Monday, April 30, 2018

Zebra Brews a Pot of Tea

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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

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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

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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...

Sunday, April 29, 2018

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...

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Unrequited

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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...

Friday, April 27, 2018

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...