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SPRING RETURNS TO THE GARDEN ~ 6TH JANUARY 2016

8/1/2016

Robert Lee-Brewer’s Wednesday Poetry Prompt

For today’s prompt, write a poem consisting of 10 lines or fewer. I’ve had poets tell me they have trouble getting under 32-line length requirements. But it can be done. Heck, I wrote three poems with 10 lines. Remember: The first draft can be as long as you wish, but then, pare it down to the essentials–if only for this week.

Image © Copyright John and Margaret

Spring returns to the Garden
by John Yeo

Almost overnight, the scene subtlety altered.
Green branches dappled with swollen buds,
Petals tightly bound ready to burst outward,
So minutely powerful even the songbirds
Were overpowered in sheer glorious delight.

The morning dawned to a fragrant change,
A seasonal sun bathed in a warm floral light.
The sweet smelling blooms in a pastel range
Lit up the earthly garden, a wonderful sight,
Heralding the return of sweet fertile Spring.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~All rights reserved.

SEEKING INSPIRATION ~ 1st January 2016

3/1/2016

Image from the Net

Robert Brewer’s Poetry Prompts
For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Seeking (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem.

SEEKING INSPIRATION
By John Yeo

Close the door to deaden distraction,
Empty the mind of intruding dross.
Follow a line of thought to the conclusion
Allow the free flow of thought to inspire
Branch into new areas of mystification.
Turn off the telephone, mute the TV,
Concentrate on a leaf, a page, or a tree.
That's the quickest way to feel the shock
As you drift straight towards writer's block.
Searching for Inspiration.

Shut the windows, stroke your forehead,
Rack your brains to release the muse.
You wish you had gone for a walk to release
The dammed up flow of blocked inspiration.
Switch your thoughts back to the mundane
Empty your head change direction again
When the computer freezes you turn it off,
Then re-start it again with renewed power.
Click on a site offering free writing prompts,
For Instant Inspiration.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

EXHUASTION ~ 27th December 2015

29/12/2015

Image from the Net

EXHAUSTION
by John Yeo

A dash of yellow and black
Signalled the Cheetahs approach.
Flashing across the plain.
Driven by hunger for blood.

The deer was on full alert.
Her ears pricked up in alarm,
Speeding away at full speed
Racing away from danger.

The chase was harsh and savage
As the deer was quickly run down.
She was caught and fell in pain
Overcome with sheer exhaustion.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

This poem is short, but evocative of the daily perils that exist between a predator and his prey. The speed of a Cheetah quickly brings the prey down by outrunning and bringing the creature to the absolute point of complete exhaustion. Cheetahs generally hunt, Impala, Antelope, Gazelles, and a wide variety of other small creatures.

CAROLINE ~ RIDING FREE ~ 17th December 2015

19/12/2015

Image © Copyright Cl Reed

RIDING FREE
by John Yeo

Wherever you are now you will always be free.
There was never a measure that could standardise you
Unique precious things are hard to define.
Little girls play with dolls remember.
You broke the mould when you stepped out of line.
Taking your place in this life.

A motorcycle roaring beneath you, travelling along life's road.
A girl,on a motorcycle, the wind flowing free,
A fighter, as free as a bird.
Following your instincts,
Weaving in and out,
Overtaking with ease
The obstacles life threw at you.

When cruel fate intervened with a serious blow,
You picked yourself up again and again.
Laughing in the face of reality,
Always following your personal dream.
The end of the road wasn't signposted
You always refused to give up,
Until your last breath was breathed.
Wherever you are now you will always be free.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

Seasonal Sales Pitch ~ 12th December 2015

14/12/2015

Image from the Net

Seasonal Sales Pitch
By John Yeo

Come this way, step inside,
Your life will never be the same
After you invest.
Buy the product, quickly now,
Try the sensational luxuriousness.
The demand is high,
Everyone is after a slice of this.
Buy quickly, buy now,
Before the product sells out.

This is the seasons special star buy
The very latest in-thing.
Just what you have always wanted
Something you can never live without.
The news has spread all over town
Celebrities are purchasing these,
Everyone who is anyone.
Buy quickly, buy now,
Before the product sells out.

We have just a few left over,
From the peak of the sales boom.
We want to sell everything quickly
To make some valuable room.
I will make you a very special deal
Just for this very last week,
A bargain at half the usual price.
Buy quickly, buy now,
Before the product sells out.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

LAST MINUTE! ~ 5th December 2015

7/12/2015

Image from the Net

LAST MINUTE!
by John Yeo

"Come on Mum! Hurry up, we have to do everything now!
It must be done by a certain time! Have you got the list?
Straight away, without delay, amid the appalling crush.
We must get everything now, in a fast and furious rush
We must get things under full control, time is passing by.

A pair of slippers for Grumps, his are wearing out fast.
A box of chocolates for Grandma to nibble by the fire.
Toys for the kids, go for the best to ignite their interest.
Uncle will welcome socks, in dazzling fluorescent green.
Hampers all around the family, made up specially by us.

For Aunt Mary, delicate, lacy white hankies are nice.
The cousins will welcome a bottle of sparkling wine
Two cases should be enough to nicely go around.
We must do it all today, in a fast and furious rush
Straight away, without delay, amid the appalling crush.

This is a mega-market place, everything is right here,
Piled up and for sale, to take home some Christmas cheer.
Still once we get home wth the shopping done,
We can raise a glass of cheer. Cheers everyone!
Good job this shopping season only comes once a year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

A FATHERS LAMENT ~ 1st December 2015

3/12/2015

A FIGHTER FULL OF SPIRIT MOVES ON
by John Yeo

She has passed through the final door out of pain,
The indignities of suffering peacefully dispersed,
When her soul left her body, never to return.
Sadness and sorrow replaced the hopeful prayers
With utter helplessness as she passed away.

A Fathers mind travels and merges the memories.
Today a part of my life, torn away, has departed.
A special life, full of special memories has gone.
When a 50 year old lady becomes a child again.
Skipping happily to school, laughing with her sister.
Living the excitement of an adventurous childhood.
A motorcycle riding the waves of life without care,
The wind joyfully carrying her along to the end.

My mind journeys backwards through her short life,
Her hopes with dreams and high aspirations
The ups far out-shining the sad, sad culmination.
The bravery of my daughter fighting through to the end.
A few stolen short months tasting life's exhilaration.
New hopes raised by an organ transplantation.
Then cruelly dashed through a sad insidious rejection.

An old mans mind travels, and merges the memories.
Today a part of of my life, torn away, has departed.
A special life full of special memories has gone.

Goodbye Sweet Caroline!

Copyright. © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

SUBMERGED IN GRIEF ~ 8TH NOVEMBER 2015

10/11/2015

Image from the net

SUBMERGED IN GRIEF
by John Yeo

The flags were splendidly carried by veterans
Followed by Scouts and Cubs in procession.
With the priest and the choir leading the way
Singing a stirring hymn for Remembrance day.
The congregation attired in black and red,
Submerged in symbols of grief and remembrance.
~

Red Poppies and pride worn in a sad display.
As the service began with the mourners standing
For two minutes silence to remember the fallen.
A list of names of local heroes was read,
A stirring rendition of the Last Post sounded
As we gathered together to remember our dead.
~

Then after our remembrance service was over
We made our way to lay red poppy wreaths ,
At the cenotaph in a memorial statement.
A bugler sounded the Last Post once again
Submerged in grief, the village had assembled
For the annual service of loving remembrance .
~

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

THE FUTURE ~ 2ND OCTOBER 2015

5/10/2015

Image © John and Margaret

THE FUTURE

by John Yeo

The Writing 101 challenge has run its course,
I started the journey and persevered.
Following the prompts with interest.
Creating and learning, to reinforce
My blogging skills and improve my writing.
Each section a challenge in itself.

Twenty posts, each one unique,
A different aspect to the Blogging process.
Yes I did enjoy the journey.
I will come away with a method of working.
My thanks to the designers who set the prompts
To stretch my skill and my imagination.

I have enjoyed reading people's work
There are some very talented writers out there
I liked the comments and feedback.
Some I enjoyed reading with gratitude
Enough to respond with admiration.
I have made a few friendships on the way.

Some I am sure will persevere strongly
Communicating and collaborating
Likeminded people who scribble each day
Blogging their thoughts to the world.
Valuing the feedback and inspiration
Becoming skilful writers along the way.

The here and now has sown the seeds
That will grow and flourish in the future.
For the many people around the world
Who struggle to find the words to inspire
The many children who need just a spark
To set their imagination on fire.

Yes I did enjoy completing the journey,
Meeting and responding and taking part.
Writing 101 has opened the doors
To the imagination of would be writers.
People who struggle with determination.
Sharing their thought around the world.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

MACEDONIAN MAGIC ~ 28TH SEPTEMBER 2015

30/9/2015

Macedonian Flag ~ Image from the net

MACEDONIAN MAGIC

My friend, I would like to thank you
For visiting my blog this year.
I would love to visit your beautiful land
To travel to Skopje, try to understand.

I have Macedonian friends who share
Photographs on Social media here,
Sharing your magic over the Internet,
Beautiful scenery, mountains and lakes.

My friend I would enjoy the mystery
The ancient Ottoman influences
Try to unravel the proud history
Explore Skopje's famous bazaar.

Thanks once again for tasting my blog
My friend I have no idea who you are
I will study the stats and nod my head.
You are welcome to return again.

Copyright (c) Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.