The Poetry Marathon

This tree roots are damaged, and

Branches falling off.

A big water.

pond that holds,

It in placed.

Yellowing brown leaves giggles.

All around it,

In the.

Peek of Summer.

With,

Cool breeze.

Phases

It always happens when writing

poetry, the words in my mind

go in cycles of how they form,

my pen trying to echo words

that change form. Lines are short, long,

short, long; stanzas are small bursts,

fireworks with a bang or swell

words sweeping like the flowing waves;

words are succinct, little soldiers

giving commands, and blooming

flowers reaching towards the light.

Things may change, but words never

do, holding my heart tight and still.

Text Prompt

Write about a time when you wish you had said “yes”

Contributed by Christina Halas.

Image Prompt

Moths at the street light

beloved dusty jewels

jockey with June bugs in

tireless flitting and flapping

creating shadowy exhalations

on the pavement

still warm from the cult of day

little ones call out

bury the past if you will

our spirits still rise

I remember
Blossom who kept me company when Dad was angry
she sang “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” lazily and merrily
and tried not to be scared, so I could be brave

I remember
taking Blossom with me to kindergarten that first day
when I had to leave my twin baby brothers
wondering if anyone would remember to give them bottles

I remember
when Blossom refused to raise her hand for the bathroom
so she wet her pants and I covered for her
embarrassed for a moment that I had a friend like her

I remember
when a new girl at school wet her pants
I asked her if she wanted to play at recess
I think that was Blossom’s last day

“A mouse woke up bit-by-bit,

And decided to become fit.

It filled its water bottle to the brim,

And headed off to its local gym.

There it got chased and beaten by an old lady with a stick.”

Faceted crystal

Refracts the flickering light

Figures on ceilings

Successfully, surfing, strong sisters,

Unconsciously united under the unexpected,

Recognizing rapport,

Visualizing variants of valor,

Imagine implying the impossible,

Vivid voices,

Obviously, obliterating opposition,

Releasing restraint, regaining relief.