Napowrimo 2018 / Day 30 - Randoms

Napowerimo 2018 / Day 30

Prompt - Write a poem based on random facts.

Randoms

Random facts are fun!

Today at work I requested

some. My young people

did not disappoint. Here were

three of the best, enjoy!

Biological

Warfare, first recorded in

1374, during

Mongol conquests. Bodies of

plague victims catapulted.

Twenty three percent

of all photocopier

caused by people who

try to photocopy their

own butts.  Who confesses that?

Forrest Green Rovers,

almost one hundred percent

vegan.  No meat pies!

Team promoted for the first time.

Though players may sneak to Greggs.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 29 - Sweet Rabbit

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 29

Prompt - Write a poem based on the Plath Poetry Project’s calendar.*

Original poem The Rabbit Catcher - Sylvia Plath 

*Again another busy day and another tired Napowrimo participant so I chose to do another erasure poem.

Sweet Rabbit

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 28 - It had been a really good day

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 28 - It had been a really good day

Prompt - Write a prose poem.

"It had been a really lovely day"*

Hitting the road at 8.30 am.  Latte in hand and a M&S salad for lunch as the interesting falafel wrap disapointingly had cheese in it.  I was choc full of excitement.  It portended to be a really lovely day.

Bustling with tables and cloths.  Dashing between tarot readers and jewellery sellers. Everyone hawking their services and wares.  We sat and looked at pictures and conjured words. We sat and showcased our chakras and our journeys.  We sat and reconnected with old friends and made some new.  I knew it was a really lovely day as by the end my words were coming out muddled and muddy. You kept saying you knew what I meant and you'd have made you stall fee 10 times over if you had a pound for every time you were asked where Postling was.  At various point my hands shook with glee it had been a really lovely day.

Home, rush to the The Range.  Looking for the disposable BBQ's of the Gods'.  Just as our ancestors used.  This would be our Bel Fires.  Hand to hand the circle was cast.  Lots for the May Queen.  Who chose her dashing cohort.

                      "May, May Queen of the May"

Gaggle of bemused and gawking teens watched on.  I've never seen a May Queen so excited to be crowned.  So regal bathed in moonlight.  I've never seen the (symbolic) Sacred Marriage so quickly consumated.  I think May, though chaste was very happy to be caught by her Forest Lord. 

Although it was very long it had been a really lovely day.

*As you can guess.  It has been a really lovely (and long day).  This rambling stream of conciousness poem was brought to you by a lil poet dead on her feet.  Beltane blessing to one and all X.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 27 - The Empress

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 27

Prompt - Write a poem using a tarot card as inspiration.

Mythic Tarot
The Empress

Fecund Goddess, swell
beneath your gown, fertile,
creative, ripening
the grain, poppies at your feet.
Citadel your diadem.

Mourning mother, your
darker aspect.  Punishing
Gods' and man, who take
What is not theirs to give. You
Withdraw your gifts, we see dread
Demeter, life denying.

 Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 26 - Sense of seizure

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 26

Prompt - Write a poem about senses.

Sense of seizure

I smell citrus, head
whips, frantically looking
for an orange.

I taste taurine. Weird
I could not describe until
I tried a red bull.

I feel low in my
gut a feeling of dread,
impending crisis.

I see blackness, my
flickering eyelids flutter
like butterfly wings.

I hear muffled sounds,
gentle words, reassuring
anchor me to body

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 25 - Warning

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 25

Prompt - Write a poem which is a warning label for yourself.

Warning

Warning VOLATILE!
Placate with regular hugs.
Prone to word er ..... loss
and sudden jerking movements.
Allow regular napping.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 24 - Elegy for a Jiggly Fruit

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 24

Prompt - Write an elegy.

Elegy for a Jiggly Fruit.

Jenny Jiggly Fruit Luddington.
She came, she saw, she made -
people say "What the fuck'?
A lot.

We stand at her grave.
We do not weep.
We're not entirely sure -
She won't leap.

Laugh and chastise us -
simultaneously, for being moist.
Take your pot of bubbles.
Blow, leave luscious leeks.

Yes the vegetable.
Token that you knew her.
Loved her fecundity.
Cackle whenever North is called

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 23 - "Pinions are Leaking"

Napowrimo 2018 – Day 23

Prompt – A poem based on sound.

“Pinions are leaking!”

Enthused Lexi. 

“Do you need Tenna Lexicon Lady pants?” I enquired.

We blamed it on the Woo Woo.

Of course we did wouldn’t you?

Andrew interjected.

“She’s only had the equivalent of one shot of vodka”

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 22 - With sufficient thrust, pigs CAN fly

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 22

Prompt - Write a poem in which an impossible thing happens.

With sufficient thrust, pigs CAN fly

Percy had his whole

life been defined by his

aerodynamic

short comings.  He thought that cruel.

No one claims a cow can’t dive.

He turned his thoughts to

how he might achieve thrust and

designed a jet pack.

Maximum velocity

achieved he took off and up.

Folks were stunned, cost

of bacon soared.  Though not

for long as Percy

is working on missiles to

make all pork unforkable.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 21 - Echo had stopped calling.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 21 - Echo had stopped calling.
Prompt -  write a poem that plays with the myth of Narcissus.

"Farewell, dear boy. Beloved in vain"
Ovid

Narcissus knew his
looks had faded, not by the
the treachery of
the pools still reflection, but
Echo had stopped calling him.

Like the flower that
bears his name, coaxed from bud
to bloom, withering
as cruel April turns up the
heat, sapping vitality.

Passion fades, you can
exhaust yourself, try to rage
against the process.
Perceive ageing as sin, still
Echo had stopped calling him. 


Narcissus is affixed to his own reflection in the spring. J.W. Waterhouse, 1903. Public domain.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 20 - Cynical

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 20 - Cynical 

Prompt - write a poem that involves rebellion in some way.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 19 - Slip Up

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 19 - Slip Up

Prompt - Write a paragraph that briefly recounts a story, describes the scene outside your window, or even gives directions from your house to the grocery store. Now try erasing words from this paragraph to create a poem or, alternatively, use the words of your paragraph to build a new poem.

A slip-up by supermarket.
Woman charged
£930 for a single banana.

Fraud team stop.

Apparent "computer error"
'enjoy this banana, cherish every mouthful'

Baffled banana drama.

Eyes peeled.

Error investigating.

Never again.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 18 - Symphony of the Spheres

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 18

Prompt - Write a poem by finding a poem you're unfamiliar with. Starting with the final line uncover the poem a line at a time, write a response.

Symphony of the Spheres

The stars boil over
and fall. If you catch one you
can make a wish. If!
Is the crux we're all chasing
our own star, crashing, dropping.

The Milky Way over
flows. Too much stress, heat, stirring.
The cauldron boils over
No-one shouted - 'stop little
pot stop". Magic words not used.

At the apex of
night. We waited for sleep to
release the worries
of day. To sink into the
possibilities of dreams.

Of someone handsome.
Though handsome is as
handsome does actions
are far more important than
ornamentation, usually.

I listen to songs.
I know that I am a note.
In a beautiful
symphony. Never dull or
discordant, I ring out true.

My poem for inspiration.

Person of the Playful Star: Tanka [I listen to songs]

Tada Chimako

I listen to songs
of someone handsome
at the apex of night
the Milky Way overflows
the stars boil over and fall

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 17 - Censures

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 17

Prompt - Write a poem re-telling a family anecdote that has stuck with you over time. 

Censures

Nan had her opinions
on appropriate funeral
attire. Censures.
Two more cheeks to powder
and a bit more hair to curl.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 16 - Play

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 16 - Play

Prompt - Write a poem that prominently features the idea of play. 

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. George Bernard Shaw

A sign above my
managers desk. Words I try
to live by.  Watch me
horsey galloping, neighing
as I monopoly dash.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 15 / Old Wolfy

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 15 - Old Wolfy

Prompt - Write poem in which a villain faces an unfortunate situation, and is revealed to be human (but still evil).

I wrote a poem last year from the perspective of Grandma from Little Red Riding Hood.  This year I thought I would write from the perspective of the wolf.  Also the poem is homage to performance poet Joseph Coelho, who I recently performed Fairy Tales Gone Bad.  Which has inspired this poem.

I'm a pale shade.
A shadow of my former
glorious, shaggy self.

They stand around,
crowing, mawkish grins,
congratulating themselves.

Ding, dong
the wolf is dead.
The wicked wolf is dead.

They've killed the villain
of the piece.
But that's not the full story.

Back at the den.
There is a litter
Of cute, defenceless, furry cubs.

Their mother died.
Whelping them.
I was all they had in the world.

I didn't want to roam far.
Or feed them
rangy old Grandma meat.

But she was convenient.
Then I saw young red.
Thought that she'd be tender.

Easier to drag
back to the den.
Oh cubs what tiny mouths you have.

They were dependent on me.
Now they too.
Shall perish like all flesh.

They call me monster.
An animal.
But I know about pack.

How monstrous to leave
Grandma in a shack
by the edge of the forest.

All alone bar the odd visit.
From the girl
with a basket full of goodies.

I don't blame the humans.
Nature is red.
In tooth and claw.

Redder than that
cloak and everyone knows
Humans are vicious predators.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 14 - Wobbly Table

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 14

Prompt - Write a dream analysis.

Wobbly Table

It's appearance in
your dream portends, ill health. Green
tea contrail reading
may also feature in your
future, in your day dreaming.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 13 - Taking The Proverbial

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 13

Prompt - Write a poem in which the words or meaning of a familiar phrase get up-ended.

Taking The Proverbial

A lot of ignorance is an untroubled commodity.

Too few raw foodists improve the kale.

ALL play and no work makes Jenny a sharp girl.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 12 - Colossus

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 12

Prompt - Write a Halibun.

Colossus

A statue of titanic proportions. Possibly straddling the harbour at Rhodes.  Sculpted and erected by Chares of Lindos. A wonder of the Ancient World. Standing 70 cubits high.  Reduced to rubble by earthquake in 226 BC.  Never rebuilt the Delphic oracle decreed the statue offended Helios 

Rhodian deer now

stand. A buck a doe, flank 

the harbour, elegant. 

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 11 - Dear Future Me

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 11 Dear Future Me

Prompt - A poem that addresses the future, answering the questions “What does y(our) future provide? 

Dear Future Me

Dare was our word to
conjure with how did that work
out? Fire walking, stretch
business, collaborations,
daring greatly, bud then bloomed.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 10 - Wish you were here.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 10 - Wish you were here.

Prompt - Write a poem where things simultaneously happen.

Small girl gingerly
enters pool. Fae like arms raised.
Water welcomes her.

Older brother booms
cannon balling to displace
quiet and stillness.

Tiny poetess
Taps Haikus on her lil black
phone. Wish you were here.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 9 - Shield Wall

Napowrimo 2018 Day 9
Prompt - Write a poem where something big and small come together.

Shield Wall

The battalion
of troubles that reported
for duty. It can
fuck right off. Our shield wall forms
interlocked, protect each other.

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 8 - Cauldron

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 8

Prompt - Write a poem where magical things occur.

Cauldron

I was stuck
In my grief
Fly caught in resin
Hardening, tightening
Constricting.

My grief was
A sad, hidden thing
Whispered at 3am
On Life Journal pages
Tak ta ta Tak

I poured out my
Pain almost silently
The tears fell
I thought I might drown
Or choose not to breathe

To those few
Magical witnesses
Who knew the power
Of grieving
Who gave me a gift

Held me as
I keened.
A cauldron of fire
To transmute
Pain into healing

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 7 - Authentic Epileptic Priestess

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 7 -  Authentic Epileptic Priestess
Prompt create a list of your identities, decide if they make you feel powerful or vulnerable then right a poem where identities contends identity from the second list.

An Epileptic

Call me that and you’ll rue your word choice
I *am* a person with epilepsy
An a selection of other brain cooties
I get paranoid at the fragrant smell of citrus
When it’s too hot, too bright or
I’m too stressed, too hungry or
I’m just brewing a bug
Any of those could signal
Curtains down and I’m afraid no refunds can be offered
We decided long ago 
Horizontal break dancing was too 
Avant Guard For Folkestone
 A Priestess

No robes, just a parker, jeans and welly boots
Tramping or bimbling over the land
Holding spaces online and off
Winking as I watch the wheel turn
Grumbling at Pagan Maybe Time
Pockets of stones, stray leaves and drift wood
Dancing barefoot with Pan playing the Maenad
Before rushing off to the office
We don’t pay priestesses, so a girl needs a day job
To keep her incense and occasional shiny things
Brushing off bullshit of the how a path should be walked
Just forging my own authentic trail

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 6 - Liminal

Napowrimo 2018/  Day 6
Prompt - Poem that plays with line breaks.

Liminal

Latin, “limens” literally meaning thresholds.  Magical places where meetings happen.

Ocean

/

Shore

Doorways

where you may may spy

a noble lion, or evil queen

                                                           dripping in furs and offering

                                                           fragrant roseTurkish delight.

                                                           But you have to be brave to

                                                           Step through ……………..

It’s a place                                                                            feel like your                                                                                                                                                                                                     floating

                      where you can                                                                                 anxiously

A place of terrible ambiguity and unknowing

Betwixt
              /

                             Between

Places of mystery, power, creativity

A poem is a liminal space where my words meet your understanding

are we close or miles apart?

Naprowrimo 2018 / Day 5 - Mesmerised

Napowrimo 2018 - Day 5

Prompt - Write a poem that reacts both to photography and to words in a language not your own.

Mesmerised

Don't ever assume that I'll back down.

Fearless standing, never deny strength, juxtaposed.

Darling, darling have -

(you) FORGOTTEN ME? Just as massive as your strength and hooves, each jet of steam.

Enough with fear. Miniscule (I may be)

(I) don't know surrender, fortunately FACING. Duty surely keeps driving (me) on.

Kindly arrange all kin dues, recognise this might. "Give up opponent! Last days undone! For I can verify its foretold (your) done. Little heart (has won).

(MASSEUHYRET)*
Det er som en have hvor alting
frarøves sit navn af den store juveltyv.

Dårlig dårlig have.

FORTÆL MIG! Jeg er massen så hvorfor er jeg så
ensom? FORTÆL MIG NU!

Du er sugende for FANDEN. Du er sugende kæmpe dronning og
kingkong af alle køn du råber til mig: “Giv osss ssskæbner! Læn dig ud! Før kan vi ikke fortælle dig. Lille hjerte.”

*I used a fragment of poem from Ursula Andkjær Olson, from the Netherlands, called The Nameless

http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poem/item/17432/auto/0/THE-NAMELESS

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 4 - Ictal States

Napowrimo 2018 Day 4
Prompt - A poem about something abstract 

Ictal States

Pre Ictal

It's a low down feeling of impending doom.
Have you ever had a copper at the door?
Your heart beats faster, stomach feels hollow.
A wave of sickness rises.
Sometimes I can 'do' but not speak.
Heavy tongue permits no words.
But I might, wordlessly hand you my glasses.
Gravitate to a safe looking space on the floor.
Sometimes I run away, reptile brain, supposes
That flashes and flickering can be outrun. 

Ictal 

Just darkness

Post Ictal

Brain reboots, hearing first, so speak gentle to me.
Words of comfort a reassurance. “I'm here, your safe".
Listen to the drumming of the rain on the roof.
Coming back into myself eyes open lights too bright.
Tap tap tap my face.  If you know me that's my sign.
Fetch my tortoiseshell tinted glasses.
Soften the glare of the bright halogen lights.
Coming back into my body, after jerks shake.
I can't yet articulate this is normal for me.
Mere tremors as the topography of my body settles.

Finally speech returns, garbled and incoherent.
If you know me now you tell me my husband is on the way.
Even if his not.  As I babble .
"This is not my floor"
"I'm not a pterodactyl"
“Where's my baby“ (plot twist he's grown up, 24, this terrifies strangers and paramedics)
"They took it away and made it for cars"
Tears flooded my face, heart pounds , breaths gasped.

This loss and terror no one could decode
Finally exhaustion overtakes, fall into sleep

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 3 - Rock Star

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 3

Prompt - Writing a list poem in which all the items are made-up names.

Rock Star*

I wanna start a rock band
I think it would wicked
I've list of names I like
For your approval I submit...

I like pagans, crystals, guinea pigs,
dairy milk wrapper purple and spring.
With all this inspiration
I'll be Folkestone's next big thing.

The names are ...

D.I.A.M.O.N.D.
Amethyst's Midnight Pagans
The Loud Pagans's Club
Queen Dairy Milk Purple
Between the Rubies and Me
Mistress of the Rock Guinea Pigs
Rock Dream and a Pinch of Diamond
Rage Against the Crystals
Flight of the Dairy Milk Purple Guinea Pigs
Undercover Diamond and the Rock Rubies
The Loud Service
The Rock Heroes of Folkestone
Taking Back Spring
Rock Diamond Cult

*Even if you think you can't do poetry this is an amazingly fun prompt.  I used a band name generator and peppered it with my favourite things and then picked my favourites.

https://www.name-generator.org.uk/band-name/

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 2 - Lift, fall / Fall, lift

Napowrimo Day 2 / 2018

Prompt - A poem that plays with voices

Lift, fall / Fall, lift

Miraculous, I 

am, inhale, exhale. No thought
lift, fall sustaining

I hate you; faulty 

faculty, imperfect, flawed.
Fall, lift constraining

Napowrimo 2018 / Day 1 - Only She Can Judge Me

Napowrimo Day 1 / 2018

Prompt - A Guilty Secret Poem

Only She Can Judge Me

There are worse secrets
Still people are shocked
When I confess
I really, really like...

A diminutive realityTV star
Whose wisdom shines far
Surely Solomon reborn
In the TV courtroom genre

Endless streams of litigants
Seek binding arbitration
Over such foul and heinous acts
Dodgy prom gowns, loans owing

Pets attack, who should pay
The mounting ER bill
Whose fault the fender bender
Fear not all will be revealed

Her pithy quips fall from her lips
Defendants are left raging
When Judge Judy exclaims
"Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining"