Patchwork PoemOn Strip
I enter the gym, ready to begin the morning right the grips in our hands, but now they are stiff we get in position, as you could get against barbarians, and doubt quickly races across my mind What did I know, what did I know so that even in my mind now turning away scared questioning we begin, and I slowly ease into the rhythm we think by feeling - the distance, the timing I learn by going where I have to go one is always balancing thoughts with actions your shoulders hurt, a fierce pulse in the throat, just keep moving still, it was fun my motion follows steadily a constant pattern time let me hail and climb I set up a touch, a motionless still balance in the air, then parting, out of which grace unfolds eyes upon me as I reached out for it with terrible hunger and I’m numb **This poem is comprised of lines from multiple other poems to portray a fencing bout. The italicized lines are individual lines taken from the following poems: “Design” by Robert Frost, “Anger Sweetened” by Molly Peacock, “War” by Robley Wilson, “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden, “River Sound Remembered” by W.S. Merwin, “The Waking” by Theodore Roethke, “Balances” by Nikki Giovanni, “Names of Horses” by Donald Hall, “Lizards and Snakes” by Anthony Hecht, “Merritt Parkway” by Denise Levertov, “Fern Hill” by Dylan Thomas, “The Dalliance of the Eagles” by Walt Whitman, “The Bay at West Falmouth” by Barbara Howes, “Alcatraz” by Sharon Olds, “Domestic Animals” by Linda Pastan, and “This Winter Day” by Maya Angelou. Non-italicized lines are original. |
List Poem
Love
Love is not just a feeling
Love is more than a simple “I Love you”
Love is not just clear words, but subtle actions
maternal Love
tucking a warm child in bed
offering that last piece of desirable cake
showcasing the messy stick-figure drawing on the fridge
romantic Love
a lasting kiss goodbye
surprise breakfast in bed for him or her
gentle fluttering of stomach butterflies each date
friendship Love
slow walks to buy cheap watery coffee
lighthearted giggles over nothing in particular
destinationless long night drives and deep conversations
Love is not just a word.
Love is not just a feeling
Love is more than a simple “I Love you”
Love is not just clear words, but subtle actions
maternal Love
tucking a warm child in bed
offering that last piece of desirable cake
showcasing the messy stick-figure drawing on the fridge
romantic Love
a lasting kiss goodbye
surprise breakfast in bed for him or her
gentle fluttering of stomach butterflies each date
friendship Love
slow walks to buy cheap watery coffee
lighthearted giggles over nothing in particular
destinationless long night drives and deep conversations
Love is not just a word.
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Apostrophe Poem
Escape
i lay in my bed buried under a mountain of blankets,
watching the gray droplets roll lazily down the window.
your gentle drizzle comforts me as i vacantly stare outside.
tap tap tap
pat pat pat
how could people shame you?
you replenish life, allowing for plants to flourish.
you cleanse not only the earth, but the mind.
and when you’re done, you coax the animals and birds to come play once more,
in the fresh glistening air.
you stick around for a while to make sure i’m ok;
your beads hover on car windows,
you fill small cracks in the sidewalk,
you collect on blades of grass,
remaining just long enough to keep a friendly eye on me.
tap tap tap
pat pat pat
i burrow in my warm nest
listening to your soft pitter-patter,
like a child listening to their mother.
there is a calmness to the overcast sky
to the crisp misty air
to the smell of fresh ground.
the mindlessness you bring allows me to escape my own thoughts.
i lay in my bed buried under a mountain of blankets,
watching the gray droplets roll lazily down the window.
your gentle drizzle comforts me as i vacantly stare outside.
tap tap tap
pat pat pat
how could people shame you?
you replenish life, allowing for plants to flourish.
you cleanse not only the earth, but the mind.
and when you’re done, you coax the animals and birds to come play once more,
in the fresh glistening air.
you stick around for a while to make sure i’m ok;
your beads hover on car windows,
you fill small cracks in the sidewalk,
you collect on blades of grass,
remaining just long enough to keep a friendly eye on me.
tap tap tap
pat pat pat
i burrow in my warm nest
listening to your soft pitter-patter,
like a child listening to their mother.
there is a calmness to the overcast sky
to the crisp misty air
to the smell of fresh ground.
the mindlessness you bring allows me to escape my own thoughts.
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The song "Day 'N' Nite" by Kid Cudi portrays a similar theme and mood to the apostrophe poem "Escape." "Escape" is written to the rain. The author is thanking the rain for comforting them in lonely and difficult times, helping them escape their own thoughts. The "i"s are not capitalized to show how the author feels small and insignificant. The tap tap tap/ pat pat pat is the sound of the rain patter.
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Color and Sound Poem |
Drive
Windows down and pink lemonade skies Cool wind blows wisps of hair behind me The skyscrapers rise I roll past the city skyline, as I let out content sighs One hand on the steering wheel, one resting on my knee Windows down and pink lemonade skies Loud music mixed with car cries Golden light coats the trees The skyscrapers rise Motorcycles buzzing by like flies I race by tiny sprouts and budding leaves Windows down and pink lemonade skies Tinted pastel pink, like dye, The bulging clouds hover over my city as I zoom down the street, busy bee The skyscrapers rise Breeze flowing through squinted eyes Time pauses, and I’m filled with glee Windows down and pink lemonade skies The skyscrapers rise |