Arms outstretched, she glides like whispered air,
Gossamer dreams sewn in each silent spin.
In her stillness, storms of feeling flare,
Lilting through Tchaikovsky's aching hymn.
Ivory wings, her body bends, then flies,
Tears in the toes, yet poise in every part—
Yearning swan, both prisoner and art.
An acrostic on boy:
Born with wonder in his bright, bold eyes,
Over hills he dreams to run and rise,
Yearning for truth beneath open skies.
Paws on the windowsill, waiting for me
Ears perked up at the jingle of keys
Treats disappear with lightning speed
Dirt on the floor, but I don’t mind
Over and over, he’s one of a kind
Goofy grin, tongue out, tail wagging behind
Torn-up bear, stuffing all around
Once his favorite, now battle-worn and brown
You’d think it still squeaked by the way he pounces down
Charming feline with airs of graceful nobility
Agile this slender olympian contender
Tomfoolery being its main specialty
AP: 3rd place 2025, Honorable Mention 2025, Honorable Mention 2025
Submitted on April 29, 2025 for contest ACROSTIC AGILITY sponsored by OLIVER MCKEITHAN - RANKED 3RD
A face with the bitterest frown,
For long years expecting a crown;
Now in prickly sweat bathed
And A Tongue is scathed …
It’s really an awful spectacle,
Facing no challenge, no obstacle,
As reported by his mirror
Doing so without error;
Ability he’s got and Agility
And all his life no infirmity.
So, why is he, Chief Favor
Facing Monarchical Disfavor;
For long years living for a crown
And it’s public knowledge in a far-off town?
A bustling presence doesn't infer inactivity.
Showing improvement with a crucial flurry.
Prance ecstasy embracing a harsh ignite.
Self-start binge; don't leave behind a Dwight.
With verve and enthusiasm and consistently in awe.
Work never finishes, and objectives won't ever overdraw
Poise unblemished, musings precise, cerebrum contriving.
Embrace morals and allow them to tackle directing.
Being significant, something to depend solely around.
It makes sense that progress is being found.
Written: August 27, 2021
Ghost-white fingers and skinned knee
Leap one to next one, or two –
Balance and agility.
Use a chalk to draw the form.
Number in simple sequence.
Shape and size need not conform.
What folly this? Cast with hands?
Meant to set inside the square,
Wait to find out where it lands.
Start to count from one to ten.
Leap away across the ground,
Then jump back to one again.
Steps and throws, take care to watch,
Outside the square, miss a turn.
That’s the way to play hop scotch!
The somersault and overswing, the trampoline and horse,
while knees and calves still had their spring
and power in legs to play the game,
and strength to run their course.
I go there in my mind instead, though back and bones now ache,
and hips take time to floor my feet and meet the day from bed.
I run, I dance, I score a try. I thrill to knock the bales,
and will the ball to net.
I swim, I dive and better still, is freedom now to fly.
The day will come when greater ease allows me from this stall.
As spirit body please, with no restraining pain or fall,
end whistle of this mortal game is not my boundary wall.
Wear no long face
When storms rage in your space
Flying and crying you out of place
If you do
Like a cow you’ll moo
Shooting and hooting at the crew
You claim to train
With foibles you can’t restrain
With lower standards you strain
In muscles, corpuscles and bustles
Indulging in hustles
Egging you to tussles
You hardly believe worthwhile
Embracing a foppish lifestyle
As you claim to care for the poor for a while
Sneaking a surprise or a dose of gloom
When for the sake of the lake of doom
You elevate and fete misfortune in the room
That denies you peace of mind
When pride drives you blind
To become and grow unkind
Until an invisible hand
Teaches you to take an accommodating stand
In circumstances denying your pride the grandstand
That sinks the last nail
To administer a master class manicure the fingernail
Shining and gliding far better than the snail
You’d rather blessed and caressed humility
Stretching and fetching from your life adaptability
As you strive to promote amiability and its agility.
cat
floats over wall
leaves crunch
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