Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Horizons of Light

Lighthouse shining over the horizons
Standing quietly, alone
No one in sight, solo
Commanding stance over seas
Views of water for miles

Alone, until people drift by
To and fro, ebbing with the tides
Suddenly you are called upon
Memory jarred that your light is shining

Light that draws them near, curious
Wonderment in their eyes as they pause
Pause, hesitant to ask
How do you do it?

Ask, how do you continue to shine light
All while being alone, present
Day in and out, rain, fog and clouds
Hovering over your crown of light

Difficult task that takes patience
Being constant no matter what comes
Knowing that light is a powerful force
Drawing people into a place of safety

Sound the alarm only when danger lurks
Silent, stationary even when water murks
Pulsating light comes with many perks
Structure standing tall and firm
Navigating shores, signaling when to turn

Horizons of Light was written for the W3 weekly challenge. Unfortunately, I missed the submission deadline. The challenge was to be a lighthouse. You can choose to be a literal, metaphorical, delusional, illusory or false lighthouse.

The piece I wrote is from a metaphorical standpoint.

Standing quietly but not lonely. Drawing people in with your inner light. Just when you think that people do not see you or know you are there, it strikes you. Yes, they see me. It’s like the saying, ‘being seen and not heard’.

Only speaking and/or making noise when necessary. A lighthouse that is like a quiet force. Still standing even when the heavy tides of life roll in.

Thank you for reading Horizons of Light. 💕

Image created by AI with Copilot

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

To Be Called Mom

motherhood grows the heart and the mind
birthing a love like no other
do I deserve this bundle
a blessing to behold
small eyes so bright, pure
her smile, her laugh
so tender
loving
sweet

To Be Called Mom is written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge.

Thank you for stopping by to read. 🙏🏽💛

Categories
Poetry Topic

Cool Shades of Cobalt and Cerulean

Artist unknown
indigo azure  
horizontal strokes curving
injecting mystique
draws us in wonder
what lies beneath is unknown

Cool Shades of Cobalt and Cerulean is written for the Tanka Tuesday challenge. We are to write an ekphrastic poem. The challenge this week is to let the colors and brush strokes inspire our words, rather than to write about what is in the painting.


The art in this piece is by an unknown artist. It is the top half of an old calendar that I cut out and placed in a clear frame. The colors are very calming placed in a mysterious scene in the background. The work looks similar to art by Hwang Young-Sung, but I cannot confirm. If anyone knows who the artist is I would love to know too.

Thank you for reading🙏🏽💕

Categories
Poetry Self Awareness Topic Words of Wisdom

Fighting the Feeling; Stage Fright

A Shadorma

you're up next
smiling and sweating
is this real
on the mic
speaking word my thighs trembling
snap, snap my smile grew

I knew then
I can't mess this up
ankles weak
lights blinding
just who do I think I am
calm down, you got this

Thank you for reading my poem, Fighting the Feeling; Stage Fright. It is a Shadorma written for the W3 prompt. 🙏🏽💖 This is the first time writing this poem style. I’m not sure if it is right, but I enjoyed it!

Speaking in front of a crowd can be a scary thing. The physical things that you feel standing up there. It’s amazing how the body responds and the thoughts that run through your mind. The inner ‘prep talk’ is what helped me get through the recital of Until That Day.

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Redwoods and Infinity Covenants

A Triolet

Couple in Redwood forest
Handle with care, don’t beat my heart 
Longevity of Redwoods our love will endure
Umbrella canopy keeps us from drifting apart
Handle with care, don’t beat my heart
Strength for each other, our counterpart
Guard the covenant, our union will reassure
Handle with care, don’t beat my heart
Longevity of Redwoods our love will endure

Redwoods and Infinity Covenants was written in response to the prompt by Sadje. Thank you for stopping by to read💞

Image credit: Brianna Parks on Unsplash

*Poem revised on 3/12/26*

Categories
Poetry Topic

Friend or Foe

Dalmatian and Bengal

Friend or Foe

A Diamante

 
Bengal
Striped Tiger
Hunting Camouflaging Roaring
Fierce Majestic Playful Energetic
Running Fetching Barking
Spotted Canine
Dalmatian

Thank you for stopping by to read! 🙏🏽💖

Image created with AI using Copilot

Categories
Poetry Topic

Reminiscent Summertime

Thank you for taking time to read my poem. I appreciate all of you who come here to read and comment.

First, I would like to thank Christine and David. Christine, thank you for the nomination to be PoW. David, thank you for your time and effort in organizing and bringing us the W3 poetry prompts each week.

This is a first for me (pun intended) 😊. Hosting a poetry prompt, I am humbled. I hope you all enjoy and I am excited to read the responses. Have fun creating!

Reminiscent Summertime

An echo poem

It all began with a glance
glance
A quick look that had me in a trance 
trance
Butterflies in my stomach do a dance
dance
Not like the two-step but the Harlem shake
shake

My first adolescent crush
crush
Had my face all flushed
flushed
Suddenly cheeks turn beet red like blush
blush
Ah this puppy love, what a rush
rush

Holding hands at summer camp 
camp
Eyes light up bright, like a lamp 
lamp
Sweat beads on my forehead, damp
damp
Oh, I wonder if he thinks I’m a tramp
tramp

Only one thing is for sure
sure
Summer camp is nothing but pure
pure
Hot fun in the lush green land
land
One must experience it to understand
understand?

Categories
Poetry Topic

Love is Like a Kaleidoscope

Answer me this
Bring awareness to the
Complex idea about love
Does it happen organically
Exempt from conditions
Free of judgments
Gratuitous just for its existence
Hopeful for its longevity
Imagine finding lasting love
Just once is enough
Knowing some may never have
Love is like a cup of tea
Making the heart feel warmth
Needing no validation from others
Only building excitement for
Pleasure purpose and peace
Quick to turn away opposition
Releasing any and all doubt
Soothing the body mind and soul
Tension leaving with each tantalizing touch
Unleashing stress from the day
Vanquishing control with each caress
Wishing the best for all
Xenodochial by nature
Yearning for that feeling
Zen is the ultimate goal

Thank you for taking the time to read my poem. Love is Like a Kaleidoscope was written in response to the W3 Prompt for this week.

I hope I followed the rules for the prompt. Apologies, if I missed the mark. It was a lot of fun writing this one. Enjoy!

Image credit: Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Categories
Poetry Topic

Thawing Sunshine

A haiku

Melting icicles
Turning fluid with sunshine
Liquid ’til next freeze

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read Thawing Sunshine💞

Image created with AI using Copilot

Categories
Poetry Topic

Held Hostage by Insomnia

Trouble sleeping

A Tanka


Thoughts invade my mind
Trying to sleep, I count sheep
One, two, three, four, five
Doze off for thirty minutes
Beep, beep alarm clock goes off

A related post titled, Better Sleep for Increased Productivity can be found here. I wrote this back in March 2024. It is a helpful addition to the poem about insomnia that reflects the importance of sleep.

Thank you for taking the time to read my poem, Held Hostage by Insomnia. 💞🙏🏽

Image created using AI with Copilot

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Guilt Free Closet Cleanse

closets overflow
shoes, dresses and jewelry
must haves, impulse buys
space is tight, what can I do
make room for new trends, donate

The challenge this week for Tanka Tuesday is to focus on cleansing/purification. The poem I wrote looks at cleansing from a spatial standpoint. I used this definition as my guide to shape the poem for this week-to rid of something seen as unpleasant, unwanted or defiling.

Cleansing by way of removing clutter is wonderful. Donating all those things no longer needed or wanted, gives those items utility. A second life, if you will. Someone else can enjoy the items rather than throwing them away. Spatial freedom makes way for clarity.

Thank you, Yvette for the prompt this week. Also, thank you to all for stopping by to read. Stay well and be blessed💞

Categories
Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

Essentials of Humanity

An Etheree

Love
Gives the
Courage to
Hope and instills
Passion to enjoy
Embody, realize
Happiness when it shows up
In your life, it is not luck that
Money flows your way, sheer fruit of efforts

The poem Essentials of Humanity was written for the prompt by Sadje. Thank you for taking the time to read.🙏🏽💞

Categories
Info Poetry Topic

The Cotillion

A Memento



Learn dancing, greetings, table sets
Talking skills null and void
Lacking
Words like hello, please, and thank you
Take a back seat to sass
Slick talk

Social education for kids
Grace, respect, etiquette
Manners
Timeless skills to carry you through
Being a lady, young
Man too

A cotillion is an event for the youth, ages 11-13. It teaches manners, how to conduct yourself in public situations. Social skills that help them build confidence and conversation skills. Also, how to properly set the table, ballroom dance too. Young girls and boys learn etiquette that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Valuable skills to learn.

I am not sure if cotillions still exist, but it needs to come back. Sadly, too many of the youth of today are disrespectful and lack essential social skills.

The Cotillion is written in response to the prompt. Thank you for reading🙏🏽💕

Categories
Diversity Poetry Topic

Black Love Day

Mama Ayo made Black Love Day
February 13th
Kings Queens

Commemorate love, family
Self, people, don't forget
Show heart

Thank you to my readers for stopping by. The poem Black Love Day is to highlight a day that was founded in 1993. The woman who started this day is D.C. native, Ayo Handy-Kendi aka Mama Ayo.

Black Love Day is about loving the creator, love for self, love of family, the black community and the people. It is a day to spread love to each other, no matter your race. Also, this day seeks to stop violence and racism.

You can share your stories and experiences with the black community on your social media platform. Write about the things that you admire and any positive reflection that is personal to you. Positivity is the general theme and purpose of the day.

Some ways to celebrate the day are to connect with the culture, strengthen relationships with each other. Uplift a loved one, support black-owned businesses and/or causes. Wear purple and black to show your solidarity.

February 13th is also an alternative to Valentine’s Day. Show your loved ones, family, friends and lovers just how special they are by spending time and showing your love, in a way that is uniquely you.

The day is less than a month away. Look out for different activities in your area. How will you celebrate?

Categories
Poetry Words of Wisdom

Living with Love

A Haiku

Precious life moments
Cherish capture and relish
In every day laud

Thank you for reading! 🙏🏽