The Poetry Marathon

Tailing after Trevor

for Trevor Penick 

Wrap me up inside your positivity.

Thank the universe from me,

for it made you

move to the East Coast.

Patreon applause for keeping you

motivated through this pandemic.

Music and workouts much appreciated.

Zoom and Sessions, 

the gracious “bandaids”

as you call them

between virtual and live in person.

Vibes of enthusiasm that this is temporary. 

Your admission of love to be “watched”

miss the crowds of fans,

makes me even more

a faithful audience member 

of participation.

So keep me bandaged inside your song writing,

I will sin with you in Sin City.

Sing along the tour trails with O-Town.

 Reflect on your fresh new haircut styles

until we can hug again in selfie smiles.

Screenshots of Memories

for Erik-Michael Estrada

Inside your truck, 

wind blowing through your hair.

Flossing your teeth

never looked sexier anywhere.

Basketball game watching

Football card collecting

on IG, I’m never expecting.

Mini golf inside Ryan Cabrera’s house,

setting up his washer and dryer.

Being his pool boy I am a huge admirer.

The waves of Malibu crashing beside you.

Rays of sunlight beam 

through your sunglass shades,

allow my hard days to fade.

Appear concise for a moment

it’s nice.

You like a meteor 

pop on social media.

A moment, a little while 

create my happy place

and this fandom smile.

Homage to a Drag Queen 

Love is love on my Valentine’s stationary.

It’s not cliche, today

Pride is more acceptance.

You no longer closet your feelings,

celebrate coming out,

shout your homosexuality.

Today you can sparkle in glitter, not a quitter 

inside your cotton candy pink or lavender wigs.

Share your sexy long legs prettier, thinner 

than I ever could.

In classrooms as a man,

you teach in genuine empathy.

Allow autistic children to climb

beyond boundaries.

On stage as a woman,

spread love in performance 

from children’s theatre to

Long Island’s first Drag Queen show.

No one is left out by closeted minds

 when they meet you.

Gay isn’t just a happy feeling,

it’s spread like joy.

You are loved in both your personas.

Stay homophile and smile.

Never surprised to see you,

not straight but sold out 

in Drag Bingos or Brunches.

Not a queer hatred thought felt

finding you on the front cover of Newsday, 

headlining a Pride parade.

I know you inside and outside your high heels.

Ivy Stalls, you are golden so shine.

Keep filling this world with Peace, Love, and Rainbows.

Senses of Inspiration 

Hope is alive like this song

comfort kisses from peace.

You believe above anything,

together between life and simple joys.

Taste sunshine, share blue sky

let every hand feel light.

See possibility shine through today.

Find positive laughter before tomorrow.

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