To Write or not to Write a Poem

 

Well, you can read a poem instead

and marvel at the writer's skill

and berate yourself about your lack there-off

and hope that you will be inspired to emulate

Or you can sweep the crumbs off the table

with your new professional table brush

and imagine you are a waiter 

in, say, the Boulevard Saint Michel

Or you can rest your chin 

on the back of your upturned hand

in the mode of Michaelangelo's Thinker

and ponder the mysteries of life

Or you can meditate while pondering

and listen to the dog's tail thumping

the clock ticking ,a nearby crane swivelling 

its driver cursing

You can write a shopping list

a to-do list, a wish list

or check your emails,a sure-fire way 

of landing in a cul-de-sac

Or you can write a poem

about trying to avoid 

writing a poem

and simply don't edit it.

Copyright 2023 Cathy Leonard All rights reserved 

A daughter's request

 

You sent me to the Contour sale 

for the purpose of buying you new knickers.

Now it is no mean feat to purchase the above item

for somebody else, especially a size medium.

For it all depends on brand and nationality,

 French mediums being smaller than UK ones,

and so I had to hold each pair in mid- air

and imagine your girth fitting into them.

At times I turned to the woman

who was assiduously upending the pile

possibly restocking the fast dwindling bargain basket

for they were reduced to a fiver a pair.

And to be fair she bore my inquiries

with great composure. I didn't quite say,

"Do you think my daughter will fit into these?"

But my questioning veered in that  direction.

It was only when I asked about refunds

that she came clean and announced

that she didn't actually work there

that she too was bargain hunting

but in her case, thankfully, for herself...

Copyright  2023 Cathy Leonard All rights reserved

(Photo is of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig taken from Lamb's Head, Caherdaniel, Kerry)

To catch a Poem

 For the past two months I've been hugging my injuries, much to the detriment of my brain and spirit. So finally splint and orthopedic boot free I'm tramping through woods and fields in search of a poem, any poem...even a wee short poem....it's an idea to have pen and paper at hand...

A poem on a wing

 

It’s like catching a falling star

or beam of moonlight

a butterfly in the hand

or sunshine on your palm

It’s like  thunder rumbling

or lightning bolting

bird tail flashing

or rainbow arching.

If you don’t catch it

you might miss it

and it may not come again

Copyright Cathy Leonard 2023