165

Edward Burne Jones - Star of Bethlehem
from google dot com


WE LOWED
I knew not, where from they came
but from the mouths of all
The story was the same
Nazareth in Gallilee,
To Bethlehem, this town in Judaea;
They traveled, to our lowly cattle shed;
And there it was, that ox, and I cattle, had
Witnessed the birth; of this dear sweet lad
The baby Jesus He
Awoke, to receive the gifts
From the Magi three;
Gold Frankincense and Myrrh, they did bring,
And at his feet, they laid it in the hay;
You'd swear He was a king.
© gillena cox, Pink Crush page 42


Written for Marian's prompt
The Tuesday Platform open mic
...to share a poem, old or new, from your blog.


❧✿❧SEASONS GREETINGS❧✿❧

164

image from google dot com


ANGELS
Sometimes, i feel my wings assembling
They are lain across my back
Large and feathery, diaphanous
My wings assemble
I'm not ready to fly

Icarus, take heed, a faux pas repeated
Insults the Gods
A pantheon, lesser and higher, still
Succumbing to the mighty super nova
I'm not, ready to fly

Ah, yet eagle in her wisdom flies

Radiance shows with visibility
Sometimes teasing mortals, guardians
They draw swords in protection
And cover with their wings
I'm not ready to fly

And what of those whispering ones
Don't they have wings, i often ask myself
Whispering day, whispering night
Half truths and mischievous dares
I'm not, ready to fly
ANGELS © gillena cox 2015


Written for Margaret's prompt
Play it Again, Toads!
...where archived challenges of this Imaginary Garden come to life again, by exploring the sidebar (2011-2015) and selecting one or choose one from three highlighted in the present post.


I chose Fireblossom: "Calling All Angels" highlighted in the present post.

❧✿❧SEASONS GREETINGS❧✿❧

163

❧✿❧MERRY CHRISTMAS❧✿❧

STAR
He sleeps
the King of kings
swaddled in His father's love
magi turn out, they choose to follow
His star
STAR © gillena cox 2015



Written for grapelings prompt
Get Listed, Solstice Edition
The Challenge: the theme is 'changing direction' we are asked to write a new poem, using at least 3 words from a given list


❧✿❧MERRY CHRISTMAS❧✿❧

162

DUSK
Dusk came early
To greet a gibbous moon surely

Harsh orange splashes
Daubed the westerned ashes

Setting sun your ribbons of light
Has set the tone for night

Stylized blossoms patterned sheet
A lit firefly blinks there to greet

From an aged tree across the street
A mango fell with a thump

"finished reading?"

"I wasn't reading"
I said, i was waiting

We kissed goodnight
And dimmed the light
DUSK © gillena cox 2015


Written for Outlawyer's Take Two and Sing (We); the Weekend Mini-Challenge


CHALLENGE: Think of a song--preferably a song of the season, a Christmas carol, Hanukah or Winter or truly any other song--and pick two consecutive words out of it. This can be any two words as long as they come one after the another. They do not have to be words particularly central to the song or the season and certainly your poem does not have to relate to the song or the season.
Use those two consecutive words as the spring board for your poem.

I chose 'your ribbons'

161

Van Gogh Starry Night from google dot com


SILENT HOLY NIGHT
Star bright -
Every angel
twinkling, did appear,
That night proclaimed holy, by His
Design
SILENT HOLY NIGHT © gillena cox 2015<>



Written for Susan's prompt

Design

Monday WRites 41

image from google dot com


NOEL
Gabriel
He did proclaim
His coming and His name
Emmanuel

Noel Noel Noel
May His peace with us remain
And His love our hearts acclaim
As spoken by the angel

A star shone bright
Three wise men
Gifts they did bring
On that heavenly night

Joy to the world Amen
The angels did sing
NOEL© gillena cox 2001 [also at poemhunter]



You've heard about the Monday Blues ❧✿❧ well this is Monday WRites ( musing on the definition here of rite, as any customary observance or practice eg the rite of afternoon tea).
Welcome to Monday WRites #41, ❧✿❧ whats your mood today ❧✿❧ I invite you to link in with one of your WRites

159

STARRY STARRY NIGHT
on a cold wintry night
sparks of his historical birth

warmth of innocence that night
touched every grain of desert sand

a saviour there lay at night
happy the word for his coming

silencing the winds of the night
into the light of a thousand stars

yet brighter shone in the night
his manger star a guiding light
STARRY STARRY NIGHT© gillena cox 2015


Written for Kerry O'Connor's prompt
In A Grain of Sand ~ Micro Poetry



The object of this challenge is to write a poem in no more than 10 lines... The subject matter is left wide open, but bear in mind the 'In a Grain of Sand' angle.

158

image from google dot com


COLOURS
Of all the colours enhancing
Sky seems most embracing
Not even the emerald sparkles
Of great ocean largess
Can outdo her enchantment

Blue denims parched and faded
I'll listen to the blues
When i'm feeling low down sad

The mountains loom larger after
The tantrum of rainy days
And tiny flowers in dots brighten
The Savannah variously hued

Green leaves
And blades of grasses
Lucky charms
In four leaf clovers

Sunset extends burnished at last
Tired is day and happy is night
Stardust will sprinkle wishes to sight

Orange marmalade
Sweeten the butter
Oranges and lemons
To morning zest brighten
COLOURS © gillena cox 2015

Written for Sumana's prompt

Colours

Monday WRites 40

image from google dot com

MIST
There is a mist, settled over the mountain
A soft rain whispers a song of early morning
All of sweet dew, drooping palms to pertain
In the street a pigeon struts her nonchalance
Not many faces turn to look over the mountain
The start of a new work week embraces so many
Umbrellas will greet the drizzle, clouds contain
Commuter or driver, yet to wrestle traffic peaks
Surly Monday tempers, in decent hearts amounting
Fit the iterate fate, of facing a weekend ended
There goes the mist now, rising over the mountain
MIST © gillena cox 2015



You've heard about the Monday Blues ❧✿❧ well this is Monday WRites ( musing on the definition here of rite, as any customary observance or practice eg the rite of afternoon tea).
Welcome to Monday WRites #40, ❧✿❧ whats your mood today ❧✿❧ I invite you to link in with one of your WRites





linking to also to The Tuesday Platform

156

images from google dot com


GINGER BEER AND SORREL
Sorrel drink and ginger beer
Pass the glasses round my dear
Christmas time is surely here
Azure sky again to cheer
Christmas time is here
Now Parang breezes veer
Whiffs of salty ham to steer
Sing merrily, have no fear
Ruby red and golden clear
Fill our empty glasses dear
Sorrel drink and ginger beer
© gillena cox 2015


Written for Hedgewitch's prompt
Flash 55 Plus


Our Challenge comes from a traditional English carol called The Holly and The Ivy.
We are to, use the emphasis of the carol on the two plants, and on pairings, explore, contrast or complement the idea of two: two colors, two symbols, two plants, two animals, two events, two people... two of anything; various pairings of elements as the carol does.
Write exactly 55 words--no more, no less--of prose, poetry or microfiction on the topic of your choice, and link it to this challenge.

155

image below my Paranderos 2009 haiga reposted

PARADEROS
He is aged, like the mountains surrounding green valleys
His teeth, what's left of them, stained with aguinaldos
Announcements; from maracas shaking, mandolin strumming
Men, chanting of the king born in a manger to Mary
El Senor, they call him
Ah those women, in frilly skirts like swaying bougainvillea
On branch tips, espadrilles embedded, on dancing feet
The rum, free and hot, gushes through blood-heated veins
Here passion flows to warm already hots days, when gypsy like
They stray from their homes, to carry the spirit of Christmas days.
This vintage energy still lives,in the young ones, singing
The strains of the parang today
PARADEROS © gillena cox 2015


Written for Susan's prompt

Energy, Vitality

154

image from google dot com


THE WAITING
I wait behind a curtain
Veiled in hope for certain
Fairy winds blow such whimsies
Dusting pleas to far away galaxies
A king is to come in glory
He returns for sure who knew me
As a thought stirred in creation
As a breath whispered in oration
A host of angels
For rightful destiny assembles
He is coming again
This king, creation to regain
I wait behind a curtain
Veiled in hope for certain
THE WAITING © gillena cox 2015


Written for Bjorn's prompt
Waiting for something good... or not

Will link also to The Tuesday Platform

153

photos of me dread

DREAD
Square pegs are not for round craters
That is if you want a fitted match
Apples are fruit and so are tomatoes
Sometimes distance is minuscule
Not like stars or dreams
I'm always in dread of being lumped in goo
Like not too nicely done oatmeal
How many times have i said to my children
"Well i'm not such and such's mum, so NO!!!"
Oh and; this is a good one - " i'm not You women
I am A woman"
On a sandy beach no one dares counting particles
yet, how lovely the layout
Square pegs can fill a round basket
I used to be dread (smiles)
No, no no
Not evil scary dread; dread.
DREAD © gillena cox


Written for

Fireblossom Friday: Dread
I choose to write a fun piece; lightheartedness is what i do best

152

image from google dot com

SPELLED
One dress worn to sunlight, worn to sunset
Then the song of wind repeated through the week
Counting days one two three four five six seven
One dress worn to sunlight, worn to sunset
Whispers and smirks, scrawled manila folders
Yet, office talk never, never questioned, Why?
That was before cell era, children had no voices
Outside of playground squeals of fun, voices
Of children were for loud laughter and nothing else.
The kind you said SHUT UP, SHHH, to
So who wants to hear the woes of a sixteen year old
Fondled in-ap-pro-pri-ate-ly
Breasts grow to tempt, its what girls do
So just shove them out into the street
Banishment makes such things right
And for-get about every-thing
One dress worn to sunlight, worn to sunset
The keys were given, the rent was paid
He brought his smiles, his innocence and companionship
With unwritten invitation, the fittest kind
Did he know why this apart-ment now housed me
Our smiles meshed into kisses into comfort
Into freedom into ap-pro-pri-ate
We ate pao, he bought from the corner chinese shop
Between mouthfuls we kissed ap-pro-pri-ate-ly
Never talking of scoundrels spelled fa-ther
One dress worn to sunlight, worn to sunset
We bought our own house, where our kisses
From room, to room to room, painting swoons spread
Fairy umbrellas are called mushrooms
Some are edible some are not
We loved the ones bought at the grocery store
Edible, nutritious, nourishing
One dress worn to sunlight, worn to sunset
We spelled the world l-o-v-e
It rolled off our tongues into more delightful kisses
French rolls, and Swiss rolls all in the bread section
Daily amassing kids, stoves, chairs, walks in the evenings
Not everything fits in a grocery cart
One dress worn to sunlight, worn to sunset
He had to leave, had to spread his man-wings
My love, my saviour, my hero, spelled hus-band
Wretched women who want whatever wives worship
Who would-have-thought
Now withered and weather-beaten, he's still my only hero
Life begins in the arms of the hero, not so?
One dress worn to sunlight, worn to sunset
I never wear one dress throughout any one day
Just like i never understood, why i, had to be capitalized
Nah!
Not anymore!!!
SPELLED © gillena cox 2015


Written for Susan's prompt
Midweek Motif ~ Survival


Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Breaking the cycle of violence against women and girls. Stopping violence altogether.
CHALLENGE: Speak about survival so that others may listen. Write a new poem because that is what we do.

151

JUST BECAUSE
That time of year once more
When the bracts turn red
On the poinsettia
When every one want
To be merry and bright
So they sing about
This boy child
The Aguinaldos
Will announce

The joy of His coming
Into the world
Emmanuel is He
And the children wait
With excitement
For the visit of ole Saint Nich
Bringing gifts to all
Good or bad
Just because
Its Christmas
JUST BECAUSE © gillena cox
first published at Poemhumter 2011

#Aguinaldo - a parang song
#Parang - a music tradition of Trinidad and Tobago



Blog hopping today at Tuesday Platform

Monday WRites 39

TIS THE SEASON
Ribbons and bows tangle
Gift-listed in a harangue
No audience is present
To witness, Scrooge-like
Sentiments dissolved, misty
In morning waning a moon
Waxing sunlight and song
Malls adorned, pockets loosened
Magic of a season cradled
From manger hay, swaddling
Gullibility excusable.
TIS THE SEASON © gillena cox 2015



You've heard about the Monday Blues ❧✿❧ well this is Monday WRites ( musing on the definition here of rite, as any customary observance or practice eg the rite of afternoon tea).
Welcome to Monday WRites #39, ❧✿❧ whats your mood today ❧✿❧ I invite you to link in with one of your WRites




GRAB MY BUTTON
<br /> <a href="http://myblog-verses.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C9WPzL5kFEY1gEitLn4bC5inZjfq2beowWitvrD3zLruIRMxxj1RyrHw6Xcd6SlmEASrTd6rLFn4mfF8D8XC5Mz4ASE8iblAAmc3uaKNuHtYgvzIWajyH64D6kzlwugaU8wP610yKLRq/s320/button2Monday+WRites.jpg" alt="verses" /></a><br />

149

Peacock photo from my visit to The Wild Fowl Trust, Point a Pierre, Trinidad in March 2012

CRUNCH COLOUR AND LACE
In a crunch of dried leaves he stood there looking at us
A group of curious passersby wearing the click
On our cell phones

I wonder if his plumes are wide open today displaying
The arrogance of a male Narcissus carrying
His colours in radiance

Maybe he will give his white queen some of his plumage
To paints her sons dazzling jewels in the sunny roost, maybe
White lace if daughters
© gillena cox 2015



Written for Kerry's Play It Again Toads #23
i choose Brudberg's Time Travel

148

image from google dot com



PLEA SE
War and strife
(echo) life
Peace and love
(echo) dove
Is this to much to ask
(echo) task
We are stewards, custodians are we
(echo) be
Our beautiful jewel blue
(echo) clue
Weeps oh so for harmony
(echo) see
How the stars twinkle in their order
(echo) duh
A supernova lights our days
(echo) rays
Radiating for each and every one
(echo) none
Only the blind cannot yet see
(echo) mercy
Love is the answer so let it be
(echo) plea
PLEA SE © gillena cox


Written for Susan's prompt
Midweek Motif ~ Mercy

Monday WRites 38

image from google dot com


THANKFUL
thankful
eyelids flutter,
to scoops of morning glare;
where sweetly, birds on wing, twitter
their prayer.
THANKFUL © gillena cox 2015




You've heard about the Monday Blues ❧✿❧ well this is Monday WRites ( musing on the definition here of rite, as any customary observance or practice eg the rite of afternoon tea).
Welcome to Monday WRites #38, ❧✿❧ whats your mood today ❧✿❧ I invite you to link in with one of your WRites




GRAB MY BUTTON
<br /> <a href="http://myblog-verses.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C9WPzL5kFEY1gEitLn4bC5inZjfq2beowWitvrD3zLruIRMxxj1RyrHw6Xcd6SlmEASrTd6rLFn4mfF8D8XC5Mz4ASE8iblAAmc3uaKNuHtYgvzIWajyH64D6kzlwugaU8wP610yKLRq/s320/button2Monday+WRites.jpg" alt="verses" /></a><br />