MeetingTheBar: Thanksgiving Turkey with a side of Poetry – Thankful

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Michael

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Brrrrrrrrrring

My alarm awakens me

I am thankful.

Out of bed I manage to get vertical

I am thankful.

I remember where the bathroom is

I am thankful.

My old house creaks its recognition of me

I am thankful.

I am relatively independent,

I can feed and clothe myself

Cook my own dinner

Wash and wipe up

I have much to be thankful for.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrring

My phone rings, my daughter calls

I am thankful

She confides in me, asks advice

I am thankful

Says she is looking forward to our visit

I am thankful

I remember my grandson’s birthday

I am thankful.

As time stretches, years go by

A generation removed grows up around me

I marvel at what they can do

Tiny gadgets achieving so much

I have much to be thankful for.

Nudgenudgenudge

My lover says she still loves me

I am thankful

She holds my failing body

I am thankful

We sit watching the sunset, aware of the irony

I am thankful

I look into her eyes as we snuggle in bed

Thankful.

Written for: http://dversepoets.com/2014/11/27/9746/

We don’t have Thanksgiving in Australia, but there is always much to be thankful for.

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments

Photo Challenge #36 “Sheep Control” Officer Jersy.

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Michael

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Officer Jersy sat astride his

Giant Jezersko–Solčava sheep

Believing all along that it was a horse

But with an exceptionally comfy fluffy seat.

Little did he realise

The metaphor he had created

When he tied the noose around his neck.

As he patrolled the streets

Maintained law and order

The unruly he banished

The obstructionists he trampled beneath

The hooves of his Jezersko–Solčava sheep.

Officer Jersy loved his job

He lived and breathed law and order

He liked to make a big entrance

He wanted to be noticed

And he upon his trusty steed

Accomplished all he dreamed of.

Little wonder then that upon the arrival of spring

With blossoms sparkling

The streams gurgling

Happy children dancing their way to school

The town stopped to see Officer Jersy

Walking desolate through the streets,

The noose hanging from his own neck

Being led by his faithful companion,

His Jezersko–Solčava sheep

Now half its normal size.

Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/photo-challenge-36-sheep-control/

Posted in MLM, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Tale Weaver’s Prompt #36 “Sea of Otherwordly Stars”

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Michael

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I’m all I have.

I look around

And there I am.

I’ve learnt to get along with myself

The I’m not talking

The tantrums with oneself

Is a bit over indulgent.

I have found another side to me

One who is not always nice

A contrast to my usual

Happy, compliant self.

It means I can discuss life’s issues

Which at times seem monumental.

Our favourite game is what came first

The chicken or the egg.

He says the chicken I say the egg.

We go back and forth for hours

Then call it a day

Well satisfied

Content

Our interactions fruitful

Despite his ridicule

His lack of faith in me.

Most often we agree to disagree

And look forward to tomorrow.

I stood on the rise and looked out today

The vastness before me

Spellbinding

How is it that I am all there is

Me and a billion insects?

So there you are then

I say to myself

Confident

I have a handle on me,

For if I don’t who will?

Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/tale-weavers-prompt-36-sea-of-otherwordly-stars/

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Mondays Finish the Story – November 24th, 2014

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Michael

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Finish the story that begins with:

“Dance as if no one is watching,” she called. “It’s your last chance.”

I knew what she meant. The meteor was getting closer and impact was expected any day.

I looked across the room and saw Will in his usual drag going for it, a combination of modern contemporary and enthusiasm.

I decided to let my head go, feeling my arms and legs free themselves from their usual conservative inhibition.

Will was my favourite extrovert, purple was his colour and he was flaunting it as always.

Tonight he was dancing on a giant keg, wishing I am sure that he was to be given the responsibility of emptying it.

We strutted our stuff till the wee small hours only stopping when exhaustion overcame us and reality snuck back in again.

Holding hands we pranced down the High Street one last time.

 

Written for: http://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/mondays-finish-the-story-november-24th-2014/

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Wordle #36 – Duped Again

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Michael

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This weeks words –

Halo, Susurrus (a soft murmuring), Deep, Bijou (something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought, a jewel) Helical (spiral, having the form of a helix), Chasm, Orchid, Fall, Etch Copper, Root, Effable (expressible)

I should have known better when she asked if I would look at her etchings. Then again I know I am not the sharpest pencil in the box, it has been said on more than one occasion that I am at times a sandwich short of a picnic.

But as I crave attention and have the burning desire to please any woman who looks my way I fell for her bijouesque ways, her petite beauty, her eyes which fluttered only the once and left me spellbound and panting like a puppy.

So with tongue hanging out anticipating action of a kind that would leave me gloriously enamoured of her I followed her to her apartment.

It was that very decision that sent my life into a helical pattern from which I was never to recover. You could say that the chasm into which I fell was all of my own doing. And it was. I was blinded of all common sense.

I was unable to see that the susurrus tone of her voice was like that of a mythical siren. She whispered my name and I became putty in her hands.

Into her apartment I traipsed drooling almost, drawn by the soft dulcet tones of her deep rich vocals which when I thought about it after were simply effable in nature. That I thought was an accurate way of describing her voice, the effableness left you hungry for more, like you were as attracted to her voice as you were to her sumptuous physical beauty which surrounded you halo like and left you with your tongue hanging out longing for more.

I am sure this is what she wanted, to lure me in, have her way with me, feed me the root of some supposed plant with aphrodisiac qualities, lead me on to think there was more to this game than was really true.

I am sure what contributed to my fall was my attempt at seduction, I think in hindsight appearing out of the bathroom with an orchid between my teeth and making rather odd grunting sounds did little to enhance the moment. She looked at me in puzzled amazement before flashing her coppers badge and threatening me with immediate arrest if I didn’t high tail it out of there that very instant.

So now I am sitting in my kitchen wondering where it was I went wrong. As it is I didn’t get to see her etchings, the orchid I am ashamed to say I extracted from my rear orifice some time later and all thoughts of her being bijouesque were immediately expunged from my memory, helped in part by the sight of her service pistol in my face as I made a hasty helical descent from her life.

I had to admit to myself that women and I could so easily be

efficably explained – crap!

Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/wordle-36/

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Prompt #82 “Aware” – A Moment in Time

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Michael

aware

I walked in hills of unexpected beauty

Steep slopes

Stepped to carry me

To heights above roads

Where minute people wandered

To and fro

Infinitesimal.

A universe in which

Language and tradition

Dictated the day to day

Actions of so many.

Here I stood

Minute in a forest of majestic timbers

Through which the yellows and reds of autumn

Were randomly sprinkled.

My breath it captured

In an awesome illustration

Of nature’s beauty.

I put aside my physical pain

My exhaustion.

Such discomfort

Paled into insignificance

As my eyes took in the splendor

Afforded me.

I knew full well it was a transcendent moment

One to savour

To treasure

To rejoice in the grandeur

I immersed myself in.

It was a spectacle

I may not see again

So I appreciated

The riot of colour

Nature invited me into.

photo(11)

Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/11/23/prompt-82-aware/

Posted in Journey, MLM, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Kowange festival

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Michael

Bang went the drums
Streamers flying
Costumes a riot of colour
Dancing their way
Up a street lined with supporters
Soaking up the atmosphere
The infectious energy
Of a hundred and more
Celebrating internationality
The rejoicing in a world of diversity
Today a sea of love and delight.
How lucky to be taken there
Eyes wide, mouth agape
Such fun
A great day had by all.

Posted in Uncategorized | 19 Comments

Photo Challenge #33 “Endless Walk”

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Michael

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Image: Matilda Emgård

My mother looks across the table

You what?

I want to be a model.

My dear girl are you serious?

Yes mother, why not?

Your legs are sticks my dear girl.

You look awkward in heels

Your ungainly gait will never suit

Your arms have no meat on them

And you are far too cautious.

I am prepared to work hard mother dear

I know it’s a long way to the top

I have been practicing

Day and night I am learning

To strut my stuff.

My dear girl you are so young

Your flaming red hair is not so desirable

In that dress you could be a toilet brush

I think you’d best think again

I wouldn’t want you hurt.

You need not worry mother dear

My trusty companion is by my side

He centres me, keeps my eye on the prize.

My best ever friend

He thinks I should give it a go.

Another reason my dear girl

Your mental health bothers me so

The bird is not a human,

Yet you listen to his guidance

He is not a good influence on you.

Romeo is a raven of renown mother dear

A creature of immeasurable wisdom

A stylist, a creative genius

I am lucky to have him

His counselling is priceless.

Then my dear girl, lead on

Live your dream, step out and see

There may be a place for you and Romeo

It will be a long walk, I fear for you

Doubly treacherous on such spindly legs.

Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/photo-challenge-33-endless-walk/

Posted in MLM, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Mondays Finish the Story – Ralphy

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Michael

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This week our story has to begin with this sentence:

“He certainly had quite an attitude!”

And it extended to all his possessions, principally his vehicles.

A bad arse through and through and he wanted everyone to know it.

Not everyone I knew wanted to advertise his or her failings but it was like a badge of achievement for Ralphy.

His old blue truck with its broken teeth reflected his own path through life.

He was a graduate of the school of hard knocks and proud of the fact that he and school never met eye to eye being expelled more than any other kid in the town.

Ralphy paraded around the town doing laps in whatever vehicle he felt best represented his current mood.

We were all aghast on his wedding day to see him and his bride in a pink Cadillac his mouth resplendent, flashing for us all a full face of perfect teeth.

Written for: http://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2014/11/03/mondays-finish-the-story-november-3rd-2014/

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Wordle #33 – Uncle Boris

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Michael

week-33

This week’s selection of words to play with is: Curtsey Debase Game Answer Plum Real Swear Shoe Aftermath Malengine (evil machination, deceit) Stalk Master

When Uncle Boris died we all felt that one of the truly great characters in our family had left such a hole no one would ever fill.

He called himself a biophysiologist. What exactly that was no one was ever sure for when we looked for it in the dictionary the meaning never shed a lot of light on it either. So rather than debase his work as nothing more than a play on words, we accepted him for what he said he was, a real scientist.

My father loved to visit but my mother always felt she should be curtsying to him such was the air of superiority he was gave out whenever she came around.

The day after he died the newspapers carried a story in which he was referred to as a malengine of scientific research. His work drawn into question more I think because of the strange collection of artefacts found in his home when the police broke in and discovered his body.

In one corner of his study was a collection of brown shoes, no great issue until they realised that each shoe had a different foot stuck in it.

There were no immediate answers to the discoveries. The aftermath of the revelations was so much speculation that after a while you weren’t sure which game it was the papers were playing other than the selling of as many copies as possible.

The most puzzling thing was the pantry full of plum sauce, all home made presumably by Uncle Boris and I swear it was the finest tasting plum sauce I had ever come across. Rather than let it go to waste it was later sold at the annual church fete after we had taken our own plentiful supply.

There were of course rumours a plenty about his nocturnal activities, reports of him stalking various town identities none of which was ever proved, that he was a regular attendee at every funeral in town insisting that he be allowed to view the decease’s feet.

An example of his eccentricity was how it was explained away, we all exhibited odd behaviours from time to time and Uncles Boris’ was feet, dead ones.

At his funeral Master O’Brien the founder of the towns scientific and creative arts group spoke most eloquently about my Uncle.

The Master said Uncle had an answer to every problem, wore a different pair of shoes every day, loved a good game of tennis and was in all respects the real deal. Shame he remarked how in his entire life time Uncle Boris never actually achieved anything noteworthy of a scientific nature but could make one hell of plum sauce. Which in itself was remarkable, as no one had seen plums growing in our area in over a hundred years.

Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/11/03/wordle-33/

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