Red Poppies

inspired by artwork . . .

Peanut butter platitudes
stuck in the muck of dismay
upside down merry-go-round
insisting on come-what-may
sluicing sinewave synapses
a popping red poppy display
itsy-bitsy bitterroot ditzies
willing to meet us halfway.

Stars decline to stay fallen
rising up to rapture again
lascivious lingering lizard
might be more than a friend
snappy red poppy doppler
foretelling fanciful rain
cherry blossom caresses
a gyro clouding my brain.

A woodsy exploratory
swinging from vine to vine
a chattering rapscallion
with designs to feel just fine
twiggy dangle of tasty figs
red poppies pop a mainline
canopy carrousel on a spin
along destiny’s blind coastline.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

we do seek our escapes for sure .. the Poppy not the worst says i! there are much more devastating and cheaper ways to addict ourselves to things aren't there?! your social sharpness always astute in its expression of feelings Marge ... i am happy to see it toned down a twig or two ... the vote is past being in says i ... debates and vitriol should be done as well .. watching the House debates it seems not to be so ... we have lost long ago the art of compromise in favor of partisan disregard and accusation .. i vote and then i pray ... hopefully the Fed. system of governance will prevail and our Country and Citizens made stronger in every way. love you style .. your unique langauge and rhyme .. an absolute delight to read ... i can so see it published in the early editions of "Mother Earth News" back in those also tumultuous times .. the 60s ;) you need to read Patricia's poem " Red Breasted Nuthatcher Lament" .. you'll get a kick out of it :)
E.

[barleygirl]

Excuse me for changing the subject back to liquid romantic love spills, but I'd rather chew razor blades than watch a live feed of congress. No wonder you're such a curmudgeon *wink! wink!* if you can actually sit thru that s**t. I find the gyrations of congress to be completely incompatible with my process of writing a whimsical poem such as this (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

i watch and listen until i don't .. i rather hear their own words from their own mouths than be told what they said or did .. but you are right .. it is much the same as we see and hear elsewhere .. its just that the bickering is on a so called adult civilized manner .. holding to the sacred protocol of our Halls in Congress .. it also helps to hear the Reps and Senators i voted for ... then i know if they are voting the way they said they would ..my vain attempt to apply due diligence to my vote ;) i should correct me self tho, dahlink .. i am not full fledged curmudgeon yet .. i still don't need a cane :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) bug hugs to ya baby! big squishy hugs of love.

[barleygirl]

Well, I need a cane, when I'm not using my wheelchair, so I guess you're saying I'M the cur . . . *wink! wink!*

[Einstein Noodle]

yes but you are not of age yet missy! ;)))

[Mauricio Montoya]

Margie's Hi I was drunk the other day when I read this, I think it was the Merry-go-round , going in circles i decided not to review but now I will, but pass up on the merry-go-round, now I'm having hair of the dog' they say its the cure but you know I'm on my second so do forgive this review, the poppy it can be good and bad, by the way love the pic because add color to what you express and i love the write because the words are very colorful it made me think of Alice and wonderland, i like, im on my 3rd pint.

thank you for great write

[barleygirl]

When I started at the cafe, I did not use artwork on my pages becuz I was a "purist" -- felt I should be getting my point across with words only. But finally I had to succumb to the allure of bright colors! It can add a nice touch! Glad you enjoyed it & hope the hairy dog has let go of the scruff of your neck (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

an intriguing flower with words that do it justice. top-notch word crafting and imagery knitting. couldn't help but think of the wizard of oz when the witch put them to sleep in a field of poppies through her crystal ball. "poppies, poppies, sleep, sleep". writing like this just sucks one in with no escape holding from start to finish. many memorable gems ... :)

[barleygirl]

Your review is a bouquet of wildflowers loosely bundled in an ancient butter crock full of cracks and spilling sustenance all around. Thanks for many free sips (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[AJNJ]

The carousel spins blindly and here's hoping destiny stays kind...
I loved the word energy in this write and the alliterations here! Awesome... 'a chattering rapscallion'! So deliciously visual of a wily politician. Having used the word for my poem you just reviewed, I love its sheer power!
I enjoyed this poem absolutely, Ms. Margie. And the very lively artwork too.

[barleygirl]

This poem was an attempt to get far away from my yearlong odyssey as one of those severely politically jaded. But many people still read this in political ways, as you did. Now I'm starting to see this as a political poem, whereas I had been attempting to pursue a rare romantic bent! *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Margie... a vase full of Poppies...
represents more than meets the "eye of the storm".
Understanding Congress is a Sherlock Holmes mystery to me.
I am a practical pragnostic... "How to keep your mind healthy...
when all those about you... are losing their mind and blaming it on you".
I am looking forward to the day when practical solutions will be for
"we the people" and not the Power hungry Politicians. In the meantime
I will pray that we will survive this Pandemic with a Clear mind and resolve.
Your poetry offers a reprieve from the Insanity. gently, Pat

[barleygirl]

I've been unplugged from TV for 2 years now & it's made all the difference in my perspectives, my frame of mind, & the things I write about. One can get the gist of what's going on by reading a few headlines & dipping here & there for a deeper dive. But to watch the fomenting on most TV news, it's just an invitation to be hating on somebody. Or many somebodys. Anyhoo, you wrote that thoughtful summary of a movie with a Pigeon Lady which prompted my poem of this fine slightly wet morning (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You had me at Peanut Butter....
my favorite especially when mixed with bacon on a sandwich.
Oh, yes you are right about watching congress...i admit i try to to keep up with things...
but they drive me crazy...politics in general drives me crazy, wait, I am already there.
delightful alliteration here...I am seeing red dots and squares and splotches...wait, is that me having the measles ? Doctor doctor the give me the news....I have a linger lizard salivating in my brain.
j.

[barleygirl]

Peanut butter & bacon sandwiches? Now I don't feel them jungle jeemeneez anymore. Your spill sloshes sassy all over the irresistible splotches you sport and I have to envy your lack of inhibition (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Beccy]

You had fun here, shows in every line, and the whole poem has a lovely flowing cadence to it.

Nice to wash away some of those doom and gloom blues that have been hanging around for far too long.

Really enjoyed.

Beccy.

[barleygirl]

Yes, you are so perceptive. I'm trying to start a new trend: having fun . . . instead of fomenting! *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Norman 223]

Do I detect a veiled reference to a recent " not so dearly " departed White House incumbent. As you know , I'm not very astute when interpreting metaphors, but for an instant the fog lifted and this is what I saw. Corrections gratefully received, if perception is wrong.
(((Hugs))) Norm

[barleygirl]

While I have been horribly tangled in taking everything I read in terms of politics for the past year, this poem is a sincere effort to drop all that angst & find my romantic side, which has been completely smothered by my jaded side. Here in the USA, red is not my color. But also some read a heroin trip into my poem, given the bad connotation for poppies! Sheesh! You can hardly write an innocent whimsy anymore! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Norman 223]

Sorry, Margie. It just shows what brainwashing can do to we innocent ancient Brits. Must try and do better in the future.😥 Norm

[T.S. Ulmus]

No one can put words together like you. It's so otherworldly too. "Stars decline to stay fallen" such a brilliant turn of phrase, it shouldn't amaze my gaze though, your ways always flow. The vocab is on point (bet you smoked a joint). Seek out that love and peek like a dove from above to take it all in. Would be a sin not to spin your heart into love.

[barleygirl]

Not only do I smoke a couple pipeloads of bud, along with drinking a couple huge cups of coffee, in the hour or so it takes to pen a poem like this . . . but then I smoke my brains out as a grand finale just before giving a poem the final once-over. Great quantities of homegrown are definitely planting plentiful words where no words usually reside (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dave Brown]

not sure which is more appreciated, either the artwork or the poem
both are wonderful

[barleygirl]

Thank you so much. The latest installment on my plan to revamp my jaded attitude of the past year & try a little romance for a change! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dave Brown]

good luck with it all
everybody deserves a bit of romance