Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Questions, questions!


                                                                         Photo by Christopher Meloche
Image: Tendrils coil and latch for support
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Of a drab rainy night
A weather unkind for wants
Lashed against all its might
Could it force itself out front?

One's head dashed reeling
Pulsating of spiral dreams
Compounded of acts troubling
Must it occur to extremes?

Frustrations turned for the worst
Tendrils entwined the mind's undone
Save the cause of strength first
Would they fall in place for once?

Written for 3WW with drab, pulsate and tendrils

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Volcano


                                                                                         Authored by gnuckx
Image: The eruption on Mount Etna
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Volcano erupts
Spectacle that man observes
Nature playing tricks

Brilliant colors, a
Show of power and strength but
Hides an ugly side

Krakatoa, Mount
Etna,  Pinatubo brought
Untold destruction

Reminder of ills
That need to be corrected
For mankind had erred

Written for d'Verse OpenLinkNight week 81 and Chev's CARPE DIEM special #19 Shiki's Evening Sun

Monday, January 28, 2013

Pop Music

                                                                Image: Charlotte Gainsbourg, AnOther
Image: Courtesy of Tess' Mag

The 50’s and 60’s were hailed as the greatest era
of pop music. The baby boomers came of age.
A whole generation of young people appeared
on the music scene. Support of this generation
and youngsters following them spawned myriads
of musical forms and famous pop stars

There were  rock n roll greats in Chuck Berry and Bill Hayley
Followed by Elvis and Cliff Richard, Ricky Nelson, Paul Anka
and Connie Francis. Groups began to make an appearance with
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Temptations and
 the Supremes

The Beatles created a sensation with their particular brand of
music  and presentation forcing a peculiar form and sound that
even shocked rock n roll into submission

Nothing prepared the music scene though when a whole generation
found themselves  gyrating to Chubby Checker’s, the Twist.
Some minor ones like limbo rock tried to cash in on the madness
but it did not make an impact.

Despite all these, individual stars of evergreens with the likes of
Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis and a host
of other notable ones kept those who thrived in the sentimental offerings
going.

But nothing shocked the world when Michael Jackson went solo from the
Jackson Five and held sway transcending the generation gap and
mesmerizing everyone with his new form (characterized by the moonwalk
and others that typically were identified with him)

With his passing, the music world was lost and hungry for some new forms.
It grabbed at Psy’s Gangnam Style recently but just how long will that last!

Written for Tess' Magpie Tales #153

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The News


                                                                     Image by noebse
Image: A news vending machine
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

It’s a slow death
As of many others
It has always been there
Keeping one company
An early morning ritual
But its days are numbered
As a portly gentleman
Slowly anorexia nervosa afflicted
Thinning and wasting away
A predicament no less

No more throws-in over
the gates nor news-vendors
nor news vending machines
A paper-less society making
An invisible presence

A pity for the ‘papers magnate
That controlled the print media
Their empire crumbled
Whittled down drastically
They have lost their influence

Or is it? No it is not!
A resilient lot with the old  adage
‘You can’t fight them you join them’
So they too are in cyberspace

Currently extending free offerings
Perhaps devising a foolproof system
To get at that odd few cents  
of  our newspaper money
they used to receive before

In time we’ll be made to pay
For the news we crave everyday!

Written for Brian's hosting at d'Verse Poetics: Reaching the Masses and Poets United's Poetry Pantry #134

Micro Fiction


Image: Courtesy of Grandma's

Just you and me
Keeping each other company
No fun in being neglected
But let us not be sad or dejected

Cheer up!
At least no one whacked us

(140 characters)

Note: Grandma challenged us to write a Micro Fiction in
not more than 140 characters based on the picture
and to include the word 'whack'

Written for Succinctly Yours week  #97 at Grandma's Goulash

Rescue

                                                                            Author: The US Army
Image: A Rescue Mission in Afghanistan
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

A rescue mission
Dangerous and uncertain
Both parties at risk

Awaiting rescue
Those not knowing nor aware
Of what transpired

With trepidation
Subdued while hoping, heart beats
soared and wondering

Worst if no contacts
With hunger gnawing, stricken
plight in disarray

Rescuers often
Rescued in botched missions, but
Noble in resolve

Written for Leo’s Haiku Heights #206 with prompt  - rescue -

Friday, January 25, 2013

Why?

                                                                                                 Image by LaurMG
Image: Frustrated writer
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)
                            
Elusive and mysterious
Lurking in the shadows 
Where Art Thou, Creativity!
Show yourself,  let me see

Unflagging faith in your presence
Loyalty unquestioned
We’ve been through together
Why aren’t you here?

Where are you
This won’t do
Hear my plea
It’s plain to see

It used to come easy
Just you and me
Whether in writings
or in sketchings

It’s kind of slow
And I’m on a low
But now it’s a shock
Yet again the old Writer’s Block!

Written for Anna's hosting at d'Verse, Meeting the Bar with prompt - Creativity

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Heath

Image: A heath, courtesy of Chev's

Process note: Not really knowing of how a 'heath' looks to be like, this verse has versions
of a similar kind of land area in our part of the world. It's akin somewhat to having light
undergrowth where we boys spent hours of fun when young

Nostalgic playground
Boyhood arena, stage for
countless excitements

Catapult in the
back pocket. He roamed the large
expanse of wasteland

Light undergrowth rich
in little creatures hiding
to be discovered

Heath, a treasure trove
lined with childhood abundance
of fun and laughter

Written for Chev's haiku at CARPE DIEM #103with prompt , heath

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sweet Memories


Image: At Marine World, Vellajo, north of  'Frisco
My late mother-in-law together with Azlin Adura
my eldest daughter and my son, Azhar.

Hank and family had gone over to Sacramento for
Azlin's Commencement Day (Graduation Day from CSU,
Sacramento - 1998) My late mother-in-law saw snow for
the first time at Reno and was absolutely thrilled.

Baby Adura
snugly in her tender arms
cuddling on her lap

Protective of her
Shadah and I were lucky
Her mother helped out

As a young couple
we were inexperienced. She
was the guiding light

Sadly she passed on
two weeks ago. Memories
sweetly linger on

Written for Chev's haiku at CARPE DIEM #102 with
prompt -Sweet Memories- and Brian's
d'Verse's OpenLinkNight week #80

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Bliss


Image: Courtesy of Tess' Mag

The world whirled slowly by
Medley of forms and activities
Some accepted some on the sly
And many others of mediocrity

Many who planned to procure
Executed them with perfection
But some just failed to endure
Unashamedly await for salvation

Oblivious to what transpired
The outside world was no bother
Adhering to whims and desires
Young couples aligned their rudder

In a world of their own venture
Holding hands, pitching a wish
Time stood still pristine in nature
Have we elders not savored such bliss?

Written for Tess' Magpie Tales # 152 and Open Link Monday at Real Toads

Retirement

One waits in anticipation for years
The day will dawn, have no fears

But in the meantime slog along
Do your own thing, and press on

Time and space hurtle past
Slowly in the beginning but then just

Amidst responsibilities are testing times
Are governed by targets and deadlines

Time spent with co-workers and friends
Are often at the expense of quality time

Surviving and striving are part of the journey
To fend for themselves are woes of the family

Cruel but a necessary element of change
Open to failings on occasions of pain

Mistakes and blurred decision-making
Rampant in an environment of working

Of mistakes not material, a consolation
But rectification can restrain advancement

All in chasing and overcoming odds
The rat race is often an unforgiving lot

Looking forward to days of retirement
To be rid of all the pressures and deadlines

Ironically though, retirement can be boring
The experience of those before us is telling

Unfortunately wisdom comes a tad too late
Nonetheless one ought to be more prepared

Fortunately some very clever ones to the fore
Prepared for retirement and are busier than before


Written for One Single Impression #256 with prompt - retirement- and Mary's Poetry Pantry #133 at Poets United

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Dusk

                                                                                        Picture by Kumamushi
Image: Ootakamori viewpoint, evening
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Day is done. They troop
back to their homes wondering,
What have I achieved?

Dusk transforms to a
darkened stupor to welcome
a night of conscience

They seek peace of night
with hopes they are blessed nearer
towards nirvana

Written for Leo's Haiku Heights #205 with prompt - dusk -

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Politicians

The circus in town
A spectacle just as much
but more amusing

Big business lobbied
Rent seeking. Money changed hands
Greedy clowns unmasked

Sans trapeze but objects flew
Chairs flung, animals berserk
blows traded wildly

Colorful ones mired
in scandals. Even cleaning
ladies were not spared

The game did not change
the world over. Only the
players were different

Written for Chev's CARPE DIEM #98 with prompt - circus

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Danger



Image:1 A similar kind that we encountered but more greenish at the lighter colored areas of the body. One of the most poisonous apparently
Image:2 A similar kind of  'rowing boat' that we used seating two persons
Source: Wikimedia Commons

This is based on a day of what seemed fun for a 15 year old but on
hindsight was wrought with danger. Has to be read with the prose
posting (here)

Such countless danger
Bravado, headstrong, bold and
brave, folly of  youth

The slithering kind
Coconut hunters, hunger,
thirst and exhaustion

Retrieving the boat
Snakes with vengeance might follow
but devoid of choice

Lastly the weather
Choppy seas, dark clouds, without
safety of life vest

Written for Poetry Jam with prompt - danger 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Anger


Image: Courtesy of CARPE DIEM
Sourced through Wikipedia free Encyclopedia  (here)

A pull-back for one
Seeing someone contorted
seething with anger

Life is unworthy
if embers burning inside
enhanced skewed judgement

Good sense drives a hard
bargain. Malfunctioned thinking
points to disaster

Written for Chev's CARPE DIEM #96 haiku with prompt -embers- and Joe's hosting at d'Verse, OpenLinkNight #79

Monday, January 14, 2013

Memorable Tea Meeting


                                                                                  Attribution: Hank's collections

Image:  The six long-time friends, OPs Akbar, Salleh ( Maj-Gen, Datuk, Dr) Mohd Nor
( Datuk, Dr),Razali and foreground, the host, Amirudin (Datuk,Dr). Hank snapped the pic

Process Note: We're are just within the vicinity. We bumped into each other at odd times before but after sometime we never get to meet. Among us we might not have seen each other for decades. On Jan 13, OP Amirudin ( Datuk, Dr) graciously played host and invited us for tea and we got on to have a big yarn together. The relief and the fun was just fantastic!

A journey a little
A nostalgic quest
A yearning so subtle
For not having set eyes
Not seen each other
for decades on end
An awaited phone call
it finally came
Six friends on a journey
of old times together
to rekindle a grand memory
It was such a wonder

Life is a flower 
of which love is the honey

A big yarn and friendly banter
The minutes flew fast, it was plain to see
Since the ice is now broken
And we're within contact easily
And we righteously have spoken
We've vowed to meet again, certainly

Prompt: Victor Hugo's, Life is a flower of which love is the honey as the prompt in the verse.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Water Hyacinth


                                                                                       Attribution:  Hank's collection
Image:1 The first bloom appeared on Jan 11, 2013
.
There were grass carp and cat-fish at different
times in the enclosure - a  small pond-like thing
at the backyard. The heat was unforgiving and the
fish did not survive for long

A lean-to or a tiny top cover would be ideal
It needed shade. But the backyard was already
cramped. This option was not pursued. Something
to be done to the water surface was the alternative
This enclosure did not cover much space so it
should be easy

It all started with just two tiny stalks
These grew very fast. They spread out with
daughter-stalks in all directions. I was the
culprit who kept throwing in of what were
left of the old fish feed in the initial stages.
These acted as fertilizer and spawned
the growth faster.

On Jan 11, our 'little pond' sprung a surprise
A tiny flower stalk stole out the previous evening
I didn't think much of it. The next morning the
first ever blooms appeared - three little clumps.
The following day more appeared. It was exhilarating!

Water hyacinth is known to block waterways, clogging
the water surface. It prevents sunlight from reaching the
bottom that supports marine life. But for this
enclosure it is a controlled situation. It's all right!

I plan to stock the pond again with only the hardy
cat-fish to help ward off mosquitoes. The water is
cooler now with the surface cover. But I would have
to keep the growth and progress of the water hyacinth
in check.

Note: The prompt calls for something on 'growing up'. It's most opportune
as it was a few months growing and the first bloom appeared at the right time

Written for Stu's hosting at d'Verse, POETICS - 'Growing-up'

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Patience


Image: Hank with a whopper ( at least to me it was!)

It was late afternoon
The heat of the day still
beating down on us. The sea
was calm. The sky was clear
in bluish hues with white clouds
drifting leisurely by. It looked
to be so inviting. The beach was
filled with the shrieks and laughter
of the youngsters, stragglers from the
crowd barely minutes ago. It would
be quiet shortly with dusk approaching.

We put out to sea in the middle of
the night. The heavens above was full
of twinkling stars. A slight sea breeze
playfully rocked the boat a little.

We shone the torch-lights into the
crystal clear waters. That was one way
to attract the squids to the surface
which were scooped up as bait

Light waves kept lapping the sides
of the boat to a regular rhythm.
It rocked us in time preventing
us from having a shut-eye.

The night was uneventful with
just small bites. The regular rocking
was a bother. It was frustrating
and the night was long

The break of dawn was the clincher.
Bites galore, what a whopper!

Night fishing was a test of patience
Saving the best for last!

Note: Victoria invited us 'to write a descriptive poem in which
images are used to describe a feeling, a person, an object
using primarily surroundings. Every adjective in the poem refers
to its surroundings, not to the thing itself'

Written for d'Verse, where Victoria is hosting at Meeting the Bar - The Medium is the Message

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Instinct

                                                                                    Picture by Alan D Wilson
Image : A Bald Eagle
Sourced through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Looking from above
It tried to stay focused
The young had risen

The day's feed was due
Pandemonium! Hunger
was a driving force

Vacant looks sustained
It should change for the better
Midday was ideal

Flapped its wings, it swooped
down. Pair of prey its target
A mother's instinct

Written for 3WordWednesday with words vacant, focused and pair

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Tulips


                                                                      Attribution: Kor!An
Image: 1.The Yellow Tulip
                                                                      Attribution: Kor!An
 Image: 2.The Red Tulip
                                                                  Attribution: Wallpaper (here)
Image: 3 The Black Tulip
Source of images #1 and #2 : Wikimedia Commons

Dumas set the pace
Mysterious and elusive
A royal flower

Long posed a challenge
Rare find if you see one, a
common color yet,

A phenomena
rare of power and strength
Hail the Black Tulip

Written for Chev's CARPE DIEM #90 with prompt - tulips - and Tashtoo's hosting
at d'Verse OpenLinkNights week 78

Sunday, January 6, 2013

A Debutante


                                                                       Image by Danial Murtagh  
Image: Courtesy of Tess' Mag

A debutante so alluring
Making an appearance
Susceptible to wild trivia
But unflinching by nature
Obliquely not connecting
Engaging rather shyly
Under extreme provocation

Where have the good guys gone?

Oblivious of hungry looks
Advancing cautiously
Amidst prying eyes
Stepping gingerly forward
With a come hither stance
Gliding with guarded precision
A lady for the offering
Sensuously intense

But where have all the good guys gone?

Written for Tess' Magpie 150

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Happy Family


                                                                                 Picture by D Sharon Pruitt
Image: A Happy Family of Shadows
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Enticing! The script
is perfect. Young ones learning
the ropes, in oneness

Bonding couples, rife
in true feelings, pristine love
exudes sober thoughts

Careers established
Palatable family
We have been through this!

Written for Leo's Haiku Heights #203 with prompt - script-

Thursday, January 3, 2013

A Wish lu

                                                                     Attribution: Brian Robert Mashall
Image: Peaceful Co-existence
Source: Licensed through Wikimedia Commons (here)

Make a wish
Fabric of imagination found wanting
Septic idle thoughts

Discard puerile attitude
Mind propelled source of strength
when wisely harnessed

Stimulant to wonders
Benefiting mankind to be expected
But detractors exist

Human conflicts, commercial
exploitation, family strife, robbery, murder
minimized or shackled

Greed and self-interest
Upset the equation, if only
Mankind is forgiving

Note: The above is  3-5-3 words Collum lune. The lune is also known as the American haiku in a 5-3-5 syllabic form or a 3-5-3 words form

Written for Sam's hosting at d'Verse Form For All: La Lune

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Get Right Up! h

A nagging pain that
tugs the conscience, belittle
with bad intentions

Form of truth, idle minds
making inroads but lacks pace
once over the hill

Prostrating, slender
in motion, hoping outright
salvation right through

Cut a suave figure
Head held high, bemoan the stink
Make a mark in life

Written for 3WordWednesday with words nagging, idle and pace and
for Chev's CARPE DIEM #85 with prompt - hill