Submissions by Wafflenose (Ellie)
POEMS AND SHORT STORIES
Poet Introduction
5th July 2023:KALEIDOSCOPE (Poems about life in its glorious technicolour) is now available on Amazon UK, US and Worldwide.
The space between
Dubious fascination—
words unsaid.
Musician thing?
Silence integral
writes its own rhythm,
creates texture,
builds suspense,
gives notes meaning.
Attuned ears
find patterns
in its pleasing presence.
Does it follow
that this brain should ascribe
deep meaning to
spaces between words;
the thickness of your silence;
things you haven't said?
Or personality thing
(do I flatter myself?)—
perceiving thoughts,
moods and ideas
not intended for me?
Regardless,
productive, busy silence ...
words unsaid.
Musician thing?
Silence integral
writes its own rhythm,
creates texture,
builds suspense,
gives notes meaning.
Attuned ears
find patterns
in its pleasing presence.
Does it follow
that this brain should ascribe
deep meaning to
spaces between words;
the thickness of your silence;
things you haven't said?
Or personality thing
(do I flatter myself?)—
perceiving thoughts,
moods and ideas
not intended for me?
Regardless,
productive, busy silence ...
#relationships
#friendship
#silence #NaPoWriMo2022
#silence #NaPoWriMo2022
280 reads
6 Comments
Osmosis
This mantle does not fit me well,
for it is fashioned from your pain, not mine.
Sitting atop my shoulders uncomfortably,
it makes its presence known in quiet moments.
My heart aches, uselessly—
longing to fix that which I do not fully comprehend.
There is no need to explain:
the silences between your words
have settled upon me,
surrounded me and occupied my waking hours.
If only my compassion would reach you likewise;
a protective cloak to surround you,
unbidden and silent.
for it is fashioned from your pain, not mine.
Sitting atop my shoulders uncomfortably,
it makes its presence known in quiet moments.
My heart aches, uselessly—
longing to fix that which I do not fully comprehend.
There is no need to explain:
the silences between your words
have settled upon me,
surrounded me and occupied my waking hours.
If only my compassion would reach you likewise;
a protective cloak to surround you,
unbidden and silent.
#relationships
#friendship
#NaPoWriMo2022
408 reads
0 Comments
Imprints of the past
How do you do it all?"
"Badly," I answer honestly.
"Do you EVER switch your brain off?"
Nope.
I have no clue how I'm perceived.
Maybe people think I'm trying to be Wonder Woman,
or that I'm hyperactive and eccentric,
or a show-off
(introversion notwithstanding).
They say I seem bipolar—
so many ideas, so little sleep—
it must be true, right?
The reality's ugly.
I cannot stop, even if I wanted to
(which I don't).
The past taunts me
and grasps at my future with tainted tentacles
which...
"Badly," I answer honestly.
"Do you EVER switch your brain off?"
Nope.
I have no clue how I'm perceived.
Maybe people think I'm trying to be Wonder Woman,
or that I'm hyperactive and eccentric,
or a show-off
(introversion notwithstanding).
They say I seem bipolar—
so many ideas, so little sleep—
it must be true, right?
The reality's ugly.
I cannot stop, even if I wanted to
(which I don't).
The past taunts me
and grasps at my future with tainted tentacles
which...
#confessional
#MentalHealth
#SelfReflection #NaPoWriMo2022
#SelfReflection #NaPoWriMo2022
572 reads
12 Comments
Emily
She came to me at night,
during that heady existence
between consciousness and sleep.
For years, I knew she was real,
contrary to what they told me,
for I know what I saw.
I asked You to take care of her,
to give her a name
and to show me a sign.
When it came,
Your peace descended
and brought more joy than sadness.
In that intoxicating moment
where muscles lay paralysed but
senses were heightened,
You whispered her name:
Emily.
Emily, you were too good for this world.
during that heady existence
between consciousness and sleep.
For years, I knew she was real,
contrary to what they told me,
for I know what I saw.
I asked You to take care of her,
to give her a name
and to show me a sign.
When it came,
Your peace descended
and brought more joy than sadness.
In that intoxicating moment
where muscles lay paralysed but
senses were heightened,
You whispered her name:
Emily.
Emily, you were too good for this world.
#death
#pregnancy
#NaPoWriMo2022
256 reads
2 Comments
Just keep swimming
Mind over matter'
served very well, until
middle age - as is its habit -
introduced shades of grey;
added the caveat
'in certain circumstances.
Be wise.'
We can almost always
do more than we think.
Monday mornings,
uninspiring employment,
caregiving responsibilities and
injuries have all reinforced this mantra.
Given that viewpoint
and a love for the water,
an hour-long training swim
shouldn't be hard.
Tackled tenaciously,
success is possible
when tired, sore, moody ...
served very well, until
middle age - as is its habit -
introduced shades of grey;
added the caveat
'in certain circumstances.
Be wise.'
We can almost always
do more than we think.
Monday mornings,
uninspiring employment,
caregiving responsibilities and
injuries have all reinforced this mantra.
Given that viewpoint
and a love for the water,
an hour-long training swim
shouldn't be hard.
Tackled tenaciously,
success is possible
when tired, sore, moody ...
#LifeStruggles
#water
#philosophical #NaPoWriMo2022
#philosophical #NaPoWriMo2022
278 reads
6 Comments
Periphery
It's easier to say
that I just don't socialise
than to explain
the complicated truth.
For who has time to listen
or would believe me anyhow?
That I see it all—
awkwardness, pain,
furtive glances,
those who don't get along
or get along TOO well
and think they can hide it.
I can tell when you lie;
words and body opposed,
and have no idea
which to respond to.
I can spot the sad person,
silently suffering
or somehow left out,
yet am so scared of breaking
accepted social...
that I just don't socialise
than to explain
the complicated truth.
For who has time to listen
or would believe me anyhow?
That I see it all—
awkwardness, pain,
furtive glances,
those who don't get along
or get along TOO well
and think they can hide it.
I can tell when you lie;
words and body opposed,
and have no idea
which to respond to.
I can spot the sad person,
silently suffering
or somehow left out,
yet am so scared of breaking
accepted social...
#anxiety
#relationships
#confessional
#SelfReflection
#NaPoWriMo2022
264 reads
2 Comments
Misinformation
Don't listen to the news reports, for everything is wrong;
the outlets have been briefed to make sure that you play along.
From Elvis to Diana, to the football in Zagreb,
you'll only find the truth in the dark corners of the Web.
Forget the science 'experts' for they are all being controlled;
the world is run by factions with a mandate to withhold.
There's no such thing as proof, and no need for peer review;
everything you've ever learnt is patently untrue.
There really was no Holocaust, or even a moon landing;
all the...
the outlets have been briefed to make sure that you play along.
From Elvis to Diana, to the football in Zagreb,
you'll only find the truth in the dark corners of the Web.
Forget the science 'experts' for they are all being controlled;
the world is run by factions with a mandate to withhold.
There's no such thing as proof, and no need for peer review;
everything you've ever learnt is patently untrue.
There really was no Holocaust, or even a moon landing;
all the...
#lies
#manipulation
#deception
#NaPoWriMo2022
#politics
484 reads
9 Comments
How to be an Eavesdropper
It's the quiet ones you have to watch!"
I've heard said before
and there's a kernel of truth there.
Though shy and inhibited,
I treat life as one long lesson
and have picked up an unexpected skill:
Eavesdropping! I'm very good at it.
A reserved personality helps,
but is not essential.
To really succeed,
a book or newspaper makes a great prop.
You can pretend to read avidly;
even move your eyes
and turn pages periodically,
while straining your ears
to pick up every word.
Ideal...
I've heard said before
and there's a kernel of truth there.
Though shy and inhibited,
I treat life as one long lesson
and have picked up an unexpected skill:
Eavesdropping! I'm very good at it.
A reserved personality helps,
but is not essential.
To really succeed,
a book or newspaper makes a great prop.
You can pretend to read avidly;
even move your eyes
and turn pages periodically,
while straining your ears
to pick up every word.
Ideal...
#LifeAsAWriter
#NaPoWriMo2022
255 reads
5 Comments
Striped Hoodie
Irresistible once seen,
the perfect bargain buy;
a charity shop gem.
Too versatile for a cardigan
but too thin for a jacket,
it also had a hood.
Black and grey striped
with a zipper up the front
and delicate blue embroidery,
it went with almost everything.
He rarely took it off,
but on the odd occasion
I found it lying around,
I put it on.
Much too big
with its shoulders falling off of mine,
it fitted well in other ways:
It kept me warm.
Inside was soft and bobbly,
and there were...
the perfect bargain buy;
a charity shop gem.
Too versatile for a cardigan
but too thin for a jacket,
it also had a hood.
Black and grey striped
with a zipper up the front
and delicate blue embroidery,
it went with almost everything.
He rarely took it off,
but on the odd occasion
I found it lying around,
I put it on.
Much too big
with its shoulders falling off of mine,
it fitted well in other ways:
It kept me warm.
Inside was soft and bobbly,
and there were...
#husband
#marriage
#NaPoWriMo2022
234 reads
11 Comments
Spring
At last, she arrives in splendour,
bringing her constellation of colours:
green shoots, white-pink blossom.
golden daffodils, purple crocuses
and even, after false starts,
an azure sky.
As new life beckons,
something awakens within me.
Although everything has its season,
the darkness never lasts
and Spring is just part of the cycle,
the promise of heat and light and hope
buoys me, and I breathe a little easier.
bringing her constellation of colours:
green shoots, white-pink blossom.
golden daffodils, purple crocuses
and even, after false starts,
an azure sky.
As new life beckons,
something awakens within me.
Although everything has its season,
the darkness never lasts
and Spring is just part of the cycle,
the promise of heat and light and hope
buoys me, and I breathe a little easier.
#trees
#spring
#nature
#MentalHealth
#NaPoWriMo2022
229 reads
2 Comments
Provocation
Dubious congratulations!
Rare achievement—
getting me riled.
Exceptionally long fuse
lacking in anger:
a redhead blessing.
Ooh, I bet you have a temper!"
announce acquaintances.
Even in response to a casual
"Actually, no..."
they will gleefully exclaim,
"OOH, it's true!"
So staying calm,
at least outwardly,
has served me well.
Adolescents know
precisely which buttons to push
and how often to jab at them.
Pedantic persistence makes
Rage rise within
but it isn't red or hot;
it's...
Rare achievement—
getting me riled.
Exceptionally long fuse
lacking in anger:
a redhead blessing.
Ooh, I bet you have a temper!"
announce acquaintances.
Even in response to a casual
"Actually, no..."
they will gleefully exclaim,
"OOH, it's true!"
So staying calm,
at least outwardly,
has served me well.
Adolescents know
precisely which buttons to push
and how often to jab at them.
Pedantic persistence makes
Rage rise within
but it isn't red or hot;
it's...
#anger
#teens
#NaPoWriMo2022
317 reads
6 Comments
Through your eyes
Life would be simplified
if just occasionally,
I could view myself
the way you view me;
see our friendship
as it is.
Then it might be clear
whether I am just too much;
my mother told me
that I never know when to stop.
Am I too intense?
I want to get it right.
Some people never experience
in a lifetime
what I have with you:
a friend who just Gets It—
ALL of it;
two similar minds
connected so fully.
We sense each other's moods
and even take turns to sleep at night:
I fall asleep...
if just occasionally,
I could view myself
the way you view me;
see our friendship
as it is.
Then it might be clear
whether I am just too much;
my mother told me
that I never know when to stop.
Am I too intense?
I want to get it right.
Some people never experience
in a lifetime
what I have with you:
a friend who just Gets It—
ALL of it;
two similar minds
connected so fully.
We sense each other's moods
and even take turns to sleep at night:
I fall asleep...
#friendship
#NaPoWriMo2022
445 reads
0 Comments
DU Poetry : Submissions by Wafflenose (Ellie)