anjum wasim dar – Page 2 – The Poetry Marathon

Hour Fourteen ~ The Wise Tree ~

“Tell me an old story (like a folktale from your culture, a fairytale you heard when you were young or a story passed down in your family).

Tree Stories are common in the East

“Moaning again? You are being ungrateful! When will you ever realize?” said Pine, standing tall and graceful, swaying just a bit from side to side. “Stop please, dear Hedge, your moaning is disturbing everyone. If one plant is grieving, it affects all, keep in leaves the environment. It is vital for the well-being of all living here,” explained Pine.

“I try to, I am trying to, but see I have no color, no flowers, no one looks at me; me the green, green hedge, and I am so short. Oh! It so hurts my small twigs,” complained Hedge.

“Ah, listen to what the Great Persian Writer Sheikh Saadi wrote in a short story about a king and his son,” said Pine.

“Bah! What story? Don’t tell me about kings and princes and fairies and…,” mumbled Hedge in contempt.

Pine continued anyway saying, “The king would think that his son was short and ugly so no princess would marry him. But, the son was sharp and intelligent; he asked his father, “Isn’t a short intelligent person better than a tall but stupid one? The goat can be eaten but not the elephant.” The king was shaken and immediately regretted his unreasonable thoughts. “So, being sensible is the key. I cannot bend, but you can see the earth and be with so many friends, and if you feel happy about yourself, the way nature has made you, you will bloom and develop a strong fragrance. So bloom you will, even in isolation. Only you can make yourself happy”, concluded Pine.

Together the Hedge and the Pine swayed with the light breeze, as music filled the air, making it strangely fragrant.

25 June 2022

Hour Thirteen ~ Image ~ How Faithful You Are

Sadness on your face tells me that
you are missing someone,
most likely your family.

Please know that all are well
they spend the night just outside my door
sometimes they sleep under the car
three to count and a fourth just, come.

You are remembered every night
when all of them bark out loud
with all their might-

I think they send you good thoughts
wishes and prayers, so be good-

I know how faithful you are
to those who care
your name is lovely, Lumpy is rare.
Your bed is cosy and fair

smile as I write I look at you
your heart is kind-so
I would not mind
if you just continue to stare

25 June 2022

Hour Twelve ~ On Image ~ Ode to a Nigerian Piece of Art

Ode to a Nigerian Piece of Art

O Thou unbeaten unsounded circular percussion !
I admire Thee !
Placed elegantly in bride like silence
in historical African time
your smooth skin silky top, classically stitched
with legendary leather, patterns criss crossed holds
to secure the haunting beats-

What romantic tales bang out
what messages sweet
what calls for secret help
what melodies or saddened grievs

O Thou Classic Beat !
flanked by sturdy woven seats
and a royal blue vase to complete
the ancient kingdom’s high seat

O Thou African Beauty!
I admire Thee !
Thou hast thy music and grace
Soon the silence will break
thou shalt remain for ever
Beating out love and eternal peace.

25 June 2022

Hour Eleven ~ Four Jesters Jumped

Write a poem about laughter without ever using the words, laugh, laughter, or giggle.

Four jesters jumped in
the center of the circus ring
audience smiled and clapped-
greeted them with joy and grins.

Delighted peals revealedchildren’s teeth
as loud cheers rang out with joyful tweets
colorful baggy pants, red noses comic poses
mirrored hysterical squeaks in the stands,

with merriment shrill cackling spread around
as jesters danced, round and round, bodies bent
doubled heads down, falling back holding seams
filled the tent with demonic screams.

Sheer fun was at its peak,raising
cries of excitement from every seat

Hour Ten ~ Sober Simian ~

Personify an animal. Switch its trait. Example: a disinterested lion, a polite gorilla, an aggressive giraffe…” – Contributed by John Dutton

I belong to the group called Simians
My family is commonly known as Monkeys
I assure you I am the sober and serious type
I hate mischief and totally dislike disturbance

I stay far away from cans of drink, unlike the
velvet greens , who run away with them. Pranky!
I climb trees but slowly and avoid loose swinging
swooping rolling and even looking for lice in the skin

I am a dejected animal when I am caught, I wish
I could break the chain and run away, not dance-
to the beat of the tapping drum, wearing a skirt
I am orderly and well mannered.Who says I ransack?

Hour Nine Prompt ~ Food Item from Cupboard ~ Hot Cross Buns

Looking in the cupboard I found a bakery item:
a packet of buns.

Many poems did we sing in kinder garten
Mrs Ronken our teacer was an amazing Lady
many rhymes we sang and played with-too,
favorite was “Hot Cross Buns” one or two a penny,

our trip to grandfather’s, was never without buns
father would ask my sister and me,to sing the rhyme
as the jeep moved, we sang in harmony perfectly
and crossed our small arms on our hearts, sacredly.

The trips were fun, and hot and tasty were the buns
I owe gratitude to my childhood teachers,the nuns,
who taught me the poems rhymes, and games,
as we enjoyed the buns, the journey soon was done

Prompt for the Eight Hour ~ New Poetic Form Gigan ~ Seek the Hidden Night of Power

Seek the hidden night of power, the priceless key,
consult not, the fragile worldly , A La Carte-

gather, cut and mix fruit for the evening “Iftari”.
No CLT or club sandwich, just a fine canapé,
spicy seekh kebabs, dates, ketchup and chutney,

Seek the hidden night of power, the priceless key.
Dawn to dusk, spiritual cuisine in tranquility,

chiffonade of patience, forgiveness, full charity,
-gather, cut and mix fruit for the evening “Iftari”.

Counted days, uncounted endless bounty,
seek the hidden night of power, the priceless key

seek the hidden night of power, the priceless key.
The fasting immersed in fragrance, grand in beauty,
cleansed souls, soft hearts, need no coring in glory,

Fasting is acceptance, surrender to divinity,
embracing contentment accomplishment and duty

Prompt for Seventh Hour ~ Image ~ Whose Bench is This ?

If I could find and reach
an old wooden bench
in a garden peaceful
or by a silent empty
roadside lined shaded
with shady Çinar
and I could feel safe
in lonely comfort-

Whose bench is this?
who placed it here?
who was so kind?
who cared for the old?
Someone knows the truth
and that is true love-
True to the oath and promise
the only way to peace
in the heart and soul.

Now that I have found
would I be able to
sit awhile
awaiting the
closure of my laden eyes
with peace in my soul-?

After for long awake on foamy floor
fearing the crashing of the door
with all the floods storms
and earthquakes I know-
the Beast is somewhere near
and so
I cannot think of sleeping

am I awake to the Truth?
Could someone tell me

how on an old wooden bench
does one really find enlightenment
love and peace- is this the place
for the real awakening?
The place of eternal peace.?

Prompt for Sixth Hour~Write a letter to yourself ~ Dear A

Dear A
This is belated but never out of my heart.
I was overjoyed to see you in class,
as my student,though you were three years senior to me in college.
I would remember you often because you were an inspiration for me.
Your dedication to social work, helping fellow students with notes,
and I would notice a group of learners always gathered around you,
during breaks from the classes.
Time flies , time flew but time did come back.
This time it was much difficult.
Being senior is a challenging position, but you showed me how to be a leader.
After all these years I pick up my pen to thank you
and hope that life has been kind and successful for you.
May you always be a leader and an inspiration where ever you be.
Best regards.
Yours truly
S

Prompt Fifth Hour ~Word Choice ~ Under an Oak

I love to knit but knitting is complicated
technical and drastically mathematical
It is not like painting a sunflower-
nor tasty as cheddar cheese. it takes effort
then later comes ease.
Knitting must have a special space
Under an oak is absolutely fine
but never on a pavement or a line
I love to knit , maybe I would take my satchel
and sit on a platform bench
and knit a picturesque fabric, perhaps for a feline.

WORDS CHOSEN: knitting, sunflower, space, satchel,cheddar cheese,