by 
These are the responses to the last Wednesday Writing Prompt, August 8, do not make war. Enjoy and be sure to support and encourage these intrepid poets by liking, commenting and visiting their blogs. Thank you for joining us. Tomorrow another prompt will post and you are invited to come out and play and share your own prose or poetry. All work shared will be featured in The Poet by Day the following Tuesday.
not of war, it …
not of war, it is peaceful here.
I have heard such dreadful stories
of casualties, these days
and before. senseless.
I would screw my words
if it would help.
I can help this one,
a victim of the
hot and dandy night.
I will show you his photograph.
I took her into the woods, the grass was
too long, though cooler there,
she was too small.
© 2017, Sonja Benskin Mesher (Sonja Benskin Mesher, RCA and Sonja’s Drawings)
.white feathers.
i dream i dream of porcupines.
white feathers dipped in blood.
bloody mess wars,
bodies rotting there. there
are thoughts while stitching that
this could save the world.
a quiet thing. no injuries, the blood
comes small in useful drops.
drops down, meditative sound.
white feathers fall.
porcupines.
© 2017, Sonja Benskin Mesher (Sonja Benskin Mesher, RCA and Sonja’s Drawings)
The Open Shop At War
As robust earth tumbles to an end
Whilst delivering value
I need an extra jumper.
As robust war is inevitable
whilst delivering value
I need a warmer coat.
As robust discussions are futile
whilst you deliver effective service solutions
I need to upgrade my phone.
As robust cease fires are temporary business models that deliver value
I need an extra pair of socks
All is end to end
Earth to end,
War continues.
Sharpen your core business
in a controlled manner,
grow your operations.
People must shop.
Open shops are a sign of peace
whilst buildings fall around them.
Open shops are a sign of calm
when dead people lie in the street.
Open Shops are a sign of order
amidst bomb craters, bullet holes
Open shops let people go on.
2017, Paul Brookes (The Wombwell Rainbow, Inspiration, History, Imagination)
I’m Just About
managing between the barricades.
My kids play between sniper targets.
I fetch the shop through broken
buildings perforated by gunshot,
past cars jammed across streets.
I’m just about managing between regimes.
2017, Paul Brookes (The Wombwell Rainbow, Inspiration, History, Imagination)
An Infinity of Stars Woven
Within the landscape of time are
the shadows of war residing
casting doubts of fear
over hope filled integrity
for if I could but ease the pain
& erase the memory of horror
that slices through hearts
once laden with joy
I would
but there will always be those
who seek righteousness loaded
with weapons of destruction
their efforts devoid
of compassion
and soldiers who participate
on the battlefields of wars
whether at home or across seas
will carry scars always
and if it were possible within
me as a wordsmith to pen a poem
of salve and healing
I would
so that children may once again play
on peaceful soil under watchful eyes
of mothers and fathers
who can rest assured
of a tomorrow
filled with the spirit of love
& that fireworks will be celebration
& not the deafening voices
of bombs falling
for my soul cannot rest within me
until the vision of the universe
is the essence of peace shining
like an infinity of stars
the threads of woven fabric
like none that has ever been made
containing naught of the shadows of war
but a humanity of peacemakers
the gardeners sowing
seeds for the
future
© 2017, Renee Espriu (Renee Just Turtle Flight and Haibun, ART & Haiku)
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