Paula's Poetry

  SILVER STRANDS Since a lifetime ago, producing strands In the spectrum of silver bands Letting them stay intact but henna coated Very much increasing as years passed, noted Eventually reaching a point of a sprinkling fix Resting upon the auburn/chestnut/silver mix Soon to be met with another demand on the hair The dome was revealed like days of baby bare Radiation finished the chemotherapy starter Now the baby's fine hair regrowing was curly Defying all odds of a wiry gray, not pearly Silvery with the texture of blond, I've grown fond ~PLS/PCS~4/27/2021 Photo smile Waqar Ijaz At the age of forty-nine, I was diagnosed with stage three aggressive breast cancer. I knew I had a 75 better than average chance of dying because I had angina which developed from the arrhythmia I was born. I went and asked the pastor of our church if he would pray for healing, and he said yes, but this was not the time. One Friday night at a prayer meeting, he called me forward, and I was covered by G...

  Paula Shene USA Photo Prompt 1 2023 Oxygen Pen Quatrain TREE T o mar a necessity is an ignorant naught R egularly done by many without thought E ventually, a hundred-fold man is paid E mphysema cuts breath; man laid to fade. ~PLMS/PCSS~4.17.2023

  MY FATHER'S HOUSE HAS MANY MANSIONS Messengers and prophets have peopled. Years of instruction seemed to have only deaf ears. Few heard God’s voice, but many were offended. Always the prophet was killed by the hate-filled Thinking there was not to be a day of reckoning Hereafter was never thought to happen to them Existing after Earth’s body faded away Rather the grave was a blotted hole of nothingness. ‘Senseless then and each time again and again Honor and dignity carry little notice to warmongers Only raping and killing as many as they touch Using God’s name in blasphemy when they des Swearing in His name the forbidden Evading scriptures that tell them otherwise. Hope springs eternal for all following God As they do in Spirit and truth Mankind gathered fruits and nuts. And wh...

  Thursday's picture prompt FACE OF MEMORIES From tot to teen to adult, now elder Across time memories laced and held her Cross countries and, finally, the global Entered, opening doors to be more mobile Overseas and lands dreamed of while younger Facing adventures many, but yet a country hunger Made possible only by patience and prayer Eventually, a door opens with a key made of care Majesty from high kindles the fire to ignite Over years of dreaming, scenes burning bright Rigorously living, watching the death of a dream implode at the end a lifelong light-drawing beam Etched deeply into psyche appearing on the face Solace/hope rekindled through God's loving grace. ~PLMS/PCSS~3.6.2023 Ghazal Structure A Ghazal is much more than just a poem. It is a short collection of shers that follow the rules of malta, mata, beer, kufiya, and radio. AA, BA, CA, DA, EA, etc. A Ghazal consists of 5 - 15 rhyming couplets, each called a sher Sher A sher is a two-line poem. A notable feature of ...

SLAVERY IN TODAY'S WORLD Since many areas fit into this category Listing them so all can see the gory Always has been man's way of using the weak Victims to further their lusts, making lives bleak Every child, every human, and every animal used weakens Rights deemed only own to have, taken, beacons Yielding only bitterness, using all without thought Investing in only getting coinage no matter what bought Never time to rest being used, rung dry, given little to survive Totally forgetting their depravity, their ways, their riches, no bribe Offered, will pay the price of inhumane treatment we see as our right Diverting our eyes from suffering caused long hours, a dying blight All are wearing these yokes except a few who expect humanity to bow Yokes tighten to unbearable wear until one's lifeblood is plowed ' Soaking the earth red, sucked dry until their bleached white bones preach When will we awaken to see the tool in our hand made to shatter Only putting more money into...

RAMADAN Reflective holy time Almighty God prime Merciful, Provider Allah, the only Lieder Deos by that name Alleluia the same Needs met learning empathy Man learns by an equity Unless you experience total hunger By deprivation, one cannot encumber Absolute feeling in many daily live, Rising knowing no rations to give Always the poor among us Knowing hunger rids smugness. ~PLS/PCS 4/13/2021 Wishing you and your family Ramadan Mubarak. May God give you the strength to fulfill the needs of this month. May God bring countless moments of happiness and joy to your life. What is the fasting month of Ramadan? During the holy month of Ramadan, which occurs on the ninth month of the lunar-based Islamic calendar, all Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk for 30 days. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory chari...

  AS A CHILD A young one cosseted but flitting like a bee Serving whims of love and always carefree After many years of toil, I find the spirit still on a spree Choosing love over hate makes one's life easier to skate Honoring differences, does not my character deplete In fact, it makes love to me much more complete Learning early, my world revolves around me Despite knowing yours, for yours does for thee ~PLMS/PCSS~3.13.2022 All re