Express In Eight

December 2021

December: Expression in Eight


12-1-2021
Forever love

When Hazel met Harry at a friend’s wedding
she never guessed it would be the beginning
of an idyllic life of love and understanding.

Not a broken moment of discord or dismay,
years flew on the wings of endless delights,
till fate decided to intercept, cut their harmony.

At the sight of his still body resting
she too passed but lo! their souls entwined.

Prompt: Write an eight line poem in which each line contains exactly 8 words.
Topics: Broken/ decision


12-2-2021
Small yet strong

It hid in a corner
by the kitchen door.
I went in, stepping
on the smooth floor.

Warned by the noise
it must have crept fast
up the shelf poised to bite.
A small scorpion got me at last.

Prompt: Bite

Note: it must have come from the hills.
Went to the doctor, got an antidote forthwith.


12-3-2021
Magic walk

Enthralling magic
till you know the trick.

He walks through the wall
emerges neat and tall.

A screen and an assistant
needed to create an instant

illusion that the impossible
at times is pretty possible.

Prompt: Walking Through Wall


12-4-2021
Baking delights
The one thing he learnt
after coming to America
is those quick-fix cookies.

Unlike so many boys of his age
he wasn't reluctant to help
in the kitchen at home.

Now he is a seasoned baker
of cakes and mouth watering cookies.

Prompt: National Cookie Day - Started in 1987 by Matt Nader of San Francisco's Blue Chip Cookie Company, this day is meant to celebrate the wonderful world of cookies!
Note- That's my son guys! His specialty for any occasion.


12-5-2021
Sustenance

Soil, the sole soul
of planet earth is
vital for green wealth
and health; how else
could we have feed,
food, fiber and fuel?

A tree less world?
bizarre, a nightmare.

Prompt: World Soil Day - aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being


12-7-2021
Fascinated

With flaxen curls and azure eyes,
a shiny smile and a friendly nod,
Karen captivated the guys and girls
of the senior high, who like a herd of
antelopes standing still in their tracks
gazing at an unfolding vision of beauty
on a mild, soothing sunny summer morn,
were totally absorbed, fascinated.

Prompts: Flaxen, Tracks.


12-8-2021
sparkle
Your smile tells me
who I am and what I am.
Your shadow shows
the depth of our closeness.

I see silvery moonlight
during the day.
Unnumbered sparkling stars
wrapped around me.

Prompt: The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day. – H.W. Longfellow


12-9-2021
The Symbol

When in dumps of disillusion
I beseech the unique unicorn
to fly me to lands of healing.

When guilty of hurting someone
I implore to cleanse me of spite,
purify me of the darkness inside.

When I gaze on the unicorn’s magical horn
it seems slicing through every single vice.

Prompt: Unicorn Statue


12-10-2021
In rhythm

Sensors in the shoes
head phones in the ears.
His gait changes,
in rhythm with the music.

The glitter on his face
mirrors the thrill
he reaps, the joy he feels
in walk, pace, trot and canter.

Prompt: Gait/ Glitter


12-11-2021
On my mind

I detected
the effect he had
on our English class.

Milton’s Lucifer
and Beelzebub, the rebels, talking
of ways to bring Him down
are screened

before my mind’s eye.

Prompt: In my mind’s eye.


12-12-2021
Faith

Early dawn sees her rising
Empty stomachs to be filled
Eager mouths to be fed.
Energy ebbs and flows
Endurance rich and rare
Emotions under control
Encouragement from within
Endless faith in self and God

Prompt: Write an early morning poem. All 8 lines should begin with the same letter.

12-13-2021
Our present.

Our brave new present
has countless monsters
to kill, sinister serpents to fell.

The new adventure on the block
for the brave hearts is to repel
and repress threats to peace
bring back trophies of love, joy
wellbeing and vital balance.

Prompt: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley


12-14-2021
Colorful
My illusions are few
they are ever new.

when the sun shines
when the land brightens
when the soft wind brings
hope on its delicate wings
I wonder if it’s paradise
A colorful illusion I wish to realize

Prompt: Illusion


12-16-2021
Freedom

A forlorn stable
of a distant hamlet
in a dark and cold corner
Jesus, the Christ was born
to undo the shackles
of cruelty, prejudice and pain
showing a path to live in peace
patience and love," forevermore".

Prompt: Forever.


12-17-2021
Light within
The coast is clear, all’s calm
The song of love is but a balm.
No more tears, nothing to fear
Come what may I love you dear.
One Step back if I am wrong
Many steps ahead when I am strong.
The road is tough, long and tiresome
The light in your heart makes it winsome.

Prompt: End of the Line
by Traveling Wilburys


Enigma

An enigma he was to the neighbors,
who stopped not fielding questions.
He dropped not a hint about himself
letting them conclude all by themselves.
They saw crinkles of laughter lines
and ripples of kindness in his eyes.
Wondered how he bonded with all sans strain,
spreading good fellowship, simple and plain.

Prompt:Write a mysterious poem.


12-20-2021
Unseen marvels

Under the fresh glow of a shining moon
The veil of darkness begins to slip soon.

Under the gentle heave of the massive sea
Live colourful kelp, clown fish, coral and eel

Under spacious spread of the wide blue sky
A world of amazing variety meets my eye

Under the wings of protection of a merciful God
We learn too to face the odds patient and bold.

Prompt: Write An Under Poem


12-21-2021
Wholesome

The sky bends in supplication
The earth showers in sunshine
The wind blows a melodic tune
The flowers dance and sway
World changes in an instant.

Broad daylight pervades
Erases night’s lingering shadow,
bringing joy to lonesome hearts.

Prompts: Instant/ Erase


12-22-2021
Between the lines

One powerful word
said in measured quietude
can change millions.

A poet’s pen bridges
emotion and voice.
In the glint of the sea
sparkles the message,
“Cap the noise”.

Prompt: Message


12-23-2021
Healing

In times when the intensity of my regrets
collects into a crucible of inner turmoil,
helpless tears and anxiety threaten
to ruin health and happiness,
I find spectacular success
in retaining mindfulness
in meditation, a miraculous
remedy of ancient India.


Prompts: Meditation, Regret, Spectacular, Intense.


12-24-2021
My Day

In the cool dawn
the world still sleeps
wrapped in the warmth of home.

The ethereal moon,
the fading stars make
a slow exit enveloped in divine silence.

The orange orb rises in all its brilliance
The sky is lit, my day is made.

Prompt: Make My Day


12-25-2021
Laughter

His keen sense of humour
makes life fare forward
with ease and splendour.
My mind becomes lighter,
as I burst forth with laughter.
Sometimes parody, sometimes satire,
slapstick, low brow, high brow, burlesque
Sir/Madam! what’s yours?

Prompt: Keen

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.


12-26-20-21
Time to spend

Watching an engaging Ted talk
Enjoying an inspiring morning walk

Reading unforgettable lines
with indelible rhythm and rhyme

To dwell on moments and think of those
that make love and laughter grow

finding more and some more ways
to spend quality time through all my days.

Prompt: Quality Time


12-27-2021
Solidarity

The ice cold winds from the north
make life miserable in the south.
Wild fires in the west blew havoc
through the east with heat and dust.

That’s diversity at a glance in our
undivided subcontinental unity.
The elemental clash in the country
drove home the need for solidarity.

Prompt: Fire and Ice

12-28-2021
Eternal

Endless ocean
forever in motion.

Rise and fall, surge and swell
ebb and flow, heave and ripple.

Murmurs the brave tales of Ulysses,
Drake and Christopher Columbus,

who opened our eyes to the worth and value
of the great sea, making the world small and new.

Prompt: Write an ocean poem

12-29-2021
Then, now and later

The child that loved
tales of bravery and chivalry
The girl that enjoyed
the knight rescuing a fair belle,

lived on in the woman,
whose heart pulses to verses
like “Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams’”
will stay cocooned in the delicate dreams of love and beauty.

Prompt: Write a look back or A look forward poem.

12-30-2021
Excuse me

Excuse me if I stare.
But my dear sojourner!
Why do you have to be so fair
setting my blood to rush forth?

Ever since I met you
at your dear sister’s place
all I have are excuses untrue,
shadowing as you come and go.

Prompt: “Excuse” as a noun and verb.

12-31-2021
All the way

Some books hook me right away
be it of action, crime or drama
compel me to go every step of the way

A railway platform or a crowded room
above the rush and din of noise
I sail into realms welcoming minus gloom.

Crisp, controlled, specific and vivid
writing that makes my life splendid.

Prompt: Compelling