Poetry competition CLOSED 30th April 2024 5:12pm
A public vote has been requested
2024 Official DUP NaPoWriMo Challenge
#24 of 30
A Hellhound by any other name
What fresh hell is this?
What madness sought this out?
The folly and failure of technology
is in striving to create the impossible
with little to regard
to whether it should be possible.
Robot dogs that carry flamethrowers,
yet another step on the path of dystopia
each step paved with good intentions
and gilded by profit margins
to a new horrible hell on earth.
(Unique words: 50)
A Hellhound by any other name
What fresh hell is this?
What madness sought this out?
The folly and failure of technology
is in striving to create the impossible
with little to regard
to whether it should be possible.
Robot dogs that carry flamethrowers,
yet another step on the path of dystopia
each step paved with good intentions
and gilded by profit margins
to a new horrible hell on earth.
(Unique words: 50)
#24
Maybe luck. Maybe love
Maybe some of us will never find a partner
Maybe some of us simply aren’t that lucky
Maybe those of us whom are already content
Must learn to be without anyone to share
Maybe I’m better off alone anyways
Maybe I can be my own best friend
My own lover, mother, own aching endeavour
All under one big roof
Maybe one can find true solace being on one’s own
Maybe any house with a heart is where I can call home
Maybe it’s just not meant to be in this life for you my dear
Maybe true love is a desire you’ll never secure
Maybe I don’t need anyone to really love me back
Maybe I’m searching for that perfect someone
To share a smile with, to share my love with
Maybe I take this time to be alone
I don’t mind being alone
But I grow weary, and afraid
I get so lonely, in these moments
In this treacherous maze
Sometimes we just need a cuddle
A hug or a squeeze
Someone to acknowledge
You’re already on your knees
Don’t become defeated
Don’t dwell on it all too much
One is how we come into this world
As one is how we leave
Unique word count: 118
Maybe luck. Maybe love
Maybe some of us will never find a partner
Maybe some of us simply aren’t that lucky
Maybe those of us whom are already content
Must learn to be without anyone to share
Maybe I’m better off alone anyways
Maybe I can be my own best friend
My own lover, mother, own aching endeavour
All under one big roof
Maybe one can find true solace being on one’s own
Maybe any house with a heart is where I can call home
Maybe it’s just not meant to be in this life for you my dear
Maybe true love is a desire you’ll never secure
Maybe I don’t need anyone to really love me back
Maybe I’m searching for that perfect someone
To share a smile with, to share my love with
Maybe I take this time to be alone
I don’t mind being alone
But I grow weary, and afraid
I get so lonely, in these moments
In this treacherous maze
Sometimes we just need a cuddle
A hug or a squeeze
Someone to acknowledge
You’re already on your knees
Don’t become defeated
Don’t dwell on it all too much
One is how we come into this world
As one is how we leave
Unique word count: 118
24/30
False Dilemma
No burden of chains
created to be free
and with that comes
eminent responsibility
Absent the belief
my path predefined
options and alternatives
selection unconfined
Truth I am not immune
consequences for choice
with some I shall suffer
and from others, I’ll rejoice
Future not predetermined
yet, judgement does await
an accountability exists
but freewill procures my fate
False Dilemma
No burden of chains
created to be free
and with that comes
eminent responsibility
Absent the belief
my path predefined
options and alternatives
selection unconfined
Truth I am not immune
consequences for choice
with some I shall suffer
and from others, I’ll rejoice
Future not predetermined
yet, judgement does await
an accountability exists
but freewill procures my fate
24/30
The Relay Race/ Teacherly Era/ Archery Elate
I felt left alone
in my dusty study,
but my aide had an idea.
We asked a friend to refind
her sporting form, from years before.
We had to layer up early for the relay.
We filed into a field.
It was a pest to step around pets,
coming to a stop at the right spot;
We had to be silent, listen, then enlist
other athletes for the race, with care;
those who would begin by being fair,
for to live under the veil of evil is vile!
Starting off on a good note set the right tone.
When hewn
from stone, a trophy hits all the right notes,
and I saw that it was ours,
won now, in our first race!
Now place your bets: who will be best
next time, in the relay item?
Don't be late; we'll have a tale to tell—
barring any rifts, we'll come first!
The Relay Race/ Teacherly Era/ Archery Elate
I felt left alone
in my dusty study,
but my aide had an idea.
We asked a friend to refind
her sporting form, from years before.
We had to layer up early for the relay.
We filed into a field.
It was a pest to step around pets,
coming to a stop at the right spot;
We had to be silent, listen, then enlist
other athletes for the race, with care;
those who would begin by being fair,
for to live under the veil of evil is vile!
Starting off on a good note set the right tone.
When hewn
from stone, a trophy hits all the right notes,
and I saw that it was ours,
won now, in our first race!
Now place your bets: who will be best
next time, in the relay item?
Don't be late; we'll have a tale to tell—
barring any rifts, we'll come first!
24 of 30
A pleasure in monotony.
So today remains,
Carried in the warmth of sun touched skin,
The first true warmth of the year.
The winter white,
Will fade from now,
Layer by layer by layer.
There's a pleasure in monotony,
In silence and surrender.
In simple focus,
On what's in front,
While the sun shines on behind.
Even when the wind does cry,
And raise a whip of stour and tear.
Not all crusts are cut as such,
But I'm relieved,
For all the rope,
The steepness of the slope,
The risks and those,
Near misses,
Missed,
That this one was,
Blessed and touched,
With sun.
A pleasure in monotony.
So today remains,
Carried in the warmth of sun touched skin,
The first true warmth of the year.
The winter white,
Will fade from now,
Layer by layer by layer.
There's a pleasure in monotony,
In silence and surrender.
In simple focus,
On what's in front,
While the sun shines on behind.
Even when the wind does cry,
And raise a whip of stour and tear.
Not all crusts are cut as such,
But I'm relieved,
For all the rope,
The steepness of the slope,
The risks and those,
Near misses,
Missed,
That this one was,
Blessed and touched,
With sun.
24/30
Giants
to bring the giant down it takes dedication
visions and foresight
he saw me out there alone
checking the emptiness I thought I was by myself
I echoed a message and waited he was long gone
I think
I felt safer sighed then anchored myself in
went to sleep singing to you in the womb
I was beyond him but he was getting closer
the visions clearer terrified me
hush little one I think he heard us scream
now I lay me down to sleep
Sandman Metallica
don't underestimate the power of belief
sing for all your worth they look to you to save them
the humans are levitating I've seen his face
everywhere he hijacks them and stalks me
you don't have to leave but you don't need to watch
you're safe I will be free soon
Son, you own me nothing
Giants
to bring the giant down it takes dedication
visions and foresight
he saw me out there alone
checking the emptiness I thought I was by myself
I echoed a message and waited he was long gone
I think
I felt safer sighed then anchored myself in
went to sleep singing to you in the womb
I was beyond him but he was getting closer
the visions clearer terrified me
hush little one I think he heard us scream
now I lay me down to sleep
Sandman Metallica
don't underestimate the power of belief
sing for all your worth they look to you to save them
the humans are levitating I've seen his face
everywhere he hijacks them and stalks me
you don't have to leave but you don't need to watch
you're safe I will be free soon
Son, you own me nothing
24/30
Captive heart
I just can’t do it today.
Reached into the vault
where poetry should be –
Nothing.
After six days of fitting
"nicely"
into this ultra-conservative
highly reserved
octogenarian-paced life
I’ve had to stay buried
so very deep
I am nearly
unreachable.
Tomorrow, we head home.
And then…
I shall unleash
all my unseemly emotions
move my body freely
with inappropriate exuberance
utter long strings of
filthy cuss words
and unearth the truth
of the poet
that is me.
Captive heart
I just can’t do it today.
Reached into the vault
where poetry should be –
Nothing.
After six days of fitting
"nicely"
into this ultra-conservative
highly reserved
octogenarian-paced life
I’ve had to stay buried
so very deep
I am nearly
unreachable.
Tomorrow, we head home.
And then…
I shall unleash
all my unseemly emotions
move my body freely
with inappropriate exuberance
utter long strings of
filthy cuss words
and unearth the truth
of the poet
that is me.
24/30
Productive Endeavors
Focus your energy on what’s within your control
It will reduce anxiety
It will give you inner harmony
We may have influence over certain things externally
But we do not have power over the world
Because for whatever the outcomes may be
The truth is
By concentrating on our own actions
And letting go
We can keep our tranquility
Regardless of the outcomes
We can engage with productive retrospection
It’s never easy to let go
But what’s the use if something is beyond our control
Why put effort into futile undertakings
When we can use that energy into productive endeavors
71 Unique
100 Total
Productive Endeavors
Focus your energy on what’s within your control
It will reduce anxiety
It will give you inner harmony
We may have influence over certain things externally
But we do not have power over the world
Because for whatever the outcomes may be
The truth is
By concentrating on our own actions
And letting go
We can keep our tranquility
Regardless of the outcomes
We can engage with productive retrospection
It’s never easy to let go
But what’s the use if something is beyond our control
Why put effort into futile undertakings
When we can use that energy into productive endeavors
71 Unique
100 Total
24/30
Erratic
Aesthetics;
pridefully pathetic.
I will not be apologetic.
Mental health, struggling unchecked.
Angry the world is not perfect.
Sporadic,
emerging emphatic,
give me something to feed the addict.
Aiming to create an effect.
Partying until I am wrecked.
Lunatic,
hopelessly homesick,
smoking out the demons in the attic.
Left myself in lies and neglect.
Looking for peace, to reconnect.
[Unique Words 51]
Erratic
Aesthetics;
pridefully pathetic.
I will not be apologetic.
Mental health, struggling unchecked.
Angry the world is not perfect.
Sporadic,
emerging emphatic,
give me something to feed the addict.
Aiming to create an effect.
Partying until I am wrecked.
Lunatic,
hopelessly homesick,
smoking out the demons in the attic.
Left myself in lies and neglect.
Looking for peace, to reconnect.
[Unique Words 51]
24/30
SPRING POEM
When the dice
All roll the number
That you need
To make it forward
And the paltry
In your pantry
Yields a feast
Your loved ones cherish
Hear the music
And enjoy it
Because something’s
Always on your scent
The universe
Cannot relent
The sun itself
Will kill you
“But–”
You shout into its rays
“Not before I spread
These petals
Bear witness to
My grand displays!”
(54 uw)
SPRING POEM
When the dice
All roll the number
That you need
To make it forward
And the paltry
In your pantry
Yields a feast
Your loved ones cherish
Hear the music
And enjoy it
Because something’s
Always on your scent
The universe
Cannot relent
The sun itself
Will kill you
“But–”
You shout into its rays
“Not before I spread
These petals
Bear witness to
My grand displays!”
(54 uw)
24 of 30
Theme 3: Attitudes of Life
april song 24—all my ambitions
you would think not that fire born in my blood
gives me wise counsel over ill and good;
the choices that i make are sacrosanct
though, as a dreamer, i am humbly ranked.
all my ambitions ache to reach their goals,
though i must navigate fate’s deep potholes.
nor do i wish, nor do i merely hope;
for noble ends are not for those who grope,
but those who put the shoulder to the wheel,
to challenge failure for the golden seal.
i seek not praise for merely coexisting
with life’s ambiguous flotsam, toil resisting.
© cab♫
UWC 71
24/30
Precious
For thirty-one years
it encircled
my left ring finger.
Smooth band
of ten carat gold.
Repeatedly scratched
and like ocean glass
polished over.
Symbolic of our
union,
our microcosmic
institution.
Ever brilliant
no matter if
the hand gets battered or dirty.
Emblematic
of ostensible fidelity
A burnished beacon
throwing a signal
that this port is full,
all docks are taken.
Though seeming
to become
a part of my anatomy,
With a few
carefully chosen words.
It has become
just a plain golden
remembrance.
that no longer sings
of everlasting romance, love,
or devotion.
Unique word count: 78
Precious
For thirty-one years
it encircled
my left ring finger.
Smooth band
of ten carat gold.
Repeatedly scratched
and like ocean glass
polished over.
Symbolic of our
union,
our microcosmic
institution.
Ever brilliant
no matter if
the hand gets battered or dirty.
Emblematic
of ostensible fidelity
A burnished beacon
throwing a signal
that this port is full,
all docks are taken.
Though seeming
to become
a part of my anatomy,
With a few
carefully chosen words.
It has become
just a plain golden
remembrance.
that no longer sings
of everlasting romance, love,
or devotion.
Unique word count: 78
24/30
All/Places
Sitting in a pickup truck
Bamboo shifting secrets
Pearlescent swirls & whirls
Abounding sound Earth bound
Rotation/s inside of rotations
Heart of omnipresence
Rivers streams sun beams – Beam/s of sun
Bending into unending become
Such a structure – Architecture linguistic verdure
***
Surfacing/s of consciousness
Rotations prismatic stain glass amassed in a mass of shimmering glimmering
Setting the sky itself on fire on the basis of the
Self
Capacitated beyond the capacity of all places
All/Places
Sitting in a pickup truck
Bamboo shifting secrets
Pearlescent swirls & whirls
Abounding sound Earth bound
Rotation/s inside of rotations
Heart of omnipresence
Rivers streams sun beams – Beam/s of sun
Bending into unending become
Such a structure – Architecture linguistic verdure
***
Surfacing/s of consciousness
Rotations prismatic stain glass amassed in a mass of shimmering glimmering
Setting the sky itself on fire on the basis of the
Self
Capacitated beyond the capacity of all places
25/30
Memoirs of A Renegade
Calculations calibration, down to the wire
Ignite my heart again on the fuel of my desire
When everyday I wake up playing with the fire
I mean well as if justified when I am an honest liar
Abstracted messages of coded confessions made
Trying to clear my conscience till enough time passes that all of my mistakes fade
Filling these pages with the memoirs of a renegade
Faith in future havens comprised of references of retrograde
In timelessness there’s no such thing as too late to live again
When all too many times I’ve contemplated quitting but I’m not giving in
My imperfections blemish the integral theory of my legacy reborn
Living in the conflict of exhortation and self scorn
Divided on the terms of prophecies entwined
Do I follow in step with my frailties or the hope of something divine…
Memoirs of A Renegade
Calculations calibration, down to the wire
Ignite my heart again on the fuel of my desire
When everyday I wake up playing with the fire
I mean well as if justified when I am an honest liar
Abstracted messages of coded confessions made
Trying to clear my conscience till enough time passes that all of my mistakes fade
Filling these pages with the memoirs of a renegade
Faith in future havens comprised of references of retrograde
In timelessness there’s no such thing as too late to live again
When all too many times I’ve contemplated quitting but I’m not giving in
My imperfections blemish the integral theory of my legacy reborn
Living in the conflict of exhortation and self scorn
Divided on the terms of prophecies entwined
Do I follow in step with my frailties or the hope of something divine…
24/30
More Between
There is more between the Earth and sky
Than simply the horizon
More between the lines
Than the wave that hypnotizes
More between these eyes
Than the path that winds unguided
More between you and I
Like a jester to his Highness
With every tug upon the strings
Pulling the knot in tightness
Crows adorned in shiny rings
Each one of them blinded
A devotion to the queen
That could revel in the pious
A smile that often sings
Delighted by the kindness
Pull the strand and bind us
More Between
There is more between the Earth and sky
Than simply the horizon
More between the lines
Than the wave that hypnotizes
More between these eyes
Than the path that winds unguided
More between you and I
Like a jester to his Highness
With every tug upon the strings
Pulling the knot in tightness
Crows adorned in shiny rings
Each one of them blinded
A devotion to the queen
That could revel in the pious
A smile that often sings
Delighted by the kindness
Pull the strand and bind us
