leaves curl their lips as smoke invades
the little spaces in between
the fire slips between their shades
till all their faces lose their green
thin wisps of smoke soon turn to red
lovingly tracing every twig
and branches croak and speed its spread
at last embracing with a swig
drunk on its flames, rip roaring drunk
careless arms waving to and fro
it lays its claims hungry for spunk
and wanders, raving ancient foe
words intersect
like open zippers
a diss, respect
and twerking strippers
we're hypnotized
by dj's rhythm
produced, revised
an algorithm
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795813--405-POEM-max-12-lines
frozen in place when time began
the giant waits and wonders: when
when will the ice finally melt
I haven't lived, I haven't felt!
then slowly, slowly he's set free
and rushes, rushes to the sea
requiring no nom de plume
my left hand firmly on the broom
and Toto's standing at the fore
we're not in Kansas anymore
I'm on the cover, just because
dear Norman wanted to paint Oz
but he forgot my ruby slippers
oh well, you find them, finders keepers
Author notes: Painting by Norman Rockwell
my rose hip dress
impressive
a wooden horse
of course
the hat is straight
from Alice
with just a hint
of malice
as to the owl
we're on the prowl
allow no mice
in paradise
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2796136-Steampunk-City- image by Elizabeth Goncharuk
opinionated minions
well out of their dominions
defending their opinions
with a religious fervor
they warn of global warming
incessantly, they're warning
I hear it every morning
so bought a life preserver
the polar bears are breeding
all estimates exceeding
but those stats are misleading
so noted the observer
the fires prove it's hotter
the blizzards -- they don't matter
don't put meat on your platter
the meat disgusts your server
the world will get much wetter
the drought will not get better
the climate is not weather
and please stop using leather
we're all in this together
like birds, birds of a feather
I use my plane to gather
but we're in this together
it's going to get much warmer
don't say I didn't warn you
I come from California
no worries, I'll transform you
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2796161-Blizzard-quotes- 2. A big blizzard proves there's no global warming in the same way being out of milk proves there's no such thing as cows. - Author: Dana Gould
the year ahead will no doubt test us
as tribulations follow trials
let not paralysis arrest us
in futile and obscene denials
let us instead engage each other
and let no man deny his brother
humanity's genteel embrace
without regard to creed or race
let us unshackle every collar
be honest and be pure of heart
rewarding each who plays their part
unchain them from the mighty dollar
and give them crypto chains instead
and let the central banks know dread
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2796178-Write-a-Sonnet-on-2022-Journey- this is an Onegin or Pushkin sonnet https://www.yahoo.com/now/does-diamond-hands-mean-160304297.html#:~:text=Diamond%20Hands%20Defined,get%20greedy%20when%20prices%20rise.
harmonies hesitate, shyly at first
as muscle memories, ready to burst
reengage fully, oh, it's been a while
faces, reluctant to let in a smile
scanning the crowd, when did we get so old
melodies feeling so sterile and cold
grannies for groupies, oh ain't that a laugh
solo careers, then the pestering staff
do it, please do it, so much to be made
so many wait just to hear those tunes played
played to recapture a bit of the past
and here's the band, altogether at last
Author notes: image by Catherine Warburton
will jealous kings ever refrain
what is it that they hope to gain
by reenacting ancient myths
those chiseled onto monoliths
by sending heroes on those quests
those gauntlet trials and mettle tests
don't they know how the story ends?
it's as if fate itself depends
on Jason and on Hercules
forever chasing some damned fleece
like errand boys -- capricious kings
bent on avoiding Moiré's strings
instead get tangled in her web
lay helpless as their fortunes ebb
and adding, as their scheming fails
to well worn cautionary tales
Author notes: 3. Golden Fleece https://allpoetry.com/contest/2796054-Fleece-or-Fleecy-quotes-
I had a mousetrap that was haunted
by memories of ancient vermin
each morning I'd find it, undaunted
and empty, seemingly determined
to prove that it can move -- of course
without an animating force
I'd leave it near a darkened doorway
a tasty cheese served on a platter
and then, as if it was just child's play
(at first I thought it was the latter)
the cheese is gone, trap nowhere near
I must admit I did know fear
dramatic ending to this story
no mediums were called to solve it
and it was neither sad or gory
I had no choice but to resolve it
this place is haunted by a mouse
I said, and bought me a new house
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795879-A-haunted-item.
Creation
concept contest
centuries condensed...
contested conception
Christ
chariots, cavalry
Caesar came, conquered Cleopatra
created classic century calendar
Claudius' centurions cut Caligula
Commodus craved Coliseum circuses
circumcised citizens called Christians
Constantine ceremoniously christened Constantinople
critical crusaders cavalierly crushed city
califs claimed creative control
centuries condensed...
Columbus, Copernicus
continents conquered
classics, Cervantes
church criticism, civil conflict
certain creature comforts
colossal church construction
centuries condensed...
Constitution
Canada
...
Churchill
...
careless China
....
Covid
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795872-Alphabet-alliteration-C---century---
a Hairspray inspired attire
this lady won't wear out or tire
her pinkish abode
no yellow brick road
and watch where you step, she might fire!
I asked, where we're at, pussycat?
I've got no desire for a spat
I've only one wish
that you'd give me a kish
she did, and now I live with that