Saturday

Blooming or Assuming?

Blooming or Assuming?
Lines Adorned Where Care’s Been Scorned

Her blouse hides a tiny tattoo
Of pansies in yellow and blue –
But under the ink,
The heart, it may shrink,
As green overtakes every hue.

Each warm ray that on her is shed
Brings withering rancor instead.
Her petals may streak
To answer her pique,
As bloom turns to gloom freely said.

Still simpler gardens may call,
Whose blossoms stand regal and tall.
Though petals may wilt,
They transfer no guilt,
But share their glad glory with all.

c2012 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Image/s:
Vintage Pansies


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Stop, Drop and Stroll


Stop, Drop and Stroll -
Limericked Selections on Coming Elections

A frolicking frenzy endures but awhile,
‘Mid feigning false fabulist’s sneakiest smile.
They sashay and stroll,
Surrounding the poll,
Where frustrated judges the ballots compile.

Do fondness or frigidness greet outstretched hand?
Can coaches groom greatness, if honor’s unmanned?
A fresh polished face
Assumes rightful place,
Although frequent frost leaves its frown ‘cross the land.

c2012 by Linda Ann Nickerson


NOTE: This original and copyrighted poem was posted in response to prompts from Mr. KnowItAll’s Flash-55, Meme Express and Simply Snickers.
 
Image/s:
Ballot Box
WP Clip Art

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Monday

Let Freedom Ring

Today is Martin Luther King Day in the United States, a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 - 1968), a most memorable civil rights leader and spiritual statesman.

To mark this occasion, instead of posting a poem, I'm including the full video of Dr. King's often-cited "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963.

This landmark lesson for humanity of every hue was far more than a rhetorical exercise or a fiery display of forensics. The words of Dr. King, amplified across the Reflecting Pool towards the Washington Monument in our nation's Capitol.

And the world remembers.
 .
  .

Take a listen to the familiar words, and catch the famous dream:

 .

 .
"'My country 'tis of thee,
sweet land of liberty,
of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died,
land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside,
let freedom ring!’
And if America is to be 
a great nation, 
this must become true."


Photo/s:
Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I Have a Dream" speech
Washington, DC
August 28, 1963
Flesh-colored crayons 
Fair use photo


What color is human flesh, anyway?

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Friday

What's in a Name?

What’s in a Name?

Here in Wisconsin, a certain group of folks are trying to gather as many signatures as they can to recall the state Governor. The deadline for petitions is coming up in just under two weeks.

Petition-wielding Badger State denizens are standing outside their parked cars in public places in the balmiest Wisconsin weather for January, holding up placards and urging motorists to stop and sign in.

Intriguingly, this petitioning process has become something of a sticky widget. The Governor’s people have even filed court complaints.  It seems some of the signatories have names that bear more resemblance to famous folks, past and present (or even pretend) than to real state residents.

How did Wisconsin’s petition circulators get folks like Adolf Hitler, Mickey Mouse, Donald Trump, Walt Disney, Mary Poppins and John Wayne to sign?

Taking Names

With clipboards in hand, they patrol.
Outside on the sidewalks, they troll.
“Please sign on the line.
No need to decline.
Just pick any name for the roll.”

Petitions fill up overnight,
As fictional characters write.
Celebrities pen
Again and again,
But never on our turf alight.

The deadline approaches to file,
With turmoil both sides of the aisle.
Political games
Include taking names
Along every country mile.

c2012 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Related Items:

Image/s:
Petition Gathering
Creative Commons Licensing Photo

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