2024 Official DUP NaPoWriMo Challenge

#25 of 30

Dis-communication

I have a desire
a need
to have my words speak plainly,
while my writing whirls on wings,
But
there are damnable times
where my words weave metaphors
to an unresponsive crowd
as my writing
sucks and plunges into accursed
mundane boring dirt,
wherein my frustration
at communication
further fans the muse's fire
when I simply want to exact,
and afterwards trying to
put pen to paper
is met by a roadblock and blankness.

That it becomes only time
and sleep bring salvation
to such muddled moments.

(Unique Words: 69)

25/30

Probe Records 1978

Up the steps
slap the marble columns
try not to stare at the punks
with bright pink mohawk hair.

The rows of records chatted endlessly
as the vee shaped mouths sang
the obscurest of songs while
the walls pulped and pulsed
with a legacy of what was going to be.

The atmosphere was intense
an industrial tribunal re-writing
the rule book, what and what not
who's rail was running hot.

Even the tills had attitude.
"Marseille by fuckin Marseille
you little prick, what do yooze
know about fuckin Marseille"?

I know they're from Liverpool
and I know this is their debut album
and I seen them live
and how many scouse rock band can you name?

Go head then you little runt
give us your fuckin money and piss off.

I still live in hope that someone
will have the balls
to treat their customers like that today.
Happy days.

25/30

Two

We had each other
it was me and you
for this reason
she said she had two

We did not realise
how much she knew
when we were young
it was just us two

Had disagreements
indeed quite a few
nonetheless
each a part of two

Growing older
the losses did accrue
maybe thinking alone
finding we were still two

The empathy strings
are ringing on cue
feeling your hurt
I want to be two

Now so far away
her words more true
wishing I was there
to again be two

25/30


The Tide

Oceanic lust for the tides
That pull me deep into you
Gazing into your indigo eyes
I’m spellbound and imbued

Setting aside all of my pride
Grateful for the view
You are my tour guide
Through the deep seas blue

Arms opening toward the sky
Seeking the hidden truths
Blinded by divine light
I am healed and renewed

As though this is some great design
A spiritual path to pursue
I open my eyes wide
To witness all shades and hues

25 of 30

Still life.

All quiet,
Shadows fall from to opposing walls,
Their fingers meeting,
Across a motion tucked rugs face.
Its distorted geometry,
Is a turned up topography,
Mapping the contours of its rippled ridge.
At its epicenter,
A staked gnomon of a focal table,
Holds its ground.
From the colder white working light,
The style reads a constant half past three.
While the resting lamp,
In its kinder hue casts at well past ten.
From my axis,
And this line of sight.
The resting lamp keeps better time in view.
While recuperating paws,
Outstretched before the fire,
Twitch of running dreams,
Any time,
Is nap time.
No matter what light,
You find to shine.

25/30



My uncle, for my birthday, takes me to the local zoo.
I want to see the tigers and the baby kangaroo!
There's loads of stuff to do here; which animal to see first?
I'm so very excited that I feel like I might burst!
First, a very handsome camel is majestic yet aloof;
then some cheerful dolphins splashing; glad I have my waterproof!
Ten orangutans are playing on some rope that has been strung;
we sit and watch an emu, tending to her young.
OH NO! There are some cobras, slithering around!
I leave, and see an antelope, racing overground.
As I'm watching a toucan, on top of a tree,
I see a massive cobra, gaining on me!
The snake is like a maniac; centre of attention

25/30

Sonnet 18 if Old Bill Shakes had Lived in Eastern Kentucky

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s night?
Thou art more deep than heaven’s star-filled sky,
and though the soaring moon may shine so white
obscuring clouds can dim that brightest eye.
Sometimes the gloaming comes with whippoorwill,
and not so sweet a sound was ever heard
until your lips did part – my heart stood still! –
upon my name and then your precious word
so full of meaning fell upon my ear.
You are the soft and gentle cooling breeze,
the spark of lightning bugs that quick appear.
You are the peace that sets my mind at ease
    So long as I can stand and make my way,
    I’ll love you now, forever and a day.

25/30

A Close Encounter

My uncle, for my birthday, takes me to the local zoo.
I want to see the tigers and the baby kangaroo!
There's loads of stuff to do here; which mammal to see first?
I'm so very excited that I feel like I might burst!
First, a very handsome camel is majestic yet aloof;
then some cheerful dolphins splash me; glad I have my waterproof!
Ten orangutans are playing on some rope that has been strung;
we sit and watch an emu, tending to her precious young.
We see a gorgeous possum, in impressive form;
then cool down in the reptile house, because it's getting warm.
OH NO! There are some cobras, slithering around!
I leave, and see an antelope, racing over ground.
Over at the aviary, which is quite chaotic,
we see some rare namaqua - very exotic!
As I'm studying a toucan, on top of a tree,
I see a massive cobra, gaining on me!
The snake is like a maniac; centre of attention,
and I start screaming words which are too colourful to mention!
We decide to eat al fresco, reaching for the cafe menu;
despite my little scare, it really is a lovely venue!
My uncle says he'll buy us drinks, like decaf, latte, tea;
and after what has happened, I say all are fine by me!

Now that you have read about the reptiles, beasts and birds,
Can you find the fifteen, English, music-themed veiled words?

25/30

Mata Furry

On a Spring day,    
five years ago,    
I heard a loud knocking at my front door.    
Approaching to answer,    
I heard a faint scratching.    
First checking the peep hole,    
I saw not a soul.    
Then the bell rang.    
Carefully, with trepidation,    
I opened to see    
a pure white bunny staring up at me.    
Irresistibly adorable I let the little guy in.

Barely crossing our threshold,  
the creature hopped    
to our den    
as if on a mission.    
I said, “well aren't you bold” and redirected them    
to the kitchen.      
Preparing them    
lettuce and carrot    
salad in a bowl.    
     
Deciding to keep the bunny,    
I began calling them wascally…    
a name only    
I thought was funny.    
     
Then things turned strange.    
During the day    
they'd be warm and cuddly.    
But after dark    
they would change.    
One night,    
I came downstairs    
to explore a strange tapping.    
“Well someone's      
up late” I said…to be disarming.    
When I heard. sounds    
that were truly alarming,    
a frantic skitter    
then a cage door slamming!    
     
Of a sudden, I notice    
a light in the study.    
Quietly I crept in    
only to discover,  
in the monitors glare,
little brown pellets
on the seat of the desk chair;  
the computer logged on
and a Google search    
for human anatomy.    
There was a half-full V8    
beside the keyboard    
that was coated thoroughly    
with cheese ball dust.    
Both the beverage    
and snack    
I don't stock in my pantry.    
     
As the Sun rose,    
I checked on my pet, still sleeping.    
I was astounded    
to find a neon orange
stain on their paws    
and around their nose.    
     
They could tell    
I was suspicious    
as we went about our day.    
When we sat down on the sofa    
to watch a favorite    
cooking competition    
the bunny was content    
as I pet behind their neck    
when in a moment    
their ears perked up in attention    
and they gave      
a thump that left a bruise    
when one of the cooks on the TV announced    
they prepared    
rabbit four ways with jus.    
Wascally, with    
one mighty jump    
leapt from my lap    
and hopped    
out of the room.    
     
I ran to them    
to see what was wrong.    
They had mysteriously disappeared.    
They were long gone.

Unique word count: 217

25/30

Nature

I used to write about nature
in its truest sense –
  the whisper of pine needles
  heady scent of moss
  rioting dandelions
  and hooting owls
The way that dewdrops cling
to the border of kale leaves in the garden
and how the stars tell stories
of my magnificent smallness

I still perceive this poetry
all around me

But I’ve become consumed of late
with the nature of humans
  untangling ill-fated attachments
  to wounded avoidants
  that painful natural cycle
  I just can’t break

And now my own nature is becoming
  so heavy
I am ready to lie
  face down
  in the stench of last year’s leaves
  and let the decay take me

back into nature itself

25/30

Buck Up Bucko

Taking responsibility for our own actions
Is a commitment to self-discipline and accountability
It’s empowering
Whereas the victim mentality is a reactionary view
When looking for pity
    Just because life can be hard sometimes…

Outside factors don’t care what we want
What we think
What we say
But remember our happiness lies within
In our own state of mind
And what matters most
    is how we respond

The choices we make define us
We can choose to be weak
    and blame everyone else for shortcomings
Or we can rise to the challenges
Ask ourselves the right questions
Learn to understand and maneuver
    through difficult situations

So Buck up
Deal with it
And never play the victim


84 Unique
116 Total

25/30

Napo 2024 Day 25

Coarse language
as I speed around the course.
Not applying brakes
because my heart hurts from heartbreak.
Trampled by the force of your sole,
you left a mark on my soul.
Once my knight,
but now I suffer lonely nights.
Pieces of me remain scattered,
I will never find peace.
Now, if the pencil could just let me
write things right.

{Unique Words 52]

25/30

NATURE ABUZZ

Sing to me like birds
Whisper to me like the wind
Shine on me like the sun
Dance for me like leaves
Spread in me like mycelium
Land on me like raindrops
Hide in my hidden spots like sand
Roar at me like the sea
Race me like a wild dog
Confound me like the river’s path
Call to me like a humpback whale
Vitrify me like a lightning bolt
Break me like a glacial flow
Caress me in the key of C
As if you were a honeybee

(52 uw)

25/30

Pablo/Skywalker_Moonwalker

Cue the cosmos: Music of the spheres
Violins drifting upon wild winds
All forces on courses – Coursing unto falling calls
Wings raised in razor/s

Towering shadow empowered with power/s
Meditational pathways - Madness & revelation

Sequential surfaces grasping shadow/s in states of soar

Determined as lost or dead and yet still there
Containing secrets of wastelands and wonderlands

***

Reservation
to
locations
of

Seclusion

&

Wind swept sands

Frequencies of purities infused into obscurities
Fluctuations
of

Formations
Subsequent to formulations of magico poetical presentations

Essence
Transcending
Evanescence

#24

To Our Sin, Brother

Remember when we were way too young
To be up past one. Outside burning smores
Being chased by your campfire smoking.
Curiously poking sticks in to set ablaze.

What about those days, late teens, when
We should have been way too busy
But way too dizzy, burning joints by night
And in folly's height, cutting our classes

Or twenties, in ashes, burning midnight oil
Via two packs, royals, and smelling like shit
I prayed your grit would be smoothed over,
With work, dumb rovers, and tons of money

Thirty's: found my Bunny, you needed more
Styrofoam gasoline whore, razing targets
For this "Marcus". Where was my friend?
No longer could pretend. So we split ways

Bunny and I, a no-delays-three-kids team
I hear horrors, extreme, that your only kids
Are stored under lids, charred, thick rope
And brother, I hope you burn at the stake






#25

"He Loves me Not"  - Death

I've held you in my arms before
Drifted away in your warm caress
Your dark linens, melting stress

Eyes open, like stars shining bright
Already dead, burning across times
Groping for anchor as body sublimes

Somehow, here I live, without you
No slight hint of your fragrance
Deep gashes from your flagrance

So I live, to never escape, because
I've held you in my arms before
Due disrespect, you, I'll never adore


*Late post due to unexpected travel for work