The Poetry Marathon

What’s Left?

Image Prompt by Martin Torrez

( With apologies to Louis Carol)

“The time has come” the Walrus said

To talk of many things:

Of Wills—Estates —and who gets what—

And why there are no blinds-

And whether there’s hereafter.

*************************************

What does one leave in the winter of life?

Who are the friends who make up this life?

When is it time to leave…. ‘A well lived life?’

Where will I spend the last days of my life?

Why is it so complicated to leave this life?

How we can leave with ‘Dying With Dignity?’

Posted By earth2joy

A Prayer on Being Humble

Dear God,

Thanks for listening, first of all,
since next to you I feel so small,
but great at the same time,
as I seek to be in tune

with you.

Yes, you. You are pretty cool,
my Lord. And savior, yes, but
not as prescribed by the fool
in need of shedding his own debt.

Thank you.

Every day, I thank you as we speak
together on the mundane things,
and I forget that I am to be meek.
In response to what a stranger brings:

It’s true…

Thank you, Lord, for a mind
that brings me perseverance.
Thank you for the ethic to find
time to study, try, learn, and advance.

So few,

Lord, are willing to listen,
and instead pretend to love you
by not loving themselves within.
You didn’t say “to thine own self be true,”

So true!

The ethic to work and to earn
is a gift from you, Lord,
because you have helped me learn
so that I can afford

being true

to this vessel you built for my soul.
Thank you, sweet friend!
To love you more is my goal,
and love me more till the end.

Forever

Ten years in the past

Young people in school

Fell in lust for each other

But how could it last?

The years quickly past

With studies and work.

The birth of two children

Sometimes they clashed.

A new home in the Fort

New jobs for them both.

Children in school

They started to court.

With each falling-out

And each making-up

A bond they created

Without a knock-out.

With a Rose gold ring

They made big plans,

To show the world

“This is not just a fling.”

.

Posted By Addy

C’est la Vie

I’d love to tell you, we did it!

I’d love to tell you, we finished.

These past few years, haven’t been quite the same.

These past few years, we hardly get through it.

Am I unfocused?

Did I get distracted?

Yes, I suppose.

Pulled in too many directions.

It’s hard being a mother.

C’est la vie.

It’s hard sacrificing your wants.

Your needs.

For another.

C’est la vie.

This is the life you chose.

You can’t shake the blame.

Now get up and pull yourself together.

There’s no need to pout.

After-all, there will always be another.

C’est. La. Vie.

(Congrats to all who successfully completed the marathon 🥰)

My World is Getting Smaller

Image Prompt by Frank Ching

My world is getting smaller

My patch, stitched down

Wings now clipped

Walls closing in

Eyes dimming

Colours fading in the light

Now how fast or slow

‘Till

My fingers feel for

Silk, and sand

Seeing nubs of Brail.

Announcing the Finishers of the 2023 Poetry Marathon

Dear Poets,

Here’s our initial list of everyone who successfully finished the 2023 Poetry Marathon. These poets wrote 24 poems in 24 hours. Congratulations to everyone who achieved this incredible challenge! You are amazing!

Please note: This list contains errors. We need your help to correct those errors. If your name is in the wrong list, or missing, when it should be there, please let me know by email poets@thepoetrymarathon.com. Any error was in no way intentional. There are so many participants, it is very difficult to create an accurate list. Your help with correcting any errors is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who participated this year!

You can see the finishers of the half marathon here.

When you are ready, you are very much encouraged to comment on the many wonderful poems written during the marathon by these wonderful poets. — Jacob

blissfilledislandlife

David Bruce Patterson

Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

Janice Raquela Mendonca

Posted By The Poetry Marathon

Announcing the Finishers of the 2023 Poetry Half Marathon

Dear Poets,

Here’s our initial list of everyone who successfully finished the 2023 Poetry Half Marathon. These poets wrote 12 poems in 12 hours. Congratulations to everyone who achieved this challenge!

Please note: This list contains errors. We need your help to correct those errors. If your name is in the wrong list, or missing, when it should be there, please let me know by email poets@thepoetrymarathon.com. Any error was in no way intentional. There are so many participants, it is very difficult to create an accurate list. Your help with correcting any errors is greatly appreciated.

You can see the finishers of the full marathon here.

Thank you to everyone who participated this year!

When you are ready, you are very much encouraged to comment on these amazing poets’ work. — Jacob