The Poetry Marathon

Is this the eighth or ninth time, who can say
That I have locked my keys inside my house
My thoughts oft go astray
Since the departure of my spouse

He left without a word one night
It was winter time, the roads were icy
The neighbours think I’m not quite right
Do you think that stew’s too spicy?

He had a girlfriend, can you just imagine
Well, never mind, I’m better off
She was a singer, just a has been
Oh my, that is a nasty cough

No, officer, I don’t know where he went
After all this time I don’t much care
This late spring thaw seems heaven sent
Don’t mind the stain upon the stair

Sunny days without end
Feeling lost without a friend
Empty house waiting for life and family

Books to entertain every mind
Large glasses full of red wine
Duelling couches ready for napping

Dogs curled up for the afternoon
Hoping that I will meet you soon
Crackling fires on cool nights

Wondering at this fantasy
I ask for you to wait for me
Time to sleep again

Adrift in clear blue waters, searching for a sandy shore
Not knowing why, still we know there is more

Boats of fibreglass, wood, even steel
A journey where each stage must surely heal

At times we may need to hold on to a lifeline
While we are towed from shadow into sunshine

Souls on their own journey travel here
None of us have need to fear

With every truth that you will find
Allow freedom to open up your mind

We shall come to love what we must learn
As soul stars watch, awaiting our return

Cottonwood summer
Blurred pages flutter
Love fears
Chances not taken

Hope
Holds you back
Possibilities
Make life worth living

Make bigger choices
Stand taller
In your power
Rise be unstoppable

Frightened fairy in an ancient oak tree
Sprinkling plastic glitter, don’t you mock me

No longer prey to your insidious gloom
Hereby shall I enforce your doom

Determined at this late hour
At last I have found my true power

No longer will you swagger and strut
For I am fearless as any lone nut

Who stands tall far from your scorn
I am both lone fairy and acorn

Do you know who I am
Years before I thought I knew
Somehow my soul was lost to me

Here I am, misplaced in time
Walking on a distant shore

Although I don’t know where I am
I am myself in finding you
Finally I am free

While our journeys shall entwine
I see now that I am more

I work in an office all day, making maps, but I love words. I’ve been writing haiku the last year and decided to try the marathon as a way to challenge myself to write more poems and in other formats. I think the 24 hour aspect will make it more interesting, since lack of sleep tends to make me a little loopy, and perhaps more creative as a result. I’m so looking forward to this!