Get Listed! ~~ a Seed Planting poem

Sowing Seeds; thinking about

We all know about sowing seeds
Sow, plant. Seeds germinate, grow sprouts
Water, cultivate.  Plants result
Eat plants or their fruit, eater's choice
This is normal, this is God's plan

Adage is you reap what you sow
Trouble starts with faulty sowing
Bible tells "don't sow here or there"
Fables teach where not to sow.  Like  
"Don't sow your seeds in the desert"

Fathers have advice to garden growers
Make the soil fallow, damp, and drained
There's joy in making willing fields 
Sowing sometimes has no discretion
Innocence's seeds may not grow

Whirling waters are alluring
Gyres have no bottoms, swallow seeds
Joy in sowing there is watching
Watching them swirl down through the drain
Even more (wasteful) than eating seeds
_ _ _

Picture and Poem Copyright, © Jimmiehov 2017, All Rights Reserved

I'm linked with  Kerry O'Connor at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, Get Listed!,  http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/get-listed.html

Terry want us to use words found in the works of William Butler Yeats.  We are to use at least three words list of sixteen words she had taken from two of his poems.  I used "desert", "innocence', and 'gyre'.

Tuesday Platform ~~ a poem, "I missed ... "

I missed the party

I missed the party this week
Purple tinge of lavender
'Twas invitation for me
What was I doing, don't know

I missed the fun place this week
They are coming home today
Costumes galore, I was masked
But I didn't come, poor me

I missed the party for sure
'Twas like college days of old
Took the streets, we called them ours
This time, with signs, my voice, quiet

I missed the party this week
Fun filled, messages to tell
We are the majority
Our voices need to be heard

I missed the ... (more still in draft)
_ _ _

Picture and Poem Copyright, © Jimmiehov 2017, All Rights Reserved

Picture and this week's "The Tuesday Platform" were linked with Marian and the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-tuesday-platform_24.html

This is in relation to and with A BIG THANK YOU, LADIES!!! for their valiant March last Saturday, after our U.S. Presidential Election.  They marched literally all over the world, in large cities and small towns.  Perhaps your friends did, some of mine marched.

Do you hear voices?

Do you hear voices? 
What is this noise in my head? 
Is it in my ear? 
Well, that is too bad for us 
Internal words modulate 
Jammed by ringing in my ears 
_ _ _

Picture and Poem Copyright, © Jimmiehov 2017, All Rights Reserved
I'm linked with Brendan at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads,
http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/sunday-mini-prompt-with-brendan-voices.html

 - I've had ringing in my ears since my Army days, too close to other shooters at the riffle range and not even knowing about ear protectors. 
 - After my service days I went to an ENT doctor who decided that the cause of my ear ringing could not be determined or stopped. I said to him, "It must be all in my head."  I meant it as joking but this doctor swore at me while leaving the room, slamming the door on his way out. 

On Poetry ~~ Wet Puppy Dog

Wet Puppy Dog

Have you ever smelled a wet puppy dog?
I can't remember when but long ago
For sure I wasn't an adult grownup
My dog had gotten wet, she smelled so good

Dry dogs don't smell that way, never ever
Some, get them wet, doggy smell of long past
Every now and then my nose gets a whiff,
Still that sweet smell with no puppy in sight

Metaphor it's become for me. Smells good
I might equate with that wet puppy dog
Be it a person or an animal  
I'll think, "Gee, you smell good, wet puppy dog"


 _ _ _

Pictures and Poem Copyright, © Jimmiehov 2014 and 2017, All Rights Reserved
 
I'm linked with Stacie Eirich at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads,
http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/on-poetry-writing-metaphor-dreaming.html

Stacie had a good discussion of Metaphors' role in writing.  She also has referenced several books she considers good on the topic.  I will check our library for these and a few others.  One would probably be god for me as I've not had any formal courses in poetry writing, only a general English Composition course in college.  Click on the link above.

One source did say that Metaphors can be private or in common use.  I am sure that the "wet puppy dog" way of smelling is not in common use.  Stacie did wish for us to use a commonly used metaphor but I felt I needed to share my wet puppy dog tale.  Some say I'm strange.
_ _ _ _

Note: [Google]  noun: metaphor; plural noun: metaphors

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

"“I had fallen through a trapdoor of depression,” said Mark, who was fond of theatrical metaphors" 

synonyms:  figure of speech, image, trope, analogy, comparison, symbol, word painting/picture

Endearing Words, a flash poem

She poised quietly 
Penciled her thoughts on his ear 
He awakened not 
Heartfelt invisible words 
Whispered, I love you madly 

He awakened when 
She softly started to leave 
He mouthed, love you too 

He switched soft light on 
Reached for his object of joy 
Facebook friends beckoned 

_ _ _ 

My inspiration:
"Clara joined him on the bench.
They sat in silence, side by side.
Then Clara leaned back, her body touching the words
someone had freshly carved into the wood.
Above, 'Surprised by Joy.'
...
Beside her on the bench Armond opened
'The Balm in Gilead' to the bookmark,
took took a deep breath,
And started forward."
 - Louise Penny, 'The Long Way Home'
_ _ _ 
.
Picture and Poem Copyright, © Jimmiehov 2012 (picture) and 2017(poem), All Rights Reserved

I'm linked with Magaly Guerrero at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, 
http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/inside-ink-poetry-and-flash-fiction.html

2017 Challenge poem, an excursion

Bancjy Monkeys Scampering

Small kids were scattered, like marbles turned loose from sacks, their mums
Scattered amongst life size toys, play area of McDonald's play ground
They were running like scared mice, running from the elephant, a dad
This dad was a monster beast, fire breathing, club in hand, bonking

Head bonking his mice subjects, screaming like bancjy monkeys, they fled
Yet smirky smiles showed, each brighter than Ford Taurus headlamps, piercing
Eyes piercing, washboard wrinkled faces, scampering like fleas on pigeons, hiding smiles
Ten clawed fiend, two-foot bonker waving, a stick with bright red globe, a balloon

Catch me if you can! they screamed, bancjy monkeys, on the run, laughing

 _ _ _

Picture and Poem Copyright, Ó Jimmiehov 2017, All Rights Reserved
 
I'm linked with Kerry O'Connor at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, Literary Excursions with Kerry, http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/literary-excursions-with-kerry.html
 
Kerry introduced us to Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1929), whose work enjoys lasting popularity. Rilke was unique in his efforts to expand the realm of poetry through new uses of syntax and imagery and in the philosophy that his poems explored. 

She wants us to try including "diction and imagery which portray humans in terms of the non-human within the style of our own works" and posted excerpts from his work. I am sure I need a few more lessons but I participated, perhaps there will be some critique. 

Note:  You won't find the "Bancjy Monkey" by Googling.  I've never seen one and am not sure if there is one.  For sure it isn't spelled correctly, but Google didn't help there either. Most times one is "Bonked" in the head with an object.  

a poem for Tuesday Platform

Mother May I?  

 

Mother, may I?  May I play with Johnny today?

I'd rather you stay with us still, until that day

That day will come when you are just a bit older

Some more training you need, like when should you come home

 

Predators await your romp, beware leopard seal*

You've survived the skua*, one nasty bird lurking

That seal will try to run you down while you're fishing

There's a lot more to learn, my son, before you stray

 

This was Penguin talk, my John, but the same lessons

they learn will of sorts be yours to master.  Play safe 

_ _ _ _

 

Picture and Poem Copyright, Ó Jimmiehov 2017, All Rights Reserved
 
- I'm linking to Marian's host post at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads,

http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-tuesday-platform_10.html

Tuesday Platform is a 'free write' day, you can read others' works at this link

 

*Notes:

 - 1.  We are back home now, after a 31 day Princess cruise from L.A. to Rio deJaneiro.  We saw these Penguins and many more at a reserve, in a farmer's pasture by the sea, in the Falkland Islands.  I'm posting for a while some pictures as I go, both here and in my other blog, Jim's Little Blog.  I invite you to peek in now and then.

 - 2. The skua is a natural predator pestering the Penguins by eating both their eggs and their young offspring.  The leopard seal attacks them when they go into the water to find their food.  You can read about and see pictures of the skua here.

 

Sailor prompted poem --

A Happy Sailor's Girl

A sailor's girl in every port
That is what the old maxim states
That fellow I've always envied 
(Is it flip-flopped now, fem-days' call?)

For moi I've one girl at each port
Travels with me where e're I go
Even to earth's chilly bottom
Side by side we feed the Penguins

- - - 

 - Side Picture and Poem Copyright, Ó Jimmiehov 2017, All Rights Reserved
 
- I'm linking to Kerry O'Connor's post, "Play it Again" at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/play-it-again.html.  One of the options was to write a "Flash 55" poem (has 55 words -- this one has with the title).
 
- Cute WWII era Photo below from "Fireblossom Friday" at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/fireblossom-friday-escape-to-past.html

Notes: 
 - 1. We have just finished a 31 day Princess cruise, from L.A. to Rio de Janeiro, from December 4 to January 4.  One of our stops was at the Falkland Islands to visit the Penguins.  No, we were not allowed to feed them but we were able to be VERY close.  You can read more about this fun cruise as my writing progresses through the next few months at "Jim's Little Blog", http://jimmiehov.blogspot.com/search/label/2016%20South%20America 
 - 2. I ask forgiveness for all who have read my few posts while cruising and then OF COURSE the time elapsed for returning your nice comments.  Thank you all.
 - 3. One more thing, Mrs. Jim had an unmentionable numbered birthday on January 1st.  The table waiters and I all sang the birthday song to her. (I did not forget to get her a card before we left to open that day--I haven't forgotten in all the 44 years we have been married.)

 - 4. You probably already knew that Penguin couples stay together for life most times.  Each time for babies, they take turns sitting on the egg (not really a nest, just on the ground).  They also share feeding and watching. 

When one goes to eat, by catching a fish along the shore, the other is always on the job minding family matters.  Mrs. Jim's and my marriage has pretty well been like.  Most times I do my own clothes washing, most times do the vacuuming, and often prepare meals.  Mine are the man kind, hot dogs, a nice deli sandwich, etc.

Tuesday Platform prose poem (?) for you

A New Year

 

When "they" asked me reflect on humanity as an elder sees I had no ready answer.

 

Mostly my 'humanity' is relegated to moi.  I know for sure that isn't what 'they' wanted me to tell.

 

So I looked around, from toddlers to those even older than I, those I figure would represent humanity for me to see.

 

The younger set argued a lot, over small things, large in size.  Like who could have the toy with which they all wished to play.

 

I'd find a happier note, perhaps coming from those in their teens.  They smooched a lot, talked of silly matters, but argued not.  I wish they could be more serious.

 

College ages seemed a selfish lot, with protests and student riots at every turn.  Mostly they want things that help them, for free.  Like free college tuition, free room and board, free meals, lodging, and clothing.  They are, though, conscious of rights of others and will willingly protest for those as well.

 

Upper the ladder of ages I searched, the young adult set.  Not many married now, like in my earlier days.  And those who were were saving up for childern's care, those not yet born.

 

Middle age was a big surprise, not like mine at all.  Raunchy in my view, partner swapping, even married.  Or living beyound their means, bankruptcy seemed no big thing.  When they did have children, the kids were atrocious, rather like those youngster who faught over toys I had mentioned before.

 

A ripened age found the folk to be of a more serious age.  Very opinoniated, mosty about the problems of the world.  Not that they could change things one bit, they are another of a "silent majority" as the will vote on any and every item that comes us.

 

The elderly, well we mostly want to be able to be living in the morning when we wake up and wish well for our families.  Maybe chocolate every day.  And a way to get out of the house when we wish, travel and do the things of the nature which we've become accustomed.
- - -

Picture and Poem Copyright, Ó Jimmiehov 2017, All Rights Reserved

I'm linking with  By Kerry O'Conner at http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-tuesday-platform.html

It's a little loose on the writing, just barely proofread, as I'm paying for Internet by the minute tonight.  Hope that will be okay for just this one more time.
Thank you Kerry, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
p.s. I am unavailable to return comments but I'd love to have yours.