#Haiku: Thistle

In My Garden- Mesa, AZ

blossoming thistle
lemon meringue lace petals-
beauty among thorns

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Author’s Note: Day 24 of National Poetry Writing Month.

Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 24 years and their latest rescue, Jackson “Jax” Lyberg. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com and view anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page

The Truth in Mulberry Trees

Image by Thanks for your Like • donations welcome from Pixabay

I lie on the velvet moss forest floor 
under the majestic mulberry tree, 
clinging as roots take hold, surrounding me
while waxy leaves grow upon my serene face

In my ears echo ceaseless restless whispers 
of rouge rotting fruit and tiny hungry worms 
The one feeding the other and in turn, 
Sweet mystery revealed of flesh and bone

In every life there must be quietus
and with every ending a fresh creation
for how else can we discern the meaning 
of blossoming light and decaying darkness
and all that comes between with our solitude

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Author’s Note: Written for day 23 of National Poetry Month. On prompt and the poem I chose to respond to is Philosophy from The Yellow Heart by Pablo Neruda

Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 24 years and their latest rescue, Jackson “Jax” Lyberg. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com and view anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page

The Old Man on Pont Neuf

Wikimedia CommonsPont Neuf 1970

It’s a misty morning
as I stand on Pont Neuf 
listening to soft lapping
of water against wood

The scene is like a dream
as the fog grows thick
and then a dull tapping
of a wood cane on brick

A ghostly grey old man
out of the fog appears
wearing a coal beret
that has seen better years

He carries crusty bread
in crooked gnarled fingers
followed by noisy pigeons
begging him to linger

He pauses on the bridge
breaking bread in pieces
tossing them dry crumbs
and their cooing ceases

As he passes by me
his frail arm brushes mine
he looks me in the eye
and with a smile sighs

‘Ah, were I young again
I’d take your hand and dance
I’d ply you with red wine
we’d have a grand romance!’

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

dVerse Poets Pub: MTB Anapestic Tetrameter

Author’s Note: Day 22 of National Poetry Month.

Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 24 years and their latest rescue, Jackson “Jax” Lyberg. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com and view anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page

#Haiku: Sunflower

My Garden- Mesa, AZ

yellow sunflower
blooming among wildflowers-
a random dropped seed

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 24 years and their latest rescue, Jackson “Jax” Lyberg. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com and view anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page

Winding River

Image by Ted Huizinga from Pixabay

Days trickle into months and months into years
For time is a winding river through each brief life
And yesterday is but a wounded memory
Of moments trapped in ancient amber.
But today red wine flows from the silver chalice
To ruby stained lips longing to be kissed
In remembrance of her innocence
When she was beautiful and young.

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

dVerse Poetics: China- Kingdom of the Poem Author’s Note: Laura is hosting today at dVerse and has asked us to choose one of the poems given and provide our own impression of it. The poem I chose is:
Winding River ~ Du Fu
Each piece of flying blossom leaves spring the less,
I grieve as myriad points float in the wind.
I watch the last ones move before my eyes,
And cannot have enough wine pass my lips.
Kingfishers nest by the little hall on the river,
Unicorns lie at the high tomb’s enclosure.
Having studied the world, one must seek joy,
For what use is the trap of passing honour?

Day 20 of National Poetry Writing Month.

Of Green Toads and Babbling Brooks

Image by Josee123 from Pixabay

Don’t bother trying to find me
because I’ve gone away
I’ve run off to the country
to live out my remaining days.

I’ll walk a country road,
and pause by a babbling brook
I’ll laugh with a green toad
and read my favorite book.

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

dVerse Poets Pub: Quadrille 126

Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 24 years and their latest rescue, Jackson “Jax” Lyberg. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com and view anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page

The Life of Crystal Blue Coyote

Image by Janet Meyer from Pixabay 

I am Crystal Blue coyote, running through the arroyos
chasing my mystic dreams with wary golden eyes
My world is this resplendent varied desert
for every season brings what I need to survive.

Spring paints the desert floor with wildflowers
I lie among them listening to honey bees
and delight in the sun glistening on butterfly wings
while high in the sprawling mesquite,
the curve billed thrasher sings
a haunting melody soothing and serene.

Summer comes rushing in with its searing heat
as the sun beats down parching my homeland
Palo Verde weep, releasing their last golden blooms
leaving only the stalwart cacti to thrive
while jack rabbits and cottontails hide in their shade
nibbling on the moist thorny flesh to stay alive.

At the end of summer comes the monsoons
warring and raging across the dying desert
I shelter in a rocky enclave to wait out the storm
From my cave-like space, I watch dust typhoons
dancing and praying for rain, and at last it comes
the rains pour from a tempest sky, flooding home.

With autumn comes spectacular sunsets
in reds, oranges, purples and hot pink
an artist’s rendering splashed on the horizon
mixing the colors against a sky of aquamarine
As I watch the vastness moving, changing,
I believe in a supreme being, one greater than me.

Winter in higher country brings intricate flakes
to the mountains surrounding the low desert
bathing them in an ethereal white glow
I venture from home, yearning to run, to play
And leave my pawprints on pristine ground
for others to find and follow on this cold winter day.

And though some men regard me with disdain
for I am an adept scavenger and wily coyote
In many ways I am blessed more than them for I
have the heart and soul to respect the beauty before me.

©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg

Author’s Note: For Day 18 of National Poetry Writing Month.

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