Hello, beautiful readers! Happy May! Today I'm combining two prompts. The first is from #TankaTuesday. Melissa invited us to choose one of Romare Bearden's art pieces and let us inspire our poem. I've chosen Calm Sea (1987). My poem came out a bit depressing, but it's what came to my mind. It's purely a fictional piece.
The other prompt is dVerse's Haibun Monday 4-27-26: Silence. Frank invites us to write a haibun that alludes to silence in our poem. I chose to go with the silence that comes from insecurity and isolation.
Not Like the Others
They stand around her in their bikinis and beautiful bodies, laughing and flirting with perfectly sculpted men while she sits on her beach chair under her umbrella, wishing she had sat somewhere else. She hides behind her floppy hat and dark shades. One of the hotties glance her way before quickly diverting his eyes. A tear forms behind her shades. She was once like them - before age and loss stole her vibrancy. She closes her eyes and blocks it all out - the laughter, the conversations, and the judgment. She tunes it all out until she feels that familiar feeling of being alone, even on a crowded beach.
broken shells on shore
unnoticed and unwanted
crumble into dust
Would you like to write a poem for either of these prompts? Click the links below:
The spirit never crumbles into dust.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Reena! I appreciate your visit. :-)
DeleteYvi, it's a shame that society celebrates youth and not our wisdom. May the fires of Beltane illuminate the sacred within you. 🧚♀️🔥🌱🐦⬛✨
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen! I appreciate your well wishes. XOXO
DeleteYou captured that scenario perfectly, Yvette. At 75, I've definitely known that feeling. Great job with the prompts!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan! I'm grateful to be surrounded by women (and men) who are secure in their body images. The body will change with age, but that age means we are living full lives. It's more important to be good people than have hot bodies. I appreciate your visit. :-)
DeleteYou clearly see that youth steals the show. I love your haiku!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Punam! I appreciate you visiting. :-)
DeleteIt's sad but true that the elderly, or at least the somewhat "older," seem to lose interest and value in society over time, when they are the ones who often become more interesting and have great stories to tell.
ReplyDelete