Zebra Brews a Pot of Tea

Designed by Freepik

Early morning I walked into the kitchen

And found a Zebra brewing a pot of tea

While checking out the news on the television

Would you like to have a cuppa too says he.

He offers it to me a cup inside a silver zarf

An ornamental metal cup holder if you didn’t know

What next, I wonder, breakfast cooked by a dwarf?

I act nonchalant hoping my confusion won’t show

I see brightly coloured ribbons flutter about his head

I notice now that he is wearing a zucchetto

A round skullcap that is coloured red

It doesn’t surprise me when he starts singing a libretto

You must be hungry too, here have a zeppole

The perfect time for a deep fried dough ball

I think as I dig in deep and have it whole

Surely I hallucinate I think leaning against the wall

In thoughtful contemplation I stroke my face

What’s this? A flowing drooping Zapata

A most magnificent moustache lies in place

This turn me into a persona non grata

Enough of this witchery I cry aloud

I will still live my life with zest

Then I hear the clap of a thundercloud

I find I am alone in the kitchen and at rest

***

On to  'Z' for 'Zebra Brews a Pot of Tea'.

Finally this is the end of the challenge as I reach the letter Z.  I have absolutely enjoyed doing this.  It is different from what I normally do, i.e. flash fiction, but was fun all the same.  Would have been nicer to have received some comment love and feedback, I would have done it just the same.

My A to Z entries can be navigated to from this page - A2Z, please do take some time out to read and comments on the poems.

I'd love read what you think about this post...

Yogic Art

Created by Freepik

I came across my flatmate and he was contorting

A jumbled mix of feet and arms all over the place

I whipped out my mobile and started recording

Following the modern reaction of the human race

It turns out that he was otherwise perfectly fine

Just a tiny misjudgement of the correct position

Though it did look like it was caused by wine

Nothing broken, everything was in good condition

He told it was all because of his wanderlust

He had spent the past year in an ashram

Mastering his body, learning to lunge and thrust

Controlling his breathing with Pranayam

Now he said I can do standing back bends

Stand perfectly still and do a one legged pose

I know enough asanas to teach my friends

I meditate to find respite from the world’s woes

When you found me sprawling on the ground

It was not any faulty technique on my part

It did look suspicious the way I was found

But I fell while posting to social media my yogic art

***

On to  'Y' for 'Yogic Art'.

My A to Z entries can be navigated to from this page - A2Z, please do take some time out to read and comments on the poems.

I'd love read what you think about this post...

Xenophobia

Just the other day I was walking down the street

A car driving past stops and the driver I see

Poking his face out and without missing a beat

Yells out go back to your own country to me

Thank you, I call out, but I am really here to stay

I know that you really prefer me to be unseen

And hurry back to that place where I grew as you say

I can assure you that to back I am not very keen

My parents came to this land years ago

Fleeing their past and determined to succeed

Tell me of their struggle what do you know

To fulfil our desires with hard work did they bleed

Their hands they never did spread out for alms

Work hard they said and your story will change

No job is too small of hard work have no qualms

I remain true this lesson and will never it exchange

Though continuing the conversation I say

Some aspect of what you say does appeal

I would really like to go back for a holiday

You seem to know the way homesick hearts feel

***

On to  'X' for 'Xenophobia'.

My A to Z entries can be navigated to from this page - A2Z, please do take some time out to read and comments on the poems.

I'd love read what you think about this post...

Wisdom

Book vector created by Freepik

I come seeking wisdom

A word from the wise

He says

Mouth opens wide

He grins

I wonder what advise

I can give?

If I knew then

What I know now

That the world can

Be cruel and unkind

It can chew you up and

Spit you out.

Would I have then

Done things differently?

Or would I have

Never changed a thing

Because in the midst

Of  anger and betrayal.

I have also felt

The kindness of strangers

Been enveloped by love

By family and friends

Helped by Samaritans

When I was down.

I now embrace

Sorrows and joy

All in equal measure

They have made me

What I am now

Older but much wiser

***

Getting wiser in this month ;-) so 'W' for 'Wisdom'.

My A to Z entries can be navigated to from this page - A2Z, please do take some time out to read and comments on the poems.

I'd love read what you think about this post...

Vacant

Created by Evening_tao - Freepik.com

I pass this vacant parkland on my way to work

It stands crumbling, abandoned and derelict

The desolation draws me in as I stop and lurk

Memories of happier times reel me like an addict

We walked on its once verdant grass before

Hand in hand making plans for a future bright

Now we don’t talk to each other no more

How did we ever end up losing that light?

In the undulating landscape of our relationship

We travelled from the peak to valley of emotions

It used to be love, happiness and companionship

Our cupboard is now bereft of all romantic notions.

I don't know if this how our story ends

The spotlight on it no more shining
Now is time for us to make amends

Rejuvenate that vacant land and keep trying.

***

On to 'V' for 'Vacant'.

My A to Z entries can be navigated to from this page - A2Z, please do take some time out to read and comments on the poems.

I'd love read what you think about this post...

Unrequited

Designed by Freepik

Quick glances stolen

Unexpressed for you my love

Still unrequited

Love that floats like smoke

Up in air then dissipates

Unseen and unfelt

In periphery

Pleading for love unexpressed

Still unrequited

***

Three linked haikus make this entry -  'U for 'Unrequited'.  

My A to Z entries can be navigated to from this page - A2Z, please do take some time out to read and comments on the poems.

I'd love read what you think about this post...

Tolerant Creature

Created by Sergey_kandakov - Freepik.com

I often have conversations with my dog

A talkative creature he is not silent like a log

Yes my canine companion speaks to me

It’s true I swear I am not barking up the wrong tree

To you, dear friends, a talking dog may sound

Wonderful but to have but an opinionated hound

Who only lectures you can be a bit frustrating

All chatter can even be, I daresay irritating.

So my dog turns to me the other day

And says, I feel we should get a cat to stay

With us in our house as we seem to lack

A creature to stop mice in their track.

I seem to recall from the last time I said

Shuddering as I recalled the past with dread

Did you not have a problem with the last cat?

Whose food you plundered and turned fat.

Fat! That sir is a heinous lie said the dog

I may be mildly plump but I am not a hog

I just happen to think cat food is really yum

The cheap stuff you give me I dislike every crumb.

If we got one, with it you would never socialise

You never get together, that is a truth I recognise

Will you get it to chase and bite postmen?

If it brings you a mouse, what happens then?

I expected that would have been the end

Of the argument with my faithful friend

But he replied taking my words as a bait

His need for the last word is always great

It’s a fallacy to think Cats wont accept dogs

Adapting to their culture is easy as rolling logs

If some tolerance to their value system I show

Why I am the most unprejudiced animal I know

My life was simple but now it's complex

But I really can’t recall what he said next

You fell fast asleep he did later lament

I said listening to pious homilies has that effect

***

Today it should T for Tardy but instead is 'T' for 'Tolerant Creatures'.  

My A to Z entries can be navigated to from this page - A2Z, please do take some time out to read and comments on the poems.

I'd love read what you think about this post...