Category Loss

One Wild Song – Līgo Haībun Challenge

freyathewriter 14 Comments

The Līgo Haibun Challenge is hosted by Ye Pirate and Ese.

This week we are invited to be innovative. Instead of completing our prose with a haiku, we can choose an alternative style of oh-so-brief poetry. I have selected the Cambodian pathya vat style – four lines of poetry where the second and third lines must rhyme.

This week is also prompt week, and i have chosen the Mexican proverb ‘It is not enough to know how to ride – you must also know how to fall’ as my inspiration.

Please do go and check out the other entries by visiting the co-hosts’ blogs and finding the InLinkz linky thing! There are some very talented writers out there…

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– One Wild Song –

The weather yesterday was what I told myself to be the winter version of the day of my dad’s funeral – blue skies, here and there the odd wisp of teased, cotton wool clouds, everywhere crisp and bright.

It was a fitting day for us all to gather for his memorial service. A man who loved colour in his clothing as well as in his art, he would have delighted in such a day to celebrate his life, his achievements, his work.

Throughout the service – a mixture of classical music, hymns, choral works, poetry and other readings – I kept on thinking that I wouldn’t have been surprised if the man himself had arrived, charging down the aisle in a puff of cigar smoke, rainbow-hued tie flailing. It was all so ‘him’. The stunning surroundings, the atmosphere, the sheer grandeur of it all, yet wrapped in an intimacy so tangible it could almost be touched and held close.

So many amazing sentiments were expressed. They were touching, even humorous at times, topped off by a huge round of applause fit to lift St Paul’s Cathedral from its foundations and expose the OBE Chapel to the world outside.

It could have been no better.

clapping of hands
stings in echoes
for life that flows
– sorrow no more

ligo-challenge_logo

Cat Heaven – dVerse Open Link Week 119

freyathewriter 36 Comments

Here’s my latest entry into the dVerse Open Link – why not take a look at everyone else’s wonderful responses?

This is dedicated to some friends of mine, a lovely couple, who have had a horrible time this year. To top it all, one of their beautiful cats passed away yesterday. They know who they are – this is for them, and their puss.

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– Cat Heaven –

In cat heaven, there’s always sunshine
And plenty of places to rest
In cat heaven, no-one disturbs you
In cat heaven, cats always know best

In cat heaven, there’s cream and fresh tuna
And your bowl is full to the brim
In cat heaven, your coat’s always glossy
In cat heaven, you always look trim

In cat heaven, there’s room for cats small and large
Moggies and pedigrees too
In cat heaven, old enemies make friends once more
In cat heaven, no-one is blue

So if you are wondering where I have gone
And you miss stroking my fur
Just think of cat heaven, look way up above
From cat heaven, you’ll hear my purr.

Miscellany – dVerse Meeting the Bar

freyathewriter 35 Comments

– Miscellany –

You can choose your friends

but not your family, so they say.

This thought comforts those who have shallow roots

or roots that are tortuous, jagged and sharp.

But sometimes, you don’t get to choose the friend –

he or she selects you in a way that surprises,

and sometimes hurts.

You don’t have a choice, it’s not always warm and cosy,

not always ideal.

But life isn’t like that – tidily arranged

with signs that point you in the direction best-suited.

So grab hold of your friend, the one who has elbowed

his or her way into your life.

And never let go.

*****

This week, we write about friendship, in honour of a poet who left us too soon, Dave King.

I didn’t have the joy of ‘meeting’ him unfortunately, but his poems and blog are there for us to visit, which I certainly will. You can read and discover many more thoughts on friendship right here.