Winter Plays

Winter Plays

The bitter cold blankets in purity,

Standing tall, arms reaching to catch snowflakes,

Moisture fills your lungs, billows of breaths rise,

Earth, air, water melding in harmony.

Snow-angels left, the passerby to see,

Pathways walked showing the winding it takes,

The whiteness in melodic form to skies,

Winter's sweet prayers here in unity.

Pure innocence laughs as it plays to thee,

The man made by young ones stacked up like cakes,

Black hat, a pipe in his mouth, charcoal eyes,

Gratitude sways, sounds of a symphony.

Out in this wonderland for all to be,

Dancing across the frozen tablet lakes,

Words, thoughts, dreamers here forever to rise,

Curtain call comes, the skies become sunny.

Petrina Lesko

November 2010

I will be linking this to a few places where I like to share with other writers... first would be Jingle Poetry for their Potluck Poetry Monday where this weeks theme is Nature: Plants, Creatures and the Cosmos.  Next would be over at One Single Impression for prompt 144: Meld and last but not least to Writer's Island for their prompt this week of Gratitude.  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and those here in the States, a wonderful Thanksgiving.

This Thing, the Depression

What was this thing called the Great Depression,

Was it 'Black Tuesday' and the 'Market Crash',

Was it when the banks closed by recession,

Was it the dry wind storms coming to bash?

Was it the farmers unable to yield,

Their fields dried by the wind, no crops to tend,

No food for the children, no gifts to wield,

For a thousand one job, the days to mend.

Starkness left, was it the blank hungry stares,

Of those children dirty left to the streets,

Their baskets empty, no food and no wares,

Chased down by police out walking their beats.

To promised lands many peoples did go,

Then shantytowns built, people struggling so.



One Shoot Sunday *

poem written by
Petrina Lesko
November 2010



This poem was inspired by the photo over at One Shoot Sunday where you can also find others inspired by this photo as well.

About the Photo: Depression Era Childhood Faces (St. Louis, Missouri)
*image care of creative commons flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodinal1/2185086399/in/photostream/

Cup Runs Over



Magpie #42



My cup runs over,

Precious moments spilling love,

Friends... Family... You.

I have thought long and hard this week, reminiscing of the many wonderful Thanksgiving days I've had throughout my life.  Most have run over with family and friends, a few spent quietly with only a few... some by choice, some by circumstance.  All have been filled with the Thankfulness I feel for the precious gifts bestowed upon me in the people I have been blessed to have in my life.  Thank you all for being a part of this special day.

I am linking this post both to Magpie Tales for this wonderful picture prompt #42.

I hope everyone enjoys this day in the company of those they love and being thankful for all the blessings in their lives.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Endless Beauty

Over at One Stop Poetry they are highlighting interviews of some amazing photographers, and allowing us to use the selected photo as a poetry prompt on One Shoot Sunday.  This week the photographer is Trent Chau.  Do stop by to explore more of his amazing world.  Here was this week's prompt...



photographer:  Trent Chau



Endless Beauty

Red crevassed walls reaching upward,
Reaching to blend with the hazy blue skies,
Endless is the beauty of you.

Blue and white waters meander onward,
Reaching to blend with the ends of time,
Endless is the beauty of you.

How, in so many billions of years,
Could the river of your bellows carve this?
This endless beauty of you.

Hard rock walls, penetrated by the flow,
Forever, the impudence of  majestic glory,
Endless is the beauty of you.


Petrina Lesko
November 2010

What a Difference a Day Makes

It was only yesterday when...
I in the wonder of a small child,
Expected and needed all from you,
My world lost between free and wild,
Hoping for the safe haven provided too...

Yet today, another story then,
Awed by the wonders of the world,
Not needing anyone to provide for me,
All night spent dancing... by another twirled,
The sunrise coming so I'm going out to the sea...

It was only yesterday when...
I toiled the day, working hard for you,
Top in my field, marking my way in time,
Awards and ribbons given, and salaries too,
My world moving well, it was becoming sublime...

Yet today, another story then...
Times have changed, things are tough,
The Recession hit, jobs lost, money's low,
The rent is due, the work is none, sure is rough,
What of the world is left, what do we have to show?..

It was only yesterday when...
Unemployed people, parents too,
Struggling to feed and shelter the kids,
'They' say the Recession has ended, overdue,
But it doesn't seem better to me, jobs still up for bids...

Yet today, another story then...
Yesterday we met, interviewed too,
You liked my history and experience thru,
Hired me on the spot, my world turned by you,
Today I start my new job, dedicated, loyal and true...

It was only yesterday when...
I was hungry, four days not a meal,
The rent was paid, but lights out and cold,
Holidays coming, no gifts for the kids, my deal,
Just a little bit longer, hang on, be strong, this I was told...

Yet today, another story then...
As I talked, my troubles I did tell,
You listened, then disappeared tonight,
A few friends spoken to, and together well,
You brought to my door, food, gifts, and a little light...

For in this world of yesterdays...
All was difficult, something needed, this is true,
The world of todays, people offered, made the breaks,
By offering the hand, the job, the lesson, and friendship too,
For when peerless to help others, What a Difference a Day Makes...


Petrina Lesko
November 2010


Yet another post inspired by some of the many wonderful prompts found here in Blogland.  This one was inspired by Sunday Scribblings and this weeks prompt of What a Difference a Day Makes, as well as by the Writer's Island prompt of Peerless, prompt #30 for 2010.  You can visit either of these sites by clicking on their titles if you would like to read other responses by other writers.

Tribuatry of Time

Saturn looks down, as did his father,
To the goddess of earth, his mother be,

Magpie prompt #41

Duo swords crossed, one at guard,
To protect the midnight hour three.

Through wedded bliss did sky and earth,
Born to Uranus and Gaia, thier son was he,
But bliss turned violent, and separate now,
The skies and earth apart, bound only by thee.

Gloom and serious, descriptors of this god,
Referred as 'old Father Time', must he be,
Father to Air, to Water, to Death  was this god,
For always apart, yet Time cannot kill these three.

Roman memories of Gods and Time,
Numerals strong, stone tributary this be,
Duo swords crossed, one at guard,
To protect the midnight hour three.

Once again, inspired by Willow over at Magpie Tales, #41 from this weeks prompt... Please take a moment to check out the other responses there.

Help Me

I've posted this poem once before not too long after I started blogging, so those that have been following me since then, please bear with the repeat.  I thought this would be a good poem to share over at One Shot Wednesday so I hope you don't mind my posting it one more time.

Even though this poem was inspired years ago by the residents that I work with, for me, I am constantly reminded of how fresh it always remains as we try to teach the skills they may need in life or in work.  I am also a firm believer that it applies to all of us in some aspect or another.  Hope you all enjoy...


Help Me


What's that? You say you want to help me,
Great, because honestly, I don't know how...

Stand back, watch...okay...but wait...we're done?
How... I didn't get to do anything...

I thought you said you wanted to help,
You did? But you don't understand what I meant...

"I don't know how" does not mean "I can't,"
It simply means that I never learned this...

To help me would be to teach me how,
I need to know all that I am capable of...

Take my hands in yours and guide me,
Step by step, I can learn how to do things...

Sometimes, I may get impatient with myself,
Or you... but I need your understanding...

Sometimes, I may want to quit trying,
But I need your belief in my ability to learn...

What's that? You say you want to help me,
Please then, show me how to do it for myself.


Petrina Lesko
June 1987

Images of Happiness

The theme for this weeks prompt for Poetry Potluck Monday was Moods, Feelings and Emotions.  I have thought about the miriad of emotions that could be covered and came up with this short poem, a haiku on happiness...

Images of Happiness

Fluttering butterfly wings in the breeze,

Polinating flowers for the birth of new blossoms,

Timid smiles bursting with colors of joy.

Your Life or Mine?

I am linking the following post over at One Shoot Sunday for this is where the photos and inspiration came from, today's topic was Homelessness.  Then I am linking to Potluck Poetry Monday  because homelessness definitely stirs within me, many emotions and moods.  Does it do the same for you?

Your Life or Mine?

Was it yesterday when you walked on past, 

Your friend whispered in your ear, just aghast.

Seeing his cart filled with all things his life,

Not even caring what suffered,  what strife.

Yet from the ivory tower window,

Delicate linens, doilies do you sew.

Judging each man for his things he does own,

More than clothes on his back, how was he grown?

You have your tower, inside warm and true,

No guarantees this life, this could be you.

When suddenly fate does deal, everything lost,

But to change this life away, would it cost.

Have you ever looked within yourself to see,

If life dealt this hand to you, would you be.

Strong to stand against this adversity,

Or would you cry the night away hungry?

Cardboard shelters we do show on this lane,

But hidden deep within our soul lies pain.

Had a life of towers too, just like you,
But fate played a joke, nothing I could do.

I live in the alley behind your house,
Try to be quiet, you think I'm a louse.
Yet what I search for here is a life too,
For once a person, I was there like you.

Now I only need a chance given here,

Everyday touches my heart, sometimes a tear.

Hoping one day the tower mine might be,

Warm days, food, just a little dignity.

For just as this strife, yours it could be too,

The stories you tell, whispers be about you.

My dreams could come true, an ivory tower,

If my heart just holds, change given power.

Yet for just as this strife, yours it could be,

Your life, your job, oh yes, mine it could be!

Petrina Lesko
November 2010

Jack's Gremlins.... Part 6

Finally back to my tale of Jack and his family...  Sorry for the delay, life was a bit overwhelming, quite a bit busy throughout all of October.  Hopefully you all remember the storyline (you can find links to the other, previous parts on the right hand side of my blog page).  And, as usual, I am linking this part of the tale to Magpie Tales hosted by the lovely Willow.  This weeks photo prompt #40 is shown here.  You can also explore poetry and tales by other spectacular writers just by following the links from there.  Again, thank you to all of my readers for patiently awaiting this next section.  Hope you enjoy...

Magpie Tales #40

'Pops, it's beautiful... but what is this monkey thing?' I asked.  'Well sweetie, it's the mighty monkey deity in the Indie religious beliefs.  Its called the Hanuman,' answered Pops.  'It's believed that if you recite the Hanuman Mantra, that it helps in overcoming fear... it is also believed one will be blessed with courage and wisdom.'  'Where did it come from Pops?  Why did Mom have it?,' I asked.  'Because your Uncle Jack gave it to her when she was in high school.  He was doing a history project, and in his research he came across this and thought your mother would really like it.'  'Wow, the stones are beautiful, and the story about the monkey god thing is wonderful.  Didn't she like it?'  'Yes, she just felt it was too large to wear, the shield thing, so she was going to hang it in here on the wall.  She had gotten the material to use as a backdrop.  You know, one of the projects that she never quite finished.... maybe we could finish it for her, together.  What do you think?'  'Oh Pops, I would love to work on it with you.  What was she going to put it in or on, to display it?,' I asked.  'I'm not sure, but I'm sure if we keep our eyes open when we go shopping, we could find just the right frame,' Pops said as he looked at his watch.  'How about I go down and make some dinner and check on your brother.  You put all this stuff up and then come down and get washed up.' he said as he stood up and headed for the stairs.  'Okay Pops, I'll be down in just a few minutes....'

When I was walking down the stairs, I could smell the chicken baking... I knew I better hurry, it must have taken me a while to put the albums back and put the cloth with the necklace back in the box.  I made sure I had wrapped it gently around the stones and the shield, just like Mom had left it, but then placed the box on her desk, so when we got the frame we could find it easily.  I rushed into the bathroom and washed up for dinner, then as I was walking down the hallway past Jack's room, I saw him playing on the floor with Toby.  'Come on Jack, smells like dinner is almost ready.  Let's get you washed up so we can eat,' I said as I entered his room.  Toby jumped up, her toenails clicking on the wooden floors, and meandered over to the top of the stairs, looking back toward the doorway.  Jack got up from the floor and we went into the bathroom and I turned on the water for him.  He put his small hands under the water and I reminded him to use the soap.  I could hear Pops calling, 'Jack, dinner time, can you tell your sister it's ready?'  I poked my head out of the bathroom, 'We were just getting washed up, be right down.'  Jack rinsed the soap from his hands and turned off the water as I handed him the small towel from the bar.  Jack wiped his hands and dropped the towel on the sink and raced for the stairs.  I folded the towel and placed it back on the bar on the wall.

When I got down to the kitchen, Jack and Pops were already sitting at the table, waiting for me to catch up.  I sat down and we began to eat our meal, chicken, baked potatoes, dressing and corn.  The smells from the food were wafting throughout the kitchen, and something else, apples or something.  Jack was eating his chicken leg and asked, 'What's for desert Pops?' a smile beaming across his face.  Pops answered, 'Well, when your Uncle Howard came by this morning, he left us an apple pie.  Said him and Jack picked them fresh from their tree. I thought you might...'  'Oh boy, apple pie is my favorite!  Can I have some now?' beamed Jack.  I reminded him, 'I think you need to finish your food first.'  Pops continued my answer saying, 'It'll take a bit for it to cook, so maybe after your bath tonight.'  You could see the smile drain from Jack's face and his lower lip sticking out as he pouted.  Pops turned to me, 'Sweetie, I was thinking about the Hanuman necklace.  What do you think if we did some checking into and maybe we could find the Mantra and somehow put it with the necklace in the frame?...'  Jack interrupted, 'What's the mantra and the hanu...?'  'Okay,' I answered, 'or maybe we could ask Uncle Jack about it.  Maybe he would know where to find one.'  Pops answered, 'That's a really good idea.  He's coming for dinner with your Uncle Howard tomorrow, maybe you could ask him then.'  Jack again asked, 'What's the hanum?'  Pops turned to Jack and explained that it was a monkey god and that Uncle Jack had given a necklace with it on it to Mom.  'Can I see it sometime?  Are you sure the apple pie isn't ready yet?'  Pops answered him, 'No, about another 20 minutes, how about we go get your bath done and then you can have your apple pie... Are you finished with your dinner?'  Jack jumped up from the table and raced up the stairs ahead of Pops.  I sat quietly finishing my dinner thinking about the necklace, thinking about Uncle Jack giving it to Mom...  I wondered about Uncle Jack, if he was always so serious, if Pops didn't want him around us without someone else, 'an adult' around, why did he do things like giving Mom the necklace?  He seemed pretty nice, okay I mean, when he brought Jack the collection of leaves and stuff at the hospital.  I wondered...

I got up from the table and started clearing the dishes into the sink.  I filled it with soapy water and started washing them, when I heard Pops and Jack walking back down the stairs.  'Is it ready, is it ready?' Jack asked as they rounded the doorway into the kitchen.  Pops answered, 'I think it probably is, let me just check it.'  Pops opened the oven, grabbed the potholders and lifted the pie out setting it on the stove.  Pops pulled down three smaller plates as Jack pulled forks from the drawer for all of us and jumped into his chair, that big old smile stretched across his face, 'Is it ready?'  'Honey, why don't you come have some pie, then we can finish the dishes.'  Pops placed the first plate with pie in front of Jack, reminding him that it would be hot.  We all sat quietly savoring the flavors of the pie, the apples still slightly crisp, a hint of cinnamon in the crust.  After we all finished, Pops went up with Jack to tuck him into bed and I finished up washing the last of the dishes.  Then I went up to my room to get ready for bed, I was pretty tired after spending most all of the day sifting through all the wonderful crafts and albums still up in Mom's space.  As I layed down on the bed, pulling the covers up, Pops poked his head in the doorway and said, 'Goodnight sweetie.  See you in the morning.'  I layed in the darkness, listening, thinking until I slowly drifted off to dreamland....

Elusive Remains...

This poem has been wanting to be written for a very long time.  Recently I was a little closer to a situation that hit hard on my heart, making fresh old memories in time, probably freeing the words from deep within my being.

Elusive Remains...

Somewhere in the darkness of the night,
Should I answer, could this be the day,
That wonderful day when you just might,
Might be standing beyond the doorway...

The phone ringing, please let it be you,
'Unknown Caller' across the display,
My heart  in my throat, skips a beat too,
If only someone, somewhere would say...

The news that you have been waiting for,
I called, saw him earlier today,
It was here in town, down by the store,
He asked to see you, if not he may...

Elusive remains, mysteries too,
What happened on that long ago day,
Everyone searching, looking for you,
At a distance, I guess you must stay...

One day, somewhere in time, I will know,
Whether or not, that you are okay,
For now my heart breaks, I can not show,
Always to wonder, where do you lay...

Hoping and praying, this I must do,
Searching myself to find a new way,
Wondering always, could that be you,
Beheld in my heart, always this day.

Petrina Lesko
November 2010

 I am linking this poem to One Shot Wednesday - week 19. 

The Fortress

She wandered the forest trail, searching to find,
Wood branches, boulders, exactly the kind.
The one piece to fit what she had in mind,
The structure was strong, with mortice did bind.

Years of placing each stone within its wall,
Planning with care, never these stones to fall.
With mortice and wood, each piece be to all,
Boards carried the weight, the burden was tall.

To shores she did travel, ends of the earth,
In search of those bigger, a stronger worth,
Carry the load, held...  to measure the girth,
Placed the last boulder, filling her with mirth.

Her fortress was strong, now safe she would be,
Hidden from the world, where no one could see.
Safe beyond her walls, a solace  for she,
No harm penetrates, held away from thee.

Close to her fortress, always did she stay,
Alone in her world, the pain could not play.
Yet loneliness engulfed her all of the day,
And down on her knees fell her soul to pray.

Then as she began to wander from here,
Searching the world, something to hold dear.
Her being still frail, her heart filled with fear,
Into the fortress, you dared to come near.

You took her hand, led her away from there,
A whole new world, beautiful, you did share.
These walls her fortress be, down you would tear,
For in her heart, you shared love and then care.

To shores she does travel, ends of the earth,
In search of those better, a stronger worth,
Carry the load, held... allow her rebirth,
Replaced solitude, filling up her dearth.

With her you share because you are her friend,
The fortress is gone, love her way did send.
She wanders the forest trails, around the bend,
This tale does she tell, and now it is penned.

I am linking this poem to Jingle Poetry - Poetry Potluck Monday.  This weeks topic was Buildings, Landmarks and Monuments.


PS... I am going to also link this poem with One Shot Wednesday.  Hope everyone enjoys.

Reflecting the Soul

Sometimes, when the everyday pace of this world
Becomes more than one can bear, the friction
Fighting within ones being, the friction growing
Like a weed in the garden, overtaking the soul.

One must pause for a few reflective moments,

Looking within the mirrors of our being, just
For a slight pause of silence, to see the ripples

Growing larger, encompassing our being too.

As the ripples disipate within these moments,

Looking to the depths of our soul, searching

For answers not seen as the world whips by

On the winds of our days, we must rest here.

Taking time to reflect on all that fills our days,
Assessing if these days flying by our being,
Are they truly filled with what our heart desires?
Moving in the direction of winds giving flight.

Or do we need to let our soul take heed,
Listening to the friction and the pause now,
Do we need to let the ripples lead our soul
In a new and exciting direction finding peace.

A new seed planted, tears of days gone by,
Weathered by the seasons, nurtured by one
Heart, grow into the blossom of days to come,
To flourish within the ripples reflecting the soul.


This post was written in response to a couple of weekly prompts, the first being #240 - Friction todays prompt over at Sunday Scribblings and the second was Prompt 141: Pause over at One Single Impression.  I hope you enjoyed this post.

This Moment in Time - One Shoot Sunday

 The following poem was inspired by the photo prompt found on One Shoot Sunday  today over at One Stop Poetry.  Hope you enjoy.

This Moment in Time

Clouds gliding across the soft lit skies,

Biases joining on the quilts of time,

Tenderly seeking the intimacy beyond,

The skies dressed in pillow covers.

She drifts into her dreams left here,
His sloop beyond the horizon floats,
The ebb of the tides, the storm, the night,
The outstretched arms of passion await.

The sea connecting each to the other,
Gently caressing from beneath her,
The waves pounding over the hull,
Separated, yet one, by this moment in time.



Ilachinski Skies of Skye

You can see more photographs by Andy Ilachinski at his gallery at  http://www.sudden-stillness.com/  or check out his blog at http://tao-of-digital-photography.blogspot.com/.  He is featured and interviewed today on One Shoot Sunday @ One Stop Poetry.  To read other responses to this photo prompt by some fabulous poets click here.



Identity Crisis

Watching me watch you,

IDENTITY CRISIS HERE

Fishbowl feeling how?



Magpie Tales #39



Just love the interpretation of facial expressions...    For other cute takes on this wonderful photo prompt, check out  Magpie Tales hosted by Willow.

Dampened by Autumn Tears

The following poem was written for my first attempt at One Shot Wednesday Week 18.

Dampened by Autumn Tears

The season before us, its aquiescence to decree,
Colorful explosion of burning leaves,
Only to fall laden upon the earth.
Time a labyrinth of days dampened by autumn tears,
Eyes eager to fall upon the Hinterland trails.

The tides faintly disturbing the still silence of the night,
Like falling ashes does the darkness come,
Seeking the saltry dance upon the shore.
Riverbeds pulsing like veins within the arid land,
Ears struggling to find solace in your rhythmic heart.

Yet can a soul to hibernation flee away from pain,
Before ones losses of these days dost count,
Upon life's journey, this soul could be lost.
Stillness encumbers the time and space of my being,
To my heart my friends did come, within me lies hope.