sorrow and anguish no solace found.
(Gray, blue, white and red.)

Thinking of other sons fills me with dread,
Curse the ones responsible, wretched and lowdown,
Too many young men shot dead.

When will it end, all the bloodshed?
To this question, no immediate reply can be found,
(Gray, blue, white and red.)
Too many young men shot dead.

Posted by Jackie at 4:52 PM 0 comments

The Rooster
George the old free-range Rooster
He is cock of the walk
And a slick tongued boaster
Listen to him crow and squawk
Leader of big bend
Ruler of all the chickens
He makes sure his elephant friend
get the best pickens!
The hens have lost their hope
He says "Killing is life and isn't cruel"
"Don't you understand you dope?"
When the biddy gets squashed by the mule.
It's the collateral price of "my" freedom
Stay locked in your pen
Next time it won't be a bird that will come
Keep it shut, don't let the gate open

Posted by Jackie at 2:55 PM 0 comments

Monday, December 24, 2007
Welsh Poetry
Cynghanedd Sain - Murder
He closed the door, his metaphor for murder
Was he Jack The Riper, the night tripper, evil trickster?
Who like a hawk, would stalk the streets
Looking for prey, to waylay and mortally wound.

Posted by Jackie at 6:18 PM 0 comments

Cynghanedd Sain - Love's End
They had vowed, too loud, to love forever.
Then a sense of gloom and doom descended
Over them, first him then her

Her kiss he would miss, very much.
She felt drunk, as it sunk in. Solemnly
She vowed, very loud to leave him

Posted by Jackie at 6:03 PM 0 comments

Cynghanedd Sain - Dinner
The tinkle of the dinner bell, the smell of smoke;
Cuisine, a delectable scene, scents of
Rosemary and of meat greet the guests.
We each take our place, saying grace, gratefully.
Happy to see each other and to sup together.

Posted by Jackie at 5:38 PM 0 comments

Cynghanedd Sain
"His Royal Highness"

In dreams, in schemes, imps scurry
Through hallowed halls, like balls of batting.
Waiting guillotine, color sanguine, a sarcophagus,
His head does roll, into a bowl, his body falls
The kingdom did come, but it crumbled,
And it tumbled down, his crown was crushed.
His dried bones, cried out and they cursed me.

Posted by Jackie at 1:57 PM 0 comments

Monday, December 10, 2007
Englyn Penfyr
Flocks of ducks in the far distance I see,
Tree tops all left as they fly,
If they bring ice and snow, Why?

The brown dog jumped over the fence, came round,
Hound, he was one and the same,
Running as if called by name.

My cat stands up to stretch, arching his back,
Black fur sparkles and it is
Raised up, it looks just like fizz.

Posted by Jackie at 1:48 PM 0 comments

Sunday, December 9, 2007
Englyn Unodl Union
1.
"The Man Who Sells Momentos"

Clack, clack, the auctioneer's, gavel shouts out
"look at these souvenirs"
Sale-ing through he perseveres
Till all the junk disappears
2.
"The Strange Looking Fellow That Plays a Lyre"

The lyrist does appear, his hair is orange
Which makes him look queer
But he's totally a dear
Plucker of notes so sincere
3.
"Stormy Weather"

When the swirling, storming gray clouds descend
The dance they're performing
As they Advance, transforming
Is like fierce devils swarming
4.
"Ode to my X-husband - Heaven vs Reincarnation"

It went out of the door, my soul has left
Will the christ I adore?
Will there be calls of "encore"?
To be with those I abhor?

by Jackie

Posted by Jackie at 11:16 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Death and Taxes
Taxes
Death
Sure things?
Sorry,
nothing remains the same
match strikes
red hue of flames
paper turns black
see the change to
ash
Cold blood
Evaporates
see the haze of
dust
nothing remains the same

Posted by Jackie at 12:44 PM 0 comments

Saturday, March 18, 2006
W A R
Soldiers Convoy
Victim's of trickery
Helen of Troy
Stay the course
Don't anger the Gods
Trojan horse
Collateral damage
Killer's excuse
Smother outrage
Orchid lithophytes
Grows on stone
Operation Right-to-life

Posted by Jackie at 7:53 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 12, 2006
Traveling
Traveling down a winding highway
No other cars are in sight
In my mind memories of my past play
Ahead I see the sky losing light
Green fields, houses, ditches of red clay
Line each side of the road
I am the sum of yesterday
Ahead I view the horizon
The moon full rises with grand display
Blue sky opaque never ends
I remember that I can not stay
The night and darkness descends

Posted by Jackie at 3:04 PM 0 comments

Friday, January 06, 2006
Sleep
Delights of the dark
Moon looms a golden cradle
Storms crackle, lights spark
Crows scatter
Fascinated by what I fear
Tarantula crawling
Sea of shadows
Emptiness pulls me under
I go tumbling, falling

Posted by Jackie at 1:24 PM 0 comments

Monday, December 12, 2005
Can We Know God's Will
Can we know God’s Will
Men pray for guidance
Then go into battle to kill

Ask and receive Red Wine
Gods appointed leader
Sit at his table and Dine

Whose blood at this feast
Women and Children die
Robbed of life by the beast

Who does God show
Could it be only in death
That we’ll get to know

Learn to be still
Bible verses Show
Read and Know God is real

Does anyone have the wisdom
To know God’s Will
Be part of God's kingdom?

@Jackie Alexander

The Critic

2008-02-08T10:29:00.001-08:00

"Critic"

How to Critique
Composed Poetry.
Problem to solve,

So what

Is the meaning of critic?

Meek mouse, you lose!
Method, to choose
Careful don't demean!
Don't snip a Butterfly wing
Without a qualm.

Question answer Honest-
How best?
Beat out rich
rhymes, schemes, themes

Topic enchants, - sure?

Surreal or abstract works,

Which poets? Take license

Lively sentances flow?
Free verse? Can anything go?
Grind out the words. So
She or he will know. The trees Value

Villanelle's or cinquian's. Emotion please,
Poor exposed personal stresses,
Simple way he expresses
Each searing depth that touches her
Heart- Is the value of the art
--------------The Poem--------------
--------------or The
--------------The Poet--------------
-----------------?------------------
By Jackie 2008

Winter and Summer in the South

2007-12-18T17:19:00.000-08:00

Summer in the South

The sun blazes, the car steering wheel is hard to touch,
Some days it's so hot an egg will fry on asphalt,
Barefoot children run fast across blistering sands,
Hoping to avoid the pain of burnt feet,
Droplets of sweat, stream down backs and sting eyes.
The sun quickly hides behind clouds, blackening the skies
Gentle rain becomes a torrential downpour
Lightening lights the sky from bottom to top
Thunder vibrates the window panes,
Winds shear the tops out of large pine trees,
After the rain little toads appear from no where
To splash in mud puddles,
Red birds, sparrows and blue jays play.
The sun reappears, everything is clean and brighter.
Blackberries grow wild in fields; it pays to watch your step
Rattle snakes like to hide in their vines,
Mosquitoes swarm everywhere in search of warm blood.
Trucks loudly pass, ineffectually streaming pesticide,
The sweet stench of it fills my nose.
Lawns and flowers flourish, green and rose,
Marigolds and honey suckle scents float in the air.
The season's culinary fair consists of vegetables, fresh
Boiled peanuts, watermelons and green plums
Someone usually has vine ripened tomatoes to share
I hate to say goodbye to the summertime.

The South in winter

Of winter I have less to say, but more to remember,
It is a short, fickle period of time
As late as December air conditioners can still whine.
The number of cold days can be counted on one hand.
Shelters have to advertise to let people know
They can come there to get out of the cold.
Everyone gets so excited at the word snow,
But no one can drive in it so cars slide to and fro
Morning frost colors the ground white
Car windshields are coated with ice.
A big event is when the fair comes to town.
The usual rides can be found there; like the Ferris wheel
And meals are consumed of cotton candy and elephant ears
On the last day of the fair, as if scheduled
The first chill of winter appears.
Then there's the holiday season with its songs,
I'm ready for the end of it by the time winter's gone.

Ghazal From Inside

2007-12-08T13:26:00.000-08:00

Man, your warm lips, quiver like the skin on a drum
And heart muscles rhythm beats a steady drum
*
We are totally whole, neither of us a crumb,
as one and in unison, we strike the drum.
*
Before we entered the world where did we come from?
Even in the womb we could feel the sound of the drum.
*
Body member enters, it can’t help but succumb
One beat follows another, in time with the drum
*
As long as you feel the pulse of finger and thumb
Jackie’s heart will keep your love. Constant beating drum.

--Jackie

Dinner Bell (pantoum)

2006-03-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

Pantoum

Waiting for the bell to ring
Under her spell
Scents of tasty cuisine
Sailor enchanted by siren

Under her spell
Bread, butter, honey and meat
Sailor enchanted by siren
Oranges, nuts an ambrosia treat

Bread, butter, honey and meat
Scents of tasty cuisine
Oranges, nuts an ambrosia treat
Waiting for the bell to ring

Aimless Rambling

2005-12-31T14:17:00.000-08:00

Head held high
Reigning in stature
Among Clouds in the sky

Wise words to expound
So impressive
Admiration of sound

Impeccable spelling
Looking down
Ego swelling

Here to speak
Incapable of listening
Or hearing critique

By Jackie

2005-12-31T07:29:00.000-08:00

Salty sea weeps and rages
In a circle of warm sunlight

Is it a promise of the ages
Spiritual heaven of delight

Wondering I turn the pages
Viewing black letters on white

Do we really earn the wages
Of sin and is death our plight

Or can we accept the word of sages
To embrace life and give up the fight?

By Jackie

2005-12-31T07:27:00.000-08:00

Red flowers last pose
Golden tree leaf
Summer will close
A Sojourn so brief

Colored Black Rose
Caldron of Grief
Obituary Prose
Deaths Wreath

Rebirth of new cloths
Buzzing bees treat
Dancing bear goes
Tossing Flowers in the street

Wind Across My Mind

2005-07-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

by Jackie

The wind moves across my mind
Thoughts in time
Begin to rhyme.
Letters form
with words I mourn,
my mood a jumble born--
from this commotion.
Suddenly,
Comes released emotion.
Expressions of sorrow
from the ages I borrow
calms my confused mind;
peace I find.

A Promise Broken

2005-07-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

On a hilltop sits
a single stone
winter began
or did it end
deaths journey
travailed alone
Snow falls
branch breaks
unable to bend
My love made a promise
swearing to never leave me
life taught this to be an
unrealistic decree
alone I grieve
Sorrow engulfs me
I see the meanness of it
One by one
they all have left
I listen as they call
inviting me to join them
I know that love
can never be
enduring, never ending
with loyalty stay
Not in this life
no possible way
There is no one
Who can be trusted
I truly believe
To promise otherwise
a wicked evil con
To conclude I say
A promise to your love
To never leave
truly is to deceive.

War

2005-06-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

(Gray, blue, white and red.)
Flags wave as drums tap and boys fall down,
too many young men shot dead.

Who will be responsible for this carnage, the general that led
the charge as the battle cries screamed their piercing sound?
(Gray, blue, white and red.)

Vultures pluck bones clean, growing fat on flesh fed;
Some soldiers lucky to even get buried six foot underground.
Too many young men shot dead.

When mama got the news about Johnny she took to bed,
Overcome with sorrow and anguish no solace found.
(Gray, blue, white and red.)

Thinking of other sons fills me with dread,
Curse the ones responsible, wretched and lowdown,
Too many young men shot dead.

When will it end, all the bloodshed?
To this question, no immediate reply can be found,
(Gray, blue, white and red.)
Too many young men shot dead.

Walking In Circles Howling at the Moon

2005-06-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

Walking in circles howling at the moon,
Luminous introduction to summer solstice,
Pack of gray wolves in June,

Calling out to each other, come soon,
Noses pointed up at the lunar incandesce,
Walking in circles howling at the moon,

Mating call, a primal tune,
Female to male does acquiesce,
Pack of gray wolves in June,

Separated from the rest, inopportune,
Wail across the tundra in distress,
Walking in circles howling at the moon,

Warning sound of a furry tribune,
An enemy to intimidate and address,
Pack of gray wolves in June.

This mantled canine is not a loon,
No waste of breath, my guess,
Walking in circles howling at the moon
Pack of gray wolves in June.

Obsession by Jackie

2005-06-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Colliding with the present impression,
Grinding, crush of my past,
dampens my mood for days in succession.

An old enemy, persistent depression,
Tumbling, falling fast,
Colliding with the present impression.

Kneeling at the alter I make my confession,
Halting, hesitant downcast,
Dampens my mood for days in succession.

Desperate to be free of this obsession,
One–two-three, marching-past,
Colliding with the present impression.

Desiring to be relieved of this oppression
weighted, heavy overcast,
Dampens my mood for days in succession.

Begging forgiveness of my transgression,
Intruding , Swiftly, memories fly-past,
Colliding with the present impression,
Dampens my mood for days in succession.

The Bounty of Earths Yield (a villanelle by Jackie)

2005-06-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

Yellow flowers cover the field,
Fish jump in a stream,
The bounty of earths yield.

Orange, lemon, limes peeled,
Crows flying overhead scream,
Yellow flowers cover the field,

Apples and potatoes in wagons wheeled,
Burlap sack bursting at its seam,
The bounty of earths yield.

Clover and herbs, mint and dill,
cows milk churned into cream,
Yellow flowers cover the field.

Watermelon and cantaloupe chilled,
Cart pulled by the horse team,
The bounty of earths yield.

Honeysuckle and rose scent meld,
golden wheat and sun beam,
yellow flowers cover the field,
The bounty of the earths yield.

Inner Voice

2005-06-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent,
When ever I am doubtful or full of fear,
Go boldly forward, confident.

Confusion the author of devilment,
In the lonely darkness I hear,
An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent.

Evil tries to halt, my hope prevent,
Misgivings gone, disappear,
Go boldly forward, confident.

All the worry and anxiety misspent,
Evaporates each tear,
An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent.

I realize there's no basis for discontent,
My heart fills with joy and cheer,
Go boldly forward, confident.

This promise made in days ancient,
Accept and unto you it will appear,
An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent,
Go boldly forward, confident.