We’ve had a number of heat waves in Boston this summer. Officially described by meteorologists as at least three consecutive days when temperatures reach or exceed 90° F / 32.2° C.
Growing up, we used to say you could fry an egg on the sidewalk on days like these. My dad always said It’s a hundred degrees in the shade! So it got me to thinking about that word, shade.
* Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin
* He’s a shady character!
* Every shade of feeling finds its expression on a face.
* There are shade trees, window shades, shades of color, shades of difference, shades of improvement.
* Synonyms include shadow, blackness, coolness, dusk, gloominess, semidarkness, obscurity, cover, and a wonderful word that rolls off the tongue, penumbra!
* And then there’s one of my favorite all-time songs, written in 1967. It begins with a wonderful instrumental organ introduction (listen at least to that instrumental intro below).
So today’s Poetics? Easy. Write a poem that includes the word shade, or a derivation of it. Add a synonym if you wish…but the poem must include the word shade within the body of the poem
New to dVerse?
Here’s da way to join us!
- Write a poem as the prompt suggests, and post it to your blog.
- Click on Mr. Linky below to add your name and enter the direct URL to your poem
- On your blog, please provide a link back to dVerse. This enables others to enjoy our prompts, multiples our readers and thus the responses to everyone’s poems.
- If you promote your poem on social media, use the tag #dverse poets
- And most importantly, please do read some of the other responses to the prompt and add a short comment or reaction. Everyone likes to be appreciated! The prompt is “live” for several days – as you’ll notice by the comments you’ll receive – so do stop by another day and read a few of the latecomers too!
lillian said:
Happy Tuesday everyone — and step right up to the bar! I’m hosting today…and in honor of our prompt word, each drink served will be embellished with one of those tiny paper umbrellas — a shady addition!
Looking forward to seeing your posts.
Grace said:
Love the shady-inspired drink with tiny paper umbrella – Thank you for hosting Lillian ~ Happy Tuesday ~
lillian said:
Always a make-your-own-sunshine kind of gal, I also believe in providing shade to rest one’s spirits! 🙂
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Such an appropriate prompt although we’ve cooled down to the 90’s (low). I had to cut short my gardening this morning because sun stole my shade and I’m one of those pale creatures! Thanks for your gracious hosting, Lillian. I’ll stick with my old sidekick, decaf ice tea. So boring, am I. (the chardonnay in my poem is of years past before the transplant!)
lillian said:
Happy to pour out some decaf iced tea….and it shall have a bright yellow little umbrella sticking out from the glass….to suit your sunny personality my friend! 🙂
Victoria C. Slotto said:
How lovely; thank you.
Frank Hubeny said:
Thanks for hosting, Lillian! Nice prompt word. I should have mine finished later this afternoon.
lillian said:
Always happy to tend the pub! Look forward to reading yours a bit later then….glad you’re here, Frank.
Frank Hubeny said:
It is linked.
lillian said:
🙂
kanzensakura said:
Thanks for hosting Lillian and thank you for the cool and shady prompt. We finally got a break here yesterday – thunderstorms, rain, cloudy and cooler today but by the weekend, it will be back up around 98 F. Whew! I’m gonna stay inside where it is shady!
lillian said:
I always love hosting dVerse — so fun to chat bar-side and read everyone’s takes on one prompt. It’s diverse at dVerse 🙂 Yes indeed….stay cool indoors. Somedays it just feels good and natural to stay put!
kanzensakura said:
I will have an Arnold Palmer please! Thank you so much. and several of those tiny umbrellas so it looks like I am drinking something dangerous!
lillian said:
Coming right up! 🙂
kim881 said:
Happy Tuesday everyone! We’ve just got back from a day out at the seaside in Southwold, where I took a few photos for inspiration, and an early birthday meal, as Ellen will be going home tomorrow. So I’ll post and run, and will be back to read and comment tomorrow afternoon. I hope you all have a pleasant evening/day!
lillian said:
Happy birthday (to your or your daughter?)….will look forward to your comments tomorrow. Heading over for some shade now ….
kim881 said:
It’s my birthday tomorrow (10th) but Ellen has to go back today, so we had the meal yesterday – it looks complicated written down!
lillian said:
Happy B-day one day in advance! A day to celebrate you —- enjoy ❤
kim881 said:
Thank you so much, Lillian. I’ve already done my celebrating while Ellen was here, so tomorrow will be fairly quiet, except for a Bounce and Rhyme session in the morning. I will also be thinking about a poem to write for Open Link Night. 🙂
jillys2016 said:
Great prompt! Tossing some ideas around- will post soon 🙂
lillian said:
Looking forward to it, Jilly. And through Frank’s post, just found your collaborative poetry project. Believe I will be joining in. The more the merrier I’m presuming?
Looking forward to your post!
jillys2016 said:
YES! The more, the merrier! So glad you will be joining – all are welcome. About a dozen of us did this in July and had so much fun we decided to do it again.
erbiage said:
Hey all. A icy cold Tom Collins for me, please.
lillian said:
Coming right up….complete with a fuchsia umbrella and star shaped ice cubes! 🙂
Charley said:
Hi, Lillian! A Virgin Mary for me; I’m composing tonight. Serious poetry on offer for this one.
lillian said:
Coming right up! And I have homemade tomato juice for you…straight from our farmer’s market. Looking forward to some serious poetry from you! 🙂
Charley said:
Thank you, Ma’am!
lifelessons said:
My poem is a long one today, but it was made in the shade!!!
lillian said:
Getting out from behind the bar to come over and read. 🙂 Thanks for joining us today!
lifelessons said:
Thanks, Lillian. Good to get away from the old grind every now and then.
lillian said:
Must leave the bar until the early AM……lights will be left on and there’s several pitchers of sangria and iced tea available….plenty of shade from the heat outdoors. Come on in and imbibe and leave us some words on your way out! 🙂
Til the morn….
E said:
Great song. Great word and if I may, Boston is great. It was a fantastically shit day; fantastic because I’m an optimist, shit because I’m starving from social isolation and emotional intelligence hunger pangs. Where are the people? I see lots bodies with no hearts or minds in them. Am I going crazy? Did I fall asleep one night and learn a foreign language no one hears or understands? Anyway…prompts are helpful. Thanks Boston. Shade, shadows, fried eggs and such.
lillian said:
Bar is open….brewed up hot coffee to start your day — and mimosas for the more adventurous. Will be in and out all day today. Bright sunny day in Boston today so will be wearing my shades as well as reading your shady poems 🙂
Sight11 said:
This is my first time here, Well how do I link my post? I have written it. How can I find post of other bloggers? I have use the tag.. Should I pingback?
lillian said:
Just seeing this. I have to leave for a dr appointment now…but will get back to you as soon as I return. In the meantime…put your poem on your blog. Click on your poem’s title. Then click on your blog title for that day and the blog URL should come up with your new poem’s title attached as in 8/9/2017/name-of-new-poem. Copy that URL. Then go back to dversepoets.com and click on Mr Linky (it’s under the prompt…a small recetangular square). Click on it. You’ll see all the posts/names of people/bloggers who have posted for this prompt and you’ll see something that says You’re Next or something like that. The top line should have your name/blog name and then there’s a second space for you to click on, paste what you’ve just copied which is the full URL for your new poem. Then I think you click done or enter. That’s it. You should now see your name as the last one in the list of 24 or so listed who have posts. You can click on any one of their names and it will take you to their poem for the prompt. Hope this helps. Let me know
Sight11 said:
Sorry, it’s the first time with Mr. Linky. It was not showing in Reader within my phone like Inlinkz.. So I guess it was stupid of me to ask the question. Are you OK. Hope it’s just a regular check up. Again sorry to waste your time. I apologise, but appreciate the help..
lillian said:
Don’t apologize. No problem. Glad to have you join us at dVerse! 😊 Am okay. Nothing serious. Thanks for asking. Did you get your post onto dVerse. Not home so can’t see.
Sight11 said:
Thanks, yes I did link it. Thanks once again for your help..
crow said:
A little late to the party on this one. I had some publishing issues.
lillian said:
Glad you could join us!
mother wintermoon said:
Thanks for the prompt, Lillian!
Lorraine said:
Procol Harem’s Whiter Shade of Pale holds a special meaning for me. Thanks for including the song in your “shade” prompt.
alisonhankinson said:
Hallo
I have been late reading this week as I started a new job, but I am trying to catch up. I couldn’t open one of the poems though….did I do something wrong. it was Lily’s poem.
ladyleemanila said:
thanks for the prompt, Lilian 🙂 sorry, a bit late for Mr. Linky