Waiting ahead, or: Below

Poetry Partners #101

‘Ode to the Unknown Road.’, a poem by Marion Horton of ‘Writing Whatnots’

Safe, small, sweet
And satisfying.
Images buzz gently under
The cup of my palms.
The buzz becomes a
Rumbling purr,
Furry and mildly demanding.
A nudging wet nose pushes at my hands,
Widening my hold,
Forcing my wrists apart.
As my fingers stroke a silky head,
Pants become a bark
Wriggling to run away,
And then a neigh
As I grasp at reins,
Galloping over rough fields,
Trampling campion and chickweed,
Turning onto an unknown road,
Iron hooves ringing in my ears,
And just as I fear I have lost control,
Fresh thoughts cool me
And I catch a glimpse of the unexpected
Waiting ahead.

Writing Whatnots: https://writingwhatnotsblog.wordpress.com/

A ‘Sijo’ by ben Alexander of ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’

balance lost; stumbled; tumbled;
diminished; unable to scale;
bruised; battered; torn; terrified;
dragged groundward by gravity;
muscles, sinews, bones bloodied, mangled;
crushed spirit supine, breathless

Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!

List of Poetry Partners

19 thoughts on “Waiting ahead, or: Below”

Marion’s poem is a wonderful romp of imagination triggered by all the things that make me drift into that day dreamscape – the purring cat, the warm mug… I was lulled into a relaxed reverie. Then you had to write my nightmare! Too many times I was the rider hanging on for dear life while a horse attempted to dislodge me from the saddle! This is why after school I determined not to work with horses – ever. So it is no secret that I prefer the pocket sized animals!

ben Alexander July 18, 202204:24 Reply

🐹 Muri 🐹

love your 2 poems Marion and David like a sequel of such. The build up, the crescendo and then the direct blow.
😂💖👏

ben Alexander July 17, 202219:50 Reply

🤎 Cindy 🤎

Well now, is there a Doctor in the house! OUCH, Dude!

ben Alexander July 17, 202219:16 Reply

😅 Annette 😅

The hedge was too high, concealing a trench and the rider fell….

ben Alexander July 17, 202219:16 Reply

😱 Andrew 😱

❤❤❤

ben Alexander July 17, 202219:15 Reply

🤍 Filipa 🤍

Aw Marion’s poem was so heartwarming! And yours was in stark contrast to it, haha! I’ve never tried a Sijo before, it was interesting to learn something new! Thanks!