24 Syllable Challenge

[Tinker]

In the Daily Prompt Thread I've included several 24 syllable "poems".  At Writing.com there is a daily challenge to write a poem in exactly 24 syllables, no more, no less and include some form of the given prompt word.  Sometimes it produces some very good poems.  Most of the time it is more an exercise in stretching the vocabulary and condensing your thoughts.  No high poetry here, just quick, attempts to expand your writing. I've found in writing these short pieces, in a short period of time, they have often led to inspiration for longer poems.   I thought maybe someone else would like to join me in this exercise so I'm setting up, a separate thread.  I'm stealing the prompts from the original forum.   I don't write one every day and this is not a contest, no winners, no losers.  Just have fun writing.

24 Syllable Forum Let me regale you with the merits of this forum, poets disciplined to stretch and to condense. ~~jvg

[Tinker]

Prompt:  Lilac
 

Mom

 Lilac and lemon drops
flavor my memories
of my miniscule grandmother
we all called Mom.
         ~~jvg

[Tinker]

May 18 deadline 4 PM Eastern Standard Time 

Prompt:  travail

Marathon

Muscles burn,
throat parched,
one more stride,
the travail forgotten
in the triumph
of finishing the race.
                ~~jvg

[Tinker]

May 19 deadline 4 PM Eastern Standard Time

Prompt:  writhe

I'm Home

Her soft, furry belly
on full display
as she writhed in anticipation 
at her mistress's return.
                      ~~jvg

[Tinker]

May 20

Prompt:   Buckram

[Tinker]

May 21 

Prompt: beckon

Temptation

After a long month of denial
the aroma wafting 
from Mom's apple pie
beckons to me.
                     ~~jvg

[Tinker]

July 5 Prompt  Amber

My Molly

She languidly rolls on her back
begging to be scratched.
Her amber eyes
match her plush, furry, belly.
                 ~~jvg

[Tinker]

July 6  Prompt - wraith 

The week before he died,
Boppa said he saw 
my Mom, who'd passed long ago,
The wraith whispered his name.
                           ~~jvg

[Tinker]

July 8     Prompt -  torrid

Temper, Temper

Her temper tantrums range
                   from torrid
                   and horrid
to limpid pathetic
though oh so athletic.
         ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

October 13  Prompt - urge

Naughty Pup

I resist the urge
to refute and purge
your presence from my pleasant day.
Behave and you may stay.
                   ~~Judi Van Gorder
 

[Tinker]

October 14  Prompt  patina

Object d' Art

My life's story
is bronzed by love
and polished with words,
a patina of artistic endeavor.
                   ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Prompt:  swathed

Creature

Young Frankenstein,
crossed the line.
Swathed in disgust for his creation,
anguished "How can this be undone?"
                         ~~Judi Van Gorder

I just read Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus  by Mary Shelley.

I didn't know Mary Shelley was the wife of the romantic poet Percy Shelley.  This story was the result of a challenge one evening between Percy Shelley, Lord Byron and the then 19 year old Mary to write a spooky tale.  She won.  This book was a one of the first recognized "gothic novels".  The book is only 121 pages long but the paragraphs are dense and long and I thought a difficult read.  The creature in the book was quite different from our modern day "Frankenstein monster".

[Tinker]

Prompt: moccasin
 

Dead Silence

Silent and deadly
the Water Moccasin's
wedge-shaped head
raised in mock
surprise to survey
for prey. 
                   ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Prompt: vermillion

Earth's Red

crystalline lattice
volcanic quartz
cinnabar
powdered mineral
scarlet pigmant
vermillion
         ~~jvg

[Tinker]

Allergic

Demon cats, he was known to eschew,
when they came near his eyes teared
and his dripping nose spewed, Ah Chew!
                             ~~Judi Van Gorder


Notes: ▼

24 syllables
3 Lines
Prompt: eschew

[Tinker]

Oct 26 Prompt: Bandersnatch Trick or Treat Under Halloween's moon, Bandersnatch come soon. They're brutes who'll steal your loot, so carry a big harpoon.          ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Mandatory Evacuation i have left my home, camping, out of fire zone. Sleepless i sit and write a homeless soliloquy.                   ~~Judi Van Gorder Notes; ▼ 4 Lines prompt:soliloquy  Yes, i was evacuated from my home.  Trinity and I went to my office in a nearby town.  The power was out but we camped ou there and slept there until the sirens and phone emergency signal went off at 4 AM. The police were going up and down each street with lights and sirens.  So we packed up and we went to the next town and are parked in the Casino parking lot.  Over 100000 people are being evacuated. The freeway is a parking lot.  Not fun

[Tinker]

Life at risk
when waking a teen
to start the day.
Good Morning Sunshine!
                   ~~jvg

17 syllables not haiku

[Tinker]

prompt: risible

The King 

His arrogance risible,
his clothing invisible,
He has no clue 
what's the right thing to do.
            ~~Judi Van Gorder
 
  

[Tinker]

Prompt: poverty

Take Action

True poverty is an empty soul
easily healed by acts
of charity.
Take time, fill the bowl.
        ~~jvg

 

[Tinker]

Prompt : wassail

Holiday Cheer

When indulging in Christmas cheer,
whether egg nog, wassail or beer,
moderation is the best course.
                   ~~ Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

The Artic Unknown

Nordic quest
across the Artic's nival dunes,
can only be guessed.
The curious consult the Runes.
                   ~Judi Van Gorder

Prompt: nival = adjective, region of perpetual snow

[Tinker]

Promt:  pupil  

Excellence

Pupils
at the School
of 24 Syllables
continue to challenge
and improve
at their craft.
                ~~jvg

[Tinker]

Prompt -   tenebrous. .
ADJECTIVE literary . dark; shadowy or obscure. "the tenebrous spiral staircase of the self"
synonyms: indistinct · faint · vague · ill-defined · unclear · blurred · blurry · misty · hazy · foggy · veiled · cloudy · clouded · nebulous · fuzzy · dark · dim · unlit · black · murky · somber · gloomy · shady · shadowy · dusky · darkling · crepuscular · caliginous · Cimmerian

Election

Tenebrous talk
lurks within propositions
on my ballot,
causing confusion 
to vote, yay or nay.
               ~~jvg