late summer encounter
I spied a lovely doe today
she held my gaze, then leapt away
into the brush deep in the hollow
I fought the urge to rush and follow
to think I’m kind would not be safe
we humans are a cruel race
I kept my distance glad to see
her intuition made her flee
run free sweet forest sprite run free
it’s best to fear the likes of me
as hunters plan their autumn sacks
be swift, stay safe, and don’t look back
~kat
Belle Went to a Burger Joint
‘Twas midday at the burger joint
she sauntered in with flair
dressed in a tattered yellow gown
her entrance, well, it caused a stir
the kid behind the register
pretended not to see her
the patrons grumbled at the sight
when someone called the manager
“how can we help you ma’am?” he said
onlookers watched, aghast
“send her away, you know she can’t pay!”
but the manager held fast
“Ignore the menu overhead,
ma’am, this is just for you.”
She smiled at him, a toothless grin,
as he filled a tray with food
I present to you, sandwich au beouf
with a savory side of frites
for dessert I give you tarte aux pommes
and a beverage bubbly sweet
her eyes grew wide in disbelief
“But sir, I cannot pay…”
the manager kindly reassured,
“You are our guest today.”
~kat
Well, that’s a wrap. NaPoWriMo 2024 has come to an end! It’s been a challenge, but one I have thoroughly enjoyed.
I chose Belle from Beauty and the Beast as my inspiration for today’s prompt. See below.
NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 30 Challenge: write a poem in which the speaker is identified with, or compared to, a character from myth or legend, as in Claire Scott’s poem “Scheherazade at the Doctor’s Office.”
mercurial
(a trip to market gone horribly wrong!)
how swiftly casual conversation may
turn ugly in these troubling times
a simple “hi, how are you” may devolve
into a hateful, caustic diatribe
“I’m awful, things are terrible, right now
you know exactly what I mean!”
I regret I even asked, backing away
trying, but failing, to make a scene
it’s too late once the switch is flipped
their anger bursts into an ugly rage
I smile, say “I’m sorry” while turning
cautiously, I try to get away
regretfully, I failed to see his MAGA hat
before exchanging pleasantries
this is a dog you should never poke
don’t smile, avoid eye contact, let them be!
~kat
NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 29 Challenge: And now for our optional prompt. If you’ve been paying attention to pop-music news over the past couple of weeks, you may know that Taylor Swift has released a new double album titled “The Tortured Poets Department.” In recognition of this occasion, Merriam-Webster put together a list of ten words from Taylor Swift songs. We hope you don’t find this too torturous yourself, but we’d like to challenge you to select one these words, and write a poem that uses the word as its title.
Mercurial
Song Title/Album: “illicit affairs” / folklore
Lyric: “Take the words for what they are / A dwindling, mercurial high”
Definition: very lively and quick, or changing moods quickly and often
simple dreams
I am worn out with dreams
finished with futile endeavors
no more wishing on shooting stars
what will be, will be, it’s all good, whatever…
don’t need to make things happen
I’m learning to go with the flow
it’s quite a ride, just cruising along
no pressure, nothing to prove, no show
my dreams these days are simpler things
the season of striving has come to an end
my focus is now on the joy that life brings and the treasure found in single sweet moments
~kat
NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 24 Challenge: write a poem that begins with a line from another poem (not necessarily the first one), but then goes elsewhere with it. This will work best if you just start with a line of poetry you remember, but without looking up the whole original poem. Or you could find a poem that you haven’t read before and then use a line that interests you. The idea is for the original to furnish the backdrop for your work, but without influencing you so much that you feel as if you are just rewriting the original! For example, you could begin, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day,” or “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons,” or “I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster,” or “they persevere in swimming where they like.” Really, any poem will do to provide your starter line – just so long as it gives you the scope to explore.
The line I chose is from the poem, “Men Improve with the Years” by William Butler Yeats: “I am worn out with dreams”.
thinking out loud
this
is
totally
absurd
the latest,
have you heard?
like nothing
we have ever
seen
idolatry
to the extreme
feigned religiosity
disgusting evangelicals
who make our lives
a living hell
they flock to him
like birds to seed
he uses them to
feed his greed
they willingly concede
he owns them ‘til
the day they die
mesmerized by
juicy lies
I pray they see
the honest truth
before the devil
demands
his due
~kat
NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 17 Challenge: write a poem that is inspired by a piece of music, and that shares its title with that piece of music.
Finally catching up after a crazy week!!! I was more inspired by the title than the actual lyrics of the song, “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. This is what I often think to myself in mixed political company. I have to fight myself from screaming what I really think out loud! In this climate things are better left unsaid, that is if one cares at all about seeing another day!
