Category: Poetry

NaPoWriMo 2019 – Poem #4

There is a scar on my grandmother’s forearm.
A spiderweb of mottled flesh from elbow blossoming to wrist.

It’s been there as long as I have memory, and probably before.
One day I asked her how she got it.

Without a thought, she answered:
It was your grandfather.
He threw me through a window in one of his jealous rages.

To this, I had no reply.

NOTE: This poem is inspired by the NaPoWriMo.net prompt for Day #1 – write a poem that achieves sadness through simplicity.

NaPoWriMo 2019 – Poem #3

From the vibrance of youth,
two people captivated by each other.
Goddess to his atheism.
Beauty to his beast.

A pastor’s daughter,
brought up by the morals of the belt.
A son, too perfect,
result of a mother’s pride wrought to extreme.

She wished for freedom.
In him, found escape.
He desired attention.
In her, found something to possess.

A marriage of worlds
apart, so different,
a union made too young-
hasty rebellion of the naïve.

Children raising children.
Schooling left undone.
His love grew sour,
like the beer on his tongue

Teens becoming parents too soon,
they barely made ends meet.
Late nights at work bred suspicion,
jealousy, and rage – forcing love to retreat.

But unhappy homes,
breed unhappy children.
One rebellious like her parents.
One striving to please a father unbending.

After the children were raised,
only bitterness and resentment remained.
A husband. A wife.
A literal ball that’s been chained.

She wishes to go.
He wants her to stay.
Before they decide a grandchild is born,
and through neglect, nearly taken away.

Together, as grandparents, they swoop in
to give the baby girl a home.
So much for happiness,
duty makes sure that no one is left alone.

Through her childhood
this girl would not see
the love lacked between them-
the coldness buried deep.

They were both there for her
in their own way,
but rarely together,
unless with family or on special days.

Over the years,
bitterness passed down.
Son and daughter
too young had died.
Now granddaughter is all that’s left
to bridge the divide.

NOTE: This poem is inspired by the NaPoWriMo.net prompt for Day #1 – write a poem that involves a story or action that unfolds over an appreciable length of time.

NaPoWriMo 2019 – Poem #2

Black bird
keen eyes
robust from refuse
watches me

Sleek feathers
ruffle up fur-like
regal mantle shroud
Guardian poses

Throaty call
requesting aid
bringing in the flock
murder descends

Many eyes turn
from branches
all around, watching,
but Guardian retreats

Left behind
the flock and me
silent waiting, staring
nothing moving, but eyes

Distant call
rouses the crowd
a flurry of wings
shatters the quiet

One feather
floats to the ground
between two fingers
I turn it

Wondering…
Why did they come?
What did they see?
Where did they go?

NOTE: This poem is inspired by the NaPoWriMo.net prompt for Day #2 – write a poem that resists closure by ending on a question.

 

NaPoWriMo 2019 – Poem #1

Stress Relief: How to Meditate

Sit in a comfortable position
On the floor

Like a lotus?

If that hurts
Try a bolster

Or maybe a chair?

Or lie flat
Like a corpse

Ah…better.

Now close your eyes
If it’s too bright
Dim the lights
But not too dark
Lest you fall asleep

I could actually use a nap.

Meditation is about relaxation
Not sleep

Right, relaxation here we go.

Focus on breathing
Slowly in and out
Deep belly breathing

My lungs are in my chest, not my stomach.

Don’t force it
Breathing should come naturally

Like breathing into my belly?

Let the breath flow up
From the belly into the chest
But fill the belly first!

Yeah, yeah…all about the belly.

Open the chest
Slow and steady
Count if it helps

How much longer before I feel relaxed?

4-in, hold for 2, 6-out, hold for 4
Don’t force it

Milk, eggs, bananas, cereal…

Let errant thoughts go and breathe.

Maybe some chicken for dinner?

Try to focus on your breathing
Release any tension

Ouch!

Breathe into those muscles
Let them melt

That twinge in my neck is getting worse. Maybe I should call the chiropractor…

Let all of your worries melt away
As you breathe
Keep relaxing, bringing attention
back to any areas of tension

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

Drop those shoulders
Let the head float up
Releasing tension from the neck

Shit! I forgot to file my taxes.

Let those distractions
Just float away

“Meow?”
And…I forgot to feed the cat first.

Thoughts floating away
like fluffy little–

“Meeeeooowww!”
…annoying furballs?

–white clouds

The cat can wait five more minutes.
“MOWRRRR!!”

Breathe. Focus.

Is something vibrating?
My phone…mom.
Of course.
She always has the worst timing.

Don’t let distractions get in the way.
Breath. Relax. Focus.

Zzzzzt. “MAWRRR!” Zzzzzt.

But, if it’s important…

“Hey, Mom.”

Breathe.

“No, it’s fine.”

Relax.

“Of course I’m not too busy.”

You feel better already.


NOTE: This poem is inspired by the NaPoWriMo.net prompt for Day #1 – provide the readers with instructions.

NaPoWriMo – Poem #22

My comet
brightest flash
in the night sky
out of reach

You are lost to me
your light
sliding through the black
endless space
overhead, outshining
every star

I watch your path
through the speckled
infinity above
gravity of your being
pulling stars in its wake
rearranging them
in the sky

NOTE: This poem is inspired by the NaPoWriMo.net prompt for Day #22 – take a statement about impossible things and write a poem in which they occur. I used the saying: “The stars cannot rearrange themselves in the sky.”

NaPoWriMo – Poem #21

The field a restless sea
yellow and white blooms
swirling in eddies
narcissistic tendencies
bobbing their delicate heads
with the setting of the sun

Golden trumpets
sigh to the fading light
whispering echoes
against the winds
in the language of longing
desire unfulfilled

NOTE: This poem is inspired by the NaPoWriMo.net prompt for Day #21 – writing a poem based upon the myth of Narcissus.

 

NaPoWriMo – Poem #18

Is the image something beautiful or lost amidst forgotten dreams
Silently gliding through the unknown, seeking, daring, listing
Memories are fleeting things, darkness, flash, and glow
The riverbed is winding, pathway for the soul
Guardians line the shore protecting every bend
Against the boat that carries them to their final beds
Mists that float and fly away without a second thought
I’ve forgotten the way; I cannot follow beyond this gentle pass

For the source poem, please see By the Stream by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

NOTE: This poem is inspired by the Day 18 prompt from NaPoWriMo.net – to write a revision/response poem based upon an existing piece. For the instructions, see the full blog post here.