The Poetry Marathon

A Wait Game of Cliches

Someone has always told me
“Good things come to those who wait.”
Nearing fifty I’ve been
“always a bridesmaid and never a bride.”
I never chose a wedding cake.
Heard the cries of a newborn,
but never called one my own.
Sometimes destiny is diverted or restricted,
life fulfillments left unanswered.
Sometimes no matter how hard the prayers,
we don’t always receive the wanted answers.

Margarette Wahl

Beauty

“Beauty can be found in the ugliest of places.” Unknown

A Gerber daisy in full bloom vibrant fuscia with dark center.
A smile of pearly clean white teeth against dark skin.
A pink sky chasing away grey clouds after rain. God paints the sky tie dyed on Summer evenings. I eat Ralph’s Italian ice in Birthday Cake flavor, colors match the sky.

Margarette Wahl

Miracles

I’ve seen friends survive cancer
more than once.
People survive car accidents,
pandemic illnesses on death’s bed.
I’ve seen a baby born from the donations of others
and people live through traumas.
I believe in miracles even though I never had one to call my own.
Cup my hands in prayer,
it’s never too late to believe.

Margarette Wahl

What Heaven Sent

I believe clouds could have a silver lining.
Some are Archangels ones I’ve seen.
They were angels in shape visiting me in 2018.
Letting me know my mom would be joining them in three months.
I took pictures as they followed me to my appointment.
My Christian friend worried they were a sign of the world’s end.
It wasn’t for her. Only a sign mine would be forever changed.

Margarette Wahl

My Honesty

I believe the truth always comes out.
It usually does.
The truth has never had to set me free.
I learned when I was young to never lie
when I sneaked ferrets home for pets,
my mom caught me.
I’m not a god liar, keeper of secrets.
Many won’t ask me to keep surprises from people.
Some would feel this to be a burden.
For me, it’s a relief.
I never have to throw surprise parties.
My honesty is my best trait.

Margarette Wahl

A Poet’s Dilemma

“How do you describe pen to paper?” Anne Coen

A pen without ink
is like an unloaded gun in a home invasion.
It is a blender full of fruit without a lid,
where your thoughts, ideas spill over
and go missing.
Because you don’t have the means
to write it down.

A pen without ink
is a dog without a leash
that spots a squirrel.
It’s a faucet running without a seal
turning your kitchen into a sprinkler system.

A pen without ink
is a $9.00 leaky Starbucks cup
filled with espresso on a Monday morning.
It is traveling without Waze or Google Maps,
you know your destination, but not how far to get there.

How do you describe pen to paper?
Like blood and veins to the heart and brain.
Some people are lost without them.

Margarette Wahl

Rise

“Hearts, weapons of Mass Intentions.” Doreen Dd Spungin

Some of us become more vulnerable than others.
Some enjoy the chase,
others like the need for attention.
Some of us lay within what defines
the label of normal.

Most mean no harm,
while others thrive in negativity.
Me, I am just a gal
a woman who wants what everyone has.
I won’t deteriorate another to gain it.

Lifting people up is far more easier
than it is to tear them down.

Margarette Wahl

In Her Words

In memory of Barbara Reiher-Meyers

Her footsteps in fog,
ghost of her smile
cried with every stroke of pen.

With unblinking eyes
an arm a column of numbness
rising to the music of the news.

I joined Twitter because I’m not a twit.
Once ignored the world outside their door
protective canopy of leaves.

She was created by God’s strength
and just wanted you to read the poem.

Barb, you are remembered.

Margarette Wahl

Barnes and Noble Poem
(Titles in True Teen Reader section)

Dear Nobody,
This star won’t go out. Taking flight laughing at my signature.
Do you know who you are, the pointless book. We should hang out
sometime. The Cruel Prince

Margarette Wahl

Blankets of Hope

“Empathy, a muscle we need to practice.”
for Nick & Joe Fiorito @blanketsofhope.com

This seed grew from an idea In Madison Square Park.
Two brothers who lived and worked in New York City
saw the homeless and wanted to be a difference.

“Give a blanket, change the world.”

A 5th grade teacher and her students wanted to help.
They wrote messages to go with each blanket.
Now children all over the country help write messages.
Something special when pen and paper meet.

“A blanket to provide a little warmth, it’s more
it’s about human contact.”

Margarette Wahl