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JO JANOSKI resides in Pittsburgh, PA, USA with her husband, Ron.
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The Persistence of Memory
The Persistence of Memory
In days of old, life's panoply played joy
across my heart like music.
Melodies plunked out their hearty notes
dropping into my head
etching memories.
But now no music plays
or if it does, I've lost the tune.
My thoughts race away
like in little cars
while my ideas are a silly
clown circus.
How I miss the persistence of memory
where thoughts lingered for a while
flattened by the weight
of their grave importance
pounding down
sticking to the floor
in magnanimous impressions.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
Enjoy writing challenges--share your work--have fun! And it's free!
Musecrafters Writing Workshop |
Posted: 11:30 AM, September 13, 2007 in Poetry |
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The Magician
A sonnet for the Musecrafters Writing Workshop.
The Magician
A hush tiptoed across that giant hall
while glaring lights backed off in awe to low.
Curtains pulled away their blank staring wall
to reveal starry rainbows all aglow.
Amidst deep vapors, amidst white hot bolts
a tall figure did emerge triumphant,
the Magician shooting glittering jolts,
welcomed them all in a style resplendent.
Rabbits from black hats, sawing dames in half,
the Magician made his audience grin.
His pranks made them happy and made them laugh,
his magic dancing round edges of sin.
Supernatural subterfuge black art
Beware the Magician's roundabout heart.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
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Posted: 08:35 PM, September 11, 2007 in Poetry |
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At the Piano
A Words and Picture Challenge from the Forums.
 At the Piano by James Whistler
At the Piano
Mother dear, playing sweet songs
demanding my attention.
I perch near, flittering white.
She, black-minded contention.
Mother dear, demand I sing
in high notes of happiness.
Lean fingers stretch past white keys
rattling my contentedness.
Shake my floors, clanging those bars,
swinging my cage to and fro.
Clip my wings, bolting the door.
making sure I never go.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
Enjoy writing challenges--share your work--have fun! And it's free!
Musecrafters Writing Workshop
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Posted: 08:26 AM, September 7, 2007 in Poetry |
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Change of Season
A Pi poem for a workshop challenge
Change of Season
Green leaves wave
farewell
from spring's exhausted dancers
retiring.
Trees sway while singing chorus
carried by breezes whose smiles turn to evil snarls
as winter
makes maudlin entrance whipping harsh winds
blowing life asunder in symphony.
Because death is
nature's act two blithely unfolding.
Each year the same, yet we watch again
as though we did not know how it ends.
Because amongst harsh blasts we know well
we live the same, clutching nature's hand, then die
like falling leaves.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
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Posted: 11:39 AM, September 4, 2007 in Poetry |
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Dispel not...
A Musecrafters Challenge contributed by HouseMouse
Dispel Not...
Hush! Dispel not those whispers
beating in her heart.
Alone, but for pastel skies.
Earth tones brush her skirt.
Drifting on an ocean green,
breeze bulging white sails.
Her mind-ship extraordinaire
pulsing through sweet tales.
Innocence adrift at sea
painting my heart sad.
She knows not this stormy world,
one thoroughly mad.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007 |
Posted: 08:51 AM, September 1, 2007 in Poetry |
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Stranded
For the Musecrafters Challenge and a little TGIF fun:
Stranded
Stranded on an island
Lost at sea
Cruise ship went belly up
Look at me.
Swam to this encampment
bedraggled
Sand and deep dark jungles
Entangled
Lonely heart, hungry soul
What's to eat?
Anyone else out there
I could meet?
Coconuts are funny
Make me scream
Drink 'em, eat 'em, nutty
Soon I dream
Hazy sunset figure
Silhouette
Approaching through soft sand
Have we met?
Rounded, soft, and cheerful
Giggling guy
Good for squeezing, poking
while we lie.
We'll play as sun bakes him
Cuddle toy
Pillsbury has sent me
Their dough boy.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007 |
Posted: 09:08 AM, August 31, 2007 in Poetry |
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Dark and Stormy Night Challenge
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Keep the Beat
...grab it, punch it, knead it. Pull it every which way.
Keep the Beat
Flour measured carefully
with salt, sugar, and yeast
like my many cautious days
preparing life's great feast.
Put in lard and water hot
like trouble on the way.
Then grab it, punch it, knead it.
Pull it every which way.
Make it work, make it worthy.
Then toss it in greased bowl.
Cover with towels of deceit.
And wait for it to scowl.
Bubbling up with angry air
it will complain galore.
Punch it down with disregard
and let it rise some more.
Then plop it in a greased pan
and shove it in the heat.
Let it bake and cry for help.
Blow your horn, keep the beat.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
Enjoy writing challenges--share your work--have fun! And it's free!
Musecrafters Writing Workshop |
Posted: 08:14 AM, August 29, 2007 in Poetry |
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Favorite TV Program Challenge--Deadwood
Musecrafter Writing Work Prompt
Finally I'm getting around to my own challenge! A poem dedicated to my favorite TV program. The genius of Deadwood is in the strength of its characters and presentation. I can do this poem and even if you've never seen the program, it stands out as a story in itself.
Deadwood
Grit grinding against teeth
like sawblades
as tumbleweeds
toss aimlessly around the edges
of a town obscured
by windblown aspirations
and ladies' skirts gather sinful dust
from filthy "main street"
as they rush far, far away
from skinny harlots smoking cigarettes
in front of the Gem saloon.
Wisps of smoke
drift up
to smother anxious faces
peering in booze-tinted windows
at the gathered
"dignitaries"
embryonic politicians
eating canned peaches
with cinnamon
while they plot.
Al pushes his point
with the cold barrel of a gun
while the tall strutting Sheriff
with grim face
declines
in kind.
The newspaper editor
in a gaudy vest
takes notes
while the barkeep
fetches more @#%# canned peaches
and one little man
thinks he's the mayor.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
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Posted: 09:00 AM, August 27, 2007 in Poetry |
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Until Tuesday
Baseball today is canceled...
Until Tuesday
Baseball nestled tight in glove,
nothing left to say.
Flying on wings to second
was the plan today.
Until storm clouds drifted in
while thunder rumbled.
Children ran to hide and wait
as rain clouds tumbled.
Across the sky with lightning,
flashing white hot streak.
Baseball today is canceled
'Til Tuesday next week.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
Enjoy writing challenges--share your work--have fun! And it's free!
Musecrafters Writing Workshop
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Posted: 09:52 PM, August 24, 2007 in Poetry |
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Jumping Grasshopper
It is the grasshopper gone wild...a sillly little minute poem...
On fields of green I watch the sky
A flash goes by
Strange blur of green
Across sky seen
It is the grasshopper gone wild
His inner child
Jumping in glee
For all to see
Grasshopper leaps to touch white cloud
He is so proud
To soar so high
And touch blue sky.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
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Posted: 08:00 AM, August 20, 2007 in Poetry |
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No Longer Mine
The creature sleeps in my bed again...
For the workshop challenge, and in my never-ending quest to make everyone love poetry:
The creature sleeps in my bed again,
like a pillow, lifeless, without care.
Paying me no mind, like she's royalty,
though I paid for and built her this lair.
Feigning disinterest, she acts bored.
Her face is turned away from my gaze.
Til she sets her mind on my pocket
and asks with her sweet alluring ways.
I have nothing. I give all to her
and dream of days she and I had fun
in spring gardens and sunny hay fields
we ran side by side, breathing as one.
She was my sweetness, that lovely girl.
I lost count of quickly passing time.
When did her running slow, her eyes dim?
Now I know she is no longer mine.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski Poet Laureate of PA ™ |
Posted: 10:11 PM, August 13, 2007 in Poetry |
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Grand Finale
In response to the Words and Picture Challenge:
Grand Finale
Piano notes take flight in music,
floating high above the instrument jungle
of violins purring and cellos boasting.
The piano takes center stage.
A singular thread of ethereal joy
making the horns look ugly
and looking down at flutes in disdain.
The keyboard takes the day.
Until the symphony gathers its senses
to rear its head in angry retort.
Strings and horns and percussions all roaring
in the music of grand finale.
Copyright 2007 Jo Janoski, Poet Laureate of Pennsylvania™ 2007
Enjoy writing challenges--share your work--have fun! And it's free!
Musecrafters Writing Workshop |
Posted: 07:37 PM, August 8, 2007 in Poetry |
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