Sparrows

Prompt: Write a poem about sparrows

Sparrows crying

Flying 

Around

Flutter right

Above the ground

Do not land - do not falter

See the world without a filter

The ground is sand - unsteady, unstable

Do not land there if you are unable

Unable to stand and balance well

Unable to ever break the spell 

of Curses cast by Gravity 

That weigh down the once empty cavity

They call a heart

Within your chest

Just go with its flow 

And rest

Sparrows flying

Crying

Out

Screaming 

Words that fly around

But do not land on anything

Yet gather dust and velocity

A force that goes and goes and goes

Like flapping wings with no foe

Foes that beat around like wind

Wild wind - no mercy for pain

That beats you up in 

pouring rain

But stay

Strong

All a-

long.

Sparrows worth

So much

to me

Sing a song when

I don't want to sing

But when I want to hear

A song so sweet – Sung by 

voices near, loud and crisply clear

Weathered so much and yet such strength

Stories of journeys with increasing length

Flying, flying o'er more

Water to water shore

To shore. See me

off as I travel with

Thee - O, Sparrow

Put my on thy 

wings Tomorrow

As Father Time

is Kind

and I 

Fly

The Starbucks Waltz ~ Paradise of Strangers

Poetry Prompt - Write a poem using the title, "Paradise of Strangers".

Within every Starbucks, there is a dance

That you may sometimes witness, notice by chance

People glancing, look away

Catch a new eye every day

Mind your drink with guarding hands

Watch the people in line stand

Watch without any knowing

Watch the fading, watch the glowing

Listen to music by yourself

Watch them closely; watch them well

Strangers' paradise – watch unknown

Watch the people you don't know

Watch them watch those watching you

Watch and look away, don't know who

Who's on first and who looks last

Who stares longest and who is fast

To look away and casually

Drink their drink nonchalantly

The Starbucks dance goes on and on

Until the day is done and gone

And in the morning starts again

A paradise of strangers' perfect game.

She Should

Poetry Prompt - Write a poem about the "ultimate" poem, or what a poem "should" do.

"She Should"

The poem treats the writer

As the writer treats the poem

Just like a horse and its rider

Like a girl and her home

Poetry makes houses

Of words, rhyme and meter

All based on how it's founded –

Founded on the poetic feet or

Something more concrete

Unlike the thoughts

Obscure release

Invisible bonds

The writer should be gentle

And let words flow like a breeze

With love so parental –

Kind, Gentility is the key

The rest is up to the poem

The poem decides the fate

Of words within the writer's home

And long nights staying up late

The poem should be free

To do as she pleases

Because if she isn't then you'll see

Exactly why all she needs is  

Freedom to express

All feelings, thoughts, emotions

Never suppress

No stereotypes or preconceived notions.

{Probably Going to Be Edited} 

Metronome

Poetry Prompt - Write a three part poem using "metronome".

Metronome

Tick Tick Tick Tick

The metronome ticks and ticks 

Keeping time, keeping time

Doesn't miss, doesn't stick

Keeping on, keeping on

Sitting on my window sill

Keeping time, keeping time

Keep my time, I know you will

Tock Tock Tock Tock

Sway left, sway right

Only one job

All day, all night

Sing me to sleep

with your steady beat

Tick Tick 

Tick repeat

Slowly slowing slowing down

All energy winding, gone

Time to rest, time to sleep

Time to stop singing your song

No one listens as you stop

But you keep on keeping on

Tick all day and through the night

Until your spring is no longer tight

Tick...

Tick...

Tick...

Love, love

{This is a poem I wrote for UNCW young writers' workshop this summer.}

Love, love is a funny thing

Shown by a kiss and a pricey ring

Love, love can be cheap

Broken in two when somebody cheats

But love isn't determined by the price of the ring

Or a first kiss, or date, or something

Love is a language encoded in the soul

That tells you when you have it, never let go

That tells you some hardships lead to strength 

That tells you some things aren't worth the hate

Love, love is a gift we take for granted

It may not be something shiny and enchanted

Like a fairy tale ending happily ever after

But love, love is hardship broken by laughter

A best friend's hug - 'cause she knows it's needed

A mother's bandaid when she sees you bleeding

Love, love is something I believe in

While others around me tell me to keep dreaming

They say it's not worth the struggle

Lines get too blurry, things get too muddled

I swear

No matter how long, I'll get there

Love, love – I promise to love

Because no one ever gets enough

I solemnly swear to love

Beyond what everyone is a recipient of 

I will love

I am going to love

Lullaby

Prompt: Write a poem in the form of a lullaby.

Hush, my darling

Don't cry, don't stir

Do not think

Of things that were

Once your worries

Once your fears

They will no longer

Cost you your tears.

You are safe,

Here, within my arms

Safe from destruction

Safe from harm.

Hush, my sweet

The night is old

The sun will rise soon

And bathe you with gold.

The sun rises just

To shine on your face

To dry your tears

So meet it with haste.

Make sure to meet

Each new day with joy

For when you do

No fear will destroy

The hopes and dreams 

You hold so tight

And cling even tighter to

In bed at night.

Hush, my darling

As I sing you to sleep

Count your blessings

And count your sheep.

Remember to thank those

Who bless you each day

And make it all count.

Don't wish it away

As you dream each night

Of greatness and sucess

But look over each day

Carefully, because you are truly blessed.

Autumn's Arrival

An orange oak leaf

Dry and Crisp

Falls with a little

Puff of wind.

She spins and swirls

Around, around

Desperate to finally

Meet the ground.

The oak tree watches

Sad and cold.

She's watched so many fall –

So many fold.

All of her leaves

come and go

Not long after she 

Helps them grow. 

Their short lives appreiated 

By the few who care

Who have learned to see beauty – 

To stop and stare.

Is the short life worth it

For the little notice?

"Do we really have to leave so soon

Before anyone an know us?"

Inquires the trembling,

Tumbling leaf

Carried away on a 

Slight, cool breeze

Abusive to leaves

[that] Ushers Autumn in

On a hasteful wind.