Poetry competition CLOSED 30th April 2025 11:19pm
A public vote has been requested
DU Official NaPoWriMo Challenge
#29
Engaged
The outer banks
Took me to a place I thought I’d never be
I turn around to my man on one knee
As he asked to marry me
On the beach
The sun setting
The waves and the breeze
A magical moment
That our love collided into forever
As I shouted yes
Tears of joy in my eyes
Surprised and flying high
Like the kites
Up in the coastal sky
#30
Down to Charleston
The first days as fiancés
We drive down to Charleston
Delivering the good news to friends and family
Who are completely flabbergasted
Streams of happy tears
As they congratulate us
My ring glimmers in the sun
The perfect one to represent our love
We continue the adventure
Now and forever
To wherever our road leads us
Sippin on sweet tea and wandering free
*posting late due to celebration of my engagement!
Engaged
The outer banks
Took me to a place I thought I’d never be
I turn around to my man on one knee
As he asked to marry me
On the beach
The sun setting
The waves and the breeze
A magical moment
That our love collided into forever
As I shouted yes
Tears of joy in my eyes
Surprised and flying high
Like the kites
Up in the coastal sky
#30
Down to Charleston
The first days as fiancés
We drive down to Charleston
Delivering the good news to friends and family
Who are completely flabbergasted
Streams of happy tears
As they congratulate us
My ring glimmers in the sun
The perfect one to represent our love
We continue the adventure
Now and forever
To wherever our road leads us
Sippin on sweet tea and wandering free
*posting late due to celebration of my engagement!
#30/30
Thought, untamed
Shadows slide
up and down tree trunks
as wind nudges bare branches
Sunlight dripping
mottled
from clearest spring sky
The forest is never still.
A ringing hum in my ears
the only constant
persistent as coastal breeze
Patterns of twigs and clouds
punctuated
by bright red moments
of coherent thought
maple blossoms out of reach
Concepts un-graspable
as slippery shade
forever mutating
and formless
Thought, untamed
Shadows slide
up and down tree trunks
as wind nudges bare branches
Sunlight dripping
mottled
from clearest spring sky
The forest is never still.
A ringing hum in my ears
the only constant
persistent as coastal breeze
Patterns of twigs and clouds
punctuated
by bright red moments
of coherent thought
maple blossoms out of reach
Concepts un-graspable
as slippery shade
forever mutating
and formless
30/30
Raise a Glass
And here at the end of this grand design
we’re packing our pencils away.
We’re stacking up poems and sweeping the floors
and thinking of just what to say.
We’ve loved and we’ve hated and cried our way through
this crazy puke green underground.
We’ve argued and lusted and poked in good fun
(and some things were over before they’d begun)
and made this whole website renowned.
So, here’s to our Poetry – long may she stay
in our mouths, on our lips, in our bones.
May she comfort our hearts as we take our own path
and walk into brand new unknowns.
Raise a Glass
And here at the end of this grand design
we’re packing our pencils away.
We’re stacking up poems and sweeping the floors
and thinking of just what to say.
We’ve loved and we’ve hated and cried our way through
this crazy puke green underground.
We’ve argued and lusted and poked in good fun
(and some things were over before they’d begun)
and made this whole website renowned.
So, here’s to our Poetry – long may she stay
in our mouths, on our lips, in our bones.
May she comfort our hearts as we take our own path
and walk into brand new unknowns.
30 of 30
Swan Song
One last dance.
One last whirl round.
Let us make this such a dance,
to echo through the ages
and elicit bitter regret
for those who could not attend
and missed out on this chance.
Let it be out there
for all the cosmos to see
that the very stars will weep at
and for all that may be.
Let this not end in quiet
but in fire and passion
of all Art's craft and glamour
to be near declared a riot.
With such wonder
and outrageous fortune,
to die a Phoenix
and be reborn and remembered,
in the future
as
whatever
that
may
be.
(Unique Words: 67)
Swan Song
One last dance.
One last whirl round.
Let us make this such a dance,
to echo through the ages
and elicit bitter regret
for those who could not attend
and missed out on this chance.
Let it be out there
for all the cosmos to see
that the very stars will weep at
and for all that may be.
Let this not end in quiet
but in fire and passion
of all Art's craft and glamour
to be near declared a riot.
With such wonder
and outrageous fortune,
to die a Phoenix
and be reborn and remembered,
in the future
as
whatever
that
may
be.
(Unique Words: 67)
30 of 30
Tangible dreams
There was a flower today,
Blooming beside where we used to play.
The first,
Since you passed away.
If you weren't who you were,
Unrestrained and revelling,
Amongst all of life's temptations.
You could be Eve,
Were summer to turn and leave.
Though then as now,
You'd bear no guilt.
It stands two tangs towards the sky,
And you'd,
Aptly rub along the back,
Of a pitch forked,
Branching tree.
Instead,
It rises where you lay,
Turning you,
Back towards a stretching sky.
Turning you,
Into a tangible dream.
Of an endless apple bearing
Tree.
Tangible dreams
There was a flower today,
Blooming beside where we used to play.
The first,
Since you passed away.
If you weren't who you were,
Unrestrained and revelling,
Amongst all of life's temptations.
You could be Eve,
Were summer to turn and leave.
Though then as now,
You'd bear no guilt.
It stands two tangs towards the sky,
And you'd,
Aptly rub along the back,
Of a pitch forked,
Branching tree.
Instead,
It rises where you lay,
Turning you,
Back towards a stretching sky.
Turning you,
Into a tangible dream.
Of an endless apple bearing
Tree.
30/30
Goodbye?
(read from top to bottom, then bottom to top!)
This is goodbye
so please don't think that
we are a community.
Many of us would agree that
writing is a lonely task
so don't try to convince me that
encouragement will help
because
writing in isolation
is better than
bouncing ideas off one another.
Moreover,
I'm incapable of self-expression.
It would be wrong to think that
all of you are creative
because
not all of you are valued;
it's just not true that
I'll miss you!
Goodbye?
(read from top to bottom, then bottom to top!)
This is goodbye
so please don't think that
we are a community.
Many of us would agree that
writing is a lonely task
so don't try to convince me that
encouragement will help
because
writing in isolation
is better than
bouncing ideas off one another.
Moreover,
I'm incapable of self-expression.
It would be wrong to think that
all of you are creative
because
not all of you are valued;
it's just not true that
I'll miss you!
30/30
The End Of Our Era
Dear DUP,
When i’m in the middle
I can’t always see the light
Or know why I continue
But I’ve learned to push forward
Keep going until the end
And each end is a new beginning
Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishing something
I am proud of myself
Especially since i’ve taken a long hiatus
Life has gotten in the way
But I don’t think that will happen anytime soon again
I found my spark to write again
I wish it didn’t take my community closing to realize how much I missed this place
I don’t know where I will go next
Just like everything else in my life
Nothing lasts forever
So long my friends
May we meet again in another time
Good luck in life and in writing
I will miss you all dearly
Love,
Marina
The End Of Our Era
Dear DUP,
When i’m in the middle
I can’t always see the light
Or know why I continue
But I’ve learned to push forward
Keep going until the end
And each end is a new beginning
Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishing something
I am proud of myself
Especially since i’ve taken a long hiatus
Life has gotten in the way
But I don’t think that will happen anytime soon again
I found my spark to write again
I wish it didn’t take my community closing to realize how much I missed this place
I don’t know where I will go next
Just like everything else in my life
Nothing lasts forever
So long my friends
May we meet again in another time
Good luck in life and in writing
I will miss you all dearly
Love,
Marina
30/30
[NaPoWriMo - 2025 Collection] Flowers from Thoughts
vi
Winter
Death
The ground is hardened
beneath us, our shattered
steps pierce the quietude
exhaled breath condensates
mingles as mist, dissipates
making room for the next
Slumber claims everything
in this frozen tundra,
young seedling, old bulb
ancient trees bare of foliage
It’s become a vast necropolis
Coptic jars containing
the organs of spring
Persephone sits crowned
upon hell's throne
Ceres grieves her daughter
a banshee's scream slicing silence
mourning warmer memories
during this barren season
of acceptance and release—
both offering solace and peace
. . .
[NaPoWriMo - 2025 Collection] Flowers from Thoughts
vi
Winter
Death
The ground is hardened
beneath us, our shattered
steps pierce the quietude
exhaled breath condensates
mingles as mist, dissipates
making room for the next
Slumber claims everything
in this frozen tundra,
young seedling, old bulb
ancient trees bare of foliage
It’s become a vast necropolis
Coptic jars containing
the organs of spring
Persephone sits crowned
upon hell's throne
Ceres grieves her daughter
a banshee's scream slicing silence
mourning warmer memories
during this barren season
of acceptance and release—
both offering solace and peace
. . .
30 of 30
Pre-Web Years: Social Media
My childhood social media
could be measured in inches
all colored, rectangular magazines
some as big as 10 1/2" x 14"
and as small as 5 ½” x 7 ½”
delivered every month
by hardy, blue uniformed postal carriers
One favorite,
“Sunset” was in our home a staple
a pretty thick, glossy depiction
of how the best American westerners live
perhaps in a replica,
upscale Hopi Pueblo style compound
appropriately located in the Painted Desert
cacti, tumbleweeds. Lizards on the ground
kaleidoscopic greens, reds, beige, brown
with, of course, stoneware and flatware to match
Too many periodicals to describe today
after all, as a kid, I’d only sit still for one-a-day
and now, as in my tender years
I just must go out and play
Pre-Web Years: Social Media
My childhood social media
could be measured in inches
all colored, rectangular magazines
some as big as 10 1/2" x 14"
and as small as 5 ½” x 7 ½”
delivered every month
by hardy, blue uniformed postal carriers
One favorite,
“Sunset” was in our home a staple
a pretty thick, glossy depiction
of how the best American westerners live
perhaps in a replica,
upscale Hopi Pueblo style compound
appropriately located in the Painted Desert
cacti, tumbleweeds. Lizards on the ground
kaleidoscopic greens, reds, beige, brown
with, of course, stoneware and flatware to match
Too many periodicals to describe today
after all, as a kid, I’d only sit still for one-a-day
and now, as in my tender years
I just must go out and play
30/30
Journey to the Stars
I borrowed the titles of her poems to reflect
To connect
Wondering why the universe took her away
so soon
But I’m still in awe
Admiring the mystery
Marveling at the beautiful poetry shared…
Maybe we’re all meant to meet at these crossroads
Make impressions in each other‘s lives
So that when our time arrives
We’ll be able to contemplate the meaning of it all
And we can say
We were poets in the time Eerie
Right before she took on her journey to the stars
65 Unique Words
86 Total
Journey to the Stars
I borrowed the titles of her poems to reflect
To connect
Wondering why the universe took her away
so soon
But I’m still in awe
Admiring the mystery
Marveling at the beautiful poetry shared…
Maybe we’re all meant to meet at these crossroads
Make impressions in each other‘s lives
So that when our time arrives
We’ll be able to contemplate the meaning of it all
And we can say
We were poets in the time Eerie
Right before she took on her journey to the stars
65 Unique Words
86 Total
30/30
Who’s World is This
I
What is it
that
You feel
in
Your heart
as
We start
the legend
of this
Supposed: End
II
Is it the same
for
All of: Us..? Wouldn’t
that just
Be strange
&
Marvelous
III
I have wondered
at
The nature
of
The underground
of
Self/selves. Wealth/wealths
of
Shadows
&
Light
IV
It’s hard to talk, tonight
Tonight, I feel – Just
not
Right. Just slight
of
Sorrow
for
Tomorrow. Absent the light
of
Our beloved site
V
It has changed me too, yall
(Apparently I now
talk
With a drawl.]
VI
I now walk through
the
Cemetery, scary
Conceiving
eaves
of
Breakthrough
poetry
in
Which to achieve:
Something
to
Believe
VII
The alchemist’s gold
of
The personal legend
Not just
grains
&
dust
of
Legend.
VIII
Imagine
Legend of legends
Every legend
pledged
to
ledge of edge
Imagine
where
the world
would
end-then
IX
We just-must
end
The trend
which
will send
others
to
The end
without
Sisters
or
Brothers
X
Make these
Arts
of
Ours
XI
Truly ours, for
We are:
Truly stars, truly.
Truly yours,
- Cipher/Poetic/Lifer
***
Cipher
Poems
***
Who’s World is This
I
What is it
that
You feel
in
Your heart
as
We start
the legend
of this
Supposed: End
II
Is it the same
for
All of: Us..? Wouldn’t
that just
Be strange
&
Marvelous
III
I have wondered
at
The nature
of
The underground
of
Self/selves. Wealth/wealths
of
Shadows
&
Light
IV
It’s hard to talk, tonight
Tonight, I feel – Just
not
Right. Just slight
of
Sorrow
for
Tomorrow. Absent the light
of
Our beloved site
V
It has changed me too, yall
(Apparently I now
talk
With a drawl.]
VI
I now walk through
the
Cemetery, scary
Conceiving
eaves
of
Breakthrough
poetry
in
Which to achieve:
Something
to
Believe
VII
The alchemist’s gold
of
The personal legend
Not just
grains
&
dust
of
Legend.
VIII
Imagine
Legend of legends
Every legend
pledged
to
ledge of edge
Imagine
where
the world
would
end-then
IX
We just-must
end
The trend
which
will send
others
to
The end
without
Sisters
or
Brothers
X
Make these
Arts
of
Ours
XI
Truly ours, for
We are:
Truly stars, truly.
Truly yours,
- Cipher/Poetic/Lifer
***
Cipher
Poems
***
30/30
NaPo 2025 Day 30
As the shadows whispered in my head
I gathered my belongings and fled the scene.
It is wildly obscene to believe that I would dwell
in the hell that you once proposed to me.
There was a time we called it love
and held each other above all else.
Now, I cower in a corner, stitching the wound.
Swooned by the words that escaped your lips,
my heart skips beats while the echo of my screams
blend into my dreams, creating nightmares.
[Unique Words 63]
NaPo 2025 Day 30
As the shadows whispered in my head
I gathered my belongings and fled the scene.
It is wildly obscene to believe that I would dwell
in the hell that you once proposed to me.
There was a time we called it love
and held each other above all else.
Now, I cower in a corner, stitching the wound.
Swooned by the words that escaped your lips,
my heart skips beats while the echo of my screams
blend into my dreams, creating nightmares.
[Unique Words 63]
30/30
[NaPo2025—Reasonable Rhymes]
flirtship 101—chaos
in the garden
as of a noon day, adam takes a break,
his curious mate, for inquisition's sake,
strays and is led into the wilderness,
to spar with serpentine deceptiveness.
SERPENT
"o me o my, thou fairest of the fair!
what brings thee here? i fall for thee, i swear.
hath God said eat not of all garden trees,
though every brand thine appetite might tease?"
EVE
"indulge we may, in eden's fruited bliss,
except the tree that nestles in her midst;
if we but touch it, dying we shall die:
we'd rather live, than God would rather lie."
SERPENT
"tut tut, the bucket ye shall not so kick,
if thou shouldst dare this magic fruit to pick.
God knows how wide shall open up thine eyes:
ye'll be as gods, to good and evil wise."
"look at me nyam this juicy dark-red one!
and does it seem to leave me all undone?
here, take a bite: let A-I wisdom flow,
and you will know all that there is to know."
EVE
"o me o my, thou telleth but the truth!
thou art a friend, and such a pleasant sleuth.
a doggy bag i'll pack and head for home,
to feed my honey from my honeycomb."
"come see a wiz that tells me all God's secrets!
but cover me with eden garden leaflets,
for i am naked as the day God made me,
and so art thou, parading bold and nudely!"
ADAM
"is this my love, last eve so pure and holy?
what hast thou done, that evil now controls thee?
give me to eat, that i may also flourish;
then let me die, together we shall perish."
ABBA
"adam, adam, wherefore art thou in hiding,
that in thy nakedness thou'art unconfiding?
hath thou unsealed the good and evil hidden
in that lone central fruit that is forbidden?"
ADAM
"you gave me eve, and she came home stark naked,
blinding my sight with that which was once sacred.
since she must die, then let me perish with her—
bone of my bones and flesh, with whom i wither."
EVE
"the serpent showed me things i could not fathom,
which Thou concealeth in thy inner sanctum.
i cant believe Thou hast looked at me uncovered!
but now i'm wise, as one fresh out of harvard."
ABBA
"that sleazy snake shall crawl upon his belly
and dust imbibe for gourmet sugar jelly.
woman, your womb shall bring forth wayward children,
till every offspring seeks My Face, a pilgrim.
"adam, adam, that sweet wife that thou lovest
straying from thy side thy carelessness now provest;
thy sweat of brow shall bounteous make thy harvest,
till thou art dust again—or else thou starvest.
"for borrowed dust thou art till thou returnest
thy breath to me, when thou shalt sleep in earnest.
but of the woman's seed shall come that moment
when he shall crush the head of that vile serpent."
© Copyright 2025 April 30
by Clyve A. Bowen♫
UWC 276
30/30
WITHOUT POETRY…
I would be
An accountant
And a dad
And sometimes
Kermit the frog
But no
There is never a moment
Without poetry
Though this is all
Too easy to forget
Which is why
I have to laugh
At myself today
Collecting poems
For safekeeping
As if they were tchotchkes
Behind glass
One might as well collect
The dried up plum pits
In my yard
One might as well collect
The blades of grass
WITHOUT POETRY…
I would be
An accountant
And a dad
And sometimes
Kermit the frog
But no
There is never a moment
Without poetry
Though this is all
Too easy to forget
Which is why
I have to laugh
At myself today
Collecting poems
For safekeeping
As if they were tchotchkes
Behind glass
One might as well collect
The dried up plum pits
In my yard
One might as well collect
The blades of grass
