The Poetry Marathon

UnUnited

Every day brings new disappointments
It must feel this way for everyone

Who is it that relishes in the conflict and chaos
that fills our daily lives?

There must be some greatest beneficiary
to all the vitriol and violence

At what point will the rest of us
finally decide no one is winning

That in the end, none of this was worth it
That in the end, it wasn’t really about any of us

The warning bells sound daily
to ask if there is some mistake

How should we respond?
Can we, before it is too late?

[Prompt 2: Read Robert Frost’s poem Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, chose one line or phrase, and with credit, write a poem with that line or phrase in it.]

The Trees Speak

“Whose woods these are I think I know,”

You can’t really own us, though.

You tell yourselves, “Those trees are ours,”

but no one owns the leafy bowers

or fragrant flowers.

 

We gracious beings share your lives;

You count us up by tens and fives.

You think you’re clever, rich, and smart.

You’re big on brains, but not on heart.

Please do your part.

 

There is no life without our work.

We do it well and never shirk.

We give you breath and life and air

and nest small creatures in our hair.

Yet you don’t care.

 

You cut us down and break our hearts

and haul us off on rolling carts.

You simply do not understand

that Earth is dying by your hand.

You rape the land.

 

We’ll continue to do our bit,

even though you don’t recognize it.

We have a job—a job we’ll do

long, long after humanity’s through.

There’ll be no You.

 

Then Earth will start to make repair

and hope we never have to share

this planet with mankind ever again

once we erase your selfish stain.

We will remain.

 

(The first line is from Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”; I have also followed a similar rhyme scheme.).

Solstice

The darkest evening of the year
And yet we have found sunlight here,
Carried laughing through the deepwoods
Hand to hand are beams of cheer.

In puffy coats with fluffy hoods,
Disturbing squirrels’ neighbourhoods,
We’ll reach at last a winding cave
And lift our songs to light the woods.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————
‘The darkest evening of the year’ is a line taken from the poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening ‘ by Robert Frost. This poem also uses the partial structure of the same.

Miles to Go

Miles to Go Before I Sleep

Taken from Robert Frost   Stopping By  the Woods

 

Focused on my journey and perpetual need for rest.

What wonders have I missed

blinded to all I perceive as ordinary?

What whisper of harness bells

sent through morning bird song

to refresh the spirit

have gone unheard

in the cacophony of the day?

 

 

 

The journey”s end,

which cannot be known,

exhorts my mind to penetrate

the rocky mountain before me.

 

But…in this season of my life,

moving at a slower pace,

“along the way”  treasures

are calling my name.

 

”Look over here.

We’ve been waiting for you.

Stop for  a while.”

 

And so I paraphrase Robert Frost with this….

 

miles to LIVE before I sleep.

Miles to LIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

A little late on the introduction but hello! My name is Ariel. I am 27 years old and have no clue what to do with this introduction. I procrastinate to the fullest extent which is why it is getting out so late but here it is. I don’t think I am a very interesting person but I love reading, I love writing, and that’s pretty much my life.

Orange

Of late I am drawn to
the color orange
It was not always so
but now I seek out orange that
word that rhymes with almost no words
in shirts pants food art
It is quite curious this
love affair
Nearby a very slow moving
stream fills a shallow pond
with an iron rich orange
mixed slush
that don’t tell anyone
I give more than
a passing thought
to stripping and
smearing it all
over my body

Celebration of Life (Hour Two)

Celebration of Life

I was taught to mourn and grieve.

Birthed into the physical world, with a goal of transitioning back into consciousness is frown upon.

I was taught the gates of heaven would not be open to me.

Released into the purest from of energy as the dirt is thrown into a shallow grave.

I was taught to feel helpless and defeated.

Transcended into light and divine connection to the next life.

I was taught separation of the spirit and body do not exist.

I learned the loss in the physical is a gained ancestor.

I learned to feel the presence of spirit through meditation.

I learned the scared place beyond the waters await me.

I learned to transition is to transcend into the duality of life and death.

Hour One – “Water” prompt

Carefully collected

In my metal pots and bowls

The gentle rain of summer solstice

 

I offer a chalice

To my goddess the Morrigan

In thanks for lending me her strength

 

Three bowls for the cats

Named for Goddesses, All three

They’ve lost their taste for city water

 

A line of jars

Filled with fresh picked petals

I pour, for moon charged rose water

 

Don’t waste a drop

My plants drink the remains

And stretch, beginning a new growth cycle

 

I stand outside

Dancing in the summer downpour

This solstice, I shall do the same

Hour 2 Writing Prompt – Pick a line or phrase from Robert Frost’s poem Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, and use it in your poem

Miles to go before I sleep*

(a poem for dad, oh how we miss you!)

 

It’s hard to write about you Dad

So much to say yet the words won’t come

Your chair sits empty but still I look

Maybe to catch a glimpse of you

Your smile, devilish at times, your laugh, your grumbles, too

And your sweet, sweet humming, always humming

I miss these parts of you, I miss them, I miss you, we miss you, every bit of you

Days are different, routines changed, less worry at night

So why do I long to hear your voice on that monitor

Just one more time, even if it was you grumbling as you made

yet another trip to the bathroom.

Trips to see Doc Weller, “a very fine feller” as you would proclaim

Followed by your trademarked “Oh shitsky!”  I MISS THAT

There’s no more worry, will you fall, will I find you in your chair

Unresponsive, leaving us to morn, no more worry, no more you

Why would I wish for those times of worry about you

Your 7:00 bed time, yet “miles to go before I sleep”*

Wishing you were still a  part of our routine, hard times and the good ones

It’s mom I hear now on that monitor, no “Oh Shitskies” just the

seemingly endless all-nighter with Steve Harvey and Family Feud

I know you are laughing that boyish laugh right now…….the momma

She’s ok, just missing you, we all miss you, ALL OF YOU

We can’t have you back, just our thoughts and memories

I’ll let those fill my heart and soul

Even if it means it’s “miles to go before I sleep”*

 

 

 

Why I’m here9am

That’s why I’m here

Excuse me? Good evening
I’m looking for this place, do
you know where it is?
Quiet, nervous, scared

Sure do. Follow me.
I’m going there as well
It’s this way-
He led the way

I followed him into
a church- It didn’t bother me
After all I go to church
But I don’t know why I
have to go to this meeting
tonight

So-how does this work?
do we exchange names?
life stories?
He laughed softly
Not exactly

We grab coffee
sit down
make small talk
You’re looking a little green
Do you need some water?

Nah-
I’m good
I don’t drink coffee
Maybe I should-

I’ve met a couple people
that my helper seems to know
they all seem so–
Normal

Someone’s taking charge
and speaking
I don’t see why I have to be here
But I will be respectful and listen
Not like I have a problem

I tugged down the sleeves of my
sweater-
trying to make sure the scars are
covered
I don’t want anyone to see

My unknown helper smiled
at me and patted my arm
He seems nice
He stood up and started talking

I’m Joe and It’s been 3 years today
since I last hurt myself-
I really wanted to hurt myself tonight
But Something stopped me

I met someone new
I could see in their eyes
they are scared and unsure
probably thinks no one
understands
But I do-

I’m here to say now
There is nothing to be ashamed
of-
You have an addiction
and that’s ok-

Maybe tonight’s the night
you throw it off
maybe not
That’s your decision
but I’m here

I wanted to stand up-
but I couldn’t
Such a smug self righteous
person I am.