TOPSY-TURVY

By Richard L. Provencher

I have had an absolute pleasure writing across a rainbow of years. One must never be disouraged placing thoughts on paper as you follow the Why do you? conversation. I write to share ideas and this new collection is going to be outside the box. It will be exciting to feel and see what is yet to appear on paper. Keep in touch, Dear Reader. 

PS. My wife, Esther and I, wish to express our thanks to the staff of ABCTales.com for the opportunity of showcasing our writing without any cost to us. One day we may be blessed by some publisher who wishes to place our work in a comercial print book. In the.meantime we hope our Readers are not shy to copy for sharing with family and friends, any of our published work on this site. Please -- alway ensure our COPYYRIGHT IS INDICATED. There are so many wonderful writers with ABCTales.com and I hope you enjoy reading many of them. -RLP & EAP

 

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An Old

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 17 Jul 2019

farmhouse stands as a sentinel ghostly and alone— the wind surly with a voice of its own creaking wood dried up with rattles like bones from ancient...
Drama
Poem
Certificate PG

Baby, Come Home

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 10 Jul 2019

Sits on the front step watching his little ones. Debby is two and the man of the house Johnny six -- acts like ten. Not so pleasant being the dad...
Love
Poem
Certificate PG

Cow of the Juice

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 19 Jun 2019

passes from child to senior-- an act of love. Once upon a moment this fine lady ably selected her own liquid gifted from a favorite Jersey cow...
Love
Poem
Certificate U

Did You

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 01 Jul 2019

hear my name today my dear as I write this note to you from the cold-cold North at Winisk – Hudson Bay? I know it is far away and night-time is a...
Love
Poem
Certificate U

Give Me

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 09 Jul 2019

a dream. Just one more like the ones I used to have-- a best friend who lived in Rouyn. Herve his name. A quiet fellow – a great pal; and my first...
Autobiography
Poem
Certificate U

Hello Childhood

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 19 Jun 2019

and your sweet-sweet ways – when youth leaned young and innocence a mark of parent’s love. Days with mom in the kitchen learning cookie-magic and...
Love
Poem
Certificate PG

Hello Mornin'

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 06 Jul 2019

so good to see you again. Eyes anxious to accept your skirt of bright apparel--clouds also enjoying the view. I am alive again. Another day to bless...
Spiritual
Poem
Certificate U

Hey Look

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 20 Jul 2019

the boss mosquito said about two victims for the crowd of friends he hung out with. And they whistled down for a taste. This area of the park was a...
Surreal
Poem
Certificate U

I Came To

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 13 Jul 2019

touch the sky with crunching underfoot and grasping a scene to share within my soul an electric contact as I glow along with the sky-- and feel...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

I Don't

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 05 Jul 2019

need whiskey to get a high—a rising sun does the job. Its brilliance is a great trick by simply erupting brightly at 5:30 and showing the...
Spiritual
Poem
Certificate PG

I Gave

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 03 Jul 2019

birth to the snow that fell— like a whisper of tremors turning rare weather to sad from glad. As a wounded soul it snuck back into the spotlight...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

If You

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 22 Jun 2019

were to hold an empty glass would you consider a refill? Depends upon the nature of the far gone beverage. Might you call it a refreshment to soothe...
Unclassified
Poem
Certificate PG

Little Girl

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 01 Jul 2019

promised. I’ll clean my mess she intoned my fault I spilt my cereal. Promise. But she forgot after seeing how beautiful it was outside. She had to...
Children's
Poem
Certificate U

The Best

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 28 Jun 2019

living slice of life is in the ordinary tradition: a wake-up rush is a priority to the bathroom-- dad’s working today yet last in line. Patience...
Biography
Poem
Certificate PG
Cherry

The Ocean

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 12 Jun 2019

is a feral roaring cascade of movement in a waterfall night foaming crests climbing higher and higher then thrusting forward in a frenzy on unclaimed...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

The Rain

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 11 Jun 2019

seeps into my skin and wets my cheeks with brackish scent-- I remain still listening to other sounds the drip-drip of another rainfall. A sleeping...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

The Sun

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 16 Jul 2019

is sly as a morning peek schemes across a sheltered peak and within the valley sunbeams embrace rivulets of fresh water. Towering pines covet the...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

The Wind

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 14 Jun 2019

is a whisper of stirring as it begins to ruffle dormant leaves now shaking with glee-- a garden of trees dissolves into new shapes creating a flush...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

This Land

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 25 Jun 2019

began as an ocean with lobsters and sand dunes-- proudly on the shore ferns grew tall. A rainbow forms half a necklace at dawn-- each end showing...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

What If

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 10 Jun 2019

stars were inanimate objects more like painted – rocks in luminous moon-white and I a shadow lurking as a tree stillness my password? Hunger is...
Surreal
Poem
Certificate PG

Go Daddy, Go

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 31 Jul 2019

GO DADDY, GO Colin shouted “DADDY!” as his father drove slowly into their driveway. His Daddy was tired and Colin helped him up the front stairs...
Children's
Story
Certificate U

Where Do Young Men Go

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 31 Jul 2019

Where Do Young Men Go when they age older? Do they disappear from publics eye who once managed huge business affairs laid to forever rest and sadly...
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

This Tide of Ocean

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 07 Aug 2019

slams forty slaps against a pebbly shore creating a whisker of fish nets sea weed and pieces of driftwood and crustaceans begin to maneuver over...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

The Porch

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 08 Aug 2019

I dwell upon its ricochets of squeaks and twists straining as I recall generations of childhood and their screaming in delight. Crawling feet growing...
Biography
Poem
Certificate U

Sand Dunes

By Richard L. Provencher on Sun, 11 Aug 2019

outward bound on ocean’s ebb tide children playing in its sand with pails and eager cries. Youngster times chasing through the ripples of...
Biography
Poem
Certificate U

We Counted

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 12 Aug 2019

(us ten year olds) railway ties with our toes no younger brothers nor sisters to listen to talk to just pals packing a lunch and walking to the end...
Biography
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

A Loaf of Bread

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 12 Aug 2019

is a simple thing to purchase at a corner store. Not so with the request mom made to her middle son who could do nothing less for mama when she held...
Biography
Poem
Certificate PG

Tricky Wickers

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 14 Aug 2019

May you five slap joy in wet feet and carry boots with large holes— alligator almost caught toes playing golf in Florida. No look up when flocks dash...
Fantasy
Poem
Certificate U

Memories -- 1948

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 17 Aug 2019

So hard to believe I was only six -- on my way to Lake Osisko around the corner from our apartment. I sensed daddy following -- with fear along for...
Autobiography
Poem
Certificate U

The Politician

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 21 Aug 2019

purrs out doublespeak the promise of a successful election spurring him along the voter trail taking wayward routes from here to handfuls of votes...
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate PG

Day Done Good

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 22 Aug 2019

“Cows are a-chewin’ llamas a-float like a banana boat across a herd of sheep cuddling cheek to cheek and munching on hay.” Morning welcomes sun...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

I Sing You to Me

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 26 Aug 2019

Today is tomorrow first a totem of serenity as twilight gleams an infinite sparkle-- layers of love iridescent and full of emotion. I fly to the sun...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

Trails

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 27 Aug 2019

Part 1 The sight of pine trees in a little town led his journey to a Community Centre worked there years and a career unfolded. Part 11 An older home...
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

I Can

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 29 Aug 2019

hear the hooting of a train through my open window its sound calling to me. Not so long ago I met a man sickly – quietly praying in his seat. I had...
Travel
Poem
Certificate U

Abduction

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 30 Aug 2019

Saw her in the first of light. Glint in her eye and twist of one shoulder called with a smile come on be brave--. we danced that night. And the...
Romance
Poem
Certificate PG

Wind at My Back

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 31 Aug 2019

The blue surrounds me white blossoms above and a nudge of breath enters the scene below my paper notes beyond my reach.
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

Today I Am

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 03 Sep 2019

a disguise in principle. No longer is it satisfactory to pay taxes eat local foods and drink honeymoon wine. I must learn to accept change.
Philosophy
Story
Certificate PG

Ecstasy

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 03 Sep 2019

The sky lures me clouds rippling and wink as I drive the asphalt houses fleeing by. Signs say 70 km the thermometer for this area -- but I need to...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

Love of My Life

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 06 Sep 2019

The colour of your words is what makes my heart leap with joy that little nudge of the tongue can cruelly lay a person low but you chose to lace my...
Love
Poem
Certificate PG
1 likes

Hush at Last

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 07 Sep 2019

It takes a full moon to remove the last throbs of twilight from my eyes— a vigil full of dreams. Trees now still from their hurry with the wind. In...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U
1 likes

Black

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 09 Sep 2019

is a void of nothing. It avoids creating space filled with children and noise. It is a darkness without stars nor twilight— it can humour you with a...
Philosophy
Poem
Certificate PG

The Social Club

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 09 Sep 2019

I know a fellow lives around the corner wears nice clothes neat and tall doesn’t respond much to hello / nice day. Just smiles nods and shows...
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

This Older Guy

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 14 Sep 2019

A shuffle across the rug brought me to her side -- planted a kiss on her familiar lips. She’s beaten me to the couch and grabbed the spot of my...
Romance
Poem
Certificate PG

Double Occasion

By Richard L. Provencher on Sun, 26 Apr 2020

Paper-thin flakes drift along as pals with the wind and I am dressed for Winter’s occasion-- moccasins used to be my style and now I am citified...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

Anxious Moments

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 27 Jun 2020

Peeking from a snarl of willows the stream is a gurgle of movement – barely - in this hot spell. It leans from boulder to boulder across scratchy...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U
1 likes

Trapped

By Richard L. Provencher on Sun, 06 Dec 2020

Lobsters are salty and anxious as they scurry and claw-wrestle for a little space inside their slatted lobster pot space.
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

Topsy-Turvy

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 10 Dec 2020

Wake up sleepy eye-balls blink-blink and I lurch to my feet placing them on morning’s chill hurrying along a laminated floor before new icicle toes...
Humour
Poem
Certificate U

The Little One

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 18 Jan 2021

She’s third on the ladder of life made her way from the mountain couldn’t have another doctors said this one was the last- no complications brought...
Love
Poem
Certificate PG

I Want to Reach

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 28 Jan 2021

up and touch the clouds to squeeze them like an exercise ball to slide down a rainbow and feel its colours touch my skin to fly through the sky...
Surreal
Poem
Certificate U
1 likes

Pop's on a Tear Again

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 09 Feb 2021

Gid in the house boy and leave your muddy boots on the porch mom’s not your slave you know. Now fetch me a tall glass of water get crackin’ boy '...
Drama
Poem
Certificate PG

A Horse Races Wildly

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 20 Feb 2021

in the Summer of another day. I place a tired foot into another crevice – my toes now secure in a glacial cliff from eons gone by on a sheer dare...
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

Seaside Affairs

By Richard L. Provencher on Mon, 10 May 2021

Frightening as a death wish the sea creates an undercurrent of danger fearful for those aware of its measure- its wide promenade closely parades...
Nature
Poem
Certificate PG

I Am Thirsty

By Richard L. Provencher on Sun, 13 Jun 2021

No well to drink from- Board of Health says it’s polluted. No lake to lay by and try to lap from - dry days have taken their toll. I must scale that...
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate U

The Perfected Storm

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 09 Feb 2022

One early perfect storm-day three friends snow windy and rain came to play & bold as a dill pickle sky cold eyes clear sight & an eagle...
Surreal
Poem
Certificate PG

I Am Treated

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 02 Apr 2022

to a feast of pleasure- I can hear the delicate flapping from an eagle the way a baby cries a love of life little one with wiggles and jiggles. I...
Miscellaneous
Poem
Certificate PG
Cherry

Upheaval

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 26 May 2022

Rainwater floods upon itself - far too long layered in its cocoon of space then flees from a river-bed sanctuary channel mishmash of mud and stone...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

Crack-Crack-Boom

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 13 Jul 2022

A bull’s eye of noise creates several large flashes from its lazer-beam lightning bolt partner to a colony of them just outside of Green Bay NB wild...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

When Creatures Gather

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 06 Aug 2022

Shadows assemble like a puzzle shivering up and down as they crawl out of the dawn. These slippery shapes move slowly towards me and their granite...
Horror
Poem
Certificate PG
1 likes

Splish-Splash

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 15 Sep 2022

The rain continued to plunge heartily upon moisture-laden lower parts of land- only a short minute ago momma said it was going to rain and a good one...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U
Cherry

NFLD Tragedy (Sept 2022)

By Richard L. Provencher on Thu, 06 Oct 2022

Two ladies were having a cup of tea in their home by the sea when Hurricane Fiona arrived as a storm of storms forcing the ocean to their door and...
Horror
Poem
Certificate PG

Call Me Free

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 12 Oct 2022

Floating in front of me was nothing to see except a wall of air that breathed back at me Suddenly appeared on the nothing screen were features of...
Fantasy
Poem
Certificate PG

Good Morning c/o Hurricane Fiona

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 09 Nov 2022

It’s quiet. 5 am. I had a good sleep for the 7 th night. Power still out in our apt. A disaster they say with thousands of trees fallen in our Town...
Journal
Biography
Certificate U

WhoIsIt

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 16 Nov 2022

I am a silhouette & I can turn you into me my art is deception or even a measureable miscalculation of life. Sometimes the other side is an...
Miscellaneous
Other
Certificate PG

For a Friend

By Richard L. Provencher on Tue, 13 Dec 2022

Can’t love him any more until the hurting’s done. Once you loved & planned for all time things to do & did- travelled in the glow of bright...
Romance
Poem
Certificate PG

Scream

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 17 Mar 2023

Never thought I would make it through the woods where sundown became an instant shadow. Then Things arrived hanging by feet spindle legs & white...
Horror
Poem
Certificate PG

Something

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 17 Mar 2023

Something is coming – under the door into my room- at first it scraped then moaned & hissed. I ran to a window but it was winter at the old shack...
Horror
Poem
Certificate PG

I Am A Voyeur

By Richard L. Provencher on Wed, 13 Sep 2023

I can be seen all about & beyond each valley to ridges undulating- Precambrian Shield to vastness of mineral & grain as earth-treasures to...
Autobiography
Poem
Certificate PG

Slugger-Six

By Richard L. Provencher on Fri, 22 Sep 2023

Jake is really good at playing baseball - you can’t expect to win every game said dad - ten seemed about right for Little League –his son was a stand...
Children's
Poem
Certificate PG

Right or Wrong

By Richard L. Provencher on Sat, 21 Oct 2023

The weatherman meant well using knowledge & modern calculations to be sure conditions would be right for today’s activities - so many depending...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U

Scary is the Sky

By Richard L. Provencher on Sun, 21 Jan 2024

A horrid mask of thunder rides in astride a pony-tail of scudding sky its haunting movements scare their way across hard-earned crops like squeezing...
Nature
Poem
Certificate U
1 likes

Shadows

By Richard L. Provencher on Sun, 04 Feb 2024

A couple of shadows acting as live figures leaned into the evening falling beneath colours on an ending sunny day- then a slow-building shriek...
Horror
Poem
Certificate PG