The Poetry Marathon

Sometimes it hurts but was is it?

it. Such a simple yet complex word. it can be anything. It stands in the place of what you need it to. It is always there.
it. It can stand alone. It can stand in a group setting. It can do whatever you need it to.

it. It is. It is not.

have you ever had one of them days, one of them months? One of them years?

the kind where you want to cry, but you can’t.
you can’t express anything. Like your numb? An uncomfortable numbness. An empty feeling that weighs more than the mountains.

you want to cry. The tears don’t fall. You want to laugh. But silence rests itself on you.

anger doesn’t quite cut it, for you feel guilty because there isn’t anything to be angry at.

just numbness. Only numbness. Empty.

it’s rough to be hollow.

then the day comes. You can laugh.
you can cry! You can feel!

the roses smell more fragrant. The coffee has an extra kick.

cherish the title moments! Much relief!

I never thought much of myself

just a girl that was told she

would never amount to anything

too stupid for college

but just right for takin orders.

those words always stayed in my head.

never could I believe in myself

never could I appreciate myself

nope! My mother’s words sewn deep

into my brain. Everyday those were the

words that I’d wake up to. Another day. The same words.

one day I took control of my life. I was terrified at failure. You can’t do it, whispered throughout my day.

never good enough! Never smart enough. Until I broke those chains.

honours and A’s! Studied at Cambridge, England, too!

dear old mother, that always told me I’d never amount to anything…

look at me now! Living my dream! In London!
I finally found my self-worth…without you!

I sat on my bed

just me and my thoughts

wasn’t sure what I’d do

after my shot.

hit play to watch a sitcom

then out of nowhere,

you came along.

I sat and cried

when I reminisced that

you died. I watched your

friends talk sweet memories

of you.
you also spoke, from beyond the

heavens, it was surreal to me

to share that moment with you.
you inspired my voice. You gave me back my

empathy! I’ll always cherish that Saturday

evening, sitting in London, once again

able to feel emotions and cry.
it was as though you said all will be fine!

the world will be mine.
but a piece will always be missing

because you are gone.

what can fill that void?
the pain still cuts deep.
but I’ll be strong

and carry on! Because you came down from

heaven.

Stuck in the muck

hit by a truck

caught in the mire

liar liar pants on fire.

you dropped your mask

it seemed to do the task

until it slipped that day,

I know you won’t remember

you have that narcissistic

amnesia.
the torch you used to gaslight

me

went out when I exhaled

you play the victim

and smear me

but that’s ok! My honesty

and self determination will

make you fear me.

my head is high

yours, hung in shame!
You tried to destroy me

and pick me apart

joke’s on you, I know my heart!

I left you, slammed that door shut!
I locked it and threw away the key!

you’ll always remember,

you weren’t equipped to handle me!

Oh roadrunner

never able to stay in one place

traveling seeing the tiredness

on your face.

you cooked. You wrote. And were

always hungry for more.

no reservations. The layover.
All the parts unknown.
Roadrunner, you taught me to

go where the tourists don’t.
not afraid to try the things most won’t.
I packed my bags and went abroad, too.
O Anthony, I’ll forever miss you!

The moment when you’re able to

breathe freely

no longer having to grit and grind

your teeth

the tension so thick a knife can’t

cut through it.

those days are behind me.
now I can just breathe.

The booster’s needle pricks my arm

Avoiding Covid, which causes harm.

arm is a bit sore

nothing more

than a jab

but it feels like a stab

odd since I’m addicted to tattoos

does the jab bother you?

the city at night

quiet and peaceful

the sirens blaring

let’s me know that

i am in my city.
the city of the jaded Thames

and the dome of

Wren’s mighty domed cathedral

the white tower where the

crowned jewels are guarded.

my city. My life. My home.

I’m excited to participate in this marathon, again! I hope I am able to complete it this year! Best of luck to everyone here! Happy writings.