The Poetry Marathon

Notes to Self at 36

Keep trying
Keep pushing
You got this
You can do this
I know, I know
You are tired
I know, I know
This work is hard
We have to fight
We have to push through this
We have to suffer through this
I’m here with you
right here with you
I’m suffering with you, but
but I am your cheerleader, cheering for you
Pushing you
You are going to make it
No, No you will not come through this unscathed
Yes, yes you will be bruised and battle-scarred
But each wounding marks a well-fought battle
each wounding is a tell-tale sign of what you’ve overcome
Yes, it hard but you can’t give up now
Don’t give up
Don’t give up
Don’t give…
Don’t…

Hour 2 – the less we say about it the better

the less we say about it the better

a golden shovel after lyrics by David Byrne

mum i sit, the
world less
rational. we
cascade. you say
don’t worry about
it. but it
is alarming. the
end won’t be better

Poem for Hour Two (2/24)

Upturned Avocet like it’s always asking questions,

Proud Shoveler like it has something to say.

Opulent King Eider with a face fit for royalty,

Cumbrous Surf Scoter with an expression of surprise.

Goofy Black Skimmer and its penchant for fishing,

Lovable Roseate Spoonbill and its clever feeding.

Superlative Hornbill my first avian love,

Charming Kiwi beloved by everyone.

Laughing Puffin has an apparent joy about its face,

Daunting Shoebill has a look of pure intimidation.

(Hour 02) 11.30-12.30am. TEXT PROMPT, POV of self from 10 years ago

The Last Day Stella Saw Daddy

Mummy & Daddy yelling
Again again always
Always always yelling
Daddy’s breath smells
Mummy crying
Daddy says bad words
Lots of loud bad words
Pushes Mummy over
Daddy lets the door bang
I get told off if I do that
Daddy makes the car roar
Stones and dirt hit the window

At least now it’s quiet
Except for Mummy sobbing on the floor
I go to her: Mummy I’m hungry
Go away she screams

I don’t know where to go

2023 #2 Hello There

Hello there.
It’s me…
well you.

You look different.
Better somehow.
Older, sure, but better.

A lot has happened, huh?
So many things that didn’t happen.
You found your way it seems.

Not to where we thought,
but where we needed to be.
To become our best self.

It seems life works that way.
We think we need one thing.
When we really need another.

I see that you are happy.
That’s what matters.
Being yourself and
happy about who you are.

It was nice to get to see you.
Looking forward to the next ten years.
See what more you…
we have accomplished.

Prompt 2 – Another Option

Image Courtesy of Pixabay

(A bit of a pressing crisis, so I’m using the Haiku copout)

We cannot go out

It’s raining much too hard now

So we’ll stay indoors

Antoinette LeRoux © 2023

“Use Your Strengths”

Text Prompt: View of myself ten years ago

Using “Daiku Form”= A haiku with a Diane twist. Three presented here.

Remaining hopeful, as my spirit keeps flying. Believing is hard.

Remaining hopeful. Keeping my head above frays. Yes, a greater good.

Remaining hopeful, despite those that would thwart me. Fairness will prevail. DMW

 

Poem 2: Pondering Abandonment

What do you do when you wake and learn

you’re a deer, the tips of your racks

scabbed, your tan hide nothing like

the crow’s sheen? You can’t pinch

your hide and wake — your hooves can’t pinch.

Smells glow in your nose like they

live their own lives. The air is a gray veil

with one small thread you pull to

help you find your way back to your fawn

you left in the woods all alone.

Hour 2 – Turning 40

Prompt Two – Text Prompt:

Write a poem from the point of view of yourself, ten years ago.

 

Age is just a number right?

What have I accomplished?

How can I be this old?

Is that a grey hair?

Why does my back hurt?

40 is the new 30 right?

#Prompt 2 – 2023

Career Paths

Climb the ladder that doesn’t exist
On the imaginary wall
to your future
Precarious steps
Each fraught with dangerous
The rungs greasy
The top hidden from sight
The assent unrealistic
The ultimate goal
too often
unachievable

 

[Inspired by the image]