A Poem a Day (537): Walk away

  
Robert Lee Brewer poetry prompt: write a refrain poem.
His poem: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/wednesday-poetry-prompts-624

In my early 20s, I was living with a boyfriend in southeast London. One day I received a letter, addressed to me, with my name and surname and full address and postcode. It was from a woman I'd never met, but who knew my boyfriend. She told me they were seeing each other and to stay home the next time he went to a particular club because she wanted to spend that time with him and for me not to be there. I remember she said: I'm far more woman than you. 
 

 
Walk away
 
Just because you can
doesn’t mean you should.
Think about the other woman,
think about the other man,
and just walk away.
 
There’s a relationship there,
and even if they tell you it’s doomed,
they’re involved with someone else,
so just walk away.
 
Another human is in the picture,
and sometimes a family,
so do the decent thing,
and just walk away.
 
Don’t be used by someone
to cheat on their partner or spouse.
Give them a piece of your mind
as you walk away.
 
They need to put their house in order
and not betray the one they’re with.
As Dolly once sang: “Don’t take my man
just because you can.”
 
Copyright Vickie Johnstone, September 10, 2022

 
 

A Poem a Day (536): Combos

 
Robert Lee Brewer poetry prompt: write a combo poem.
His poem: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/wednesday-poetry-prompts-623
 
 
Combos
 
Bangers and mash,
fish and chips, Mork
and Mindy, Sonny and
Cher. Combos. Twos.
 
The singles were left behind.
Pairs rushed in and rang
the changes, dragged us to
attention, let us know they
 
were there, something special,
being a combo. Being a two.
They stripped the stage bare
in reinvention. Betwixt the two.
 
The singles took the front seats,
threw red roses at the end.
A blackbird sang of morning
while the world turned.
 
Copyright Vickie Johnstone, September 9, 2022
 
 

A Poem a Day (535): Wildflowers of Solace

 
A Robert Lee Brewer poetry prompt – a ‘noun of place’ poem. His poem: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/wednesday-poetry-prompts-620
 
 
Wildflowers of Solace
 
Dithering on maybe, we wish awhile, wonder
where the story leads us, wishing on a mile
of things yonder as the spiky trees grow wilder,
and plants thicker, the woolly undergrowth a mix
of wild things, pouting flowers, thistles, meandering
lines of minted leaves betwixt butterflies’ wings
yawning wide, and the scent carries, inspiring bumble
bees, their sprightly buzz slipping in air like a light mower,
arcs of sunlight mosaic glinting on their gossamer wings,
this smooth lace, flickering, darting in and out of
pollen-filled horns, the gooey yellow thickness sticking
to their stripey bodies vibrating, hovering, dew delicately
balanced on all the edges, velveteen and surviving.
 
Copyright Vickie Johnstone, September 6 2022

A Poem a Day (534): Out

 
Robert Lee Brewer poetry prompt – write an ‘out of time’ poem
 
 
Out
 
We’re in time,
but the sand has slipped.
It’s seeping out, exchanging
glances with the cracked glass.
 
Out of shape, out of mind,
the material sculpts itself,
becoming something larger,
too big to scoop in one hand.
 
The radio is a-buzz with words,
a steady multiplication, dishing
out broken fragments on
repeat. We’re out of time, exits
 
blocked with incoming traffic.
All messages are read, except
those that don’t echo the
propaganda machine.
 
A crab scurries quietly, all marks
buried in the sand. Still winds
blow fresh cover, like an ocean ripped.
Those who stood here are voiceless.  
 
Copyright Vickie Johnstone, September 5, 2022

A Poem a Day (533): Companions

 
Companions 

Old Man Noble
with this ghost-string hair,
watches from the stables
where the horses gather him
in like family. He smells
of their hide, shares the same
black eyes, the steely stare.
 
He watches the moon dance in,
star stragglers in her wake.
All is silence while he hums
the memory of his yesterdays,
turning driftwood into gold.
These days are charmed for him,
not steeling the warmth within.
 
In the stables the mares nod,
sigh and shuffle beside him.
They lay down as he sleeps,
sharing their body heat.
And in the Dreaming time,
he listens to the chicken
bones sing.
 
Copyright Vickie Johnstone, September 4, 2022