Give Me You

We'll discuss gifts
if you insist,

but I must expose
how my intentions arose--

a brief moment of clarity
when time became a mystery

and all the stuff I could touch
didn't matter that much.

What's more meaningful to me
is you beside the Christmas tree.


*
Prompt Inspiration~
Poetry Jam: Gifts
3WW: brief, expose, insist
Poetic Bloomings: The Nasher

Ice Breaker

Stanley Kubrick for Look Magazine, 1949
Pic prompt courtesy of The Mag174

In the doorway

where she stood

 

a blur of self-doubt

masked assuredness,

 

heat lightning a brief flash

pursuant task-- confidence.

 

Back straight, chest back

each breath a forward step

 

sipping courage, no regret

she offered him a light.

 

 

~~

 

Poetic Bloomings Prompt#113:Hook, Line and Sinker

Post-Dental Plea

Mylanta get to work real fast
My stomach pass
Don’t hesitate
This burn won’t wait

No, Tylenol is what I need
For throbbing teeth
A jaw that squawks
At chewing, balks

A dentist trip, swallowed spit
Upset my pit
My jaw, my teeth--
I need relief!

**
I hate going to the dentist, but had to this morning. I still hurt.

**

Prompt inspirations:
Real Toads- Words Count w/ Mama Zen
Poetic Bloomings- 'Minute' Poetry

Snapshots of Chaos

Ophelia by Odilion Redon

Hanging on a thin cusp of exhaustion

I stand in the middle of Epcot

waiting for the show’s next act-

my skin baking in the summer sun,

lips drier than a shriveled grape.

I dare not move or else I’ll touch

the other sweaty bodies surrounding me

crammed in tighter than college students

on a wild Spring Break beach.

And suddenly I’m sitting on a sandy towel

waiting for another beer I sent that jerk to find,

the bass beats blaring BA-Bum, BA-Bum

so loud I feel them in my heart-

snapshots of utter chaos I’d rather not relive,

the hopeless years wasted searching for myself

in a frothy mug of oblivion, self-centered fear.

I turn my head to Mickey Mouse and smile-

the crowd and heat a sober treat.

©laurie kolp

Prompt inspirations:

The Sunday Whirl, wordle 63- skin, lips, thin, snapshots, touch, other, act, hanging, gesture, stand, sent, utter

Poetic Bloomings- Get Some Rest, prompt 62

Photo prompt- The Mag 124

Also shared at Real Toads Open Link Monday

A Stockade of Lies

Puddle, 1952, M. C. Esch

Eschew the truth; frightening
how you scrutinize others'
minor faults, lightening
your own guilt, how it smothers

feral flames spreading.
A tempest through life’s blazes
you think your future, dreading
puzzle pieces lost, mazes

through which you run, blockading
eternal wisdom, accrue
lies upon lies stockading
distrust from truth you eschew.


©laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration:
Real Toads- Celtic Quatrain poetic form
Poetic Bloomings- Fire
The Mag 122 picture

From Speedboat to Sailboat

I stormed the Gulf of Mexico for years

a speedboat zooming in and out of victim’s lives

racing solo, jumping hurdles zealously

a zigzag here and there without a backwards glance

a vortex voiding eyes of innocence

overpowered by a roar, a rev, a VROOM;

voracious as a barracuda on the prowl.

Until one day my engine crashed and burned,
left me floating in rough waters all alone.
I saw a sailboat sparkling in the sun
with glassy ripples flowing rhythmically,
found YOU at the cockpit, calm and cool
emanating peace as seagulls soared in harmony.

Your silent treatment blew my mind

as the wind slapped life into me

misty water splashed, cooled me down

a mix of salt and fish aroma wakening.

And all at once I knew the truth-
the wheel was not my own to navigate.
You are the wind, my guide in life.
I’ll let you sail this boat from here on out.

Copyright © 2012 Hannah Gosselin ~ Pier Post Persisting

©laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration-
Poetic Bloomings: #59 Water

Picture - Courtesy of Hannah Gosselin at Real Toads Sunday Challenge

NAANI (nanny, boo-boo)

when wavelengths collide
navigate like a demure fawn,
juggle thoughts until
harmony rings peace

©laurie kolp

Prompt inspirations:
3WW- fawn, navigate, juggle
Poetic Bloomings- NAANI Poetic Form- “expression of one and all” 4 lines, 20 to 25 syllables, nontitled (usually)

My Sunshine

Solar flare
illuminates the room
every time I see your vibrant smile

shining forth
this aureole of you
burning with desire my aching heart

ever since
your light refused to reach
the depths of my darkened soul. I long

to see your
rays beaming once again
illuminating the room with cheer.


@laurie kolp

Prompt inspirations:
Poets United Thursday Think Tank- Light
Poetic Bloomings- Form: Parallelogram de Crystalline

Meeting Robert Lee Brewer

I wander into the bookstore
alone, but not lonely
anxious, but not nervous;
energy has driven me miles

yet the ambiance is the same here or there
as Saturday hustles and bustles--
cash registers cling, music drifts
aromatic coffee becomes a magnet

and I am reading the headlines
waiting for a grande mocha
until I ask, "Where's the poetry reading?"
a crooked finger points, I follow its lead

to Robert Lee Brewer

no trick, nor joke-- a treat
four hours, a poetry buffet
prompted, I get up and read, too
...for the first time.

@laurie kolp


Poetry inspiration: Shared at Real Toads, Poetic Bloomings (lonely, headlines, energy, wander, music, joke)

The Treat

Amid the musky attic shelf
     (rat infested, I might add)
a Swiss cheese box from years ago
     (remnants of some rodent's feast)
is begging for attention so
     (I start talking to myself)
I peek inside, my heart a drum
     (perhaps my voice will scare them off)
with shaking hands I dig within
     (I hope no mouse surprises me) 
a Polaroid I find therein
     (survived the rat attack, I guess)
that clearly screams "print me" at once
     (a picture of the Rat King?)
I follow through to my surprise
     (I'm now humming very loud)
are Grampa B's smiling eyes
     (a treat well worth the other threat).

@laurie kolp


Prompt inspiration: Poetic Bloomings

Mind's Eye Rotten

Your igneous heart destroyed me
pierced shards of metal right through me;
an irksome toy long forgotten
gathering dust in the garage,
as varmints erode love's mirage.
A wildfire ignited cotton;
high-pitched sirens bridle the course
all observe destruction in force.
Plowing fields, my mind's eye rotten.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: 3WW- erode, heart, observe; Poetic Bloomings- Poetry form~ Nove Otto

***********************

A Remix for Poetic Asides:

After years of pyromaniac destruction
infusion through my heart a wildfire path,
I found the courage to let you go

like a toy that won't stop sounding
deserted in the garage, a varmint
rotting my mind's eye of love.

@laurie kolp


 Poetic Asides- a remix poem

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

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

Standing Outside the Holy Fortress

I stand outside the fortress
a weed I sprout in fear
voices jangle, I try to hide
my head rattles ear to ear.

Have I lost my mind to think

the splinters would dissolve
how you pierced my heart again
a skewed image I can’t absolve?

And I was on my knees

and I was crying out to you
seeking redemption, forgiveness
within this tainted view.

A cloak I felt enwrap me

pick me up, carry me in
a vision I won’t long forget
the day you freed me from all sin.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspirations: Sunday Whirl and Poetic Bloomings

Speaking Through Words

This week's Sunday Whirl words

In a world of twisted logic, I thought
perhaps my words might make a difference
for should we not help others going through
the same things? The poem spoke to me, told
me to share my past difficulties through buzz
words; the depression, the skewed perception,
the self-hatred perpetuated with drowning
dependence on food, drink, men. To get that
low and rise above; why resist my instinct?

To get that low and rise above; why resist
my instinct? It’s not a crazy whim or hiccup,
it’s the hope-filled promise that others too
can make it through the strong river currents
of life. At times I cry; peeling away those
thick layers of onion can be emotional. I once
fluttered through tough times with a big smile,
but I carried a clutch under my belt. Now I
can walk through the pain, meet my Higher
Power galloping through peaceful silence and
telling me to write down in words who I am.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspirations: Sunday Whirl, Poetic Bloomings

Sunday Offerings/ 6-26-11

For the Sake of Grace

It all began to take shape not long

after his business trip--
the copper-breath kisses he planted
on the surface of her wanting lips
like a mechanical dippy bird,
the growing silent treatment
within an ivy dream-like haze,
the flitting thoughts of swarming bees.
Inhaling pepper sand, she took the plunge
cornered him in the shade of beseeching eyes
asked him who the hell Grace was
and why he called out her name
in the heavy stillness of night’s embrace.

@laurie kolp

Prompt Inspiration: Sunday Whirl (kisses, pepper, sands, grace, copper, inhaling, flitting, shape, shade, silent, surface, haze)

*****

  Rocketed to the Fourth Dimension

Floating in the sea of space

my worries drift through time.
Medusa lost in orbit,
I prey on heaven’s climb.

Dare I trust this leap of faith,

release all inhibitions?
Pride cometh before the fall
trailing~ euphoric conditions.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Poetic Bloomings and Jingle Poetry

**Hop on over to Poets United for more!!**

A garden awaits all who enter

It was an unexpected surprise last week when I was contacted by Walt Wojtanik and Marie Elena Good, authors of the blog Poetic Bloomings. They wanted to do an interview of me for their Web Wednesday feature.

Probably no one will read it, I thought; but I accepted with vim and vigor.

When Walt sent me the questions, I was amazed at how personal they were. It was obvious he hadn't sent me a general list that he sends all the guests. He and Marie had actually taken the time to dig up some dirt on my past experiences.

Excited, I tackled the assignment right away. I let my fingers do the typing, spent time reflecting and even sat on it a few days before I sent it back.

I sure did learn a lot about myself... who cares if nobody reads it? I thought.

And if I had to give you a three-word synopsis of my interview, I would have to say PLEASE READ IT. Oh, and a comment would be nice.

You'll learn much more about the significance of this blog if you do... and maybe a thing or two about me you didn't know.

Wednesday Words: An interview and some poetry

I am truly humbled and proud to announce that Poetic Bloomings:Web Wednesday has interviewed me. I hope you'll hop over there and take a look. Thank you!

I also want to thank the folks over at Poets United for their continued support.
*************************

The Sky’s Not Falling!

To maintain her poetic sanity

Chicken Little tried not to gag
when rejection slips fell from the sky,
instead she tried to omit such thunderous thoughts
wash them away with renewed hope for sunshine tomorrow.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: 3WW (gag, maintain, omit)

******************

Poke Away Rain

Last time we met I turned around  
your icy pokes a curious kid,
 
~poke~ “Excuse me” ~poke~ “Excuse me”

 

~poke~  

~poke~
~poke~

~Sigh~ “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

You wouldn’t leave me alone

wallowing in nonstop tears
throwing temper tantrums-
I wanted you to go away.
But then I missed you
needed your cooling comfort
to quell the fires spreading fear.
I prayed for you, danced in circles
I knew you’d come in your own time
and you did today.
Thank you rain,
poke away.

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Poetic Asides, Poets United

Like a Heretic

He greets you at the door
(like a hotel concierge)
Dollar signs in blank eyes
(like a shopping center sign)
Running relays on each entrant
(like a social climbing snob)
Until he spots your money pocket
(like a package to be opened)
Becomes a fairy full of kindness
(like Glenda the Good Witch)
Passes a silken pillow case
(like a wedding ring bearer)
Becomes a rebel if declined
(like a spoiled rotten kid)
Directs you to a burning cot
(like a revengeful nerd)
Next morning he tries again
(like a bipolar heretic)

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Poetic Bloomings ('Cross' words)

morning, package, fairy, shopping center, aluminum, pillow,
heretic, pyramid, rebel, door, concierge, pocket, cot

Live Like Children

Age saw two quiet children
Go loving by at twilight*
Holding hands and a’skipping
Twas quite a lovely sight

Without a care or worry
Over looming senescence
They hit the ground rolling
In earth’s field of innocence

Until they set their eyes above
Reveled in the moment’s hand
Made wishes on stars falling
Reveled in God’s mighty land

Age watched in disillusion
Wondered why the merriment
Did not these children realize
Life’s too short for sentiment?

Then at that very moment
An overwhelming flash of light
Encircled Age with calming words,
“The children have it right.”

@laurie kolp

Prompt inspiration: Poetic Bloomings- Favorite line from a poem

*Carpe Diem by Robert Frost: "Age saw two quiet children go loving by at twilight."