The Poetry Marathon

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

Criticism Correct and Write


“There is only one way to avoid criticism:
do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” Aristotle

“Words are on a page can no longer hurt you.” JR Turek

Write it out
Cry it out
Get it out
Bleed it out…
Just keep on writing,
overwrite so you can cut it out later.

It’s you baby to rewrite and rewrite again.
You’re writing and that’s all that matters.
Rejection means you’re still writing
and still submitting.
Remember words on a page
can no longer hurt you.
So come on,
keep on writing.

Margarette Wahl

Without Regrets

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” Milton Berle

Winged it,
booked a flight,
rented a car,
drove an hour and a half in a state
I had never been to before.
In the scheme of recent events
it was meant to be.
Didn’t foresee the grave pandemic
that would lead to months
of separation,
putting future endeavors
on hold.

Even my well-deserved speeding ticket
with delayed flights home
can’t erase the moments shared
in that weekend’s memory.
I will treasure it forever.

Margarette Wahl

Observance of Gratitude

“ Give thanks for what we are today and go on
fighting for what you’re going to be tomorrow.” William Shakespeare

Be grateful for
food to eat
beverages to drink
air to breathe
pens with ink
journals with lines
poems to write
songs to hear
art to admire
letters to receive
words to inspire
family to love
friends to encourage
pains to overcome
passion to wait for
pets to rescue
criticism to acquire
concerts to attend
languages to learn
books to read
cultures to attain
and a mind to obtain it all.

Margarette Wahl

Trading Bows for Quills

“You may be disappointed if you fail,
but you are doomed if you don’t try.” Beverly Sills

Two and a half years I tried.
Had professional lessons and practiced.
A tattoo of a shamrock on my wrist
convinced me along,
coax into believing
I’d become an Irish fiddler.

Celtic Blaze,
Celtic Thunder,
Celtic Woman,
Andy Cooney songs
and Eileen Ivers,
the Jimi Hendrix of fiddle players.
Everything Irish that I am not.

I came,
I tried
and was overcome.
The experiences granted me
the gift of writing.
So instead I became a Poet.

Margarette Wahl

Smell of Summer’s Rain

Dew sprinkled drops onto blades
of grass on the lawn.
Fresh breeze blows in
the open window.

The panes pitter and patter
into a song.
Rain falling faster and stronger
til there’s a shield of showering
blinds the view.

Ants try to escape inside,
they are met by the cat’s paw.
Garden zinnias welcome
this needed moisture.

Reflective drops roll down,
carrying prisms of multicolors
inside them on the glass
of the storm door.

The rainfall stops
as fast as it begun.
I smell Summer’s beginning.

Margarette Wahl

My O-Town Phase

These are the days
I want to be the
sexiest woman alive.
I know I’m playing with fire,
suddenly.
This shy girl, sensitive
chasing after you.
I’ll skydive into your liquid dreams
every six seconds even if I’m buried alive.

This is the right kind of wrong,
Baby I would because we fit together,
in one heart.
So take me under to fill your empty space.
I’m craving you after the lights are off.

Giants who have been around the world,
on the way now, you can’t lose.
It’s not shady business,
If love should be a crime
from the damage
I’ll be your favorite girl
comin’ to the rescue.

Don’t rewind, cut the cord
I’m not over easy.

Hello World,
Whatcha gonna do?
I won’t lose
I only dance with you.
I’m a girl like that.
So make her say
I showed her, it’s not over.

Agree to disagree
these lines and circles
are all or nothing,
but all for love.

The painter will show
sometimes love ain’t enough,
girl at the joint
got to go,
so goodnight.

Margarette Wahl