THE PORCH

The day 14 prompt in the November Chapbook Challenge is to write an ekphrastic poem (one that uses a piece of artwork for inspiration and "writes to" it.).

I selected Edward Hopper's "Summer Evening" and came up with this.

THE PORCH (c) 2015 -G. Smith (BMI) ---------------------- It started on the front porch, How many years ago? As the sun was going down, Underneath the porch light's glow.

I don't think you felt it, At least not then and there; But it didn't take too long until I knew how much you cared.

The hours we spent talking, Sharing dreams and plans; Knowing just beyond the door Were your mom and your old man.

Things played out the way things do, Storybook ever after. You and me and baby made three, Some tears but much more laughter.

The baby grew up We grew apart; I fear you've found, Another's heart.

So now we're on this porch again, Neither of us speaking. I just cannot find the words! I wonder if you're seeking.

Kids're playin' kick-the can Somewhere in the yard; It used to be so easy; How come it's turned so hard?

•~•~•~°~•~•~• The full prompt, including four paintings (the Hopper among them), can be found at writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides

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MEMORIES

The day 13 prompt for the Chapbook Callemge is memory.

I went plural...

MEMORIES (c) G. Smith (BMI) -------------------------- I recall the day that I met you Your smile outshone the sun; I knew it then and there, You had to be the one.

And I'll never forget the night I first kissed you, You put the moon and stars to shame; The magic of that moment, We never thought would change.

Your memory plays tricks on me, The sadness of those happy times Is the only thing I see, There between the lines.

I remember the last time that I saw you Your tears like diamonds so precious and rare. We couldn't fix what was so badly broken; So we parted and left all our memories there.

Your memory plays tricks on me, The sadness of those happy times, Is the only thing I see, There between the lines.

****+**** This prompt and poems and other poetic asides can be found at Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides blog: writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides

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AFTER ALL

The Day 12 prompt for the Poetic Asides November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge is: Complete the phrase: After ____ Fill in the blank; Use it for the title, and then write...

So I did...

AFTER ALL (c) 2015 -/G. Smith (BMI) -------------------------- We've been through the ringer, We've gone 'round the bend; We've been to the moon And come back again.

We've made concessions And we've stood our ground; We've changed some opinions, But one thing I've found;

After all that we've been through After all we've yet to do, After all is said and done You're the one, you're the one. After all the lights are out, After all, there is no doubt; After all is said and done, You're the one.

We've cried in the sunshine, We've danced in the rain; We've minded our manners, We've both gone insane.

We've seen each other's best, And each other's worst; At the end of my rope, You're who I turn to first.

After all that we've been through After all we've yet to do, After all is said and done You're the one, you're the one. After all the lights are out, After all, there is no doubt; After all is said and done, You're the one.

Times are changing, It seems strange, and, Yet there's one thing still the same. People come, and people go Even so, this much I know, You're the one and only spark that fires my flame.

After all that we've been through After all we've yet to do, After all is said and done You're the one, you're the one. After all the lights are out, After all, there is no doubt; After all is said and done, You're the one.

***** As before, the full prompt and poems by others, can be found at: writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides.

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DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS

The day 11 prompt for the November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge is: ANIMAL

Here's what I came up with...

DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS (x) 2015 - G. Smith (BMI) -------------------- Like a deer in the headlights, I don't know where to go, Like a deer in the headlights, I don't know where to go. Do I head back to the forest, Or try to cross the road? Like a deer in the headlights, I don't know where to go.

Like a deer in the cross-hairs, I didn't have a clue. Like a deer in the cross-hairs, I didn't have a clue. If I ever saw it coming, I didn't think it'd come from you. Like a deer in the cross-hairs, I didn't have a clue.

Like a deer on the wall, I'm going nowhere fast. Like a deer on the wall, I'm going nowhere fast. Mounted and stuffed, A prisoner of my past. Likena deer on the wall, I'm going nowhere fast. Like a deer in the headlights, I don't know where to go, Like a deer in the headlights, I don't know where to go. Do I head back to the forest, Or try to cross the road? Like a deer in the headlights, I don't know where to go.

-----+-----+-----+-----

The prompt, and other poetical stuff, can be found at writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides

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THINGS

Day 10 is a 2-fer Tuesday: •TECHNOLOGY &/or •Anti-texhholor

THINGS G. Smith (BMI) ------------- Grandad plowed this place with a mule team, Daddy went around it on a Deere. Things have changed a little bit since way back then; We don't grow corn or cotton around here.

Uncle Jack tells stories all about the old times, Laying in the grass - to watch the satellites. You could see 'em clear as day against the night sky, When the moon and the stars were the only source of light.

Now we've got things they never even dreamed of, And we're better off because of one or two. But they had things there's no way we'd remember, If we hadn't heard about them back in school.

They got up before the sunrise every morning; Worked without a break the whole day through; Were in the bed each night before dark thirty, And did the things they knew they had to do.

Today we need to set some smart phone gadget, To tell us that we're running way behind. And we stay up later than we know we ought to, And wonder why we're losing our minds.

Yeah, we've got things they never even dreamed of, And we're better off because of one or two. But they had things there's no way we'd remember, If we hadn't heard about them back in school.

Maybe simpler times were the good old days, Or maybe now's the time that we'll recall. And we'll find ourselves wishing for these yesterdays, Saying they were the simplest times of all. Even though, They'll have things we'll never even dream of, And be better off because of one or two. And we'll have things there's no way they'll remember, If they hadn't heard about once in school.

But we'll have things there's no way they'll remember, If they hadn't heard about once in school.

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THE BIG ONE

Day 9's promp over ar the Poeric Asides Poen-A-Day Chapbook Challenge is MISTAKE.

Here's what I came up with... Let's hope it's NOT...

THE BIG ONE (c) G. Smith (BMI) ------------------------ Sometimes we tumble, Sometimes we fall, Sometimes we stumble, When we ought to crawl. We all make missteps, We know that it's true, I've made my share, They're more than a few; I've learned from most, And regret one or two, But my biggest mistake? Saying good bye to you.

I'd never been in love before, You made all so easy. I didn't think, and broke your heart, Baby, please believe me. I'd take it back if I only could, You have to know I truly would; But I can't un-ring that bell, And it's putting me through hell.

Sometimes we fumble, And cough up the ball, Sometimes we crumble, Like an ancient brick wall. We all hide our cracks, We know that it's true, I've hidden my share, They're more than a few; I've learned from most, And regret one or two, But my biggest mistake? Saying good bye to you.

I acted selfishly; Gave no second thought; I knew I was right, I knew that you ought, To just see things my way, To just go along. It's hard to confess, I know I was wrong.

That, Sometimes we tumble, Sometimes we fall, Sometimes we stumble, When we ought to crawl. We all make missteps, We know that it's true, I've made my share, They're more than a few; I've learned from most, And regret one or two, But my biggest mistake? Saying good bye to you.

***** The full prompt and other stuff is at Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides Blog - www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides

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INTO YOUR ENDLESS SEA

The eighth prompt for the Poetic Asides November Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge is :SUBMERGED.

Here's what I came up with...

INTO YOUR ENDLESS SEA G. Smith (BMI) ------ Like a wave, Your love rolls in, Like a wave, Your love breaks over me; Like a wave, You carry me away Into Your endless sea.

Like a wave, Your love lifts me, Like a wave, You find me on my lonely beach; Like a wave, You carry me away, When I feel I'm beyond Your reach;

Your love is an ocean, Deeper than I'll ever know; I'm going under; I'm going down; Just because my head's above the water Doesn't mean that I won't drown.

It's over my head, It's over my heart. I want to swim, But don't know where to start.

Like a wave, Your love surrounds me, Like a wave, Your love washes over me; Like a wave, Your love carries me away, Into Your endless sea. -+-+-+-+-+ Again, lemme know if you'd like to work with me on this, something like this, or something completely else.

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SUNDAY MORNING

The Day 7 prompt at the Poetic Asides Chapbook Challenge was "SIMMER DOWN*

With apologies to my friends at the North Avenue Trade School I offer the following.

SUNDAY MORNING G. Smith (BMI) ---------------------------- What a day, And what a night; I'm surprised nobody Got into a fight.

What a game, And what a crowd, I've been here before but it Never seemed so loud.

And with the lights turned low, And no one around, It's so different Once things simmer down. Just a field of grass? No, it is sacred ground, Even after things have, Simmered down. Even after things have, Simmered down.

The lots are empty Tailgaters gone; There's still the echo, Of the home fight song.

Between the hedges, No one dares to speak, Until they gather here, Again next week. And with the lights turned low, And no one around, It"s so different Once things simmer down. Just a field of grass? No, it is sacred ground, Even after things have Simmered down. Even after things have, Simmered down.

Just a field of grass? No, it is sacred ground, Even after things have Simmered down. Even after things have, Simmered down. =====•===== Lemme know if you'd be interested in working on this, or something else for that matter.

If you're interested in the Poetic Asides challenge and other things writerly, check out writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides

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DON'T LOOK NOW

Here's my answer to the Poetic Asides Poem-A-Day Chapbook Challenge Day 6 prompt ~ write a "We're being watched" poem.

DON'T LOOK NOW (c) 2015 - G. Smith (BMI) --------------------------- I picked you up for our first date, Your father said to not be late. We got caught by the train on our way back, Watching the cars go clickty-clack (clickty-clack, clickty-clack).

We pulled up front at half-past curfew, There wasn't much that we could do. I walked you up to your front door, Afraid he wouldn't let me take you out any more (any more, more, more).

Thinking this would be my only chance, I wanted to ask you to the dance. Before I had a chance to speak, You stepped away and whispered to me,

"Don't look now, I think my father's watching." Then he flashed the porch light to let us know. I didn't get to ask the question, But somehow I knew you'd not say no. Somehow I knew.

We went to college in two different cities, When I saw you again you were just as pretty. It wasn't long till I asked you out; And I knew right then, there was no doubt.

I started looking didn't say anything, Till I'd saved enough to buy you a ring. One night at your door, before taking a knee; You cut your eyes and whispered to me,

"Don't look now, I know my father's watching." Then he flashed the porch light to let us know. I didn't get to pop the question, But somehow I knew you'd not say no. I knew you'd not say no.

So here we are in front of these witnesses, You dressed in white, really something to see. In the middle of flowers and candles and stained glass, You winked and smiled and whispered to me,

"Don't look now, But my father is watching." Web almost laughed and your eyes sparkled blue. I didn't pause; I answered the question, "You know I do; you know I do."

Don't look now... •••••°••••• If you DO want to look, the prompt and more can be found at writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides.

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PLENTY

Day 5 in the Poetic Asides Chapbook Challenge ~ write a FESTIVE poem.

Here's a song instead.

PLENTY (c) 2015 G. Smith (BMI) --------------------------- Pig in the ground; Laughter around; Hot country sound, Hillbilly throw down.

Mountain night, Stars so bright, Moon so full, What a sight.

We may not have much, But we have more than many; Just your gentle touch, Tells me I have plenty.

Lights in the trees, Music on the bbreeze; You beside me, What more do I need?

We may not have much, But we have more than many; And just your loving touch, Tells me we've got plenty. Yeah, I know we're blessed with plenty.

------ The prompt and other stuff can be found at writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides.

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