The Poetry Marathon

Some things are best seen
Through the eyes
Of someone who
Has been there.

It is only through the eyes
and experience of others
we learn.

Stardust

stardust born, exploding supernova,
embers in my blood, my skin, my hair, the earth
beneath my feet, my place called home,
whether I search the distant night-time sky
or turn quietly inward, I feel the pull
calling me back to stardust.

You did it! Congratulations! I am very impressed! You wrote 24 poems in 24 hours. This is an achievement that few poets ever accomplish. Although, if you are a returning marathoner, some of you might be accomplishing it for the second or third time or fourth, fifth, sixth or even seventh time!

Now you should probably go get some sleep.

After every marathon I have participated in I have been filled with exhaustion but also a tremendous sense of achievement. I hope you have that too.

In the past I have personally verified that everyone who applied for a certificate was eligible and then I would make a certificate. That is not possible this year and so we will be operating on the honor system.

If you completed the full 24 hour Poetry Marathon please consider the following certificate yours, to update with your name, to print if you choose to do so. We will be taking feedback into consideration, so if you really feel strongly about this new state of affairs please email me at poets@thepoetrymarathon.com to explain your position.

Only use the link below to access the certificate if you have completed the Full Marathon.

Click on the link below, and save the PowerPoint file to your computer, add a text box. Type in your name, then save as a JPEG.

Download the Powerpoint for Editing

(Note, for optimal formatting, you may want to add the fonts Nixie One, La Belle Aurore, and Cedarville Cursive to your computer.)

The visual example of what the certificate will look like is right below this text.

Also this year we will be putting together a 2022 Poetry Marathon Anthology.

Submissions will open July 6th and stay open till the 22cd.

Full anthology submissions details will be available on the 6th. All submissions must be written during the 2022 Poetry Marathon.

Digital copies will be made available for free to any contributor. Print copies will be available for a reasonable price and any money that is made from them will go towards covering the cost of the marathon.

Want to know what the 2021 Poetry Marathon Anthology was like? Pick up your copy here.

Stardust brought you into my life

on a warm September day.

Hope was the future

I’d see and speak to you again.

Cheese was Italian food,

I tasted, bought, and loved

because of you.

Shoes walked me and put me inside my car

to drive by to catch

a glimpse of you.

Sleep is what you do now

forever.

One day you’ll come visit me

inside my dreams.

Chuvaj zube, dete,
I… nemoj da brinish
Uzhivaj u rechi
Nedostajesh mene

Take care of your teeth, child
And… don’t fear
Rejoice in words
I miss you

No alterity –

We’re already connected

Universally.

“Show mercy.” He commands.
“Show compassion.”
And although many would lash out
Stomp their feet
Sling mud and lies
And get angry over the injustice…
And things far worse than you realize
Even things I’m yet unaware of
He knows.
He saw everything.
He heard the whispers
Behind licked doors.
He is everywhere observing
And He came to my rescue
When I was at my weakest point.
“Jesus!” I cried.
“Take the wheel because I can’t do this on my own.”
So He did and I trusted and had faith
That He would deliver me.
I begged Him for my purpose
Unfulfilled by a breached soul contract
But He witnessed me put in the work.
He saw me try.
He watched as I stumbled
And when I fell flat in my face
Endured The Dark Night Of The Soul
I barely survived,
I awoke.
And He answered my prayers
Shielded me.
Protected me.
The angels,they surrounded me.
My ancestors waged war on my behalf
As I continued working on myself
And prepare to walk into my propose
The reason I’m here.
By His grace, I was saved.
By His love, I am delivered.
By His mercy, I found peace.
And as His daughter, I wanted to make Him proud-
I wanted my ancestors,
The only family I have that truly values me
Rally the troops and sent for reinforcements
By waking up the ancients.
From Celts, Vikings, and Barbarians
I am descended.
A family of warriors
Whose blood courses through my veins.
Through Him I was healed.
When I was weak, He was my strength
And without Him, I’d be nothing.
With Him, I can do anything.
I am valued and I’m loved
Unconditionally.
Forgiven
Unconditionally.
Embraced and held within His arms
Indefinitely.
I owe my existence to God
Who constructed me into the womb
Of the person who gave me life.
But I was never her child,
I am and always shall be
His.

I love all who persecuted me.
I forgive you all with sincerity
From the endless depths of my being.
What you did to me
Is inexcusable
Heinous
Devilry
No words in the thesaurus can describe
The evil
And within my life I never dreamed
I’d live to witness the raw reality
Of all the Seven Deadly Sins.
I can see much
Feel the energy pull
But am not God this much remained hidden.
And all I requested was an apology
To listen and learn
Gain perspective and comfort them
For the weight of the burden of it.
No matter how badly someone hurts me,
The last thing I want to see is someone I know
Face justice, judgment, and karma.
Thrice I asked.
Only one considered
But backed down
Out of countless people.
They accepted blood money
From inheritance stolen
Expectations of life insurance
And the idea of selling my organs
To cover the gas money.
Now conspiring to have me arrested or sued
Under false pretenses
The local law paid off
The justice system in the county
Though I have an inner knowing there are some
Who wouldn’t compromise their integrity,
Of that I know
But not their names.
So much money spent
Seeking my death
When that money could have gone to better use
By helping those in need,
Those who struggle
Those impoverished
Those in far worse positions than I,
And I assure you, there are.
Each person has a story to tell
This is but a fraction of mine
And what I desire
Us yours
Whoever you may be reading these words.
I don’t ask for your secrets
Those are yours to keep
But I promise, I’m a safe place
That will help you shoulder the burden of them
If at all you need to
And you have nowhere to turn.

It’s amazing how open my eyes are to
The reality of who is true and who is false
When it comes down to it.
Who stood by my side without fail?
God.
Who had my back when death was thrown
Hastily my way?
God.
Who shouldered my burdens, as there were many?
God.
Who drew me from the destructive flames
And helped me become the flame that illuminates?
God.
Who helped me heal?
God.
Who did I turn through countless betrayals?
God.
Who sheltered me and protected me from the storms?
God.
Who showed me mercy when I did wrong?
God.
Who pointed out where I needed to be checked?
God.
Who showed me the wonders of miracles?
God.

Remembering in my youth the phrase,
“What Would Jesus Do?”
I find a whole new miracle in that
And that is the way in which we should walk.
Crush the heads of serpents and scorpions
And live by compassion and unfailing love.
And through all this, I love more fiercely
Than ever before
As in the Bible we are all supposed to
Walk in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ
And tis is how I choose to live
And move forward.
Jesus showed more compassion than anger
Which is why I can still forgive
But I cannot forget.
I have cast aside and done away with
Everything and everyone who no longer serves.
I choose to say without hesitation…
“I still love you” and mean it
But from now on from a distance.
I pray you show compassion and love for others
In your future.
I pray that you walk in line with your purpose.
I pray you seek Him
And find His grace.
By the blood of Jesus
I pray for you.
And I forgive you.
You all can do better than what you have
And I mean that in the light.
Come back to it. It’s where you’re supposed to be.
Don’t turn away
Run toward.
And feel His compassion
And show the same to others in the future.
Amen.

ecstasy

name combiner

looks faded

we solved with our favourite

fictional characters name

mentioned on hallucinating pages

Stardust-we are made of it!
Love is the key, but magic
is more than welcome
in our gloomy lives!
What could we dream of? Of
wings and even more stardust!

HOUR 24       Rhythm of Life                                        Mary Pecaut

Go and come

Ships cross the Panama Canal 

steady as waves lapping the shore.

Brown pelicans dive and dip

scooping up fish

schools of which 

come and go.