Skin

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).

Quadrille: swift

Theme Prompt – A Gogyohka

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:-

“…In the world’s broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!…”

OR

“…Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time…”

From his poem

A Psalm of Life

BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Here is a link to the full poem.

A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | Poetry Foundation

Meadow

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”

 

A Rainbow

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

Time

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.

 

Justice

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 – A Gogyohka

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