TO A DEAD PLAYWRIGHT

Posted on Apr 11, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

For today’s prompt, write a dedication poem. This is a poem dedicated to a person, an animal, or an organization. Or hey, objects work too–like a poem to a rock or paper bag. Put the dedication in the title or in a line under the title (“for Mother” or “to the heart-shaped rock between the creek and the tulips”). I dedicate today’s prompt to all of you!

Thursday 11th April 2019

DAY ELEVEN

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

TO A DEAD PLAYWRIGHT

by John Yeo

You will never come to know me in my lifetime.
I feel I know you incredibly well.
I have read and admired much of your life’s work;
Your powerful magic will stay with me to my end.
Reinforcing my humble hopes with high aspiration.
Maturing with the years like a rare vintage wine.

The beauty of your verse and your wide comprehension
Of life, and life’s changing, ever changing situations .
Kings and Queens with their hopes and dreams
Lovers and clowns, tragedy with comedy entwined.
The language of mystical life, hopes and fears
Sowing seeds in my thought, building high inspiration.

The players weave your silken web of dreams sincere,
Teasing the groundlings and the intellectual elite.
With exquisite laughter, impossible expectations.
Poetical life that has endured four hundred years.
Love and wit, expressed in a rare language
Drama with wonder, blood, cruelty and fears.

The irresistible, controversial, William Shakespeare.

THE HERMIT

Posted on Apr 10, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

For today’s prompt, write a lone poem. Perhaps the poem is about a solitary wanderer or person who just prefers to go it alone. Or a lone winner, lone wolf, or some other solo individual. Or alternatively, I’ll accept poems that are about loans or that are about being alone.

Wednesday 10th April 2019

DAY TEN

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

THE HERMIT

by John Yeo

The hermit sat in some welcome shade,
Sunshine lit up the forest corners,
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.

A gentle breeze the branches swayed,
A sparkling stream with cool clear waters,
The hermit sat in some welcome shade

Wild birds sang and approached unafraid
Colourful, friendly, social performers,
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.

Deer who grazed here never strayed
Far from this glades secret borders,
The hermit sat in some welcome shade.

Butterflies fluttered and Rabbits played,
Sheltered safely here from life’s scorners
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.

After he dumped the old life he had made
For a quiet life to escape from his creditors
The hermit sat in some welcome shade
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.

LOVE POEMS

Posted on Apr 9, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

Tuesday 9th April 2019

Time for our second Two for Tuesday of the month! Pick one prompt or use both…your choice!

Write a love poem. All you need is love.
Write an anti-love poem. Or not.
Remember: There are many forms of love: romantic love, friend and family love, love of being alive, etc.

Tuesday 9th April

DAY NINE

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

A LOVE POEM

by John Yeo

Your thoughts tend to be narrowly focussed
On the person who evokes the feeling
Emotions go haywire control is lost
As your new love enters your life.
Something takes you by surprise
As you wander along aimlessly
You are introduced to a person
Who makes a disturbing impression
Leaving you puzzled, somewhat nonplussed.
Hopelessly wondering what happened.
Love has arrived like a bolt from the blue.

NOT AN ANTI-LOVE POEM

by John Yeo

When I woke up this morning
I uttered these words
Heavens above, I must be in love,
I’m always incredibly happy.
Although I know it sounds soppy
You refer to me as a daft old thing.
Every little thing we share together.
We love, laugh and share our lives
Each moment seems to deepen the feeling.
Fifteen years ago we tied the love knot
Marriage has taught me nothing of anti-love.

LUCKY NUMBER

Posted on Apr 8, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

For today’s prompt, write a lucky number poem. Some people have lucky numbers, some don’t. Wherever you fall on the lucky number spectrum, you can still write a poem about the phenomenon of lucky numbers and/or luck in general.

Monday 8th April 2019

DAY EIGHT

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

LUCKY NUMBER

by John Yeo

There were three witches stirring the broth
Of the cauldron of fabulous fortune.
Three wise men stared into crystal balls.
A trio of wizards studied the runes.
Three answers to my question gave birth
To my tri-universal problematic equation.

The significant number with firm proof
You will need to follow wherever you roam,
A number that will always be with you;
The key to your future in a third dimension
Wherever you roam in Sea, Sky or Earth.
Look to the cycle of a mystical threesome.

Your lucky number will be with you forever
Engendering three branches of fortune
Three spins; Good, Bad or Indifferent.
Look to the leaves of a four leafed Clover
Then break of a leaf and feel the power.
Of this harsh sometimes brutal world
Where luck lies with the accident of birth.

UNLUCKY NUMBER

Posted on Apr 8, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

Monday 8th April 2019

DAY EIGHT

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

UNLUCKY NUMBER

by John Yeo

Hooray! The expected parcel arrived today,
Six foot tall and very heavy
My bookcase, flat packed in pieces.
Excitedly I open the box to search
For the self-assembly instructions.

These are obviously the sides,
This must be the top and bottom
Where are the instructions?
White plastic packaging to preserve
The parts from damage in transit.

Some small packages of nuts and bolts,
Metal brackets and rails.
Where are the instructions?
Ah! Paper on the bottom very clear,
The instructions written in Mandarin?

Horror of horrors, I telephone the UK number,
Sorry the number you are calling is busy.
I take a screwdriver and begin the task,
The bookcase is coming together,
I try phoning the number again, still busy.

I continue the task of fitting together
The cabinet, with tools and my instinct,
I fit the parts, the bookcase stands tall
I try the unlucky number again; still busy,
I tear the instructions up my task completed;
Using self help as my guide.

MUSING ON PROCRASTINATION

Posted on Apr 8, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

I wrote this post for ‘The Quintet’ our church magazine in response to the theme of…PROCRASTINATION.

MUSING ON PROCRASTINATION

by John Yeo

I now appreciate absolutely, the meaning of the word, PROCRASTINATION

When we returned from the church service today I had every intention of beginning work on the next chapter of my book. First the iPad was the lure away from the work in hand, I found there were many light hearted, unnecessary things that needed my urgent attention, such as who has read and liked my latest posting on the social media. The Scrabble word game App takes another slice of my valuable time as I sit and think, and work out various combinations of letters to defend my honour. We enjoyed tea and biscuits, before the continuation of a drama series began on television and this took my attention away from the keyboard and the continuation of my story.

By this time I am renewing my resolve to begin work! But before I begin I have to just check on the outside world on the social media pages again, then Margaret and I do battle at Scrabble and complete our game.

I still haven’t written one word and it is time for dinner. Margaret has been preparing a wonderful meal in the kitchen and we sit and enjoy our Sunday dinner together in front of the television.

I then begin to focus in spite of the pull of the interesting selection of programmes that are being broadcast at this peak period on a Sunday evening.

I then give up writing and procrastinate by reading and posting an article on procrastination on my social media page before I retire to read poetry in bed.

PROVERB

Procrastination is the thief of time, if you delay doing something, it will take longer to do later on.

NATURAL JEALOUSY

Posted on Apr 7, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

Woo-hoo! We’re a week into this challenge. Let’s keep at it! For today’s prompt, write a jealous poem. Maybe you’re jealous. Or maybe someone else is jealous of you–or someone else. Whether envious of another or suspicious of a partner, dive deep into this emotion today.

Sunday 7th April 2019

DAY SEVEN

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

NATURAL JEALOUSY

by John Yeo

Jules was a man with a mission
A man who was dedicated and firm
A man who was incredibly competitive
The opposition had a lot to learn.
Jules put a lot of effort into his creation
Nurtured his monster cabbage with care
Used the finest plant food available
To build a specimen succulent and rare.

Peter was the epitome of the competition,
A grower who bent all the rules.
He nurtured his vegetables with loving care
Laughed at the efforts of his rival, Jules.
The growers vied for the ultimate prize
The best in show at the village fair.
Jules showered his cabbage with care
Peter’s concern was the ultimate size.

That was where the similarity ended,
As jealousy raised its ugly head.
Jules became extremely offended
Over a chance comment carelessly said.
Peter’s cabbage was suddenly nibbled
By a thousand yellow caterpillars.
It was a mystery where they appeared from
As Jules cabbage looked equally troubled.

Finally the prize went to Mary and Jane
They stole the prize for the best in show.
Peter and Jules came to furious blows
As their competitive spirits rose.
Both accused one another outwardly
Of introducing the offending grubs.
They took their wives Mary and Jane
For a night out in two of the local pubs.

AFTER THE SEED WAS SOWN

Posted on Apr 6, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

Saturday 6th April 2019

DAY SIX

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

AFTER THE SEED WAS SOWN

by John Yeo

Was it just a babble of words
That swirled around in my fertile brain?
No, laughed my erstwhile teacher/advisor
Sorting through my scribbled ideas.
‘That’s the seed of a new line of thought
Searching for the moment to erupt.
After much cogitation and fertile study
Into a complete circle of answers sought.’

I searched shadows of ideas in my brain
As the sparkling neurons were lit,
My thoughts began to take shape
New information fed my ideas again.
As the budding concept grew large
Familiarity made the connections secure.
Growth of my ideas helped to demonstrate
A new line of knowledge began to emerge.

AFTER THE SEED WAS PLANTED

Posted on Apr 6, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “After (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: “After Dinner,” “After You,” “After Hours,” and/or “After I Finish Writing This Poem.”

Saturday 6th April 2019

DAY SIX

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

AFTER THE SEED WAS PLANTED

by John Yeo

Was it a speck of dust
that had flipped into an empty packet?
No, laughed my chief garden advisor.
Looking a wee bit nonplussed,
‘That is a potential Petunia plant
Searching for the right conditions.’
Although I was still none the wiser
I prepared a natural environment.

After the seed was planted
Moisture was added to the mix
Of enriched potting compost,
The tiny seed began to get started.
Change developed slowly but surely
As metamorphosis began,
Two tiny leaves unfurled in the process,
A new plant life had begun its story.

HOPE

Posted on Apr 5, 2019 by John Yeo | Leave a comment

Thursday 5th April 2019

DAY FIVE

Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-A-Day on Writers Digest

For today’s prompt, write a stolen poem. And no, don’t steal anyone’s poem! But you can write about doing such a thing. Or stealing hearts, stealing time, stealing minds.

HOPE

by John Yeo

My child has left and gone to work
I lie here alone with my thoughts,
I will not stir, I will not move, I am in pain.
My little girl Hope is twelve years old
Takes care of everything for us both,
Since her mother left us alone again.
When the sadness descended on me.

Hope gets up at dawn to prepare our meal,
Fetches water to wash the clothes,
She cleans the room and takes good care of me.
Hope hides when visitors come to the door
We both need her here to be free, with me.
Hope works in a sweatshop making clothes
for the fat people over the sea.

As I lie here alone the rats appear,
They scuffle around then leave, foodless.
When the landlord calls to collect the rent,
I have noticed the way he looks at my Hope
As she pays him from her paltry earnings.
Mischievous, malevolent lascivious looks
That bode no good for my child.

School for Hope was a couple of years
In a shack for a classroom until;
Her mother left us and Hope went to work.
She has no time for friends or parties
New clothes or games and playing sport,
No time for laughter or enjoying a book.
Hope is too busy working to stop and look.

Selfishly I lie here and let things be.
I know I can never let Hope be free
We are tied to each other irrecoverably,
It is too late for all but my sympathy.
I know I’m a thief and I can clearly see
I have stolen a precious commodity.
The innocent freedom of childhood.

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Monthly Archives: Apr 2019

TO A DEAD PLAYWRIGHT

THE HERMIT

LOVE POEMS

LUCKY NUMBER

UNLUCKY NUMBER

MUSING ON PROCRASTINATION

NATURAL JEALOUSY

AFTER THE SEED WAS SOWN

AFTER THE SEED WAS PLANTED

HOPE