Category: Poetry

art, artists, food, Moving Away, Poetry, reflection

Day 7 ProlificPulse Mo Po: a poem that celebrates the beauty of everyday objects

Arlene

Photo by Farhad Ibrahimzade on Unsplash

Downsizing© arlene s bice

It’s time, trim the sails, a last move, for sure
gone, the Toulouse Lautrec dinner set for eight

no need, daily life is different from ever before
changes are made, my new life settled by fate

adore the fancy new dishes, two of each design
cooking, eating less, use only luncheon plates

adjust, make life easier, all worked out fine
it’s fun to wash this crockery, they’re so pretty

and placed on the table with a glass of wine
next to the flatware, a journal, a book so witty.

love, Memoir, Poetry

Day 6 ProlificPulse Mo Po: feeling of falling in love through metaphor and imagery

Arlene

Photo by Vanessa Serpas on Unsplash

It’s been a Long Time Since © arlene s bice

The lightness of walking, feet above the ground
as musical notes flitter around in your head
like butterflies
oh, yes I remember

impossible to keep a stoid, straight expression
smiles bubble over, announcing love to the universe
without saying a word
oh, yes, I remember

like a brush to an artist creating at a blank canvas
colors, movement, joy will burst off the surface
no effort at all
oh, yes, I remember

when that ethereal feeling of being in love is new
before tarnish, before tragedies, before the world
or the families try to tear you apart
is a time to build a steadiness, a fortress that lasts
a time to bond and let no one else enter your world
oh, yes, I remember.

art, artists, dreams, France, general, Poetry, reflection

Day 4 ProlificPulse Mo Po: a poem of a place you’ve never been but long to visit

Arlene


Photo mxx @unsplash

Off to France © arlene s bice

To the land of the Impressionists
to walk where they stood with easels
to create a new style of exquisite art
to enjoy plein air countryside beauty
to stroll in the gardens of Monet
to share a table, wine, talk of colors
to still feel the presence of Renoir
to sit with Cassatt and Morisot’s spirits
to see them linger as I would linger
to see Degas approach, bottle in hand
to be there, outside a Parisian café
where I once appeared in a former life.

dreams, Poetry, reflection, travel

Day 3 Prolific Pulse Po Mo Challenge: a poem that captures the essence of a favorite song.

Arlene

photo thanks Alexander Mils@unsplash

Dreams Made, Hearts Bade© arlene s bice

My promises to you were filled
many rivers I’ve crossed
some more than a mile, some less
follow you I have; made my own way, too
loved the world seen, now mere memories
double rainbows appeared, brilliantly
you’ve taken me around the bend
my friend, Moon River to me.

art, childhood, family, genealogy, general, Memoir, Poetry, reflection

Day 2 Po Mo Challenge Describe a childhood memory

Arlene


Brother Bob & Me

Childhood Pictures ©arlene s bice

Dad, an amateur photographer
of curious mind to satisfy
equipment was plenty; quality
developed his own negatives

chose favorite spots
now remembered
cozy bookcase corner
backyard pale pink rosebush
front porch entry

dressed in holiday clothes
church steps next door
on ground donated by
great grandmother Rachel.

books, dreams, family, Poetry, reflection, writing prompt

Alternate poem for Na Wri Mo Po

Arlene


Photo by Gordon Williams on Unsplash

Alternate poem from Na Wri Mo Po
a poem that recounts the plot, or some portion of the plot, of a novel that you remember having liked but that you haven’t read in a long time.

Across Time and Death

In this springtime when death and rebirth
are prominent thoughts with many
I think of Jenny Cockell and her memoir:
Time and Death, remembering dreams
of an earlier life, of leaving young children
behind, without

it brings to mind my own earlier lives
lived and passed, loved and not
times throughout the ages to learn
but have I remembered the lessons
did I carry them with me or not
where, when

Poetry, reflection, writing prompt

April PO MO prolific pulse challenge

Arlene


Write a poem inspired by the colors and sounds of spring.

Spring to Me © arlene s bice

To see the first brilliant yellows
burst from the ground in clusters of jonquils
to see the soft pinks gracing tree branches
in surrounding gardens of the neighborhood
to see the lavender of red buds grace the highways
stirs the soul, faith overflows, birds come back
to sing that Spring has not deserted us
but returned to restore and rebirth us all.

Poetry, Warren Artists' Market, women's stories, wormen writing

Theatre Excitement Abounds!!!

Arlene

I’m so excited! I’ve been invited to present a poetry piece at the Lakeland Cultural Arts Center! On stage! Joining my longtime pals from First Friday Poetry Night, we’ll be reunited on Friday-that’s the Fourth Friday-of January – the 26th from 6 to 8 pm. Littleton (NC), home of LCAC, has changed in the last several of years since I’ve moved from Warren County to Virginia. All for the better. I’m also excited to see all my poetry loving writers, readers and listeners. Sometimes I don’t know how much I miss certain friends until I am about to be with them again. How funny that is, not in laughter, in curiosity.
Lakeland Arts has also been updated, refreshed, renewed, etc. In addition to plays, they offer a wide range of live entertainment; some shows are already sold out. It’s an impressive line-up. I am eager to see the new LCAC since I often enjoyed the Lakeland of years ago. Live plays are so superior, in these days of our entertainments coming from home screens.
Now, what am I going to wear? Which poem? Excuse me, it’s time to spray my throat and walk around the apartment and practice my ah-h-h-h-s!

Poetry, women

From: What it is to be a Woman- Women Marching

Arlene

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

women marching© arlene s bice

i watched the huge masses of women

gathered together

around the world

they protested the usurpation of their rights

fending off the danger of a new administration

ignoring the constitution that supports

our country and progress

women kicked to a lower rung on the ladder

by leaders fed off their powerful positions

voted in by many of these very same women

arrived by car, train, or plane

walkers filled streets, sidewalks, and mall

shoulder to shoulder, politeness reigned

with silent power of consideration

each overflowed with peace and energy.

*January 2017 there were 675 marches worldwide,

over 4 million marchers according to the Women’s

March on Washington official website.

Poetry

From: What it is to be a Woman anthology- Gardner poem

Arlene
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Never Underestimate a Woman ©LaVerne Carlo Gardner

life as a female

growing up in the south

was not always easy

was not always fun

there were many roles

there were many duties

from child to woman much too soon

from adolescent to caregiver much too young

must take care of family

little time to be a teenager

little time to date or socialize

there was one way out

education

become self-sufficient

independent

there were happy times

family gatherings

weddings

birth of children and grandchildren

social events

there were sad times

death of childhood

death of parents

death of marriages

death of friends

death of lovers

death of a child

but through it all I prevailed

the strength of a woman

should never be underestimated