Poetry competition CLOSED 30th April 2024 5:12pm
A public vote has been requested
2024 Official DUP NaPoWriMo Challenge
26/30
Grand Slam
Lost inside this chaos
The simulation of control
For all that can’t be compensated for
I’m sinking and I can’t plug the hole
Plans subject to these circumstances of decay
It’s only matter of an unknown time frame for home in the remaking
Moving forward as I chase a non existent day
Dreams in exile, occupation taking
Insomnia of realist pessimism
Lost in the maze of the social convention
Common expectations entrapment
Judged upon presumed intention
Caught between critics, debts, and obligations of sacrifice
Making a living to pioneer a sense of green grass paradise
Perspectives of small beginnings
Gratitudes verses my will to despise
Ball park estimations of the projected innings
Waiting for a home run to materialize
Load the bases, I’m out of strikes but I still swing the bat
Unpredictable outcomes for what is yet to be seen
Tone deaf, off pitch
Will I burn out before I realize the dream…
Grand Slam
Lost inside this chaos
The simulation of control
For all that can’t be compensated for
I’m sinking and I can’t plug the hole
Plans subject to these circumstances of decay
It’s only matter of an unknown time frame for home in the remaking
Moving forward as I chase a non existent day
Dreams in exile, occupation taking
Insomnia of realist pessimism
Lost in the maze of the social convention
Common expectations entrapment
Judged upon presumed intention
Caught between critics, debts, and obligations of sacrifice
Making a living to pioneer a sense of green grass paradise
Perspectives of small beginnings
Gratitudes verses my will to despise
Ball park estimations of the projected innings
Waiting for a home run to materialize
Load the bases, I’m out of strikes but I still swing the bat
Unpredictable outcomes for what is yet to be seen
Tone deaf, off pitch
Will I burn out before I realize the dream…
25/30
Third Leg
Two men meet in the street for blood
Until one has had enough
They've proved they can be rough
Then they head out to the pub
They look around for love
But finding it is tough
They take their glass and chug
Heading out as bruv
The two then become one
As they walk off and split up
One heads off to the club
One heads off to the tub
For the latter the day is done
Nothing more to be won
He then pulls out his nub
And begins to rub
It feels better than before
No longer is it sore
Another battle to endure
Another fight to forge
Phantom limb and solid core
Emotions start to pour
Like the ale before
He lost his leg in war
Third Leg
Two men meet in the street for blood
Until one has had enough
They've proved they can be rough
Then they head out to the pub
They look around for love
But finding it is tough
They take their glass and chug
Heading out as bruv
The two then become one
As they walk off and split up
One heads off to the club
One heads off to the tub
For the latter the day is done
Nothing more to be won
He then pulls out his nub
And begins to rub
It feels better than before
No longer is it sore
Another battle to endure
Another fight to forge
Phantom limb and solid core
Emotions start to pour
Like the ale before
He lost his leg in war
25 of 30
Theme 3: Attitudes of Life
april song 25—all my pain
now let my heart rejoice in all its gain,
tho frequently life’s passions bring me pain
that in my helplessness i cannot mend.
tho stoutly i with confidence contend
with chains and shackles harnessing my will,
i shall triumphantly ascend my hill.
what though i be a diamond in the rough,
epiphany shall greet me soon enough,
for all my pain shall wither at the source
when i am numbered with the great concourse.
my tears shall rivulet into a song
of joy to anthem me my whole life long.
© cab♫
UWC 90
EXCUSE FOR LATE POSTING
Unavoidably, I came to the site with only 50 minutes to spare. When I was ready to paste my poem, I no longer had internet connectivity. Hence, I am posting at the first opportunity to connect again.
25/30
The Quilt of Life
If life is a quilt
Mine hangs from nasty old thread and screwed up stitches that get messier with age
You heard me, messier
Because I’ve tried starting over again
But all I do is make more mistakes
There’s patches of vibrancy that make me smile, they really did turn out well
Intricate floral design and the transitions from blue to green highlight the best of things
But those are simply tiny squares,
and there aren’t many
No, it’s mostly torn out grayish patterns
They say black is one shade, well somehow I’ve found others
Just like nightmares, they damage my brain
Another slumber doused in pain
They all look different, but feel the same
With this blanket of many blacks and grays
I take to bed, where I kneel and pray
I don’t know what I’m doing these days
There is no plan, nor a template I follow
How terrifying to think, the emptiness bleeds right into my quilt of little color
Many dull moments, and shades of black and gray I keep inventing
It weighs me down oh so heavily, though it’s quite small still
I might just give up the art of quilting
It is a tempting pill.
The Quilt of Life
If life is a quilt
Mine hangs from nasty old thread and screwed up stitches that get messier with age
You heard me, messier
Because I’ve tried starting over again
But all I do is make more mistakes
There’s patches of vibrancy that make me smile, they really did turn out well
Intricate floral design and the transitions from blue to green highlight the best of things
But those are simply tiny squares,
and there aren’t many
No, it’s mostly torn out grayish patterns
They say black is one shade, well somehow I’ve found others
Just like nightmares, they damage my brain
Another slumber doused in pain
They all look different, but feel the same
With this blanket of many blacks and grays
I take to bed, where I kneel and pray
I don’t know what I’m doing these days
There is no plan, nor a template I follow
How terrifying to think, the emptiness bleeds right into my quilt of little color
Many dull moments, and shades of black and gray I keep inventing
It weighs me down oh so heavily, though it’s quite small still
I might just give up the art of quilting
It is a tempting pill.
26/30
INNOCENT GREATNESS
Innocence and greatness rolled into one
an ushering of rightness to do itself
unfolding a process, whatever may come
Not boxed or stick-labelled or stuck on a shelf
not hammered or squashed or griddled to time …
usher the right thing to do itself
A high risk of failure, yet always benign
creative the process that has to run free
not hammered or squashed or fizzled to time
A life to reveal what truly can be
we hold an intent, then get out the way —
creative the process that has to run free
Think of some children all happy at play
or flowers refusing to give themselves grief …
they live an intent…, and flower away
A buried belief that’s real, deep beneath
unfolding a process, whatever may come
the flowers, we learn, don’t give themselves grief
their innocent greatness all rolled into one.
INNOCENT GREATNESS
Innocence and greatness rolled into one
an ushering of rightness to do itself
unfolding a process, whatever may come
Not boxed or stick-labelled or stuck on a shelf
not hammered or squashed or griddled to time …
usher the right thing to do itself
A high risk of failure, yet always benign
creative the process that has to run free
not hammered or squashed or fizzled to time
A life to reveal what truly can be
we hold an intent, then get out the way —
creative the process that has to run free
Think of some children all happy at play
or flowers refusing to give themselves grief …
they live an intent…, and flower away
A buried belief that’s real, deep beneath
unfolding a process, whatever may come
the flowers, we learn, don’t give themselves grief
their innocent greatness all rolled into one.
26/30
Dead Eyes
tiresome life
weighs heavy
strength to
speak sense gone
all there is
has become nothing
steeped within
darker realms
travelling among
dead eyes
that watch
their surroundings
fear always
more palpable
walking againt
daunting crowds
sticking out
like a sore thumb
icy feeling trickling
down the spine
no deeper meaning
just something pineless existing
less than human
wonder how you breathe
Unique Words 61
Dead Eyes
tiresome life
weighs heavy
strength to
speak sense gone
all there is
has become nothing
steeped within
darker realms
travelling among
dead eyes
that watch
their surroundings
fear always
more palpable
walking againt
daunting crowds
sticking out
like a sore thumb
icy feeling trickling
down the spine
no deeper meaning
just something pineless existing
less than human
wonder how you breathe
Unique Words 61
26 of 30
whatever it took
he always built their homes
all of them
big windows in every room
so she could watch deer
grazing outside the kitchen
hands sunk to elbows in sudsy water
humming a hymn under her breath
cleaning up the daily dishes
or observe her beloved black squirrels
scampering around the front yard
as bare feet worked pedals
& fingers expertly landed on keys
organ music creating an Atmosphere
scent of baking bread filling the air
feeders waiting for precious hummingbirds attached to a post just beyond the glass
& sunshine stirring every morning
spreading a glow upon her beautiful handmade quilt
her personal alarm...
assuring she never overslept
he wasn't one to bring her bouquets of flowers
but he watered every one she ever planted
cheerfully setting up sprinklers to tend her lovely gardens
from the luscious hydrangeas...
...and vegetables & berries...
...to her vibrant creeping phlox
he knew what made her happy
bringing light to her hazel eyes
it was such a little thing
doing everything he could to bring her joy
his eternal sweetheart
grandma loved nature...
...grandpa loved her
whatever it took
he always built their homes
all of them
big windows in every room
so she could watch deer
grazing outside the kitchen
hands sunk to elbows in sudsy water
humming a hymn under her breath
cleaning up the daily dishes
or observe her beloved black squirrels
scampering around the front yard
as bare feet worked pedals
& fingers expertly landed on keys
organ music creating an Atmosphere
scent of baking bread filling the air
feeders waiting for precious hummingbirds attached to a post just beyond the glass
& sunshine stirring every morning
spreading a glow upon her beautiful handmade quilt
her personal alarm...
assuring she never overslept
he wasn't one to bring her bouquets of flowers
but he watered every one she ever planted
cheerfully setting up sprinklers to tend her lovely gardens
from the luscious hydrangeas...
...and vegetables & berries...
...to her vibrant creeping phlox
he knew what made her happy
bringing light to her hazel eyes
it was such a little thing
doing everything he could to bring her joy
his eternal sweetheart
grandma loved nature...
...grandpa loved her
26/30
Plans
“Write about making plans,” she said,
and I laughed –
“oh honey, you know I suck at that!”
and she smiles, “exactly…”
This girl understands my poetry.
How it’s always all about the anguish
of making elaborate plans
that I’m not equipped to execute
and perceiving beauty
that I’ll never be able to hold.
How I can languish in the heartache
of imagined futures and friendships and feats
that I am powerless to actualize
and how,
despite the apparent misery,
I still choose this stubborn restlessness,
believing I can accomplish far more
than my time in this life affords me,
and making the wild plans
in spite of it all.
Plans
“Write about making plans,” she said,
and I laughed –
“oh honey, you know I suck at that!”
and she smiles, “exactly…”
This girl understands my poetry.
How it’s always all about the anguish
of making elaborate plans
that I’m not equipped to execute
and perceiving beauty
that I’ll never be able to hold.
How I can languish in the heartache
of imagined futures and friendships and feats
that I am powerless to actualize
and how,
despite the apparent misery,
I still choose this stubborn restlessness,
believing I can accomplish far more
than my time in this life affords me,
and making the wild plans
in spite of it all.
xxvi.
Untitled
Magic exists
along the uneven path
of mottled light
and hidden truth
in the under-bush
There is a wonder
in not knowing
what lies behind leaves
of dalmatian jasper
and bracken fern
The forest wears a mask
a reflective mirror
to protect its secrets
and there are sentinels
to distract the unworthy—
a red-headed woodpecker
and a cricket keep time
to the song of the tree
a haunting, bitter
and beautiful melody
reverenced communication
a fungal network
of earthen circuitry
dictating volumes
of inspired eco-poetry
for those who listen
and take dictation
Untitled
Magic exists
along the uneven path
of mottled light
and hidden truth
in the under-bush
There is a wonder
in not knowing
what lies behind leaves
of dalmatian jasper
and bracken fern
The forest wears a mask
a reflective mirror
to protect its secrets
and there are sentinels
to distract the unworthy—
a red-headed woodpecker
and a cricket keep time
to the song of the tree
a haunting, bitter
and beautiful melody
reverenced communication
a fungal network
of earthen circuitry
dictating volumes
of inspired eco-poetry
for those who listen
and take dictation
26/30
Overwhelmed
sometimes I can get so overwhelmed
lost in the swirling twirling around
before I know it I’ve chewed up my lip
and it starts feeling like I’m losing grip
on reality, what does it all mean?!
too many thoughts internally competing
lists I’ve made are meant to prevent this
from happening
in the first place
but it’s a pace
I can’t maintain
slowly losing
all I’ve gained
anxiety
wins
again
Overwhelmed
sometimes I can get so overwhelmed
lost in the swirling twirling around
before I know it I’ve chewed up my lip
and it starts feeling like I’m losing grip
on reality, what does it all mean?!
too many thoughts internally competing
lists I’ve made are meant to prevent this
from happening
in the first place
but it’s a pace
I can’t maintain
slowly losing
all I’ve gained
anxiety
wins
again
26/30
easy living
And when I stand there defeated –
Hopeful eyes finally empty,
Watching what's left of what was burned be
Burned down further –
When I finally admit
That this is it,
This is me now –
Will you come for me?
Will you ask me
To come with you?
When the skies flash orange once again,
When I want to be stripped down to skin –
Will you be there
To tear down each piece,
To consume
Me and everything I am and
Everything I don't want and
Want to be?
To forget and to feel,
To sink into the sin finally –
Admit the ugly truth.
When I want to cease
To exist or
For a moment
Exist
Only for you –
Will you want it?
Will you let me?
easy living
And when I stand there defeated –
Hopeful eyes finally empty,
Watching what's left of what was burned be
Burned down further –
When I finally admit
That this is it,
This is me now –
Will you come for me?
Will you ask me
To come with you?
When the skies flash orange once again,
When I want to be stripped down to skin –
Will you be there
To tear down each piece,
To consume
Me and everything I am and
Everything I don't want and
Want to be?
To forget and to feel,
To sink into the sin finally –
Admit the ugly truth.
When I want to cease
To exist or
For a moment
Exist
Only for you –
Will you want it?
Will you let me?
#26/30
OK
I stared blankly at the page
My thoughts disjointed
Unable to come up
With anything to write about
My mind is sluggish
I keep looking at the time
And worried that I might have
A fever again tonight
Last night I shivered
In the early evening
And had fever till past midnight
Now it's almost midnight
In my time zone
And I feel ok compared
To the past two nights
Perhaps the antibiotic
Is taking effect
After the 3 doses I took
Since yesterday
I hope tonight will be
A good night for me
So I can rest and sleep well
OK
I stared blankly at the page
My thoughts disjointed
Unable to come up
With anything to write about
My mind is sluggish
I keep looking at the time
And worried that I might have
A fever again tonight
Last night I shivered
In the early evening
And had fever till past midnight
Now it's almost midnight
In my time zone
And I feel ok compared
To the past two nights
Perhaps the antibiotic
Is taking effect
After the 3 doses I took
Since yesterday
I hope tonight will be
A good night for me
So I can rest and sleep well
26/30
Rebirth
I now understand why it is called rebirth
It’s feels as if I am an infant
Trying to tune into the body
That it was placed in
I guess when you think
of a great awakening
you don’t stop to think about
even with divine wisdom
you must start at the beginning.
Retraining your breath,
your thoughts,
your muscles,
still young enough to doubt your actions. When you start believing in yourself
you realise how for you must grow
to become who you know you could be.
Just a infant with insight to understand enough of a higher purpose
To continue on the journey
{72 unique words}
Rebirth
I now understand why it is called rebirth
It’s feels as if I am an infant
Trying to tune into the body
That it was placed in
I guess when you think
of a great awakening
you don’t stop to think about
even with divine wisdom
you must start at the beginning.
Retraining your breath,
your thoughts,
your muscles,
still young enough to doubt your actions. When you start believing in yourself
you realise how for you must grow
to become who you know you could be.
Just a infant with insight to understand enough of a higher purpose
To continue on the journey
{72 unique words}
26/30
touch
the bird I thought was dead,
spoke up
the bud which was
thought to be withered
has blossomed
thought it was about to get dark
then the dazzling sun came out
the owl's eyes became bright
in the dense darkness
the eyes of the flower
on the laughing branch
became tears and spilled over
the sound of silence
began to be heard from
the grave of words
the rainbow of complaints
was decorated without rain
the thirst of some living
being is hidden in every drop
The clouds rained so
much that even the hunger went away
sunshine was laughing
standing in a closet mirror
the waxy yellow sky is softly
fighting the battle of faith
the chariot of time got
stuck somewhere,
the moon and the sun
hid in the cupboard
the redness of exclamation
glowed in the strong waves of emotion...
26/30
To-do list, silo dot
My family had so much to do, I thought that I'd assist,
and so I just sat down and wrote them each a little list.
But strangely, as the lists went on, I could not write a word
without employing palindromes. It's really quite absurd!
MUM (shopping list):
naan,
taco, cat,
evil olive,
no melons? no lemon!
hmm. Mmh...
yam? I may.
tuna, a nut,
UFO tofu,
dessert (stressed!)
DAD (jobs):
Run rotor. Nur!
Repaper.
Reward drawer:
Eye level. EYE!
nip rotator pin.
Racecar:
borrow or rob?
Rotavator.
SIS (homework):
Sagas (English)
Never odd or even (maths)
Draw award (art)
Madam, I'm Adam (R.E.)
Solos (music)
My gym (P.E.)
Kayak (design technology)
Wow!
To-do list, silo dot
My family had so much to do, I thought that I'd assist,
and so I just sat down and wrote them each a little list.
But strangely, as the lists went on, I could not write a word
without employing palindromes. It's really quite absurd!
MUM (shopping list):
naan,
taco, cat,
evil olive,
no melons? no lemon!
hmm. Mmh...
yam? I may.
tuna, a nut,
UFO tofu,
dessert (stressed!)
DAD (jobs):
Run rotor. Nur!
Repaper.
Reward drawer:
Eye level. EYE!
nip rotator pin.
Racecar:
borrow or rob?
Rotavator.
SIS (homework):
Sagas (English)
Never odd or even (maths)
Draw award (art)
Madam, I'm Adam (R.E.)
Solos (music)
My gym (P.E.)
Kayak (design technology)
Wow!
