A Common Saying Holds True
A Common Saying Holds True
A Pensee
Comfort.
Just look around.
Forget about the clutter.
Know you are loved no matter what.
Home is where the heart is.
My Old Home
It is a place where I don’t care if a bug gets on me from laying in the grass.
It is a place where innocence was in full bloom.
It felt like everything was right even though might not have been at the time.
It is a place where playtime was until dark and mom called for us to come in since we had no phones.
It is a place where our pets from that past are.
It is a place where we are all together and love each other.
The Capturer
The Capturer
Sometimes I wish I could close my eyes
and not see the world around me. Pretend
I’m not the way I am, compulsed
to save. I take pictures of the dirt
because I love the patterns, afraid
to forget. I pick up flyers, ripped
by the wind, wanting to know stories
that weren’t meant for me. But if I shut
my eyes I cannot take things that aren’t
mine, can’t stow away pieces of the world,
can’t capture the things that captured me.
Congratulations Poetry Marathoners!
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 or even sixth 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.
The link to the Powerpoint for editing.
The visual example of what the certificate will look like is right below this text.
Also this year we will be putting together a 2021 Poetry Marathon Anthology.
Submissions will open July 6th and stay open till the 25th.
Full anthology submissions details will be available on the 6th. All submissions must be written during the 2021 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 2020 Poetry Marathon Anthology was like? Pick up your copy here.
Hour 25 – Tradition (text)
Up rose the horizon
As it always has
Lightening the unearthed dawn
Fifteen minutes back yonder
Awakening the birds in droves
First came the songlets
Trilling sweetly announcing the sun
Then came the minstrels
Whose music was more practiced
And third came the tone deaf
The crows and the chirpers
Who pierced the air
But they were all drowned out by
yeowwwwww-oh
The cat who hopes breakfast is near.
It’s such an untouched moment
merow
That I rarely get to hear
meYowlll
But since I’m still awake
MRAW
Geez, fine, I’ll feed you.
Congratulations Second Half Marathoners
Congratulations Half Marathoners! I am so happy that you have completed 12 poems in 12 hours! That is wonderful. Thank you for joining us in this madness.
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 Poetry Half Marathon please consider the following certificate yours, to update with your name, to print if you choose to do so. If you need any help altering the certificate please email me at poets@thepoetrymarathon.com
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.
Congratulations again on your completion of The Half Marathon.
Here is a direct link to the Powerpoint for editing.
The visual example of what the certificate will look like is right below this text.
Also this year we will be putting together a 2021 Poetry Marathon Anthology.
Submissions will open July 6th and stay open till the 25th.
Full anthology submissions details will be available on the 6th. All submissions must be written during the 2021 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 2020 Poetry Marathon Anthology was like? Pick up your copy here.
Poem 24 – Home
Home is where the heart is,
Home is where words are a hearty meal
Full of conversation ’til sunrise
And a little bit beyond; Simply put
A hug and a friendly pat on the back
Salient sensations and creation
Passed down between generations
Knowledge a bedrock for the future
Whatever Will Be, Will Be
When the dawn breaks, my dreams-they will fall
And down will come reality, cradled in the long haul.
For what I dream
Is too much a far-fetched fantasy.
Only things within my reach can withstand
And reasoning that nothing ever goes as planned-
But they say “Keep moving forward” to an unknown destination
My soul isn’t starving for cheap and hollow placation
But I drive on-
Although trapped in thought, withdrawn
Blurring lines between what is and could never be
Sailing upon the waves of the North Sea
Thread the needles and stitch it up quick
Holding tight to the ideals of that which is chiliastic.
Keep holding on or let it all go
But keep it from repeating this section of allegro-
As the enthusiastic rhythm competes with
A nihilistic future, an intimidating monolith.
So I keep hope tucked away in my back pocket
I put cares away and put my life on the docket
What I can control now is more about myself
To add to the collection of stories on my bookshelf
As this life of mine is a vivid tale of spoken word
And a simple existence that’s not all that absurd
I have struggles with “let the chips fall as they may”
And wait for the unknown that comes each day.
As much as I need to control my world
To map it all out and remain furled.
I always require foreknowledge on what is to transpire
Instead of firing blindly-getting nailed in the crossfire.
So I’ve tried to retrain my mind to take it as I go
Even all the things that previously I didn’t know
And welcome the surprises that aren’t all that worrisome
And add it to the list of things that make what I become
A masterpiece of mosaic modeled by mania and depression
For some it seems I’ve made quite the lasting impression
I take each experience and learn from the curve
Add it to my growing and transcendent life’s oeuvre
Roll with the punches and let it all flow
And hold my open palm to receive the rose of Jericho
I must live in the moment, not internally argue about what can be ascertained
Obsessing only leaves me cold, listless, and constrained.
So I opt to exist in a world where I’m content at best
And welcome all that is simple that leaves me implicitly blessed.
It is time now for me to let go of the reins
Overthinking and caution have wrapped me tight in chains.
Allowing myself to lose control and let what will be, be
And accept that in time what is unknown will never always hurt me.