The Poetry Marathon

Chains

Cling to me as two

become one, gentle

words lost on our wind.

It’s the easiest way

Daddy boils tomatoes, the redness

bobs in the pot like balloons released

in the wind, sailing towards home. He stirs,

wooden spoon an oar in treacherous

waters. Until splat, a bubble bursts

and lands on his arm. He cries out.

He takes out his knife and cuts,

slices into the skin and peels.

You bloomed like the sun

A small speck that took over my heart.

Wailing, I heard you whisper in my ear:

It’s never okay. Let you hair shine,

blown throughout the wind. Scatter thoughts,

petals left untouched. He loves me,

he loves me not. But when the sun falls

know it’s only on the other side.

Hi all!

Welcome to another year, another burst of fun, poetic energy. I’m so excited.

I feel like it’s been so long since the last marathon but, at the same time, I feel as if I only blinked and it’s here again. In a way, it’s a sensation that’s both refreshing and draining.

I had to scroll way back to see which marathon number this is for me: 6 — two halves and four fulls. (I felt like such a baby back then, 2017!) This year I’m so excited to be doing the full marathon, as I couldn’t last year. And while this is the “crunch time” of my everyday life schedule, this event becomes the joy in all that chaos. It’s great to take a break and do something you love, even when you feel life piling up around you. It’s great to pretend.

This year’s a little different from the past. I lost some good people who were normally by my side during, but I have to keep reminding myself that I’ve gained some more. Albeit different, love is the same. Inherently.

We’ll see how this year goes — I have only the highest of hopes.

My fingers are ready to type, my brain is ready to out-pour, and my heart is anxious to love again.

Here’s to another great year of the writing festivities!

Blessings,

Katie <3 🙂

Two Halves of a Heart

Orion shines bright

though clouds try to dim

the darkness of night.

Wait on God. We plead

for so long, our eyes

grown worn with this need.

We watch the sun peek

its rays towards our sky,

pray it back under its brink.

Dynamic roars cross

hills so high, wishing

this duo won’t be lost.

When I draw my dying breath

I hope it clings

to your tongue, forgets

that it can let go

Dreams of staffs and lilies,

holds tight. Billows in our wind,

let’s go. Carpe diems

Fairies rest on mushroom chairs. Knock, knock rings

and who’s there echoes through the lonely tree glen.

They’re probably gonna have that big red truck again

Yeah. A lot of people are, are succumbing to this

Moving bodies

So if you haven’t, I suggest now is the time to do so

Wow that tree fell over. A pine tree in the snow

At the house towards the street

Man, I can’t wait to talk to him. My him

Even at Taco Bell there’s signs saying you can’t come in if you supply proof

Silence.

So he had Covid, right?

Yeah

So, did he get vaccinated?

No. Down there they don’t let you until after six months

So after six months is he gonna get vaccinated?

No. But he knows it’s filling up again

Don’t sneeze. Bless you.

God Waited

From the day we met, the stars always knew, one day, a lonely

womb would meet its match. We buckled up and drove small mountain roads

to watch our city glow. But as we went we didn’t know an empty

tomb stood before us. We watched as we fell, but knew: God waited.