Foretelling

WRITERS' ISLAND
http://writersisland.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/prompt-8-for-2011-foretell/

FORETELLING

I tried my hand at foretelling, once, many moons ago,

Although the art of foretelling was something I didn't know.

My school (I was then in Zimbabwe) was having an annual fair,

And I agreed to be the Gypsy telling fortunes there.

I sat in a rather spooky cave, dressed-up in Gypsy gear,

With a crystal ball on a table, shining rotund and clear.

I was only fooling, as I have no psychic powers,

But I told peoples' fortunes for cash for several hours.

I worked this way; I looked into the ball with solemn gaze

And simply let my mind roll on in all sorts of fantastic ways.

Then I said, in a rather hollow voice, something like 'Aha!

I can see a relation here, who doesn't know where you are.'

I was never too specific, and I gauged, by the reply,

Whether I'd hit the jackpot or should let this chance go by.

If a puzzled look was all I got, I'd try another tack,

But if there was recognition I'd continue down the track.

'That must be my cousin from England!' someone might gulp and say;

'I've been meaning to write to him ever since I came away!'

Then, armed with this little titbit, I'd continued to fabricate

And, almost every time, it seemed, my sitter took my bait.

It was all too easy, that's why, ever since that day,

I've seriously doubted psychics, suspecting feet of clay.

*

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GOLD COIN
A Haiku

Something shines!

It sparkles, it glows.

One golden coin in a dark green purse.

*
P.S. Please visit
 http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/2011/02/fanfare.html
 for something extra!

Epiphany

               Dan Earle

WRITERS ISLAND

http://writersisland.wordpress.com/

suggested the prompt.

EPIPHANY

Only one Epiphany in a long life.

I exited a certain door

And I never looked back.

*

It happened sixty-six years ago

And it changed my life.

*

It began with boredom.

Every Sunday was boring,

But one saw it as a sort of punishment

For ones sins.

Doubt?

What was doubt?

*

The pillar of the ancient church

Was next to my pew.

I stroked the thousand year block

Out of boredom.

I know its roughness reminded me

Of a cat's tongue.

*

And, suddenly, out of nowhere,

For I had never heard of disbelief,

Came the thought.

'It's just an ordinary stone.'

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For most of my fourteen years

Everything pertaining to the Church

Had been Holy.

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The idea had been instilled in me

By my Preacher father.

And I had believed.

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Now, suddenly,

In a flash,

I didn't!

*

Instantaneously

I was an Agnostic!

Not that I knew the word.

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And now that I am old

I still feel exactly the same way.

*

The word 'Epiphany'

Has a religious ring to it.

But not in my case.

*

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 HALLELUJAH!
Singing is a mystery but a joyous one at that!
Why does it bring such pleasure to us all?
After we've had a concert I feel as though reborn,
My vocal chords have made me ten feet tall!
Adrenalin starts pumping when I hear the opening note
As Lois summons magic from the keys.
And it doesn't matter what we sing, the magic's always there....
The ditties mean as much as melodies.
Why are humans musical? What purpose does it serve
In the evolution of the human race?
Sounds I can understand; they helped the Caveman to survive.
But harmony? That surely had no place!
Bird-song? O.K. that's 'language' of a very special sort,
But human-beings have the gift of speech.
We don't need to communicate by going 'Tralala!'
We're quite adept at chatting each to each!
And yet it seems our vocal chords are structured for the job!
Our brains know when a note's exactly right!
And a discord is quite painful while a mixture of some notes
Can cause an utter transport of delight.
Here we see two ladies who've 'tuned-in' to the bliss
Of standing up and singing with a friend.
They're involved in a great mystery but they don't really care.
They only hope that it will never end!
*

Unleash the Book Within!

WRITER'S ISLAND
http://writersisland.wordpress.com/

Prompt word 'unleash'.

UNLEASH THE BOOK WITHIN

'Unleash the Book Within'!

Now what could be more stirring?

The title takes it's aim

And that aim is quite unerring.

'That book' is right there in the mind,

Just there to be let-out;

The hounds are straining at the leash,

Only kept in check by doubt!

'I'll start tomorrow', 'Knock on wood!',

'I know I'm going to fail!';

'Who do you think you are, my dear?',

'My ideas may be stale'.

The hounds may yap still louder

Or else they may fall dumb;

The mind may sing with feeling

Or else it may lie numb.

Until we unleash those pesky words

And watch them as they go,

We'll never see if they can run;

 We'll never, never know.......
*

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FORTUNE-TELLING

I am not a bit clairvoyant!
Fortune-telling's not my line.
But when I see this beach at Manly
I can read a certain sign!
People lazing in the sunshine
On a lovely balmy day,
Think the storm-clouds may pass-over,
Think that they will blow away.
But I know (alright it's hindsight)
That they'll soon be soaking wet,
Running from the beach in frenzy,
In a storm they won't forget!
Lovely colours, turquoise ocean,
Clouds a glorious purple-blue,
But I know what's due to happen!
I was there! I got wet too!
*

Breakthrough

                                               Google Image

WRITERS' ISLAND.

http://writersisland.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/prompt-19-for-2010-breakthrough/

BREAKTHROUGH

I like to think that this is sunrise;

That the sun will climb through that golden ring!

I like to think that the night's been stormy

And what relief the new day will bring.

For that must be the derivation

Of the old term 'breakthrough' which we say.

Angry clouds like a thick grey curtain,

Through which the sunshine makes its way.

*

But other 'breakthroughs' deserve a mention....

Illnesses now suddenly cured!

Medical science performing miracles.

Healthy lives for most ensured.

*

What of depression, that cloud of greyness!

Oh what joy when the feeling lifts!

That personal breakthrough must be heavenly;

One of life's very special gifts.

*

But, at this time, there is a 'breakthrough'

Devoutly desired by everyone.

A Middle-East breakthrough would be wonderful.

We'd shout out 'Look! Here comes the sun!'

*

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LISTING!

When your Ship of Life is listing and likely to capsize,

And Sleep wont pay a visit even though you close your eyes

You must take heed of a trick of mine that, maybe, you have missed.

It's that all-important, self-destructing, ever-decreasing List.

I, too, my friends, have tossed and turned and thrashed about in bed,

Thinking of things that must be written, telephoned or read.

Imagining the chaos that will fall about my ears

When the next day dawns and I'm caught out! It's sure to end in tears.

Get out of bed and take a pen and write your 'Things to Do'.

Already you'll feel better; I know, for sure, it's true.

There may be fifty items, or even fifty-six!

But seeing them in black and white makes them a cinch to fix!

Now number them. Find Number One, The MOST IMPORTANT task.

And follow it with two, then three. It's not too much to ask.

Now, there and then, be resolute and concentrate your mind

On that vital Number One alone! And I know that you will find

That, already, you feel better, for your tired brain's been tricked!

It thinks you've only one concern! The Number One you've picked!

Decide on a course of action then cross that devil out!

You'll feel that you've achieved your goal without the slightest doubt.

Go back to bed, exhausted. You've wrestled with your life,

But now you're tired and satisfied not full of stress and strife.

Try this little ruse of mine! Don't end up round the twist!

Write that all-important, self-destructing, ever-decreasing List.

*