Published in Engage·PinnedMember-onlyMedium, Please Fix the Three CsContinuity, Confidentiality, Consistency — This is a case of one thing leading to another and not being sure how far it will go — or if it will go anywhere at all. A lot will depend on how many people read this story, and that includes Coach Tony. …Medium11 min readMedium11 min read
PinnedMember-onlyTwittle in a NutshellWhat’s a twittle? — A twittle is a nutty poem in the class of a quatrain exactly one hundred alphabet letters a perfect workout for your brain © Carolyn Hastings 2022 And that’s a twittle in a nutshell! …Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published in Paper Poetry·1 day agoMember-onlyHer Sweet Face Stole My HeartAn abhanga poem for Rosie — Her sweet face stole my heart It was love at first sight In the glare of daylight she changed my life I looked into her eyes Felt a peace within me A dream or ecstasy? I had to ask She held onto my gaze steady and all-knowing Our love-bond growing Pure chemistry…Abhanga3 min readAbhanga3 min read
Published in Everything Fun·2 days agoMember-onlyThe Mystery Machine Arrives in TownA nonsensical ekphrastic supersonnet — The Mystery Machine arrives in town one Friday afternoon in balmy June Red daisy trims come to life at sundown revolving and gyrating to the Moon The van’s aqua duco transforms to pink then changes colour patterns randomly, orange, mauve, splattered with high-gloss black ink, yellow spots, rainbow swirls haphazardly …Sonnet3 min readSonnet3 min read
Published in Paper Poetry·4 days agoMember-onlyWhen Words Are True FriendsA ghazal about poems — Ideas ripple through me — imagery — poems My muse sets the beat — musicality — poems Experiential, euphemistic oft subtle Read between the lines — metaphorically — poems The antics of semantics, synonym wordplay Limber up my lexicon — vrais amis* — poems Push and pull, twists and turns…Ghazal4 min readGhazal4 min read
Published in Paper Poetry·Nov 15Member-onlyShe Never Wanted Him to KnowA trauma-bonded kyrielle — Scars on her arms told the story of what had happened years ago She kept buried the memory She never wanted him to know “Subdermal implants,” she told him as he fingered her left elbow The truth no more than a mere whim She never wanted him to know She…Poember November4 min readPoember November4 min read
Published in Engage·Nov 14Member-onlyBeta Readers Needed Please 🙏Helping out a friend and you can too — Steve needs beta readers to read his contemporary story, Seed A dozen easy-read instalments A free hour is all you’ll need © Carolyn Hastings 2022 The Steve I’m referring to is our fellow-Mediumite, Steve Fendt. …Beta Reader4 min readBeta Reader4 min read
Published in The Lark·Nov 12Member-onlyI’m Done With the Mind GamesPandemic haibun challenge — Three years of living on God’s earth brings about change — pandemic or not, life has marched on, taking me — us — along with it. Even so, the pandemic, I know, has changed me. Strengthened me in ways that astound, confound and rebound inside me. Responding — or not…Haibun3 min readHaibun3 min read
Published in Engage·Nov 8Member-onlySorry I Didn’t Use Your Referral LinkI would’ve if I could’ve — For a few hours my star went out. My Medium star, that is. The four-pointed yellow star that twinkles at the base of my avatar — the one in the bottom left-hand corner of my author profile page. …Medium Subscription7 min readMedium Subscription7 min read
Published in Paper Poetry·Nov 7Member-onlyGuess What, Loquat?Tanaga poetry with a hint of chili 🌶️ — Loquats cluster on the tree Fleshy fruit sweetly tangy Fresh leaves are used to make tea Oriental and fancy I’ll surprise you with, guess what? My fav’rite is not loquat My pref’rence is for cumquat Its tartness hits the right spot Do try cumquat chili jam 🌶️ Goes with chicken, cheese…Tanaga2 min readTanaga2 min read
