prompt 13
13
2 tired 2 b funny 2nite
2 whoevr wants
just 2 tired
2 retired
2b d 1
The Homecoming
I was gathering beet greens
when I saw the sleeve of his jacket
reach around my waist.
A tremor filled my heart,
as I had been longing for his kiss
so many lonely days on the bayou
wondering when he might return…
If he might return.
I dropped my elbow full with the harvest
of summer heat… long days yearning
to feel his life force melt into mine,
our muscles churning in cosmic time.
“Looks like we need a new lightbulb for the porch.”
His smile spoke of more than the practical.
He was home! Home with me! Home, still with
the love and wonder of our first cinnamon kiss.
A bucket of strawberries spilled out next to us,
like hearts begging for love’s blessing,
as we dropped to our knees in grace,
with only the distant elk as witness.
Yte Man
If you take my experience and make it yours
That’s stealing.
Haven’t you taken enough already?
Hour 13 Limerick
Can you tie my shoes,
I make a bow, a 1 a 2,
Right is tied to the left, left is tied to the right,
Is that too tight?
Is this what you are supposed to do?
Hour 13 – Back to the sun
The sunlight is captured, perhaps long ago
trapped in cells of hardwood
harvested and deconstructed
Only to end up a sheet of ads for groceries that I did not read
I twist the newspaper in my hands curling it into a thin snake
that would be easily camouflaged at a stop & shop
then lay it inside the ring
casually dropping it amongst its raw kindling brethren
a serpent of smoke rises into the world
the dye coloring it so much darker than
the cumulonimbus that shields us
from the sunlight it begs to be a part of again
as the flames die down
the embers flash through its skeletal remains
echoing the lightning that splits the shield briefly
finally a piece is light enough, still burning at the edges
the current of heat thrusts it back towards the storm
Briefly it shines against the cloud in sky before disappearing
Back to the sky where it once belonged
with a sigh of gratitude
13 Voices
Voices help when souls have passed
Black and white movies from the past
It matters not if seen before
I know these folks can’t ask for more
I played his voice from old voicemails
It’s been a while I felt too frail
I wait for my pup to speak a word
I promised her not to tell I heard
This is not the poem to talk of grief
You all know there’s no relief
While writing poems no friends will call
Respecting this space so I will not stall
I’ll say no more and get back to work
These twenty-four poems I will not shirk
Poem for Hour Thirteen (13/24)
Mr. Barn Owl’s home was a bore,
So he went to the motorhome store,
Saw a brand new one and bought it,
And exclaimed when he got it,
“Guess I’m a barn owl no more!”
Perfect Combination
“Perfect Combination”
A walk through the pedestrian,
With my black and white stripe jeans,
The only thing that I can call perfect for now,
Is my perfect combination outfit,
That finally fits to the world misfits.
An echoe that I finally find my place,
My spot under the sun.
For once I’m the head turner one,
No one can protest,
My spot.
#PoetryMarathon2023 #HOUR13 #24HRSCATEGORY
H13.P13 Glorified Baby sitter
The days where long and knd of crazy
In winter I was a little lazy
Resting up for the spring
When the weather starts to warm
The caravans they come in droves
Travel Auctions all the rage
Cheep and nasty bloody things
Upgrades needed everywhere
But l am a babby sitter not a manager.
Thank you!
I just completed the half marathon for this year, and I wanted to say thank you to Caitlin and Jacob, and anyone else who helped to organize this fantastic event! (I know there are others who are helping with the full marathon but don’t recall their names, so please don’t be offended and please accept my thanks!)
This is an absolutely wonderful experience! I have energy left and could probably do a few more poems, but I know I would flame out before the full 24 hours is done, so I’m glad I kept it manageable.
Thank you to everyone else who participated, too – I’m looking forward to reading some of the poems that came out of your marathon experience, now that I’m not consumed by drafting my own!