Freedom isn’t a delicate flower;
It’s the fist that goes through the ground,
the teeth that grind at the chains,
the howl of a wind
that won’t ask for permission.
I refuse to bow to the crumbs of tomorrow,
I won’t let my bones sink into decay,
a shell waiting to grow scraps.
I’ll carve out freedom
from this stubborn rock—
bloody-knuckled and relentless.
Do not tell me that patience is a virtue.
Patience is the poison they peddle
to keep you under control.
Freedom roars. Freedom bares its teeth.
Silence will never hold my name.
When I Don’t Know meets Who Cares
both of them may well be bare
Because if you don’t know and I don’t care
How can you know what I wear
~ You don’t even know I don’t care
what you do or don't wear
Ah
Autumn
icy wisps
curling, twisting
seek gnarly branches
impatient winds flurry
brown, red, yellow leaves gusting
frippery off quivering trees
stark proud beauty, naked, unadorned
Entered: Autumn or September or October Nonet Poetry Contest
Caren Krutsinger
Dated 23/08/2019
Placed 2nd with thanks
I hear praiseful onlookers say
how pretty YOU are every day,
but that’s not my story.
I don’t share your glory
in this much-viewed Christmas display.
I’m not spiral, dangly, or round.
I don’t shine or make any sound.
I’m called by a name
that brings me to shame,
a moniker meant to confound!
My first name is “Ugly.” Poor me!
My last name is “Sweater.” You see,
the way I'm designed
assures I'm maligned.
I'm now headed for therapy!
posted January 8, 2017
Written for Laura Loo's Silly Christmas Cartoon Poetry Contest
December 24, 2018, entered in Shadow Hamilton's Let's have Fun Contest
December 2, 2020
entered in Alexis Y.'s Christmas Limerick Contest
Now your someone to fear
Fresh from you slumber
You've kidnapped your burning words
and pasted them on fluorescent pages
Tucked safely away under your matress
Should you let them rust or set them free
There freedom stings, cuts like knives
you carve them deep into doves
cage them underneath your nightmares
clip their wings again and again
Fresh From your slumber
But your choice is made
it's much more simple to bite your tounge in two
then turn on a hidden light.