FOWC: Repercussions

He took from his brother, a tiny train, because his coveted it

He took from his girlfriend, her innocence, uncontrolled lust

He took from his workmates, their ideas, too proud to fail

He took from his parents, everything and more, greed and ingratitude

He took from the plates of the starving, thoughtless gluttony

He took from his servants, without thanks or a thought, pure sloth

He took from his children, their peace, his wrath without limit

He took his own life, final sin, it ended without repercussions

 

I haven’t written any poetry for a while so I thought I’d make the most of Fandango’s one word prompt for today. Thanks for inspiring me once more Fandango ;O)

Hope you have a wonderful day one and all.

Lisa x

 

Hope

Four letters that are formed from the ashes of

Horror, Oppression, Persecution, Enslavement

One word, spoken with tender persuasion, heard

Above the cacophony of maimed, desperate voices

Envisioned by those few holding their souls open

In a World where omnipresent fear’s breeding closed minds.

 

Lisa x

Spotlight

Those lovely people over at Spillwords who’ve been kind enough to publish a few of my poems asked me to do a brief interview and, if you follow the link, you’ll be able to read assuming you’ve nothing better to do ;O)

Lisa x

Apparently, my link isn’t working so…..

1. Where, do you hail from?

I am originally from Essex in the UK but I relocated to the Cote D’Azur just over three years ago as I felt the need to make a significant change in my life following the death of my husband.

2. What is the greatest thing about the place you call home?

The fact that the only thing I can see from my apartment is the sea! Added to that we have around 300 days of sunshine a year here but we still have seasons so the landscape is constantly changing. I live about 30 minutes from Italy, the nearest ski resort is about an hour and a half away and I can lay on a beach or walk in the mountains on the same day if I want to – what’s not to love!

3. What turns you on creatively?

I suppose the simplest answer is that I love words, what we can do with them and how they can make us feel. The fact that words can provoke extreme and complex emotions is an endless source of fascination for me. Other than that, I find that I am often inspired whilst taking a shower; I have no idea why.

4. What is your favorite word, and can you use it in a poetic sentence?

Just one?! Wow that’s tricky! OK here goes:

The faceless behemoth that was the weight of his loss, finally came to rest beside him, still and silent.

5. What is your pet peeve?

It’s probably not politically correct to say this but political correctness. Self-expression is something that’s very important to me and I feel as though it’s being stifled by the perpetually offended.

6. What defines Lisa Keeble?

I guess I would define myself as ‘curious’ – I have spent most of my life asking ‘why’

To Be A Child

I cannot be seen if I cover my face

There are scary beasts hiding under my bed

I cannot fall when my Daddy carries me

The Shadows in my room have horrid faces

I cannot be hurt if teddy is with me

When you turn off the night light terror finds me

I cannot get lost when Mummy takes my hand

Don’t leave me alone, I’ll cry. I can’t see you

I cannot grow up. I’m safe, when I’m not scared.

Lisa x

FOWC: Victim

Life transpires with hidden challenges

Unforeseen, frequently unwelcome

They test our fortitude, our courage

Our desire to take another step

Forward into  the predestined mire

We stumble and tumble, shattered glass

We take the knocks and devious blights

Oft blinded to, maybe, redemption

Woes hanging heavy in our psyche

And yet, always, there’s another road

Paved with fear and lined by doubt, no doubt

That leads to quietude, mind and soul

That road is for you, my worthy friend

Leave your troublesome burden behind

Divest yourself of that grim label

VICTIM.

This poem was written in response to the Famous Fandango’s one word prompt.

Have a great weekend everyone

Lisa x

 

 

Get Out!

It’s grey, not pink, that’s a bit of a shock

But now that it’s out let’s see what we’ve got

Too many, too much, I’ll make a big pile

Sifting through this could take quite a long while

Small heaps perhaps to the left and the right

The good and the bad, the dark and the light

This one is sadness, it must belong there

Along with contrition, pain and despair

This is a memory of happiness lost

Where do I put it? Shouldn’t it be tossed?

Or kept in a pile with hope and a dream

Of a ghost’s soft reproach ‘Carpe Diem’

Arranged before me, they’re not as I thought

A mountain on one side; how hard I fought

To hold an echo and hoard the shadows

A mound on the other, the things I chose

To leave in the light, hoping they would grow

Hope is the first, a sprout, starting to show

Joy is there too but a almost unrecognised

Love their companion albeit disguised

Now to decide, what to keep, what is thrown?

What goes back? Good or bad it’s all I’ve known

For so long, same thoughts again and again

It’s not so easy to clean out my brain.

The last few days have been pretty grim. Maybe it’s because Valentine’s day is just round the corner, maybe it’s because grief just decides to beat the crap out of you sometimes, I honestly don’t know but sadness is just eating away at me. I’ve spent the last 5 years finding coping mechanisms to stay strong and keep positive, to enjoy each day as it comes but, right now, I have negative thoughts chasing around my head like puppies on speed.

This morning I thought how wonderful it would be if I could just take out my brain, give it a good shake and get rid of all the negative shit that seems to be clogging it up – hence this poem. Have you ever felt like that? I’d love to hear from you if you have.

Lisa x

Roses are Red

Just when you think it’s safe to go out

There is a knock at your heart, tap, tap

Trepidation calls, bearing flowers

Roses, red like the blood flowing still

Through your veins to a stone cold  heart

Violets, deep blue as your eyes that weep

To remember the days without fear

Orchid, black reflecting your humour

‘Love me, love me not?’, petals shredded

Destroying the thing of beauty that

Once was your life. Stamens, yellow stain

Rough hands. Colours bleeding into one

Dull grey where once: yellow red, blue

Delicate stems, plain perfect blossom

Dismay brought you a bouquet. But why?

To remind you that he’s there. Tap tap

Just when you think it’s safe to go out.

I had to go to the supermarket this morning and, everywhere I looked, there were red hearts and roses, cards and chocolates and lovers strolling hand in hand. There is a feeling of romance in the air and, this year for some reason, I am not really dealing with it very well. So many tears today I just locked myself away and wrote this poem because I didn’t know what else to do.

Lisa x

 

FOWC: Hindsight

A cruel jest

Or a path to precious learning

A spiteful taunt

Or a route to ultimate peace

A mocking jibe

Or a comprehension of self

A cosmic joke

Or a recognition of error

A greener field

Or mastery of a pasture new

A life regret

Or subtly crafted momentum

This is hindsight

A curse or a gift? Up to you.

Written in response to another artful prompt from the fantastic Fandango.

Lisa x

 

Tell the Story: Sinha

His roar of pain could still be heard across the jungle plains

Pursued by the ignoble poachers his strength is waning

They’d taken his mother, her life for their illicit gains

Tilting his magnificent head he listens, they’re gaining

His lone topaz eye, the other lost in battles past, gleams

His ancient cunning conjures what it instinctively known

Evil men won’t take his life; he enters the space of dreams

He offers himself, worthless, as his body turns to stone.

Written in response to the tag from Rory and the Tell the Story Challenge. The rules state that I must now tag 3 other bloggers to tell a story based on my chosen picture which is below. However, when there is fun to be had I like to share it with as many people as possible so I’m giving an open invitation to anyone who loves writing short stories:

 

I’m So Excited!

I just can’t hide it! I’m about to lose control and I think I like it! If you’re wondering what I am babbling about and whether I’ve finally lost the plot – it’s this and I haven’t (well not yet I don’t think):

I’ve had a poem published :O) I’ve been putting a few things out there over the last few weeks and have had a few rejections but then the lovely people at Spillwords contacted me to say that they were going to publish my poem today!!!

Added to that I also had an email from another site yesterday to say that they were going to publish one of my stories so you’ll be getting another thoroughly over-excited post towards the end of the month.

When I started this blog I had no idea that I would find a love of writing or so many wonderful people who would give me the encouragement and support I needed to even think about doing it professionally. Love and hugs to you all.

Promise

Of life ever after, of love ever after
Conditional on blind devotion, a jest?
Exquisite manipulation of senseless souls
Lost in the search of meaning and lifelong purpose
Led, oh so willingly, to believe there is more
What lies after? More lies? Eternal life? Like this?
Endlessly searching the missing piece of my soul
Forcibly ripped by all knowing, all powerful
There is reason, a reason, no comprehension
Given and taken, a blessing. Eternal curse.
We shoulder the burden of a heart that can break
I will love you forever, with you forever
I am weary of promises made and broken…..

 

Lisa x