The Poetry Marathon

In the distance,

I see the silhouette

of the ladder going both up and down.

Taking me from Sadness and Sorrow to Joy and Opportunity…

Challenge and Change-Growth.

Up and Down-

The Choice-my own as I climb up or down

this ladder of  Fate.

Destiny’s dance has nothing to decide

as I try not to slip and slide.

This Jacob’s Ladder ride

does not have the strength

as I am stronger inside.

The first wrung may seem distant at times

dissolved in the mist like

the promise of a lover’s first kiss.

But I leap forward in faith knowing that

my future rests on this first step.

Guarded Gatehouse

Buzzing sounds of cicadas

timeless memories

Hi Everyone!!! I am excited to be involved in the Poetry Half Marathon again this year!!! Good luck and well wishes to all those participating. Remember to stay hydrated and nibble when you need to!! You can’t focus if you are famished!!! Just a reminder to people to flag (click the corresponding box) their poetry as half or full marathon. I am putting this welcome into the Miscellaneous category in hopes that people see it. GOOD LUCK everyone!!!

I am so happy to be participating in the 2023 Poetry Marathon!!! I have participated for 5 or 6 years and I am so thankful for all the friends that I have made (nationally and internationally) through this marathon!!! Plus, the half marathon (in my case) is a great way to flex those poetic muscles!!! Have an amazing marathon/half marathon everyone. To those I know, “Welcome Back!!!” and, to those I have yet to meet, “Welcome and I am glad to meet you!!!”

Delicate flower

petals now folded and bent

weathered but wise.

Ingrid Exner, Poetry Half Marathon 2021

Play like a Child,

Paint like a Child,

Imagination unfolds

as

paint splatters and spills,

smothering paper-

in happiness and delight!

Creativity and Health-

Unleashed!

Poem 11 by Ingrid Exner, Half Marathon 2021

Water Spirits Rise

From The depths of Georgian Bay

Jewelled Skies sparkle surprise

Haiku, Poem and Prompt 10 by Ingrid Exner

A Penny for Your Thoughts

was pretty pricey in 1522!

The Rise of Inflation,

Better Education,

-available to all- and,

the Disappearance of the Penny

nearly sank these wise words!

With our Blooming,

Non-Flowery Language and,

desire to, “Get straight to the point!”

four words (instead of five)

will now do nicely…

“What are your thoughts?”

Poem #9, Ingrid Exner Poetry Half Marathon 2021

Dear Reader:

We are about to take you on the greatest and most important trip of your life-

bringing and dreaming your soul home, tonight!

Do you dare to dream and

surrender to sleep?

Race away from Anxiety or

stay and

fight the foe named Fear?

Can you slumber easily my dear?

Shamans once returned our-

Wandering Souls

Venturing inward to make us Whole!

Do you believe in

the Power of Dreams?

You alone hold the key

to Unlocking your Fear.

Mounting Tensions

make Anxieties real

Playing Villains in dreams

and increasing your Fear!

Blocking the safe haven of

abundant dreaming-bringing visions that

leave you screaming.

Resolve the trauma

Resolve the pain and,

fulfilling dreams will visit you again!

Dear Readers-both young and old.

Embrace your power-

choose to be bold!

(Summary of Dreaming the Soul Back Home…by Robert Moss and poetic summary by Ingrid Exner, 2021)

My New Normal- Acrostic Poem

With a simple turn of phrase,

we can marginalize anyone today.

Let’s take “normal” and define it here-

in acrostic style and with  a little cheer.

Nurturing our neighbours and friends

Ordinary and everyday places and things.

Random acts of kindness is the call-

Mutual admiration and understanding-

Appreciation for all!

Love for everyone both near and far away.

NOTE: These are the ingredients of what should be “normal” today

Ingrid Exner, Half Marathon Poem #7