Cup of Spirit

Scripture is life
Breath and meaning
Verses tug at the heart
Sinking into His rest
Faith, the sunrise of the blessed
When the weary heart weeps
And the soul seeks sleep
Brew a cup of spirit

Comets (Acrostic)

Celestial wonder of eyes
Orbits the midnight skies
Magnificent tail of dust
Evokes the distant galaxies
Trajectory course yet unknown
Stunning bursts of universe

Posted for: Acrostic Only

Sultry Sestina

Hi bloggers, here is a new challenge for poetic minds. The poetry style I am experimenting with is called the Sestina, a poem consisting of 39 lines and revolving around 6 words in a set pattern. I was given the sestina as an exercise in school but I found the style quite challenging. If any of you are interested in writing a sestina, click here for instructions.

It was one of those summers, smoldering and sultry
Brass men playing alive with jazz
Dancers drunk on liquor and love
Inhaling rhythmic jives at a bluesy temple
Faces now tomato red with heat
High stepping to cajoling music


Jumping Jack jiggles when he plays music
Swaying hips is something sultry
Lips moisten in summer heat
Eyes flickering wide with jazz
Her lavender dress a strange temple
He barely notices the girl humming love

Heels tapping softly with love
Their limbs slowing to music
A kiss to lay against her temple
Saxophone cool and sultry
Lady’s hips move like jazz
He loosens his collar in the heat


Shoes lit like matches in the heat
Atmosphere intoxicated on love
The Duke ushers in bravado and jazz
Satchmo’s horn wakes the saints of music
Billie and Ella sing ethereally sultry
Crowd parts, here comes Ms. Temple


Light dims, darkness a unique temple
Their scent brews like stew in heat
Dancing is seductively sultry
Slow waltz to the melodies of love
Black shadows pause like printed music
When the world pulses alive with jazz


Life whistles to the soul of jazz
Farewells exchanged at the bluesy temple
Unwind to the memories of music
Breathe in the last of heat
Night ends but there is love
Still grooving to something sultry

Young, colorful jazz wafts in summer heat
The soul is a glorious temple, tipsy on love
Swinging to music, alive and sultry

Rainbows (O.S.I)

Rippling in blue skies
Ascending for our eyes
Indigo dipped in gold
Nuances of color bold
Breathtaking sights come alive
Orange unravels into green
Wash the gray away
Scintillating arch of light

Posted for: Acrostic Only

Heaven

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens (Psalm 8: 1)

What is it beyond that sky

That captures our heart

Forever looking up

Prayers on bended knees

Songs of psalms

Stunningly calling out

For an answer from heaven

January (Pt V)

"Sorry, I'm late," she laughed. "Well, do you like my evening frock? The moon gave it to me as a present. Nice, little fellow but very strange..." Felix's mouth was agape, staring incredulously at the vision before him.

"Did I freeze you boy," she laughed. "I'm in my absolute best, and you couldn't even think to shave." He laughed sheepishly, running his hand over his beard.

"My apologies madame," he said, playing along with her little game.

"Now, how do you like your subjects: clothed or naked?" Felix coughed with uncontrollable laughter.

"I thought you were a spirit. You couldn't possibly have a woman's..." And he trailed off with embarrassment.

"Remember, I can take on the form of your choosing. Use your imagination," she smiled.

"Please keep your coat on. I want to capture how stunning you look."

"You're beginning to like me Felix," she spoke softly, her lips exhaling frost smoke.

He smiled back at her. She inspired art in him. Her icy gaze searched him like he was the canvas and she, the artist. He worked in the moonlight, titling her head for direction and painting her with an inner longing.

He finished painting her as the dawn blushed red in the sky. January sat motionless as if in a deep stupor. Her sapphire eyes staring intently on him.

"It's finished," he announced half exhausted and astounded. "You are a masterpiece."

She dashed to his side excitedly. Her eyes leapt joyfully with each brushstroke, and she reached out her hand to touch it.

"It isn't dry yet," he spoke softly. Felix no longer shrank from her icy frame. He recognized the beauty in her, and his hands swept across her hair melting like gold in the sunlight.

Gold (O.S.I.)

Here is my abstract take on gold:

The outer darkness peeling his mind
Only the gold from her necklace
Flickered to greet him
Like sunlight on a darkened canvas
Her frame lit like a vase
The artful illumination
Of shadows in the glint of gold
Morphed like angelic beings
Her molten liquid ambiance
Met his lips
He took a drink

Posted for O.S.I

Blogiversary

A year ago, I embarked on a new journey and started my blog on writing. It was the first time I shared my work with an audience as I presented poetry, creative stories, and the occasional adventures with my friends. Thanks for all your kind words of encouragement and your visits to my site. Your support means the world to me, and you have all given me a reason to continue to write on this site. I hope the new blogging year will be filled with growth new opportunities and amazing writing. I wish you all the best in your endeavors as well.

Together We Stand (Acrostic)

Tugging hands shall guide
Our hearts willed onward
Greater heights yet traversed
Engulfing our mind's landscape
Tottering on the brink
Hope is our sunrise
Enveloping the great horizon
Reach for the sky

When the beaten road
Eats at our souls

Sing to the spirit
Trust the guiding heart
Arise in the darkness
Nesting in friendship's arms
Dreams shared are realized

Posted for: Acrostic Only

Be Mine

Be mine
Valentine
He’s such a sweetie
Red heart and a tweety
It’s sixth grade
But I can see the future
In his eyes
We count the years
Like Hershey kisses
Away at college
Still reminiscing
He’s on bended knee
Marry me
But it’s only sixth grade

Sky Watch: Snowmageddon

Snowmageddon is a relatively new term used to describe this year's winter storms. It certainly embodies Mother Nature's brutal assault on the East Coast. She has unleashed a big helping of February fury. Here are some shots from yesterday's storm.

To view more amazing sky shots click here

January (Part IV)

Felix woke up trembling as the sun melted against his face. He half believed the affairs of last night were a dream. He revelled in the daylight, snugly massaging his thin beard.

"Everything's back to normal," he spoke to himself. "It was all just a dream." He whistled and danced around his room, grabbing his canvas, paints, and brush. But the air bit into his skin, arresting his body with her icy, blue fingers.

"Remember, we've got a date tonight," she hissed. He spun around frightened, clutching his possessions tight under his arm.

"Dear God, it's you," he muttered.

"Of course it's me," she shouted impatiently. "Did you hit your head? Lose your memory?" She was more translucent in the daylight, like glass beads reflecting the iridescent light around it.

"I've got a lot of things to do," he answered bluntly.

"Tonight then," she spoke sternly. "And don't be late. I know where you live!"

Felix waited at midnight for January, pacing along the floors to keep himself awake. He was falling into the soft arms of sleep when he heard a tap against his window. She was cloaked in a black coat dipped in stardust.

Single (O.S.I.)

A man sleepwalks with a solitary gait
A single thought upon his mind
He strikes a single chord
The piano sings a note
An ode to the brilliance of the moon
He inhabits the black horizon alone
The stars are his groupies, he thought

Single is the light in a room of darkness
Flickering to a bluesy tune
One lonely girl wishes upon a star
A single tear kisses her loveless cheek
He blinks at the imagery
She’s a beautiful, sweet single

Super Bowl

Here’s a little poem for the Super Bowl tonight. I hope New Orleans wins. It would be a great boost for the city.

Electricity,
Inexpressible,
Touchdown,
Field goal,
High scores,
Nail biters,
Halftime,
Commercials,
Crossed fingers,
Beer spilled,
Chips fly,
Whole world,
Is watching.

My Country (Acrostic)

Here is another lovely prompt from Amias at Acrostic Only


Molded in Godly faces
Yearning on new shores

Cradling arms Lady Liberty
Opens her peaceful borders
Ushering the masses onward
Nostalgic for clearer waters
Tasting freedom on lips
Receding sorrows and pasts
Yesteryears embrace new hope

Posted for: Acrostic Only

Sky Watch Friday: Trees

In the cold February air, I took some photos of the sun and sky peeking through the trees.

Trees salute

In winter's breath

Bare limbs

Hum a tune

Spring buds

Shall soon bloom

You can view more lovely photos at:

January (Part III)

Felix fell into a stupor and began rummaging in the dark.

"Where is that bottle of alcohol? I've got to fall asleep."

"Why do I frighten you so," she asked innocently. She wrapped her gown seductively around his warm blooded body. He sensed his blood vessels freeze into snowballs.

"Your skin is icy thin and translucent like winter's breath," he spoke poetically.

"Oh darling, go on! Don't stop," she laughed. The arctic chill from her lips bit into his ear.

"But why torture me so? You should return to the cold if that's where you've come from." He uttered those words resolutely and dug into his bed seeking rest. She quickly descended on his bedside and flickered like a blue light.

"Wake up," she commanded, pinching his cheeks. He felt her breath tickling his spine. The tendrils of her hair fell like silver dollars, and he reached out silently to touch her.

"I'm a very lonely thing drifting in the wintry night. I am alone without a compass or purpose of direction. I have wanted to meet you, and how often have I gazed from the outside of your window. I'm jealous of you painting the dawn. So I must know now. Will you paint me?"

He contemplated the rarity of such a muse Her presence seemed so ethereal and unworldly. He pondered if such a beautiful thing could be mastered by the canvas.

"Yes, I'll paint you," he resolved at last. He felt a surging rise in his belly. The warmth in his exuberance felt like a yellow leaf across her skin.

"Ah, to be human and vibrant. How I wish to be in the skin of flesh. Your life seems very little to you. But to the other spirits, it is great." Those were the last words January uttered before she floated from the room.

"I'll be back tomorrow," she whistled.

Groundhog Day

Roused by the crowd, he peeks from his bed.
Seeking sleep, he scowls:
"What's with all this fuss? I'll call the cops."
He shouted from his hole. Then he glances at the wall.
"February 2nd," he mutters.
"They're waiting on you ole Phil. Give 'em a show"


He saunters in quite smugly. Taps his feet in circles.
No one notices. Will he see his shadow?
A young girl asks her dad.

"Hey I'm just warming up.
"People want to know if I'll see my shadow,
"But I'd like to break into show business
"Can I audition on American Idol?
"Punxsutawney Phil. World famous groundhog,
"By the way, I hate that name
"Just call me Phil folks."


The crowd stared at him blankly.
"You're not worth the trouble, " he shouted
And the groundhog strutted away
Skipped and dodged the crowd
Held his thumb up by the highway
And hitchhiked to Hollywood.