Poetry

Tempted to Silence (Reblogged)

by Lizl Bennefeld

Rereading the poetry that I wrote during NaPoWriMo (April 2018), and came across “Tempted to Silence.” Called to mind a recent email from a friend, which, come to think of it, I should not remark on further.

Except to say that the friend wondered how (or why) I remain motivated. And I wondered, “how not?”

Now that I have reblogged it, I realize that I should simply have copied it here.

Tempted to Silence

as the years move on
as I move with them
or we go separate ways

I have less to say
there is less to hear
around me that inspires…

I don’t know what I miss—
words of kindness, uplifting
without self-serving thoughts

a different world, perhaps,
outside the door…with hope
for more than me and mine and yours

If I were alone, again
if there were no one to care
if I were there or here

I would take a lease
on a cabin in the woods
for enough years to die

listening to rain and bird calls
wind and ice and hearth fire
pencil scratching paper

the opening of a door

Copyright © 2018-04-18, by Elizabeth W. Bennefeld.

Quilted Poetry

Brewer: For today’s prompt, write a temptation poem. Nearly everyone is tempted by something: fame, glory, money, chocolate. Today is the perfect day to give in to the temptation to write about your (or “a friend’s”) temptation. Also, I totally understand the temptation to write about The Temptations today.

Tempted to Silence

as the years move on
as I move with them
or we go separate ways

I have less to say
there is less to hear
around me that inspires…

I don’t know what I miss—
words of kindness, uplifting
without self-serving thoughts

a different world, perhaps,
outside the door…with hope
for more than me and mine and yours

If I were alone, again
if there were no one to care
if I were there or here

I would take a lease
on a cabin in the woods
for enough years to die

listening to rain and bird calls

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And the skies cleared…

by Lizl Bennefeld
Coreopsis lanceolata

The sky was cloudy, and there was a mist of rain carried by gusty winds, until into the early afternoon.  Then the winds died down and the sky cleared. Throughout the afternoon, I listened to the sounds of the airplanes going past as pilots timed and rehearsed their acts for the air show, this weekend. Too many mosquitoes, today, for me to sit outside and watch for the jets speeding past. They’ve another day for practicing, and so I might get out there tomorrow. Or wait for the shows on the weekend days. Normally we (our house) are close to the flight paths, so we have good views. (I dug out the weather-spotting binoculars, a few weeks ago.)

These photographs were taken just before the Scampers’ five o’clock dinner. I (unfortunately) frightened the resident rabbit away from the side garden (which has not managed to produce flowers, this summer).  Thadd only took notice as the rabbit’s hind feet disappearing around the corner of the neighbor’s garage. After the dogs ate, we went outside, again, and I managed three and a half miles on the exercise bike in the gazebo. Far short of yesterday’s sixteen miles; perhaps I will have opportunity after the Scampers are in their kennels for the night.

yellows and oranges
rays of the sun soon to set
backlit petals glow

next after last, days go by
their glow passes…petals drop

Copyright © 2018-07-26, by Elizabeth W. Bennefeld.

#NaPoWriMo2018 Grasshopper poem

by Lizl Bennefeld

I decided to go back to yesterday’s poetry prompts list and write a poem to go with my favorite grasshopper photograph.

Brewer: “For today’s prompt, pick an insect (any insect), make it the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Praying Mantis,” “Ants,” and “Grasshoppers.” I’ll even except other creepy crawlies, like spiders, slugs, and leeches (shiver). Sorry in advance if this prompt gives you the heebie-jeebies; feel free to use insect repellent in your verse.”

Suave Fellow (Copyright © 2018-04-14, by Elizabeth W. Bennefeld.)

“Grasshopper”

one warm summer day
a debonair grasshopper
dines on a flower

spotting a street photographer
he grins between bites and bows

Copyright © 2018-04-14, by Elizabeth Bennefeld.

It’s one o’clock

by Lizl Bennefeld

 

It’s one o’clock! It’s
time to trade in background noise
for soft, soothing sounds.

“Midnight Rainshowers”
fall about my ears instead
of air-cleaner breeze.

Puppy snores now reign.
TV’s shut down and the clock
lacks new batteries.

And, joy, book apps
provide me with no swoosh of
page or paper cuts.

Peace has descended
on our busy home. No eyes
watch me raid the fridge.

Good night!

Lizl, enjoying one last helping of mixed, sliced melons and just a few more grapes

Copyright © 2016-02-19, by Lizl Bennefeld.
All rights reserved.

ETA: This was the last time that Samantha got up to share my midnight snack (a piece of watermelon. By 4:00 in the afternoon, she was going into septic shock. We got her to the vet’s a few hours later, where she was put to sleep. I still can’t quit crying. —Lizl, 10 a.m., 2016-02-25.

Best Friends

by Lizl Bennefeld

As I only took two (very similar) snapshots, I’m sharing this from my poetry site, since the first thing I did after taking the picture was to write a poem about it.

Quilted Poetry

Rabbit tracks over the front steps Early Morning Caller

“Best Friends”

Bunny, did you knock upon
the door at five A.M.
hoping that Samantha would
come out to play, again?

The door I did not open,
though the kitchen lights were on.
I let Samantha sleep and dream
fond dreams of you and summer’s fun.

You wake up all the neighborhood
when you two join in play.
She hounds you through the yard
and through the back fence, she will bay.

And then I grab my trusty shawl
and hunt around for shoes
and wonder what the neighbors think
of all the noise…the two of you!

“Best Friends”. Copyright © 2016-01-12,
by Lizl Bennefeld. All rights reserved.

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