I've observed my thoughts
They naturally flow through my mind
Some true, some scripted
Some redundant, unkind
These are my memories, creating emotions
They're my unique experience in this life
Viewed from a platform
Sometimes exposing a neurological strife
We must turn through all the pages
Go beyond the human history of time
It is there we find the answers
Stamped in our ancestral climb
Like waves in the ocean
That relentlessly pounds the shore
The past flows through us
Like a stranger knocking at our door
We try to avoid this stranger
We’re frozen with fear
But the knocking keeps coming
Year after year
It's the ancestral sound
Of those who came before
Surprisingly, the noise lessens
When we open antiquities door
Now the waves begin to subside
As does the ancient battle in my mind
I become the true observer of the thoughts
They're clear and kind
card left unsigned
bouquet left at the door
~ cautious admirer
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Submitted on September 3, 2025 to contest 1409 SENRYU sponsored by BRIAN STRAND - RANKED 1ST
under foot a pebble, no
opposite toe scrapes it off
crimson sole and toe
shard of glass missed the dust bin
and both feet caught the action
spouse to the rescue
bandaids and antiseptic
blood dripping on floor
socking up; putting on shoes
standing for the next three hours
Shaken to the core
by a knock on the door
My mood’s not conducive
to visitors intrusive
Though what else am I here for
When I dare to go deep inside
I get scared at what I might find
It’s not that I loathe myself
But I fear that if I expose myself
Nothing will ever be the same
When I go to that sacred space
Where no soul has ever dared to peer
A place where I long retired the key
I fear that once that door has opened
All will be in vain
When I go past that protected entry
I know that you are curious to see
It’s not that the sunlight will scorch you
I fear that the rivers might drown you
So that you no longer remember my name
When you open up
A door and let people in
They'll soon do what they want
To do and soon more will follow
And that door will never
Shut tight again
cat flap in garage is frequented by a wren
as if she owns the place, she hops right in
this is day two, that I have seen this sight.
If a cat is inside there, she is not so bright.
while m e a n d e r i n g a forest
I came upon an
o
l
d wooden door
it had no walls
was just there
like magic
surreal
a mystery
I hesitated but a
m
o
m
e
n
t
then, I walked through
and that
has made
all the difference
sunday afternoon
fresh basket of wildflowers ~
a knock on Nan's door
AP: 2nd place 2025
Hi sweet lady, do you know?
If you do please tell me so
Once a year, is that too much?
Those words from you are like a touch
Of velvet fingers, soft on skin
My door is open do come in
Take my heart, I want you to
Uno, you know, ILU
I don’t suppose you’ll worry
Till the conflicts on your door
The world wounds are now festering
No longer just a sore.
Lift up your arms to peace my friends
It’s time to make amends
Danger is looming closer
see it through Gods lens
The drivers of this carnage
are fuelled with bitter hate
It’s not just about a country, It’s
the world look at its state!
Love is the power that cleanses hate
Forgiveness breathes in peace
Unite together, bury the grudge
Do it now before it’s too late.
Get on your knees and pray I say
Pray for it all to end
Do not sit by idle, muted
And let evil have its way.
I don’t suppose you’ll worry
Till the conflicts on your door
The world wounds are now festering
No longer just a sore.
Lift up your arms to peace my friends
It’s time to make amends
Danger is looming closer
see it through Gods lens
The drivers of this carnage
are fuelled with bitter hate
It’s not just about a country, It’s
the world look at its state!
Love is the power that cleanses hate
Forgiveness breathes in peace
Unite together, bury the grudge
Do it now before it’s too late.
Get on your knees and pray I say
Pray for it all to end
Do not sit by idle, muted
And let evil have its way.
Grief is not a wound.
It is a door...
Hidden behind the tapestry
We spent a life weaving.
It opens...
When we can no longer lie.
I don't wanna be
a wannabe no more
waiting for opportunity
to come a'knocking
on my open door
and the day she does
tho' the lights are on
there's no one home
as I'll probably be
out to lunch
knowing me
so I wanna see
'Been there, done that!'
on my resumé because
I'm oh-so tired
of being a never-was
She knocks on my rib cage
seeking access to my heart again
The knock—the pounding pestle—
taunts, its echo won’t stand to be ignored
I hold my knees and cover my ears
as if that’ll keep my walls untampered
I let my flesh wrap me whole—
so tight I might suffocate,
but I cannot breathe outside this
prison, no—this haven
She’s still here at my door,
holding flowers too vibrant in color—
the amber petals too lifeless for summer
Her indifferent smile, gentle and fair,
yet brings chill to my bones exposed in June air
My teeth knock against each other
tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap—
I want to scream for her to leave
but the only voice made out
was the repeating beat of horror
She’ll eventually enter,
one way or another—
Winter takes up a room in my chest
always waiting to host her.
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