Entries to Express It In Eight from September 2020 to the present . |
The number of poems enforces the use of blog format with ten poems per page. |
A Gift Horse This measuring machine that I from you did borrow, although so cool and clean, has not assuaged my sorrow - most imprecise device, indeed, I tried it twice, with diff’rent answers both, and third, it yelled an oath! Line count: 8 Rhymed ababccdd For Express It In Eight, 12.31.22 Prompts: Imprecise, device, twice. |
Silent Spring We don’t have children anymore, other gods we do adore, convenience is king and comfort, only these are worth a trumpet, and kids are messy things and loud, especially when in a crowd, no need for playgrounds, country fair, leave us to our mute despair. Line count: 8 Rhymed aabb For Express It In Eight, 12.30.22 Prompt: As per illustration. |
Lines God said to Adam, “Hold up your palm,” then wrote several lines on his hand “Your future,” He said, “to keep you from harm, should last longer than words in the sand.” Then He added some lines to man’s face, deeply He scored, hand moving fast, “There,” He announced, “that seems the right place for all to read of your past.” Line count: 8 Rhymed abab For Express It In Eight, 12.29.22 Prompt: Palm. |
Sprawling The urban sprawl of Los Angeles, spread like butter on the toast of the plain, makes me think of my bodily manganese, found in liver and kidneys and brain, and as life begins in humility, a speck through many trials it has won, but spawning more growth in futility, like this poem, it goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on. Line count: 8 Rhymed abab For Express It In Eight, 12.28.22 Prompt: Write a sprawling poem. |
Ramble Generally speaking, I’ve no need for sneaking; it’s easy to get lost, to set out is the cost, but, just to make sure (my motives are pure), when I go for the ride, I take with me a guide. Line count: 8 Rhymed aabb For Express It In Eight, 12.27.22 Prompt: A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit. |
Hot Air Balloons Silent, stately ships in spacious stream, they float through the golden light of dawn, high in the molten atmosphere and mist, extended line of striped adventurers of air, drifting as the dream of distant denizens of other lands and vistas far and fair. A roar of gas and flame and one mounts higher. Line count: 8 Free verse For Express It In Eight, 12.26.22 Prompt: As per illustration. |
Empty Barrels Still waters run deep, shallow streams do chatter, some their wisdom keep, and others do not matter. The fool states more than twice, while silent stays the sage, I’ll take my own advice, and not fill the pristine page. Line count: 8 Rhymed abab For Express IIt In Eight, 12.23.22 Prompt: Still waters run deep. |
Cardinal Asides Psst! Pass on - Arnold’s a redneck. Tell me again - why don’t we fly south for the winter? I told you we shouldn’t allow females in the clergy. I thought it was supposed to be ducks in a row. Hey, Ginger, why the dark face? Honestly, Martha, it was enough to make a gal blush. What time does the store open anyway? Autumn colours are all very well but it’s winter now! Line count: 8 Free rein For Express It In Eight, 12.22.22 Prompt: As per illustration. Note: Not poetry, I know, but the illustration cries out for a caption. |
Cat Eyes fixed upon the spot, she crouches low, back legs wound tight and gathered, twitches and adjustments made, she calculates, then unwinds, an arrow from a bow, springs upward and out, lands with perfect precision, exactly where desired. Line count: 8 Free verse For Express It In Eight, 12.21.22 Prompt: Not having seen either movie from which the prompt quotes were taken, I thought I’d test the rule that states departure from the strict adherence to suggested subjects is allowed. |
Gaboon Viper Oh, I’m poisonous alright, and pretty as sin with my diamond shaped colours, my great, chiselled head and bloated body, but my heart’s as dark as the night, the forest night, that is, deep in the undergrowth where the stars don’t reach and I lie camouflaged, waiting for you. Line count: 8 Free verse For Express It In Eight, 12.20.22 Prompt: Write a poem about something poisonous. |