hot crusted bread speaking truths
labouring backs bent over ovens
cows chewing cherrywood cuds cosy
what could be more knowing
as Nature spreads tranquility tacit ?
____________________________
GOLD PLACEMENT WINNER POEM
Contest : Brevity Poem : Allpoetry August 26
5 words x 5 lines
Prompt: Dispersion
Dining al fresco
when the weather is warm
in the summer months
here is the norm
but Mr Khayyam said it best
'A book of verses underneath the bough,
a jug of wine, a loaf of bread
and thou...'
as eating outdoors
flavours taste finer
and there with my lady-love
I'll wine and dine her
Excerpt from Rubáiyát by Omar Khayyam (1048—1131)
I am the bread of life that satisfies
The deep desire of ev’ry hungry soul.
I am this dark world’s light; I open eyes
Long blinded on the path toward life’s great goal.
I am the door to God’s rich pastureland;
My followers go safely to their rest.
I am the way to God’s most gracious hand;
And there with me, they’ll be forever blessed.
I am the shepherd, good to all I own,
They live because I freely died for them.
I am the vine; no fruit appears alone,
But where the branch attaches to the stem.
Before the start of any human strife,
I am the resurrection, and the life!
Upon the walls a scene unfolds,
A moment held, though ages told,
The Lord`s Son speaks, with gentle voice
To followers, who don`t rejoice.
“One amidst you will betray me,
With heaven`s grace, so let it be,”
He says, as fear on faces starts
And worry spills on troubled hearts.
Disciples assemble close around,
Upon the holy, sacred ground;
The bread is broken, wine is poured,
A covenant deeply adored.
His hands extend a gentle grace,
To dispel worries on each face,
The shadows lengthen, air grows thin,
A solemn silence settles in.
The flight of time cannot erase
The love poured out in this lone place,
A tapestry of souls so bound,
Where future sorrows can be found.
He knows the path, the bitter end,
The betrayal from a close friend,
Yet peace resides within His gaze,
Despite the coming, tiring days.
A simple supper, a deep sign
Of mercy, perfect and divine,
A memory etched in the soul,
Making all broken spirits whole.
A heavy sigh leaves me
As the quiet night shrouds my thoughts
I think to myself
Like a matchstick
Shining so bright
But not for long
Words to describe my behavior
A spark at first, only to be doused the wind
Even if not on purpose
The intensity gone
The thrill turned to smoke
I love everything yet love nothing
I admire the way and works of the world
Ideas cover my mind like an artwork
Though I see to no action
My spirit willing
My flesh weak
In chase of competence
I dress my self in the inconvenience
Of my actions
Though hurting
I turn a blind eye knowing what it costs me
" You have something going for you"
What exactly?
I am not complete
My fortress a glass box; Yet I hope for coverage.
Doubt is within
My stubborn nature acting as an armor
What do you think?
French toast is good for you
and French toast is good for me..
of this bread I hope you approve,
and be the best that you can be!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ no air conditioning required ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have finally realized
that magic no longer works in this world.
No, neither truth nor prayer
tolls the bell for me.
I possess nothing but dreams.
My mother gave me
a great loaf of bread,
but I could not pass the milk
in return.
Ah, my empty heart!
Oh, my bitter pain!
The world drifts away like this,
and my magic fades away with it.
Come, O Dawn!
Come, O pitch-black darkness!
For I shall quietly send away
this nameless self of mine.
Oh, my bitter pain!
Ah, my empty heart!
The world
no longer
tolls the bell for me.
News of circus for the lurkers
I’m a morning coffee man
Greeting the familiar workers
Orange-vested gentlemen
I go down to buy some food
For the lunch and for the evening
So this fossil villagehood
Seems like natural way of living
Every outing has its purpose
In the evening wine and bread
Reconcile me with the surplus
Of the news they choose to spread.
Warmest childhood memories of
my favourite aunt's country kitchen
with her homemade sourdough bread
and fresh clover honey gathered
from her very own bee hives
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
a labyrinth of emotions
parading in and out and all about
no one can pinpoint just one at a time
if they say they can, they are lying
feelings cannot be pulled apart like monkey bread
I can have ten different feelings at a family reunion
depending upon who is walking toward me
and who is walking away
It is irrational to think we can choose only one at a time
I can feel excited, tired, happy, sad, angry and mad simultaneously
can’t you?
Time for Dessert - Acrostic Challenge 2 Poetry Contest
Andrea Dietrich
Batter takes the banana pitches,
And swings for some yogurt and butter.
Nuts and raisins are in the field,
As a strike of milk and sugar shouts.
Next batter up hits the sweet spot,
Anxiously, the team of players rises.
Bake and shake around the bases.
Riches and the pitches of Chiquita’s,
Enjoying the score, slices, and strikes,
As the savory loaf rises in the oven.
Delightment of a win moments away.
Mrs Peeck and husband Clem
provide refuge from my family home
No hugs but felt the love
had no children of their own
Afternoon tea of homemade bread
blackcurrant jam and scalded cream
Home grown fruits preserved in Fowlers jars
a meal at night, silver beet was cooked with steam
Unannounced I'd come to stay
overnight a comfy bed
Dream about old cars and bellows
found in Clems machinery shed
Next day home made lunch was packed
down the hill backto school through long blades of grass
Mrs Peeck we'd ask her age
a question that she'd always pass
Footnote: For those who are interested there is an on line recipe for scalded cream (clotted cream)
The cream I refer to was from a house cow milked by hand
Each day
its own treasure
Gifted
alone
Attached to
the moment
In liege
to the throne
Today
not tomorrow
Our key
to the gate
Unlocking
deliverance
Forever
— to wait
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
To follow tradition,
When someone has moved,
If to buying a gift
You feel somewhat behooved,
Instead of some flowers
Or wine, try instead
The old-fashioned welcome
Of salt and of bread.
These both are symbolic
Of things households need,
Ensuring its members
Will thrive and succeed.
An extra for sweetness,
Like cookies or cake,
Will round out the offer
Of mazel* you’ll make.
Whatever you bring to
Your kith or your kin,
It shows love for the home
Where new lives will begin.
*luck (in Yiddish)
My sister's favourite 'snack' is filet mignon.
I'm less of a carnivore
and will be quite satisfied
with caesar salad and a baguette.
Of course I'll want to wash it down
with a generous glass of pinot grigio.
AP: Honorable Mention 2026, Honorable Mention 2026
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