Poetry Competition Ends 30th April 2025 11:19pm
DU Official NaPoWriMo Challenge
12/30
SURRENDER
We judge we failed by some unwritten law —
it took our breath away, we compensated
with mental gymnastics and vain contortions
doing odd things we didn’t want to do
being polite rather than truthful — as well-trained
The twenty mile view from high up here to the sea sure
beats inauthentic living where tech — over-rated —
promises but does not deliver in proportion —
The Promised Land as ever out of reach, and now you
wonder by what propaganda you’ve been maimed and brained
We move from empty success to simplified significance
to fine sanity — find finally the point of no defence.
SURRENDER
We judge we failed by some unwritten law —
it took our breath away, we compensated
with mental gymnastics and vain contortions
doing odd things we didn’t want to do
being polite rather than truthful — as well-trained
The twenty mile view from high up here to the sea sure
beats inauthentic living where tech — over-rated —
promises but does not deliver in proportion —
The Promised Land as ever out of reach, and now you
wonder by what propaganda you’ve been maimed and brained
We move from empty success to simplified significance
to fine sanity — find finally the point of no defence.
12/30
Tayassuidae Family, Visits
it’s 3am
the Squadron’s musty scent persists
7 adults, 2 of which Parents of
two cute foot-long “Reds”
no idea why
Javelinas congregate
just outside my front door
Perhaps it’s an Empath gig
natural attraction
Flora, Fauna…..Fae?
Whatever their reasons
a wee bit annoying
when I am ready to
start my day or
awaiting a
grocery delivery
Tayassuidae Family, Visits
it’s 3am
the Squadron’s musty scent persists
7 adults, 2 of which Parents of
two cute foot-long “Reds”
no idea why
Javelinas congregate
just outside my front door
Perhaps it’s an Empath gig
natural attraction
Flora, Fauna…..Fae?
Whatever their reasons
a wee bit annoying
when I am ready to
start my day or
awaiting a
grocery delivery
12 of 30
boundless
there is beauty found in a sense of belonging
so long as translation isn't...
...ownership
{unless that's the agreed upon dynamic}
I've never wanted to be a bauble in a vault
...locked away unseen
I'm a treasure to be proud of...
...even though I don't actually need...
...{or feel comfortable}
...being on display
...it's the thought...see?
to be clear...
it isn't even about safekeeping
no...it's so so much more than that...
bigger...freer...just more
a connection...a landing space
...it feels like shelter
for everything that makes me...
{the chaos & self-doubt
anxiety...empathy...& love}
...all me
even who I am...
is subject to change
as I grow & evolve
stretching wings & expanding horizons
I'm like those pillows you buy
free them from the plastic wrapping...
...allowing them to breathe...
& they find their true shape
who knows how I'll come out
one thing's for sure...
I'll never again fit in the original package
I belong to the universe
& he who delights in helping me rise
reveling in my evolution
as he endeavors to nurture his own
side by side...intertwined...together
limitless in potential
not meant to be same
each with our own strengths
balancing one another
that...is what I call Home
because you'd be amazed how much I give
...when my heart is engaged
boundless
there is beauty found in a sense of belonging
so long as translation isn't...
...ownership
{unless that's the agreed upon dynamic}
I've never wanted to be a bauble in a vault
...locked away unseen
I'm a treasure to be proud of...
...even though I don't actually need...
...{or feel comfortable}
...being on display
...it's the thought...see?
to be clear...
it isn't even about safekeeping
no...it's so so much more than that...
bigger...freer...just more
a connection...a landing space
...it feels like shelter
for everything that makes me...
{the chaos & self-doubt
anxiety...empathy...& love}
...all me
even who I am...
is subject to change
as I grow & evolve
stretching wings & expanding horizons
I'm like those pillows you buy
free them from the plastic wrapping...
...allowing them to breathe...
& they find their true shape
who knows how I'll come out
one thing's for sure...
I'll never again fit in the original package
I belong to the universe
& he who delights in helping me rise
reveling in my evolution
as he endeavors to nurture his own
side by side...intertwined...together
limitless in potential
not meant to be same
each with our own strengths
balancing one another
that...is what I call Home
because you'd be amazed how much I give
...when my heart is engaged
12/30
whore
The sting of yesterday's rejection still haunts me
my eyes searched for yours
and you were looking everywhere else
out at the horizon
down at the loose button on your shirt
it was clear to me I no longer held your attention
and it stung
You had someone else on your mind
and it hurt so bitterly bad
with soft utterances I'll let you go
if that will make you happy
But I wasn't feeling it
every instinct in me told me to fight
knowing the woman in question
I knew she would use you
she was younger and perhaps prettier
And I don't think you mind her gold-digging ways
that hurt even more that you would reject my love
for a whore not even for love
she wouldn't love you
but you love her, or at least thought you did
This stung more than anything else
so I stuffed my feelings down and waited
and sure enough, she emptied your bank account
Then off to the next guy
my heart wish it wasn't so
My soul is with you and didn't want to see you hurt
my love for you unconditional
we would rebuild from a place of knowledge
better regret left behind
whore
The sting of yesterday's rejection still haunts me
my eyes searched for yours
and you were looking everywhere else
out at the horizon
down at the loose button on your shirt
it was clear to me I no longer held your attention
and it stung
You had someone else on your mind
and it hurt so bitterly bad
with soft utterances I'll let you go
if that will make you happy
But I wasn't feeling it
every instinct in me told me to fight
knowing the woman in question
I knew she would use you
she was younger and perhaps prettier
And I don't think you mind her gold-digging ways
that hurt even more that you would reject my love
for a whore not even for love
she wouldn't love you
but you love her, or at least thought you did
This stung more than anything else
so I stuffed my feelings down and waited
and sure enough, she emptied your bank account
Then off to the next guy
my heart wish it wasn't so
My soul is with you and didn't want to see you hurt
my love for you unconditional
we would rebuild from a place of knowledge
better regret left behind
12/30
Spiritual Energy
Early mornings are when I think of you
I’m rarely overwhelmed by grief anymore
Your presence feels like a warm hug now
As though you’ve been waiting for me to arrive
The years have been many by some accounts and ever so few by others
Shedding this idea of walking alone here on earth still feels burdensome
I keep going, only because of you
When darkness falls over me it doesn’t seem to shadow me as in past, I can feel your loving kiss blowing it away and sending sunshine
73 uw
Spiritual Energy
Early mornings are when I think of you
I’m rarely overwhelmed by grief anymore
Your presence feels like a warm hug now
As though you’ve been waiting for me to arrive
The years have been many by some accounts and ever so few by others
Shedding this idea of walking alone here on earth still feels burdensome
I keep going, only because of you
When darkness falls over me it doesn’t seem to shadow me as in past, I can feel your loving kiss blowing it away and sending sunshine
73 uw
12/30
Univocalic (A)
What a warm day!
Carry a damp bag;
hang a damp wash.
Stand back.
A small black cat ran past;
at a grassy patch, sat.
Had a play—
paws at that wash:
bat, tap and pat at wash.
Bat bat bat!
Tap tap tap!
Pat pat pat!
Cat back.
Glad small black cat
sat at path!
Brash, gallant cat can dash
past hatch!
Ha ha!
Salaam!
A snack?
Cat sat and drank,
had a raw snack,
and a pat,
and a wash;
crazy lass!
At last,
cat back at that path.
Cat walks away—
back at cat's patch.
Univocalic (A)
What a warm day!
Carry a damp bag;
hang a damp wash.
Stand back.
A small black cat ran past;
at a grassy patch, sat.
Had a play—
paws at that wash:
bat, tap and pat at wash.
Bat bat bat!
Tap tap tap!
Pat pat pat!
Cat back.
Glad small black cat
sat at path!
Brash, gallant cat can dash
past hatch!
Ha ha!
Salaam!
A snack?
Cat sat and drank,
had a raw snack,
and a pat,
and a wash;
crazy lass!
At last,
cat back at that path.
Cat walks away—
back at cat's patch.
12/30
Busy Day
Today was a busy day
For us teachers
We did an overtime
In preparing the venue
For tomorrow's moving up
And recognition day
I Just arrived few minutes ago from the gym
And started writing my entry
Hoping to beat the time
Just ten minutes left
Before 12 midnight
All of us were working
Rushing to finish everything
That will be needed tomorrow
I filled the balloons with air
And rolled the certificates
The rest of us were busy
Decorating the stage
Now I feel tired and just want to sleep
Busy Day
Today was a busy day
For us teachers
We did an overtime
In preparing the venue
For tomorrow's moving up
And recognition day
I Just arrived few minutes ago from the gym
And started writing my entry
Hoping to beat the time
Just ten minutes left
Before 12 midnight
All of us were working
Rushing to finish everything
That will be needed tomorrow
I filled the balloons with air
And rolled the certificates
The rest of us were busy
Decorating the stage
Now I feel tired and just want to sleep
12/30
When pen meets paper
Pen's romance with Paper
is an art in itself:
skating on the ice clad sheet
with a slender, smooth physique;
he twirls, whirls
strikes and curls,
glides ,slides
in curves and loops,
skimming across her
in passionate hoops;
waltzing away to their hearts' tunes
he carves beautiful calligraphy
prettier than rings of Saturn
or Jupiter's moons;
the sheet moans in sweet surrender
as the lover scribes poetry
on her skin so tender.
words most luscious
being written all over her;
she lays docile when he
whispers endearments
nibbling her ears.
she soaks his loving spills
heaving in pleasure;
together in synergy
they create verses of beauty
...stars are born
when pen meets paper
When pen meets paper
Pen's romance with Paper
is an art in itself:
skating on the ice clad sheet
with a slender, smooth physique;
he twirls, whirls
strikes and curls,
glides ,slides
in curves and loops,
skimming across her
in passionate hoops;
waltzing away to their hearts' tunes
he carves beautiful calligraphy
prettier than rings of Saturn
or Jupiter's moons;
the sheet moans in sweet surrender
as the lover scribes poetry
on her skin so tender.
words most luscious
being written all over her;
she lays docile when he
whispers endearments
nibbling her ears.
she soaks his loving spills
heaving in pleasure;
together in synergy
they create verses of beauty
...stars are born
when pen meets paper
12 of 30.
Beneath trees..
Reaching out from the strands of,
Imperceptible actions,
The rattle and rush,
The continual drones brush.
The ebb and fall,
The hushed pace,
Of the winds heartbeat,
Merge.
Essential and inseparable,
As one mass,
Cohesive, movement.
Not for, due or because,
But witnessed upon,
This space,
I do happen to inhabit.
A transient presence,
Corporeal laid,
Back to the back of stone.
The bedrock,
Of this river's home.
In a choice up to me,
To let the wash absorb the haste,
The angst,
The fears.
To let presence of this place,
In a choice of its own,
Infill the void and the avoidant,
Nurture of my nature,
With its own.
Beneath trees..
Reaching out from the strands of,
Imperceptible actions,
The rattle and rush,
The continual drones brush.
The ebb and fall,
The hushed pace,
Of the winds heartbeat,
Merge.
Essential and inseparable,
As one mass,
Cohesive, movement.
Not for, due or because,
But witnessed upon,
This space,
I do happen to inhabit.
A transient presence,
Corporeal laid,
Back to the back of stone.
The bedrock,
Of this river's home.
In a choice up to me,
To let the wash absorb the haste,
The angst,
The fears.
To let presence of this place,
In a choice of its own,
Infill the void and the avoidant,
Nurture of my nature,
With its own.
#12
~snowy zephyr of a scorching tropical, you are… (an inspired lyrical)
(Intro with refrain)
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
heart.. let you celebrate a soundlessly
in silence, a stand out Deepavali
breath.. let you be in a smothering
struggle by the cyclonic kisses
let your spirited soul my love.. take over
mine.. inner your inclusive covers …
(refrain)
snowy zephyr.. my snowy zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. heightened ecstasy..
snowy zephyr.. my snowy zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
(stanza #1)
the home where we live as one
my dear.. is an aloof no man’s island..
where, nobody is in allowance..
someone one can still
come over here in a wandering..
so our home shall
never have an address, my dear
you become the face I search ..
also, becoming the breaths I inhale
you become one..fusing our souls
all this me & I are you just you now..
will lose anything to lose.. never ever
will let go myself of the integral you..
ahh.. somewhere all over my
heart.. I feel a blooming fulfil
snowy zephyr.. my snowy zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
(stanza #2)
all the sleeps you are in.. yet
all in the dreams I am in..
the paths are yours in the walk
yet the journey is mine
so, let’s not postpone
our journeys
if you wish.. just in the next second
near you, I will be there..
in your path, will spread the booming
soft clouds as the welcoming carpets
let us both sleep deep & long
& when we awaken after many janmas..
let us again meet in our dreams..
(final refrain)
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
heart.. let you celebrate a soundlessly
in silence, a stand out Deepavali
breath.. let you be in a smothering
struggle by the cyclonic kisses
let your spirited soul my love.. take over
mine.. inner your inclusive covering …
*unique words: 138
~snowy zephyr of a scorching tropical, you are… (an inspired lyrical)
(Intro with refrain)
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
heart.. let you celebrate a soundlessly
in silence, a stand out Deepavali
breath.. let you be in a smothering
struggle by the cyclonic kisses
let your spirited soul my love.. take over
mine.. inner your inclusive covers …
(refrain)
snowy zephyr.. my snowy zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. heightened ecstasy..
snowy zephyr.. my snowy zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
(stanza #1)
the home where we live as one
my dear.. is an aloof no man’s island..
where, nobody is in allowance..
someone one can still
come over here in a wandering..
so our home shall
never have an address, my dear
you become the face I search ..
also, becoming the breaths I inhale
you become one..fusing our souls
all this me & I are you just you now..
will lose anything to lose.. never ever
will let go myself of the integral you..
ahh.. somewhere all over my
heart.. I feel a blooming fulfil
snowy zephyr.. my snowy zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
(stanza #2)
all the sleeps you are in.. yet
all in the dreams I am in..
the paths are yours in the walk
yet the journey is mine
so, let’s not postpone
our journeys
if you wish.. just in the next second
near you, I will be there..
in your path, will spread the booming
soft clouds as the welcoming carpets
let us both sleep deep & long
& when we awaken after many janmas..
let us again meet in our dreams..
(final refrain)
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
snowy zephyr.. my snowny zephyr
you are in an ecstasy.. a heightened ecstasy..
heart.. let you celebrate a soundlessly
in silence, a stand out Deepavali
breath.. let you be in a smothering
struggle by the cyclonic kisses
let your spirited soul my love.. take over
mine.. inner your inclusive covering …
*unique words: 138
12 of 30
Painted Blue
A blue sky as evening lingers
pastel blue as if a painted scene
a solid block of colour
as though clouds were imaginary
and the Sun as light source
was not included.
Such a sight
just is.
A reminder of the splendour
and majesty of Nature
that can exist
without onlookers
yet all the more appreciated
because of this,
A blue sky
featuring blossoming trees
stock still without any breeze.
*Unique Words: 52)
Painted Blue
A blue sky as evening lingers
pastel blue as if a painted scene
a solid block of colour
as though clouds were imaginary
and the Sun as light source
was not included.
Such a sight
just is.
A reminder of the splendour
and majesty of Nature
that can exist
without onlookers
yet all the more appreciated
because of this,
A blue sky
featuring blossoming trees
stock still without any breeze.
*Unique Words: 52)
#12
Growth
What is love if it does not hold growth?
Does it separate as we walk at a different pace?
Does it get left in the past with stagnation?
How do we navigate
When all I see is ahead
And you keep looking back
Or holding the same depth?
Is it love to self reflect
Or just expect everyone around you to
Is there growth in love
Or only where we are?
I am not the same as I was at the start.
55 u/w
Growth
What is love if it does not hold growth?
Does it separate as we walk at a different pace?
Does it get left in the past with stagnation?
How do we navigate
When all I see is ahead
And you keep looking back
Or holding the same depth?
Is it love to self reflect
Or just expect everyone around you to
Is there growth in love
Or only where we are?
I am not the same as I was at the start.
55 u/w
12/30
[ NaPoWriMo Collection 2025: Flowers from Thoughts ]
[ . . . ]
I. The Greeks
[ . . . ]
xi
Fallen Stars
Aster
Many pointed star
of color, pink, purple
lavender, red, glistening
wild across the morning
fields, damp with dew
From goddess Astraea’s tears
you descended, to root
within the soil, rising
up toward the sun
replenishing the destruction
of Earth, flooded by Apollo
to vanquish men’s corruption
But the maiden goddess of Virgo
now a star herself, wept
Asters into their life, a symbol
of everlasting hope
. . .
[ NaPoWriMo Collection 2025: Flowers from Thoughts ]
[ . . . ]
I. The Greeks
[ . . . ]
xi
Fallen Stars
Aster
Many pointed star
of color, pink, purple
lavender, red, glistening
wild across the morning
fields, damp with dew
From goddess Astraea’s tears
you descended, to root
within the soil, rising
up toward the sun
replenishing the destruction
of Earth, flooded by Apollo
to vanquish men’s corruption
But the maiden goddess of Virgo
now a star herself, wept
Asters into their life, a symbol
of everlasting hope
. . .
#12/30
Sacrifice
He said he hates poetry month --
I take that as forewarning;
I need to get my act together
and write poems in the morning.
I promised we'd have a date tonight --
it was even my idea!
But here I sit, trying to force
some poetic diarrhea.
It's not just chores that take a hit
when April rolls around --
workouts suffer, sleep does too,
relationships run aground.
Now I've stretched this rant past fifty words;
I'm done hurting for my art.
It's time to find a little romance
with the guy who holds my heart.
Sacrifice
He said he hates poetry month --
I take that as forewarning;
I need to get my act together
and write poems in the morning.
I promised we'd have a date tonight --
it was even my idea!
But here I sit, trying to force
some poetic diarrhea.
It's not just chores that take a hit
when April rolls around --
workouts suffer, sleep does too,
relationships run aground.
Now I've stretched this rant past fifty words;
I'm done hurting for my art.
It's time to find a little romance
with the guy who holds my heart.
12/30
The Ribbons and Her Darkness
Tranquility arrives around sunset
As a journey of some seventeen thousand days winds down
Reflection at this point is so poignant
That messages written in those stars above become clearer
Must be the nostalgia of it all
Time becomes precious and valued with each passing minute
Verses feel more empowered
When poets instinctively begin to compose their magnum opus
58 Unique Words
59 Total
The Ribbons and Her Darkness
Tranquility arrives around sunset
As a journey of some seventeen thousand days winds down
Reflection at this point is so poignant
That messages written in those stars above become clearer
Must be the nostalgia of it all
Time becomes precious and valued with each passing minute
Verses feel more empowered
When poets instinctively begin to compose their magnum opus
58 Unique Words
59 Total
