On the Edge

On the edge, toes curled, she really didn't want to go there not ever, not once when he told her if she didn't she was nothing but a big chicken butt and she knew she wasn't a chicken butt but even so she was afraid of the diving board--she was afraid of diving backwards, afraid of not seeing and not hearing and losing herself in the air on the way down and she couldn't see how far down because she would be backwards and her eyes would be scrunched so tight because if she scrunched them tight enough maybe she wouldn't hear her heart thump thump thrump through her head to her earlobes and maybe she wouldn't notice that her lungs had stopped pulsing, that there was no air pumping in and out anymore, that everything was just paused like a photo, paused in the between spot, between the edge and the water.

Woman Writers' New Year's Resolution---Musical Prompt

In two thousand eleven I could go to heaven.

So, in two thousand ten I'll pick up my pen. Again.

And again and again and again and again. And Again.

And again and again and again and again and again and again and again.

And then, I'll pick up my pen again. And again and again and again and

Again and again. And again. And again.

In two thousand eleven you might go to heaven.

So pick up your pen. Now.

In two thousand twelve the Aztec calendar will end.

Another reason to pick up your pen.

In twenty thirteen, write where you've been.

Write what you've seen

And in two-oh-one four

Just write some more.

Collective Sonnet

In a shower of a sunny day
A bee alighted upon my arm
I had to test the warmth of May
And see if kind bees live at the farm

I bent down close with a whisper
Asked the bee of his need
He said he longed for his sister
It's her he wants to feed.

Entangled in the family life of bees
Surprised my sunny shower
I laughed and tickled his knees
He stretched with new found power

"Brothers, sisters, and love for friend
Life is about what we mend."

Another Collective Sonnet by the Friday Morning Ladies

Oh lick! And shout! And lick! And shout! And lick!
Oh water my garden and eat my apple core.
Squeze and push and grab and kick,
Take all there is and want some more.

Trundle off sated, sedated, dazed,
Burrow into the comfort of down.
Bundle up warm, a comforting haze,
Curl around a new lover found.

Drive on through the snow, it sparkles like stars,
Her wet cherry red lips, the color of mars.
You've loved her so long, watched from afar,
Now tenderly yours, how utterly bizarre.

Sink deep into fresh love - a fantasy in real,
And prepare for the imminent break of the deal.

Collective Sonnet

I will hand deliver you the moon

Ship it wrapped in silken hugs

Hold your breath, it will happen soon

And I will bring you liquid sunshine in jugs

For you, my dear, are the world to me.

And I cherish you as I do life.

I'll hold you lightly so you'll always be free

And do my best to banish any strife.

Silken hugs and poetry for hours

I want to tickle all your many senses.

With wine and chocolate and fragrant flowers

Smash all barriers! Burn your fences!

But with romantic liaisons comes strife.

I'll keep my solitary life.

Collaborative Sonnet

Note: I've indicated the changes in writer with the font changes below.

The crown of fire pulled her on
She grabbed her stick and moved
Her flame tiara was like a dawn
Shouting out that she was proved
That she was valued, honest, pure
And should no longer have to endure
The harshness of the world
She could remain a sweet and innocent girl
And sing and dance and skip and play
And awake sweetly for yet another beautiful day
"So hark, oh crown of fire, heed what I say!
A phoenix I am, not a lump of clay!"
Honest, pure and valient I shall be
With my passion make a tempest of the sea!"

Collective Collaborative Sonnet

She was a bride whose soul was shrinking.
The magnificent sunset of gold-orange left her feeling flat.
She pondered what it was she had been thinking
To marry a man who always dressed like that!
She chided herself-- so petty! So particular!
Why did she care what the poor man wore!
His sex appeal was more vehicular
the Mercedes coupe was a 4-door
His nose hair was a distraction
but knowing the Berkshires, a plus.
His invention of a new contraption,
and his large bank account a major bonus.
For lack of better choices, he'd do
Whatever the girl wanted him to