Story of a Shoe

For Poetry Jam

Mother sends me off to school

barely six in my lace up (sensible) oxford shoes

first grader full of angst ..

Fast forward ten years

oh yeah .. me in my black and white saddles

far out way cool dancing shoes (Mother doesn’t know) ..

Time marches on ~ ten years later and on my own

me in my three-inch pointy toe heels

bunions surreptitiously forming ..

++ Twenty years ` growing older  

time to fix the feet ~ the price I pay

surgery booties ~ ##$$%& ghastly ugly ..

Today?  Sensible shoes!  Sensible me!

Mother would be so proud!

Magpie 169 ~ Beyond

For Magpie Tales

Jamie Wyeth ~ Lighthouse Dandelions

you there?

pssst, it’s Helen

woman way past her prime

on the backside of seventy

down yonder in the dandelion patch ..

in no rush to reach that lighthouse 

atop the hill’s steep crest 

dark sky beyond

you there?

If I Could

Photography ~~ Helen


I would 
take away all
your anger fear and pain
erase every trace of the past
drive away the demons lurking within
give you a brand new beginning
bring back that smile of yours
yes if I could
I would

Imagine Him Green

White prisma colored pencil on black paper drawing
~ Ms. Emma Whitlock ~


I have a greenish gecko
Gordy is his name
our bond is based on mutual interests
he's clever .. genius .. at the top of his game!

My Gordy is a witty chap
high finance his middle name
Wall Street his fiscal milieu
making money his claim to fame!

Greed is good he proudly claims
money is all that matters ..
need a friend ~ go get a dog
don't want a dog ~ go write a blog!

Now ~~ all around him chaos
his house is falling down
danger lurking just beyond
this disintegrating town!

Gord-o has few options
needs to fix things fast
liquidity his preference
.. and the die is cast!

Shoring up the "Shroom House"
righting all the wrong
my Gordy is a clever chap
I knew it all along!

Thank you Margaret for sharing the artwork of these incredibly talented young women!!!

Clarity

Bridge over Mississippi River ~~~ Minneapolis / St. Paul 

Crystallize:  to take on a definite, precise and usually permanent form .. Minnesota becomes the 12th State to legalize gay marriage!

"Gather round people
wherever you roam
and admit that the waters
around you have grown"

Dylan knew it then
The times they were a-changin'
hearts and minds unlocking

Too many people
fighting so hard for their rights
never saw today

Celebrating life
the pursuit of happiness
the right to marry

Times are a-changin'
love, commitment trumping hate
what the world needs now

Magpie 168

Old Couple ~~ Togan Gokbakar



just look
you know who wears
the pants in this twosome ~
the look on her face screams volumes
bored to tears, she merely pretends to hear ~
nothing he says is relevant
hand the gal a cigar
she wears the pants ~
just look

Rictameter ~ nine line poetry form ~ 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 syllables ~ first and last lines are the same

Violet ~ as in Beauregarde

The color violet encourages creative pursuits, uniqueness, individuality and true expression. Artists, musicians, writers, poets and psychics are usually inspired by the color violet.  Roald Dahl brought Violet Beauregarde to life ~ in living color ~ in his 1964 children's book 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' 

http://www.leahpalmerpreiss.com/  ~~ artist Leah Palmer Preiss

A voluptuous girl Miss Violet

as evidenced by ample girth ..
maneuvering gets a tad tricky
stand back ~ give her wide berth!

A vociferous girl Miss Violet
measure my belly she screamed ..
longing to look as thin as a reed
imagined it clearly last night as she dreamed!

A voluminous girl Miss Violet
blueberry shaped and quite plump ..
chock full of juice and ready to gush
the true test they say ~ just give her a thump!

It's off to the juicer Miss Violet
you're coming apart at the seams ..
painless they tell her ~ don't worry at all
when squeezing has ended .. you WILL be small!

SADLY ~~ you still will be ~~ violet

Radio Daze

Photo ~~ Helen

Long, lazy summer days

the days before ~
before television invaded our lives
~ Radio Days ~
so damned hot and humid
we were forced to move slowly, deliberately
one ear tuned to Helen Trent
her drama .. her never ending
search for romance ..
no harm in listening
the radio was our companion
as we ironed, sewed, daydreamed ~ whatever

Every fifteen minute episode .... the program opened with ...

"And now, The Romance of Helen Trent, the real-life drama of Helen Trent, who, when life mocks her, breaks her hopes, dashes her against the rocks of despair, fights back bravely, successfully, to prove what so many women long to prove, that because a woman is 35 or more, romance in life need not be over, that romance can begin at 35."

.

The Buzz on Bees

Intrepid at fourteen

 just enough bravado

to believe

she can pull it off

practice after endless practice.

Performance ...
(less than two minutes the goal)

no margin for error

she passes with flying colors

gold medal her reward

Magpie 167 - Bending Gender

Young Woman Picking the Fruit of Knowledge ~~ Mary Cassatt, 1892

Love me for who I am

not what you want me to be
what you might wish for me

Love me for who I am
do not abandon me
because I am different

Love me for who I am
as I endeavor to make my body
fit the soul that is me

Love me for who I am
no longer able to hide
behind the tears and girly laugh

I was born this way
different, original, strong
love me for who I am

May Day Poetry Jam

~~~ way back in the 60's ~~~

Just Soak It In ...

Enjoy all of it

winter, summer, fall and spring

it ends so quickly

Before you know it

they are grown, out on their own

conquering the world

Soak in the good times

the laughter and the milestones

smiles your recompense

Learn from the hard times

lessons that last forever

mission accomplished

A ~~~~~~~~ Z

A simple challenge ~ beginning with the letter A, every word begins with the next letter of the alphabet ~ 26 words!

photo ~ dbking

As bawdy cowgirls
danced effortlessly,
fans gathered.
Honchos in jeans ~
Kid like, macho-men ~
No ordinary patrons ~
Quintessential rule-benders! 
Sisters! These uber-cool, very willing x-tras!
YES!
ZYNGA!

Red Shoes

Source ~ Pinterest

She was too young

For those shoes

Not a woman

Still a child

What was he thinking

She was an innocent

Those shoes

Screamed ‘easy’

Slip them on, lace them up

What was he thinking

She was not ready

Daddy’s little girl

Too much too soon

Red shoes tarnished her soul

What was he thinking

Magpie 166

Illustration ~~ Helen Ward

Party On!

Whoa!

Way too much testosterone

Perm-e-atin’ this party!

Yo! Toad … what’s up with the invite list ..

Weasels need their gal pals

Ya know .. Jacks needin’ their Jills ..

Co-minglin’ and such.

We’re spillin’ our drinks .. sloppin’ our food

Things goin’ to hell in a handbasket .. fast!

Bring on the the dames

Or we be flashin’ our fashion for nothin’!

Official Save The Frogs Day!!

Save The Frogs Day 2013 events are currently scheduled in Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ghana, India, Israel, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, and the USA!!!

Frogs Wallpaper

I’m Chiquita Frogita

And I’m here to say

In this great big world we live in   

It’s my special day!

Humans in the streets

‘Save the frogs’ they clamor

We know what it’s all about ..

Our unique charm and glamour!

Been on Earth for eons

Hardy bunch are we

Join the celebration

‘Give it up’ for ME!

Laughing Stock

image ~ wikipedia

You like to laugh
enjoy a good joke ..
I am the joke
the one they laugh at,
never take seriously.

You would not throw food
twisted folks throw food
at me ~~ not to me
I cover my hurt by leaping about,
acting out.

Again, you laugh.

Please ~~ look deep into my eyes
see all that is there.

Ensemble, Extraordinaire

Favorite story, condensed into a poem ~ no longer than ten lines ~ 'cliff notes' version!

Since 1983, I've viewed 'The Big Chill' many times (37 to be exact) ~~ you might call it a favorite!! 

theatrical release photo ~ wikipedia 

College kids turned thirty-something

reunite for a funeral ..

one of their gang, the brightest and the best

has committed suicide.

In the process they take stock of their lives ..

individual journeys,

the tangible loss of youthful idealism ..

laying bare their pain, their passions,

the everlasting love they feel for one another. 

Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life

'Tonight, we are young so let's set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun'

Lyrics: 'We Are Young' ~~ Indie rock band fun.

Image ~~ Helen

Hello young things .. how wonderful to be your age .. energetic .. loud .. full of bravado .. time on your side .. endless possibilities .. there for the taking .. because you're young .. living large .. do-overs allowed .. no regrets .. no fear .. 
hello young things!

Goodbye sweet youth .. how fleeting it was .. the ups and the downs .. the regrets and missteps .. the triumphs .. the coups .. but what a great ride .. goodbye sweet youth!

Carry on ... carry on!

source unknown

Do yourself a favor

When packing for a trip

Don’t haul your entire closet

Really!  Get a grip!!

Much smaller than a suitcase

A ‘right nice’ carry-on

Aircraft staff will thank you

You’re up .. away .. and gone!

No struggle with the storage

Slips perfectly in place

While others all around you

Search frantically for space.

I’ve seen it happen often

No room in overheads

Must stow it ‘way down under‘

What every flier dreads.

My motto is ‘pack lightly’

The ultimate in ease

When you tote around a carry-on

Traveling is a breeze!

Light the Lights!!!

image ~~ Pinterest

'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.'
   William Shakespeare ~ 'As You Like It'

Innocent girl, what do you know of life

of the joys and tribulations you face?

Helpless and without guile, no player you

upon life's wobbly stage, curtain rising

unsure of your lines, your cues, the blocking.

This play is cast, without understudies ..

solo performance, a one woman show.

Happiness and prosperity in sight ..

recognition, reputation at stake.

And then? wisdom, insight, understanding 

infuse physical and mental essence,

you've become the quintessential woman.

       Unafraid of the spotlight's bright shimmer.

       Center stage in all your glory, star power.

Yes, It's Day Twenty-two!

A Bit of Fun

http://toonpool.com/

Gall Bladder Gone Bad

Well, I done gone and got it
that gall bladder disease
couldn't hold off till I reached mid-80's!
my stone is a big one, on that you can bet
removing my gall bladder?
really?
no sweat!!
Will I feel different?  Will I still function?
seems that I've come to a life-changing junction
hang in there liver ~ hang in there spleen
pancreas, kidneys ~ stay healthy and clean
I'll need all my parts for the rest of my life
no more of that taking me 'under the knife'
Well ... except for my right hip 
it needs a new joint 
(if I want to stay active)
and that's the whole point!
My g-bladder's gone bad, my doctor has said
it's the female, fat, forty+ stuff that we dread!
Time to step up ~ time to take action
time for deep sleep, a few tiny incisions ..
another of life's more intriguing revisions!! 

{ True story circa August 2007 and yep, that right hip got replaced in January 2008 }


 

Magpie 165

Jamie Wyeth ~ Monhegan's Schoolteacher ~ 2004


Plenty of dream time
for lads who live on Monehegan Island

Hard to concentrate
when teachers look like this ..
in a young man's imagination

If only he knew his lovely teacher reads
by the light of the moon
by the light of the stars

Free of inhibition
until morning comes and
once again, she becomes his teacher

 Pinterest / Young Boy Studying ~ Harold N. Anderson, Illustration

The Lune

The Deception ~~ Theatre de la Jeune Lune 

Time for change
new moon forming from old
once again, rotation

Woondogger Rides Again

Illustration, Virginia Frances Sterrett ~~ Blondine and the Tortoise ~~ Old French Fairy Tales

Never interfere with Woondogger

When she’s on a mission

Sittin’ side saddle and all

Giddyap Tommy Tortoise .. giddyap!!

Don’t give me that ‘say, what?’ look of yours

Time for givin’ that hag Rapunzel

A run for her money ..

It’s hair measuring day in the forest ..

Brothers Grimm doin’ the honors

{ Might be Brothers Gibb, not certain }

Whatever! .. Word in the woodlands?

Rapunzel has a slight edge ..

Twitter flash! 

Dame Gothel has just chopped off Rapunzel’s locks,

Cast her out into the boondocks!

Woondogger in the boondocks ~ without hair?

Not on your life!

Whoa, boy … whoa!

"Lost" and Found

Oh give me a home

Where Matthew Fox roams

Where the fit and the fabulous play ..

Where seldom is heard

A disparaging word

We could talk about Matthew all day ..

At brunch, in a brew pub

Or up on the slopes

A sighting is fun I must say!

{ So glad you moved out our way }