Hello, one and all! Melissa here from Mom With a Blog, coming to you from Pennsylvania on this mild autumn day, hoping all is well with everyone, and you are enjoying this time of year wherever you are.
Have you heard it said that we see in others reflected to us what we see in ourselves? Has a person ever bothered you because of a quirk they possess that you realized you do, too? Or have you seen the beauty and goodness in someone because your eyes are opened to those things which you exude into the world? I know I have.
I like to get very creative with my prompts(!), but today I’m keeping things ‘simple’. Choose one photo / couplet pairing from below and let it inspire you. Observe every detail of the scene set forth in the picture. Read the lines and observe what feelings they evoke in you. Reflect. Then share whatever comes to you, with us in poetry form.
There are no form requirements or thematic requirements. However and whatever you write are completely up to you. Please share with us which photo you selected, along with the couplet below it. The couplets beneath the photos are taken from “[what if a much of a which of a wind]” by E. E. Cummings.
Red leaves against a concrete wall

—when skies are hanged and oceans drowned,
the single secret will still be man
A lone orange-brown leaf fallen on black pavement, blurred trees in background

—whose hearts are mountains, roots are trees,
it's they shall cry hello to the spring
A bee crawling on the bent head of a single white snowdrop flower in the grass

—all nothing's only our hugest home;
the most who die,the more we live
If you’re new, here is how to join us:
- Write a poem in response to the prompt.
- Enter your name and a link directly to the post containing your poem into Mr. Linky. Remember to check the box to accept use/privacy policy.
- Read other poets’ work as they enter their links into Mr. Linky. Check back as more will be added.
- Please link back to dVerse from your post.
- Have a wonderful time!🎉
Mr. Linky will remain open until 3pm EST on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
Hello, all! Welcome to Poetics. I am excited to read your inspired reflections tonight at the bar. Hungry? We have a yummy Pinto Bean and Pablano Soup; or a Butternut Squash Curry. For dessert, have a slice of Salted-Caramel Glazed Sweet Potato Bundt Cake. Cocktail? Try the Autumn Reflection, a drink of bourbon, apple cider, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg, and garnished with apple slice and cinnamon stick. Hot or iced. As always, I’ll get you anything else you’d like. Happy writing!✍🏻
Only a cocktail for me, thank you… it’s too late to eat for me.
Here you go, Björn.🍹
Hi Melissa. I liked your prompt. I have taken your advice to keep it simple.
Please would you save a bit of everything for me. It is 1.30 am and I am very sleepy. See ya all tomorrow.
Hi Punam! Simple is good today I think. Our minds need a rest sometimes.🧘🏻♀️ I will save you a (big) sampling of our offerings today. Sweet dreams.😴
Hi Melissa. Our minds do need to rest. Is that huge platter for me?It looks yummy and I am famished. 🤤
It is! Enjoy.🥣🍲🍹🥤🥮
Oh, goody! Thanks muchly. 🥰
Good evening lovely poets, and thank you, Melissa, for hosting with beautiful, colourful images. Butternut Squash Curry sounds delicious, and may I have the Autumn Reflection cocktail alcohol free, please? I’m off to read!
Hi Kim! Butternut Squash Curry for you. And an Autumn Reflection sans alcohol. I like your big hand emoji.🤭 I remember it from the last time.
First it was stubborn teens, now it’s a stubborn leaf. Wine, please, Melissa!
Aha! I will head over to read.🍷🍷
I would love a bowl of the Butternut Squash Curry soup and the Autumn Reflection libation (cold) sounds delightful! Going to pull a comfy chair up to the roaring fire, my feet propped on the stool. Thanks for an intriguing challenge. e e cummings ranks among my favorite top five poets.
He is a favorite of mine! Here you are, Helen. Enjoy!🥣🍹
Oh wow, Melissa. I looooovvve my e e. I almost never use upper case, and punctuation only sparingly — this as an homage to the great man who finally made me love poetry. I discovered e e when I was writing lyrics for my rock band. I adored his intelligent irreverence. This love was reinforced by Shel — and so I have written in consistent and ebb and flow energy since I was 16 rears old. Poetry and lyrics are my go to because my HDD fueled impatience makes format of longer length excruciatingly boring. Anyway, what I really wanted to say is — thanks for hosting my friend! 👍🏼🙂✌🏼🫶🏼🎼
I like to write in lowercase, even i sometimes. I’m happy you like the prompt, Rob.☺️
Do you serve a nice soothing sleep inducing nighttime tea behind the bar, please?
Yes indeed.☕️💤
Thank you! Please may I have another cuppa? I’ve just posted my response to your lovely simple prompt. 🙃
🍵☕️🍵☕️🍵
Ta, for the cha 🫖🙏😊
Hi Melissa,
What a lovely smorgasbord of autumn flavors you’ve offered us! May I have a sampling? And thanks for hosting! The photos are all worth reflecting on, though I had to settle on one (the bee!)
Hi Dora! Thanks so much. I’ll head over to read yours shortly. Here is some of everything to try.☺️🍛🥣🥮🍹
Late to the party, but didn’t want to miss a dVerse prompt and here I am. Thank you, Melissa for hosting.