Concrete Words

I drag these rubber
boots through biting
brushes. Every step I
take, the tangled bramble
challenging. No jabs
nor wild punches can 
penetrate my thickened
skin, but the harsh words
you mumble thinking
I don't hear form
concrete in these
waders through my life.



@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: 3WW (drag, mumble, penetrate)

Who Is She?

She parks on grass
Amid the front lawn flower bed
She parks on grass
A monster truck with such an ass
That stops in tracks, turns people's heads
Entraps with webs of silken thread
She parks on grass

*

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Imaginary Garden with Real Toads

Taking Flight

Just as a cardinal splashes red
flying on a rainy day,
you didn't go unnoticed
when you flounced away.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Magpie Tales

Imprints of Guilt

Father Night sweeps dust upon your cloak
an incubus that haunts life's fervent truth
and though the breeze incites veracity
dense matter stifled chains forgotten youth.

You toss and turn, your trunk a newborn babe
with residue beneath the skins of crime
sweat stains the satin sheets you lie upon,
leaves imprints on guilt's vessel every time.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Sunday Whirl, Poetic Bloomings

Smile! You're on Candid Camera

When I'm down
they're always looking up at me
with those kind, probing, button eyes
placating the storm between mine
sometimes they even smile
if I'm lucky, I catch them
looking up like that
I know I'm loved
no matter what.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Poetry Jam (Always Looking Up, Michael J. Fox)

The Life Cycle of Smell

start off baby powder fresh
add a dash of dirt and sweat
cover up hormonal charring
with a spicy splashed sunset

after ample time has passed
mothballs will eat your lunch
mixed in urinated broth
(fragrant Lysol packs a punch)


Prompt inspiration: Poets United Thursday Think Tank (smells)

Microscopic

Blood in the sand. Get help fast.

*Prompt inspiration: In Tandem

More Advice from Mama

Mama always said:
follow your conscience
adapt to change, never lie

you'll glide through life
like an eagle soaring
across a chameleon sky.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: 3WW (adapt, glide, lie)

Never Judge Happiness by a Smile

For years she tried to alter
her appearance; plastering
a smile on her face at all times
tanning in a coffin, shrinking body

size unconventionally. A funhouse
mirror hung in her mind, warping
self-image with each sideways glance
while inside she withered away.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Poetic Bloomings , Magpie Tales (pic) and  Poets United

Wasted Hope (Blitz poetry form)

cracked like an egg
cracked and wasted
wasted life
wasted death
death unnoticed
death unknown
unknown desparation
unknown light
light a cigarette
light ash
ash cleansed
ash remains
remains slouch
remains a stranger
stranger revolution
stranger spins
spins the bed
spins webs
webs capture
webs kill
kill joy
kill freedom
freedom choice
freedom cheap
cheap thrills
cheap perfume
perfume lingers
perfume samples
samples vanilla
samples granite
granite held
granite earth
earth unmasked
earth people
people pleasers
people judge
judge me
judge you
you cratered
you fell
fell captive
fell crashed
crashed head-on
crashed shattered
shattered image
shattered hope
hope scrambled
hope twists
twists
hope

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Sunday Whirl

Where I've been...

In front of the Alamo

Last weekend we travelled to San Antonio; the city where my parents grew up, where I visited every summer as a child and where Pete and I honeymooned. It was like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, except when it wasn't.

Paula, me, Linda at the San Antonio riverwalk

I met up with some of my poetry friends on the first day; one from Germany (Linda) and the other from San Antonio (Paula). I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it was to finally connect face to face. My family was gracious enough to let me hang with my friends Friday evening. We grabbed dinner on the river and then rode up to the top of the Hemisphere Tower as our families strolled through the Rivercenter Mall. The river, Mexican food, tower all reminded me of olden days.

CC the Alamo cat

Saturday morning the fam and I traipsed through the Alamo and surrounding area. We saw CC the Alamo cat sleeping peacefully in the hundred degree sun as we admired the beautiful oak trees and flowering shrubs on the grounds. Then we meandered across the street and took refuge in the cool wax museum. The first thing we faced was Lady Gaga and her meat dress welcoming us to the bizarre show. For a minute I thought we were in Ripley's Believe It or Not next door. It was wax nostalic, that's for sure.

Lady Gaggag/ I mean Gaga and us

I never thought I'd be sitting in a Pat O'Briens with my children, but when we were done with the museum, I was so shaky from my sugary waffle breakfast (thanks to La Quinta) that we had to find the nearest spot for lunch. Let me tell you a secret: the food's not that good. But we filled up on burgers and water nonetheless.

Later that day, we visited my aunt and uncle and a few cousins on our way to Sea World. It was so good to see them again. Since our last visit, my youngest cousin had a precious baby boy. The kids played with him as we made plans for a bigger get-together the following day.

Pete and the kids trying to navigate through Sea World (I just asked someone)

We purposely waited until after five to go to Sea World, as did a million other people. It was as packed as... a summer day at Sea World, or the New Orlean's Zulu parade during Mardi Gras. Despite the heat, we had a great time being splashed by Shamu (another thing to mark off my bucket list). The night ended with a big fireworks show and then we were off to dreamland, some before we reached the hotel.

The highlight of our weekend was Sunday. We started out by riding around familiar parts of the city. We stopped by Pittman-Sullivan Park, which is named after one of my great uncles (Sullivan) who perished in WWI.

Monument in Pittman-Sullivan Park

Then we drove by my grandparents' old houses. My Nonna and Pawpaw's home looked just as it always did, but my Gramma's home was were the action occurred. When we passed by we noticed a man working in his yard. Being the outgoing, friendly guy that my husband is, Pete stopped and struck up a conversation. This man, his wife and three kids (the same age as ours) were gracious enough to invite us into their home and show us what they're doing to renovate it. 

The new owners of my grandmother's house wondered what HH stood for ("It's carved all over the pace!") - Hank Harris, of course (my dad)

Talk about surreal. The funny thing is that the lady was wanting to find out the history behind the house. It was pretty much a win-win situation, and we made some new friends. 

Playing bocce ball

For the rest of the day we visited, swam, ate and played with relatives. One of my cousins and his wife live on the outskirts of San Antonio. They have acres and acres of land with deer that come out every night and skunks that occasionally spray the dogs. Their home is beautiful and secluded. One of my cousins taught the kids how to do flips off the diving board. They played ping pong and bocce ball. The boys even went on a wild Jeep ride through the woods. We are so glad to have spent time with everyone.

From left to right: Cousins Mike and Mark (back); Cousin Julie, me, Aunt Estelle and Uncle Jack (front)

After all was said and done, guess what the highlight of the weekend for all of us was? Spending time with friends and family! Some things never change.

A Raunchy Scene

Planted on a couch of maize
entranced in daily mediocrity
a scene, a gasp, a click on 'mute'
shit! shucked: viable reality.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: 3WW (gasp, mute, viable)

Fools' Battleground

Seditious lies enmesh pundits
who pledge for tufts of change.
They tread on sacred ground
tremor emphatic plans, rearrange

sporadic polls of popularity
plummet, plaster fear around;
hindered growth a stigma,
nether fools' battleground.


@laurie kolp



Prompt inspirations: Sunday Whirl

It Doesn't Have to Be

it doesn't have to be. a sad life.
one in which pride and ego cage
you like a bird. feeds you seeds
of denial. you think you can hide
from the truth. in that cage where
you rage. because down deep.
underneath those tawdry
feathers of fake fluff.
you know the truth.
and only when
you let it go
will you
be free.
soaring on eagle's wings. happy in life.

@laurie kolp

It's in the Air

when darkness falls I hear the calls
rustling through the breeze I see the trees
a candle's flame enticement calls my name
nostalgic pine of Christmastime divine

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Theme Thursday (tree) and Poetry Jam (night)

Spread Peace and Love

Respond with love undivided
Attention of a soldier saluting
Drench sloppy Labrador kisses
Immune you'll be from animosity
Abundant attitude like eagle wings spread
Tell the world how you feel
Ebullition radiates, peace

@laurie kolp


Prompt inspiration: 3WW- drench, immune, radiate

Guillotined l'Amour

How might a love
once wholesome and pristine
wax nostalgic intercourse?

The green-eyed seductress
entangled weeds of envy
octopus arms, inked
through the lattice of my heart
a machete splicing trust
fields of future growth
overtaken by dead grass

I sit beneath the willow tree and weep.

 @laurie kolp

Linked to: dVerse Poets




'

The Taproot

If I should die think only this of me;
a bird's eye view brings life serenity.
Attach an open mind and loving heart
to do God's will a prayer each morning start
(with forgiveness as the taproot is the key).


@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Carry on Tuesday (*first line from Rupert Brooke's poem The Soldier- "If I should die, think only this of me"), also linked to Poetry Potluck

Sweet Endowment

Scanty summer froufrou
diverts lustful eyes
allaying one's reaction
to heated goodbyes.


@laurie kolp

Also posted on Wordpress: The Bird's-Eye Gemini

Prompt inspiration: Magpie Tales

Let It Go

wind-swept scars immured in cement curtains
morning torments the plinth from which they form
off-key notes a rusty memory forever calling
fantasies of tender moments in the sun

funny how we romanticize the happy times
while agony amasses walls around our hearts
false prophets crawling beneath corrosive pain
until you demolish barriers only God can part

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Sunday Whirl

A bachelorette party at the mall?

I spent the entire day at the mall, but I wasn't shopping. I was there to support Katie as she danced with her competition team (Nicholas performed hip-hop, too). It's like a weekend-long recital. The dance studio sets up in the middle of the mall where Santa will soon be sitting amidst a wonderland of fake snow (but right now it feels like a sauna because the skylights let in too much August heat). As the day wore on, I became a little anxious and frazzled; nothing unusual for most moms, right?

Well, apparently there were more hot and bothered moms at the other end of the mall.

After lunch one of the girl's grandmothers, who is also a friend, walked up to me and asked if I had seen what happened. I was astounded by her words. My mind started to whirl.

A mother flashed lots of people by Dillard's? You're kidding? What has become of today's society?

I could just see it now; Mardi Gras madness in the mall.

My friend proceeded to tell me about the incident. She said a ruckus broke out when two of the moms started playing tug-o-war with a purse. People whipped out there phones and began taking pictures. Massive crowds gathered. For some odd reason, many froze like mannequins in display windows. Several even... planked?

They exercised? This is getting weirder by the minute.

Apparently a good-looking man in a suit showed up. He broke up the catfight and then ripped his shirt open.

Oh, my God, a male stripper. Maybe it's a bachelorette party at the mall?

"He was wearing a Superman shirt underneath his suit! You want to see the pictures I took?" She said.

"What did you say this was?" I finally asked.

"A flash mob."

"OOhhh.... I thought you had asked me if I'd seen the flash MOM."

I told you I'm hard of hearing.

*****

Click here for more about today's event.

Missing Annabelle

Annabelle, how I miss you!
My dearly adopted grandmother
Independent and stubborn like few
At ninety-four, there was no other

My dearly adopted grandmother
Cajun-born, spunky and wise
At ninety-four, there was no other
Your big glasses, your owl eyes

Cajun-born, spunky and wise
Joyfully you met each day ahead
Your big glasses, your owl eyes
Humbly requesting my banana bread

Joyfully you met each day ahead
Our time together I cherish
Humbly requesting my banana bread
Sweet aroma never will perish

Our time together I cherish
We sat and talked over coffee
Sweet aroma never will perish
Embedded in pain, eternally happy

We sat and talked over coffee
Lifelong stories one of a kind
Embedded in pain, eternally happy
Speaking freely your coon-ass mind

Lifelong stories one of a kind
Reflections of days that flew
Speaking freely your coon-ass mind
Annabelle, how I miss you!

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Poetry Jam

Summer Childhood Memories, Part VIII

A Nightmare on My Street

***

At the sound of “Amen,”

SCREECH, HONK, KABOOM, BOOM

thundered in our laps

Mom and Dad rushed outside

past your ten-speed bike

you and I their shadows

burning metal, barbecue ribs

two cars, one in our yard

littered with groceries

Oh my God!

a body, a neighbor

crying teenage girls

Oh my God!

“Get inside the house!”

I ran in, you followed

sweaty hair stuck to your face

Oh my God!

“It could have been you!”

we watched zombies

move in and out

back and forth

use the phone

call 911

tears, screams

Oh, my God!

“Someone get towels, hurry up!”

blood, shaky hands

Oh my God!

“I dreamed this would happen!”

sirens, ambulance

cops, firemen

mosquitoes everywhere

Oh my God!

the lady died.


That's why I've always worn my seatbelt.

@laurie kolp

Inspiration: Poets United

Wasted

Fronds sashay in the wind
chimes a symphonic ode
lost in celestial moonshine
delusional minds overload.

@laurie kolp



Inspired by: dVerse ~ Critique and craft

A Taste of the Sun

Ominous sun
fruit of the earth
juicy, hot
dry, taut
nourishing.

@laurie kolp


Poetic inspiration: Poets United Thursday Think Tank, Imaginary Garden

Floating around in circles

My colorful mind spins in a circuitous path. It's as if my thoughts are spaghetti and my ideas are meatballs. For example, tonight as I gathered up a fistful of hair that had fallen out during my shower, I wondered if I could be shedding because of the scorching heat like dogs do.

And cats... which led me to thinking of the Smurf movie we saw today (very cute, by the way). The cat had swallowed a piece of Smurfette's hair and gagged it up. TMI! Such strong images for a new poem, though.

Which reminded me of our neighbors cat, one that I never knew about, but apparently he's had her for years. A few days ago I saw a decrepit-looking black cat with white paws sleeping in my front lawn like a hungover drunk in a tuxedo. Come to find out it was her. She just magically reappeared (because the caviar she was being fed from those kidnappers didn't make up for their family, or so the neighbor said).

They were supposed to take the cat into the vet, and I hadn't seen her lately so I asked Pete (after I got out of the shower), "Have you seen the cat?"

He said, "That's a good question."

"She's got depression?" I'm hard of hearing.

Which led me to my cat George. George is gone now (but the neighbor's cat is the spitting image of him, which really threw me for a loop at first). He became very depressed when we moved from the apartment to this house. He wouldn't eat and grew anorexic. Poor George nearly died. I found him curled up on his death bed in the corner of my closet one day when I got home from work. We had to feed him through syringes to make him start eating again. He was as depressed as cats come. I wish we lived in California where I could have taken him to a pet shrink, gotten him on Prozac.

Speaking of shrinks...

See what I mean?


Picture inspiration by Alias Jinksy: In Tandem #4

A Scab on the Heart

Eyes that pierce one wounded heart
appear a million times,
graph paper filled with emerald ice
tatooed within my mind.

Might a dose of Cardizem*
white out the painful stab
of your condescending leer
which on my heart has left a scab?

@laurie kolp


*Cardizem- heart medicine for angina (crushing pressure in the chest caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart)

Prompt inspiration: 3WW- appear, dose, pierce

Mums' Words Stick

stained
chrysanthemum splotches
continents on a metal sun
ingrained


@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Magpie Tales