Poems

form follows function
hidden energies gather
big fan of Tai Chi

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2796273--409-MAX-6-lines---PHOTO-is-prompt

the sigil burned into his shield
glows brightly as they take the field
enemy swords ring as they strike
and a mace punctures with its spike
but as the day comes to a close
and as the wounded wail their woes
he is the one that's loved by fate
and hangs his shield up on their gate

Author notes: wc 57 https://allpoetry.com/contest/2796327-Word-of-the-Day--Crest

beguiling voice
she fades to black
she made her choice
wish she was back
but she went back
to black

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-