A-Z 2013

We did it!  Two months ago, when I suggested daily original poetry to Regina she balked.  Yeah, Regina knows a lot more about poetry than I do.  But maybe my blind ignorance coupled with her brilliant skill wasn’t such a bad combo. 

Sometimes, like the entire sum of our youth, our confidence comes from a place of pure ignorance.  Many writers start out this way – especially writers for children because, hey, anybody can write a 350 word story for kids.  How hard could it be?

It’s hard.

Poetry is hard too.

Still, we did it!

And though I produced a few turds, there were some lovely surprises in there too.  Of the fourteen poems I wrote for the A-Z, I’ve already submitted two to three different publication and contest sources.  Maybe someone will like one.  But even if none are published, I am proud of what I produced. 

Now, Regina and I decided that we have to incorporate original poetry going forward so every other Friday, check us out.  One of us will post an original poem.

Thanks to all of you who introduced yourself and signed up to follow us.  We are thrilled to be a part of the vibrant blogging community.

NaPoWriMo

We get Sundays off from the A-Z Challenge, but not so for NaPoWriMo. Regina writes today's poem that was inspired by George Ella Lyon.

Where I Am From

I’m from mesquite bushes and

Cicada shells put

under Grandpa’s hat.

I am from caliche soil

that doesn’t let water

soak in,

pecans picked,

piled high

in paper bags.

I am from a double-wide

trailer in

tornado’s way.

And burning sun that

rattlesnakes hid from.

I am from cowboy hat and

three-piece suit,

from Carol and Juan.

I’m from bible-reciting- holy-rollers and

oil-anointing artists.

I’m from horse trough swimming

afternoons,

sweet tea and tortillas made from masa.

From the eyesight Mother lost in

her right eye on her honeymoon.

Under my bed was

a pile of handmade toys.

A silent congregation awaiting

my goodnight prayers.

I am from those moments in

the dark when light seeped in.

NaPoWriMo

We get Sundays off from the A-Z Challenge, but not so for NaPoWriMo. Juliet writes today's poem.

Clowning Around

This is going to hurt.

In sidelong smiles, deceptive nods of agreement

Confusion will settle itself into your bones

Rattle at your neck

I’m sorry to say it but you simply aren’t smart enough to figure this out

You will think the best, or try to

You will dance in a small room, swaying with a liar

Only hearing the pretty music

Not the rumble underneath

In other places

You are an abstraction

As they sit at a restaurant, excited hands held under the table

In a wood, sneaking hungry kisses

On the school playground

Saying what she really means

To someone you never talk to

So you won’t guess

In a baseball field

Where your mother-in-law

Makes you nervous

And its time to nurse the baby

Or in the black of a theater

Because the niggling unease

Sent you seeking the feeling of

Disappear

Remember your mother?

All those times with the bathroom door closed

Otherworldly howls rising up as you secreted

Pints of honey vanilla in your room

Didn’t you learn from the train whistle she blew?

But you, you run laughing into the arms of dissemblers

Charm wins you over

Every damn time

I really wish you weren’t so human

Because,

When it finally comes

A punch in your throat

No air, no air

I warned you this would hurt

They make clowns of themselves, yes

But they make a fool of you too

©2013 Juliet Bond all rights reserved

NaPoWriMo

We get Sundays off from the A-Z Challenge, but not so for NaPoWriMo. Regina gets honest in today's poem.

The Guilt of Honesty

Looking over a cliff

and if I don't take the first step

I will fall

or be pushed by circumstance

into the jagged rocks below.

 But if I jump

calculate my velocity,

I will hit

the cool water

below,

where I can swim

uninhibited,

free.

Maybe even bask on a rock

cleansing in sun and water,

before I climb

back up the cliff face

inch by inch.

And onto the path

that Leads

Home.

NaPoWriMo

We get Sundays off for the A-Z Challenge, but not so for NaPoWriMo.  Here is a little weekend advice from Juliet.

Be Daring

Spend your days in bathtubs filled with pruny prunes

(Because bathtubs are warm, and usually housed inside small rooms)

Walk single file lines on the edges of streets

(But only if your balance is, like, really good)

Write love letters to people you don’t even like

(Please, never send these)

Visit exotic, far-away places with names like Svalbard,

The Confederated States of Micronesia,

and Lord Berkeley’s Knob

(Or just read about them)

Quit your desk job to replace the ailing "Little Mermaid" at your local theme park

(No, don’t do that.  The bra is far too small.)

Perhaps just sit.  Find a comfortable chair, weathered and soft as any petal.

Breathe.

Write something true.

(No, that would be too daring)