The Poetry Marathon

Write a poem

thats what they said

now I am laying here

half dead

longing for food

I cannot eat

it takes too long

and might put me to sleep.

Write a poem

and then many more

it’s  still early

I have to stay awake

way past four.

I can do it

I know I can

Think of a rhyme

maybe two

keep on going

until I’m through.

Well, how about you?

The sound rose and fell

like a distant chime,

echoing in the still air.

There was a certain gladness in it, a sparkle if you will.

It made the hearers

crinkle up their cheeks

till their eyes disappeared.

Mouths opened wide

and notes and lilts fell out

to play side by side

in the air.

Why did you mow

when I had everything just right?

Now the weeds will grow

in perfect delight.

The flowers will faint

and lose their glow.

There just ain’t

any reason to mow.

They said she was a hypocrite

because she changed

and they didn’t believe it.

Her words were different

Her actions, too.

She didn’t do what she used to do.

She got up once

at the front of the church

and told her story

but they wanted lunch –

didn’t want to hear

about glory.

Her life held true.

The change that changed her

was real and she felt new.

The hating hearts

didn’t understand

didn’t want to

So she pressed on

and found a place

where she could belong.

Joy springing up

fresh, hopeful

amazing possibilities.

Joy increasing

joining with others

laughter, praise

growing in strength.

Joy magnified

more than a

temporary fix to hard stuff

A way of life.

Joy multiplied

so much more

body, soul, spirit

overflowing.

Joy

every day

A life changing choice.

The pretty white house on the back road

has a mixed up bunch of flowers

waving colors in the wind.

A blue here, a pink there

catching the sunlight.

I long for home,

my own place

to share.

now.

There is a librarian

down in 7th street

in a tiny town library

with gigantic feet.

I’ve seen them you know

those gigantic feet

in the tiny town library

down on 7th street.

I peeked through the window

in the library door

She took her shoes off

and danced over the floor.

I laughed and I giggled

to watch those feet

in the tiny town library

down on 7th street.

The librarian looked up

I knew it was time

to run for the hills

or the next dance was mine.

Storybook clouds are

high, white piles in brilliant blue.

There’s an elephant!

It’s summer now

but I’ll tell you about Spring

Spring

that rambunctious little elf

thought it should flounce around

and act like summer.

Boiling hot

Wind whipping breezes that

Knock you sideways

people with blistering faces

and stirred up mad.

I was glad

when summer arrived

calm and stately

with a little rain and cooler mornings

Pretending to be nice

and then

then

summer thought it should

make up for lost time

and to show Spring how being Summer

was done

sidewalks melted

and even the sun wore sunglasses.

It will be fine

said the son

I have four

you can get one.

Mom blinked hard

and tried to look brave.

I could get one

some other day.

Come on mom

choose one for you,

just here on your skin

you will love it, too.

Mom blinked hard

skin – in – needles and ink

Son, I think I will have to rethink.

And she chose five.