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APRIL~ ”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY SEVENTEEN~ SWING POEM:

18/4/2015

For today’s prompt, write a swing poem. Sure, there are park swings and mood swings; there’s swing music and swing dancing; and there are swingers. Some people swing one way; others swing another. In politics, there are swing votes and swing states. And many people have swung a bat, an ax, and/or a hammer in their lifetimes.

Image © John and Margaret

SWING POEM
by John Yeo

Thoughts drift as I lie here,
I remember my days at school.
Wooden desks and dipping pens,
Playtime in the playground.

“Wake up John! Please come back.
”The distant words hardly penetrate
My dreamy haze of thought.
I swing from the present, back in time.

I remember the country lanes as a boy,
The sun always seemed to shine.
Fishing with a pole on the local canal,
Then on to secondary school.

My mind jolts as the voice repeats,
“Wake up John! Please come back."
I swing from the past to the present,
Then I swing into dreaming again.

“Open your eyes John, I am here”
I swing back to the now with love.
The healing sound of love in your voice,
“Come back please, I need you here! “

You stroke my head, my mind swings forward,
I take your tender hand.
“I am never going to leave you, ever,
I am sure you understand.”

Image © John and Margaret

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-17

APRIL~ ”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY SIXTEEN ~ SCIENCE POEM:

16/4/2015

For today’s prompt, write a science poem. Your poem could be about science in a general sense, but you can also latch onto a specific field or story. Maybe write a poem about the scientific method, or juxtapose science against another idea like love, war, or cuisine. Remember: Science is the springboard; which way you jump is up to you.

Image © John and Margaret

SCIENCE
by John Yeo

Science nurtures the seeds of discovery
Checking and controlling data
Informing and inferring with method
Enquiring and establishing the facts.
Numerical and statistical testing,
Controlling and comparing variables
Establishing the proof or the truth.

Anti-science says things are OK
Things are never scientifically proved
We should just sit still and relax.
The universe is over the edge
The world will always be flat,
Everything will always be well..
Time should never be a measure.

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-16

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY FIFTEEN~ ADJECTIVE-TITLED POEM:

15/4/2015

For today’s prompt, pick an adjective, make it the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. If you’re feeling stuck on this one, go back through your poems earlier this month and find adjectives you used–if any. Or crack open a dictionary. Or scan other poems for ideas

Image © John and Margaret

“SILENT”
by John Yeo

We were gathered around the hospital bed.
He had been in a coma for a year.
There was no need for speech
Our faces and thoughts said it all.

The family were brought together
In the throes of silent grief.
Remembering a life that was all too short
Well lived, well loved, too brief

The Doctor switched off the life support.
There was a ripple of silent shock
As the reality hit the family hard,
I offered up a silent prayer

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-15

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY FOURTEEN ~ HONEST and/or DISHONEST POEM:

14/4/2015

Today is our second “Two for Tuesday” prompt(s), and here are your options:

Write an honest poem. Or…
Write a dishonest poem.
*****

Image © John and Margaret

REALLY
by John Yeo

Vote for me and I’ll be there for you
Dependable, honest, reliable, true,
Voracious, totally telling the facts
Without pretension.

Honestly, never dishonest.
My three year old believes in me,
Fairies, goblins, witches and elves,
Even Father Christmas.

Dependable, honest, reliable, true,
Without pretension.
Our NHS, education, transport, too,
Without invention.

My drug of choice is a happy pill,
Take one three times a day.
You will feel better, I know you will
If you cast a vote for me.

Honesty is a purple flowering plant,
The pods make for decoration.
The ideal political reflection,
Colourful, decorative, honest, and true?

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-14

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY THIRTEEN ~ CONFESSION POEM

13/4/2015

For today’s prompt, write a confession poem. For some poets, this may come naturally–confessing feelings, actions, and/or intentions. For others, it may be hard to get personal. That’s OK; take on another persona and write a “confession” for that person, animal, inanimate object, whatever.

Image © John and Margaret

CONFESSION POEM
by John Yeo

The cancer is very advanced,
Doctor you tell me I’ll die
The writing is on the wall.

I responded to the patient’s call
The cancer is incurable,
The patient is ready to die
The writing is certainly on the wall.

“I have a confession to make,
Will you hear my deathbed plea?”
I offered to call the chaplain,
“Please. No! I never believed”

Will you let me get this off my chest?
I would like to tell you in confidence
I have always done my level best
Something has always haunted me.”

“My wife is my Uncle’s daughter,
We fell madly in love and wed.
The only people who know the truth
Sadly are now all dead.

We married under false pretences
With a nod and a wink and love.
Some say our incestuous union
Is against the laws of God.

Please respect my confidence
In your special capacity.
My wife will inform our children
When they are old enough to see.

I would like you to offer her support
And assure her of my love for her.
We have known and trusted you for years
As a professional and a very good friend.

Thank-You!

Copyright © Written by John Yeo~ All rights reserved.

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-13

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY TWELVE ~ DAMAGE POEM

12/4/2015

For today’s prompt, write a damage poem. Since my baby brother is a storm chaser, my mind usually jumps straight to storm damage. However, there’s more than the physical damage created by things like hurricanes, trains, and war planes. There’s also the emotional and psychological damage we inflict, survive, and conceal. The bright side of any damage is that it can be transformed into a poem.

Image © John and Margaret

SELF ESTEEM
by John Yeo

Invisible damage had shattered his nerve
The rider had nightmares and flashbacks.
He insists he will never ride again.
Now, the unseen healing begins.

“What is the damage to your self esteem,
When you do something to care?
Caring is responding to feelings,
Thoughtfulness learning to share.
There are many other points of view
Ways of sharing the world.
No damage to your self esteem
In fact you have nothing to lose.
You are unique and very smart
The key is locked in your heart.”

The motorcyclist was shocked,
The incredible crash had occurred.
Racing to the hospital, taking risks
Carrying emergency blood.
With a sudden swerve he skidded
On an oily patch in the road.
No physical damage to his body
Just a dent in his self esteem.
Three lives were on the line today
One outcome saved all three.

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-12

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY ELEVEN ~ SEASONAL POEM

11/4/2015

For today’s prompt, write a seasonal poem. This should be a snap for haiku poets; after all, inserting seasonal words is a rule for the form. However, you don’t have to write haiku to write a poem that references or happens in one of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Pick a season or include them alL

Image © John and Margaret

SEASONAL CHANGES
by John Yeo

Spring into Summer with floral delight
Blooms and blossom fill the air.
Farmers fields are bursting with growth,
Green shoots and yellow rape everywhere.
The weather forecast has the pollen count.
Nothing to worry about, no surprise
A fit of sneezing with watery eyes
As hay fever sets in again.~

Autumn into Winter with frost and rain,
Windy weather prompts the leaves to fall.
Reds, gold and russet, a beautiful sight,
The shorter days with dark icy nights.
The weather forecast predicts heavy snow.
Nothing to worry about, no surprise
A fit of sneezing with watery eyes
Resort to bed with the flu.~

Seasonal affective disorder strikes
With a low mood and depression.
Regularly during the Winter months
Sunlight is reduced during shorter days.
The weather forecast is dire.
Nothing to worry about, no surprise
The doctors diagnosis is incomplete
Sit in front of a lamp and soak up the light.~

Seasonal affective disorder retreats
With the arrival of early Spring.
Lightness and happiness sets in again
Balmy breezes and very light rain.
The weather person is smiling.
Nothing to worry about, no surprise
The world wakes up in a blaze of glory
With thoughts of a relaxing holiday.~

Image © John and Margaret

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-11

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY TEN~ HOW—(BLANK) POEM

10/4/2015

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “How (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “How to Write a Poem,” “How Mechanical Pencils Work,” and “Howling at the Moon After Midnight in the Middle of a Thunderstorm.”

Image © John and Margaret

HOW COME?
by John Yeo

How does fate discriminate?
How do you account for this outcome?
How did the virus get into the brain?
How do we accept the finality of death?
When no-one ever ever comes back.

How do I explain to the children,
That their Father is going to die?
What do I say about something unknown?
They are bound to ask me the question
Why their Dad will never come back?

What did he do to be under this threat?
May I know the truth please Doc?
If there is a God in heaven above
How can he preach about love,
When my husband is going to die?

Please tell me the truth Nurse?
How come my Mummy is crying?
Why is my Daddy not talking to me?
I think I am going to cry,
How come life is so cruel?

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-10

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY NINE ~ WORK POEM

9/4/2015

For today’s prompt, write a work poem. For some folks, writing is work (great, huh?). For others, work is teaching, engineering, or delivering pizzas. Still others, dream of having work to help them pay the bills or go to all ages shows. Some don’t want work, don’t need work, and are glad to be free of the rat race. There are people who work out, work on problems, and well, I’ll let you work out how to handle your poem today.

Image © John and Margaret

WORTHWHILE WORK
by John Yeo

To work again on a dreary wet day
Up with the lark to contemplate
The pattern of the hours ahead.

Orange juice and a slice of toast,
How can I begin to speculate
On the areas of need for the day.

The traffic is noisy stressful and hard
I drive to work in a fretful state
Tired and affected before I begin.

I enter the office with strategy prepared,
After a strong coffee I begin to relate
To my colleagues with anticipation.

We sharpen our wits with amusement
Before we begin we speculate
On the lives we hope to change.

The minds we will try to encourage
To soak up our words, then articulate
Their interpretation of our views.

The key to our work is change
To interest, stimulate and elaborate
Then nurture the seeds we have planted.

The future is being constructed now
As we do our best to educate
Inspire and heal broken minds.

Image © John and Margaret

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-9

APRIL~”POEM-A-DAY”~DAY EIGHT ~ DARE POEM

8/4/2015

For today’s prompt, write a dare poem. This poem could be written as a dare to someone. It could make a daring proclamation. It could involve a dare that someone has accepted…or refused. In a way, each day of this challenge is a dare to write a poem. Are you ready for the challenge?

Image © John and Margaret

DARE
by John Yeo

A four-letter challenge
That can mean so much.
The hurdle to get over is fear,
To have the courage.
Then to conquer that fear
Dare to be brave and live.
I dare you to be happy.
Do it! Live it! Enjoy it!

Face your fear of tomorrow
The future is in your hands.
Dare to be free! Dare to be you!
Dare to climb that mountain
Enjoy the view as you rise.
This beautiful world will ease
The craggy sharp rocks on the way.
I dare you to be happy,
Do it! Live it! Dare to be you.

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

Written for Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic asides blog on “Writers Digest”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-april-pad-challenge-day-8