The Poetry Marathon

Along the path to enlightenment,

we encounter life’s highs and lows.

Mere survival and determination become a mantra.

Acquiring the physical and mental strength

to surpass primitive understanding.

Guides tend to periodically download pieces

of a mastered blueprint into our memory.

Bound by songs of redemption,

we tend to rest but not sleep.

Through the days, months, and years with limited tears.

Resurfacing anew breath of light within our soul.

Embracing the balance of self

as the fallacies of the world unfold.

Surrending to the chaos we wait for the call.

The destination predicted to end us all.

One by one we look up towards the sky, many still questioning why.

There is no fire, nor storm, or rain just simply pain.

Cascading around us like a dance.

Finally connected in our humanness.

Neither fortune nor fame will save us from the rapture of going insane.

Bonded by one another’s thoughts.

We now see the true results of greed and envy.

The end of us all presented in the form of a child, looking down at us from a great mountain peak.

We wait patiently to hear her speak.

A hum escapes her lips as the end approaches with the flick of her wrist.

We all will evaporate into the abyss.

She smiles as the tears roll down our faces.

What if we decided to dismiss the idea of separate races?

She shook her head with dread, preparing a funeral for the dead.

What if we undo the horrors of our past and all take a sip from one cup?

She sat down and crossed her legs to move into a meditative state.

We all knew by now it was too late to negotiate.

As her eyes close our minds deteriorate.

Gather around children let me tell you a story about Zero, the most powerful number in the universe.

In the beginning, the quiet was interrupted by a stillness called Zero.

Zero was born out of a life force like no other.

So strong Zero didn’t have a mother or a father.

An existence no one could follow or copy.

Zero’s gender was neither male nor female.

Nor animal or beast.

It was peaceful and calm, centered as a collection of elements waiting to be released.

Simmering like fire, cool like water, breezy like air and solid as the ground we call earth.

A mystical creation holding the very essence of life.

Levitating in the vastness of space, Zero was a mere collaboration of energy created to bring forth truth.

With the patience of an unborn child, Zero gave birth to the darkness in your eyes, the light shining in the sky and the endless landscape of the sea. In reality, Zero created you and Zero created me.

The land you know, even when you are lost can soothe a broken spirit with a familiar place to call home.

The road no longer feels long, it becomes a guide without a map to follow the twists and turns around each corner.

Knowing its peaks and valleys all too well. It makes a journey to the past feel like riding on a carousel.

The faces begin to mimic an old school teacher, a tired cashier, a man dedicated to his hustle, a mother smiling at the simple things in life.

The air so muggy and hot in the summer yet crisp and breezy in the winter.

Fall doesn’t exist because we know when the leaves begin to lift.

The seasons will shift from one extreme to the next.

Encouraging us all to take time to rest.

The water a mixture of grays and blues. A place many go to seek for solitude.

The clouds are mysterious with strokes of color displayed upon its never-ending canvas.

The scent of sweet potato pie and fried turkey or those pink azaleas flowers laying along the road all beautiful, soft, and sweet.

The energy of home when your bags can drop from your hands and lay peacefully at your feet.

Speculating the possibility of those things deemed unreal and far beyond the reach of reality.

How can it be so simple?

Contemplating the moment, I no longer fear death and reach into the realm of synchronicity.

How can it only be one life, one rhythm, and one call?

I need the answers to them all.

Bricks stacked one against the other to build a wall, aligning perfectly only for each one to fall.

Wondering why the opposition in my waking life contradicts the deemed natural laws of prosperity, forgiveness, and love.

Reminiscing about my past relationship with the one from above.

Manifesting forgiveness for another person’s wrong.

Taking in the elements of my past, present, and future to place on the offering plate.

Giving my ancestors a place to settle their debts and download the details of my fate.

Offering my last breath as I weirdward nightly to digress.

Hello all, I am Hafeezah a local poet in Charleston, SC. I am back for my second half marathon! Last year’s marathon encouraged me to write my first poetry book which will be published this Summer! A Divine Collection of Chaos will have 3 volumes all together so tonight’s half marathon will help me get started on volume 2. I am looking forward to pushing my creative limits when it comes to being more vulnerable and transparent in my writings. I tried to take a nap before getting started and that felt more like resting my eyes. In other words, we may be in for a long night!

Looking beyond the fields I see a woman who is unafraid and ignorant to her outer beauty.

She runs toward the fire because life’s boundaries do not exist.

There is an unseen power she holds close to her heart

to love her is to know her true identity.

She is the protector of those who can see her passion.

Her creativity is what maintains her resilience.

Her secret weapon is humility.

Searching high because she has lived low.

A student in the classroom of life

She has become the master of the lessons taught and the mentor to those who truly want to know life’s sacred journey.

As the sun rises her tears dry from the heat

pushing the limits of her body, mind, and spirit.

The finish line is just around the corner and her throat is dry from the lack of water

and her head starts to throb from dehydration.

Unable to feel her legs she focuses on her mind before her body fails.

The spirit is reserved for the very end of this race.

As her mind starts to picture the most beautiful images

and takes her to an island, a garden, the ocean, the river and at last an incredible waterfall is just ahead

She swallows the hard film resting along her cheeks

and opens her mouth to taste the refreshing coolness of the spring water flowing along the rocks.

Finally, her secret weapon is released and spirit bursts in with the energy as she completes the final mile.

Beloved spirit I know your light is fierce and your flame burns bright.

When anxious thoughts cloud your mind in the middle of the night.

Breath my love and let wondrous dreams take flight

Capture the visions of pleasure and indulge as your subconscious enters rem sleep

and your body disconnects from the daily trauma you experienced in life.

Beloved spirit let the world miss you as rest overtakes your precious glow.

Release any inhibitions you held captive during the day.

The darkness of the night is your friend as now you have permission to allow your restlessness to engage.

Never Grow Up

Be young and carefree like the days of simply being alive was enough for you to see

Stay curious and remain playful

Never Grow Up

Be full of laughter and joy

Start jumping into rain puddles

and blow bubbles across the lawn

Never Grow Up

Revisit Neverland the novelties inside of your imagination.

Enjoying life without simple conversation

Gravitating toward kindness and displaying gifts of admiration

Never Grow Up