tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46832351413239424372024-03-17T20:07:00.329-07:00pittypatterpat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.comBlogger481125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-34889072525748362002024-03-17T20:06:00.000-07:002024-03-17T20:06:28.477-07:00Mid-March poems<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95keeeoFjKcocqkd1hlOZ2MMAPmMDTcha-1NCC9d6AcHp6t_UP-rwCMc9dhSPZV7Q4QKre1UuqTF8RErDbf7EQRb58Jel_33TBKJD3dz-xoS6-d8BpBu9IuM7vEnuKCDXBFxYuSPNXXeBgWk_AQrQ_nq_hxDhkDQiLl2aIJURv4NGMGoPaekHWsIlmXg/s200/young_white-crowned_sparrow_200sq_3sec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95keeeoFjKcocqkd1hlOZ2MMAPmMDTcha-1NCC9d6AcHp6t_UP-rwCMc9dhSPZV7Q4QKre1UuqTF8RErDbf7EQRb58Jel_33TBKJD3dz-xoS6-d8BpBu9IuM7vEnuKCDXBFxYuSPNXXeBgWk_AQrQ_nq_hxDhkDQiLl2aIJURv4NGMGoPaekHWsIlmXg/s1600/young_white-crowned_sparrow_200sq_3sec.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> saplings</p><p>standing</p><p>in violets</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>woodpecker</p><p>at the feeder</p><p>chased off by a jay</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>constant music:</p><p>windchimes</p><p>during March</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>red petunias</p><p>in the daffodil bed</p><p>wintered over</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>on the Ides of March</p><p>a day-long rain</p><p>washing away winter</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>with the bulldozer</p><p>next door, it's hard to hear</p><p>the mockingbirds, jays </p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>yard black with birds</p><p>leaving bird by bird</p><p>(some not yet ready)</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8evG5_hVqp-jB7NnAF3CE2bqj6Wj-j3T6CnqcuCFdDlWNQ3vbgq55CThMxdHyvQ0i2jxCTy9kWDp_gsoUC_whtF6mNuYi5nNwr_39b995dIAjUuqUvWxEN2UEu57lZf9rXnf0N8CnuPib_Nn4zFF33LUo-MI5339eEQ_kJDBPuULOXMZ-r_nzZCqTQg/s1800/R1-03603-0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8evG5_hVqp-jB7NnAF3CE2bqj6Wj-j3T6CnqcuCFdDlWNQ3vbgq55CThMxdHyvQ0i2jxCTy9kWDp_gsoUC_whtF6mNuYi5nNwr_39b995dIAjUuqUvWxEN2UEu57lZf9rXnf0N8CnuPib_Nn4zFF33LUo-MI5339eEQ_kJDBPuULOXMZ-r_nzZCqTQg/s320/R1-03603-0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-70591721749398559092023-12-27T12:29:00.000-08:002023-12-27T12:29:26.854-08:00POST CHRISTMAS, 2023 - POEMS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLTXv97IoZNdWU95XjjcLFFjxd3rK_cDKBK8gbuj4y3iTNNigkAr-NTa9gcZ8mf5_5wJnkFj_V6qWc1GO_JW5CJi2NjfHatOXXKzqtMYYpF1MQXrUHZI6eaEzh4czY2FCu7X87eEsuUt_XI2w1WE7pf1NWu9n9IZsmxN6teKjXpNXB8HHw-JfFcg81Lg/s600/16_24_26_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLTXv97IoZNdWU95XjjcLFFjxd3rK_cDKBK8gbuj4y3iTNNigkAr-NTa9gcZ8mf5_5wJnkFj_V6qWc1GO_JW5CJi2NjfHatOXXKzqtMYYpF1MQXrUHZI6eaEzh4czY2FCu7X87eEsuUt_XI2w1WE7pf1NWu9n9IZsmxN6teKjXpNXB8HHw-JfFcg81Lg/s320/16_24_26_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> ecstatic grandchild<p></p><p>visiting from Florida</p><p>--an Arkansas snow</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>sunny winter day</p><p>dust on the dark wood</p><p>of the rocking chair</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>she "cut back" this year</p><p>baking only twenty</p><p>fruitcaakes</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw-3yJHF98SkWc7ONb81CqdDlzjDfh5FDLNptgGco_vLQfWP6KXX7gUg2Ueon92h-MP0BZOhSWd3oSovqv07-eiSskszu04J8fIqu1Qsv6TWzrq-Im2mWQD1V-BieI-j3ODsHrbJQBAJpuN2eI33OA9d8Vhcc5rI7g7znXRFjRjvePaE2H6TjEtmqU9o/s320/thumb_COLOURBOX5364148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw-3yJHF98SkWc7ONb81CqdDlzjDfh5FDLNptgGco_vLQfWP6KXX7gUg2Ueon92h-MP0BZOhSWd3oSovqv07-eiSskszu04J8fIqu1Qsv6TWzrq-Im2mWQD1V-BieI-j3ODsHrbJQBAJpuN2eI33OA9d8Vhcc5rI7g7znXRFjRjvePaE2H6TjEtmqU9o/s1600/thumb_COLOURBOX5364148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>power outage<div>wrapped in your</div><div>Christmas-gift shawl</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div>the bare gingko tree</div><div>its golden leaves allowed</div><div>to be undisturbed</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div>post-Christmas snowstorm</div><div>the sound of generators</div><div>all around</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div>lumberjack bolting</div><div>from Christmas celebration</div><div>a second ice storm</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div><br /></div><div>c 2023 PL dba<i> lovepat press, </i>Benton Arkansas USA<br /><p><br /></p></div>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-11239956762196904422023-11-07T08:33:00.000-08:002023-11-07T08:33:52.114-08:00AND THE SEASON HAS CHANGED - POEMS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghReOVwHNpwPmokxodtc653U9-6l7ZSQTSt7Q_pGbLh04G7w03bx6xhfnrNkG9MT18wedTWEvBwp9Yh53eP7nrfE1VylaDgMJmUy6n7Hzc37pSX-tLY6m__LTWq_ZoQRe9hZcouY7Q5lnioe-V7o9Sn-nJ4GQAh5XbIR2cp8nPnkjEOGRAMP_c1ImkCrI/s800/thanksgiving1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghReOVwHNpwPmokxodtc653U9-6l7ZSQTSt7Q_pGbLh04G7w03bx6xhfnrNkG9MT18wedTWEvBwp9Yh53eP7nrfE1VylaDgMJmUy6n7Hzc37pSX-tLY6m__LTWq_ZoQRe9hZcouY7Q5lnioe-V7o9Sn-nJ4GQAh5XbIR2cp8nPnkjEOGRAMP_c1ImkCrI/s320/thanksgiving1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>windy fall morning--<p></p><p>wispy cloud layer</p><p>across a gibbous moon</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>the church garage sale</p><p>on the mourners' bench</p><p>old pocketbooks & porkpies</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>a lone limb of green</p><p>on the yellow-leafed</p><p>tulip poplar</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fAhsUeX1XYnViJeeeuUS3D4W5McG80x_o0i5tyaEEzg8t5BeoecD1okGOeZr3SkpyQq9qJLDr3z_Bsxg44VzE-rbmymaC_o7zF8wGFU2pL8-OFBvpAIHfchOaVCXrRfOqf5NC4VWCO9Hd9ajHLIUHLEeH_-h-6v4b8mV8adZGVnsbKAaL-NZrVynCf0/s500/deer_season_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="500" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fAhsUeX1XYnViJeeeuUS3D4W5McG80x_o0i5tyaEEzg8t5BeoecD1okGOeZr3SkpyQq9qJLDr3z_Bsxg44VzE-rbmymaC_o7zF8wGFU2pL8-OFBvpAIHfchOaVCXrRfOqf5NC4VWCO9Hd9ajHLIUHLEeH_-h-6v4b8mV8adZGVnsbKAaL-NZrVynCf0/s320/deer_season_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>staring through<div>indescribable colors</div><div>of sassafras</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~<br /><p>from a tiny house</p><p>at the edge of the pond</p><p>he's fishing from the porch</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>BEWARE</p><p>First day</p><p>of deer season . . .</p><p>Not a good day to drive</p><p>the narrow, wooded mountainous</p><p>highway.</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>sun in my face</p><p>but with the autumn tilt</p><p>it doesn't bother</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>c 2023, Pat Laster dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p><p><br /></p></div>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-67793951763237122092023-08-05T16:56:00.000-07:002023-08-05T16:56:27.460-07:00SUMMER POEMS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEm4VLYB4AJSSbsZJ3IMs2sCckpMgqLDF2L2bMGBch-QylBg1hmyNKOuq8MZE94GlQvmBqCd6Xzn8TRRM61IiDDmGz8uX9_zrmJI9BEdRS4nqj8u7fJbcilN4ehk43ePW46ZGgbn8o4fSEChDQnHY7al9I0qj77W12bzcpB6TgSjtHKsoqrKYUZfmaz4/s500/deer_season_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="500" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEm4VLYB4AJSSbsZJ3IMs2sCckpMgqLDF2L2bMGBch-QylBg1hmyNKOuq8MZE94GlQvmBqCd6Xzn8TRRM61IiDDmGz8uX9_zrmJI9BEdRS4nqj8u7fJbcilN4ehk43ePW46ZGgbn8o4fSEChDQnHY7al9I0qj77W12bzcpB6TgSjtHKsoqrKYUZfmaz4/s320/deer_season_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">LATE</span></h3><div><span style="font-size: small;">While I</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">transcribe poems,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">darkness falls. Only spots</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">of sky visible through maple,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">oak leaves.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">~ ~ ~ ~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div>EACH YEAR</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday</div><div>before Sunday's</div><div>birthday, Florida son</div><div>sends a local florist over with a</div><div>bouquet.</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div><br /></div><div>WHAT A VIEW</div><div><br /></div><div>Summer</div><div>sight: low--cannas;</div><div>medium--goldenrod;</div><div>taller than shed roof, the Rose-of-</div><div>Sharon.</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div><br /></div><div>YARD WORK</div><div><br /></div><div>Eric</div><div>weed-eated, mowed.</div><div>I also weed-eated,</div><div>cleaned leaves and Bermuda from east-</div><div>most beds. </div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div><br /></div><div>BIG TASK</div><div><br /></div><div>Must go</div><div>inside and work</div><div>more on the memoir, lest</div><div>editor calls asking "where's the</div><div>next batch?"</div><div>~ ~ ~ ~</div><div><br /></div><div>c 2023 PL dba <i>lovepat press, Benton AR USA</i></div>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-24806736705755216592023-06-08T11:39:00.006-07:002023-06-08T11:39:55.689-07:00LONG TIME WITHOUT POSTING: June poems<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8J2uOwwGRzKZlxEj9VPxY7m_zJqhNBWhSAV21lt56fqVbswGqR6pS7za6V83mw5YDcV6fPF-AkOITXtarB1-EBQ39wgJ6g4R61oJrLEbe7AJFve4nXgemTDpuR_68QBnabx4BoieNAQomRD3J7PM2nmA7t7YoAZNsG9UpvGQdI-iFRD0UymXSuzn/s610/winter-birds-feeding-tips.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="610" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8J2uOwwGRzKZlxEj9VPxY7m_zJqhNBWhSAV21lt56fqVbswGqR6pS7za6V83mw5YDcV6fPF-AkOITXtarB1-EBQ39wgJ6g4R61oJrLEbe7AJFve4nXgemTDpuR_68QBnabx4BoieNAQomRD3J7PM2nmA7t7YoAZNsG9UpvGQdI-iFRD0UymXSuzn/s320/winter-birds-feeding-tips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>HAIKU<div>successful short flight</div><div>from privet to windowsill</div><div>two young cardinals</div><div>~~</div><div>from the back pew</div><div>two older women chatting</div><div>during the sermon</div><div>~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUNZ44k09BgnVzfmfF9yXkCKGFBZs2X2NPp0_YnL6V-d6Dis8FRvySjQXYkI-dTtXelMr8fD4wvvMdFx2z8WNyDEBVq9Sj7WQ_lEdRjgqxMB5rbudzqqwfqzStrIvoTcxaD1t4GcUdiNr-gcJd4MXm4a8kzctKFQqc2l4FIEPUI8ssBzO0gLId-YI/s2048/20180604_183318%5B16417%5D-tiger%20lilies%20in%20round%20bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUNZ44k09BgnVzfmfF9yXkCKGFBZs2X2NPp0_YnL6V-d6Dis8FRvySjQXYkI-dTtXelMr8fD4wvvMdFx2z8WNyDEBVq9Sj7WQ_lEdRjgqxMB5rbudzqqwfqzStrIvoTcxaD1t4GcUdiNr-gcJd4MXm4a8kzctKFQqc2l4FIEPUI8ssBzO0gLId-YI/s320/20180604_183318%5B16417%5D-tiger%20lilies%20in%20round%20bed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>bereavement lily</div><div>its orange fallout</div><div>blessing me</div><div>~~</div><div><br /></div><div>season's first melon</div><div>its aroma more luscious</div><div>than its taste</div><div>~~</div><div>CINQUAIN</div><div>Rhythm</div><div>and Bayous road</div><div>in southern Arkansas.</div><div>We head home from a week's trip to</div><div>the beach.</div><div>~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVR-ys7u7SVC3IkDp35dOf6CJZtI0InJGThZNOlufLvo0sACuPjLqFUjkpoYVDAmjtndaPSJF6DFLZu940J6nN1ECrUUolpsqPEXc2LTD5UauOxMKmMjbvTAtHnkAtWDmdnRPbJXtkbAWFsnUXe27A-iGmQ-TMQWHo2J5kuo5vt1nLuc9Np7UcjHk/s2048/20170818_194454%5B11607%5D-spirea%20cluster%20in%20summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVR-ys7u7SVC3IkDp35dOf6CJZtI0InJGThZNOlufLvo0sACuPjLqFUjkpoYVDAmjtndaPSJF6DFLZu940J6nN1ECrUUolpsqPEXc2LTD5UauOxMKmMjbvTAtHnkAtWDmdnRPbJXtkbAWFsnUXe27A-iGmQ-TMQWHo2J5kuo5vt1nLuc9Np7UcjHk/s320/20170818_194454%5B11607%5D-spirea%20cluster%20in%20summer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div>Pulling</div><div>yellowed leaves from</div><div>a budding gardenia</div><div>bush, I discover this gorgeous</div><div>blossom.</div><div>~~</div><div><br /></div><div>TANKA</div><div>daughter-in-law's</div><div>gifts from earlier</div><div>Mother's Days</div><div> come out of the closet</div><div> each Sunday of spring</div><div>~~</div><div>c 2023, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-51003569724062770032023-03-22T11:19:00.002-07:002023-03-22T11:19:51.844-07:00SPRING BREAK some years back: a haibun<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPpY3lnMnwHvpirz-QT9RsROFDftULDA1pwgWroNPhnc84v9uO1ZLCdViwYgz3puQF6gn0Yytx2xUhjrA1HRkt8iZ_k6HDONhgIDQ9j6ZiqdKnrVJeyYARj8aRt3CfUQayCextpIRcbMAchUtMDV7gAqr8hP7lgRMDgGckdxjhnojYTbTqcVIsek0/s2304/First%2520day%2520of%2520School%2520001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPpY3lnMnwHvpirz-QT9RsROFDftULDA1pwgWroNPhnc84v9uO1ZLCdViwYgz3puQF6gn0Yytx2xUhjrA1HRkt8iZ_k6HDONhgIDQ9j6ZiqdKnrVJeyYARj8aRt3CfUQayCextpIRcbMAchUtMDV7gAqr8hP7lgRMDgGckdxjhnojYTbTqcVIsek0/s320/First%2520day%2520of%2520School%2520001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nineteen 7th graders, three mothers & a teacher board the snub-nosed Blue Bird school busy early on a Tuesday for a two-hour trip to Honors Festival (now called "contest"), the highest level of choir competition in South Arkansas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> At the edge of town, we turn south onto Highway 35, a winding state road to Sheridan.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>around a curve</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>the petrified old store with</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>green curtain backdrop</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> Close to the fences, bushy pines stretch branches to passersby like caged animals begging. Further back, shrouded crowds of slender trunks reach up for sun's sustenance, green only at the tops. Dogwoods spatter shadowy trunks with winter white; holly bushes brighten the somberness.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span>two-lane</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span>curves through timberland</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span>many shades of green</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> Neat homes with barns and gardens break up the miles of trees. In one yard, wood is already cut to fireplace lengths--a stack of parquetry curing for next winter.</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span>wisteria still</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span>dormant in weathered frame</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span>redbud shattering</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> At Sheridan, we turn east. The browns and grays of oak, elm and gum are flecked with chartreuse tints of hackberry, fuchsia of redbud, pink of peach, apricot of early maples. Orange-red saw briars cling to lower branches, as if jealous of the new growth.</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span>fractured deer stand</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span> above the burned field</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span>new ochre buds</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span> We pass a Christmas-tree farm. Further on, a pine tree, trimmed from the highwire right-of-way, stands, an ancient bonsai giant. Furrows of freshly plowed garden spots stand ankle deep in rainwater.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span>greening pasture</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span>school bus carcass</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span>behind the feed shed</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> A two-story house rises from the woods, the cleared brush used as fencing. A Cotton Belt train car now hawks used trucks. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span>Out of Pine Bluff, a large white sign reads: PENITENTARY AREA/BEWARE OF HITCHHIKERS</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">prisoner</div><div style="text-align: center;">of driver's Country Music station</div><div style="text-align: center;">haiku hitchhiking</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">c 2023 by Pat Laster, Benton AR USA</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><p></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-49079051865495358342023-02-25T17:09:00.005-08:002023-02-26T08:38:08.172-08:00Winter is waning, but is it over ? TEN HAIKU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVzDG-QbYuADOSzktTJykQ9WNyDoEo-0fw4eF8O1H80pyh05deMrC53ewflyt9ueYsqnmQjmS7HWI1hQeCd8xnFr7SaqEy1nlmfHW1UD1K4gV_MeHxAZKeQaGegqJGKKZ1XgQ_Wrf1mPR1_CkqKq4Zb8dxVrq2YFBYx6ZPW7jDP-7DdYM-jU5GJDb/s600/16_24_26_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVzDG-QbYuADOSzktTJykQ9WNyDoEo-0fw4eF8O1H80pyh05deMrC53ewflyt9ueYsqnmQjmS7HWI1hQeCd8xnFr7SaqEy1nlmfHW1UD1K4gV_MeHxAZKeQaGegqJGKKZ1XgQ_Wrf1mPR1_CkqKq4Zb8dxVrq2YFBYx6ZPW7jDP-7DdYM-jU5GJDb/s320/16_24_26_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> perfect sleet cover / except for the imprint / of an oak leaf</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>the great elk / his breakfast just beneath / the dusting of snow</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>blue jay / on the frozen birdbath / carping?</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>in winter's grayness / a ground-level dandelion / brightens . . . portends</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvodsuNbHxbKWGokjhOpmPU84Fkc3TTdj2UAv0UA4LI8AEvxf0qO4XKonwDjgVBuo34Ax2L6ulJkfHcjtLO1C0aWH8hoBEynns0r-tC3L5_wUTYbZZE-pQ83spzG6K1Y_9mrtvFqgt-cbekW1PYMYlLfI0X81yiNi2pvGGC3z0rASYN35nTpEvgoD/s720/1476407_618657658187952_2026715749_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="720" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvodsuNbHxbKWGokjhOpmPU84Fkc3TTdj2UAv0UA4LI8AEvxf0qO4XKonwDjgVBuo34Ax2L6ulJkfHcjtLO1C0aWH8hoBEynns0r-tC3L5_wUTYbZZE-pQ83spzG6K1Y_9mrtvFqgt-cbekW1PYMYlLfI0X81yiNi2pvGGC3z0rASYN35nTpEvgoD/s320/1476407_618657658187952_2026715749_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>cat sitting in snow / black on white / next glance, only white</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>a piece of leaf / in my snow ice cream / February's end </p><p><span> </span>late-winter cold front / the empty yard swing moving / in the northwest wind </p><p><span> </span>warm winter dusk / the sounds of children outside / spawning memories</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlDvWddJ51vr4z74I6l_Ex1lGw9jIHpB329F_v3Si0MiaZdEhmQK1ldXLlgz65lt4ouyPbzZeCAZAl7ShPLXYRux2Ou20N7AFHqbcsJiAg84sIa4DTLrdQlHsx25VQE7p1Vs2C4pxifRQshkvrbBOpFt4xHSzcXELDxet-V0ZAKxdXUkORCvRgtMS/s650/1de7bb7a-1cbb-46b4-83d4-07dd3c8cba13_650x366-ice%20scene,%20Maine-SNOW.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="650" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlDvWddJ51vr4z74I6l_Ex1lGw9jIHpB329F_v3Si0MiaZdEhmQK1ldXLlgz65lt4ouyPbzZeCAZAl7ShPLXYRux2Ou20N7AFHqbcsJiAg84sIa4DTLrdQlHsx25VQE7p1Vs2C4pxifRQshkvrbBOpFt4xHSzcXELDxet-V0ZAKxdXUkORCvRgtMS/s320/1de7bb7a-1cbb-46b4-83d4-07dd3c8cba13_650x366-ice%20scene,%20Maine-SNOW.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>icicles / yet it's thundering / this morning </p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>going for the mail / to no avail / box lid frozen shut</p><p><br /></p><p>c 2023, PL, dba lovepat press, Benton AR USA</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-11190438193497531492023-01-18T19:43:00.000-08:002023-01-18T19:43:17.982-08:00POEMS DURING MID-JANUARY THROUGH THE YEARS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaaRUy0wp8ya0TsCUjnorlfB9ilSgVmGmJ3C6zvOnTTcr6Va3P0Mt9yPrJ9GOvYqEmA73IkqbaxqhCzgxknWvKbr0TS3RAqswwqw2ndBRNh8lB12_LWeQiX89JyabO_1wh63z3HSXJTM4eCUmu90uo86-skhw_xVJ-SumjZCFwVLUk5FUeVAQ62bU/s1600/thumb_COLOURBOX5364148.jpg" width="320" /></div>a windblown leaf<p></p><p>disregarding</p><p>the red light</p><p>--2003</p><p><br /></p><p>blizzard</p><p>forcing the duo inside</p><p>with their wedding plans</p><p>--2006</p><p><br /></p><p>ducks ignoring calls</p><p>from the governor</p><p>--2005</p><p><br /></p><p>the expensive doll</p><p>meant to impart lesson</p><p>of the Depression</p><p>--2010</p><p><br /></p><p>before the ice storm</p><p>cutting camellias</p><p>for every room</p><p>--2013</p><p><br /></p><p>the young man says</p><p>"I hate taking your money"</p><p>yet holds out his hand</p><p>--2017</p><p><br /></p><p>four days after snow</p><p>temperature warm enough</p><p>to open the door</p><p>--2021</p><p><br /></p><p>cold . . . blustery</p><p>forced daffodil blossoms</p><p>warming the table</p><p>--2022</p><p><br /></p><p>green daffodil spike</p><p>on its way to new growth</p><p>spearing a dry leaf</p><p>--2023</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ_8-iAukj6Bgs-soyJpnZmihNWPQ8xyCtKtDMPLCG7e8-9oBjt9jIxqmq2Z63sDySKf53rbc4fPNTi0aNVCwVfD3O2qK1pBu1em2fqRgVExbKDW1fcr4nm27AGCeLzfn3HzJmzViQoiqIPCHrMQZZD5uDSFfJy7g5Vb9rgjNs0XKkRFdMAtHsTH6/s600/16_24_26_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ_8-iAukj6Bgs-soyJpnZmihNWPQ8xyCtKtDMPLCG7e8-9oBjt9jIxqmq2Z63sDySKf53rbc4fPNTi0aNVCwVfD3O2qK1pBu1em2fqRgVExbKDW1fcr4nm27AGCeLzfn3HzJmzViQoiqIPCHrMQZZD5uDSFfJy7g5Vb9rgjNs0XKkRFdMAtHsTH6/s320/16_24_26_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>c 2023 PL, dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-12070419864671323282022-11-12T18:54:00.000-08:002022-11-12T18:54:06.959-08:00Mid-November poems<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWLf6GD-UejJ2eAE5iKqWj4z9RKaFCHHKKPS7EHiaSoJ4Ti6gVeroToQ6h0cQzP6egkXMc661D0awhqIIM-MPZe60nBSHrlYStrwuccwg3VR6NxRNBUMZvCglWvEJLiHxP1cu0wnD0S67iU-Cf0TrRJ-8VVeLnt3_uhE5TRCT-9iar33WtBpHabNw/s600/scenery_schenley_20111022_c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="600" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWLf6GD-UejJ2eAE5iKqWj4z9RKaFCHHKKPS7EHiaSoJ4Ti6gVeroToQ6h0cQzP6egkXMc661D0awhqIIM-MPZe60nBSHrlYStrwuccwg3VR6NxRNBUMZvCglWvEJLiHxP1cu0wnD0S67iU-Cf0TrRJ-8VVeLnt3_uhE5TRCT-9iar33WtBpHabNw/w400-h299/scenery_schenley_20111022_c2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>four colors of fall<p></p><p>on the foot-high pin oak</p><p>field mouse scampers</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>waiting till morning</p><p>to photograph the flowers</p><p>alas, it's raining</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>in darkness' chill</p><p>gossiping geese fly</p><p>to safe nesting place</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>her father's pickup</p><p> collateral</p><p>for her student loan</p><p>~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAR1o9wV-Zsc1JFkUxzGGpdKCkc8XHC2juB4RGptS7IVogNhMxQtfLOvPXoDssDC-pG1FOuKrM5TQEMAWAh8KvmvFfxkjvCffg0srKPG9Xoppr8ZFChq5klqpv6IbvtTV8KFSw-9vy2y6oS1TUXgG4UVmkXNwXTogIxl3i9zxhQpM0WQ-9vM0LVuD/s360/fall_leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="360" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAR1o9wV-Zsc1JFkUxzGGpdKCkc8XHC2juB4RGptS7IVogNhMxQtfLOvPXoDssDC-pG1FOuKrM5TQEMAWAh8KvmvFfxkjvCffg0srKPG9Xoppr8ZFChq5klqpv6IbvtTV8KFSw-9vy2y6oS1TUXgG4UVmkXNwXTogIxl3i9zxhQpM0WQ-9vM0LVuD/w400-h334/fall_leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">A bird,</p><p style="text-align: center;">a butterfly,</p><p style="text-align: center;">a falling leaf all flit</p><p style="text-align: center;">and flutter under the orange</p><p style="text-align: center;">dogwood.</p><p style="text-align: right;">Soft glow</p><p style="text-align: right;">of the mantel</p><p style="text-align: right;">decorated for fall:</p><p style="text-align: right;">Lisa's churn, autumn leaves, pumpkins,</p><p style="text-align: right;">gourds, nuts.</p><p style="text-align: left;">scratching itself</p><p style="text-align: left;">the young squirrel nibbles</p><p style="text-align: left;">on last year's acorns</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43dk_L57jhWvFoab8PVH4TBKSkxxcXOnXtOBOMFJ3yicIDUvNn6zSIipFxaOjbF2q0YP6QJJTjQ4LyXdFom4EeEAG77spMTgC7teyJT1kqj7igl0uOxlOP8zBkDrBZkoUXWsUJsP4DLkIZu3g8Hx6x3psDWTka6pjQvOATF_ailxGvhDXLPM1S1nG/s800/thanksgiving1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43dk_L57jhWvFoab8PVH4TBKSkxxcXOnXtOBOMFJ3yicIDUvNn6zSIipFxaOjbF2q0YP6QJJTjQ4LyXdFom4EeEAG77spMTgC7teyJT1kqj7igl0uOxlOP8zBkDrBZkoUXWsUJsP4DLkIZu3g8Hx6x3psDWTka6pjQvOATF_ailxGvhDXLPM1S1nG/w400-h300/thanksgiving1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">c 2022, Pat Laster dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-17693915745007110002022-10-12T08:18:00.006-07:002022-10-12T08:22:20.502-07:00Fingers, fist, knees or noses: a Gardenia pattern poem<div class="separator"></div><p> </p><p>HOT SPRINGS, </p><p>October 24, 1939</p><p>In an effort to reduce </p><p>stealing of bird dogs, </p><p>Police Lt. . . Kauffman began taking the noseprints of such animals at the Whittington Avenue fire station this afternoon. More than 50 owners had impressions taken of the noses of their dogs. A charge of 50 cents was made to cover actual expenses, and for this the owners got the dogs' noseprints . . . <i>ADG.</i></p><p>The sheriff proposes</p><p>that printin' dogs' noses</p><p>will cut down on thievin'</p><p>and keep us from grievin[.</p><p>Let's stop all our riddlin'</p><p>and fork out a piddlin'</p><p>four bits (fifty cents)</p><p>to cover expense.</p><p>We'll keep those illegals</p><p>from stealin' our beagles!</p><p><br /></p><p>c 2022, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR, from <i>VARIATIONS, </i>Second Printing, 1995</p><img height="160" src="https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.63b6dbd0b5fbc2b7e54936f1da4841c9?rik=6ak%2bycWRdpJYsA&pid=ImgRaw&r=0" style="background-color: #2b2b2b; background-image: url("data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUAQMAAAC3R49OAAAABlBMVEXv7+////9mUzfqAAAAFElEQVQIW2NksN/ISAz+f9CBGAwAxtEddZlnB4IAAAAASUVORK5CYII="); border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.14) 0px 4px 12px; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; left: 367.188px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 101.634px; transform: translate(-50%, -50%); vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;" tab-index="-1" width="400" />pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-37009253022780338292022-09-02T12:12:00.000-07:002022-09-02T12:12:59.965-07:00Early September poems from then till now<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lSEeNOrxIqcsWIpPW9BNsCm9lnu5bgpV6Wngp7v9j7DF3SPmrm5altNtiktYwu5UC5DvKB4RYUOl8b7MESuCjfJnFUlTOqMNvxQappao11s_tFY6-wbxJ0TAmaKMvwUboCss5ciakDEeY5tTSP3lctqY-P4D1M5Xzwp0K1solDKYTKLBBPerQwHK/s2304/First%2520day%2520of%2520School%2520001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lSEeNOrxIqcsWIpPW9BNsCm9lnu5bgpV6Wngp7v9j7DF3SPmrm5altNtiktYwu5UC5DvKB4RYUOl8b7MESuCjfJnFUlTOqMNvxQappao11s_tFY6-wbxJ0TAmaKMvwUboCss5ciakDEeY5tTSP3lctqY-P4D1M5Xzwp0K1solDKYTKLBBPerQwHK/s320/First%2520day%2520of%2520School%2520001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">BEGINNER BAND CONCERT</div><div style="text-align: left;">Driving</div><div style="text-align: left;">100 miles</div><div style="text-align: left;">just to hear his grandson</div><div style="text-align: left;">play the trumpet for 11</div><div style="text-align: left;">minutes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>-- September Cinquains, 2003</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>~ ~ ~~ ~</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">bookstore window</div><div style="text-align: left;">in the university town</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Latin Can Be Fun</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>--</i>from <i>A Patch of Yellow, 2005</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: left;">MIKU (minimalist haiku)</div><div style="text-align: left;">butterfly</div><div style="text-align: left;">dropping</div><div style="text-align: left;">into salvia bed</div><div style="text-align: left;">from <i>just before dawn, 2006</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: left;">teaching</div><div style="text-align: left;">her friends' grandchildren</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday School songs</div><div style="text-align: left;">from <i>a lamp to work by, 2012</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: left;">early September</div><div style="text-align: left;">the last red leaf falls</div><div style="text-align: left;">fom the poinsettia</div><div style="text-align: left;">from <i>a crisp brown leaf, 2015</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: left;">ON LABOR DAY</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ancient</div><div style="text-align: left;">stand of yucca</div><div style="text-align: left;">finally sprouts 3 bloom</div><div style="text-align: left;">stalks after I decide they are</div><div style="text-align: left;">barren.</div><div style="text-align: left;">from <i>September Cinquains, 2018</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQP37B9pKCFXnFvGSWgl_IGOQyJWHGEvXO5e7QPTVAFPm2MfhcEmp6eOoJECiJgpKbegrnlCeOkUxTg0djluiIESk5WpokI7yFAHGETENTv9DQJWfAcrxy3It5BoRaqQ8R4hqXPs5-razem2GAKc3Q6tCMdKINds38420SPQPLqMDHrWczCAIEZFGS/s448/04-Hear-comes-the-rain10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQP37B9pKCFXnFvGSWgl_IGOQyJWHGEvXO5e7QPTVAFPm2MfhcEmp6eOoJECiJgpKbegrnlCeOkUxTg0djluiIESk5WpokI7yFAHGETENTv9DQJWfAcrxy3It5BoRaqQ8R4hqXPs5-razem2GAKc3Q6tCMdKINds38420SPQPLqMDHrWczCAIEZFGS/s320/04-Hear-comes-the-rain10.png" width="320" /></a></div>EDEN'S DRAWBACKS<p></p><p>Living</p><p>in Florida</p><p>a prime example of</p><p>risky behavior: 3 cyclones</p><p>this month.</p><p>from <i>September Cinquains, 2020</i></p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>flood's detritus: a</p><p>purple/yellow basketball</p><p>and empty birdcage</p><p>from <i>fishing off the dock 2021</i></p><p><i>~ ~ ~ ~</i></p><p>bobbing</p><p>in the newly-formed lake</p><p>a neighborhood of roofs</p><p>from <i>train whistles at night, 2022</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>c 2022, Pat Laster dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-76783496698384177632022-08-11T19:26:00.000-07:002022-08-11T19:26:42.294-07:00MID-AUGUST POEMS FROM PAT<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-zsIDN5pRKH-5X4OHa9zIEvUVSUVxLZSdglob1xMZMvgzAy8rcrsZNjJrZXPhH2WzIMt-56xesoC4Y7EGpddITNHRemazIlEZQZlAi_HTR6f64V5vIJ37bFDWxAcZHtq-ZUurBld3_xTW2rQKjOi-VG5lS6tZjIDYvV6TsSxlhl2Gu7BFTqqmNBb/s1800/R1-07583-002A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-zsIDN5pRKH-5X4OHa9zIEvUVSUVxLZSdglob1xMZMvgzAy8rcrsZNjJrZXPhH2WzIMt-56xesoC4Y7EGpddITNHRemazIlEZQZlAi_HTR6f64V5vIJ37bFDWxAcZHtq-ZUurBld3_xTW2rQKjOi-VG5lS6tZjIDYvV6TsSxlhl2Gu7BFTqqmNBb/s320/R1-07583-002A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Hello again. Seems I can't manage to be regular at blogging.<p></p><p>Here are some poems for mid-August from several of my monthly booklets I mail to friends who've expressed an interest in them.</p><p>cool, crisp summer nights--</p><p>deer sniffing around coolers</p><p>in sight of campers </p><p>--from<b> "Connecting Our Houses,"</b> a year's flip calendar, '95</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>hurricane's wake</p><p>more shells in the dune</p><p>than on the beach</p><p>-- from<b> "It's August Already?"</b> 2003</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>the inland cousin</p><p>rubbing wet sand into</p><p>the jellyfish sting</p><p>--from <b>"only sky and sand"</b> 2005</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg817ZVN5CAGVmcTDANr8PX6fJ9ywkN0T-JgxUwmkAZbrSPJPBp_BAgmdygRs7dZuiuzCkqS85a2dRlrzaxSxuRPieaVPji8C1XxDWz9nu_WSWQgWlP3dgk0vx_KAnYx02iBzAJ1rQrQRk/s2048/DSCN2474-Jake+in+tree-Wharf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg817ZVN5CAGVmcTDANr8PX6fJ9ywkN0T-JgxUwmkAZbrSPJPBp_BAgmdygRs7dZuiuzCkqS85a2dRlrzaxSxuRPieaVPji8C1XxDWz9nu_WSWQgWlP3dgk0vx_KAnYx02iBzAJ1rQrQRk/s320/DSCN2474-Jake+in+tree-Wharf.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>orange mushrooms </p><p>in the mesh of grass fern</p><p>a dragonfly rests</p><p>--from<b> "fishing in the clouds"</b> 2010</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>overnight</p><p>the lilac beautyberries</p><p>turn purple</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">--from <b>"the lighter side of darkness"</b> 2012</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSi_mpwUa_xqaTxwdzjbtVllC52nctjJgAmvD3SkmzyiFYLJI0_1o_v7X0HPlAbqFJZF2Kd_0NPeZxPW3gQUolr0rW4ZH1eVzHfN-3vwsfVt3IXuQ6LJoBAvrqNKeQlJzteodDCEekGRZvRu7O9EKwvkkoz2-KukUikkA9ARSAKqS4eeU2XUA4VFc/s1800/R1-04617-002A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSi_mpwUa_xqaTxwdzjbtVllC52nctjJgAmvD3SkmzyiFYLJI0_1o_v7X0HPlAbqFJZF2Kd_0NPeZxPW3gQUolr0rW4ZH1eVzHfN-3vwsfVt3IXuQ6LJoBAvrqNKeQlJzteodDCEekGRZvRu7O9EKwvkkoz2-KukUikkA9ARSAKqS4eeU2XUA4VFc/s320/R1-04617-002A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>mimicking me</p><p>the cat reaching out her paw</p><p>as I pass the bed</p><p>--from <b>"along the walking trail" </b>2020</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>on Mom's birthday</p><p>eating a nectarine</p><p>in her memory</p><p>--from <b>"all of a sudden"</b> 2021</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>"Rain's coming"</p><p>the online forecast says</p><p>it's only raining leaves</p><p>--from<b> "maple leaves sing"</b> 2022</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtI0Z_3GcBCtIcTk4zhPJ8Xs0a12l_JdwFgLY3Fpbdnrhc8AdgO8kX-VM7PcFIzBppGvMk-MO5AzhyRpwGyIR3gTz3Yb7dAwlbUAeO4KrgiwyRUPt3O04bGzClgUAkiPFVz0elVvBa3mYuEJHjUcHUUfLtLxAfdCtTp-Gfrq0nYxAUkj8l3kFhV6f/s512/seagull,%20toppled%20tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="512" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtI0Z_3GcBCtIcTk4zhPJ8Xs0a12l_JdwFgLY3Fpbdnrhc8AdgO8kX-VM7PcFIzBppGvMk-MO5AzhyRpwGyIR3gTz3Yb7dAwlbUAeO4KrgiwyRUPt3O04bGzClgUAkiPFVz0elVvBa3mYuEJHjUcHUUfLtLxAfdCtTp-Gfrq0nYxAUkj8l3kFhV6f/s320/seagull,%20toppled%20tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>c 2022, PL dba<i> lovepat press</i>, Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-38923523292475029502022-06-25T19:00:00.000-07:002022-06-25T19:00:56.546-07:00It's already late June?? Poems<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J6muTF5_DQqntsDLJa646j0mjV4D6fOKdrZH5jTax_3d76U_D8LYL6dl3MlwgfJUv7jiQytXvbuKTKFtaKKoSU0VEK2jq-EShlw18QAm0mkFlUkOG0SN7E-gqt-VtEJIpt6IOo2lmm_Hd6DhrqQPPgJSMIIbF2vVLfwwGzWE6twqanAN4OEi1JKu/s2048/20150924_190655-sunset%20at%20Fairfield%20Bay%20-%20Carolyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J6muTF5_DQqntsDLJa646j0mjV4D6fOKdrZH5jTax_3d76U_D8LYL6dl3MlwgfJUv7jiQytXvbuKTKFtaKKoSU0VEK2jq-EShlw18QAm0mkFlUkOG0SN7E-gqt-VtEJIpt6IOo2lmm_Hd6DhrqQPPgJSMIIbF2vVLfwwGzWE6twqanAN4OEi1JKu/s320/20150924_190655-sunset%20at%20Fairfield%20Bay%20-%20Carolyn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>tree trunk encroaching<p></p><p>on grave marker</p><p>T - A - Y - L -</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>thunderstorm</p><p>unleashing a 2-inch rain</p><p>--he surfs the street</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>old stuccoed buildings</p><p>the color of summer melons</p><p> the rusty gate~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvZD8KyicLD63zGYK7gh-ojnlpOHUZ2qVLK4ghJLa_3AUnT3GFrHtoP1XDjD0-Jp5opj3qZoZSJ66wSkbELrV0XTxvy-yN8Y8ixXaQZPPlSWUnzEcBMbwhDe_af4UpNAkX23hRF5noJeWUYimpFgAzKADCMIBrFpKFACbO9zWeMq_Y7hbvHQ5QNAK/s500/deer_season_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="500" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvZD8KyicLD63zGYK7gh-ojnlpOHUZ2qVLK4ghJLa_3AUnT3GFrHtoP1XDjD0-Jp5opj3qZoZSJ66wSkbELrV0XTxvy-yN8Y8ixXaQZPPlSWUnzEcBMbwhDe_af4UpNAkX23hRF5noJeWUYimpFgAzKADCMIBrFpKFACbO9zWeMq_Y7hbvHQ5QNAK/s320/deer_season_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: right;">following to see</p><p style="text-align: right;">why the cat creeps to the door</p><p style="text-align: right;">--the neighborhood tom</p><p style="text-align: right;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: center;">slower and slower</p><p style="text-align: center;">up Martindale Hill</p><p style="text-align: center;">a crow in the pine</p><p style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: left;">picking up the pace</p><p style="text-align: left;">airplane & thunder above</p><p style="text-align: left;">the walking trail</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXL96fH6EsKU-GBh3F8sY_U611XLfV5rveB5Tfa49CUHQOHfumRzR6IiRbhgs4CuYH_LVpoIq2Cly1Rz_6nqhPyv3httjkss7PIwA5XYZBWAR9PSYaXk9PIIBsmMO0zd2gLKhdRFLzPtwqvAh75VXqVyU3yNx6ZoOFUNAtcntcjBt329Vr31PHTvO/s1800/R1-04617-002A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXL96fH6EsKU-GBh3F8sY_U611XLfV5rveB5Tfa49CUHQOHfumRzR6IiRbhgs4CuYH_LVpoIq2Cly1Rz_6nqhPyv3httjkss7PIwA5XYZBWAR9PSYaXk9PIIBsmMO0zd2gLKhdRFLzPtwqvAh75VXqVyU3yNx6ZoOFUNAtcntcjBt329Vr31PHTvO/s320/R1-04617-002A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">c 2022, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-11248206949736402002022-05-17T20:15:00.000-07:002022-05-17T20:15:12.876-07:00POEMS FOR MID-MAY<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MpCfZNCrb6qpH8w8K-7LPy2Z6RagZk-eJSy5LT9BPxXSRH1Lb8_YkeYINAvkL22Cgn29lVmBl7zokPLC2gEVssI5oZRXnUgIBRQ6u7TtG6L5KDC8vPOIIonyjM-f46hDoBwCJ_d8R0AFUmf6DL6SzfDvWE5HKmn_RfJb1npxoo6yxKP2hKXiBO1l/s1600/005-Eric's%20outside%20summer%20hanging%20baskets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MpCfZNCrb6qpH8w8K-7LPy2Z6RagZk-eJSy5LT9BPxXSRH1Lb8_YkeYINAvkL22Cgn29lVmBl7zokPLC2gEVssI5oZRXnUgIBRQ6u7TtG6L5KDC8vPOIIonyjM-f46hDoBwCJ_d8R0AFUmf6DL6SzfDvWE5HKmn_RfJb1npxoo6yxKP2hKXiBO1l/s320/005-Eric's%20outside%20summer%20hanging%20baskets.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span> </span><p></p><p><b>Haiku</b> Eric's hanging baskets, Hot Springs</p><p><span>pink and white petals<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></p><p>under the young tulip tree</p><p><span>steady rainfall</span></p><p><span>~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>look very closely:</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>in red-topped photinia</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>the cardinal's nest</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>on the trail again</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>just to smell the privet</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>and honeysuckle</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span>behind hollyhocks</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span>the hard-edged, less poppy tune</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span>of early Beatles</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span>~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>gift from his dentist</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>child plants the gladiolus</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>under the moss</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> fight wild onions</span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>by eating them . . . unless</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>they've been sprayed</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> ~ ~ ~ ~</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> "What's on your list, Mom? . . ."</span><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> "Peace, love and understanding."</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> ". . . from the dollar store."</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> ~ ~ ~ ~</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>the prom knight</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>and his lady</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>dressed in chain mail</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>~ ~ ~ ~</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPdGq4v4n6WmavN7UMMVIZ_2W_DwkLZUTLQunxWCGxHtZNUSze8EvubFPhxzdqaTo-44isAzMuzSBzT1IHh9iS81G0ohAWzwr2stf_mihKCxOiz_RF2SFUaFHXOxkBxnS5p9DkxjKAVDx_VYD-RgjqxSjnvy7kqtcDW5An0IbN7_-UtxX0-rMe46f/s800/CCF03142013_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPdGq4v4n6WmavN7UMMVIZ_2W_DwkLZUTLQunxWCGxHtZNUSze8EvubFPhxzdqaTo-44isAzMuzSBzT1IHh9iS81G0ohAWzwr2stf_mihKCxOiz_RF2SFUaFHXOxkBxnS5p9DkxjKAVDx_VYD-RgjqxSjnvy7kqtcDW5An0IbN7_-UtxX0-rMe46f/s320/CCF03142013_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Billy the kid, a while back. He's now 32.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">c 2022, PL dba <i>lovepat press</i>, Benton AR USA</div><p></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-61197835060212910592022-03-07T17:57:00.000-08:002022-03-07T17:57:54.035-08:00March observations: poems<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw3I86Xi4xmrgJW4OzY9WnQzqAGgsyEVj3OKhYMFSaamBykx4ZRchE78ar0_5vOTndwIRf52T4wLTYBeU9cL-lB1JXI_UbKHxnEyqcXc_MLJgEESjt7e9qFL_8AsgpSSWGAZV9rLKaNQoWKTlaLzHJmwBfrxHeHmlqvXeewJKDn5zV43ASJg2sTTm9=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw3I86Xi4xmrgJW4OzY9WnQzqAGgsyEVj3OKhYMFSaamBykx4ZRchE78ar0_5vOTndwIRf52T4wLTYBeU9cL-lB1JXI_UbKHxnEyqcXc_MLJgEESjt7e9qFL_8AsgpSSWGAZV9rLKaNQoWKTlaLzHJmwBfrxHeHmlqvXeewJKDn5zV43ASJg2sTTm9=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> photo - Carolyn Hoggard</div><div style="text-align: left;">EAGER</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Humming</div><div style="text-align: left;">"June is bustin'</div><div style="text-align: left;">out all over" while I</div><div style="text-align: left;">rake leaves, scissor brown from iris,</div><div style="text-align: left;">clip hedge.</div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~[3.4.'22]</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PERHAPS IN APRIL?</div><div style="text-align: left;">March 4--</div><div style="text-align: left;">too windy for</div><div style="text-align: left;">tender begonias. I </div><div style="text-align: left;">return them inside till the wind</div><div style="text-align: left;">abates.</div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir_CMn34Xj_2TbnreGJvGlTFgZ5w1JqEq__fgsR1sIt9QTtboOPx9S_YyThi3xcN8SJ6be-bRP1GAwgeMIocsAT3wy-KPHU2OSKnJlQm5DmdDFxF-X3dOEnp1ODn9wFJlNQSL9A7HWfua23TmJ_sbrwYWrCpc0TnZNEh24scE7Anm3NxjXaeypLIkq=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir_CMn34Xj_2TbnreGJvGlTFgZ5w1JqEq__fgsR1sIt9QTtboOPx9S_YyThi3xcN8SJ6be-bRP1GAwgeMIocsAT3wy-KPHU2OSKnJlQm5DmdDFxF-X3dOEnp1ODn9wFJlNQSL9A7HWfua23TmJ_sbrwYWrCpc0TnZNEh24scE7Anm3NxjXaeypLIkq=s320" width="320" /></a></div>TWO PICTURES<p></p><p>Yellow</p><p>and pink blossoms</p><p>beyond the bird feeder.</p><p>Inside, a bouquet: yellow, pink;</p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">March wind.</div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">HAIKU</div><div style="text-align: left;">walking the old trail</div><div style="text-align: left;">to hear the sounds of spring</div><div style="text-align: left;">--the maples budding</div><div style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ (2000; publ. 37 Cents, e-zine, 2007)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii79zJuRla5al5gPcaKQsCMxv2M9upTsdA4HcGwHSXyjNzblGB1cWWLSc_ECGQWvcKZihTovq6O85hbu-2t21PcqZfM0zU7gIDcrTZqnZg_cNOmonAJ6EgFTO3uiOJ_n9Jn3dh-702nCse5EqBMilTRF1fev_OOn6QJCQd5tbU4kX1uIWG2ipXyxGO=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii79zJuRla5al5gPcaKQsCMxv2M9upTsdA4HcGwHSXyjNzblGB1cWWLSc_ECGQWvcKZihTovq6O85hbu-2t21PcqZfM0zU7gIDcrTZqnZg_cNOmonAJ6EgFTO3uiOJ_n9Jn3dh-702nCse5EqBMilTRF1fev_OOn6QJCQd5tbU4kX1uIWG2ipXyxGO=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">HAIKU</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">still on the young oak</div><div style="text-align: left;">brown leaves rattle in the wind</div><div style="text-align: left;">nearby, jonquils</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">c, 2022, PL dba <i>lovepat press</i>, Benton AR USA</div><p></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-15673463944162201402022-02-08T16:47:00.000-08:002022-02-08T16:47:28.938-08:00Early-February poems<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"> </p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ87dKd7UVJG691M7GsKTWkaPttNJZosEPrw4DlPZmm6EW7QGVAWLbtchvOlzcpzbGmlhKYo_I6tDDKT8cfWF6BngyYgSPCdhJq-nLObwPcYc6_zShx4hxe8M0eJDaGaLWIsGtx0i2p0sXFzbS7lwjGceNgeqInbfG_epKUsy5EyDeOMAXy8V3-xc3=s600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ87dKd7UVJG691M7GsKTWkaPttNJZosEPrw4DlPZmm6EW7QGVAWLbtchvOlzcpzbGmlhKYo_I6tDDKT8cfWF6BngyYgSPCdhJq-nLObwPcYc6_zShx4hxe8M0eJDaGaLWIsGtx0i2p0sXFzbS7lwjGceNgeqInbfG_epKUsy5EyDeOMAXy8V3-xc3=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> Snow and ice hit us last week</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">2.3.'22 </p><p style="text-align: left;">Only</p><p style="text-align: left;">birds moving this</p><p style="text-align: left;">morning. A solid sleet</p><p style="text-align: left;">sheet that looks more like snow holds their</p><p style="text-align: left;">feet up.</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: left;">2.3.'22 </p><p style="text-align: left;">Oh, good!</p><p style="text-align: left;">A pair of doves</p><p style="text-align: left;">discovered the birdseed</p><p style="text-align: left;">thrown out on top of the sleet. More</p><p style="text-align: left;">birds come.</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: left;">2.3. '22</p><p style="text-align: left;">Biscuits!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I should make some.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Then I find a pre-mixed</p><p style="text-align: left;">box. Today, with sleet and snow, I</p><p style="text-align: left;">bake them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivo58khQp_lPEiH2enwm2h6SMuKebdSfIwBKeiekfS30xBAWar9gGRGD5411xD5_nTxr6nkb2lq_L3Yap-LNKCJFFN2cC9U6OzpcUy9v7cvT2uEJ2LBuiPK5tVxxWU08C52pnhe1kSLPckm0LmwrAla5-X-IU-iJiFH72BjepVsfbuFAa6lRGmddLu=s320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivo58khQp_lPEiH2enwm2h6SMuKebdSfIwBKeiekfS30xBAWar9gGRGD5411xD5_nTxr6nkb2lq_L3Yap-LNKCJFFN2cC9U6OzpcUy9v7cvT2uEJ2LBuiPK5tVxxWU08C52pnhe1kSLPckm0LmwrAla5-X-IU-iJiFH72BjepVsfbuFAa6lRGmddLu" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">2.4.'22</p><p style="text-align: left;">Juvies</p><p style="text-align: left;">have a playhouse</p><p style="text-align: left;">under the abelia:</p><p style="text-align: left;">up and down, in and out, white ice</p><p style="text-align: left;">aground.</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: left;">2.6. '22</p><p style="text-align: left;">"Squirrel food,"</p><p style="text-align: left;">the crossword clue </p><p style="text-align: left;">says. "Nuts." Yet here I sit</p><p style="text-align: left;">breakfasting on syruped-biscuits</p><p style="text-align: left;">and nuts!</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: left;">2.6. '22</p><p style="text-align: left;">S l o w l y</p><p style="text-align: left;">but surely, ice</p><p style="text-align: left;">and snow disappear as</p><p style="text-align: left;">the sun warms the atmosphere. (Not</p><p style="text-align: left;">sorry.)</p><p style="text-align: left;">~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAjawzVIvf3cfHVOmyU1F8VGEWqWvH0ripp_cbIbUasxuM9gm-po_4IEh1Ozgo-Y5uxoyK3WjHjxwFn5kvKVUVl4nFqx0nUbLdw5G6qPKtYgbcjt_u0jZmgSjsionE7cJSK1GwtyEvi2mRkmWNX8FLSfU_JpIaLShMigfYgu24l_BsiQidz5XJJcDT=s650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="650" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAjawzVIvf3cfHVOmyU1F8VGEWqWvH0ripp_cbIbUasxuM9gm-po_4IEh1Ozgo-Y5uxoyK3WjHjxwFn5kvKVUVl4nFqx0nUbLdw5G6qPKtYgbcjt_u0jZmgSjsionE7cJSK1GwtyEvi2mRkmWNX8FLSfU_JpIaLShMigfYgu24l_BsiQidz5XJJcDT=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">c 2022, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-66554381004975518692022-01-15T18:45:00.000-08:002022-01-15T18:45:08.267-08:00Poems from Quilled Quintains anthology, Merry Bombadils, MSPS branch poets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju-h2ttJcSTyhkfT7iWawJxeHtINT7kAEZFRV4KO1CHO7pZGeEM6nzTEgq_DkUuygYHnz5qkxa_0UXbADF77yBCHN2tNug7qdBpl68kHx4Y1dwRnvG2pre8FfU7P-VXn0cuqbOzf_pChjJVmCAn2pJrK_cZdk296Ap8PoPXov7QA7yup7y0FCTuriV=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju-h2ttJcSTyhkfT7iWawJxeHtINT7kAEZFRV4KO1CHO7pZGeEM6nzTEgq_DkUuygYHnz5qkxa_0UXbADF77yBCHN2tNug7qdBpl68kHx4Y1dwRnvG2pre8FfU7P-VXn0cuqbOzf_pChjJVmCAn2pJrK_cZdk296Ap8PoPXov7QA7yup7y0FCTuriV=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> TANKA<p></p><p>89-year-old house</p><p>getting its first fire</p><p>extinguisher</p><p> now, what will extinguish</p><p> rodents in the basement?</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>TANKA</p><p>huge poinsettia--</p><p>granddaughter's Christmas gift</p><p>before Thanksgiving</p><p> no matter that her dad bought</p><p> and delivered it to me</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDmv_1Nlpm0Z-GUx9sFJlTpRlARfokzt0SabkovQo4wuMPVweAVN4qA6j6yn3O1gFzFdufdrgiaiHoIBKohTpDGwiUJjZfCC5gEOqcRVoBs6B-K_qr06SFzakp8C4mfU0Rygnl3NUVmL8rLcMMc7w-iB55Tf9Tb5WPQizY7i8qNOXwCPYIL2HglJNH=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDmv_1Nlpm0Z-GUx9sFJlTpRlARfokzt0SabkovQo4wuMPVweAVN4qA6j6yn3O1gFzFdufdrgiaiHoIBKohTpDGwiUJjZfCC5gEOqcRVoBs6B-K_qr06SFzakp8C4mfU0Rygnl3NUVmL8rLcMMc7w-iB55Tf9Tb5WPQizY7i8qNOXwCPYIL2HglJNH=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>A NEW DAY</p><p>(Tripod)</p><p>Perfectly</p><p>clear blue sky except for</p><p>a silverfish-sized, rumbling airplane</p><p>early in summer's</p><p>cool morning.</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>FIRST, I SMELLED IT</p><p>(Tripod)</p><p>Now, I hear</p><p>the rain on the far porch</p><p>that's uncovered. And the roadway sings</p><p>as vehicles zing by.</p><p>Yes, it's rain!</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv5jp2AfkjrPirGne_ch7CzTJSf3HtAiIteIcfSSU7Sab88BeIkwd96nX_VLkI_ZHgo2WNFWszlNkTRpWy8o3O1nw5BWjWCIFEC_VTqV7DcfBkvi1KC7GSGtA-HwiANMy44SPB7WtStREM8qJSW2G08lzpRJIa7fuecWS6P9-sTsPnlfbi-MmDIkOd=s448" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv5jp2AfkjrPirGne_ch7CzTJSf3HtAiIteIcfSSU7Sab88BeIkwd96nX_VLkI_ZHgo2WNFWszlNkTRpWy8o3O1nw5BWjWCIFEC_VTqV7DcfBkvi1KC7GSGtA-HwiANMy44SPB7WtStREM8qJSW2G08lzpRJIa7fuecWS6P9-sTsPnlfbi-MmDIkOd=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> OR EAT FROM THE RIND</p><p>(Cinquain)</p><p>Using</p><p>a grapefruit spoon</p><p>on a small discount fruit,</p><p>but easier to cut in small</p><p>pieces.</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>c 2022, PL dba <i>lovepat press</i>, Benton AR USA</p><p><br /></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-22772632133303063002021-12-21T07:22:00.000-08:002021-12-21T07:23:54.101-08:00Winter solstice poems<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOtBRWJJHDjQsHu_A_5kUSFqcIjQpcbsnUHjegI_62zPzmXlIGcMnZ23CB_YWvIzC6hmMr4aMos1QWdzUzMHBfb_TQBFPTVL3Y80pgFcp_SN7fS3ig8ulJQifVO8B5ppPH53qYpZJmndm9ILWl3-1XNHMe52X0uMauL42JPwi4PTHsdA_dDPTeioi6=s600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOtBRWJJHDjQsHu_A_5kUSFqcIjQpcbsnUHjegI_62zPzmXlIGcMnZ23CB_YWvIzC6hmMr4aMos1QWdzUzMHBfb_TQBFPTVL3Y80pgFcp_SN7fS3ig8ulJQifVO8B5ppPH53qYpZJmndm9ILWl3-1XNHMe52X0uMauL42JPwi4PTHsdA_dDPTeioi6=s320" width="320" /></a></div>winter solstice<p></p><p>inside, quince blooms, berried</p><p>euonymus, moon vine</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ </p><p>winter solstice</p><p>oak leaves covering</p><p>daffodil shoots</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>the fall edition</p><p>arriving on the first day</p><p>of winter</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>winter solstice walk</p><p>the impressionist landscape</p><p>without my glasses</p><p> ~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>winter solstice</p><p>the last piece of pear cake</p><p>from Thanksgiving</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>a blackbird</p><p>on the top-most branch</p><p>--winter solstice</p><p><br /></p><p>c 2021 PL dba lovepat press, Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-22705932580519747322021-12-07T07:40:00.000-08:002021-12-07T07:40:05.997-08:00Poems on Pearl Harbor Day many years later<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL7y91hoqg-RudJbezDyrklAPOm-wy0bWFE4vuIPhm2f62axkCMg9GWpdiqmpBJCmZ_Qi-TRW3pocJp_RL37V8w8NHc9m-40NYINWuDM_ZqPOVEupwJWGSFjGbi69cMvdYZURLbZ0qIGafe_420fhGj72t5iO9c1Q-2DGUbPL-6QwTYBSPsrGr1ozR=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL7y91hoqg-RudJbezDyrklAPOm-wy0bWFE4vuIPhm2f62axkCMg9GWpdiqmpBJCmZ_Qi-TRW3pocJp_RL37V8w8NHc9m-40NYINWuDM_ZqPOVEupwJWGSFjGbi69cMvdYZURLbZ0qIGafe_420fhGj72t5iO9c1Q-2DGUbPL-6QwTYBSPsrGr1ozR=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Pearl Harbor Day--</p><p>a branch of red leaves</p><p>framing the stoplight</p><p>---from <i>a branch of led leaves</i></p><p><i>~ ~ ~ ~</i></p><p><i>32 degrees</i></p><p><i>yet birdbath water not ice</i></p><p><i>Pearl Harbor Day</i></p><p><i>--</i>from to snug in a leaf</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>after they married</p><p>December 5, '41</p><p>war broke out</p><p>--from <i>in front of the moon</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKi_a-wl960FT3YgGhx3z9BM0auai8SBKPrwtc-RBMiXXvYnjbtIThgRPjQttU2zWr4KovQXKtW1RHEpp_TzQ-wn79fjmUqpcuONLdKRHcS-9lO28zGI9KSNaZDzzxD70u9nGuFQpZS2XJACBZKq_PWll_dW0hFewftRqVk5jsQGbpgkn3SSmusu7V=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKi_a-wl960FT3YgGhx3z9BM0auai8SBKPrwtc-RBMiXXvYnjbtIThgRPjQttU2zWr4KovQXKtW1RHEpp_TzQ-wn79fjmUqpcuONLdKRHcS-9lO28zGI9KSNaZDzzxD70u9nGuFQpZS2XJACBZKq_PWll_dW0hFewftRqVk5jsQGbpgkn3SSmusu7V=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>c 2021, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA<br /><i><br /></i><p></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-57128314165793103222021-10-17T10:31:00.000-07:002021-10-17T10:31:07.105-07:00Autumn poems<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpKIJSv0fRzjqij1ugOvvN4TAeNPuJtDElMxXAwioh92NAW_yG1QZz7NFYPV2Opr6rkL8o1vWN5mlWT3q-O2iegBWDzRYmdZiuUGADDy8G3MlXUlgrKjTfwMCzAftGqDbHDGbhsE2XPo/s800/thanksgiving1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpKIJSv0fRzjqij1ugOvvN4TAeNPuJtDElMxXAwioh92NAW_yG1QZz7NFYPV2Opr6rkL8o1vWN5mlWT3q-O2iegBWDzRYmdZiuUGADDy8G3MlXUlgrKjTfwMCzAftGqDbHDGbhsE2XPo/s320/thanksgiving1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> SENRYU<p></p><p>late September</p><p>granddaughter just now coming</p><p>for her Christmas gifts</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>CINQUAIN</p><p>Poor dove--</p><p>can't/won't fly to</p><p>feeder--must be content</p><p>to glean, like Ruth did, what is found</p><p>beneath.</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MVrTwtavPHmIIv0zzT4qpirLnRiErMghWbxzS60vG11rQbLN3exYpQGFYhzE3gT7hfjP89IHEnsBCuGBXwtJRColZKA4JGZlKXI6W7KfSwmCUXwVv48-z4T1XwdGjR2r4YpwOAYcH8o/s360/fall_leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="360" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MVrTwtavPHmIIv0zzT4qpirLnRiErMghWbxzS60vG11rQbLN3exYpQGFYhzE3gT7hfjP89IHEnsBCuGBXwtJRColZKA4JGZlKXI6W7KfSwmCUXwVv48-z4T1XwdGjR2r4YpwOAYcH8o/s320/fall_leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>CINQUAIN</p><p>A lone</p><p>moss rose blossom--</p><p>pink--in the airplane plant</p><p>this mid-October! Where did it</p><p>come from?</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>CINQUAIN</p><p>Changing</p><p>into long sleeves,</p><p>long pants and socks! Forty-</p><p>eight degrees outside seeped into</p><p>this house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk-ItoPC47TdH8vSPN_XYiW9CnRjgLG4yzFqAbEg5wlahoJtbxp3A-Lq_4PP2QNWbtVQzo-vHRTbPvX2DLt2km0gXzKALLcRBsw78aQX1_XBVBX91_F5AzJTfhSWksWOISacBTA1nfWM/s2048/20170621_081044%255B11075%255D-close+up%252C+mums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk-ItoPC47TdH8vSPN_XYiW9CnRjgLG4yzFqAbEg5wlahoJtbxp3A-Lq_4PP2QNWbtVQzo-vHRTbPvX2DLt2km0gXzKALLcRBsw78aQX1_XBVBX91_F5AzJTfhSWksWOISacBTA1nfWM/s320/20170621_081044%255B11075%255D-close+up%252C+mums.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>c 2021, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-49131956684324318412021-09-04T11:37:00.000-07:002021-09-04T11:37:03.713-07:00September 4th poems from monthly booklets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10tgx0FEFdJJMCiSbbgMDSj0FQINwMItBZqysr88BjEUp1RJd39qrFyBMnkMSSapVkqo0tAto990F4Y5KFwocr9YpciGcaEVPw_cmsgNlPZm8bnsHlz-ISFNBsfyWARbr5H1Yz2jFekc/s500/deer_season_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="500" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10tgx0FEFdJJMCiSbbgMDSj0FQINwMItBZqysr88BjEUp1RJd39qrFyBMnkMSSapVkqo0tAto990F4Y5KFwocr9YpciGcaEVPw_cmsgNlPZm8bnsHlz-ISFNBsfyWARbr5H1Yz2jFekc/s320/deer_season_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> early September<p></p><p>near the courts, a tennis ball</p><p>in poison ivy </p><p><i>a patch of yellow - </i>2005</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>Labor Day</p><p>sweeping the dust from one place</p><p>to another</p><p><i>just before dawn - 2006</i></p><p><i>~ ~ ~ ~</i></p><p>having the most fun</p><p>ever at a football game</p><p>junior band student</p><p><i>a crisp brown leaf - 2015</i></p><p><i>~ ~ ~ ~</i></p><p>Summer</p><p>trudges on, its</p><p>heat softened this year. Kids</p><p>have returned to school. Football is</p><p>on us . . . (from ADG editorial, '02)</p><p><i>September Cinquains - 2018</i></p><p><i>~ ~ ~ ~</i></p><p>Trying </p><p>to wipe the stem</p><p>off a pear on the mug,</p><p>thinking it leaf litter, perhaps</p><p>a bug.</p><p><i>September Cinquains - 2020</i></p><p><i>~ ~ ~ ~</i></p><p>opening</p><p>before my eyes--</p><p>pot of purslane blooms</p><p><i>fishing off the dock - 2021</i></p><p>~ ~ ~ ~</p><p>c 2021, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-49526291233946901112021-08-18T17:04:00.005-07:002021-08-18T17:08:09.252-07:00Birds, flowers, plants and a wasp<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC4b2AHJUncmoO8eSZeSXj5SPXVX3DNcDSIT5y7s90_SBsYZ7_dz2Njmbd5Kt87jABjc3ZwRmHvyneeFez_usxcnjrz7XHXxpJt2CpMSiuy9uVI1k-ZWNlj8oRzLfH8n1AjRZl5APgX4/s2048/Eric%2527s+purslane+hanging+pot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC4b2AHJUncmoO8eSZeSXj5SPXVX3DNcDSIT5y7s90_SBsYZ7_dz2Njmbd5Kt87jABjc3ZwRmHvyneeFez_usxcnjrz7XHXxpJt2CpMSiuy9uVI1k-ZWNlj8oRzLfH8n1AjRZl5APgX4/w400-h225/Eric%2527s+purslane+hanging+pot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Eric's hanging basket of purslane<p></p><p>THE NEVER-ENDING WONDER</p><p>A wren</p><p>dives under blooms</p><p>of purslane several times,</p><p>then into the airplane plant pot.</p><p>Searching?</p><p><br /></p><p>For what?</p><p>Now, a dove flies</p><p>in, drinks, flies out. A red</p><p>wasp circles the birdbath, lights on</p><p>the rim.</p><p><br /></p><p>Do wasps</p><p>string birds? Dove, squirrel</p><p>forage under the seed</p><p>feeder. Do squirrels threaten doves? No,</p><p>the dove</p><p><br /></p><p>needed</p><p>another drink.</p><p>And before my poem</p><p>was done, all animal life had</p><p>vanished.</p><p>~ ~ ~ ~ </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlrOqi5ROoFM0QK7YjEJhplgjlh1XFS1HvetMOeoo_oxlgHcPWz2_pDBXkyOKAWpyFf6AOOKSQ8-rmVcl1LTwa74LkkIo9fiHjq1KZa7qydw5gFNGr3ZXthrSm6YJ-8vKzHM9GpLJpkA/s268/bewicks_wren_5-28-2011_2_250x268_5sec.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="250" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlrOqi5ROoFM0QK7YjEJhplgjlh1XFS1HvetMOeoo_oxlgHcPWz2_pDBXkyOKAWpyFf6AOOKSQ8-rmVcl1LTwa74LkkIo9fiHjq1KZa7qydw5gFNGr3ZXthrSm6YJ-8vKzHM9GpLJpkA/s0/bewicks_wren_5-28-2011_2_250x268_5sec.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>c 2021, PL dba <i>lovepat press</i>, Benton AR USA<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-88669471648384644072021-07-22T17:19:00.003-07:002021-07-22T17:22:01.910-07:00A Few Summer Poems<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoV3ToD7bivoky2FI84VNFG0c7MK_NXTvpslIdxCH59gYiVVDOC2TiEoNi4KqfH3_J0gUdGomPsz36p5aC0TeB4kYtf3OxoDciuqsaesU3hP0Rtr-kZHP0VONOftNz_0HFYqO9BMO1Rs/s2048/20170314_182600%255B8304%255D-bouquet+3+w+rose+buds%252C+kerria.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoV3ToD7bivoky2FI84VNFG0c7MK_NXTvpslIdxCH59gYiVVDOC2TiEoNi4KqfH3_J0gUdGomPsz36p5aC0TeB4kYtf3OxoDciuqsaesU3hP0Rtr-kZHP0VONOftNz_0HFYqO9BMO1Rs/w250-h400/20170314_182600%255B8304%255D-bouquet+3+w+rose+buds%252C+kerria.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /> CINQUAINS<p></p><p>FROM THE PORCH SWING</p><p>My back'</p><p>to the roses</p><p>by the Couchwood Drive sign,</p><p>their beauty stands for others to</p><p>enjoy.</p><p><br /></p><p>EACH DAY</p><p>Mornings,</p><p>when I sit out,</p><p>I should look around for</p><p>something new. Today, it's rain on</p><p>the ramp.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkh6eiM5DHD6ZEKfmb2F9z8BwycUslvDRJf_InI7YXCO235iaoPqenCADAsS1QSq9eonG4ht9sIYrRyZrb_9fz22ZE3JlBs22sEAuCfkLRnpMaV5xFG5BWJ5jc6zw8os8UqYIa2Cu7eg/s512/seagull%252C+toppled+tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkh6eiM5DHD6ZEKfmb2F9z8BwycUslvDRJf_InI7YXCO235iaoPqenCADAsS1QSq9eonG4ht9sIYrRyZrb_9fz22ZE3JlBs22sEAuCfkLRnpMaV5xFG5BWJ5jc6zw8os8UqYIa2Cu7eg/s320/seagull%252C+toppled+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>SOMETHING NEW</p><p>Today,</p><p>when I look out, </p><p>I see six white toadstools</p><p>of different sizes on the south</p><p>side yard.</p><p><br /></p><p>I WATCH</p><p>Juvy</p><p>female redbird</p><p>perches on the shepherds</p><p>crook above the purslane pot. Then</p><p>she bathes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RpHC266Xds6w2wYAhvbTbV6JDqWpakdJdRsfUqlYlOmwQX6PH1fEQjFrhmfAzuctU5vmAdiWQWGW2ci6yLnn4fcefpb3An5TjVDGB3NV7YGlVg_xsgUM1xFsy3WmpaCXIEjMKQFRsIE/s610/winter-birds-feeding-tips.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RpHC266Xds6w2wYAhvbTbV6JDqWpakdJdRsfUqlYlOmwQX6PH1fEQjFrhmfAzuctU5vmAdiWQWGW2ci6yLnn4fcefpb3An5TjVDGB3NV7YGlVg_xsgUM1xFsy3WmpaCXIEjMKQFRsIE/s320/winter-birds-feeding-tips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC</p><p>Night bugs</p><p>not waiting for</p><p>dark to begin their songs.</p><p>Now, polyphonic arias</p><p>emerge.</p><p><br /></p><p>c 2021, PL, dba<i> lovepat press</i>, Benton AR USA</p>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-24420744434485112862021-06-26T18:34:00.000-07:002021-06-26T18:34:18.064-07:00THREE E-I-E-I-O POEMS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr8VjOsGRc6-ZghyrH28vZDF6IpunoyoyrhnRBnunRw6eL0EGq4vjGC0-Ihv9X3aZQL_g2oYioIdm-0kMEXpGdQA7dUtEMOsu4EBL42g2M-HdO56P2BZ_eesLE2F2gl_t3wZahGDPcyA/s1800/The_Old_Times.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr8VjOsGRc6-ZghyrH28vZDF6IpunoyoyrhnRBnunRw6eL0EGq4vjGC0-Ihv9X3aZQL_g2oYioIdm-0kMEXpGdQA7dUtEMOsu4EBL42g2M-HdO56P2BZ_eesLE2F2gl_t3wZahGDPcyA/s320/The_Old_Times.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> THE LAST OF OCTOBER<p></p><div><b>E</b>agerly, I decorate</div><div><b>i</b>ntensely for Halloween,</div><div><b>e</b>ver mindful that I'll be late</div><div><b>i</b>n enjoying it, being between</div><div><b>O</b>rlando and home in a limousine.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>COZY UP</div><div><br /></div><div><b>E</b>very Wednesday when I go</div><div><b>i</b>n search of someone to talk to who's</div><div><b>e</b>asy, pleasant, who might have dough</div><div><b>i</b>ntended for blowing on booze . . .</div><div><b>O</b>ily snake that I am, I schmooze.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>WRITING AID</div><div><br /></div><div><b>E</b>schewing sleep to write, I nest</div><div><b>i</b>n comfy, well-lit loveseat,</div><div><b>E</b>tch-a-sketch in hand--my guest.</div><div><b>I</b>deas found in doodles beat</div><div><b>o</b>blique ones. What a treat!</div><div><br /></div><div>c 2021, PL dba <i>lovepat press, </i>Benton AR USA</div>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683235141323942437.post-53732631375571241702021-05-19T13:40:00.000-07:002021-05-19T13:40:03.768-07:00Now that National Poetry Month is history, how about a blogful of shorties?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDkPaC0rm9ZJJTrZehqpQBc9hFACLXUdGDCQKCv0hjLAwWM0BMp4ko6450d7nzuxZTnVlgW52kDWAkiASgLumfby6xEIWKi2LyxYv3ihRK6v4pIhBa_M2_3I8L4jsZ4WdEKaC8URne2o/s2048/20170307_103156%255B8309%255D-bouquet+of+spring+flowers+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDkPaC0rm9ZJJTrZehqpQBc9hFACLXUdGDCQKCv0hjLAwWM0BMp4ko6450d7nzuxZTnVlgW52kDWAkiASgLumfby6xEIWKi2LyxYv3ihRK6v4pIhBa_M2_3I8L4jsZ4WdEKaC8URne2o/w400-h250/20170307_103156%255B8309%255D-bouquet+of+spring+flowers+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A DROUGHT?<p></p><p>Nineteen/ days without a/ poem on Facebook, so/ I'll make up for it & post on/ my blog! (5. 19. '21)</p><p>[NOTE: Can't get Blogspot to single space, so I'm dividing poems with slashes where the lines should be. Sorry.]</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXBXNk-8Aq_mwXui-Qi_Kb6yAlCMejZ8uIKK5JywaWCiuf-9RwWdP2RWzPitpSsSMteBMUc8Cf9agP7tEX8du0_25bmkEG88ktWPXitwXdBjXNG2E8M2Qfh2Dg4nVmERNG4kkE5bJwS4/s2048/20180604_183318%255B16417%255D-tiger+lilies+in+round+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXBXNk-8Aq_mwXui-Qi_Kb6yAlCMejZ8uIKK5JywaWCiuf-9RwWdP2RWzPitpSsSMteBMUc8Cf9agP7tEX8du0_25bmkEG88ktWPXitwXdBjXNG2E8M2Qfh2Dg4nVmERNG4kkE5bJwS4/w400-h250/20180604_183318%255B16417%255D-tiger+lilies+in+round+bed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>HAIKU</div>--weekend's/ sleep-in foiled...first by the cat/ then by a crow<div><br /></div><div>--bargain luxury/ organic strawberries/ five bucks a quart</div><div><br /></div><div>SENRYU</div><div>--his homework not done/ blaming me: no pencil/ in the car</div><div><br /></div><div>--just like my mother's--/ kitchen windowsills full/ of starter plants</div><div><br /></div><div>CINQUAIN</div><div>RETIRED! YAY!</div><div>I go/ to mail birthday/ cards and watch two yellow/ buses pass on this last school day./ I wave.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl1U1RmQwjiIy6ULSb-aBmpDTfsqb1DZAFqvtAGFHJ6eLbbkzNRgDogzteq_qRDBYBYJ5klkAd6KtVvaovJnzFJoVtOXrBhD4s6r7zx72MfHb-pltMtZzijNGYQ0gRBjHOIzsWz9B4PU/s2048/20200309_111532%255B36940%255D-white+pitcher+of+last+batch+of+flowers+before+rain%252C+%252720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl1U1RmQwjiIy6ULSb-aBmpDTfsqb1DZAFqvtAGFHJ6eLbbkzNRgDogzteq_qRDBYBYJ5klkAd6KtVvaovJnzFJoVtOXrBhD4s6r7zx72MfHb-pltMtZzijNGYQ0gRBjHOIzsWz9B4PU/s320/20200309_111532%255B36940%255D-white+pitcher+of+last+batch+of+flowers+before+rain%252C+%252720.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before the rain, late spring, yesteryear</div><p><br /></p><p> c 2021, PL dba <i>lovepat press</i>, Benton AR USA</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></div>pat couch lasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481753502716119037noreply@blogger.com0