A book review and poetry recommendation — “Do you have a recent read that you’d like to share with us?” asked Dennett in her writing prompt — Books — this week. (Thanks, Dennett). Running On Empty and Running Late Birds are energetic guys, aren’t they? Always flying and flitting about. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past…medium.com Oh, do I ever? And wait till you get hold of this poetry book I rave about.

Babying the li’l Myrtlewood tree in my yard — Her sisters that live on the same block Have been romancing bees for a while But the one that lives in my backyard Dwindles heedless as slow the day whiles She’s heavy with pods, branches droopy The butterflies can’t coax her: let go I shake my head; talk dirty to her So she’ll…

For Lucy Dan: On pen names, different names, and chosen names — Privet Menya Zovut: Hello, My Name Is… I wish they’d named me Susannah so I’d cart a song with my name — a mouth full of cake of buckwheat and happy tears that ceased never — to boom as I hear them sing me and lady-cry from my hometown tears to rain down in Havana, they’d ricochet…

And all kind-hearted fairies deceived by their loves — Tenderly Tippy toe thru the tulips Utter psalms to sunflowers, heart entire But be watchful of spinning wheel spindles They’ll churn out forests of thorns to transpire Thin is the line between good and evil Thorny, the vitriol sparks that unroll Swift your kind eyes turn gruesome: a gamble Thenceforth there’s no restoring…

Poem about a mermaid’s coming of age — a shell filigree wraps around her slim neck a corsage with a marabou feather clasps her wrist her halter-top, handsewn by her sisters and mother jingles with sequins, spangles, and broken glass to reflect when she gets there at last what mobility — hips and core down, chest up a dolphin…

The poop of it: insurmountable venues for entertainment and life-sucking activities, yet she’s bored — Go to Twitter and declare IAB — You are bored! Watch them come, Bring you likes — Retweet your Boring tweet Call you a kick-ass Influencer Pooped, But not bored (zzzZ) Fall asleep Fully dressed Phone in hand Go to Twitter and declare IAB — You are bored! Watch them come, Bring you…

Sanctity of life — bereft of shadows that Daylight brings Night moves in slow, measured steps, manifestly cradling a sleeping child a tailwind, flaunting ever so warmly through trees glides Night along and Night glows, alert but shadowless squirrels that scurried in the sun then paused and preened in verdant trees sparrows that fluttered then perched…

A lanterne/lanturne series for the July writing prompt, Hunt, at Weeds & Wildflowers — LISTEN dream of green the bough says sees her leaves fall — be bough trembles in the cold but she is warm sleep snow beauty speaks to all will you listen? pause pure nature — hear the call the world over peace tread lightly hunt to find each life’s a star…