again, the end
Stayed up twenty-four
to write all my poetry
and eight more to start…
noq I will soask in my bath
as sunrise writes its poem
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Ardelle Ray
Ardelle Ray
My name is Ardelle, although I'm also known as Ms. Tiger to You, or Ms. Tiger, or Tiger. I'm retired and live in Las Vegas. I began writing poetry and prose when I was 6, stopped when I was 18, then resumed when I was 54. I now write short stories themed to stage magic and illusion, and poetry. Perhaps I'll get courageous and try a screenplay or novel, who knows...
Prompt 23
The Bar
We all have a favored seat,
and of course we all compete
to be there when the slots
start to pop.
We could mix each other’s drink,
we would scarcely need to think.
We could even make the order
for the owners.
The drunkards and the whiners,
the liars and maligners,
we know them all, just like
we know ourselves,
because we are…
at the bar.
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 22
Mobius Strip
Moby, if you show me yours,
I promise to show you mine…?
I should have expected a
One-sided affair…
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 21
The Letter
Dear John
(or was it Jim?),
I remember all the fun
we had last year
(no, that was Jack),
but now I must move on.
I’m leaving you the kid.
Please name him Joe Jr.
after you
I’ll never forget you, Joe
(no, Julio!).
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 20
Coalition
Three friends set out on a search for fun
Late on a summer day,
Bruno the bear and Sally the girl,
While Reynard the fox leads the way.
The plants have gone old but the walls still bloom
And the colors show them the way.
They know where to travel, they know what to do,
Late on a summer day.
They sing and they dance,
They laugh and they play,
Until daylight’s ending
Takes them away.
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 19
Pardon
Pardon me, Father,
if my sins
offend you.
I enjoyed them.
Pardon me, lady,
if I hold
my place in line.
Your brat’s not cutting.
Pardon me, boss,
I don’t deserve
the crude remarks
at the water cooler.
Pardon me, folks,
but you’re not pardoned.
I don’t do that.
Go ask the POTUS.
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 18
snow leopard
as silent as the northern steppes,
as mysterious as the barren mountain,
the snow leopard crosses into dusk,
its tail curved behind it.
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 17 (not used)
Please?
I
need to sleep
and my teddy bear
keeps waking me up when he
snores.
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 16
Ghazal: God Knows
Now where do I go from here? God knows!
God may not speak to me, but God knows.
A forest of poets has sprung up.
How do they grow and flourish? God knows.
How can I see what I write about
When I just lost an eye tooth? God knows.
Without sleep, without food or water,
Where do these poems come from? God knows.
Tiger has lost herself in poems.
Now where does she go from here? God knows!
©Ardelle Hollis Ray
Prompt 15
Stopped
My husband had
A heart attack.
To save his life
They stopped his life.
They split his chest.
They stopped his breath.
They stopped his blood.
They stopped his heart.
They took his life
And gave him life.
I lived.
He stopped.
We ;ive again.
©Ardelle Hollis Ray