The tunnel, lighted at both ends
A mystery, for sure
A cliché metaphor, my friends
And one that we adore
Whenever there’s a lengthy task
That’s nearing its conclusion
We drag it out, and then we bask
In its clichéd diffusion
Well have no fear, that is to say
Whenever -- at the end of day
You might need to refrain
It’s not a coming train
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2783520-Picture-and-quote-prompt-Light-in-the-Darkn
why is the day droll
and the night romance
is it the love of fireside stories
inherited from our cavemen ancestors
In spooky caves
with bison jumping off torchlit walls
is it simple needs coupled
with simple proximity
is it rebellion against
"go to sleep!"
or is it magic
infused by the first astrologer
drawing immortality
in the stars
her folded origami dream
unbound at last from its confine
its wings expand along the line
a gentle paper bending seem
a flap of feathers, and its gone
the nature of a dream is such
the longing leaves but a soft touch
the next one’s going to be a swan
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784516-Write-to-Image---8-Only-
the arctic fox
wanted to shake the snow globe
and make it winter again
Author notes: wc 14 https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784545-Brevity---15-words-or-less
a complex cabernet
will always save the day
a truly fit finale
would come from Napa Valley
a Stag's Leap or a Stirling
after some proper swirling
A Kendall or Mondavi
would water the Mojave
you're ready for some fun
sample some Opus One
and on special occasions
folks of all persuasions
would truly love an Abacus
I'll stand by that in amicus
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784567-Wine-
hell is missing the fury of scorned women
hell is typically ruled by those preferring to be a big fish in a small pond
hell's roads are indeed paved with good intentions
hell yeah and hell no are the two most popular phrases in hell
hell has daily status calls about making hell heller
hell is silent on puns. but we suspect
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784609-hell
I queried the gods of creation
And granted, with latent frustration
Will SHE marry me
I’m cute as can be
And frankly I’m bored with flirtation
The gods didn't offer assistance
ignoring my dogged persistence
but what can I say
this dog had its day
we now lead a joyful existence
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784583-A-Challenging-Double-Limerick image from Alamy
plastic faces, plastic smiles
liquid lunches, lurid styles
dirty secrets, dirty trials
and denials, denials, denials
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784500-Theme-Contest--1 Image courtesy of SeatPlan
Last Wednesday, did you assault the money lenders at the Temple?
Did you claim to be the son of God?
Can you turn this water into wine for me?
Are you the King of the Jews?
Fine, he doesn't want to talk. Crucify him!
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784425-4-Questions---Theme---A-Suspect-.
sharp right angles show
a fluid, beautiful dance
form follows function
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784429-Image-Prompt-Cubism-Art
less than the gods but closer to them every day
keeping conflicting impulses at bay
our vegan buddhas, and our intermittent fasters
our astronauts, their multi-billionaire masters
our mountain climbers tickling the sky
the scientists extracting how and why
our dancers, breathless beauty to behold
our sages, writing stories to be told
the gods within, we touch them every day
each of us capable, if we just find the way
oh sure, the beasts within, they do remain
our pantheon is insolent and vain
we’ve set the ceiling high for our old gods
but might just get there, despite all the odds
Author notes: wc 102 https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784436-Human-paradox
Oh Clio, Clio, why do we not learn
Repeating our mistakes as if we’re blind
As if a curse afflicting human kind
Makes us reject the past at every turn
Your wisdom is our guidance and our light
Absorbing it, we grow from year to year
Then why is it that so many do fear
What’s written in our books in black and white
Dear goddess, Clio, help us lift their veil!
And make them see the lessons of the past
Their narrow minds released, and free at last
And History, unshackled will prevail!
Author notes: wc 94 https://allpoetry.com/contest/2783458-The-Nine-Muses