1164

A Clear Midnight
THIS is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless,
Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done,
Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou
lovest best.
Night, sleep, and the stars.
--Walt Whitman, (1819 - 1892)


Welcome to A Poem In Your Pocket Celebration 2013 Thanks to all poets for your participation; revisit A Poem In Your Pocket 2012


purple kimonos
retreating between walls -
zen sunset
--Lavana Kray, Romania


forgotten
tulips on the back side
of your list
--Ralf Bröker, Germany


Ixora
The ixora blooms drink to their delight,
From the wetness in seasons of the rain;
Their little umbrella faces bereft of strain,
Resplendent in interludes of sunlight;
I linger a while to write, a tribute if i might,
To your now iterative state, and feign
Jealousy, to compliment your splendor again;
Radiant reds, oranges, and yellows bright,
A common place blooming, a beautiful sight;
No place in legendary courts to regain,
For never have you lost your plebeian reign;
A threadbare glory remains your right;
Seen here and there never out of sight;
Still my delight, beautiful ixora you remain
--gillena cox, (Pink Crush 2011 pg9)


higher and higher
mountain stream and I
weaker and weaker
--Gabriel Sawicki, Poland


sperm whale—
I am stranger speaking
in coda accent
--Ernesto P. Santiago / Philippines


flight of fancy
lifts my journey
through each day

china doll
closes her fan...
do you love me?

wings fan the air...
swallow
takes flight

dog days of summer
hot air air-conditioner cold...
ceiling fan revolution
--Pat Geyer, East Brunswick, NJ USA


Taking a break
the sparrows' twitter
at the feeder
--Beate Conrad, GER/USA


daily walk...
always a tissue
in his pocket
--Diane Mayr, US


dwarf banana plant
she says my haiku
show promise
--William Kenney, US


Thanks: Beate, Bill, Diane, Ernesto, Gabriel, Lavana, Lorraine, Pat, Ralf for your contributions

The Linky Widget has been removed, one Link, inputted by Lorraine is now hyperlinked


Poems in this Poetry Day sequence are the copyright of the individual writers


Till next year
much love
gillena

1116

Remembering love, sweet and young, shared with my husband (Anthony Cox); and, with the sharings on love, of some of my haijin friends; A Happy St Valentine's Day to all Lunch Break visitors;
revisit Valentine's Day 2012


red rose buds...
the "i love you" in
his shy silence
--gillena cox
first published at NaHaiWriMo


I forgave him in the night
a flower crushed
rises fragrantly a wind
--Diane Dehler


passing from
flower to flower--
a smell of love
--Vibeke Laier


her brown eyes
suddenly my turn
to talk
--Michael Baribeau


Valentine's Day--
she reminds me
to fasten my seatbelt
--Michael Dylan Welch


snowy road
closed daffodils
on her kitchen table
--Ralf Bröker


Ah ! expectation -
bunch of flowers in hand
the heart on the watch.
--Patrick Fetu


a deep breath
handing over
the paper heart
-- Christina Nguyen


red heart nebula
in cassiopeia...
a queen's valentine
--pat geyer


flowers is she
she is flower with flower
see the smiles
--Otteri Selvakumar


First spring day
without you this murky sky
over cherry blossoms
--Magdalena Dale


Valentine's night
working a shift
at the VD clinic
--Susan Delphine Delaney


Poems remain the copyright of individual writers
Hope you enjoyed this year's Valentine's Day party, wishing all Much Love...


Thanks for allowing me to share your work here at Lunch Break-:
Christina Nguyen, USA (A Wish For The Sky)
Diane Dehler, USA
Magdalena Dale, Romania
Michael Baribeau, USA
Michael Dylan Welch, USA
Otteri Selvakumar, India
Pat Geyer, USA
Patrick Fetu, France (Saint-Valentin)
Ralf Bröker, Germany
Susan Delphine Delaney, USA
--Vibeke Laier, Denmark

1086

image--Gheorghe Postelnicu

Welcome to the FIFTH YEAR'S celebration of 'The 12 days of Christmas here at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me
Wishing the love and warmth of family and friends MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

our dogs
join singing ...
but where is Baby Jesus?
--Ralf Bröker

Let me be
Your Christmas
Your shiny stars
I love you Jesus
--Lorraine

...Anansi, from trillions of night clouds above, craned his neck this way and that. He thought he saw a sign. Yes it was. A neon sign which read "Bethlehem Ephrath - stable about 2 to 3 swoooshes away"... (continues tomorrow)
(story of) 'Anansi - An Unusual Experience' © gillena cox 2012

Anansi image © gillena cox 2011

Three wise men journey
to the east to discover
the light of the world
--Keith Simmonds

rainy Christmas
an umbrella to shelter...
what of the homeless
--gillena cox

in the company of the homeless---
nuns serve
Christmas dinner
Fred Masarani

memories –
mere repentance
throught the fog
--Tatjana Debeljacki

first dream of the year--
i wake not knowing
which way is up
--Kirsten Cliff


Lets do this; the 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break Dec 25 to January 5th; join in the celebration email me or post a COMMENT


revisit 2 Jan 2012
Inspiration for this series The Twelve Days of Christmas Carol
more about Anansi

All poems and images remain the copyright of individual writers

1085

another new year
i take with me the scent
of Christmas memories
--Chrissi Villa

fire crackers...
a whiff of the new year
within festive sounds
--gillena cox

New Year's Day ...
the bunch of balloons
hangs shriveled
--Kirsten Cliff

learning from the past –
New Year resolutions
set in marble
-- Stella Pierides

office wish list...
in a recycled envelope
oddly shaped scraps

that vacation in New York
all the ALF toys were sold out
--gillena cox (first shared at NaHaiWriMo)

The midnight hour…
last year’s resolutions
recycled

Strains of Auld Lang Syne
filling the atmosphere…
a new beginning

Fireworks in sync
with the midnight magic …
the power of hope
--Keith Simmonds


...Where are we Anansi entreated? Wind however had spoken her bit for that night, when she commanded "Come with me Anansi" so to Anansi's now questioning, she gave no reply. It was swooosh, after swooosh after swooosh. As wind blew this way and that carrying poor Anansi in her grasp... (continues tomorrow)
(story of) 'Anansi - An Unusual Experience' © gillena cox 2012

Anansi image © gillena cox 2011


Welcome to the FIFTH YEAR'S celebration of 'The 12 days of Christmas here at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me
Wishing the love and warmth of family and friends MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!


Lets do this; the 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break Dec 25 to January 5th; join in the celebration email me or post a COMMENT


revisit 1 Jan 2012
Inspiration for this series The Twelve Days of Christmas Carol
more about Anansi

All poems and images remain the copyright of individual writers

1079

image from google

smell of roast
in the long distance call –
Christmas day
--Stella Pierides

TV movies Christmas day
sips of saki and chocolate
--gillena cox

family gathering...
the many sounds
of laughter
--Kirsten Cliff


...Left alone for a while, Anansi and Mrs Anansi sit at the table sipping coffee. They use cinnamon sticks to stir, stirring slowing. They sip and they talk, for the children are too excited by their new toys to feel hungry, or even remember, they have anansi parents.... (continues tomorrow)
(story of) 'Anansi - An Unusual Experience' © gillena cox 2012

Anansi image © gillena cox 2011


silent day after Christmas
I clean house again
-- Adelaide

Boxing Day hunt —
ducks on the Danube line-up
for crumbs
-- Stella Pierides

so many left overs oh my scale
better walk all the boxing sale
--Lorraine


Welcome to the FIFTH YEAR'S celebration of 'The 12 days of
Christmas here at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me Wishing the love and warmth of family and friends MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012


Lets do this; the 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break Dec 25 to January 5th; to join in the celebration email me or post a COMMENT


revisit 26 Dec 2011
Inspiration for this series The Twelve Days of Christmas Carol
more about Anansi

All poems and images remain the copyright of individual writers

A Poem In Your Pocket 2012

image from google used for this haiga
Join the celebration at Lunch break; Poem In Your Pocket 2012; COMMENT or email me a poem i'll post it today. Poems remain the copyright of individual writers

also left hanging
in the pine
the farmer's paper fan
-- Issa 1823

April showers -
a soggy kite held erstwhile
in tree branches
--gillena cox


monday morning walk...
sun bathes the lake in warm light
cormorants smile
turtles rest on floating logs
and leaves leisurely float by
--Pat Geyer, US

beautiful blond boy
posed in his communion suit
ever in my heart.
rosary, bow, cross and smile
old photo of my father.
--Pat Geyer, US


the asphalt
covered with cherry petals;
tracks of my car
--Taro Kunugi, JP

image share from Ralf Bröker,

walking the Royal Mile
with eyes
on my now
--Ralf Bröker, DE

cherry blossoms
fall from my scrapbook
he loved me then
--Pris Campbell, US


first light
another bird voice
joins the choir
--Cara Holman, US


early morning breeze
a hummingbird flies
into my dream
--Stevie Strang, US


lingering dream
of tears and loss...
awakening to rain
--Dianne Borsenik, US

--haiga by Robert Johnston, NZ



gypsy girl -
the golden tooth shines
as she smiles
--Gurwinder Singh Sidhu(a sharing from Surmeet Maavi, IN)



rain soothes parched desert
plants thrive umbrellas open
cactus flowers bloom
--Michelle Angelini, US



a halo
of budding leaves
the old oak tree
--Michael Baribeau, US



an icy wind
sweeps across the mountain top...
a sentinel rainbow
--Keith Simmonds, TT



Butterfly Effect
dare to fly
brave wings
seize each moment
the destiny of the world
awaits your
your timing
--Reason A. Poteet,US



Poetry by Pablo Neruda
And it was at that age ... Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don't know, I don't know where
it came from, from winter or a river.
I don't know how or when,
no, they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a street I was summoned,
frm the branches of night,
abruptly from others,
among violent fires
or returning alone,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.
I did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names,
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my soul,
fever or forgotten wings,
and I made my own way,
deciphering
that fire,
and I wrote the firts faint line,
faint, without substance, pure
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows nothing,
and suddenly I saw
the heavens
unfastened
and open,
planets,
palpitating plantations,
shadow perforated,
riddled
with arrows, fire and flowers,
the winding night, the universe.

And I, infitesimal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
for myself a pure part of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind.
(Translated from the Spanish by Alastair Reid)


2010's celebration can be seen here

'Poem In Your Pocket'- history here
THANKS TO ALL POETS FOR TODAY'S COLLABORATION
much love
gillena

Sunday Savvy 22

Sunday savvy -
this circle that is earth
ours to stewardship
--gillena cox, TT

Earth Day marks its 43rd year today April 22. Forty-three years is nothing. The Earth has survived for 4.5 billion years. It’s handled countless asteroids, oxidizing bacteria, and climate-changing volcanoes. Trust me, the Earth is going to be fine. The real question is: are we? read more here
series SUNDAY SAVVY continues - HAPPY EARTH DAY


over her scars
each year a new dress...
Mother Earth
--Ana-Maria Trandafir, RO

Happy quotidian birthday to you, Mother Gaia!
One more trip around the Sun,
just a cosmic inch on the infinite spiral trek towards Vega.
And while you, heavenly pals, move, human life goes on
through perplexing moments of glory and misery.
--Franklin Magalhaes, BR


get moving
work together for Mother...
"Mobilize the Earth"
--Pat Geyer, US


earth day –
on the robin chicks’ backs
new feathers

earth day -
a blackbird feather woven
into the robins’ nest
--Stella Pierdes, DE/UK


earth day--
I make a wish
on a dandelion

endless sky
another spring
full of daffodils
--Christine L. Villa, US



Earth Day---
first bird song
greens smile
--Gennady Nov, RU

Poems in this Earth Day Sunday sequence are the copyright of the individual writers

revisit Earth Day 2010

revisit Sunday Savvy 21

Sunday smiles to all; Why not share a little Sunday Earth day something with me: COMMENT or email me

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

reed pipes

The FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break'; continues, thanks for celebrating with me. All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY ELEVEN JANUARY 4RD 2012

And Anansi,once again, found himself there in the rainforest; but somehow, he was back in Latin America; now his trek had taken him to Brazil, he sensed somehow he was near the coastline and he sighed from exhaustion; then suddenly he heard a wailing sound, as if someone was blowing a reed pipe; Anansi's strength surged, he dropped his back pack, and stood straight as a rod and listened, without daring one step which would be to much noise. He listened, the music seem to be approaching him, coming nearer and nearer until, there! ten wizened griots their pipes held at their lips and the saddest of strains left their instuments. Then he heard their voices, all ten griots speaking together at once
" Anansi! Kwaku Anansi! what nonsense is this, of going back to the African Continent? Man its Christmas; a time to be opening presents with your childen, a time to be eating ham and drinking sorrell with Mrs Anansi; a time for parang..." Anansi gulped, then he heard the sweet voice of Mrs Anansi singing
"on the eleventh day of Christmas, my love gave to meeee...eleven pipers piping...ten lords a-leaping...nine ladies dancing...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

on legs and hands
Daddy becomes
a donkey



--And in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

groups of carolers
parading the streets
to spread the gospel



--And in Canada as reported by Lorraine Renaud

Wind throws him up
gently
to another patch

Many religious observers ascribe the 11 Pipers Piping as symbolic for The eleven faithful Apostles

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here

revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors


To participate COMMENT or e-mail me


OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Instruments of the Renaissance

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

--Lighted Up Christmas Tree by Turku Cathedral haiga -- from Juhani Tikkanen of Finland

The FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break'; continues, thanks for celebrating with me
All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY TEN JANUARY 3RD 2012

Above Mrs Anansi singing, Anansi said
"we're here"
as he parked the car in the church yard; the children - boy and girl Anansi bounced out racing toward the church door,
"Wait! "
shouted Mrs Anansi, but they were already going with their friends to sit up front.
Mr and Mrs Anansi sat nearer the middle of the church.The inside of the church was so lovely, there was a Christmas tree and Christmas wreaths, and a creche, wherein, baby Jesus laid in the manger; and near the altar, the Christmas wreath with three purple candles, and one pink candle forming a circle with one white candle in the center of the circle. And they all settled in for the celebration. After church friends and realitives wished one another A Merry Christmas, as they left to return to their homes. As soon as Mrs Anansi settled in and buckled her seat belt, she continued signing her carol;
"on the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...ten lords a-leaping...nine ladies dancing...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile from Keith Simmonds in Trinidad and Tobago

a jampacked church
worshippers belt out carols...
Christmas morning


--And in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

on ice
she finishes
in the middle of her turn



--And in the USA as reported by Adelaide Shaw

strong winds
holiday lights blinking
on and off


Many religious observers ascribe the ten Lords-a-Leaping as symbolic for The Ten Commandments

more about The 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the Carol here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here

Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors


To participate COMMENT or e-mail me


OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Daisy Voisin - Alegria Alegria Listen

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

Opening haiga by Gheorghe Postelnicu, Romania

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

DAY EIGHT JANUARY 1ST 2012


The coastline seemed out of reach; all he heard, were birds twittering, frogs croaking, snakes hissing and monkeys chattering; it really didn't make any sense spinning webs here in the rainforest. Tired as he was, he continued walking.
"when he got to The African Continent, he would seek out the griots and have them declare to the world, that he Anansi, was no scondrel, no plain ole trickster; but he Anansi was a wise old one, coming out from the dark mysterious continent, full of wisdom, full of guile, and a gutsy old fellow"; he mumbled. A smile beamed on Anansi's face.
"Well now, asked Mrs Anansi what brings about this change of disposition? you are actually smiling, you look happy"
"Oh its only your beautiful singing Mrs Anansi" answered Anansi.
So she continued "on the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...eight maids a-milking...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"


--Meanwhile in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

to open a door
into a new year
sun



--and in the USA as reported by Dian Mayr

first comment...
to a friend I'll probably
never meet


Many religious observers ascribe the Eight maids a-milking as symbolic for The eight Beatitudes

more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here


Poems and images remain the copyright of the individual writers

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me


OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Baron - Felize Navidad

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

Opening Anansi image © gillena cox 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY SEVEN DECEMBER 31ST 2011


...just about everyone knows, that Anansi was created on that day when wisdom was given to the animals.
I dont know if it was the first day, I dont know if it was the second day, I dont know if it was the third day, I dont know if it was the fourth day, I dont know if it was the fifth day, I dont know if it was the sixth day, I dont know if it was the seventh day; all i know is that Anansi, sometimes called 'Anansi the spider' was sometimes a man, and sometimes a spider; and as a spider he could spin webs; not the flimsy kind we know and call cobwebs. Oh no. Not he, he spun strong beautiful webs that were apprropriate to his needs in every situation.
"Anansi!" he heard is wife's voice as if in a far far distance; "you seem so preoccupied" Dont bother youself Mrs Anansi," he replied, " i'm alright, i'm just enjoying your beautiful singing." So she sang more loudly now "on the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...seven swans a-swimming...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee"

--Meanwhile in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

the scent of paint
blowing in the wind...
Christmas carols


--And in Germany as reported by Ralf

playing cards
the other ones
cheat


--And in Canada as reported by Lorraine Renaud

Back together
stretch lines
soften


Many religious observers ascribe the seven swans a-swimming as symbolic for Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here

Poems remain the copyright of the individual writers

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me


OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Susan Macio - Trini Christmas Is The Best

The Twelve Days of Christmas 2011-12

Opening image © gillena cox 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Welcome to the FOURTH YEAR'S celebration OF 'The 12 days of Christmas at Lunch Break' Thank you for celebrating with me

All the prose (ie. story of) 'Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas' © gillena cox 2011

DAY SIX DECEMBER 30TH 2011


..."so tired, hungry, dont think i could go much further, i miss my wife, i miss my children so very much ;"
(for Anansi was what we Trinis call a 'family man'); Anansi loved his family dearly and could not bear to be away from them for very long. All around him was dense lush greenery, he heard the sounds of strange birds and animals, all for the very first time. And he thought to himself
"if i could only reach the coastline i could start webbing and swing across the Atlantic Ocean"
Meanwhile, Mrs Anansi in the family car,continued singing;
"on the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to meeee...six geese a-laying... five gooold rings.........four colly birds...three french hens...two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear treeeeee" .

Meanwhile in the USA as reported by Dian Mayr

migrating geese
honking through the carols
Christmas morning


--And in Romania as reported by Cristina-Monica Moldoveanu

Christmas frost -
a blue star stranded
in the fir tree


--And in Germany as reported by Ralf Bröker

the last bottle
of this pack
she hides his key



--And in Trinidad and Tobago as reported by Keith Simmonds

a smiling vagrant
retrieves a Santa Claus cap
from an old dustbin

calypso music
competes with Christmas carols...
carnival coming



Many religious observers ascribe the six geese a-laying as symbolic for The six days of Creation

more aboutThe 12 days of Christmas
Listen to the song here
revisit The 2010/11 Celebration Finale here


Poems and images; remain the copyright of the individual contributors

To participate COMMENT or e-mail me


OTHER INTERESTING LINKS
Kids Track Santa On Google Earth
Relator - Christmas on Sesame Street