winter’s breath is heavy
frosting windows
sending feathered friends
to the feeder
black-capped chickadee
sweeps in, stealing one seed
oblivious to flurry of finches
I am warm, cocooning
in hibernaculum
molten layers
of meditation
juncos in tuxedos
bounce over snow crust
bringing me giggles
A quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub. The word to include is “hibernate” or a form of the word. You can join in too. Doors open at 3 p.m. EST. It is a pleasure to be your host today.
this quietude wears a mask
covers blind eyes, muted mouths
I hear the hush, a soft hiss
relentless flow of complacency
who lives in this space with me?
one world, a million pieces
molten lava rushing at your back
fight – or freeze and burn
For Kim’s Quadrille prompt at dVerse Poets Pub.
Our 44 word poems must include the word “quiet” in some form.
Image: pixabay
when ink of night spills
stealing the last of your light
remember the moon
looking ever entwined
bisected and barbwired
half-hidden, but whole
merely tree-shadowed
from your pang-tangled up view
only an illusion
morning waits for you
untethered, open-armed
dawn will deny the darkness
Hosting the Quadrille prompt at dVerse Poets Pub. The word I have chosen to include in your 44 word poem is “tangle” or any derivative of the word. Doors open at 3 p.m. Feel free to join in.
Image: Michelle Beauchamp
these unspoken words
collected, categorized
brew like a beast beneath my skin
stilled, stuck
smoulder on my tongue
waiting for hints
of neutral ground to land
I stare at moon shadows
veining across porcelain
midnight morphs to another day
as I pray for humanity
For Quadrille Monday. 44 words, sans title. Must contain the word “hint”.
You can join in at dVerse Poets Pub. It is my pleasure to be your host today.
I hold my breath
as winds whip
through the decrepit elm
hollowed by decay
one elongated branch
bears the weight
swaying in the swell
imbalanced, but fearless
hell-bent on clinging
to the heartwood
double-serrated leaves
dazzling still, emerald green
but some fall too soon
For Li’s prompt at dVerse Poets Pub. She has thrown a little curve into our quadrilles with the word “bend”.
wind speaks like Spring
coaxing daffodil shoots
still slumbering
under dead-leaf duvets
but they hold fast
to winter’s dream
wise to the wavering
of these fickle days
I break up sticks
slipping deeper into
memories of you
some give way
some are too green
A quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub.
Punam is our host and gifted us the word “slumber” to include in our 44 word poems.
she dips her words
in molten moon-glow
scatters them over ebony sky
until they stick
she sketches rough drafts
traces cryptic constellations
how does she know our secrets?
she stretches metaphors
from star to star
now here we are
still tangled in the garland
A quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub. I am your host today. The word I have chosen to slip into your 44 word poems is “sketch”. Doors open at 3 p.m. Come join us!
Image: pixabay.com
the sun sets like rainbow jello
surpringly so, because I know
she holds heavy hearts
grackle-black, pain-drenched
but one by one, chards and slivers
she gathers them up
until the weight
of the world’s sorrows
takes….
her….
d o w n
whipped cream clouds
are only shrouds
For Quadrille Monday at dVerse Poets Pub. Kim Russell is our host. She has gifted us the word “sliver” to slide into our 44 word poems.
and so it begins, minuscule
granule of sand
clinched between fingers
one revolutionary stem cell or
the distance a brittle leaf tumbles
against the breeze
one drop of sweat
blood
benevolence
a trickling to the pool
fools stand on the edge
dipping their toes
Kim is hosting Quadrille Monday at dVerse Poets Pub. The word she has chosen for us to include in our 44 word poems is “revolution” or a form of the word.
Image: pixabay.com
before me, colours bleed like ancient ink soaking papyrus skies persimmon sits, shiftless when did you boldly gush against apocalyptic orange? time is muted, cloud-muffled I strain to see movement but you are still to the naked eye I must wait sunsets speak slowly
We are adding the word “shift” or a derivative to our 44 word poems.
Join us at dVerse Poets Pub for Quadrille Monday.
Doors open at 3 p.m. EST
he arrives at dusk
fearless of nightfall
holding / space
between sun-starved winter days
and fate of sleepless nights
time flakes, falls like snow
boundaries between worlds weaken
I soak in tints of twilight
de-icing darker thoughts
they melt in the glow
of scarlet feathers
For dVerse Poets Pub.
It is my pleasure to be your host for Quadrille Monday as we share poems of 44 words.
The given word is “ice” or a derivative.
Doors open at 3 p.m. EST
without solid reason to
keep track of time
I burn my days over
hot coals of contrition
watching the embers
die like dreams
it seems…..
we are sempiternity
always in the making
or taking
are we ever done?
is it enough to
simply breathe?
For Quadrille Monday over at dVerse Poets Pub. Merril is our host and she has offered us the word “track” to include in our 44 word poems.
she doesn’t drink from
the half-glass-full
would rather choke
on jagged truths
feel the cold-rush rumble
before the storm
she plucks pitch-black petals
from her garden heart
offers them up in bouquets
she types eulogies
in her sleep
for loved ones
not yet passed
For this week’s Quadrille at dVerse Poets Pub.
De has given us the word “type” or any form of the word to include in our 44 word poems.
Image: pixabay.com
I awake to the white, weary
my thoughts cocooning inward
stone-cold lace cascading
almost too pretty
to cover the pain
but there you are
still sifting for seeds
through winter’s wrath
not a shiver, or sliver of doubt
that the sun will shine again
A quadrille which is an original form from dVerse Poets Pub.
Merril is our host and has chosen the word “shiver” for our 44 word poems.
Photos from my front yard.
you have a way of tinseling my pain
black and white “poke”-a- dots
over my grey
but grey is where I take my breaths
where I hurt and heal
how I feel
when I’m not juggling gimcracks
rainbow daggers
you carelessly toss my way
“Tinsel” is the word to include in your quadrilles this week.
Join us at dVerse Poets Pub. Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.
Skerwink Trail, Newfoundland
I will return where
grey flannel clouds drowse
over the sheen of ocean’s facade
where sun spills sparkles
eagle tells me secrets
where the earth rises
to kiss the mist
trees bow to the Creator
where the hush un-knots my soul
I will return
It’s Quadrille Monday. I am your host.
We are writing poems of 44 words, including the word “knot”.
dVerse Poets Pub – 3 p.m. EST
if the sun can move
mandarin peels over linen skies
ocean tides turn
at the beckon of the moon
clouds can criss-cross
horizon-bound
tiny hummingbird flies solo
hundreds of miles
if winds can spiral
and earth can shift
you too will find your way
Lisa is hosting our Quadrille prompt this week at
Write a poem of exactly 44 words in length, not including the title.
It must include the word “way”. Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.
you planted me
in richest soils
spoke in sunshine-lies
I smiled through shadows, weeds
naive to your gnarly roots
creeping ’round my garden-heart
I forgave the rain
again
ripping petals one by one
but God sees your ways
and I will bloom
without you
44 words of poetry including the word “garden”.
We are honoured to have Victoria C. Slotto hosting our Quadrille prompt.
Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.
Image credit: pixabay.com
Announced today, we can hug.
In the park, you watch a tiny chipmunk scamper up a tree.
A cool breeze blows through your longish, white hair.
I watch you smile.
clouds move for the sun
time slips through silver threads
nature’s drum beats on
A Quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub.
Write a poem of exactly 44 words including the word “drum”.
Doors open at 3 p.m. EST. Happy to be your host.
the sun seems oblivious
as I peel petty layers
fruitless, useless pieces
washed witless from the rain
my blank slate skin
thirsty for stories, unwritten
I feel the shells of me slip, cold
lying translucent at my feet
I am without, yet with all
A 44 word quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub.
Linda is our host and the word is “slip”.
You can join in too!
you win
drafting me unwillingly
one more warrior
in a choke
….hold
I. could. die.
simply thinking about
the risk
you’ve offered me
on a silver platter
like the devil, sly
with guileful grin
but this fool isn’t your fix
I choose
to live
I am an RECE ( Registered Early Childhood Educator), “Educator” being the key word. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers learn through hands on exploration, purposeful play and socialization. In the midst of a pandemic, I will soon be expected to return to this environment where social distancing is not possible and little ones require close contact. I am not a health care worker but will be expected to assume the same risk. At 59, I am forced to decide between safety or an income. It haunts me daily.
It’s Quadrille time at dVerse. De is our wonderful host.
The word is “fix” to be included in a 44 word poem.
image credit: pixabay.com
I am a seed
without a season
buried deep
in the cold compost
of my dreams
flood thirsty, time flushed
endless roots reaching
for the reason I rise
but I will not wilt
in recycled soils
I am hidden
only to surprise
the sun
It’s Quadrille time at dVerse. Pen us a poem of 44 words including the word “flush” or a derivative. I am your host. Doors open at 3 p.m. The prompt is open all week.
Image credit: pixabay.com
after the climb
I rest
inhaling indigo
of cloudless skies
exhaling all but my soul
the sun is an ocean
wrapping me lukewarm
politely peeling the pieces
fears flaking
sorrows shedding
I lay them out
stone cold on the mesa
to wilt and wither
A “quadrille” consists of 44 words, not including the title. It is a favourite form over at dVerse Poets Pub. This week we are including the word “peel”. I am pleased to be your host. Feel free to join in. Doors open at 3 p.m.
you are my green chile
kokopelli dream
soft sound of hiking boots
tapping on sandstone
my sun, uninterrupted
blessing mesas
the aqua blue of desert skies
set against canyons calling
in sacred language of silence
scents of cedar, earth and peace
you reset me
44 words is a quadrille, our original poetry form at
Merril is our host and the given word is “set”. Feel free to join in.
It’s the space between steps
hollow of waves curling
gleam of seagull’s wings
the slow
tranquil
ex
hale
slipping off lips
as clouds collage in peach
and magenta
It’s the wander
without map or path
where trees speak in tongues
of nature lover’s dreams
A Quadrille for
Lillian has offered us “tranquility”
to include in our 44 word poems.
You can join in too!
merely freckles we are
from the moon’s point of view
with a one-eyed squint
her telescope drawn
pondering our purpose
where we went wrong
does she feel the love drift
from the earth to the sky
resisting the hatred
does it make her cry?
A quadrille poem of 44 words, including the word “freckle”.
Join in the fun at dVerse Poets Pub where I am pleased to be your host.
Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.
Follow me, child
Phoneless and free
Where earth sings
Songs of your roots
Ancient and pure
Pluck stars from indigo skies
Put them back into your eyes
Decorate your pale skin
In leaf shadows and sunlight
Relish in the riches
And blessings of nature
It’s Quadrille Monday and Kim is our host. She has offered us the word “rich” to incorporate into a 44 word poem, not including the title. Join in the fun!
I’ve dabbled in darkness
the match, centimeters
from singeing
my fingers, my soul
A symphony of sirens
felt like a lullaby
why?
you’d have to look deeper
I’d have to share more
than embers greyed, tired
I’d have to breathe life
into the fire
Written for d’verse Poets Pub. De is our host for this week’s Quadrille prompt. A quadrille is a poem of exactly 44 words, not including the title. De has chosen the word ” fire” which must be incorporated into the poem.
Image credit: pixabay.com
We bobble like iron bubbles
Anchored to docks of despair
Waving flags, still bragging
About love of country
Humble hearts whisper
In feathers, doves
But hope does not float
Intentions are stuck in
Stagnant sea scum
Blood flows and God knows
We are tired
Written for this week’s Quadrille prompt over at dVerse Poets Pub
Image credit: pixabay.com
From your lips
Word balloons drift
A speech bubble blitz
Of braggadocio
Oh Pinocchio
Clouds do not part
For your presence
You are marshmallowed
Hollowed
A fairy tale twaddle
Floating on folly
And horse feathers
Oh Romeo
Thy swelled head
Will soften your landing
For De’s quadrille prompt over at dVerse.
Write a 44 word poem including the word “balloon”.
Image credit: pixabay.com
My little maple
Of glistening gold
Flaunting, fluttering as
Sol sister laughs
She knows wind is only
Teasing, breezing by for
One last kiss of autumn
The final dance before
The chill and I will
Cherish your leaves
As fall still breathes
Through winter
It’s Quadrille time again and we’d love for you to join us over at dVerse Poets Pub. As your host, I am asking you to write a poem of 44 words (not including the title) and your quadrille must contain the word…
b…r…e…a…t…h…e
or breath, breathtaking, breathable…any variation of the word
Doors open at 3 p.m. EST
Stop jarring your journeys
Spill them
Leave them dancing
Bubble them in the breeze
Spark your grin
Rose petal your way
To the clouds
With a skip and a twist
Recycle the shimmer
Of open green trails
Memories are melting shadows
Let them lull
Another one for De’s Q44 prompt at dVerse.
My first attempt at using ALL the Quadrille words (19).
I am fog, fazed
With weightless words
Coasting on currents
Weakened by my own candor
I am left as embers
After the char
Floating, still flickering
Blindsided by fire
Disguised as sunshine
Treading dark waters
Searching for one open portal
Where skies meet sea
A quadrille for Victoria’s prompt this week. She asked that our 44 word poem include the word “open”. The doors are wide open at dVerse Poets Pub. Step right in. It’s a wonderful place.
Smiles bursting, sunlit
Cheeks and chuckles
Eyes sparkling
Neurons set ablaze
Pathways to life, love
All that matters
Chatters, first words
Heard and honoured
Stretched and pondered
One on one
Placing puzzle pieces
Hearts aglow
And I know
That this
Is what I leave
For De’s Q44 at dVerse Poets Pub. A quadrille is a poem of 44 words including a given word and this week the word is “leave”. Coincidentally I resigned from my job this week, leaving behind many young children that I adore.
Image credit: pixabay.com
I was jarred
Plucked in my prime
Scrubbed and rinsed
Chopped and minced
No mercy!
You threw me to the brine
I was so jarred
By your salty ways
I could not process
Lost all that is tang-able
As you relished in
My demise
A bit of a cheesy quadrille for dVerse Poets Pub.
Stop by and join in the fun with 44 words.
There was that one time
When roses did not seem so
Clichéd
She opened the guitar case
Lo and behold a dozen
Long stem intentions spoke
To her in petals and posies
Laughing at every thorn
And jagged edge
Nurturing her delusions
Of love
Written for our last Quadrille Monday before we take a brief summer break over at dVerse Poets Pub. Bjorn has given us the word “rose” to be used in a 44 word poem, excluding the title. Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.
Image credit: pixabay.com
Sit a spell and
Spill with me
Words
‘Til all we have to till
Are recycled revelations
Composted conversations
Speak philosophy
Of fallen trees
In vacant forests
Did you hear it?
Meta my physics
Prove me wrong
Let’s put it in a
Nitty-gritty nutshell
A quirky little quadrille for dVerse. De is our host and “spill” is the word she has asked us to include in our 44 word poem. Come on over!
B r e e z e on by me
Take your tail spin
For a whirlwind
I am marsh mellowed
Sun ripened
Rooted with the reeds
You are dragon winged
Mud flinging
Bumbling with the bees
I’m a water lily lulled
Cattail nap
You got that?
I am breezy
It’s our 10th Quadrille Monday over at dVerse. Get in on the 44 word fun! Bjorn chose the word “breeze”.
I remember the green
That took you to lowlands
Con-caved and shallow
Where pools of jealousy
Sat stagnant brooding, breeding
You were like a life-size mosquito
Feeding frantically on bad blood
Spitting out spite, always right
Green grew on you
I didn’t envy you
A Quadrille consisting of 44 words and Grace has asked us to incorporate the word, “green”. That is what we are up to at dVerse. You can join in too. Please do! Doors open at 3 p.m. EST.
Out on a limb
Poised and pretty
She is downright gritty
Minutes slip fast
Beyond her grasp
She is stalling on a
Tight rope act
And there’s the twist
She is falling like a
Polished death spiral
Gone viral
Scruples clenched
In both hands
We are serving up some quadrilles at dVerse Poets Pub! What’s a quadrille? A poem with exactly 44 words and this week, Grace has asked to include the word “twist”.
I lie in layers
Of lost and found
Dulling twinkles
Ups and downs
A back float babble
To clouds aloof
I am sun striped
Mis-typed ribbons
Caught between waves
Of dim and dimmer
But I shimmer
Against my own
Little piece of the sun
A quadrille written for dVerse.
I danced shadows to shield you
Magnificent steps
Choreographed sweetly
To the beat
Of my breaking heart
You wore my shoes
Heavy with irony
Shuffled down trustworthy trails
Longing to fly barefoot
Across murky dark oceans
Only to dangle your toes
Between shark’s teeth
We are writing quadrilles at Dverse Poets Pub.
mishunderstood 