JUST BECAUSE
I felt it, yet I really cannot explain
There, it just happened once again
A burning desire to clap and cheer
But hold on, there is nobody here
Perhaps I’m starting to go off piste
I should take a deep breath at least
Why am I stupidly waving this flag
My hope of sanity is starting to sag
It is as if I am celebrating an event
But no crowd, no stage, nor a tent
My smile must appear a rictus grin
Something is making my head spin
Standing alone in this muddy field
Odd behaviour, my future’s sealed
I see no cause for joyful expression
Maybe I’m due for my next session
I stopped myself as I began to shout
Their advice is always to let it all out
This is a fantasy like the Land of Oz
You ask me why, well, just because
Foot on the gas
No time to slow down
Paddling harder
Not wanting to drown
Reaching for oxygen
Atmosphere's thinner
Still in the race
Eat the dust of the winner
Adventure not waining
For some skiing off piste
Soulful confessions?
Time to contact a priest
There's life in the old dog
Though the snow on the roof
Offers no clue
To the internal youth
Life can't be frantic
Should be leisured, not hurried
We're meant to be rested
Not hastened or worried
So whatever the day brings
It's a gift to be treasured
Your age is just numbers
Not how life should be measured
Soaring through the snowy week in glamorous attire
King of the Alpine traversing ski empire
In-bounds, snowploughing towards the opening glades
Innards begin to weaken, dignity fades
Naked snow adorned with last night's feast
Green run renamed – "Innards off-Piste"
Date: 19/01/23
Skiing Acrostic Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Julia Ward
SKIING
Slipping, sliding down the slope,
Knowing danger lies below.
I say a little prayer and hope
I won’t be buried in the snow.
Now I’ve finished, safe and sound.
Going off-piste – it’s my round
18th January 2023
Skiing Poetry Contest
Sponsor - Julia Ward
theistic silence or heavenly peace ~ pray for both going off-piste
Falling snow, beauty belies its hidden dangers!
White-veiled mountains can be a threat to all below,
But on the day the inviting piste, it's splendours!
Skiers, see the sparkle in their eyes, they love the snow!
They jump from mounds, landing in a great snow flurry!
Slamon round the mounds, snow flying, friends cheer them on!
Then there's tobogganers, always in a hurry!
Snowboarders, somersaulting, an exhibition!
Dusk, the piste brilliantly lit, skiers enchanted.
They no longer ski alone, shadowed company.
Downhill runs ending with a party, some canted
Party ending all happy, no one got frumpy!
Next day, goodbyes all done and dusted, flying home.
Still, snowing flight cancelled, oh well no one complained.
Sadly the snow, heavy, piste closed, hear them all moan!
The next day, avalanches and worse for them rained!
~~~~~~~~
climate change... killing
spring bees... spiders many flies
early nesters starve
once joy the seasons...
the charm of springs overture...
winter defies it...
today... house sparrows
seen nesting... nature wishes...
hopeful they succeed...
grass... verdant... growing...
hedgerows holding back... afraid...
full spring biding time
jet stream...rioting
lost its way... meandering
disturbing nature
the hill piste lingered
children smiled... sledging... what fun
comes the rain... flooding
hot then cold weather
flu viruses all favor...
hope you had your jab...
don't stop feeding birds...
wild mammals too... squirrels nuts...
rats... mice... wildfowl grain
wintertime walking...
shush... have your camera ready
seen... a snowy owl
lincolnshire
just in case one thinks i've jumped
the north atlantic
~~~~~~~~~
THE MOUNTAIN
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The mountain shimmers.
Morning sun.
A snowdrift glimmers.
Shadow fun.
As the sun rises,
a strong wind
blows in surprises!
Warm air kind.
No wind chill, thawing.
Snow melting.
Avalanche warning!
All daunting.
Those that did not heed?
All now dead!
How many hearts bleed?
“Sorries”, said.!
The mountain cares not!
Day after?
Frozen all forgot.
New laughter!
Life moves on, new day.
Piste? Perfect!
Skiers, ski away,
None object!
The mountain shimmers.
Morning sun.
A snowdrift glimmers.
Shadow fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5-3 Definition:
A poem consisting of an odd number of quatrains (16 lines or more)
I have no idea if this form has been otherwise named if you know please advise.
Alternating lines of 5 and 3 syllables, where lines 1 and 3consist of an IAMB and an ANAPEST da-DUM da-DUM-da, lines 2 and 4 consist of a DACTYL
DUM-da-DUM
Each stanza uses individual rhyme pattern –abab
where the b-rhymes are always feminine rhyme
The first stanza is a refrain, repeated as the final stanza.
"Oh that this too,too solid flesh would thaw
And resolve itself into a dew"
Water slips through our fingers ,so fresh and sweet
Yet a solid mass will smash all before it
Where scree sits,solid on the slopes,
Dislodged it will sweep down,wave after wave,
A sea of stones
That blanket of snow off piste lying still
Shudders into life thundering
With oceanic power
Drowning all in its path
How solid is cold metal until molten
And then its white hot stream
Spits and scalds and settles
Into its mould
The temperature dropped by six degrees,
snow now carpets the ground and tall fir trees.
I adore wintry days such as these,
and dash to the shed with my bunch of keys
then ferret around and find my old skis.
I hurry inside out of the chill breeze
then dress in my waterproof dungarees -
if I fall over they may save my knees!
My friends live nearby, they're from overseas
they’re superb skiers I’ve seen their expertise.
They have a sweet dog he’s a Pekingese –
he can’t come here as he’s covered in fleas,
and my allergy to dogs makes me sneeze!
We meet at the ski slope, I feel at ease;
on climbing to the top I start to wheeze -
my friends laugh at me, they are such a tease!
Monorhyme Contest
Sponsored by Shadow Hamilton
02~12~17
Aniay USA ka lamok nga miduol kanako
Naghinayhinay ang iyang tingog
Apan ako lang kining gepasagdian
Nagpuyo ra kini tapad kanako
Sa dihang nakita ko ang akong gihigugma
Siya nga wa ma ako og ako nga wa ma iya
Pero siya ang kinasingkasing kong kalipay
Unta ako muduol pero naunhan sa lamok nga ge atay
Sa dihang minglayo na ang lamok kanako
nagkakusog ang tingog miini
Deay to ningtugdon og ga palibot kanimo
IMO kining ge warawarahan
Apan ako imo lang ge snob.ban
Ug sa pagduol niini kanimo
Mas gitagad mo pa sya kaysa nako
Nakabati ko ug kasakit
Bisan og wala ko gepahit
Samtang ga lupad-lupad ang bigaon nga lamok
Wa ko kasabot ngano kana imong kakuyog
Bisan naay mas tarong sa duol
Adto hinuon ka sa insekto kaysa nako nga perpekto
Piste kasakit
Ah such breasts, as smooth white silk
to my lips they taste as cream,
off-piste slopes, to nipple’s milk,
when I kiss, your face does beam,
comes your passion, comes your scream
Ms Jo Hanley-Dunne, Ms Jo Hanley-Dunne,
varnished and tarnished by Val d’Isere sun.
The sway of your hips, the power to stun
brings promise of love and nights filled with fun.
Oh dazzle me, Goddess, you Queen of the Slopes;
a Mistress of Moguls, oh show me the ropes.
You’re someone who’s keen and someone who copes;
you fill me with lust, you stimulate hopes.
I know that you cook with consummate ease;
I know that you dive, alone, if you please.
Your place in the sun is large, Portuguese,
and far from your yacht, you wind-surf the breeze.
So join me, dear Venus, off piste, on a run,
then tell me, my love, your heart, have I won?
Oh! Rapturous joy. My courtship is done.
I’m going to live with Ms Jo Hanley-Dunne.
~
For John Heck's Competition.
Off
the piste-
I turn back
How can richness be defined?
Is it sipped in slender
long stemmed glasses in
trendy Sloane Square bars?
Or dripped in diamond sparkles
on thick pile carpets in Dubai.
Is it counted in the counting houses
of the affluent and wealthy,
or is it sliced by the cosmetic knives
of the 'fabulously healthy'?
Maybe swimming in Caribbean seas
or skiing on the piste,
or by deliberately ignoring
those who have the least?
Wearing Gucci sunglasses as
we visit those in need, and
pick a place for photographs
which hides our selfish greed.
How can it be that so many people
seem to miss the point?
Living shallow lives in search of
egotistical fulfillment.
Collecting material possessions
in their earthly suitcases and
hoping excess baggage charges
won't apply on their heavenward journey.
Remove the 'shades' and see.
Wake up and smell the Latte.
Stop searching for outward gratification
and listen to you heart:
for there is where the wealth lies
in compassion and humility.
When love burns deep within you.
When your soul awakes refreshed.
When your search for wealth resides
within, you'll find eternal rest.
Related Poems