Tennis...!

With racquet in hand, ready for her match

trying to look good all dressed in white

each point earned with so much vigour

hoping that her knickers didn`t look too tight !

(C) Lissie Bull 2022

 

Memories of Summers Past

Sparkling sunlight, fluffy feathers

a swish of breeze in sunny weathers

song birds singing in branches up high

blue skies, bright sun, oh for a gentle sigh

strawberries and cream served with lemonade

sat on a picnic blanket in the cooling shade

children running, laughing all around

playing hide and seek until they`re found

shapes in the clouds or making daisy chains

and watching the trails made by aeroplanes

these are memories I hold so dear

wonderful summer times from yesteryear!

© Lissie`s Poems 2024

This is a "Duplex" poem,  it`s a variation of a sonnet, developed by the poet, Jericho Brown. Like a typical sonnet, a "duplex" has 14 lines (arrange into 7, 2-lined stanzas) The 2nd line of the 1st stanza echoed by but not identical to the 1st line of the stanza and so on. The last line of the poem is the same as the 1st line.

Dark Woodland

found in a darkened woodland

moonlight reflected on the ground

touching the ground under branches

with pools of yellow and white seen

patches and pools drifting down 

creating delicate silhouettes

natures delicate beauty seen

bright shafts of orbital light

shafts of light and shadow 

picked out all along the path

beside the path stands a tree stump

where the hoot of an owl can be heard

and a flash of their bright eyes 

found in a darkened woodland

(C) Lissie Bull 2022

 Memories of Summer 

Sun hats and sandals

skin covered in lotion

wearing bright colours

like rainbows in motion

loud squeals of laughter

and infectious giggles

paddling in the stream

all splashes and wiggles

blue skies and ice cream

makes summertime fun

children smiling happily

while playing in the sun

(C) Lissie Bull 2022

 

I feel like hot pokers  stabbing me,  as I walk across hot coals

blisters open , soars bleeding

no help offered to guide me

I am a lonely figure walking through the embers crying.....

© Lis Bull 2022

 Big Sister

Mummy`s tummy has grown bigger

and soon I`m going to be a big sister

can`t wait to welcome her to the family

show her around and cuddle her happily

I will teach her how to laugh and smile

pet the cat, use a slide and dress in style

she will sleep in my room in her little cot

for we`ll be best friends and that says a lot!

(C) Lissie bull 2022

 

Chivalrous knights 

This gallery of nobles

dressed in their finery

seated around the king

regal colours and ivory

knights dressed in armour

attendants ever ready

this tournament is set

atmosphere so heady

to win a great reward

young men to prove their worth

facing the king`s champion

this is their right since birth

the sounds of thunderous hooves

as mighty horses racing past

followed by clashes of lances

their reactions need to be fast

defeated, the losers disappear

the triumphant knights celebrate

with honours bestowed by the king

a new champion they nominate

loud cheers of excited crowds

after the joust has been won

so let the feast commence

this kingdom will have some fun!

© Lissie Poems 2022

image found on rebellion.co.uk. 

Muraenidae

slithering through underwater tundras
weaving in and out of crevices and rocks
swaying with the movement of the oceans
resembling muscular aquatic crocs

relying on motion and smell to hunt
to scourer the terrain for some prey
while seeking a nook to hide in and wait 
eels are able to sense all they survey

 solitary eel swimming silently
rippling dorsal fin runs down its back
powerful jaws, perfect killing machine
survival instinct complete, ready to attack!

(c) Lissie Bull 2022

 

Two little soft feet

with toes in the air

wriggly little fingers

that grab at our hair

cute rosy cheeks

on a smiling face

joyous little gurgles

our bundle of grace !

(c)  Lissie Bull 2022

 

Scuppered Hulks 

High cliffs of rusting steel hulks

towering over the sandy bay
eerie victims of a past war
scuppered to block the way

creaking from the waters below
slowly eroding into the sea
marine life here is taking over
these hulks left to rot completely

masts skyward at slight angles
the elements have taken their toll
paint work has become thick rust
all that`s left is a ghostly soul

here these hulks will now remain
a symbol of the worlds mistrust
for nature has a new home now
as the sea claims these ships of rust

(C) Lissie Bull 2022

Summer Solstice 

gathered around a burning fire

chilling in the afternoon sun

sat on a makeshift seat or bench

watching the children having fun

sharing our fresh prepared food

and a few beers or lemon tea

while reminiscing past memories

in surroundings full of tranquility

celebrating summer solstice

peace and harmony all around

friends and family have gathered

thankful that here, happiness is found

© Lissie Bull 2022

I wrote this poem after a lunar eclipse event. Sadly, due to a cloudy night, we were unable to witness this happening. This is when the sun, earth and moon align and the moon enters the earth`s shadow and takes on a red hue,  After reading up about it, I put pen to paper and this is the outcome  🔴

Blood Moon

it`s late here and should be dark

but there`s a brightness tonight

even though the sun has set

there`s a blood moon in sight

a large red disc in the sky

appearing through the hedgerow

hiding behind the black trees

radiating an eerie glow

it`s a great experience

driving along with this moon here

dark patches are visible

every crater is so clear

to see this large red round orb

brightly shining there by me

floating along the horizon

so glad I had the chance to see

© Lissie Bull 2022

 

Shrouded Path

Along this misty secluded path

meandering through the leaf strewed wood

as tree come in to view

looming out of this blue grey light

tall trunks guarding the land

over all who pass on by

each tree, gnarled through time

with branches spread out wide

heavy with their burden

green mantle of luscious leaves

to shelter all from the elements

that the weather may unleash!

from this peaceful spot

as a breeze begins to blow

an occasional bough hangs low

it's branches like fingers

clawing at invisible foes

glimpsed through these eerie mists

for this breeze continues

rustling up swirls of dead leaves

creating unique patterns

under this thick canopy

above this wooden path

before settling down once more

© Lissie Bull 2022

Inspired by this photo titled Ver and taken by Nelleke

found on DeviantArt.

Hues of Blues

The beauty of these hues

creating tranquility 

softens any harsh heart

allowing peace and serenity

with gentle hints of blue
stretching to the horizon

and down to the water`s edge

relaxing each and every person

mirrored in this liquid surface

reflecting all that surrounds

this awesome slice of paradise

nature's glory abounds

waters lapping against the shore

through rhythms of the moon's tide

lulls into a calming state

allowing you to escape and hide

so take a little time out here

sit at the edge and dip your toes

recharging your aching body

releasing stresses and woes

© Lissie Bull 2022

Nap Time

Oh for a little nap time

to curl up without a care

this looks like a great place

so tired, I`ll sleep anywhere

camouflaged among the cacti

while offering me protection

these little spikes are comfy

hiding me from detection

so as I slumber peacefully

where I can dream a lot

please let me sleep contently

in my little napping spot

(C) Lissie Bull 2017
image found on boredpanda

 

Stairway to the moon

Round and round I go

slowly up the stairway

heading for the moon

lighting up the milky way

rays catching the balustrade  

as I climb higher and higher

for the night orb glimmers

shimmering like an ice fire

the handrail shines like a web

creating an eerie sight

need to stretch a little further

and touch this globe so bright

with each step I near the top

I`ll be there really soon

then I`ll fly with the stars

from my stairway to the moon

© Lissie Bull 2022 

Summertime

shimmering sparkle of cooling water

as bare feet splash in the hot sun

hearing the children`s laughter

playing ball,  having fun

the call for  ice-cream

rings through the air

squeals of joy

summer

time

(c) Lissie Bull 2022

This is one of my first meaningful poems I wrote 12 years ago and also the first one to be published.  It tell the stages through colours that I went through after my husband died.

 Colours of Bereavement

A quiet moment to ponder
to think things through and see
the kaleidoscope of life
is bearing down on me

the colours that were first seen
after that dreadful day
were all so foreboding
like dark blacks and grey

a shaft of light has started
to peep through stormy skies
black begins to turn to blues
that`s what happens after someone dies

as despair starts to slip away
the colours change again
greens and reds begin to show
does this also happen to men?

anniversaries come and go
the light is getting stronger
colours twist and change again
more brighter tones stay longer

oranges and pinks now show
a smile upon my face
whites and creams are appearing next
and a spring is in my pace

if you could see me now, my love
you`d see a different person
bright colours all around me now
as I know that I can carry on.

© Lissie Bull 2010

 

Lyrics of the Soul

Lyrics of the soul

flowing through my ink

leaping over the staves

that connect each dot

musical notes dancing

across the parchment sheets

words that I treasure

from deep within me

symbols of the music

floating like angels

creating rich melodies

that tug at the heart strings!

quiet to crescendo

depending on my mood

music be to food of life

playing on my soul`s cords

for these notes start with the soul

building up through my mind

as the music and lyrics

take over my whole being!

© Lissie Bull 2022

Kirkwall

 

Kirkwall

Kirkjuvagr,  meaning `Church Bay` in Norse

Incredible town full of opportunities

Rugged and rural landscape

Kirkwall Ba between Uppies and Doonies

Winds from the north sea help create electricity

Ancient monuments older than Stonehenge 

Largest town on Orkney archipelago

Local distilleries with worldwide reputation

(C) Lissie Bull 2022