knowing looks, whispers
outright aggression
due only to the skin one is in
this norm sewn into our fabric
not swiftly abandoned
cannot withstand hard looks
does this not gnaw
at every soul?
this thing, that is undoing us,
will it ever be excised?
Pat
3/08/21
For dVerse Poets Pub where Sarah is hosting and the prompt is “Swift” on quadrille night ( a 44 word poem).
as captive of time and nature
eyes nudged open
to this new dawn in the strife of life –
as we move through time,
I breathe – you breathe
Pat R
6/23/20
A Gogyohka for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday. A theme prompt in the words of Longfellow:-
photo by Pat R
a moth’s aflutter
zig zags, a cantankerous
mocking bird in tow
as they head to the meadow
gap closes, this will not end well
Pat R
6/15/20
For Frank Tassone’s Weekly Haikai Challenge..poet’s choice. I used “Meadow”
this cloud lurking overhead
has claimed me
it snuggles in
displacing the thread of hope
I’ve been holding fast to
it flits in the breeze of the blues
swishing through my fingers
at every grasp
I force myself into the garden
it looks thirsty
I turn on the garden hose
and there through the fine sprays
a rainbow
Pat R
6/09/20
This not so new thing on everyone’s lips have led to unrest. The killing of George Floyd led to a diverse sunami of humanity taking to the streets. It looks and feels like a cohesive quilt. It feels like change.
not again –
this awakening
rests firmly
in the hands of time, will this last
or shatter like fragile glass
Pat R
6/08/20
A Tanka haibun for Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge where the prompt is “Break & Glass”
To see other entries or to participate go here.
this angry spillage
this unyielding storm,
with new voices
will this be a cleansing?
it is time, it is time!
Pat R
6/03/20
For Frank Tassone Weekly Challenge where the prompt is “Justice”. To read further and see other entries go here
Justice for George Floyd whose life was snuffed out by the Minneapolis police by kneeling on his neck, for over 8 minutes, until he was dead, in plain sight!!
this cloud, generations old
cavalier cruelty has me bawling again
in search of air I walk to the park
no sign of the sun
yet, a toddler chases butterflies
Pat R
5/28/20
In response to the theme this week over at Colleen’s for Tanka Tuesday is a quote offered by Merril
“How fare that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
– William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice.
To read more about the challenge or to participate go here
Also linked to OLN Open Link Night over at dVerse Poet’s Pub where Grace is hosting. Go have a look see here
