Brief prose and poetry lacking other categories... (Only rated 18+ as a formality :) |
I have a long way to goâ Mostly uphill. I'm not sure I can wrap my head around Godâ Is that a blasphemous idiom ![]() Speaking to Him seems difficult⌠What about other forms of spiritual experience I exclude almost automatically? Sometimes I appreciate Buddhism; I should look into it further because it seems rather similar to nihilism. Nihilism is a thing with me lately. I wonder what the point of life is, Letting myself slide downhill Rather than wasting energy on the climb to higher groundâ Exhausted before I've begun. I pray for wisdom, discernment, love, Faith seems all too magical: a dream, a scam, a trap, a tool Used by others for manipulation and control. Philosophically speaking, God is highly likely to exist, The primary cause and source of all else. Seeking His Face is the puzzling part. How do I filter out the noise, focus on the Voice? Peace, stillness, a moment to breathe, gratitude, All will help me find what I'm looking for. The journey begins with a small step, A tiptoeing mustard seed of faith, Sprouting eventually into a deeply rooted, thriving tree of life. 28 lines, 191 words. Written for "Share Your Faith" ![]() May Prompt: The Search What aspect of your faith journey are you currently exploring or seeking clarity on? |
Dear God, Please protect the tiny human Growing inside the womb of my dearest friend. Shower your blessings upon them both Keep them healthy and strong As You form the little one in Your image. Give my friend the fortitude to be a mother, Strength to raise a child in the way they should go So that when they are old they will not depart from it. Keep the fetus free from all the disorders I fear it could get between now and the birth. Please let it be a happy baby, with a happy childhood. I couldn't bear to see it any other way. Thank you, Lord, for the precious gift of life. In Jesus name, amen. 15 lines, 118 words. Prompt: a prayer of supplication or intercession. Inspired by real life. My most sincere prayers seem to be when others are expecting babies. I forget to pray for myself. |
Twenty seven years ago, I was born, Collarbone broken on the way out, Imbued with moroseness from the womb. I knew pain, but forgot it, apparently. Still, dysfunction runs deep, A disjointed mashup of entangled weirdnessâ At odds with everyone from the beginningâ Particularly my mom. Long-suffering, she regales me repeatedly with bitter memories of life before I came along: treachery and woe, sickness and pain, Decades of self-sacrifice leading to nothing but disaster. From which my deeply cynical nature, Unconvinced otherwise, concluded: What's the point? Why do it that way? Why do as you did, Or do as you say, When I can do it my way: Selfish, silent, solitary, stagnant. Nihilism unchecked, I fell, as a stone rolls downhill. Incompatible, yet forever trapped, I test the ties that bind like fraying bungee cords, Flinging myself headlong off cliffs to escape Only to find myself back again, inevitable. Drawn to the only person who ever cared, Demanding what she cannot give me because she's still seeking it herself: Wholeness, acceptance, understandingâa home. We grow old together, homeless at heart, Unable to connect yet utterly inseparable, Driving each other crazy, Wondering why we're still relating the same way we did when I was two years old. It can't be her faultâshe did the best she could. Raised me in a garden paradise, books galore, education at home, safe, protected, at great costs to her own well-being. I learned morals, spirituality, miracles, arts and crafts; I wrote, I played, I dreamed, built worlds. I aced the ACT, twice. Where did it all vanish to? Why am I stuck, immobilized, wasting irrevocable time, unable to do for her All that she does for me? My worldview is a blindfold. I need fresh eyes to see positive potential In myself and others. Supplanting deep-rooted antisocial attitudes is tearing up every fiber of my being Like renovating a haunted house. But I can't allow myself to rot, Disappointing my mother who gives herself up for me Every single day. 57 lines, 335 words. Written for "Merit Badge Magic" ![]() Happy Mother's Day, Mom ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Dear Diary: My name is Lizzie. Today was the first day of school. I'm in fifth grade this year. Mrs. Sanders says I should keep a diary to write down important things. She asked if I'd like to read some of it aloud each week. No way! I shook my head. Talking is super awkward, especially with a new teacher. All my friends were here from last year, so I felt comfortable. Today we learned about reptiles and amphibians and how they're cold-blooded. I thought that was bad, but Mrs. Sanders explained how it means their body temperature matches whatever it is outside. Joey asked why people call each other cold-blooded, and she said it means someone doesn't have feelings, like regret or guilt or sadness. That sounds scary. I don't want to be one of those people. * Today a new kid came to school. My friend Paul said he's autistic, and that means he can't speak. But Joey said not all autistic kids can't talk, only the severe ones. They started arguing. Joey asked Mrs. Sanders if the new kid can talk, and she said no. So he must be severe. His name is Aaron. He's small and dorky and wears glasses. At lunchtime no one let Aaron sit with them. Paul said they're afraid of him cause he makes weird sounds and waves his arms. He sat in a corner, rocking back and forth. He didn't eat anything. I wanted to ask him if he was ok, but I was afraid to. My uncle said autistic kids can hurt people. I don't think Aaron would hurt anyone. But I don't know. And he couldn't tell me anyway. * Today we learned about volcanoes. Hayden said Aaron is cold-blooded because he's autistic. I wanted to ask Mrs. Sanders if that's true. I don't think it is. But I stayed quiet. Everyone's talking about Aaron except me. I don't talk much about anything, usually. I like to hear what others are saying. I'm worried about why he doesn't eat. He doesn't bring lunch, but he doesn't buy one either. Maybe he's not hungry? But he seems really sad. No one ever asks if he's ok. Sometimes kids yell at him. He doesn't seem to notice. * I think I should do something about Aaron. He never eats lunch. But what can I do? I'm afraid I'll cause trouble. I'm so worried, I don't even remember what we learned in class today. Something about photosynthesis and rainforests and Amazon. I thought of offering him some of my peanut butter and jelly, but what if he's allergic? I think I should tell a grownup first, before doing anything. Ugh. I don't like having to talk to people. It makes me feel sick inside. What if I say the wrong thing? Maybe I shouldn't say anything at all. He'll be fine, right? * I was wondering what to do about Aaron today. Mrs. Sanders read us one of the really old Winnie the Pooh stories from a big book. One quote jumped out at me. I think Eeyore said it: "A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference." I felt like she was talking to me! I knew what I should do, even though I was super nervous. When we got up at recess, I waited until everyone was gone. My heart was beating really fast and I felt so jumpy, like I wanted to run away. "Mrs. Sanders, I need to talk to you." "Of course, Lizzie. Is something wrong?" "It's about Aaron. He doesn't eat anything for lunch. I'm worried. He looks really sad." "Really? That's not good. Thank you for telling me. I'll reach out to his mom and let her know so she can pack him a meal." Then Mrs. Sanders looked me in the eye and smiled and patted my shoulder. "I know it might have been difficult for you to speak up, Lizzie. It's ok to let trusted grownups know when you see a problem. You did good." "Thank you so much, Mrs. Sanders!" It was such a relief to get it over with. It wasn't nearly as awkward as I was afraid of. I'm glad I spoke up. * Today Mrs. Sanders told me about Aaron. He wasn't eating because he doesn't like what our school serves. He's super sensitive about textures and how food looks and smells. So now his mom knows to prepare something he can eat. At lunchtime, he had food. He was grinning and eating heartily. I felt so happy knowing he's ok now. Speaking up is really important. Eeyore is right: caring about others makes a big difference. Words: 790. Written for "Writing 4 Kids" ![]() May prompt: "A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference." - Eeyore. |
Fadeoutâline between good and evil Drawn jagged within my heartâerased. I wear a mask each day: Good girl, proper, angelic. Never an unclean word escapes. No one guesses monstrous insanity lurks beneath: Fights to the death, scenes of torment, Dreams I wake up apologizing to God for. Torn between abhorrence and fascination I wear conservative values Protected behind iron bars of fastidious rules. Who would I become If I broke out of prison? Bitter nausea overwhelms my attempt to answer. Venomous spiders dangle In unswept corners of my soul. Nightmares illuminate what I deny. If I am who I am in the dark, I refuse to accept myself, Splintered between decent and dirty Outcast from my short-circuiting mind bristling with electric barbed wire, Chasing cockroaches in circles under a bloody full moon. Is uncleanness my identity? Or is it my struggle, my burden, I've been assigned to resist? Enlightenment at tunnel's end, Or train wreck inexorable? 30 lines, 156 words. Written for "Rebel Poetry Contest" ![]() Chosen Prompt: The Ballad of Lucy Jordan (written by Shel Silverstein ![]() |