A flock of waxwings greeted me as I was entering the dentist’s office one morning about two weeks ago. This started a poem inspired by the then DVERSE POETS’ PUB’s prompt, MTB: First to Last letters, i.e., to write a poem of 26 lines, each line using a letter of the alphabet sequentially. As it was quite difficult to find the right words for each of the letters, it took me awhile to write this piece. The direction of the poem was largely dictated by the words that somehow worked. Now that the poem is written as prompted, I am not sure the finished work make much sense. still, it was fun to write and good to break out of the vacation mode that came upon me during the holidays.
Atop the pear tree Bare at this time of the year Cedar waxwings, in velvety feathers, chirp and flit. Drifting clouds make a foggy breeze Ever faithful sunbeams struggle through the mist Fair weather is a lingering hope Germinating in the depths. How a seed turns restlessly in its sleep Interminable, it would seem to one who waits
Just as patience runs its course Kicks in the warm breath Livening up those in repose Merrily they respond with Nascent green breaking ground, budding forth from skeletal limbs.
Old sorrows pass, another day comes
Picturesque dreams, wait awhile. Quiet, my agitated mind. Relish this moment, this hour Seconds, minutes, ages come and go There are no guarantees for tomorrow
Under the heavens Vanity creeps, then overwhelms Whittling slowly the humble joy planted in the heart. eXistence is breath and all - Yearnings of body and soul - Zoning in, delighted, in the present where it is called.
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Since this is my first post of the year, let me wish you all a happy, blessed new year.
Awash in hope we wait A thousand years and more Abiding Words He taught At the foot of the Cross. Atonement is the path A faithful soul walks to Attain the life of grace.
Happiness comes easy when there’s a lot of those items needed for existence: there’s no care for clothing and sustenance that would otherwise make a person fraught and more likely to become overwrought about another’s golden circumstance. Easier does it make to sing and dance when tomorrows are not defined by want.
Yet, happiness does not mean abundance as many fret about not having more than what they already got. Like paupers they would act in the pursuit of their wants. Perhaps ‘tis not earthly goods that matter to have that joy which in the soul lingers.
Free Ibong Adarna lived in her forest far, far away from avaricious eyes And in peace she lived, doing no harm flying, feeding, singing as her circumstance required.
What defense did she have against an intruder? Just seven songs to put him in deep slumber and into undisturbed silence petrifying to forever courtesy of her droppings’ magical power.
Yet, neither distance nor enchantment could keep her safe from grasping hands when an ailing king from far away was informed that only Adarna’s healing song could have him cured.
Three princes, brothers, driven by love and, or power then set out on a grand adventure: capture the bird, make her sing the restorative song, get the father’s blessing to be the heir to his throne.
Only the youngest prince heeded a hermit’s advice how to resist the song’s spell and capture the prize and so, Adarna, who had done nothing ill, from her home, was taken against her will.
The young prince would have brought her to the king. Butbonds of blood, he would soon learn, were as good as straw in the usurper’s hand for his brothers plotted and schemed to get his reward.
Unfortunate Adarna was caught in sibling rivalry. Would the older princes gain favor by treachery? What of the young prince who had courage and good will, would anyone speak of the cruelty that on him befell?
Unknown to them, Adarna possessed a gift ,a gift far superior to her sleeping and healing magic. Within her multicolored visage lay wisdom that helped her see good from evil, and right from wrong.
The older princes proudly took her to their father but in their unjust hands, she refused to sing When the young prince was called thereafter Adarna sang with all beauty and power.
And so the king was healed, the kingdom rejoiced, the young good-hearted prince eventually ruled. Her purpose completed, Adarna gained her freedom and away, away she flew from her old once-favored home.
_________________ A response to Lisa's prompt for DVERSE Poets' Pub's Poetics Tuesday: Creature Feature. I chose from the Wikipedia list that was referred to in the prompt and which included Ibong Adarna, a creature out of Philippine folklore. I only had a vague remembrance of it and had to research about Ibong Adarna. It was meant to be a feel-good, teaching lore, but when I felt sad about the fate of Ibong Adarna. So, I guess, my re-telling is a little biased.
MY WALL 
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