February 19, 2007

Frozen Morning and SPICES Fibs

(Today's poems are guided by the first six numbers of the Fibonacci series, which dictates the syllable counts of 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 in each of the successive lines.)

Days
spent
below
thirty two.
Instead of birdsong,
wake to the sound of tires spinning!

The prompt at One Deep Breath this week recommended that we consider adding some "spice" to our writing, however we might define that. When Quakers talk about SPICES, we are often referring to some of the most widely-known tenets of the Quaker faith: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. So...

What
could
be our
gift to those
who already have
everything they need? Think simple.

Peace
comes
only
when it seems
to offer truly
safe space for the weary fighters.

We
try
to teach
our young son:
instead of swearing,
or promising? Be trustworthy.

There
is
only
one boat and
we are all in it.
(Repeat every day, as needed.)

Could
we
sustain
a life which
was grounded in deep
equality? Could we begin?

Not
mine.
Not yours.
Ours to share.
Our lives, our planet,
all held in trust for the children.

(Thanks to the women of One Deep Breath
for their continuing inspiration.)

15 comments:

Crafty Green Poet said...

Lovely to read your Quaker fibs. I especially like the last one.

Anonymous said...

Hi Shelley,

Code monkey leave comment on blog.

Here's my lame attempt at a fib. Sorry, no spices here, just plagiarising, uh, I mean drawing inspirtaion from the Wikipedia entry on Fibonacci:

In
the
first month
there is just
one newly-born pair;
the rabbits breed and never die.

Stacy said...

One boat indeed.

I really loved this one.

Becca said...

These are lovely, reflective fibs, and an interesting viewpoint for spices. I'm glad to know a little more about Quaker philosophy too.

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing these fibs and the Quaker meaning. They are beautiful and very true.

Jone said...

I liked the Frozen Morning. Great way to incoporate the Quaker tenets.

Regina said...

I just loved these- growing up in PA, you would think I would know more about the Quaker faith, but your fibs really enlightened me-
Thank you so much!

Tiffany said...

These are all thought provoking. I like the contrasting image of spinning tires and bird songs in the first one. And we are all in one boat - so true.

paris parfait said...

The last three are absolutely fabulous, with inspiring messages. Well done!

Jodi said...

Beautiful and inspriational fibs!

Jodi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rel said...

Shelley,
Beautiful, peaceful, and honest.
Pure, from the heart!
rel

Anonymous said...

Your fibs are keepers! Love the one about the boat.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

I love these! You did a fabulous job on them!

Shelley said...

Thank you, dear blogfriends, for your kind comments on these fibs.

It's a fun form to work with!