Distractions*

Distractions stop you in your tracks

These things happen, though not planned.

Your children want to stop for snacks.

Distractions stop you in your tracks

The cell phone rings and yaks and yaks

You wait in line and stand and stand

Distractions stop you in your tracks

These things happen, though not planned.

Where’s That Fountain?*

Ponce de Leon may have let you down

For he never found the Fountain of Youth

So if wrinkles around your eyes abound

Ponce de Leon may have let you down

Now, if you see him please hound that clown

For we begin aging, and that’s the truth

Ponce de Leon may have let you down

For he never found the Fountain of Youth

Turning to a guest poet, our industrious, Reason A. Poteet submitted this poem written in terzanelle format.

The Unbridled Path
by Reason A. Poteet

zigging and zagging home
my cohort well I know
zigging and zagging home

dragging my faith in tow
as one who snakes with pride
my cohort well I know

risky steps for this bride
each time I start to turn
as one who snakes with pride

on bent paths I can learn
to give my trust first place
each time I start to turn

God grants wisdom with grace
offers me strength to quit
to give my trust first place

urges me to admit
zigging and zagging home
offers me strength to quit
zigging and zagging home

She asked about punctuation and I replied: Punctuation and capitalization, or their absence in poetry is the author’s preference—with some exceptions, I suppose. I use commas for voice inflection or pause when I feel they help in the reading.

Thank you, Sister Poteet, for regimenting your poetry in a prescribed format.

Note—I use other people’s poems on occasion. If you would like to have a poem considered for this column please send your best effort to jetate@sbcglobal.net. Show in the Subject space Poem submitted for Poetry Views.

Go with God and be blessed. James

*By James E Tate
jetate@sbcglobal.net