Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Caustic, Hunch, Sacrifice


I had a hunch he would sacrifice his queen
to save the passing pawn
so I let her go and set my bishop after the understated heir,
and by the caustic look he shot me,
I knew I'd guessed correctly.

Twelve seconds later, my bishop died.
It was three more moves to checkmate.

I'd forgotten the fury of a queen mother.

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Pessimist


He pondered. He stewed.
He fretted and brooded
over every somber dawn.
His life was weighed by worry
As fearful visions scurried
across his eyes.
His tired face was drawn.

How ponderous
How heavy
The future stretched before him...
days like stacks of ironwood
piled up in endless cords
He sighed his mornings all away
They vanished quietly one day
Like dust.
Time wasn't heavy anymore.

Our "Week-end Wordsmith" prompt was Ponder/ponderous.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Alchemy


Alchemy--

My second most favorite online puzzle.
The game is from Puzzle Pirates.
The picture is my own little pirate working at the apothecary.




Someone out there wanted the link to this game: Here it is. http://www.puzzlepirates.com/?affiliate=r1026255&lang=en
Also, here is a link to an old blog entry of mine which shows thirteen of the different kinds of puzzles you can play--yes, there are more. http://keepingup-lilibeth.blogspot.com/2008/02/thirteen-games-on-puzzle-pirates-arrrr.html

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Hunger



He nuzzles at the brazen boots of fame--
Survives on stingy praise slopped out like gruel.
Back home she waits and watches out the window
His biggest fan.





Our three word prompt was: Brazen, Hunger, Nuzzle

Saturday, March 20, 2010

I Demand...



I demand that you sit there and listen.
I demand that you pay me to sing.
I demand that hotel rooms be fit for my taste.
I’m a super-star media queen!
I demand ‘cause you swoon at my presence
You’re the slave and you live in my light!
Yet you sigh and you scream just to fulfill my dream!
And you never suspect that there’s something not right
With this picture…


Our Sunday Scribblings Prompt was "Demands"

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Pulse, Shard, Weary


Shard of Silver Spear
Pulse panics; face grows ashen!
Weary warrior falls

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Modify, Obedient, Veil


Inside my black veil


Obedient, I beg you


Modify this law!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Fluency

I remember an old story of a young, stuttering Greek who wanted to become an orator. Every day he put pebbles into his mouth and stood on the stormy seashore screaming at the waves. Oh to be understood!
As a teacher, I sometimes feel the same despairing need for fluency. How can I reach them: Those ears anesthetized by i-pods; those eyes so mesmerized by random image assaults of cool, meaningless bangles of trivia; those senses battered by rushing overloads of excitement in games and rides and toys and human drama on the screen.

Oh for a child who can still be amazed!
For that one, I'll spend hours at the beach, stuffing pebbles into my mouth.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Amaze, Frail, Sacred

Ezekiel's Haiku


Seraphim amaze
with sacred, solemn, singing
I'm frail and mortal!