Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.
While in Cyprus, we went to a camel park–and rode camels! I loved this handsome fellow.
This image makes me think of several things:
- my Achilles tendon on my left leg, which has given me trouble the past two years
- false eyelashes
- how camels feel about carrying people around
And here’s my first draft.
It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count.)
19 Responses
Ha! Box of blocks about sums it up. Great description!
HORSE OF A DIFFERENT SHAPE
That horse has a lump
a humongous bump.
Oh my-
I’ll ride in the sky!
I love the fun tone of the person going for a ride.
Heehee–this about sums up when that camel stood up with Maddie and I on his back. Our petite daughter was sky-high:>)
Good morning Laura and congrats on your latest book about animals. And what an animal you’ve chosen for today’s 15 WOL. I love camels and giraffes, and I’m thinking it’s due to those eyelashes you mentioned. Not false ones, but real ones adorning such soulful eyes.
Beasts of Burdens
You’re among them
standing tall
strong
bold
hear our prayers
relief from
burdens
we
hold.
Two poems and two incredibly different tones. I love the idea that these beasts help us with our burdens.
Yes, giraffes, too! They are just the most beautiful…Love the plural Burdens in the title. Would be nice to get relief from some of the burdens of the world, wouldn’t it? If only we (humans) weren’t causing most of those burdens ourselves.
Hi Laura–Congratulations on your book and on co-teaching the Lyrical Language Lab. I love this guy’s confidence.
Camel Confidence
Torn from dunes,
I carry mountains.
Wind-blown grasses ripple
across my flanks.
And you?
Ooooh, I love line 2, especially. Works in so many ways. And that zinger of a final line–ha!
poem by Jessica Bigi
Camel
Under desert stars
Thine eyes have seen
The tiniest of Kings
Thus my legacy
Amazing how just choosing the word “Thine” instead of “Your” changes the whole feeling of your poem, Jessica!
Hi Laura, summer greetings! Thanks for this lovely pic of the camel–I was captured by the indignant look in his eyes … My daughter and I had the opportunity to ride one a few summers ago at the Minnesota Zoo.
RELUCTANT GUIDE
Oh, it’s you again–
If you must
climb on
and will
start
our
run …
I love the voice of this guide. And it’s hysterical that you rode one here in Minnesota, where I live. I have never ridden one here, but I couldn’t wait to ride one in Cyprus, halfway around the world. Life is strange. :>)
Congrats Laura, on your four forthcoming books, how exciting, Woo Hoo!!!
Thanks, Michelle:>)
I haven’t posted in ages. Love the camel image. Love how different all of these are. Here’s my offering:
Ride high
The drunken dromedary:
All sway and grunt,
Spit,
Stall,
Down ancient desert trails
Welcome back, Beth! I love this–that sway and grunt and spit. So earthy.
My only camel experience was the 25 cent ride at the Bronx Zoo when I was eight. Trying to imagine this from the poor camel’s POV!
Zoo Camel
Small bodies squirm
atop me
as I clopclopclop,
never-ending circle
til it’s sunsetstop.
Oi. I feel sorry for those camels. At that zoo and “my” park. Though less work than they do as pack animals, probably.
I love clopclopclop and then sunsetstop!