Umbrellas [15 words or less poems]

Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)!

Photo: Laura P. Salas
Photo: Laura P. Salas

 

15WOLs

When my sister Patty visited a few weeks ago, we went to an improv show (I love those!), and the mall had umbrellas all over.

This image makes me think of:

1) Mary Poppins
2) If it rains umbrellas, what would protect the things below?
3) What if you could ride on a balloon like you do on a hot air balloon?

And here’s my?first draft.

Things to Do If You Are an Umbrella

It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS!??(Title doesn’t count toward word count:>) If you leave a poem in the comments, and if it’s 15 words or less, I’ll try to respond!

134 Responses

  1. Laura,
    Lovely idea for decorating and perfect to “cheer up grey days.” Other great lines: “Keep nannies dry” gave me a chuckle. “Keep secrets dry” has me curious for more. I’m glad you shared the photo too.

  2. Laura,
    Lovely idea for decorating and perfect to “cheer up grey days.” Other great lines: “Keep nannies dry” gave me a chuckle. “Keep secrets dry” has me curious for more. I’m glad you shared the photo too.

  3. rainbow seas
    of windy skirts
    topple
    dragon- puddled
    streets
    perhaps it’s April
    or is it May

    Poem By Jessica Bigi

    Laura I love the pic and your 4–5 line

    1. Wonderful images: “rainbow seas of windy skirts” and “dragon-puddled streets.”

    2. “seas/of windy skirts” — That’s my favorite part. It has me picturing a crowded city street on a rainy day!

      1. do you like it with or with out the rainbow ? I thought of the dragon images because the way lights and images reflect in the puddles

  4. rainbow seas
    of windy skirts
    topple
    dragon- puddled
    streets
    perhaps it’s April
    or is it May

    Poem By Jessica Bigi

    Laura I love the pic and your 4–5 line

    1. Wonderful images: “rainbow seas of windy skirts” and “dragon-puddled streets.”

    2. “seas/of windy skirts” — That’s my favorite part. It has me picturing a crowded city street on a rainy day!

      1. do you like it with or with out the rainbow ? I thought of the dragon images because the way lights and images reflect in the puddles

  5. Love the whimsy of the picture and your poem, especially the last two lines.
    Here’s mine:

    When the Sun Returned

    Our umbrella rising
    with the evaporating rain -
    we hold on
    for fun.

    1. wonderful and fun I can imagine a little gust of wind but cautioning to hold on the umbrella

    2. I really like the idea that those umbrellas are rising, evaporating from the puddles on the ground!

  6. Love the whimsy of the picture and your poem, especially the last two lines.
    Here’s mine:

    When the Sun Returned

    Our umbrella rising
    with the evaporating rain -
    we hold on
    for fun.

    1. wonderful and fun I can imagine a little gust of wind but cautioning to hold on the umbrella

    2. I really like the idea that those umbrellas are rising, evaporating from the puddles on the ground!

  7. In Honor of…

    Mall cinema presents
    golden oldie
    retailers boldly
    display new canopies
    in Technicolor.

      1. Thanks Linda. Actually Laura’s prompt “nannies” made my thoughts go to Mary Poppins, but hey, Singing in the Rain works too.

  8. In Honor of…

    Mall cinema presents
    golden oldie
    retailers boldly
    display new canopies
    in Technicolor.

      1. Thanks Linda. Actually Laura’s prompt “nannies” made my thoughts go to Mary Poppins, but hey, Singing in the Rain works too.

  9. Letting Go

    Neon toadstools swirl and twirl
    So happy, so free of the earth
    That anchored them.

  10. Letting Go

    Neon toadstools swirl and twirl
    So happy, so free of the earth
    That anchored them.

  11. Laura, I like your poem, especially the snappy action and the nannies! Okay, and the secrets. 🙂

    The Umbrellas

    have escaped!
    Sound the alarm,
    which rumbles
    like thunder,
    grab them with
    hands of lightning!

    ?Kate Coombs

    1. Kate, at the rate our summer is going, the storms will outnumber the umbrellas. So fitting.

  12. Laura, I like your poem, especially the snappy action and the nannies! Okay, and the secrets. 🙂

    The Umbrellas

    have escaped!
    Sound the alarm,
    which rumbles
    like thunder,
    grab them with
    hands of lightning!

    ?Kate Coombs

    1. Kate, at the rate our summer is going, the storms will outnumber the umbrellas. So fitting.

  13. You used the word balloons and that made me think of seeing a large group of hot air balloons rising together.

    Hot Air Balloons

    No alien invasion;
    balloons with inflation
    rising together
    in big celebration.

    1. Pat, I’ve been writing about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta recently, and your poem perfectly fits so many of the gorgeous images I looked at online!

  14. You used the word balloons and that made me think of seeing a large group of hot air balloons rising together.

    Hot Air Balloons

    No alien invasion;
    balloons with inflation
    rising together
    in big celebration.

    1. Pat, I’ve been writing about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta recently, and your poem perfectly fits so many of the gorgeous images I looked at online!

  15. I love that ‘keep secrets dry’, Laura. There are so many connections to umbrellas, aren’t there?

    Umbrella Duty

    Patient
    umbrellas
    wait for rain,
    and people
    to hold onto.
    Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved

  16. I love that ‘keep secrets dry’, Laura. There are so many connections to umbrellas, aren’t there?

    Umbrella Duty

    Patient
    umbrellas
    wait for rain,
    and people
    to hold onto.
    Linda Baie ?All Rights Reserved

  17. Mary Poppin’s transportation-
    latest models all on sale!
    Imagination destination-
    Guaranteed to never fail!

    1. Cindy, love your take on MP and so happy for something other than the proverbial black “bumbershoot.” Is that a southernism?

    2. I’d buy it in a heartbeat! (Though I’ve had several umbrellas wrecked in wind, so I’m not 100% sure I believe you:>)

  18. Mary Poppin’s transportation-
    latest models all on sale!
    Imagination destination-
    Guaranteed to never fail!

    1. Cindy, love your take on MP and so happy for something other than the proverbial black “bumbershoot.” Is that a southernism?

    2. I’d buy it in a heartbeat! (Though I’ve had several umbrellas wrecked in wind, so I’m not 100% sure I believe you:>)

  19. Laura, your observations and poems are often as inspiring as the photos themselves! Here’s mine (sorry, couldn’t help myself!):

    An Umbrella Can Be…

    Rain deflector,
    Coat protector,
    River floater,
    Nanny toter!

    - ? Matt Forrest Esenwine

    1. Love this! Nanny toter–fantastic! And I got your email while at ILA. I don’t see any problem, but I did pass it along to my editor since you mentioned me or my publisher. Just waiting to hear back from her:>)

  20. Laura, your observations and poems are often as inspiring as the photos themselves! Here’s mine (sorry, couldn’t help myself!):

    An Umbrella Can Be…

    Rain deflector,
    Coat protector,
    River floater,
    Nanny toter!

    - ? Matt Forrest Esenwine

    1. Love this! Nanny toter–fantastic! And I got your email while at ILA. I don’t see any problem, but I did pass it along to my editor since you mentioned me or my publisher. Just waiting to hear back from her:>)

  21. A little late today — but just got back to my computer:

    Canopy Convention Agenda

    brolly?s distention
    parapluie?s prehension
    gamp?s overextension
    parasol?s condescension
    bumbershoot?s circumvention
    umbrella?s ascension
    Canopy Convention’s suspension

    1. some of the c words I have never hear befog I ‘m trying to finger out how to say them
      I like how you used the different word for umbrella?s

  22. A little late today — but just got back to my computer:

    Canopy Convention Agenda

    brolly?s distention
    parapluie?s prehension
    gamp?s overextension
    parasol?s condescension
    bumbershoot?s circumvention
    umbrella?s ascension
    Canopy Convention’s suspension

    1. some of the c words I have never hear befog I ‘m trying to finger out how to say them
      I like how you used the different word for umbrella?s

  23. The Water Cycle

    In summer,
    a parade of rain
    streams cool, like
    ice cubes, cleansing,
    rinsing,
    fresh skin

    -Pamela Ross

      1. I hope I have turned the corner. The coughing is not as severe and I can breathe without feeling as if there is a horse and saddle inside my body.

        Thank you. I had to write. If I don’t, I hurt all the more.

        xoxo

  24. The Water Cycle

    In summer,
    a parade of rain
    streams cool, like
    ice cubes, cleansing,
    rinsing,
    fresh skin

    -Pamela Ross

      1. I hope I have turned the corner. The coughing is not as severe and I can breathe without feeling as if there is a horse and saddle inside my body.

        Thank you. I had to write. If I don’t, I hurt all the more.

        xoxo

  25. I hope this posts near the top so everyone sees this group message.
    I really loved reading everyone’s poem.
    Lifted me up and brought sunshine into the shadows.
    I am, knock on wood, hopefully, at the tail end of a bruising bout
    with pneumonia. Energy level is zero. But if I continue to sleep and stare at the ceiling, coughing, I will fall apart. I wish I could respond individually to the words here but just wanted you all to know how much your words keep me alive and thinking. It’s nice to share “laughter in the rain,” under this “umbrella-ella-ella-hey hey…” xooxox

    1. But ps to Laura: Your line “Keep secrets dry” took my breath away. No pun intended. {}

    2. Aw, I’m sorry the whole thing is not over yet! Hope you’re 100% healthy soon. Thanks for taking the time to Comment, and take care!

  26. I hope this posts near the top so everyone sees this group message.
    I really loved reading everyone’s poem.
    Lifted me up and brought sunshine into the shadows.
    I am, knock on wood, hopefully, at the tail end of a bruising bout
    with pneumonia. Energy level is zero. But if I continue to sleep and stare at the ceiling, coughing, I will fall apart. I wish I could respond individually to the words here but just wanted you all to know how much your words keep me alive and thinking. It’s nice to share “laughter in the rain,” under this “umbrella-ella-ella-hey hey…” xooxox

    1. But ps to Laura: Your line “Keep secrets dry” took my breath away. No pun intended. {}

    2. Aw, I’m sorry the whole thing is not over yet! Hope you’re 100% healthy soon. Thanks for taking the time to Comment, and take care!

  27. UMBRELLAS
    Umbrellas provide
    an inconsistent respite
    From natures ever-changing
    temperament.

    © Charles Waters 2015 all rights reserved.

  28. UMBRELLAS
    Umbrellas provide
    an inconsistent respite
    From natures ever-changing
    temperament.

    © Charles Waters 2015 all rights reserved.

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