The Poetry Marathon

Prompt 4

There is something wonderful about the way
you used to sit with me
in early morning darkness,
both of us wondering
about life’s mysteries.
Four years old
and already you were eager
to seize the world.
Though you did not know it,
your loyalty touched me.
Excitement raced through me
each time you woke me
in with hushed eagerness,
ready to play.
We spent hours imagining,
creating,
contemplating.
Time flew by as the minutes ticked past,
slowly growing closer to 6am.
In our youth we saw
what so many seem to forget:
There are some things
more important than sleep.
We were the best of friends,
spending our early mornings
with games of pretend.
My brother, you have grown so fast,
but these memories will last forever.

-h.e.m. 11:00 am

Poem 3

In this empty house
that I call home
I am often unaccompanied
but never alone,
for these walls have helped raise me
and console me in sorrow.
How could I feel alone
when there’s no loneliness here?

-h.e.m.

Poem 2

I never believed in magic
Until I saw the way your eyes danced
When he stood in front of you.
Then I almost believed,
For what else
Could cause the mind to reel
And the heart to pound
And the lungs to break
The way yours did
When you saw him?
Perhaps I did not believe in Magic,
But I saw the spell he had cast upon you.
I never believed in Magic
Until I saw the way
Your heart soared
And your tears fluttered away
When he said,
“I love you.”
Then I nearly believed.
For what else
Could transform your very mind
Like this did?
I never believed in Magic
Until the day he left you,
Your heart crushed between his fingertips,
Your eyes red with the pain of heartbreak.
He looked at your pain and smiled,
And suddenly the spell was broken.
And I did not believe in Magic.
Only pain.
I never believed in Magic
Until those glowing green eyes
Looked into mine
And told me I was beautiful.
Then my heart soared
And my mind reeled
And the ground beneath me seemed to spin.
I never believed in Magic.
But maybe
I did.

Poem 1

This is me:
I am
A purple haired artist
Struggling to find
A sense of self.
This is me:
I am
A daughter,
A sister,
A friend.
This is me:
I am
An adventurer,
A worrier,
A wandering soul.
This is me:
Despite all I have lost
I am
Whole.

Hey everybody! My name is Hannah. I’m sixteen years old, and I’ve been writing poetry since I was 14. Over the past two years, I’ve written over 400 poems. I hope to publish a book of poetry within the next few years. Poetry began as a means of expression for me,a way to share the words I did not know how to speak out loud. Since then it has become so much more. I’ve been described as ‘an old soul’ and someone who can put things into writing that I have never experienced. Poetry allows me to use those gifts to my advantage and apply my observations in a way that is tangible and understandable. I am very passionate about mental health and helping people to see their value as humans in spite of their flaws. Many times it is easy to get so caught up in our thoughts that we forget to express them. Poetry helps me to slow down, think, and express myself, whether it is through messy, raw emotion or careful contemplation. It has helped me to find my voice. I hope some of you find it worthwhile to listen.