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Written on January 11, 2025

Pick-A-Title, Vol 48 Poetry Contest 

Contest Sponsor: Edward Ibeh 

*Two minor edits made to the original*

I love having— hating the feeling of wanting. Wanting cuts my guts as consequentially as diarrhea. I steal casually, like second breaths after waking, or proper newborns latched onto Mama’s nipple. It is inspired vice. There’s a teaspoonful of buccaneering Barbarossa sprinkled in my lines. I commit careless crimes— not much outside the magpie’s range. I am the cupbearer at Mass now. All men are wanting persistently. Other men’s carelessness is providential, inviting nosy rats to the quiet catwalk. I collect on neglect, underprized nuggets that poke at my wonder, scratching curiosities. I stole wives off petty husbands, decaying cars banked by roadways, the overhanging fruit of fat landlords, words from Webster’s to ennoble intellect, thoughts from tinkers; Christ’s reflection—but the mirror stole it back. Psych docs lower me on leather beds, wanting to safe-crack my mystery. I tell them Barbarossa blood ties tarnish, birth bandits. Shrinkers countdown— ten, nine, eight... I am paroled to a fantasy field of rare, clean earth, of no lack. There is my First mother. She is a beauty queen. Me, unseen. She is careless, drawn by luster. I yell, spoiled apples! Me, unheard. She tastes. She calls my First father to probe the coveted yield. I am bidden too. I eat. Theirs is mine. A primordial gift is constant craving.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 1/17/2025 3:26:00 AM
Heartiest congratulations on your podium win in my contest with this wonderfully crafted poem, Trina. I thoroughly enjoyed it
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Trina Layne
Date: 1/17/2025 3:23:00 PM
Many thanks. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it. The prompt definitely captured my attention. It was an interesting writing opportunity.
Date: 1/16/2025 11:50:00 PM
Coming back to congratulate you. Congratulations!
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Trina Layne
Date: 1/17/2025 3:20:00 PM
Sincerely appreciated.
Date: 1/12/2025 7:58:00 AM
A very grand poem for the contest. Wish you all the best.
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Trina Layne
Date: 1/12/2025 10:37:00 AM
Many thanks. I hope you are having an amazing day and happy writing!

Book: Reflection on the Important Things