Refuge

I hid in plain sight
Mocked the censors
Defied the preachers
Chuckled
At their ineptitude

Took refuge
In the blank page
Hiding myself
In swirling lines
Dancing
Along the borders
Of truth

Cursed them
In muted metaphor
Defied them
In metered verse
Challenged them
In rebellious rhyme

Laughed as they counted
Syllables and iambs
Punctuated
My verses freedom

For they were frozen
And I a seething cauldron
Of love and hate
Struggling youth
Battling
The lunacy of life’s
Illusions

Thus I wrote
And hid
In plain sight
On a blank page

4/3/2023

Writing Challenge – ‘R’ Words Poetry Contest
Constance LaFrance - sponsor
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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12
Fowler Avatar
April 8, 2023 at 10:40 AM
Back with congratulations on your win John! :)
Rodrigues Avatar
April 8, 2023 at 9:15 AM
Congratulations on POTD, John! … Took refuge In the blank page Hiding myself In swirling lines
Andresen Avatar
April 7, 2023 at 12:58 PM
- Congratulations on your win in the contest, John :) - hugs
La France Avatar
April 6, 2023 at 8:33 PM
John, wonderful writing and thank you for sharing your poem in my Writing Challenge congratulations. ! And congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor. !
Meadows Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 11:35 PM
Congratulations on your POTD. Well done.
Chuuk Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 8:01 PM
John, congratulations on POTD.
Nicole Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 5:43 PM
"I wrote and hid in plain sight, on a blank page." I love everything about this thought, because it's sooooo true ! ! Counting Syllables and Meter- all in a day of writing Poetry. Congratulations John, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. :) Hugs, Brandy
Ray Choudhury Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 2:08 PM
A brilliant piece, John. Each line is deep and thought-provoking. Congratulations on your POTD. BW ~ Mala
Ireland Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 12:47 PM
a Tour de Force
Volumes Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Wonderful words and truly worthy of POTD and even more. So cleverly written and so relatable. I stand and applaud.
Slaughter Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 11:32 AM
Love it, John...especially the 2nd and 3rd stanzas. A great selection for POTD, and BOL in the contest.
May Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 11:16 AM
Great write, Congrats on POTD
Edmonds  Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 9:53 AM
Congratulations John on receiving the honour of poem of the day with this write on the lunacy of life’s illusions… Belle
Parker Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 8:59 AM
A fitting POTD indeed. Quite worthy and evocative. Much truth to be sure, John. ~;o]
Baker Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 7:53 AM
Powerful poem to ponder on, John. Favorite line ... "The lunacy of life’s Illusions". So full of possibilities. Congratulations on your POTD honor! Write On! Bill
Fowler Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 7:15 AM
Good for you John! :) Congratulations on POTD!
Sands Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 7:02 AM
Excellent POTD.. Congratulations John. Enjoy :)
Goldsmith Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 6:57 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. Love the ending. Have a blessed day writing away...................
Wolf Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 6:40 AM
Heh, heh -- another top-drawer entry from John Lawless, aka William Witsworth... Congrats on POTD, sir!
Turner Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 5:59 AM
Congratulations John on POTD honors. Well deserved!
Kitchin Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 3:48 AM
John, congratulations on POTD, a great poem!
George Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 3:32 AM
The confusion and chaos, the desire to question everything, seeing ineptitude in those who parade their prowess... all these, so characteristic of youth are so powerfully delineated. Well Done ! Congratulations John on your well deserved POTD
Kavanagh  Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 2:58 AM
Pushing the boundaries in plain sight on a blank page, hell why not! it’s what poets do each day, only some more esoteric than others, brilliant piece here John, and deserving of POTD, congratulations cheers David
Logan Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 2:39 AM
Congratulations on your expressive thoughts on refuge, John. "Battling the lunacy of life's illusions" That's a line worthy of potd on its own.
Andresen Avatar
April 5, 2023 at 2:03 AM
- Congratulations on your great p.o.t.d., John :) - Happy Easter - hugs
12
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