Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #10. Use GROWING UP/Mature as your inspiration this week.

© willowdot21 my grandsons.

When reaching for the wild blue yonder edged in gold and silver
Our children, like flowers flourish and mature with our love and care.
Growing up is never easy but it’s as old as nature.

THIS IS PART OF RONOVANWRITE’S WEEKLY SIJO

One Liner Wednesday. We love you Sam.

This week I have cheated and given you two personal one liners.

“There is nothing Sam Ryder cannot sing and he is a lovely natured person two! “

“Plus after 20yrs of non placing and Nil Points, he bought us home Runner Up to the worthy Ukraine, from Eurovision with this.”

Part of LindaGHill’s O inne-Liner Wednesday.

#TankaTuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 274, 5/17/22 #Ekphrastic #PhotoPrompt.

WELCOME TO TANKA TUESDAY!

This challenge explores Ekphrastic poetry, inspired by visual art or photographs. David, from the Skeptic’s Kaddish, provided the photo for this month’s challenge.

I took a long look at the photo and eventually a theme offered itself to me. What we see through the eye or the lens we also can see through the soul.

I wrote a Nonet, that can be read from top to bottom and bottom to top, hopefully meaning the same and making sense. I have also written the poem both ways so you can judge for yourselves. The punctuation in each version is different but the words and meaning are the same. So a mirror Nonet.

The lens of the soul

© David, The Skeptic’s Kaddish

Through the lens of the omnipotent
To soar high beyond the body.
To attain the higher plain
Past the confines of life.
Further than the eye,
The horizon
Life beyond
Captured
Truth.

********

Truth
Captured.
Life beyond
The horizon
Further than the eye
Past the confines of life.
To attain the higher plain
To soar high beyond the body
Through the lens of the omnipotent.

*********.

This is part of Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka.

Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 410 KING and Queen.

Ronovanwrite’s

This week for Ronovanwrite’s Weekly Haiku Challenge I have not used synonyms but just gone for some home truths. 😉

not king and queen but
spares, say they want privacy
Yet still want their say
Like cactus in the desert
Poisonous views like a snake.

Song Lyric Sunday Titfa Tatt topknots and Scarves.

Jim Adams

Hello everyone it’s Sunday and time for Song Lyric Sunday, Jim Adams our host to give us the prompt for 15th May this week the prompt is – suggested by Paula of Light Motifs II, and it is Head, Hat, Hair, Scarf

So my first choice is I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair. I do love this song but it was really slammed for it lyrics! By people who should know better,! Perhaps they were just jealous!

‘Thom has been the subject of criticism by many artists within the recording world, most notably from Lily Allen, the Fratellis, and the Automatic.James Frost and Robin Hawkins from The Automatic stated that “If she was a punk rocker with flowers in her hair she’d get the shit kicked out of her by other punk rockers, for having flowers in her hair. […] I haven’t found anyone who’s told me they like that song and bought it.”Charlie Brooker also heavily criticised the intense public relations efforts to make the single popular.

“I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)” is the debut single of Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom, released in October 2005. The song was written by Thom and Tom Gilbert. Following a re-release in 2006, the song topped the singles charts of Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Thom has said on her website that she wrote the song after being robbed of her mobile phone and other belongings one evening, leaving her completely lost and without any way of contacting her family, friends, or the bank. She says, “I wondered if that had happened to me back in the days of the hippies what would I have done and would I have freaked out so much?”

Although only physically released in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2006, download sales the week before are counted for the purpose of charts, and it achieved number fifteen on this basis in the general charts (and number seven in the download-only chart). The physical release had three formats: two CD versions (one featuring the radio mix and “A Light as Bright as Ours”, another featuring the radio mix, the album mix, a further remix, “May You Never” and the music video), and also as a 7-inch vinyl record backed with Stranglers cover “No More Heroes“.

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Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In ’77 and ’69, revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn’t care
Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When the head of state didn’t play guitar
Not everybody drove a car
When music really mattered and when radio was king
When accountants didn’t have control
And the media couldn’t buy your soul
And computers were still scary and we didn’t know everything

Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In ’77 and ’69, revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn’t care
Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When pop stars still remained a myth
And ignorance could still be bliss
And when God save the Queen she turned a whiter shade of pale
When my mom and dad were in their teens
And anarchy was still a dream
And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail

Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In ’77 and ’69, revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn’t care
Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

When record shops were still on top
And vinyl was all that they stocked
And the super info-highway was still drifting out in space
Kids were wearing hand-me-downs
And playing games meant kick arounds
And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face

Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In ’77 and ’69, revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn’t care
Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

I was born too late into a world that doesn’t care
Oh, I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Ian Brown / Sandi Thom / Tom Gilbert

I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair) lyrics © P And P Songs Limited, Reservoir/reverb Music Ltd.

***********.

Now for scarf, a truly lovely song from Passenger. Staring at the Stars.

All the Little Lights is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Passenger and was released by Black Crow Records and Nettwerk on 24 February 2012. The album contains 12 tracks, comprising 11 studio tracks recorded at Sydney’s Linear Recording, and one song recorded live at The Borderline in London. A limited edition features a second disc containing acoustic versions of eight songs from the album. Staring at the stars is track three and my very favourite …it includes the word scarf!!

.

********

Okay up next is Hat so let’s have some Brilliant Steely Dan and Fez . The video is a Dr Who clip so The Dr, well two doctors really and Steely Dan I call that a win, win, win 😊

This is the only Steely Dan song with a third credited writer, Paul Griffin, who also plays organ on the song. On a BBC Online chat March 4, 2000, Donald Fagen said, “The Fez was recorded using a rhythm chart but there were a few bars missing and Paul Griffin, the keyboard player on the day, came up with a nice little melody, so we felt we should include him in the writer credits.”

I used the video below because the Fez is the registered trademark of the 10th Dr Who.

…

No I’m never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
No I’m never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
That’s what I am
Please understand
I wanna be your holy man

No I’m never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
Ain’t never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
That’s what I am
Please understand
I wanna be your holy man

No I’m never gonna do it without the fez on
Oh no
Don’t make me do it without the fez on
Oh no
That’s what I am
Please understand
I wanna be your holy man

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Walter Becker / Donald Fagen / Paul L. Griffin

The Fez lyrics © Duchess Music Corp., Mca Music Publishing, A.d.o. Universal S

*******

I could of used Alanis Morrisette’s head over heels bit no let’s go with ABBA and a daft but fun video.

“Head Over Heels” is a 1981 song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA, released as a single the following year. The song is the second track from their eighth studio album, The Visitors.

“Head Over Heels”, whose working title was “Tango”, was written and composed by both Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Agnetha Fältskog sang the lead vocals, singing about her “very good friend”, played in the music video by Anni-Frid Lyngstad, an overactive high-society woman who rushes through the shops, with her hapless and exhausted husband (played by Ulvaeus) following behind and being forced to carry the shopping bags. The song’s video, filmed on 21 January 1982 was the group’s final clip directed by long-time collaborator Lasse Hallström, who cameos as a man the woman bumps into while running around the city.

As with the previous single “One of Us“, Epic Records in the UK used a different picture sleeve from the standard one used in most countries.

The single itself was not released in the United States; it was accompanied as the B-side to another single “The Visitors” instead.

The sheet music has been released, and the song has been choreographed for dance numbers.

ABBA filmed a video for Head Over Heels in Stockholm which was directed by Lasse Hallström. It is the group’s only music video where the director makes an appearance; Hallström is the pedestrian who Frida bumps into on the street. The action in the video is taken directly from the text; where Frida portrays a woman who rushes through shops with her tired husband in tow (played by Ulvaeus).

I have a very good friend
The kind of girl who likes to follow a trend
She has a personal style
Some people like it, others tend to go wild

You hear her voice everywhere
Taking the chair
She’s a leading lady
And with no trace of hesitation she keeps going

Head over heels
Breaking her way
Pushing through unknown jungles every day
She’s a girl with a taste for the world
(The world is like a playing ground where she goes rushing)
Head over heels
Setting the pace
Running the gauntlet in a whirl of lace
She’s extreme, if you know what I mean

Her man is one I admire
He’s so courageous but he’s constantly tired
Each time when he speaks his mind
She pats his head and says, “That’s all very fine”

“Exert that will of your own
When you’re alone
Now we’d better hurry”
And with no trace of hesitation she keeps going

Head over heels
Breaking her way
Pushing through unknown jungles every day
She’s a girl with a taste for the world
(The world is like a playing ground where she goes rushing)
Head over heels
Setting the pace
Running the gauntlet in a whirl of lace
She’s extreme, if you know what I mean

You hear her voice everywhere
Taking the chair
She’s a leading lady
And with no trace of hesitation she keeps going

Head over heels
Breaking her way
Pushing through unknown jungles every day
She’s a girl with a taste for the world
(The world is like a playing ground where she goes rushing)
Head over heels
Setting the pace
Running the gauntlet in a whirl of lace
She’s extreme, if you know what I mean

And she goes
Head over heels

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Ulvaeus Bjoern K / Andersson Benny Sigvard

Head Over Heels lyrics © Emi Waterford Music Inc., Universal/union Songs Musikforlag Ab.

all information from Wikipedia.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE 💜✋

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 14, 2022

Its Saturday again and time for us all to join in Linda’s SoCs. The prompt is week is :Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hat.” Use it literally or metaphorically. Have fun!

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He entered the bar, his hat down over one eye. He looked the part and he new it. She was sitting at the bar red dress red shoes and hat.
Mentally he threw his hat into the ring as he approached her and asked if could buy her a drink.
She smiled and accpected, “keep this under your hat” she whispered “I am looking for adventure.” Her eyes twinkled as she cocked her head to one side the brim of her hat framing her small face and huge eyes.
“Well” he said looking into her eyes “it so happens I am too!”
He ordered two whiskey and dry and she suductively ate some olives.
Someone put some music on the jukebox it was Hats off to Larry, followed by Wherever I lay my hat.
After they had finished their drinks she whispered in his ear, “I know a place we can go.”
“Now” he asked, a gleam in his eye, “yes” she winked.
Tipping his hat to the barman he took her arm, she looked amazing from the toes of her red stilettos to the curve of her dress to the red feather on her hat.
As they stepped out onto the street they both smiled and said together, “You can keep your hat on.” Then as fast as they could Mr and Mrs Day walked home.

Badge by Shelley Krupa..

THIS IS PART OF LINDAGHILL’S STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS SATURDAY.

Throwback Thursday – #38 Visits to Doctors and/or Dentists.

Lauren is choosing our prompt for throw back Thursday. She said: “We are back in our usual groove now. Last week Maggie asked us about how we were led to the music in our lives.  This week we’d like you to think back to those early experiences visiting the doctor and/or the dentist. This topic should again be one that everyone relates to in one way or another.”

This week’s prompt is: Remembering Visits to Doctors and/or Dentists

There are many adults with severe concerns about going to the doctor or dentist. The fear of doctors, known as iatrophobia, is often strong enough to provoke “white coat syndrome.” Normally healthy blood pressure can soar in the presence of a medical professional. Dentophobia, or fear of dentists, often occurs alongside iatrophobia. I’d like you to think back to your early medical and/or dental visits.

As usual, you can respond to the following questions as they are, or you can use them to spark your own memories to write your post.

1) Where doctor/dentist appointments a regular part of your childhood?

Yes they were, we were a sickly bunch so Mum was often trolling off on the bus to see the G.P. with one or other of us. Also mum and Dad were very keen for us to look after our teeth so dental trips, which I hated were regular too 🤣

2) Did you go for well-checks or just when you were ill or in pain?

We only visited the doctor if we were I’ll, occasionally we had just a check up at the dentist.

3) Were you frightened by the medical professionals? If so, were there specific reasons?

I was and still am not happy visiting the dentist. I can remember our childhood dentist now he was a small and very bad tempered man. We were all scared of him.

I don’t remember being scared of the doctor ever, he was always very nice. We always had the same doctor unless it was an emergency. Our family Dr brought all of Mum’s nine children into the world. He knew us all and he was wonderful with mum who could get very nervous. We did have more than one Dr but our main Dr was Dr. Musgrave. He must of been a nice man I remember his name and his face even after over 52yrs. I remember the Dentist’s name too but for very different reasons it was Mr Paul.

4) Were your parents afraid of medical professionals?

I dont think they were ever scared of them but I would say they were in awe of some of them .

5) Was waiting in the exam room stressful to you?

No not really, just boring. It was however very stressful when I was older and waiting with my own children, trying to keep the quiet and well behaved.

6) Did your early visits result in your being afraid of needles?

No but I am not their biggest fan.

7) Does the sight of your own blood bother you?

No, but that of anyone else I know does!

8) Did you ever have the need to go to an emergency room?

As a child, not often. But I do remember one incident when I was about four. My brothers were not allowed to play football in the house but they were kicking a ball around the living room. Someone had taken the fireguard off the fire to empty the hot cinders from the grate tray. …..the ball hit me I fell I put my hand out to stop my fall. My hand went into the fire and boy it hurt. I remember it being wrapped up and then we had to walk up to the bus stop, then wait for a bus. Luckily the bus passed Acton hospital where it was sorted and dressed. Then back home on the bus! We never had a car.

9) Did your early experiences impact your current attitudes about medical care?

No really though I have always had plenty of respect for most medical staff. When I was a child all medical staff were held in awe by us mere mortals. Specialists and Surgeons were treated as tin God’s as we’re Staff Nurses, Sisters and heaven forfend Matron.

Its different these days….sadly not better or even as good. Unfortunately the NHS is on its knees.

© willowdot21

The NHS staff who looked after my mother in law and celebrated her 100th birthday with her just before she died of covid.

K.L.Caley’s #WRITEPHOTO – Open

For visually challenged writers, the image shows an entranceway in amongst some stone walls to a bright green garden.

Open – Image by KL Caley.

Morgarna has a lot to sort out in this episode let’s hope she does it to everyone’s satisfaction.

Open

Once inside Morgarna switched on her torch looking around she saw no outward signs of a hidden door in the wall or floor so she moved methodically along the walls tapping them finally she heard the hollow sound she was searching. Shining her torch on the panel she fiddled with it until finally she got it to open. Stepping through the door she could feel the cold draft, thankful that her torch was the windup type, that could be used in any timeline or situation, and did not depend on batteries or flame. She shut the panel behind her and followed the tunnel up hill surrounded by dark and silence.

---

It took Morgarna a good twenty minutes to make the uphill journey to the house and it was with quite some relief that she arrived at the end of the tunnel and the door that led to the library. Listening carefully Morgarna could hear heated voices on the other side of the door. Listening intently she could hear two male voices, one was Percival Devereau and the other was a solicitor. They were having a heated argument , the solicitor was not happy at Percival wanted the wills rewritten in his favour, disinheriting Tarquin Devereau and his family completely.
“Look Johnson, I employ you , I pay your fees. If I say write my nephew Tarquin out of the will that is what I you to do!” Percival’s voice had risen and as he finished he slammed something breakable down on a table or desk and Morgarna heard it smash!
” I won’t do this, I would rather be ruined and go to the poor house than do this heinous thing for you Sir” the solicitor replied.
He must have left the room as there was the loud slam of the Library door.
Then the sound of Percival chair scraping as he got up to follow, ” God Damn it man do not walk out on me” There was another slam then complete silence.

---

Morgarna held her breath and counted to ten then slowly she opened the door and went into the Library.
It was empty, a large but cosy room a huge fire burned in the grate, there was a smashed glass on the wooden floor and the remains of the whiskey ran across the floor.
Morgarna was cold, so she slipped into the fireside chair, poured herself a large brandy from the decanter and lit one of Percival Havana cigars!
After finishing her Brandy Morgarna looked in her bag and found her notes again.
Page 5 : The Last Will and Testament of Cormoran Devereau will be found in the secret compartment of the Queen Anne writting table in the Library. The said Will is in an envelope, sealed with a dated wax seal and signed and witnessed.

---

Squinting slightly, either from concentration , smoke from the cigar clamped between her teeth or the three Brandys she’d helped herself to, possibly all three or then again she may of just needed the loo! Morgarna fiddle with the lock with her nail file. Finally the lock clicked and Morgarna ran her fingers along beneath the drawers until she found the button that opened the secret compartment.
Reaching inside she took out the sealled envelope, dropped it into her bag then she closed up the writing desk.
Just as she was about to leave the Library the way she entered Percival entered dragging a frightened Johnson after him. The three of them all stared at each other.

---

Morgarna spoke first, cigar still firmly clenched in her teeth. “Percy, have I got news for you old man? Mr Johnson it’s very providential that you are here we need a solicitor. “
Sir Percival, bristling with indignation and shock, stammered , “Who, who arrr , are you Madam and what are you doing in my Library?”
Morgarna winked at Johnson and blew smoke in Percival’s face as she passed him, making him cough!
She poured herself the last of the Brandy and took a sip. Percival almost choked as he watched her.
“Glass of water Percy ?” she asked offering him a glass. “You can call me Ms LeFey and you Mr Johnson can call me Morgarna” she smiled at the solicitor who immediately relaxed and smiled back.

---

“So Miss LeFey what are you doing in my Library” demanded Percival trying to tower over her. It seemed the more he pulled himself up the more Morgana towered over him. Looking him in the eye she said, ” Firstly Percy it’s not Miss, it’s Ms, and I am here to scuppa your evil plans to steal your nephew’s home from him, he looked after your brother, his father. What have you done apart from squander the family fortunes?”

Percival visibly bristled at this and picking up some papers from the fireside table, turning he sneered at Morgarna. “I think you will find Mssss LeFey that this Will says that I am the sole heir to my brother’s fortune.” saying that he rang the Butlers bell and then he continued, ” my father always said I would get the fortune”
Just then the Butler entered the room, Percival spun round to face him ,”Ah! Bainbridge, could you call the Peelers , this woman here has broken in to my house and is threatening me! “
Morgarna smiled, keep your powder dry she thought to herself, smiling as she felt the envelope in her bag. She took another draw on her cigar and blew it into Percival’s eyes.

---

The Police arrived and despite Sir Percival’s protestations when Morgarna produced the sealed, signed and date Will and Mr Johnson had verified it. Percival Devereau was arrested and despite his protestations was taken away.

---

There was jubilation among the servants and the gardeners when the news got round that Percival had been arrested. Sir Percival was not a pleasant man to work for whereas Tarquin Devereau was renown as a fair employer who cared about the welfare of his staff.

---

Morgarna and Mr Johnson walked down to the den in the grounds to give the Devereau family the good news of Percival’s lawful removal. Morgarna stayed long enough to see the family safely reinstall in their rightful home and then she bade them all farewell and headed off to find the Anomaly, which to her mind was long overdue!
Walking along by the walled garden she again sensed she was being followed. “Is that you Wills Hun? ” she called over her shoulder?”
“Yes Morgarna it is” came the young man’s reply. “I wanted to thank you again for all your help “
Smiling Morgarna replied, ” Young man you are going to be very important one day just remember to be fair and kind to everyone!” Lighting a cigar she had helped herself to from Percival’s stock she winked at young William. Suddenly she lent forward and kissed him passionately on the lips.

Open – Image by KL Caley

Just then as they stood at the opening to a beautiful walled garden the Anomaly appeared. Running her hand across Wills
open lips she jumped for the anomaly saying as she went “remember what I said Wills” and she was gone.
Leaving Wills thinking he’d never ever forget Morgarna.

This is part of K.L. Caley’s #writrphoto

Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #9. Use HIGH SCHOOL as your inspiration this week.

Ronovanwrite’s Sijo.

Ron has set a difficult prompt this week . Well it’s difficult for me because I never graduated, in fact here’s the truth I never took any exam qualifications. No O or A levels, as they were in my day, I never went to university or college so I really am in the dark. However all three of our boys have graduated and so their University Graduations are what I have based my Sijo on. I have written two .

©suevincent.

Graduation

Pride is palpable holding our breath, our fledgings ready to fly.
Years of learning from the good, bad and mediocre
They are on the edge of the future God willing they may keep the spark.

35 words
46 syllables.

********

Graduation

Dreadlocks and piercings gone, new beginning in cap and gown.
No flounces for middle lad but his diplomas just as worthy.
Youngest dressed up to receive his papers first steps for them all.

33 words
45 syllables.

THIS IS PART OF RONOVANWRITE’S WEEKLY SIJO CHALLENGE.

One-Liner Wednesday. Neighbours.

“The good neighbour looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

This part of LindaGHill’s One-Liner Wednesday.