The Island of Unseen Things
Why disguise the lies
history books may deny
oral traditions
while native children
rise again to remind us
past crimes are still here
don’t let fear they breed
continue to bury truth
remains will be seen
Hopalong
Hopalong
My father rummaged through closets,
looking for a box of Kleenex. Why not
Kleenex in this house with your cold.
I didn’t feel sick, but my nose was running.
I wiped it on my sleeve. It didn’t bother me.
I was a scrappy kid, bandaged knees,
a ponytail losing its rubber band.
My mother had gone out, taking the other kids.
You need handkerchiefs, he said, pulling open
my dresser drawer. He took out my white
Hopalong Cassidy shirt, which he tore apart,
handing me cotton squares. I felt protective
of him, as if he were a small sweet cousin.
No need to tell him it was my favorite shirt.
Buddy – hour 2
He licks all the time
loves my edamame, whines
begs for food
and anything from mommy.
Give this dog a bone
it’s a favorite
a treat, you say?
by your side, then away
before you know it.
But this guy’s a Chiweenie
they’re stubborn little guys
rare poop outside
and he tries to hide
his puddles.
A ball he loves
just throw and he goes
comes back with two tho’
for more fun!
What’s this, a halo?
he loves them, too
waits patiently and you
watch him chew juice
and beg for more.
A thief he can be
Poof! Food you see
left alone is “for me”
his jaws chomp freely
on the remains.
Just the rattle of a door
his tail wags, and more
front feet off the floor
he jumps to welcome you home.
Buddy, a hug
when we have a flu bug
or after work we sigh and shrug
you make it all better.
– Sandra Johnson, 6/26/21
Prompt One- Everything ends
My world is little
choosing who to let in
depends on that role
I am playing at that time
As I grow
less importance is placed
on things I can visually see
To find truth
the eyes stiffen you
like a wax figure
that sparkle you were born with
dims
as you sift through
the messages received
throughout life
people are the problem
distance is required
Here
we seek to find a obtainable truth
only
to return to the darkness
that birthed you
the realm
of the earth
we started forgetting
as soon as we came here
it all ends
but my spirit wakes me
telling me to leave
something behind
something
to remind the earth
you were here
Hour One- Untitled
We have a chronic case of
Right place, wrong time.
Spending 12 years just missing each other.
Just missing each other at the store,
The bars downtown,
The bed we used to share.
Holding tight to the two years we got together.
I get dressed to see you
Knowing we haven’t shared a bed
In over a year.
It was another eight before
Since I could call you mine.
Haven’t said ‘I love you’
But knowing
We mean those words more at 28 than 16.
I pull on my sweatshirt
And grab my keys.
Playing only songs that make me think of you
As I drive to your place.
Deep breaths as I cut the engine.
I wonder what your neighbors see.
I’m clearly not your son’s mother
Or your fiancee.
Your stairs seem to go on forever.
One step up moves me three further from you
But I keep climbing.
Another deep breath
As I raise my hand to knock
Because I know
I’m ending 14 years of chasing each other.
Homesick – Hour 3
I turn left and right
I close my eyes tight
I reach out with my heart
To that moment we part
Take me across two continents
Back to those sweet moments
Where my heart knew calm
And I did not need lip balm
In the arms of dearests
All I want is to rest
This perpetual anxiety
Continues to haunt me
What great sorrow
To know that tomorrow
My mother’s touch remains unreachable
My father’s roaring sneeze barely memorable
Painfully learning everyday
What I wouldn’t give
To be able to hold my little brother in my arms again
Sometimes my every being
Wants to scream
Take me home
Almost like a myth
Trapped in this picture of perfect bliss
Take me home
Even if just a lie created in my head
That returning home may grant relief
To console myself from this daily dread
Perhaps escape is what I really need
Even then is it not my right
To want to return home tonight
Belittle not the plight of refugees
There are no other aches like these
Take me home
I Don’t Know
A six year old caught on the fly,
Did you dump that out?
I don’t know, comes the reply.
Really? Is that a lie?
Through dimples and giggles you hear,
Yeah.
You roll eyes at the cuteness,
saying, Go, with a sigh.
He then dashes outdoors,
pretending to fly.
Cinderella’s Takedown
Cinderella’s Takedown
We knew they were wicked,
just didn’t know how.
Stepmom and two daughters,
one big as a sow.
Working with the Department,
along with the Prince,
I sought their employment
to get evidence.
I emptied their chamber pots,
cooked, swept the floors,
while searching the backrooms
and listening at doors.
I bowed and obeyed
while they teased and berated.
I played my part well
while I took notes and waited.
One evening while mending
her gown for the Ball,
I heard her conversing
with men in the hall.
To the dance, several kilos
of powder she’d bring.
I’d finally discovered
their drug smuggling ring.
I sneaked off to the Ball
with the help of some mice,
confidential informants
with blood cold as ice.
The Prince was there waiting
to lower the boom.
Stepmom got arrested
as she entered the room.
One of my “siblings”
took off out the door.
I ran after, and caught her,
but slipped on the floor.
I lost my best slipper
while aiding the sting,
But still got the Prince,
and still got a ring.
COVID-19 Can’t Get Me Down
COVID-19 is nobody’s friend, it took everybody by surprise when it appeared.
No one knows from where it truly came, but it touched so many name by name.
There is a lot of fear and trepidation all around; yet we can’t give up because there is too much to lose. I’ve lost loved ones just like you, but I’m doing my part to avoid its deadly reign.
Scientists have been working hard to find a vaccine for well over a year.
Now it’s time to test what we all can’t see, but we all most fear.
I took my last shot just as unsure as I began. Devoid of answers not commonly known to man.
who knows what the long term effects will finally be? It’s a matter of time when all will see.
We’ll just have to wait before we all can finally agree.
i have nothing to contribute that may seem profound to the average view.
I’ll continue to do my part though my efforts might be limited and few.
I refuse to allow COVID-19 to Leave me lost and bound.
I will never allow it to defeat me or hold me down.
A Memory Turned (Hour 3 Half Marathon)
Michellia Wilson
Poetry Half Marathon – Hour 3 of 12
A MEMORY TURNED
My spirit moves in a away,
A light wind carries
me to another time –
that time you grabbed me
by the waist and with your impish smile,
we made memories
important only to us;
Time can be brutal –
so many things happened
to turn the memories putrid,
and now that you are gone,
I let my spirit move in a away,
to yet another time –
when you relinquished us,
and my spirit moved into darkness,
swirling with the darkness
of my nature,
and the light wind died
with you,
carrying me to another place,
another time.