Renee (HA 55 Trinidad Sonnet)

Posted on May 11, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

I used to dance for glee and exercise
at parties, with a lover, or alone.
I’d start to move, seduced to close my eyes
to better hear and feel the vivid thrum
of bass guitar. It wasn’t saxophone
that moved me, and it seldom was a drum.
This quarantine is comeback time for me.
Somewhere along my line I stopped my dance
but now, at home, alone, taps memory,
and twice a day or week I track again
the heartbeat in the music that enchants
my hips to move (and also prompts this pen).
I used to dance for glee and exercise;
this quarantine is comeback time for me.

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Ahead of Myself (HA 54 Trimeric)

Posted on May 10, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

I told myself I’d write a poem a day.
I found that each attempt inspired more.
I wrote – that triggered words I had to say.
Now editing’s become my favorite chore.

I found that each attempt inspired more,
and let myself express another way
(so 49 is titled 54).

I wrote – that triggered words I had to say,
responding or developing before
I finalized and put the work away.

Now editing’s become my favorite chore
but I can’t see next Monday’s yesterday,
so please excuse if current news is poor.

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Leaking (HA 53 Huitain)

Posted on May 9, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

The quarantine begins to fall apart
but then, the word emerged from “40” days,
and 53 have finished since the start
of house-arrested isolated ways.
Our discipline is cracking – spring displays
bring people out and home sequester leaks.
The smartest strategy shows signs of craze,
and cracks will grow to chasms within weeks.

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Missing You (HA 52 Ovillejo)

Posted on May 8, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

I’m sick of this – to leave my place
I mask my face.
The social berth is six feet wide,
or stay inside.
It’s harder than mere loneliness
without your kiss.

I’m tough but what I really miss
are days each week of play with you.
We’ll have more time, but till we’re through
I mask my face or stay inside, without your kiss.

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Attempted Relaxation (HA 51 Italian Sonnet)

Posted on May 7, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

We needn’t agitate about the news,
when all we know for sure is we don’t know.
Reportage seeks no depth; it tries to flow
at us in summaries. For any who’s
experienced with something papers choose
to tell or anchors to describe just so,
it’s only the production of a show,
and won’t with facts the latest word confuse.

I freaked out during Desert Storm, as well
as when the markets cratered in ‘08.
I tried to be informed, but couldn’t tell
the facts from hype, and never felt the weight
of full disclosure. Dread events befell,
and we were rendered senseless, like it’s fate.

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Connectivity (HA 50 Rhyme Royal)

Posted on May 6, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

Exposed by ten to some geography,
I learned the names of land and water mass,
and wondered why we numbered seven seas
when all were clearly one. The kids in class
had no complaint; I tried not to harass –
I knew how useful names convey so much,
but never couldn’t see the oceans touch.

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None Dare Call It (HA 49 Magic 9)

Posted on May 5, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

My father warned about conspiracies
when I, 13, attracted to the right,
gave credence to dramatic theories.
He told me members had to be more smart
and able to keep secrets none can squeeze
than any I or even he has met.
So now I’m trying to ignore the tease
of clotting, antibodies that won’t fight,
and failure of considered remedies…

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Humming (HA 48 Villanelle)

Posted on May 4, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

The jury’s out, in doubt, about our fate.
We note the plants and planet will endure;
in other words the hummingbirds elate.

Arrested, it’s my lot to isolate
within a garden, soothed and yet unsure;
the jury’s out, in doubt, about our fate.

Now rose and lemon buds proliferate.
New growth unfurls and scent creates allure;
in other words the hummingbirds elate.

I’m drawn to green but have to concentrate
my pleasure here, alone and near obscure.
The jury’s out, in doubt, about our fate.

So far I’m lucky, healthy – I can wait
and note the birdsong as the plants mature
(in other words the hummingbirds elate).

Advised to shelter longer in this state,
I’m sentenced to a garden, growing, pure.
The jury’s out, in doubt, about our fate.
In other words, the hummingbirds elate.

Bud

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Necessary Heaviness (HA 47 Terzanelle)

Posted on May 3, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

I trained myself to purchase what I need
and nothing more, because I hate to shop.
There’s reason now to change how I proceed.

I used to buy the crucial and then stop.
I walked and tried to keep the backpack light
with nothing more, because I hate to shop.

I dwell where food is grown, with every bite
available for purchase somewhere near;
I walk and try to keep the backpack light,

but now we live in viral atmosphere,
and I must modify my strategy
for purchase that may not be somewhere near.

My shelves had adequate capacity
before pandemic overtook the world.
Now I must modify my strategy

to recognize the mess in which we’re hurled.
I trained myself to purchase what I need
before pandemic overtook the world.
There’s reason now to change how I proceed.

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Generations of Money (HA 46 Quintilla)

Posted on May 2, 2020 by sputterpub

House Arrest

When I was young, a quarter bought
a double bill of matinee.
My parents’ recollections taught
the value of a dime; I thought
how “cents-able” back in their day.

In time I wed; we sought a house.
Our parents marveled at the price.
“No central heat?” we heard them grouse.
“They’re clueless,” commented my spouse;
we didn’t think about it twice.

Our turn would come; our kids matured
and shopped for their own residence.
They showed us listings with absurd
ideas of value. No one heard
us stammering at gross expense.

Each cohort has its culture, say
historians, of music, art
and fashion. Doesn’t money play
as separator too? The way
we estimate tells us apart.

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