While missiles fly amidst boastful taunts and puffed-out chests, survival of Mars depends on a memory that awakens a yearning for our better selves. The great war god, starved by the irritations of inconvenient truths, gorges himself on retribution. He calls it justice. Far away, the red planet named after him offers perspective, gazing sunwardContinue reading “Life on Mars”
Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim
Those protest laws…
Wordflower kindly invited me to submit a longette – a topical poem with a 40-syllable title and 21 lines of 20 syllables each – plus a set rhyming pattern.
Values on the Verge
In recent days, a politician named immigration as a key issue for debate, citing “Australian values” as a key determinant of who to let in and who to keep out. I have never yet heard a politician explain what “Australian values” are. They bang on ’bout values in this town — like they’re etched inContinue reading “Values on the Verge”
In the Alcove of the Unasked
Sanaa invites the dVerse poet community to delve into their dreams as a rich source for literary expression. I have been attempting this the last little while and offer this nugget in the raw for self-edification more than anything! I walked the long coast,salt in my lungs,hunger in my bones,seeking a table not yet set.TheContinue reading “In the Alcove of the Unasked”
Tripping
If one might take a trip,One could consider Triplet Fallsor Tripod WaterholeCan we get there by Trip Point RoadOr via Trip Creek Station?Only a 2700-kilometre road tripcan link them.(Those we can find)Fill her up!Who’s coming? (c) Dennis Ryle, January, 2026 This is my response to Punam’s dVerse prompt to write a 44-word quadrille using theContinue reading “Tripping”
Lines Across a Divided Country
I’m learning things about poetry I’ve never previously been aware of. It seems that one can enter a conversation with a well-known poet by writing a glosa – taking four lines of any of their works and incorporating them in a particular expansion in one of your own. Björn Rudberg is today’s dVerse host, guidingContinue reading “Lines Across a Divided Country”
Bluff Knoll’s White Christmas
It happened on Christmas Day in ‘ninety-eightA once-in-a-lifetime event!Western Australia’s only “White Christmas”at the height of summer.Not just a light dustingTwenty centimetres blanketing the summitTwo years before a new millenniumHarbinger of stranger things! (c) Dennis Ryle, January 2026 This is in response to the dVerse Poetics invitation sent out by Kim. It is inspired byContinue reading “Bluff Knoll’s White Christmas”
Here lies lies!
Lisa invites the dVerse community to take a line from the song “Bury Me,” by Alejandro Escovedo . The task is to write a 144-word “prosery” piece using the exact phrase Bury me with lies I told. I am delighted and somewhat energised to rise to the challenge! Bury me with lies I told, asContinue reading “Here lies lies!”
The Train We Can’t Board
Melissa from Mom With a Blog is our dVerse host right now. She is immersing us in Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues, trusting it will inspire our muse. Here’s my melancholy effort. Please don’t counsel me, I’m trying to sit within the skin of another! He came to spring captives freeThat young rabbi from GalileeBut maybeContinue reading “The Train We Can’t Board”
SMILE
Smile! – What if I don’t feel like it?Write a poem about it – a quadrille – exactly forty-four words!The rebel arises within me.So many fake smiles crowd memory’s vaultConcealing assassins’ intent.Besides, I have a missing front toothMy smile appears uncouth! (c) Dennis Ryle, January 2026 De Jackson (aka WhimsyGizmo) points out it’s the firstContinue reading “SMILE”
Wondering Pilgrim 