From Robert Lee Brewer:
For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Battle (blank);” replace the blank with a word or phrase; make the new phrase the title of your poem; and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Battle Tested,” “Battle of the Sexes,” “Battle of the Bands,” and “Battle of the Bulge.
Secrets slither down
ReplyDeletehallways concealed by doorways
eclipsed by shadows.
Her red lips, red hair
red dress, shimmer in dim light
as the door opens.
"Stop," she cautions, then
views the intruder, smiles
with invitation.
Case of mistaken
identity, so like him,
she discerns too late
it was not bright, door
unlocked, unprotected. One
can intrude unheard.
"Pizza?" he inquired.
Pepperoni, sausage. Smells
waft across the room.
Memories flood her
senses, family dinners,
Friday gatherings.
"So like your father,"
she says, "thought you were a ghost
come back to haunt me."
"I battle that ghost
each day," her visitor puts
forth. "He's never gone."
wow! that's a powerful little verse
Deletebattling ghosts is very tricky victoria. i should know. i've been in mortal combat with a few - love and peace - paul.
DeleteI LOVE IT!!!!! The story gets better and better every day!!!
DeleteVictoria, Linda said it all. I love it too. and the story does get better and better every day!!! Thanks for making it so interesting.
Deleteoooh ghosties! Can't wait to see what happens next.
DeleteBATTLE FOR HER LOVE
ReplyDeleteshe got me in to five fights
and arrested three times
mostly for her crimes
in between the fights we did have our highlights
and sweaty, scratchy, biting nights
tried to outflank her in the battle
the tiny thing gave me a right hook that made my jaw rattle
had to raise the white flag and surrender
our love was never soft and tender
she was my stalingrad
so near and yet so far
for a year i could never be glad
yep! she was crazy and bizarre.
quite the battle there!!
Deleteindeed bonita. i didn't call her the panther for nothing grrrrrr.
DeleteInteresting take on the poem. You sure do seem to have your share of relationship problems. LOL
DeleteAnd on and on until she finally got tired of beating up on you and moved on to bigger game, I guess. You might rejoice, I wish you would.
DeleteYes, Quite a battle there!!! I enjoyed your poem very much!!!
DeletePaul F. Your poems usually involve females and your relationships with them. I enjoy hearing about your personal life. I feel I am getting to know you in this way. I enjoyed your poem a lot.
Deletei have about five peoples share of relationship problems victoria ha ha - maybe next time - paul.
Deletetrying to move on tash, but as well as being the most evil thing on earth, she could also be nearly as much fun as a basket of puppies - love and peace - paul.
Deleteindeed wolfie. i barely survived and got a few scars - love and peace - paul
Deletethanks paul. i can only really express myself in verse anymore. most of it gets burned, but the surviving poems sort of sum me up - take care my friend - paul.
DeleteBattle On
ReplyDeleteWomen who marched for the "me too" movement
Where are your voices now?
Where are your protestors?
You can't get change with only one march! Battle on!
Students who marched for your lives
Where are your voices now?
Where are your protestors?
You can't change laws with only one march! Battle on!
Joe Hill didn't get a worker's union with only one march
The suffragettes didn't get the women's vote with only one march
Martin Luther King didn't win equality with only one march
They kept their voices heard and they battled on!
Awesome poem. Just FYI, partly the battles continue on social media which wasn't around when Joe Hill or the MLK were marching. But the the students who marched have two more events planned. Another walkout on April 20, the anniversary of Columbine and another March on Washington some time in June. I can't find anything about it here, but I heard a couple of the teens from FL talking about it on a news show over the past few days. And that's actually another place they continue, they speak on tv news regularly, other than that one network where they are not welcome.
DeleteI'm not a marcher however I cheer those who are, and believe me they do need, as you say to keep on keeping on. And they will. Many more women, it was in the news, are running for public office in this election. I'm proud.
DeleteYou're absolutely right!!! you can't win a battle with one march!! And you sighted some very appropriate battles... this poem excited my senses. Enjoyed
DeleteBonnie, This is a totally great poem. It read well out loud and the imagery was terrific. I enjoyed it a great deal.
Deletein my experience bonita a lot of people go on marches just for a day out, to talk to girls and something to do. then go back to their comfortable middle class existence. they used to break our meetings up with battons and police horses, 'cos they knew we were serious - " i'm mad as hell and i'm not gonna take this any more! " - love and protest - paul.
ReplyDeleteBattle Forsworn
ReplyDeleteI've never been one for battles
My duels are few
and far between
and mostly unseen.
My chief opponent
has usually been myself,
my doubt about
going with or without.
I'm a peaceful sort
not given to struggle
I'd rather snuggle instead.
It's conflict I dread.
However, if pushed I will fight
when I need to,
for the right reason
at the appropriate season.
Yet if the battle comes to me
I will see what I feel
is the best thing to do
so to myself I'll be true.
Yep, to your own self be true. I myself am a warrior of a sort. I have always felt like a warrior. But I also feel the same thing you do... to my own self be true. Good poem.
DeleteTasha, I enjoyed this poem very much. It read well aloud. The rhythm went well.
Deletei'd rather snuggle too tash, but i'll fight for what i love. - your friend - paul.
DeleteThanks der friends!
DeleteI was always told to pick my battles. some are just not worth the effort. seems like you most of my battles are with myself.
ReplyDeleteBattle Worn
ReplyDeleteSo tired of battle
behind a boulder
the soldier lay
through the smoke
he could see the stars
his heart ached
for his dead comrades
he was home sick
for his mom and pop
for his sweetheart
he hadn't had a letter
in awhile, he worried
would he live through the night...
would he see tomorrow...
he heard the moans
of pain and cried
silently, he prayed
he wondered if God
could hear his prayers
he wondered if God
would forgive him
for killing gooks
it was kill or be killed
did God know this?
he prayed some more...
he smelled death and blood
he saw the child that carried
the bomb into their camp
blow up...over and over
he cried...he prayed...
he wondered if he slept
he was cold and yet he
was sweating...he knew
he was sick...he wanted
to go home...He was so tired...
Linda, This was a very realistic poem. I enjoyed the imagery and the realism...
Deletereminded me a little of the iron maiden song "the trooper ". one of my fav songs. a compliment indeed - love and peace - paul.
Deleteso sad and so real
DeleteVivid, and telling. A sad story, so sad, yet beautifully told.
DeleteBattle On
ReplyDeleteEveryday a new challenge, a chance for change
Life can be comfortable or scary and strange
It's at the worst moments we need to hold tight
and batten down the hatches to put up a fight
Battle on in every way
And do your best on everyday
This life is a mystery that must be studied
Sometimes that leads to us being bloodied
But battle on we shall for ours is to achieve
You must give of yourself in order to receive
You perpetuate energy by applying your force
So keep fighting on and stay your course
sometimes keeping your hatches battoned during a storm can be a good thing, or you sink " i am a rock. i am an island " - paul
Deleteevery day can be it's own battle... but yes we battle on because it's all we can do... good write
DeleteMe, I prefer to dance on, once coined a phrase and pasted it to my kitchen wall: It is better to dance than to fight. To each his/her own. Enjoy your battles, friend, you state them well.
Delete