Thursday, March 3, 2011

Big Tent prompt: Wordle


Another delightful wordle from Big Tent Poetry this week, only this time with an added challenge to include phrases. I was able to use all of the twelve wordle words and one phrase in this piece- “Say more.” And of course I used "He started by___" as my title.

I challenge you to use the final phrase, "There is also the matter of ___" in a comment.  Can't wait to see what you come up with. Enjoy!

He Started by Fire

A Mardi Gras parade
Thundering beats vibrating within an empty heart
Tangled with long forgotten memories begging to wake
A Tina Turner thigh kicking and marching
A typical boyish flame ignited in reckless passion
Now a feral animal in search of prey
Following plums and melons, jewels and crowns
A knowing smile no words can defy
A burning question only her gasp can suffice
His elbow a machete clearing the way
Through a thick forest of merry-makers
His feet slipping on spilt beer
Trampling on others
A wild hog in the blurry woods
Faster and faster he runs
His mind lost in the crowd
Yells and drums and music
Drown taunting thoughts
Until “Wait!” escapes his parched lips
He wants to say more
He watches her slip away
Gasping for the very breath she gave
  

19 comments:

Maggie said...

Fabulous! Terrific imagery, here.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am new to the circus, but it looks like fun.

Enjoy the circus!

margo roby said...

Nice! The suspense building was terrific and I found myself reading faster and faster. Great movement.

Unknown said...

You made me want to hit the road to arrive in New Orleans by Fat Tuesday. Imagery and inferences are terrific.

Linda Jacobs said...

Wow, you put me right there with him! Vivid descriptions!

flaubert said...

Laurie, you have set the tone for
Mardi Gras nicely here.

Pamela

Tumblewords: said...

Ultra fine imagery!

Laurie Kolp said...

Thanks, everyone, for your kind words.

Anonymous said...

As others have said, this puts you right there. Man morphing to animal in the heat of the moment...great job. vb

nan said...

Frenetic like the day. I like what you did with the words.

Anonymous said...

"His elbow a machete clearing the way..." C'mon, this is a keeper for sure! Intense, moody, exciting. Loved it, great take on the Wordle, which is getting to be more fun now that I've got the hang:
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/parade-of-smiles-big-tent-poetry/
Good job, my old friend! Amy

gautami tripathy said...

Loved the imagery!

rivulets of space

Due to Census work for the past one month, I have not been able to visit and comment. I will be back with a vengeance after a day or two!

Tilly Bud said...

This was an exciting ride!

lol! The security word is 'amble'.

Shari said...

You make me remember the frenzy of Mardi Gras. Very nicely done!

Linda H. said...

Awesome work, Laurie!

Cathy said...

Love the wildness about it. last line is just perfect.

Anonymous said...

Laurie, you really captured the feeling of what Mardi Gras must be like. I do NOT like crowds...this almost make me feel phobic. Really well done. Don't think that even is on my bucket list.

Laurie Kolp said...

I lived in New Orleans several years growing up and I still remember Mardi Gras. From a child's perspective (at least mine), it's very crowded and crazy.

Madeleine Begun Kane said...

That was wonderful. And I know how tough that prompt was because I attempted it and ended up abandoning my efforts. :)

And thanks for stopping by and joining in on another of my Limerick-Offs. Glad to have you and your limericks!

James said...

I love the title. You had me there, but then this swirl of images is really engaging as is the chase narrative that runs through it. Well done.