The Poetry Marathon

Can you bottle the fireflies 
that dance in the night?
Can you harness the wind 
from butterflies in flight?
Can you steal the heat from the sun
or the moon from the sky?
Can you hold the treeline hostage 
while the sunset comes alive?
Impossible as it may seem, I believe you can
after all, you made this strange heart beat again

Between hearts of pink and hearts of red 
body parts now veggies and skulls for dead 
laughing at the simple 
while you translate a verse 
loses moments meant
to be unrehearsed 
write me a sonnet or even a haiku
so my thoughts can linger 
on reading 
the book of you 

We play this game round and round
no one is lost yet no one is found 
walking through day as if it is night 
and waking in sweat to wonder about life 
worry is the new norm and has settled on faces 
has settled in scorn in all the wrong places
we blame the right they blame the fight 
we blame till we forget the point of this plight 
we are the survivors in this season of the absurd
walking in circles till our voices are heard 
but we are still walking and we won't stop
because change is inevitable unless you drop

Deep sigh release as
cranes grace the waters edge 
sparkling a ripple across glass
a crimson blanket has given the sky a moment
for me to stretch my limbs into submission 
while fire dances before my eyes 
my feet find the rhythm 
my heart finds the warmth 
and my hope 
is wrapped in the waltz of sunrise

Travel through my layers to get to my heart 
It is there waiting for the right person to peel away my bark 
wishing I could reveal my soul as so many easily do 
but alas my layers protect what is left to be true

Dear an ex who I have forgotten your name,

I wonder if you knew that you made the lilies wilt the day you left 
not the lilies you gave me but the ones I gave you 
they were bright, strong and beautiful 
warming our house with promise 
I placed them inside the door where you dropped your keys after a long day  
ensuring that you would see them and perhaps smile
but that day, there were no keys to drop 
as you held them tightly in your grip when entering 
exclaiming that you were through and life wasnt fair 
stumbling over day drinking breath that you couldn't do this anymore 
The lilies sat beautifully as all the flowers in your home had 
waiting for a deep sigh and apology 
but none came 
I wonder if you knew the lilies died that day 
the day you left and no more flowers wanted to come in your home 
I wonder if you ever realized there were flowers there in the first place
I myself have chosen to remember the flowers 
the bright, strong and beautiful lilies
but I happen to forget your name 

I watch them shuffle 
through my bedroom window
so comfortable in their spaces 
hand in hand, merry go round the mulberry bush 
smiles and laughter 
forgetting 

I scream inaudibly "Where is your mask, stay six feet apart"

More arrive to the tune of summer festivities 
sharing hugs and things I once knew 
but the window has become the known 
A fish, sitting in a tank 
wondering if they are safe
wondering if they know the danger they are in 
bubbles rise to the surface 
watching, wondering, wishing

I scream inaudibly "Where is your mask, stay six feet apart"

Back and forth in front of glass 
a sharp sound breaks my wander 
A cough heard round the world, fading smiles 
hugs turn to backward glances and laughter turns to goodbyes
the party appears to be over, it appears they may have heard me 

I scream inaudibly "Where is your mask, stay six feet apart"

Recipe for a Beautiful Morning 

1. half fluttering eyes 
2. a smirk
3. sunlight through silk
4. hands still roaming 
5. hearts matching breaths

Start with a slow churn of half fluttering eyes, while whispering a gasp. 
Add a smirk and sunlight through silk, below hands still roaming.
Blend well until hearts matching breaths are lost over time.
If needed, repeat as necessary.

Why do they fear the fire 
the flame that burns high, then higher 
breaking through the rubbish 
to clear a path for others 

Why do they fear this walk 
over broken glass 
when it was laid by strong hands 
to reflect healing past 

Why do they fear this woman 
head held high through burden 
She has created footsteps to follow 
despite hands grabbing and voice swallowed

Why do they fear what they could be 
as they hide in a place of misery 
timid to walk this path but not to sneer 
as she walks by head held high, without fear 

Still nervous like the first day of school is in the morning <3 Off to get some zzzzzzzzzzz. See everyone in the AM