Author: Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

In response to pictorial prompt #356 by Stupidity Hole

In response to Monday Poetry Prompt: Relinquish
Posted by Bartholomew Barker at Living Poetry

Relinquish expectations!
Expectations of everlasting care
and love, receiving as given.
Unconditional love given unconditionally.

Expectations formed in childhood,
a mighty white, or black knight,
whisking me away to be cherished
and coddled behind safe, sturdy walls.

Disney taught me these expectations,
Hallmark carries them into adulthood.
Floral shops perpetuate the notion,
the beliefs that flowers equate to love.

Relinquish expectations perpetuated
by jewelry wholesalers and diamond dealers
that a bigger diamond means a bigger commitment.
Falsehoods and propaganda all!

Release expectations!

A hot breeze caresses my face
the smell of coconut oil
wafts from the people laden on shore

Children squeal with heightened delight
some cry in frightened frustration
when tiny white caps push them to the sand

Older parents rest lackadaisically on beach chairs
worn and too small for their mature bodies
leaving their double digit offspring to themselves

Newer parents chase their toddlers
as the little ones race without care
into the hungry arms of the sea

Seagulls caw above the human ruckus
diving opportunistically snatching unattended food
spilling the contents across weathered picnic tables

Flocks of pelicans skim the water’s surface
barely touched by evolutionary progress
miniature Pterodactyl’s in tight V-formations

Marking the ocean’s tidal lines
broken visages of various sea creatures homes
lay shattered and scattered in memoriam

Evening begins to swallow the day
red and orange hues break free
from the suns restraints to color the sky

Cooler air drifts down from northern regions
dropping a light dusting of dew upon flowers
closed and sleeping until the dawn – Summer is here!

The waitress, a female server
walks by my singly occupied table
several times before stopping
to take my drink order

She turns to leave, correctly assuming
I am dining alone – Still, it would have
been nice if she had asked
I guess there’s a certain look to aloneness

Returning with my drink order
she plops it down unprofessionally
onto the wooden tabletop
and walks away quickly

Although I was speaking directly
to her with my desired dinner order
I stare at the harried waitress server
trying to feel compassion for her plight

Unable to find some within myself
I train my eyes on her as she strides by
Eventually she returns for my order
I tell her I’m not ready to place it, yet

I am just feeling that way
to return what’s been given
Not like me at all yet somehow
it feels good – I have fallen

Laying in my reclining chair
I hear the world outside pass by
A neighbor starts his car up
a baby nearby cries

Down the busy street
and back she comes again
Sounds the mail-lady’s truck
I remember her sweet grin

Above the roof I hear
a seagull’s distinctive caw
Outside the gentle padding
of my doggy’s digging paws

I know the vines are growing
and spreading overland
Though the flowers are so pretty
they are getting out of hand

Through the floor length curtains
a shaft of hot sun shines through
This is when I wish the most
I was on the sea with you

In response to Sadje’s prompt of What Do You See in the two pictures provided below.

Stately Eagle deposed from your perch
lost and faltering amid the grassy plains
Your snow-capped mountains once heralded
now hidden and ruined by financial gain

Revered freedom slowly stolen away
a fading memory trapped in the past
A greed fueled not by hunger or need
it’s power that caste has amassed

The down-trodden you once swore to protect
thrown back to a cruel fate again
This basket is full no room for another
so the powers that be have proclaimed

In the distance and just through the murky veil
a tiny spot of color he spies
A morsel of beauty the Chaffinch stands all alone
and waits until he moves to her side

The Eagle his eyes cleared by her grace
turns his head to face down his foe
He will fight for their rights and live free
to bring back the mountains and snow

On the edge
day by day,
Walking toward
the precipice,
Pondering which way.

One way
leads straight to heaven,
for the briefest time.
The other way eventually,
down the deep divide.

Tiptoeing through
known minefields,
the cliff on just this side.
Waiting for the tidal wave,
to sweep me away and hide.

That ocean wave will fight,
to knock me right on down.
Off this ragged periphery,
I’m always treading on,
a sun chasing the fading dawn.

This world has taught me obstinance,
blood born rebellion in my veins.
I dance upon this crumbling ledge,
supported by my stubborn countenance.
At least that is, for now.

A learned skill
that is to say
To keep a loaded apple cart
from tipping away

Be it nations
with their mighty armies
Head to head
the politicians smarmy

Promises made
hand to pocket
While supplying warheads
and making rockets

Give and take and take away
each one always wanting more
From a president to a king on high
making sure they’re keeping score

A neighborhood with lovely houses
mailboxes sit in stately rows
The HOA says do not change them
we can not favor individual shows

A child grown into adulthood now
looking out for parents welfare
Up until a burden they become
counting days to become an heir

Everyone and me included
balance life to keep afloat
Making sure our apple cart’s steady
no tipping over no feeding the goat

A mighty stead
a gentle mare
Each one deserves
our care

True and loyal
without fail
Your very best friend
if you treat them well

Different sizes
many breeds
Such beautiful colors
I must concede

Though the Shire
is of massive height
His stature proof
of his awesome might

A lovely worker
in the group
A shiny Quarter Horse
often takes the blue

The Paint is one
wearing many colors
Roaming the country
border to border

Blacks, browns,
whites and grays,
So many of them
take the crown

Yet the one for me
who stole my heart
Came from a line
setting them apart

A spirit wild
a spirit free
The Appaloosa
is the horse for me

I wish I was a lovely flower
beloved by a kind gardener
From tiny seed dropped in the soil
until back into the earth I could go

I wish I was a sturdy elm
grown from a hardy nut
Buried by an industrious squirrel
forgotten but growing 120 feet tall

I wish I was an ocean wave
peeking above the golden sand
Splashing beachgoers to and fro
then returning to my salty domain

I wish I was a soft white cloud
floating above countries great and small
Providing shade and sometimes rain
before falling and rising again

I wish that I was the luminescent moon
shining bright through the darkest night
Chasing the sun around and around
joining briefly at dawns first light