24 Poems ~ 24 Hours
[Prompt: Write a poem either titled or centred around a ‘Kaleidoscope’]
she is maKing her bed this morning
before high school And broken
wavy lines like Looking through leaded glass
are what she seEs: the comforter
is all messed up & shImmering
as EDna Pontellier in The Awakening
when she walks to drOwn herself
in the Gulf. So okay, she tells herself,
don’t paniC, don’t panic:
another Ocular migraine
with Phosphenes and the
unmistakable scEnt of pinks
Lessons nursing has taught me.
Show empathy – for you never know what a person may be going through.
smile and take your time – break it down.
May your actions radiate genuine intention.
Sometimes listening is all you can do. Be present. No need for words. Just hear them out.
Always ask for help when you feel overwhelmed.
When it is stressful just rememember its only for 8 hours.
It is important to switch off from work.
And to empathise without getting attached and emotionally involved.
Code brown means your patient has had a massive shit and you need to clean it up.
I am a closeted hoarder
I collect everything
And find it hard to let go.
Each item in my possession holds
sentiments and memories.
I am a closeted hoarder
I collect everything and
I am unable to let go.
I am trying my best
to cleanse myself of this God awful habit
Like a cancer it spreads– invading my self esteem, y being…
and I can’t seem to shake it off.
I reaffirm and remind myself
‘’You don’t need this, you think you do, but, you don’t.”
I am a closeted hoarder
I collect everything
And find it hard to let go.
I am ashamed of myself
And I hate myself for it.
I know I need help – however, I am not ready to ask for help from the outside world.
I’m not there yet…
I’m trying to be strong
I’m trying to help myself
but it doesn’t seem to be working
only worsening -sickening habit.
“I will get better.” I lie to myself.
I am a closeted hoarder
I collect everything
And find it hard to let go.
I see myself letting go
and forgetting everything.
My memories deny me access
to reminisce
-this is my worst fear.
And why I hold on
and struggle to let go.
I am a closeted hoarder
I collect everything
And find it hard to let go.
Having true Friends is a rare and beautiful thing.
You feel safe to share your accomplishments knowing that they will share in that joy with you.
They are rooting for you.
They sit in the silence with you and are not afraid when things get ugly.
They help you by offering a hand.
They have unconditional positive regard for you.
Friendship is a beautiful thing which starts as two ordinary individuals
who connect on the smae wavelength and understand each other.
Its an expereince of a lifetime -knowing that you are loved by a true friend and having grown old together.
Your Complimentary Poem
This poem is free; take it
however you want, making
its abstractions suit your wedding
divorce break-down triumph
long journey into the night or
creative writing assignment
due in an hour. A concrete image
is not here. Any simile
is like something you’ve heard
about a thousand times already.
This poem agrees what you’re feeling
is what it’s feeling too. It’s a lot
of feeling, but in a general
kind of way. Universality
is what makes this poem
get so many likes. It feels
so seen!
Take it easy, complimentary poem:
you can’t have an undertone
when you are generated
from homogenized fragments of poems
throughout recorded human history.
But you can rhyme and switch point of view.
You do you.
—–
[prompt: Write a poem that is pretending to be something else, a set of instructions, a recipe, a letter, a news report, etc.]
What is love?
Couples and families with children facing each other
eating at the dinner table
talking about their day.
Cells phones switched off
or out of the picture.
Love is being present in the moment.
Being grateful for their presence.
Sharing conversations about mundane and spectacular
and celebrating everything in between.
She denied the lies
I laugh inwardly cause I know the truth.
funny how people get defensive
when speaking lies,
Lie to cover a lie,
it goes on and on.
Witnesing the web of lies
created just so she doesn’t have to admit the truth.
How much more pathetic can it get?
I act as if I am buying her bullshit
when I know the truth.
You were lovely
I was engrossed in work
and didn’t pay much attention
to the world happening around me.
I thought it was super weird
how you’d notice the little things
and were not afraid of complimenting me.
I’d blush inwardly,
I still do.
My stomach is in knots everytime
you look my way.
You made me feel so aware
of my presence and
my effect on those around me.
You are beautiful with your playful stares
and your mischief.
I would like to look at myself through your eyes.
Your gaze piercing as if you saw my soul.
You didn’t flinch, it’s like you were drawn.
you continued to maintain eye contact.
I couldn’t reciprocate your eye contact
as I felt self conscious and
scrutinized by the world around us.
I looked down and all around
while passionately romantising
the struggles of my current state.
This electric tenison between us
is so strong, I can’t help but
look for you and find myself matching
you against every other friendship I have ever had.
Nothing compares
there is none like you.
I find your essence in every little thing.
There is this constant tug of war in my heart
and it begins and ends with you.
Should I?
Do I dare?
I am afraid to find out what is behind that door.
Maybe I like you just a little too much,
but I prefer us being just friends.
I’ll deal with my emotions for now
By writing about you
But, I don’t want to lose you.
I’d rather have you as a friend than nothing at all.
Riding Lessons
She came with a light girl, confidant girl, visitors
to our paddock. She did not want to touch me but
the girl rode round and round and I let
it seem she was in charge. Then Julie patted
my neck and the girl brushed me down
and my sawdust was soft and sweet.
When Julie came back alone her clothes
were from the gift shop, so stiff, so new.
Trainer McKenzie taught her tack
and how to sit; she barely breathed.
I felt her fear. Round and round
McKenzie lead us in the livery yard.
Her first dismount was luck; the second
was a fall. But week by week her muscles
grew. She learned to trust. I learned her voice,
her hands that stroked and drew my hair
in lines. We ride outside. I give her rein
these afternoons. She’s just about broken in.
—-
[prompt: Write a poem about an experience, but from the perspective of another.]
The Power of Prayers
A conversation between you and GOD.
A link that is never lost,
Silence and meditation – prayer
You don’t have to always say something.
Spoken from the heart,
a plea, gratitude, offering, hope, surrender.
Say a prayer
you don’t have to be religious to pray
and you certainly don’t need to know the words,
let the silence guide you
and words flow.
Pray for hope,
pray for peace,
pray for strength
pray for forgiveness
pray for those who don’t pray.
pray for your enemies,
give thanks and honour.
stay humble in prayer.
Never demand
Surrender to God’s will.
Offer your prayers to GOD above
and let go of the rest.