Monthly Archives: August 2016

What the World Craves

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jdbphoto

What the World Craves

The world is full of cravings,
and once I craved it all:
success, beauty, intelligence
and kindness.
But can it all be had at once?
Ask the politician’s sister
or the starlet’s hairdresser.

I think the world craves fairness,
much as it is in its nature not to give it.
We are so taken with the world of movies
that we believe
even their most impossible
possibilities:
that the thin man
can love the fat girl,
that the beautiful woman
might choose the homely man.

Perhaps she craved the impartial eye—
that part of her who could love the man alone—
but how long did Julia Roberts
stay married to Lyle Lovett?

I tried it once, saying I was going to look for something
other than outward attractiveness,
and it wasn’t his short stature
or his balding head that ended it.
It was the other woman
and the wheeler-dealer ways—
his debts I assumed
that were never paid back.
In the end, the rest of him lacked as much
as the looks I overlooked.

I see the child throw his body
over the spoils fallen from the piñata,
snarling and threatening any child
who tries to claim even one.
I see the plain girl
sitting on the sidelines at the dance.
I see the children starving in dry countries
while the powerful sit plotting on their yachts.
Yet still, even now,
much as it is in its nature not to always give it,
I think the world craves fairness.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/craving/

Teaching the Way: Cee’s Which Way Challenge, August 3, 2016

(Click on first photo and arrows to enlarge photos and read the story.)

This is a bit different take on the question, “Which way?”

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/08/03/cees-which-way-challenge-august-3-2016/

Amused

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(photopainting by jdb)          

      Amused

When she enters, I’m in her thrall,
and I have no control at all.
Sometimes she carries a riding crop
and drives me on so I can’t stop.
She rides in smoothly from my dreams
inspiring reams and reams and reams
that must be written when I wake.
I’m driven onward for her sake.

If my muse should feel abused,
believe me, she is not amused.
She mounts my back and spurs me on
until all her words are gone––
released upon the teeming pages
while she rides off to join the sages
sitting there upon the shelf,
and I am left with just myself.


About “photopainting”: the photo above was created using only  iPhoto tools from this original taken at my favorite crazy story (Galeria El Triunfo) in Guadalajara yesterday :

Version 4

Today’s prompt was Muse.

Pearly Whites: Cee’s Fun foto Challenge, Smiles 2016/08/02

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You’ve seen all these before, but not together.  I love how distinctive each person’s smile is and these are some of my favorites.

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/08/02/cees-fun-foto-challenge-smiles/

Blush Rose: Flower of the Day, Aug. 3, 2016

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I was going for a painterly effect on this rose–a detail from a bouquet.  Here is the original bouquet:

Version 2

The rose shown in the altered version is the one at the far right of this photo of the bouquet. Using iPhoto, I cropped, rotated the photo to get a horizontal positioning of the rose, augmented the color, sharpened, darkened, then used filters and some other adjustments.  “A little of each.”

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/08/02/flower-of-the-day-august-3-2016-dahlia/

Profound Courtship

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Profound Courtship

When my next lover comes around,
I’d prefer he be profound––
intellectual and mysterious,
also ponderous and serious.
Insight and depth I’m sure will be
the things that he looks for in me.
We’ll have no need for Cupid’s dart,
as passion steps aside for smart.

On our first night, we’ll pop a bottle,
arguing over Aristotle,
debating proton, neutron, quark
and entanglement in the dark.
I’ll reel off famous quotes by heart
from Shakespeare, Camus and Descartes––
whisper “sweet somethings” in his ear,
knowing what he’ll want to hear.

He’ll analyze our chemistry
and then discuss the Odyssey,
Plato, Aristotle, Kant––
any subject that I want.
If we don’t get around to kissing,
we’ll barely notice that it’s missing.
Who needs an interlude romantic
when they can have one that’s pedantic?

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/249091/

For the literal-minded among us, must add that I’m kidding! If it comes to a vote between Aristotle and the kissing, I’ll take the kiss every time. (Within reason.)

Hibiscus: Flower of the Day, August 2, 2016

I think judging from the pollen smeared over its face that the bees have been busy at this flower today.

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https://ceenphotography.com/2016/08/01/flower-of-the-day-august-2-2016-gladiolus/

Another Hibiscus: Flower of the Day, August 1, 2016

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On the way home from the dentist today I slammed on my brakes, parked my car and got out to take this photo of this gorgeously colored hibiscus against a similarly-colored wall.  I just bought a new gold giant hibiscus plant today but now must go in search of this one.  I need to paint my house this color next time.  Love this hue!!!

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/07/31/flower-of-the-day-july-31-2016-tulips/

The Apology

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The Apology

Hello darling. Yes. It’s me,
rendering my apology
(granted, given grudgingly)
for seemingly curmudgeonly
things you might have heard I said
about your dress the day you wed.

It’s true the comment that you heard.
Yes, it’s verbatim word-for-word,
but you do not know my intent.
What you imagine, I never meant.
When I said you should be wearing red,
what was running through my head
was that you look divine in scarlet,
not that you have played the harlot!

The one who heard the words I said
knew that I had dated Ted
before you came upon the scene
but it was incorrect and mean
for her to just extrapolate
that my kind words were said with hate.

About the cake? Who told you that?
I’ve never said that you are fat.
Eat the whole thing? You never would.
I merely said I bet you could!!!
Because it simply looked delicious,
but my intentions were far from vicious.
Of course I wish you both the best
as you feather your nuptial nest.

The feather pillows, I gave you, dear?
I’m glad you didn’t find them queer.
I thought down pillows would be nice.
I surely hope that they suffice
to drown out Teddie’s awful snoring.
I remember just abhorring
all night long, that awful din
when I was in the bed you’re in.

If you don’t want to swathe your head,
the earplugs should help out instead.
I know they always worked for me
back when Ted and I were “we.”
And now that all is said and done,
I’m glad that you’re the one who won.
If it sounds like sour grapes to you,
must be because you’ve served a few!

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/apology/