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.
On Edge
First came the feeling of being deflated,
as though most of the air
were being slowly and smoothly
drained from my body.
Something inside me sunk
quite gracefully and quietly.
After that, I was shocked
by how fast my mood crashed.
I'm used to being in freefall,
but I nearly always know why.
DO I know why?
Well, yes, deep within,
but I just don't want to think about it.
I'm starting to focus.
My subconscious
is beginning to prepare me;
to pave the way;
to guide me through the feelings
that are...
as though most of the air
were being slowly and smoothly
drained from my body.
Something inside me sunk
quite gracefully and quietly.
After that, I was shocked
by how fast my mood crashed.
I'm used to being in freefall,
but I nearly always know why.
DO I know why?
Well, yes, deep within,
but I just don't want to think about it.
I'm starting to focus.
My subconscious
is beginning to prepare me;
to pave the way;
to guide me through the feelings
that are...
#LifeChangingMoment
#fear
#job #NaPoWriMo2023
#job #NaPoWriMo2023
174 reads
0 Comments
After Monday
Once again,
time seems to be
divided
into Before and After.
BM and AM:
Before Monday
and After Monday.
It is difficult to see beyond
the complexities
of next Monday morning.
One scenario, I have imagined
time and time again.
I know how hard it's going to be—
it will take a lot to pull me up again
and will be painful
to paste on a poker face all week.
The alternative scenario:
well, I haven't allowed myself
to think about that.
My subconscious mind knows:
it would change things for us,
for...
time seems to be
divided
into Before and After.
BM and AM:
Before Monday
and After Monday.
It is difficult to see beyond
the complexities
of next Monday morning.
One scenario, I have imagined
time and time again.
I know how hard it's going to be—
it will take a lot to pull me up again
and will be painful
to paste on a poker face all week.
The alternative scenario:
well, I haven't allowed myself
to think about that.
My subconscious mind knows:
it would change things for us,
for...
#hope
#fear
#job #NaPoWriMo2023
#job #NaPoWriMo2023
179 reads
12 Comments
HRH Queen Elizabeth II
For seventy years she reigned with dignity and class—
from an era remembered by few;
for a time frame unimaginable to most of us.
Duty and commitment to her country and realms
remained uppermost in her life.
Throughout generations,
governments, prime ministers,
peacetime and war;
recessions and prosperity,
her presence was constant.
and the world seems strange without her.
Whatever your views on the Monarchy
and whether the wealthy unelected
should become Head of State
by a happy accident of birth;
now that she's gone,...
from an era remembered by few;
for a time frame unimaginable to most of us.
Duty and commitment to her country and realms
remained uppermost in her life.
Throughout generations,
governments, prime ministers,
peacetime and war;
recessions and prosperity,
her presence was constant.
and the world seems strange without her.
Whatever your views on the Monarchy
and whether the wealthy unelected
should become Head of State
by a happy accident of birth;
now that she's gone,...
#Britain
#NaPoWriMo2023
168 reads
0 Comments
The Lonely Socks' Social Club
Today in the Infants' lost property box,
I found gloves and scarves and a bunch of odd socks.
I'm very confused by this state of affairs;
who goes home in one sock? We wear them in pairs!
If you lost a sock, would you leave off your shoe
and hop everywhere? Or would you put on two?
When I was a child, I could not comprehend
how a sock in the wash could just lose its best friend!
Then adulthood struck, and along came this quandary:
that socks disappear when you're doing the laundry!
I found a large box which I thought could be...
I found gloves and scarves and a bunch of odd socks.
I'm very confused by this state of affairs;
who goes home in one sock? We wear them in pairs!
If you lost a sock, would you leave off your shoe
and hop everywhere? Or would you put on two?
When I was a child, I could not comprehend
how a sock in the wash could just lose its best friend!
Then adulthood struck, and along came this quandary:
that socks disappear when you're doing the laundry!
I found a large box which I thought could be...
#LifeStruggles
#funny
#NaPoWriMo2023
153 reads
12 Comments
Nascent Hope
Despite my best efforts
to remain detached and realistic;
not optimistic;
a nascent seed of hope
has begun to sprout
deep within my being.
Such chinks of light
and sparks of joy
need nurturing
so that they might grow.
Welcome as it is,
I'm trying to ignore this one.
It's unorthodox,
but too much is at stake
and hoping isn't enough.
Years of yearning weren't enough.
Trying hard and working diligently
haven't always created opportunities,
so I will not waste this one.
I dare not let...
to remain detached and realistic;
not optimistic;
a nascent seed of hope
has begun to sprout
deep within my being.
Such chinks of light
and sparks of joy
need nurturing
so that they might grow.
Welcome as it is,
I'm trying to ignore this one.
It's unorthodox,
but too much is at stake
and hoping isn't enough.
Years of yearning weren't enough.
Trying hard and working diligently
haven't always created opportunities,
so I will not waste this one.
I dare not let...
#LifeChangingMoment
#LifeGoals
#job #NaPoWriMo2023
#job #NaPoWriMo2023
137 reads
5 Comments
Haiku Series for National Haiku Day
April seventeenth.
According to Facebook, it's
National Haiku Day!
I am very pleased—
I was running out of steam;
now I have ideas!
Paint a lovely scene.
Use all of your senses but
better be concise!
Five, seven and five
syllables in three short lines,
with a pithy end.
Use a nature theme;
something philosophical.
Aargh, I've run out of
According to Facebook, it's
National Haiku Day!
I am very pleased—
I was running out of steam;
now I have ideas!
Paint a lovely scene.
Use all of your senses but
better be concise!
Five, seven and five
syllables in three short lines,
with a pithy end.
Use a nature theme;
something philosophical.
Aargh, I've run out of
#haiku
#funny
#NaPoWriMo2023
143 reads
5 Comments
Somnolence
Gradually, concentration fails.
I fight it and pretend to be alert,
but when the words circle before my eyes—
the same sentence several times,
inexplicably making no sense—
I know I'm falling.
Surrounding sounds fade
and blend with those in my head.
Scenery changes:
I'm in my childhood home
but it somehow seems wrong.
I'm younger here,
but somehow retain my life experience.
My grandparents are alive
and I'm confused by the presence
of friends that I thought I'd met more recently.
Time flies as scenes unfold before...
I fight it and pretend to be alert,
but when the words circle before my eyes—
the same sentence several times,
inexplicably making no sense—
I know I'm falling.
Surrounding sounds fade
and blend with those in my head.
Scenery changes:
I'm in my childhood home
but it somehow seems wrong.
I'm younger here,
but somehow retain my life experience.
My grandparents are alive
and I'm confused by the presence
of friends that I thought I'd met more recently.
Time flies as scenes unfold before...
#dreams
#sleep
#NaPoWriMo2023
186 reads
2 Comments
Flute Salad
cascading, silvery semiquavers
fly and fall like graceful droplets of rain
scintillating the senses.
as pitches rise and fall,
tone varies from
hollow and plaintive
to rich and full.
judicious vibrato
and resplendent rubato
add delicious layers
to the frenetic feast of fireworks.
crescendo builds,
culminating in a tremendous trill
before descending into a pause;
a sonorous silence.
then, in a final flourish—
a mellifluous, melodious banquet
for the beholder.
fly and fall like graceful droplets of rain
scintillating the senses.
as pitches rise and fall,
tone varies from
hollow and plaintive
to rich and full.
judicious vibrato
and resplendent rubato
add delicious layers
to the frenetic feast of fireworks.
crescendo builds,
culminating in a tremendous trill
before descending into a pause;
a sonorous silence.
then, in a final flourish—
a mellifluous, melodious banquet
for the beholder.
#music
#NaPoWriMo2023
152 reads
6 Comments
Stumbling Blocks
As I complete
another revolution of the sun,
acquire a few more grey hairs
and a few more creaky joints,
one thing drops away:
some of my Overthinking.
So, instead of questioning
Everything
and wondering if I did it
right or wrong
(if there even is
a right or wrong),
I live my life,
pretending to be decisive
and waiting to see what happens.
Just lately,
my path has been littered
with stumbling blocks
and slamming doors
and walls.
It's sometimes said
that when one door shuts,
another...
another revolution of the sun,
acquire a few more grey hairs
and a few more creaky joints,
one thing drops away:
some of my Overthinking.
So, instead of questioning
Everything
and wondering if I did it
right or wrong
(if there even is
a right or wrong),
I live my life,
pretending to be decisive
and waiting to see what happens.
Just lately,
my path has been littered
with stumbling blocks
and slamming doors
and walls.
It's sometimes said
that when one door shuts,
another...
#fate
#choices
#NaPoWriMo2023
144 reads
4 Comments
Warmth
Celestial glow;
illuminating warmth.
Cover me with your light.
Bathe my skin
with your radiance
and my soul
with your fire.
Awake in me
dormant desires
and slumbering senses.
Reignite my will
and renew my strength.
Energy-giving heat,
heal my heart
and expand my mind.
As I wait,
let your honeyed beams
permeate my very being.
Soften any rough edges
and purify me.
Cover me;
bring me into you
that warmth and light
might exude from me.
illuminating warmth.
Cover me with your light.
Bathe my skin
with your radiance
and my soul
with your fire.
Awake in me
dormant desires
and slumbering senses.
Reignite my will
and renew my strength.
Energy-giving heat,
heal my heart
and expand my mind.
As I wait,
let your honeyed beams
permeate my very being.
Soften any rough edges
and purify me.
Cover me;
bring me into you
that warmth and light
might exude from me.
#sun
#healing
#dawn #NaPoWriMo2023
#dawn #NaPoWriMo2023
202 reads
13 Comments
On the Wing
How many times
have I stopped to daydream
and let these thoughts take flight?
Long since private,
my aching wish
has made itself known.
Perhaps that was easier
when there was no prospect
of bringing it to fruition.
Now, so tantalisingly close,
I dare not speak its name
lest it shatter and die
at the final hurdle.
Hear me.
Understand me.
Know me.
have I stopped to daydream
and let these thoughts take flight?
Long since private,
my aching wish
has made itself known.
Perhaps that was easier
when there was no prospect
of bringing it to fruition.
Now, so tantalisingly close,
I dare not speak its name
lest it shatter and die
at the final hurdle.
Hear me.
Understand me.
Know me.
#hope
#dreams
#NaPoWriMo2023
137 reads
2 Comments
The Nature of my Passion
life-giving
liquiform
elemental,
you water
my soul.
i need you
as much as
i need oxygen.
your absence
has shown me
the true nature
of my passion.
great leveller,
carry me,
that i might
float to the
ends of the world
or dive
into your depths
becoming
more of me.
wash away the dirt
and imperfections.
smooth away
the rough edges
and make me
more like you.
why was i
made
for this purpose?
i need you.
liquiform
elemental,
you water
my soul.
i need you
as much as
i need oxygen.
your absence
has shown me
the true nature
of my passion.
great leveller,
carry me,
that i might
float to the
ends of the world
or dive
into your depths
becoming
more of me.
wash away the dirt
and imperfections.
smooth away
the rough edges
and make me
more like you.
why was i
made
for this purpose?
i need you.
#beach
#water
#NaPoWriMo2023
154 reads
2 Comments
DU Poetry : Submissions by Wafflenose (Ellie)