Poetry competition CLOSED 30th April 2024 5:12pm
A public vote has been requested
2024 Official DUP NaPoWriMo Challenge
20/30
Gone Fishing
I shivered as light rain
ran its circles over the lake
not sure why I had took the bate
and gone with him that day.
We never spoke anyway
so time with dad seemed
essential, looking back
the air was too charged.
Ozone after a lightning flash,
he smoked himself into silence
so we didn't scare the fish,
casting shadows had the same effect.
I followed some fledgling Grebes
paddling their little canoes
between the tall reed beds
as mother watched me with caution.
He snapped a line at me
for moving, said he should
of took my brother instead,
blamed me for the lack of bites.
We packed up the gear
and headed back to the bikes,
cycled home in heavy rain
never to mention the day again.
Gone Fishing
I shivered as light rain
ran its circles over the lake
not sure why I had took the bate
and gone with him that day.
We never spoke anyway
so time with dad seemed
essential, looking back
the air was too charged.
Ozone after a lightning flash,
he smoked himself into silence
so we didn't scare the fish,
casting shadows had the same effect.
I followed some fledgling Grebes
paddling their little canoes
between the tall reed beds
as mother watched me with caution.
He snapped a line at me
for moving, said he should
of took my brother instead,
blamed me for the lack of bites.
We packed up the gear
and headed back to the bikes,
cycled home in heavy rain
never to mention the day again.
20 of 30
The shedding of skin.
Does your experience define you,
Or do you,
Define,
Your experience?
Does what become you,
Become,
You?
Are you,
An event as it’s happening,
Or the interpreter of its transpiring?
If the journey is what makes meaning,
Does it stand that,
Meaning,
Is, in the journey?
And if the meaning is pointless,
Fruitless,
Hopeless,
Is that,
The totality of this journey?
The fullness,
Of its witness?
I do not pose such thoughts,
In ignorance of your place,
Or,
The place of your pain.
For we all face our insurmountable cliffs,
Or endless walls,
And those,
Fathomless,
Falls.
We all taste,
The taste
Of disdain.
Hear the summetless echoes,
Of miseries stain.
We all feel,
The clawing burden
Shredding our skin.
Leaving our senses,
Reeling within.
So I ask again,
What defines you,
What becomes you,
What story weights,
The passage of events?
And to the vein,
You are caught mining within.
What preciousness is buried,
That you alone can find,
That you,
Alone can hold.
Which lets the light in?
The shedding of skin.
Does your experience define you,
Or do you,
Define,
Your experience?
Does what become you,
Become,
You?
Are you,
An event as it’s happening,
Or the interpreter of its transpiring?
If the journey is what makes meaning,
Does it stand that,
Meaning,
Is, in the journey?
And if the meaning is pointless,
Fruitless,
Hopeless,
Is that,
The totality of this journey?
The fullness,
Of its witness?
I do not pose such thoughts,
In ignorance of your place,
Or,
The place of your pain.
For we all face our insurmountable cliffs,
Or endless walls,
And those,
Fathomless,
Falls.
We all taste,
The taste
Of disdain.
Hear the summetless echoes,
Of miseries stain.
We all feel,
The clawing burden
Shredding our skin.
Leaving our senses,
Reeling within.
So I ask again,
What defines you,
What becomes you,
What story weights,
The passage of events?
And to the vein,
You are caught mining within.
What preciousness is buried,
That you alone can find,
That you,
Alone can hold.
Which lets the light in?
20/30
420
This celebration died in my youth
Once I learned the truth
That we are very little more than slaves
Harvesting their grain
Sitting in their towers over you
Beneath me like phlegm on my shoe
Our televisions trains us to consume
An empty space without any room
Now I only exhale in angst
A pacifist slowly collecting hate
We're too far gone to breathe in this plume
Only revolution can save us from doom
420
This celebration died in my youth
Once I learned the truth
That we are very little more than slaves
Harvesting their grain
Sitting in their towers over you
Beneath me like phlegm on my shoe
Our televisions trains us to consume
An empty space without any room
Now I only exhale in angst
A pacifist slowly collecting hate
We're too far gone to breathe in this plume
Only revolution can save us from doom
20/30
Dreaming of Home
I woke up beside you, in a house that we own,
sobbing and broken ‘cause I couldn’t find home.
The dream was so vivid, the feeling so raw;
an aching realization I’d been here before.
No one to guide me, found my way on my own,
following my instincts, somehow I knew the road.
I set out across the water, though I couldn’t see the way;
unseen creatures threatening, but I kept the fears at bay.
When “HOME” finally appeared as if out of thin air,
I could tell everybody was already there.
They’d gone on without me, not thinking to wait,
and though I’d arrived, I was getting there late.
My panic, it drowned me; I needed a hand,
for the current was pushing me back from the land.
The person who helped me was patient and kind,
but I saw “here we go again” crossing their mind.
A sudden awareness came on me just then:
I had done this before and would do it again.
Finding “home” is a struggle I won’t ever win;
though I’ll get there, I’ll never quite feel I fit in.
Dreaming of Home
I woke up beside you, in a house that we own,
sobbing and broken ‘cause I couldn’t find home.
The dream was so vivid, the feeling so raw;
an aching realization I’d been here before.
No one to guide me, found my way on my own,
following my instincts, somehow I knew the road.
I set out across the water, though I couldn’t see the way;
unseen creatures threatening, but I kept the fears at bay.
When “HOME” finally appeared as if out of thin air,
I could tell everybody was already there.
They’d gone on without me, not thinking to wait,
and though I’d arrived, I was getting there late.
My panic, it drowned me; I needed a hand,
for the current was pushing me back from the land.
The person who helped me was patient and kind,
but I saw “here we go again” crossing their mind.
A sudden awareness came on me just then:
I had done this before and would do it again.
Finding “home” is a struggle I won’t ever win;
though I’ll get there, I’ll never quite feel I fit in.
19 of 30
Theme 2: Elements of Life
april song 19—darkness
heedless, speedless, sourceless darkness
—to some souls a dreadful starkness—
where’s your hiding place at daylight,
with earth’s doors and windows airtight?
are you truly liberated
from the things man has created,
bearing naught of shape or substance
in th’ arena of the sun dance?
are your features gaunt or cheerful
when our children huddle, fearful
of the biting, stifling clutches
of your finger-crawling touches?
are you stronger than the sunlight,
even when it pales at twilight;
or are you afraid to handle
e’en the flicker of a candle?
© cab♫
UWC 68
20 of 30
Theme 2: Elements of Life
april song 20—light
'tis the wonder of all wonders
that the spirit of man ponders:
is there life in utter darkness?
is there peace where dwells no kindness?
'tis a world rife with disaster,
when the dark becomes our master;
his blindfold is meant to strangle
knave and saint who with him tangle.
but the light is my delight; how
oft in humble praise my knees bow,
when i contemplate the glory
of the Author of the story
of the sun and moon and starlight!
every soul should come with contrite
praise before the Lord our Maker
and, of light, the Great Creator.
© cab♫
UWC 70
DOUBLE-POSTING JUSTIFICATION
I have double-posted today because of Sabbath observance, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. My intentions were shared in the Director’s Den prior to the start of the Sabbath.
20/30
Stars/of/Afar
Aperture expanding into a pantheon of vision
Perception as the precision of an incision
Cosmic surface bleeding a streaming of dreaming
Hidden away in the secret space of a secret place
Maze of gaze
Day dreaming of the days of day-dreaming
A presence
of
Innocence
Dreaming of the/day dream/ing/
Streaming
into
the stream
Dream-ing/into-the: Dream
Purity as parameters
Architecting
The divinity of infinity
Infinitely
Defined in symbols & signs of the mind in a line across across the brow
Countenance a dance of shadows
Shaped
in
scapes of communion
&
Union
Stars/of/Afar
Aperture expanding into a pantheon of vision
Perception as the precision of an incision
Cosmic surface bleeding a streaming of dreaming
Hidden away in the secret space of a secret place
Maze of gaze
Day dreaming of the days of day-dreaming
A presence
of
Innocence
Dreaming of the/day dream/ing/
Streaming
into
the stream
Dream-ing/into-the: Dream
Purity as parameters
Architecting
The divinity of infinity
Infinitely
Defined in symbols & signs of the mind in a line across across the brow
Countenance a dance of shadows
Shaped
in
scapes of communion
&
Union
20/30
Depreciation
Some days are harder than others.
It can pile on one thing after another.
In those moments, the intensity feels
ten-fold, and it is hard to deal.
How can I get things across
to you because I toss
between idealization and devaluation?
How I get treated is the denomination.
Things might seem all good,
suddenly, they do not appear as they should
because time passes.
So, I show my sass
the more I am let down
and the less I want you around.
We might have started okay
but my love has begun to decay.
[Unique Words 72]
Depreciation
Some days are harder than others.
It can pile on one thing after another.
In those moments, the intensity feels
ten-fold, and it is hard to deal.
How can I get things across
to you because I toss
between idealization and devaluation?
How I get treated is the denomination.
Things might seem all good,
suddenly, they do not appear as they should
because time passes.
So, I show my sass
the more I am let down
and the less I want you around.
We might have started okay
but my love has begun to decay.
[Unique Words 72]
#20
Pico de Gallo
Without hesitation, my hands furl
Sharpest blade, carbon steel
Satisfaction, skin splitting open
Guts, juices, spilling out, sweet
Tomato blood thick on these hands
How dare he bring her to my table
Screaming stocks leak chlorophyll
Cilantro, tearing, limb from limb
A hint of intrigue, a freshness
I hope it tastes like soap to you
Depedation and decapitation
Prying outer layers, for insides
Chopping, violent and precise
Onions, your tears, never enough
Tossed with serano and lime
With a smile, I deliver on time,
Pico de Gallo, to you and toy
#21
Memory Etchings
Today
I'm swinging outside
Feet touching clouds
Really living right
Days winding down
Wind's picking up
Leaves crying out
Trees bending away
Birds flying together
Chimes chiming loud
Hear everything stop
Skies growing green
Blinds, closing tight
Mom calling out
Arms waving 'Here'
Inside, running back
Siren's droning starts
TV's warning tone
Memory etching sounds
Upstairs, Rushing down
Cellar, huddling close
Makeshift bedding among
Armoire, hiding inside
Lights loosing life
Her beating heart
Eyes, dropping poise
She's holding my
Hand, grasping tight
While believing she
Is convincing me
I'm feeling alright
And nothing will
Be taking us
To living end
Tonight
* Late post due to unexpected el delays
Pico de Gallo
Without hesitation, my hands furl
Sharpest blade, carbon steel
Satisfaction, skin splitting open
Guts, juices, spilling out, sweet
Tomato blood thick on these hands
How dare he bring her to my table
Screaming stocks leak chlorophyll
Cilantro, tearing, limb from limb
A hint of intrigue, a freshness
I hope it tastes like soap to you
Depedation and decapitation
Prying outer layers, for insides
Chopping, violent and precise
Onions, your tears, never enough
Tossed with serano and lime
With a smile, I deliver on time,
Pico de Gallo, to you and toy
#21
Memory Etchings
Today
I'm swinging outside
Feet touching clouds
Really living right
Days winding down
Wind's picking up
Leaves crying out
Trees bending away
Birds flying together
Chimes chiming loud
Hear everything stop
Skies growing green
Blinds, closing tight
Mom calling out
Arms waving 'Here'
Inside, running back
Siren's droning starts
TV's warning tone
Memory etching sounds
Upstairs, Rushing down
Cellar, huddling close
Makeshift bedding among
Armoire, hiding inside
Lights loosing life
Her beating heart
Eyes, dropping poise
She's holding my
Hand, grasping tight
While believing she
Is convincing me
I'm feeling alright
And nothing will
Be taking us
To living end
Tonight
* Late post due to unexpected el delays
21/30
Rose Colored Depravity
I can’t see the thorns in the shape of the bloom
When demons masquerade in beauty
Enchantment, the blind optimism
Count down to ultimatum confessions
We are lulled to sleep in the throes of comfort
Wake up to see the reality
Our smiles sell our hopes like there’s substance to them
Chasing all the wrong things
Pleasures and social prestige
Set the stage
Everything is routine
In circles we breathe like we’re here to stay
Bought on the material and failing to see the cost
How far will we stray away from true purpose before we find out that we’re lost
Temptations roses perfumed of poison
Enraptured by the bouquet
Enlivening senses yet dying on the inside
Till all wilts and fades away
Looking through the glasses
Sprucing up death in the veils of paradise
Pay no attention to the consequence behind the curtain
Dragged away by the will to carnally entice
The lie never felt truer than the way the satisfaction appears so certain
Dancing down the isle
The romance of the dream
Passions arouse to a whole new level
Betroth your soul by way of hearts for sell
Pronounce the addict to his devil
As indulgence makes its home in hell…
Rose Colored Depravity
I can’t see the thorns in the shape of the bloom
When demons masquerade in beauty
Enchantment, the blind optimism
Count down to ultimatum confessions
We are lulled to sleep in the throes of comfort
Wake up to see the reality
Our smiles sell our hopes like there’s substance to them
Chasing all the wrong things
Pleasures and social prestige
Set the stage
Everything is routine
In circles we breathe like we’re here to stay
Bought on the material and failing to see the cost
How far will we stray away from true purpose before we find out that we’re lost
Temptations roses perfumed of poison
Enraptured by the bouquet
Enlivening senses yet dying on the inside
Till all wilts and fades away
Looking through the glasses
Sprucing up death in the veils of paradise
Pay no attention to the consequence behind the curtain
Dragged away by the will to carnally entice
The lie never felt truer than the way the satisfaction appears so certain
Dancing down the isle
The romance of the dream
Passions arouse to a whole new level
Betroth your soul by way of hearts for sell
Pronounce the addict to his devil
As indulgence makes its home in hell…
20/30
CRAZY CYCLE
One turns into their parents
But you also turn into your kids
I am not proud of the way
I screamed at both of you
To stop fighting
The way you once would
Scream it at me and your mother
Those were the days
Of emotional imprint
And so I sit anxiously now
Everything rests
On you hearing me
The way I heard you then
Crazy cycle repeating itself
(50 uw)
CRAZY CYCLE
One turns into their parents
But you also turn into your kids
I am not proud of the way
I screamed at both of you
To stop fighting
The way you once would
Scream it at me and your mother
Those were the days
Of emotional imprint
And so I sit anxiously now
Everything rests
On you hearing me
The way I heard you then
Crazy cycle repeating itself
(50 uw)
20/30
Futile
As autumnal maple leaves descend
I too fall into a pile of decay and dust
Grayish are my nails, brittle blonde loses itself to the elements, where I lose myself
A cloudy sky fogs the view from where I stand
I am the fragment of something once destined for success
Now it’s nothing but hollowed out dreams
Dreams never wait
And I can’t help but ponder what went awry, to curse time forever
I sabotage myself with agonizing accuracy
It’s the only thing I’ve ever known
I do it right each time, should it ever go wrong
And it does, but there’s a soothe in the pain that I’m used to
Depending on this is my one hope before I forget the treasured senses.
Futile
As autumnal maple leaves descend
I too fall into a pile of decay and dust
Grayish are my nails, brittle blonde loses itself to the elements, where I lose myself
A cloudy sky fogs the view from where I stand
I am the fragment of something once destined for success
Now it’s nothing but hollowed out dreams
Dreams never wait
And I can’t help but ponder what went awry, to curse time forever
I sabotage myself with agonizing accuracy
It’s the only thing I’ve ever known
I do it right each time, should it ever go wrong
And it does, but there’s a soothe in the pain that I’m used to
Depending on this is my one hope before I forget the treasured senses.
21/30
WATERING HOLE
Down we all go to the watering hole
searching for poetry, words and phrases
a quest for elixirs to help us grow soul
And every time the same thing amazes
poetry’s potions bring life to a scene
a searching fulfilled with words and phrases
And if you don’t go there, then what might have been
is left to fester awaiting a prince
where poetry’s potions bring life to a scene
For legends and stories from old, ever since
say dormant potential might sleep forever
listless and festering, waiting for prince
Though maybe it’s crass, never say ‘never!’
except when you’re dealing with psychos and such
(some bad potentials … best sleep … forever)
And since we are human, what’s wrong with a crutch?
… down we all go to the watering hole
and even when dealing with psychos and such
we quest for elixirs to help us grow soul.
WATERING HOLE
Down we all go to the watering hole
searching for poetry, words and phrases
a quest for elixirs to help us grow soul
And every time the same thing amazes
poetry’s potions bring life to a scene
a searching fulfilled with words and phrases
And if you don’t go there, then what might have been
is left to fester awaiting a prince
where poetry’s potions bring life to a scene
For legends and stories from old, ever since
say dormant potential might sleep forever
listless and festering, waiting for prince
Though maybe it’s crass, never say ‘never!’
except when you’re dealing with psychos and such
(some bad potentials … best sleep … forever)
And since we are human, what’s wrong with a crutch?
… down we all go to the watering hole
and even when dealing with psychos and such
we quest for elixirs to help us grow soul.
21/30
Dark Airwaves
questioning motives
behind hushed whispers
already alert wondering
if i'm prepared
lingering fragility breeds
more uncertainty within
obscure nessaging creating
envitable unsafe pressures
deluge of shadows
mutterings that won't stop
still figuring out reality
wether i exist or not
miniscule truths overshadowed
lost inside static
white noise playlist
only frequency heard
aii other frequences muted
giving blinkered veiw
apathy broadcasting tunes
drepression two step remix
newly extended version
for returning listeners
welcome back
Unigue Words 73
Dark Airwaves
questioning motives
behind hushed whispers
already alert wondering
if i'm prepared
lingering fragility breeds
more uncertainty within
obscure nessaging creating
envitable unsafe pressures
deluge of shadows
mutterings that won't stop
still figuring out reality
wether i exist or not
miniscule truths overshadowed
lost inside static
white noise playlist
only frequency heard
aii other frequences muted
giving blinkered veiw
apathy broadcasting tunes
drepression two step remix
newly extended version
for returning listeners
welcome back
Unigue Words 73
21/30
Boffola & Drollery
a decade ago, I started a group on Facebook
for like-minded individuals wanting to
share experienced, learn more about
things related to their spiritual journeys
every now and then I will share
a humorous meme
calling it, Levity for the day (or week)
I feel it’s important for all to laugh
laugh a lot
all the time
at ourselves
with others
I try to cause my Mom to laugh
during every visit
I tell Her that I believe we
live longer
if we are laughing a lot
each visit
She responds with, “Stop making me laugh!”
& then she chuckles
She will be 91 next month
75 unique words
Boffola & Drollery
a decade ago, I started a group on Facebook
for like-minded individuals wanting to
share experienced, learn more about
things related to their spiritual journeys
every now and then I will share
a humorous meme
calling it, Levity for the day (or week)
I feel it’s important for all to laugh
laugh a lot
all the time
at ourselves
with others
I try to cause my Mom to laugh
during every visit
I tell Her that I believe we
live longer
if we are laughing a lot
each visit
She responds with, “Stop making me laugh!”
& then she chuckles
She will be 91 next month
75 unique words
21/30
Walking Away
You always hijack my car in my dreams
Taking over my life with your own set of keys
Or else you’re holding me down in fright
Tornadoes ripping us up through the sky
Now I’m plagued by these awful memories
This burden I bare down on my knees
You see the truth is that I was brave
By walking away, but I’m still not okay
I lost out on an emotional investment
My bitterness turned into resentment
But there would have been no greater grief
Than if I had stayed with your toxic beliefs
Walking Away
You always hijack my car in my dreams
Taking over my life with your own set of keys
Or else you’re holding me down in fright
Tornadoes ripping us up through the sky
Now I’m plagued by these awful memories
This burden I bare down on my knees
You see the truth is that I was brave
By walking away, but I’m still not okay
I lost out on an emotional investment
My bitterness turned into resentment
But there would have been no greater grief
Than if I had stayed with your toxic beliefs
