What’s That Smell?

the air was

heavy with

the sweet smell

of success

as it blew

right past her

replaced with

flatulence

of failure

(A tricube is comprised of three stanzas, with each stanza being three lines long, and each line consisting of three syllables. This was my final poem penned within the confines of the full marathon, and I was truly frustrated and disappointed in myself for not being able to complete the full event, even though I was working and having to write in between tasks, as well as the fact I recently have been experiencing major health issues, which also prevent me from being able to do everything I want when I would like.)

Pity the Pittie

I

see the

look of fear

creep across their

faces, their

eyes

wide

with terror.

Tell me, Mommy.

I don’t understand.

What did

I

do

that scared

them so much?

Did I speak

too loud?

Was

I

wrong for

giving them kisses?

I only wanted

to show

love.

Why

don’t they

like me? I’m

a good girl,

aren’t I,

Mommy?

(The Hall of Mirrors Hay(na)ku is another one of my format variation creations. The original format, hay(na)ku, is a three line poem, where the first line is one word long, the second line two words, and the third line consists of three words. The reverse hay(na)ku is also three lines, but the first line is three words, the second line two, and the last line only one word. In 2019, I combined one verse of hay(na)ku and one verse reverse hay(na)ku and created the mirror hay(na)ku. The next year, I took things a step further and gave birth to the Hall of Mirrors hay(na)ku, which consists of five mirror hay(na)ku stanzas. This poem is what I feel like my super sweet pit bull DotDot might say if she could talk to me.)

Just Like Grandma Used to Make

Bacon,

she thought, only

came in extra crispy,

short blackened bits that nearly broke

her teeth.

(A cinquain consists of five lines with a syllabic count of 2/4/6/8/2.)

Three Days Grace

Son, I have watched you

grow from bouncing baby boy

to once and future

King. This proud poppa’s heart hurts.

Fear not; I’ll see you soon.

Tell me, Father, why

hast Thou forsaken me? I’ve

done as you asked. Please

don’t leave me, Daddy. Even three

days without You is too long.

(A somonka is composed of two tankas, written in two different voices, that carries a central theme of love. It doesn’t have to be romantic love; it can be brotherly, platonic, parental, etc. A tanka poem is made up of five lines with a syllabic count of 5/7/5/7/7. This poem was inspired by the hours just before Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.)

Heavenly Father

Heavenly Father, teach me how to pray

I can’t find the words, but I’ve so much to say

Thanks for salvation, for mercy, and grace

For sending the Savior to die in my place

Thanks for forgiveness, for love beyond measure

For each earthly blessing each heavenly treasure

Heavenly Father, bless each step I take

Lead me in righteousness for Your name’s sake

When I am restless, please help me be still

Guide me to glory, lead me in Your will

When times are troubled and Life has gone wrong

Let me speak of your goodness, let me praise you in song

Heavenly Father, lay hands on my life

Stay by side, through both joy and strife

When Satan attacks in the darkness of night

Let Your Word shine upon me, a beacon of light

When Life becomes tough, even though I’m to blame

Lord, help me remember to call on Your name.

Up Where I Belong

HEAVEN

golden, glorious

reuniting, rejoicing, reveling

paradise, perfection, monotony, madness

floundering, falling, failing

temporary, terminal

EARTH

(A diamante is comprised of seven lines. Lines one and seven are two opposite nouns. Lines two and six are made up of two adjectives referring to lines one and seven respectively. Line three should be three -ing verbs related to line one; line five follows the same formula but in relation to line seven. Line four is composed of two concrete nouns describing line one, followed by two additional nouns referencing line seven.)

UnBrOkEn

Too blind to see, too deaf to hear

A four-eyed freak

with Bluetooth ears

But wait, there’s more…

Adorned with spots from head to toe

and facial hair

so bright it glows

for all to see…

Encumbered by ADHD,

high A1C,

and wonky knee…

Yep, that be me!

(A traditional minute poem is made up of 60 total syllables divided among three stanzas of four lines each, with the syllabic count of 8/4/4/4. Traditional minute poems are written in iambic pentameter following a rhyme scheme of aabb, ccdd, eeff. To save myself the struggle, I have eliminated these last two requirements, resulting in the non-traditional minute format displayed here.)

Raise the Flag

You

win again as I

surrender and raise

my flag. Bring me more sopapillas!

(A four line poem is comprised of four lines with a syllabic count of 1/5/5/9.)

Grand Prize

A liberal and

a vegan jump off a cliff

to see who will hit

the ground fastest. You wanna

know who wins? SOCIETY!

(A tanka is a five line poem with a syllable count of 5/7/5/7/7. I can’t take true credit for this one as it was adapted from a joke just overheard from my old friend Bubba!)

This Magic Moment

Is that a quarter

I see behind your right ear?

“SHOW ME THE MONEY!”

(A haiku is a three line poem with a syllabic count of 5/7/5. Traditional Japanese haiku typically has a central theme of nature.)