Freedom From The Past

Published on by Susi Bocks14 Comments
‘Skeleton Family’ (oil on canvas, 101 x 70 cm, c. 1800), by Jose Lopez Enguidanos (1760-1812). At the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (Madrid, Spain).
Inspired by Reena’s Xploration Challenge #409

“Dead family walking!”

The family was chaotic from day one.

They being an absentee, alcoholic father, and a probably-suffering-from-a-mental-illness mother not understanding love.

A child being cheated out of something before her existence had ever really begun.

So many unusual life lessons played out where mediocrity would flourish.

Determined small steps tested the authorities; she tried where she could.

Her willingness to rise above engaged with her persistently in the aftermath of their lives.

She took control of all in her realm, determined to do what was best.

The past is now safely in the rear-view mirror.

Today promised ever-increasing clarity going forward.

**Forgive me, Reena. This wasn’t written today, but your prompt reminded me of this piece I wrote back in 2018. With today being Thanksgiving and your challenge speaking to thankfulness in a unique situation, this poem seemed to fit the request. It reminds me to be grateful precisely for that which tried to hold me down or keep me from success.

Extending

Published on by Susi Bocks7 Comments
CHUTTERSNAP – Unsplash.com

the sun beams guidance
no borders in the spiral
spirit soars higher

**NOTE – This is one of my pieces that didn’t make the cut for Pure Haiku’s Encircling Theme.




Wounded

Published on by Susi Bocks11 Comments

Redux

my past returns
up in my future
like hot juice
down my throat
it burns

this becomes something else
tainted and wrong
desperate attempts
at rising above
at feeling less defiled

sullied and broken
once again
first time, shame on him
second time, shame on me
a third time won’t happen

Originally posted 4/14/2019 on I Write Her.

Inside Out

Published on by Susi Bocks25 Comments
Mohsen Karimi – Unsplash.com
Inspired by What do you see #316

sorrow evident
nature mimics the heart’s aches
hard to hide sadness

Family Conflicts

Published on by Susi Bocks19 Comments
Andy Kennedy – Unsplash.com

My neck was stiff from stress. It wrenched out of place overnight, making it feel tight down the right side. This would require me to treat it with ice and alternate with heat, too, like I had the time for it. But first, I needed some tea made from dried thistles and raspberries to calm me. Sipping it and listening to the chirping of the wee birds in the garden actually did.

I had to stick to the story my uncle said in a fit of rage. His horns were showing in that moment, and I was blushing with guilt.

Inspired by The Sunday Whirl – Wordle #733

SenHai Saturday #27

Published on by Susi Bocks25 Comments
Gus Tu Njana – Unsplash.com

Here is this week’s image to get your creative juices flowing!

This image features a mountain landscape filled with a fog layer at the base and hazy layers throughout the sky; the colors feel dark and ominous.

Please create one senryu and one haiku to accompany this image prompt. Remember that a traditional haiku describes nature or a season, while a senryu focuses on human nature and emotions.

Then, provide a link in the comments below or ping back to this post on your blog.

Here is a wrap-up of last week’s prompt. I appreciate each of you for sharing your thoughts!

Carol Anne – Sen-hai Saturday #26

Misky – 15.11: Journal of Thoughts

Eugenia – #SenHai Saturday – 11/15/25

AJ – SenHai Saturday

Carolyn – SenHai Saturday #26

Joan Leotta, Fairfax, Va

Snowy field, night here
my feet will step with surety
on the well-lit path

warm respite’s light
transforms snowy field into
a swath of diamonds

Sara – SenHai Saturday #26

Heather – Possibility

Lisa – Home in a Blue World

Sadje – The lonely cottage

Violet – A Litany

Catherin – Haiku and Senryu

Destiny – #winter’s flame#

ENCIRCLING THEME – 3 Pieces Accepted By Pure Haiku!!

Published on by Susi Bocks36 Comments

What great news to wake up to this morning—can’t wipe this grin from my face! You’ll see the first one on February 14th.

Pure Haiku is special to me, and having many of my pieces accepted this go around AND being short-listed is such a great honor! I’ve become so fond of Freya over the years, proud to call her a friend from the poetry realm, and I look forward to a long, long friendship with her. Thank you so much, Elisa Ang, for creating the incredible image that inspired me, and thank you, Freya, for your love and support!!

Floating Prayers

Published on by Susi Bocks23 Comments
Goutam Maiti
Inspired by
Reena’s Xploration Challenge #408

bathing absolves sins
liberated from rebirth
spiritual source

**NOTE – I’m not an expert on the Ganges, but this is some of what I’ve learned.

The Things They Can’t Unsee

Published on by Susi Bocks8 Comments
NIR HIMI – Unsplash.com

their ivory poached
military grade weapons slaughter and disfigure
collectibles funding armed groups and organized crime
the cycle of violence never ends

they experience brutality in captivity
physical and emotional trauma
while entertaining the crowds
calves endure the harsh breaking rituals

exploitation of their backs
while tourists laugh and pose
breaking them in causing life-long suffering
of chronic pain and distress

encroachment on their territories
their homeland shrinks
crops are damaged
villagers retaliate and more elephants die

matriarchs and males in their prime are killed
all this savagery to make orphans
consciousless humans decimating their social structure
and destroying family bonds

when will these atrocities end?

**NOTE – These two organizations work on conservation efforts to stop the poaching, promote ethical tourism, and protect habitats – Save the Elephants and Wildlife Conservation Network. Please support if you are inclined to do so.

Dire

Published on by Susi Bocks18 Comments

Redux

Jonny Altezza – DeviantArt

my feeling is gloom
anxiety tags along
depression innate
doom is imminent today
i can feel it in my bones

Originally posted 4/13/2019 on I Write Her.