Sunday Trees #416 110319

In Murfreesboro, TN

– On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea’s Sunday Trees #416 – November 3, 2019. Photo ©2019 Leara Nicole Morris-Clark.

Still Small Voice

A murmur from the crowd —
Raging awful sound

Cold and bold, growing louder
Stoked by fear uncontrolled —

Shouts of doubters who were sold
False narratives
Foretold —
Impending doom

Imperative truth among raucous
A still small voice still speaking veracity
To those who will listen

– Written for dVerse Quadrille #85, prompt was “voice.” WC 44.

Twisted

twisted bare vines crawl
all around the weathered cross –
air whirrs with power

– Written for Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge #266. Word prompts were “Twisted” & “Cross” or synonyms of those.

The Gift

She wrapped her scarf and sighed visibly in the morning air.

On the recurring drive, she replayed the first visit. Tubes, wires, alerts of all kinds overwhelmed them.

The season closed with a new beginning; baby is finally coming home.

– Written for YeahWrite Microprose Challenge #434. Prompt was to tell a story in exactly 40 words that evokes a specific season without using the names for that season.

Limbo

In between
Living and waiting to live

Songs of mourning and lullabies
Life as it were and as it will be
Tears for the loss and baby cries

A cycle that ends
And begins again with no surprise
Twilight and morning sunrise

In between
An ultrasound and looking into my newborn baby’s eyes

– Written for dVerse Poetics, prompt was “limbo.” I also implemented the Form for All 55 word challenge. WC 55. Photos are of my daughter. She was born 1lb. and 10oz. at 27 weeks. She is now 6 months old (3 months adjusted) and 11lbs. 7.5oz.

Symphony of Spring

wind plucked branches played
a symphony of springtime
colors exploded

– Written for Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge #251. Word prompts were “plucked” & “played” or synonyms of those. Image by Lolame from Pixabay.

Be Still My Heart (Leftovers)

I said, “Be still my heart!”
Out loud this time,
So sure that you noticed
When it flung me at your feet —

Heat crawled up my neck —
So sure that you noticed
My ears were red as traffic lights, as stop signs
Warning me not to cross the line —

I stumbled with its erratic beat
And slid into the seat
Next to you —

I said, “Be still my heart!”
Out loud this time,
So sure that you noticed
The sweaty palm I ran through my hair
Before I tossed my head for added flair —

I hoped this
Time would be different,
That I wouldn’t lose my heart —

I said, “BE STILL, my heart!”
Out loud this time,
So sure that you noticed
When it leapt from my sleeve
And landed squarely on your napkin,

Though you pretended not to —

I said, “Be still my heart!”
Out loud this time,
Through clenched teeth,
So sure that you noticed
How I carried on distractedly,
My eyes darted often to it there exposed and vulnerable —

Until upon evening’s end,
Without a word, you gently wrapped
It up and tucked it into your purse
Like leftovers you couldn’t bare to waste —

My carryout heart stilled —
Happy not to be left behind on the table,
And so glad that you noticed.

– Added to dVerse Open Ink Night 05/02/2019.