Stolen Surprise – A Quadrille

It was a stolen dance

That pried back the layers

Of comfortable expectations

Leaving me 

Vulnerable

To your hand reading the goosebumps written on my back

So when I swayed to 

Savor your strawberry lips

I was surprised 

By the ash on my tongue

Photo by lilartsy on Pexels.com

I was feeling unsettled tonight with too much going on (per usual) and not having enough time to re-center and connect with the parts of me that have nothing to do with parenting or working. As I was waiting to get my daughter from a class, I decided to open up WordPress (instead of doom scrolling on other social media which unfortunately has become my stress go to) and stumbled up Sarah’s dVerse Monday Quadrille prompt – Ash. It caught my eye because I have a story that I am working on with that title.

I then turned to one of my favorite inspirational writers and photographers and of course, Patrick’s Pic and a Word Challenge did not disappoint with #285 – Dance, #284 – Vulnerable, #283 – Layers, #283 – Stolen (I’m thinking he meant #283, 284, 285, and 286 – Patrick’s just trying to keep me on my toes since I am behind on my streak!). These were the four words I needed to make my quadrille have the requisite 44 words.

Life’s expectations have take a turn as most of you have probably also experienced. It has been like “ash on the tongue,” a phrase I had not heard about before but so succinctly describes the current state of my life. I feel as if I am still in shock daily with how people, places and activities that used to bring such joy are now sources of despair and anger. How do I get rid of this distasteful feeling? Is this part of the “new normal”? Do we have to learn to live with another endemic coronavirus? Do we have to learn to live with endemic people who believe in a stolen election and that being patriots means having guns and not caring about other people, especially those who don’t look like you?

If so, then I need to invest in some mouthwash.

©️ 2021 iido

Silly Me – A Quadrille

It was silly of me 

To think it would be 

Different

After we were allowed out

I ran through the streets

Exuberant with

Gratitude

Love 

For surviving

Without what we 

Most cherished

Then realized

I was alone

Because to Others 

I was still nothing

 

Image credit: Pixabay- Zhugher
( For visually challenged reader, the photo shows a man, on a pier, in a carefree swinging movement. A body of water is visible in the background.)

Lillian from dVerse requested quadrilles with theme “silly”, however, I could not rise to that challenge with all that has transpired this week weighing on me. Apologies, Lillian! I will try for a more light-hearted poem for next week.

This quadrille was also written for Sadje’s What to do you see? Photo Prompt #28. I had so many thoughts about this picture of a man – is he dancing? just strolling along? I think the background is in NYC, maybe looking into Queens but I am not sure. I have more thoughts about it though, but I have to confess, my mind has been preoccupied.

Finally, Patrick’s Pic and a Word Challenge #231 – Nothing, completes this trifecta. While his “nothing” conjures relaxation and peace, my “nothing” has undertones of anger and hurt. Interesting how “nothing” can actually be more than one thing….

My mind is overwhelmed  yet I am finding it hard to put into words all the thoughts that keep spilling…

I did find this piece of calming inspiration written by Gina on her piece, Temporary.  She writes:

Temporary is here
permanently,
our home on earth is a gift
not a guarantee
isolation is life with a new colour
a temporary home,
one we did not order
nothing we ever deserved……

I have to find a new color to paint this part of my world……

 

© 2020 iido

Tygpress is Down! (At least for now…)

Some good news to report (in case you haven’t heard it from another site): Due to the active participation of many WordPress bloggers, Tygpress has been shut down – maybe temporarily, but shut down nonetheless. This was first brought to my attention by Fandango. I just tried to go on the Tygpress website and this is what comes up:

Incredible! The good we can do when we work together…if we can agree on what that good work entails….

This was beautifully done WordPress Bloggers! Thank you for all who participated. Mission Accomplished!

©️ iido 2019

I Want to Move to a Place with a Better Climate – A Poem

Here, our words turned hot

from sunbathing sizzle

to lobster pot boiling.

Here, outer shells were shed

as were inhibitions

and gloves.

Here, our friendship froze

Hearts that were unique snowflakes

Refused to be thawed

But

Somewhere else, the breeze brings the scent

of salt water shed because of

The lost of connections

Somewhere else, heat bakes stones

That refused to be thrown

Or made into walls

Somewhere else, curiosity trumps judgment

Words move feet

To makes space

Somewhere else a smile is welcome

Here, a smile is a privileged challenge.

This past week, my head was consumed with a political issue that turned personal (hence the lack of posts or catching up with all of you lovely writers). I think in the current state of the USA, these types of scenarios can’t be helped, especially as a woman and person of color. The white woman I was talking to said “You can’t talk about peeling back the layers of the onion if you don’t want to see what’s underneath.” I kept on telling her that I don’t mind peeling back layers, that I wouldn’t be doing that if I wasn’t curious about the layers and if I wasn’t prepared to discuss the layers. I think she didn’t like the way her layers were looking or maybe she didn’t like the smell of her part of the onion. Either way, tears were shed.

This poem incorporates Patrick’s Pic and a Word Challenge #171 – Words, Hélène’s “What do you see?” Picture Prompt ( the picture above is courtesy of her prompt), Devereaux and Beth at the Go Dog Go Cafe Tuesday Writing Prompt (use the word “somewhere” twice in a poem) and Lillian at dVerse Poetics (use the word “shed” in a poem).

©️ iido 2019

THE BeZINE’S Virtual 100,000 Poets and Friends IS LIVE NOW … Join Us and Stand Up for Peace, Sustainability and Social Justice

Friends, Poets and Writers…lend me your voices!
“…The evil that men do, lives after them….”

Let’s voice our willingness to undo some of that evil…join me and the Bardo Group Beguines at The BeZine for 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change (100TPC). Share words and pictures (art, photography, video) on the themes of Peace, Sustainabilty and Social Justice.

The BeZine

“Poetry. It’s better than war!” Michael Rothenberg, cofounder of 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change

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“It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a [woman or] man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he [or she] sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” —Robert F. Kennedy South Africa, 1966

Today, under the banner of 100,000 Poets (and friends) for Change (100TPC), people the world over are gathered to stand up and stand together for PEACE, SUSTAINABILITY and SOCIAL JUSTICE.

Think on this when you are tempted to lose all hope for our species. Remember that—not just today, but everyday—there are…

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The BeZine, Sept. 2018, Vol. 5, Issue 3, Theme: Social Justice

Sharing this – not just because they published four poems that I wrote and submitted – but also because of their focus on Social Justice, which is a subject near and dear to my heart…

The BeZine

Sunspot—May Peace Prevail on Earth (3 languages)
Digital landscape from photos
©2018 Michael Dickel

Social Justice

The Zeitgeist of Resistance—a Historical River Flowing

Justice is a historical river flowing to us, around us, and through us, toward freedom. The river’s current, like our current Zeitgeist, is one of resistance. In times of extreme injustice(s), people rise. This issue of The BeZine dedicated to Social Justice brings you some of the history and much of our Zeitgeist of resistance.

You will read about the current White House occupant, the state of race and gender relations, economic disparity, oppression, and more that disturbs us in our time. However, coming to The BeZine from unrelated directions—some invited, some offered, some come across by seeming chance—history has sent reminders to us that we are not alone. Others have lived in times of extreme injustice(s). And people rose up to defy and resist injustice…

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