A bald autumnal tree with -
one or two green sprouts
drumming by a Woodpecker
lilies break through, spring calls them forth from their grave.
I know my hair continues to grow
tho' not for long when I'm dead and gone
finger and toenails sprout out slow
but here's a thought to linger on
it's only a theory yet I have a query
when six feet down in hallowed ground
will wax still appear in both my ears
if I'm not here or no longer around?
If in all innocence
broccoli brings out flatulence
not to dwell but how many unfortunate smells
will it impart from a single floret
and in the end when it rends
does it sound like a bassoon or clarinet?
And what about the brussel sprout?
No doubt it will create heady fallout
and if on the quiet you ever diet or fast
as you are and repeat all you eat
this gas too at last shall pass.
Also the humble cucumber
which on you may do a number
what light wind
breaks through yonder soft butt?
Smile if while seated at the dinner table
as you may be able to blame the mutt.
buds beckon to pop
leaves unfurl reveal green scroll
spring devolves uncurls
Tears are salty seeds
planted in the rich soil of hope.
When given nourishment, encouragement,
Whispered words at midnight,
When watered with faith and love...
from this wet tear drop comes a sprout.
Like a corn kernel filled with such heat,
that it bursts its boundaries
into the white fluff of popcorn.
Or , in opposition to heat,
the freezing winds of arctic air invade
a rain drop...and it EXPLODES
into a white crystal snowflake!
When the heat of love, faith, and hope,
the cold of determination and belief,
Expands the teardrop seed to
overflowing... then,
with an unexpected laugh...
JOY BURSTS into life!
a breath of freedom
poetic voices shout out
fulfillment achieved
C-ultivate yourself and keep your head up HIGH,
O-ver a billion stacks of gold
N-eutralize the value and take your place.
F-or, you have a soul beyond riches of the world.
I-nside you lies infinite light.
D-irect it and
E-mbrace your superpower.
N-ullify the incredulity of your selfworth.
C-apaciousness in you is clairvoyant
E-pidendrum orchid you are, however unapologetically
sprout as you should!!!
The memory span of the average sprout
Means he forgets why the light is out
If life in a fridge will be life without end
Never forget that the dark is your friend
*
And hidden away in a refrigerator
A brave little sprout needs no invigilator
He’d tucked himself between some beans and a leek
And went undiscovered throughout Christmas week
But now that the trifle and cheeses aren’t there
The fridge is beginning to feel rather bare
The spaces within have become wide agape
With few nooks and crannies in which to escape
He’s watched as his friends were all taken and eaten
But this little sprout was too brave to be beaten
He may be just one single sprout, small and green
But he can be ruthless and ever so mean
He knew that the sound of the footsteps nearby
Meant somebody sharing his fridge could soon die
But he’ll stop at nothing for self preservation
He pushed the leek forward without hesitation
It’s dark in the fridge which should aid his concealment
And save him the sight of leftovers congealment
He thought he’d be safe in the darkness inside…
But screamed like a bean when the door opened wide!
spring sprouts upon snow
hurt feelings a broken heart~
takes the form once more
Written: January 22, 2023
Bonsai is an art of cultivating miniature potted plants
Away from the natural habitat and normal growth
It's modified to create an art
Its stems are twisted and turned
It's roots are surfaced
They can't stretch far
It's leaves are trimmed
They flourish mostly at the top
An old plant usually looks like a young sapling
And maybe a dwarf
An artificial modification
Appreciated and admired by many
But freedom of the plant is then overlooked
Luckily unlike man, plant has no soul
……DREAM……
Close your eyelids this balmy August night.
Let moonbeams softly on your dreams alight.
Be at total ease, your mind, star shine bright.
In that way, your future is now in sight!
Allow worry to fly free as a silver kite.
A bright new lover with tender might.
You are bound to a new reality alright!
8/2/2022
~3~
The tiny seed wasn’t certain it wanted to sprout
It had been through such trauma above the soil
winds buffeting it this way and that
striking sign posts and trees
bouncing off them before being whisked away
once again with no idea when or where it would end
everything out of its control
Finally the gusts died down and it had landed
where it now found itself
trampling feet and the activity of animals
pushing it down into the ground
buried where it was safe and warm
but it knew it had a job to do
so it sent the first small tendril creeping
out of its shell and took a look around
only to discover it had come to rest
at the base of a big oak tree which
shaded the sun
its roots spread in an extensive network all around
selfishly soaking up all the water when it rained
I came across the brown and suffering little shoot
identifying with its plight
as I had experienced much the same metaphorically
since the morning I had emerged
from my mother’s womb
Retrieving a trowel I carefully transplanted it
to a sunnier spot where it might have a chance
to survive and thrive
I've been freed as love walked away
The myth we've met were abscond silently
The gladness had now turned into annoy
Mayhap i'll erudite to be singlehandedly
They said that everyone is lonely sometimes
But I'll invariably remain solitary all the times
As no futile or any sprout maiden will eliminates
I've annulled all the tattlers who blabbed my desires
Being single is all what made men to be legend
Thought I invariably stand affirm and not depended
And I'll forslow until God thrilled a matured maid
That gain and impart homage to the one who esteemed
letters, words, verses
ink blossoms sprout from her pen
Em'ly Dickinson...
confined for years to her drawers
~ beds of enchanted flowers
February 19, 2020
Let the Pens Flow - Tanka Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Jenish Somadas
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.