#NaPoWriMo Day 19: Poem — San San — “Spring Violet” #amwriting


For NaPoWriMo Day 19 the prompt is: “Today, our optional prompt challenges you to write a poem based on a “walking archive.” What’s that? Well, it’s when you go on a walk and gather up interesting things – a flower, a strange piece of bark, a rock. This then becomes your “walking archive” – the physical instantiation of your walk. If you’re unable to get out of the house (as many of us now are), you can create a “walking archive” by wandering around your own home and gathering knick-knacks, family photos, maybe a strange spice or kitchen gadget you never use. One you’ve finished your gathering, lay all your materials out on  a tray table, like museum specimens. Now, let your group of materials inspire your poem! 


Credit: Aaron Burden via Unsplash.


This morn I ambled, a short while, eighteen —

Degrees ‘neath lapis sky; I sat, waited.

Birds chirping song-song lyrics, wind gentle, mild.

*****

Lazing on concrete warmed by sun beams,

Casting illumination, legs stretch in noon late.

Gaze wandering, summer footsteps through winter’s–

Withered refuse, ochre-dead leaves gone, hence;

Buds burst violet, my soul in sun glints.


©️ Amanda_ME (2020). All Rights Reserve.

#NaPoWriMo Day 11: Poem — Quadrille — “Gerbera Daisies” #amwritingpoetry


For NaPoWriMo Day 11, the prompt” is based on the concept of the language of flowers. Have you ever heard, for example, that yellow roses stand for friendship, white roses for innocence, and red roses for love?


Gerbera Daisy

“The meaning stems from the general daisy family and stands for innocence and purity, as well as being a classic symbol of beauty. However, the gerbera variety holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which is attributed to the numerous colors. They are believed to lessen everyday stressors.


Credit: Aliona Gumeniuk via Unsplash.


In youth,

Carnations were “death flowers.”

Both love and sorrow.

Gerbera Daisy’s blossomed,

Innocence, purity, beauty, cheer.

Lillies replaced carnations,

In funerals, these might be marigolds too.

Purple Gerbera Daisies,

Blossomed at my graduation,

And for years after.

They’ll forever represent,

Home when it’s far.


©️ Amanda_ME (2020) All Rights Reserved.

Photo Challenge: Poem – Blitz – “Dancer’s Morning Blitz” #amwritingpoetry


Credit: Javier Ideaim


In purple-violent explosion,

The dancer twirls, dress a sparkling mass

Mass weighed against balance of limbs,

Mass of her scarf flown sky-high

High into the grey beyond

High into the bliss of a hopeful sunrise

Sunrise not seen, too early for a violent tinged morn,

Sunrise in sky as her arms bend limber,

Calloused feet curve, toes point, calves shift; she’s an artist limber

Limber her back arches, as she with joy cavorts —

Cavorts while her scarf’s jewels catch the glimmer of candle light

Cavorts as the light bounces off her lips glossed

Glossed as her slick, quick calculated rhythms, passionate steps

Glossed as the silver thread sewn all around her shawl

Shawl that shimmers in a calculated twirl, a delicated rhythm

Her limber beauty double-jointed, proud —

Proud as the cobblestoned dawn, as it gleams into the morn.

Proud, her mind a balance of mental agility; she murmurs, each pose, each set of footsteps is a living image.

Nearby whisper of a delighted night passed

Nearby as maroon billows of clouds fade to gray, as she plies

Plies as the waves crescendo into silver mass of storm

Plies as silver becomes the deepest blue-green

Outside her body aches, inside the dull ache resides

Outside she raises her eyes, mouth taut as the music alters

Alters as the cracking of trees and branches bending

Alters the rain pounding pavement in contrast

Contrast as swanlike gestures to music

Contrasts her lips hum along too melodic notes

Notes as purple-fuchsia silk flows and there’s a spiral of color

Notes as deeper tones fade and the lilt of softer ones sigh

Sigh as she stretches high to a sunlit amber window

Sighs lost from her lips as the storm fades, sunshine showers remain

Remain as the morning grass is fresh, dew-like

Remain as the world spins a touch slower

Slow mellow, the blurring of edges

Slow flowing, the blurring of motion into curiosity

Curiosity as the sun warms, and she pulls on sweats and jacket

Curiosity as the sky fades into a pale crystal-blue

Blue as the dancer’s liquid eyes in twilight

Blue painted walls that inspire, new movements in her mind

Mind overwhelmed, soothed as she prances

Mined overwhelmed as she hums, the start of another day

Daylight past, a distant part of her mind.

Day with the promise, new steps to glide

Glide as she does, beauty in purple sparkles of elegance

Gliding in harmony, with worn silk slippers

Elegance in slippers removed, toes aching

Slippers hung on door as she sways — they’re left to hang; she’ll dance another day


©️ 2020. AmandaME. All Rights Reserved.

Beauty: Ipsy Glam Bag May 2018 #Ipsy #Ipsybag #amwriting #beauty


This month’s Ipsy bag arrived this past week. If you’re interested you can visit their homesite at Ipsy. Here’s the goodies I received:



Travel Themed Makeup Pouch!



Beaute Basics Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe:


‘Rich pigment, long-lasting, super-blendable,’ all in a ‘buttery satin’ finish. This goes on well and stays on. It’s the perfect brown shade for Smokey-eyes at night, or everyday.



Briogeo Roscarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray:


I love this brand and their hair products. This one’s a great size to take with me to Vegas for a week, as well.

– This spray has ‘hydrating and frizz-fighting benefits’ with a mix of argan, coconut, and rosehip oils.’

– It’s ‘cool milky formula’ isn’t a cream so it’s a light spray that won’t ‘weigh down your hair.’ It’s also a hair ‘detangler’ with a light and fresh ‘tropical fancy-spring cocktail’ scent.



Touch In Sol: Style Sepia Gel-Liner in Jardin:


This Is a great liner for tightlinng and the colors a blackish-brown so it’s Smokey-Eye appropriate.

– This liner also has a ‘subtle green shimmer’ and is indeed, ‘long-lasting’ and mostly ‘smudge-proof.’



Taste Cosmetics Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder:


I was so excited to try this for setting my makeup at the end of my routine; I was impressed.

– This setting powder is awesome for any skin type and is made with ‘Amazonian clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River.’ It controls your skin’s ‘oil production,’ ‘brightens dark spots,’ and ‘balances your moisture levels.’

– The powder also works to ‘mattify makeup, minimize pore appearance, blur skin imperfections, and reduce shine.’ As you can see, the powder is translucent and useful for a variety of purposes. The powder is fine and ‘spreads easily;’ it won’t cause ‘flashbacks’ in photos.



OFRA Cosmetics: Liquid Lipstick in Ipsy Unzipped:


A matte purplish shade that won’t ‘dry out your lips.’ It has ‘Vitamin E to keep lips ‘hydrated, comfy, and soft.’ Not my favorite shade — too dark, but a color that would suit my skin tone, nonetheless.

– This Lipstick is ‘lightweight, long-lasting, and stays put’ for a long time. The shade is a ‘nude-berry shade’ and I passed it on to another lady who likes the shade better. Overall, an awesomeMay Ipsy Bag!


©Mandibelle16. (2018) All Rights Reserved.

#NaPoWriMo Day 30/Photo Challenge: Free Verse – “A symphony Intrinsic” #amwriting #poetry #photochallenge


For NaPoWriMo Day 30 is: ” to write a poem that engages with a strange and fascinatingfact. It could be an odd piece of history, an unusual bit of art trivia, or something just plain weird.” I’m combining with NEKNEERAJ from MindLoveMisery’s Menagerie’sPhoto Challenge.


Credit: Nicolas Bruno


We didn’t have smartphones, flip-phones,

No second lines or iron rotary phones.

Just a ‘can’ to yell back and forth,

Every kid in every neighbourhood had one,

And gossip was damaging;

Persistently strangling its victims.

But, we had no internet or wifi, no dial-up modem,

We penned epics in burnt-sienna cursive.

Our handwriting perfection,

As the pages stretched for hours.

Your morada -inked letters rumpled in my hand,

Holding the ‘can’ to my ear,

As morse-code clicks bullets at pigeons.

And we drifted near drowning in our childhood pond,

Too many words said, too many left unsaid;

Too many deeds done, too many left undone.

I never dreamed we’d split;

That pliers and scissors could strip string and wire —

That alone we were too weak,

To go beyond what our fathers said,

And the fears our mothers chided.

I didn’t know what we had together existed

But then, it was gone.

The water rose higher,

Warm water crushing breath;

Until I snuck out at night if only to survive,

To repair the damage wrought.

I forgot about technology,

The meaning of symbols or alphabets.

I climbed over your window sill,

I woke you with all those words,

The phrases I couldn’t keep inside.

Languages long lost but to us —

Centuries of unexpressed thoughts.

I listened as your morada-handwriting,

Echoed in silver-glitter when you spoke.

A melody that flew as butterflies,

Mediterranean giants with cobalt, crystal wings.

It was eons until everything bled-out,

Then, we were silent.

Lying together, limbs, lips, and laughter,

Bodies loving.

Saying all other words with sensation.

As the sky became serene, and sunlight filtered in,

And you traced my lips in awe,

I trembled and nipped your thumb.

For once we perceived the best tool for understanding,

Was to speak in person;

To converse, cry, yell, and observe–

Each other’s quirks and emotions.

The subtle signs we once knew,

Of sensuous appeal sublime and expressive.

Of rose perfume and musty libraries;

Of summer’s swimming and sunscreen,

Grass sharp and tangy in its freshness.

Your lips as berries devoured,

As forever lengthened our bones,

Made are skin supple, curved and honed.

Your hands on five-o’clock’ shadowed cheeks;

Wistfulness and whispered prayers.

Sins of afternoons and mornings lost,

Of nights spent miserable and alone;

Because we did not sit face to face and talk.

Our greatest gift — our human bodies,

Machines of the grandest designer,

His ‘plans’ can’t be derived, copied or improved;

And all sense of confusion,

Streamed past as estuaries scurried into oceans;

Our pond overflows with fresh water.

Hands wrapped as ribbons, never letting go,

Hazel-eyes to azure knowing the way we are now, is much more —

We were never meant to be alone.

Forlorn in this age of deception,

Forlorn without guidance in the dim.

No ‘cans’ to listen or letters written,

We’re humans at time’s dawn,

Our voices a rhythm sanguine,

A symphony absorbed and intrinsic.


©Mandibelle16. (2018) All Rights Reserved.

Saturday Mix: Poem – Lai – “What If?” #amwriting #dVerse #poetry #saturdaymix


Thanks to Teresa of MindLoveMisery’s Menagerie for hosting Saturday Mix with an “What If . .  .” prompt theme. I’m combining this prompt with a #dVerse prompt from Victoria C. Slotto, to do a form of poetry called a ‘Lai.’ 

——

Credit: Magical Sky Gallery

——-

What if the sky was —

Bright pink? Not blue but —

Hot Pink.

What if during storms, 

Sky’s turned scarlet poured, 

Red wine. 

What if elephants soared, 

Wings, ears flapping; trump

eting

What if those with eyes,

Blue or Green now had, 

Pink eyes? 

Bright orbes reflecting, 

Sky violat purple,

with clouds. 

What if words meant, 

Flowed easily came,

Out swell? 

Perfect words; but what —

If all birds talked,

Squabbled

If dogs spoke human? 

Understood confessions, 

You’ ve shared.

What if tomorrow, 

The sky hailed childhood, 

Bubblegum

——

The Lai (as we will play with it) a nine-line poem or stanza that uses an “a” and “b” rhyme following this pattern:

aab

aab

aab.

The lines with an “a” rhyme use 5 syllables; the “b” rhyme lines only have 2 syllables:

—–

©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved. 

100 Word Wednesday:  Owning His Body #amwriting #flashfiction #100WordWednesday 


Thanks to Bikurgurl for hosting #100WordWednesdays.

——-

Credit:Felix Russel; Saw via UnSplash

——–

Images, the vines, the flowers, the tribal tattoos, marking his body their presence is defining. A farmer’s son covered his body in tattoos, to lay claim to a canvas, a territory, beneath a sunless sky. But bruises so dark, red and vivid purple used to cover his limbs, his torso, his face, and even his hands. So when he chooses bright ink, a part of him heals and the bruises fade. With each work of art he becomes stronger and he returns home, sheltered by his images. He’s happy because his body is his own and no father can abuse or mother can deny; tattoos are his stories accompanying him gently as the wheat sways in the field. 

——-

©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved. 

Poem: Lauranelle – ” The Vivid Seductress” #amwriting #poetry


Credit: http://www.myartmagazine.com by Patricia Murciano
——-

———

Her smile is in her entrancing blue eyes, 

Sky of ink blue enhanced, purple, red, and pink. 

Wild child bites her ruby red lips, desires —
You, captivates you, takes you to the brink. 

Rainbow nails, smooth hair of brilliant hues too. 

Locks deep teal, sky blue, purple fuchsia inked

She’s a work of art, life sparkling through, 

Claret brows rise, she’ll admonish you; 

Leave her to pout; childlike tears will ensue. 

Life of party; her disdain ends soon,  — 

She’ll glide back, scarlet heels, winged shoes, 

Her petal skin glows in silver moon, 

No shred of innocence, pride taken, she woos. 

Lush sweet lips overcome your instinct to fight, 

She’ll take all you have and more, but to prove

She can have all she wants; life in black and white — 

Misses the intensity of multicoloured hues. 

Her life shines with saturation so bright, 

Chromacity, most vivid colours known, 

They overwhelm her form, rainbow explodes. 

Her smile is in her entrancing blue eyes, 

Wild child bites her ruby red lips, desire. 

——

©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved.

Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner: Poem – Synchronocity – “Beach Day” #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry


Thanks to Roger Shipp for hosting FFftPP.

——

Credit: Roger Shipp

——-

Sand beach, I bury my toes,

Sand squishes between them, I sigh;

Happy.

——

Blue sky so clear, clouds like cotton, 

 Feel at home, reading trashy book;

Engrossed. 

——

Hearing waves crashing in and out, 

Aroma of salt, sea; sun streams;

Sunscreened. 

—–

Scents of cocoanut and aloe 

SPF 100 or I’ll burn quick;

Smoothed in. 

——

Floppy hat and Marilyn swim suit, 

Magazines read while the dog splashes;

Relaxed. 

——

Blanket soft with a bit of sand,

Jackie.O sunglasses worn; 

Content. 

——

Wet dog shaking everywhere, 

Angry crab in dogs mouth shook;

Laughing 

——-

Calm, tranquility; wading in, 

Ocean’s rhythm soothes, stops thinking;

Forget. 

******

 Sky fading purple; ocean green —

Dark and ominous, storm coming;

Watchful. 

——

Rain starts to fall, cold and loud, 

Taking umbrella down, packing;

Forced home. 

——

Perfect beach moment gone for now, 

Sitting in the cabin, storm roars;

Rain pours. 

—–

Sleeping in silken covers, dog stretching,  

She’s bathed, we’re napping, resting time; 

Cuddles. 

——-

©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved. 

 

Friday Fictioneer Flash Fiction: As Orchids #flashfiction #amwriting #nonfiction 


Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff Fields for hosting FF.

——-

Credit: Roger Bultot

——-

I love orchids, especially purple ones. For me, orchids stand for resiliency and strength. One reason for this is that orchids need little care. A cupful of water every few days, leave them in the sun by a window, and they will continue to bloom and put out new shoots. Kindly, remember not to water them more, it’s how they die and orchids are notoriously difficult to kill. 

Season after season orchids put out shoots which turn into buds and burst out as soft petaled flowers. I think as orchids, humans are built to last. Though we are all moving towards our eventual death, on the way we are continuely putting out shoots and if we’re careful, growing beautiful flowers in the lives of those we touch. We are people who can grow even in harsh conditions. It doesn’t take much to fuel us, to keep us going, demonstrating our kindness to others. 
——-

©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved.