Ribbon beach,
displayed in mellow ochre tones
a thing of lowering sky,
beneath the rain which blows in petty drops
that neither wets nor moves the flat and discontented sand,
an ocean milky calm withdraws itself
a lover growing cold
neglectful of its faithful margin land,
the restless rollling surf their child
which permanently shuffles in between
a yellow mother anchored to the earth
and errant father wrapped in waves of blue and green
They played "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" at the nursing home
People in their eighties clapped and sang along.
I paused nearby and listened before proceeding on my way
It was a ray of sun in a cloudy dismal day.
They played "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" when the POWs came home
Vietnam behind them, the eagle had long flown
From 'hell in session' to a divided land
They deserved our thanks, so strike up the eighties band.
(Chorus)
Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
It's been many years, but heart's stay free
The world is getting smaller, friends have come and gone
Sometimes a song can help a weary soul hold on.
They played "tie a yellow ribbon' for freedom in Hong Kong
Funny how a romance tune became a protest song.
We've already forgotten those romantics in the street
A song can't beat a rifle, no matter how upbeat.
They played "tie a yellow ribbon" when our hostages came home
Women wore one in the Civil War when the cavalry was gone
Home is where the heart is, and if oldsters can laugh and share
The rest of us should regroup and try to self-repair.
Child without a care in the world
Ponytail held by red ribbon
Summer breeze toys with kite on string
AP: 1st place 2026, 3rd place 2026, 3rd place 2025, Honorable Mention 2026
Billet-doux left on my pillow
One red rose with fancy lace ribbon
~ Belgian truffle seals the deal
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Long to ribbon dance
In the deepest of a trance.
I begin to prance
After preparing my lance.
I always aim for next chance.
Quiet morning
On the gravel of the way
Sounds of raindrops
Childhood days
Rays of the sun blocked
July is relatively less hot
Gaze at the clouds in the sky
Bonsai on a windowsill
Fills aroma in the air
Shrill voice
of a long-billed bird
Present layered with past
Hazy window glass
The drenched boy waves
From the cave
Suddenly, a new wave
The wind blew your
blue scarf
We ran after it
Both knit and split
The moist wind behind
Grew crazy for the blue
Commuting
between the transparent
cloak and the translucent
eyes
Making us crazy too
A heady brew
Unsteady steps
A pink prep
Brink of the slope
Irresistible dope
Inside the cave
Two fountains
tied with
The silken ribbon
________
12 July, 2025
'twas at the country fair I spied her
outstanding in her field
(in many more ways than one)
beyond compare second to none
eyelashes long and lovely skin of velvety down
I insist who could resist those eyes so big so brown
(limpid pools?) 'twould make a fool of (almost) any man
but I'm her biggest fan and I won't lie I can't deny
a complexion creamy a gaze quite dreamy
took my breath away that day
and in her hair a ribbon a ribbon of bonny blue
lost my heart (and then my mind) what's a boy to do
'twere love instantly 'At first sight' one might even say
(could she be the one for me?)
I couldn't let her get away and so I took her home
it was a first for me but please don't think the worst
(there'll be no matrimony)
I've sailed the seven seas to the four corners of the earth
been to hell (without a handbasket) and for what it's worth
been around the whole wide world
but waiting there at the country fair
where ruminating I found my one and only
my Jersey Belle, my Jersey girl
A red thread we wear with pride,
For the love that won’t subside.
In shadows deep; the fight was born,
Yet through the dark, a new dawn shone.
A virus does not define the soul,
Courage and strength play the role.
The world unites to heal the scars,
With hope that shines like endless stars.
Science and care; a hand in hand,
Breaking chains, we boldly stand.
No stigma, no shame; only grace,
Compassion shines on every face.
For those we've lost; we shed a tear,
For those who fight; we persevere.
Together, the world will find its way,
To brighter tomorrows on World AIDS Day.
• What's a pretty pink ribbon doing on this rickety, old fence?
• And what looks to be a purse on the dirty forest floor?
• This doesn't make much sense
• For what reason are they here?
• The more I think about it, the more I feel tense
I picked posies as I walked on by,
removing my red hair ribbon to tie.
My life is sometimes tranquility ...
By morning the flowers had withered,
I felt a sadness deep within my soul.
My life is sometimes regret ...
Farewell flowers short was your time,
I should have left you in the field.
My life is sometimes grief ...
I carried you all withered to the garden,
and lay you tied in my ribbon to repose.
My life is sometimes serenity ...
To Atbin.
Another flick, a spark,
Once more awakened the past
Illustrating memories
Are alive and always last.
I recall your visage with
Its veins, its charm, and grace
Some invisible griefs,
Behind of that bony face.
Your tender artistic look,
At a silly Rubik’s parts,
Made your endless affection,
dwell in our empty hearts.
You were our J. Keating of
Weir’s ingenious mind
And that "Remembrance Fest"
That you held: one of a kind.
To our liveliest friend,
We had toasted, and cheered
But I saw a bloody band
On your thin wrist appeared.
You smoked and you spoke,
With your own personal tone:
"A dead soul would never need,
All of these; to be well known,
Look at the living, hey kiddo!
And cherish their real worth.”
I stared at the white band:
Accessible, open source…
I thought it should be a band,
You could have tied it with care
Upon a pretty girl’s
Glowing and blonde hair.
Not as a merciless rope,
Tight around the skinny neck
But just like the sign of love,
Danced by the wind in a lake.
Hey, my friend! don’t frown,
Let me exactly define,
Not a regret for the dead,
But as an amity sign.
bring on a monsoon
you took on a monsoon
A pissed off windy
he brought on a monsoon
tied the ribbon tight
wanted to kiss the forehead
he moved quick
just to kiss the ribbon
The long road,
where does your dark thread unwind?
Bent willows follow where you lead,
and sunflowers drink the roadside rain.
The sun and wind,
tumble the weeds down your turnpike.
And I who follow idly the unraveling,
will hope to find upon reaching the end,
a new black ribbon of possibilities.
To thrill the life of the adventurer.
The Poetry of time
its present sublime
Each moment by degree
untethered reminds
The Poetry of time
forever refined
Rebirthing the constant
—our essence defined
(Dreamsleep: October, 2022)
“Do we have to go?”
The long black ribbon,
With painted white lines,
Cars and trucks driven,
A constant caravan.
“How much longer?”
The long black ribbon,
Could be longest route,
With unforgiving,
Road noise and kid’s gripes.
“Are we there yet?”
The long black ribbon,
Bids the fastest time,
Infamous villain,
For front windshield grime.
“I’m gonna throw up!”
The long black ribbon,
Super road of the day,
Police are hidden,
In most clever ways.
“I’ve gotta go potty!”
`
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