a door left ajar~
not open,
not shut~
the quiet posture
of a reason
we’re still
trying to believe
i could feel coldness
your waters rushing bare feet
as i sink in sand
THE SHADOW OF SPITE
You smile at me with eyes of
stone,
And leave me standing all alone.
You twist the truth to play your
game,
And try to ruin my good name.
I see the trap you want to set,
But I will break your heavy net.
You watch my life and wish for
tears,
To feed your own dark, hidden
fears.
You fake a smile but hide a
knife,
To bring hard times into my life.
You thrive on pain and love to
fight,
And block out my my happy light.
But I will stand and face your
test,
And give myself some peace
and rest.
Your cruel words will start to
fade,
And ruin all the plans you made.
I'll step away and shut the door,
So you can't hurt me anymore.
Lock me behind bars,
Hide my eyes under the cloudy sky.
Sweet to burn my heart,
Kiss my nape and burn my soul.
Lovely crime, to love a boy.
He despises the fate I write,
The will I wish to sign.
O dear Lord, I beg as I close the closet,
How gay, and never overjoyed,
Over loving a man who hates my wine.
I plead to close the gates of my closet,
So, I never let him out of my mind.
Diamonds locked inside the safe.
I remembered your perfume ~ made me smile.
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
A historical museum
Was the goal we’d set today.
It was open in the afternoon
And nineteen miles away.
Among its artifacts there is
A flag of which it’s said
There is blood from the assassination,
Straight from Lincoln’s head.
The building, called “The Columns”
Is as grand as you’d expect,
With a trove of local treasures
It’s been set up to protect.
So we climbed the stairs and tried the doors
But both were tightly locked.
No one answered when we rang the bell,
Our entrance truly blocked.
The website gave no reason
For the building to be closed.
The one in charge had better things
To do, we all supposed.
Instead, we had a lovely lunch;
The Water Wheel Cafe,
With its giant working water wheel,
Came through to save the day.
I was born to be a lover, yet became a name left behind.
I welcomed every spark, but never peace of mind.
So I closed the gate and stayed inside,
hiding all the parts I used to leave open wide.
I built a life from quiet air and afternoon light,
convinced that love belonged in someone else's sight.
Then a question found me where I stood—
if I was born to be a lover, why not love myself for good? ???
You left ~ I never felt so abandoned
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
THE STRAIT IS STILL DOWN
IRAN MAKES TRUMP LOOK LIKE CLOWN
HE CAN ONLY FROWN
PLEASE OPEN THE STRAIT
THESE SHIPMENTS ARE GETTING LATE
IRAN SAYS JUST WAIT
OFFRAMP IS NOW CLOSED
BLOCKADE THE STRAIT TRUMP COMPOSED
WILL END THIS TRUMP POSED
Every morning we used
to hear you sing
your free spirited melodies
about holding
onto God's unchanging hands
and dreaming of one day meeting him
by the river of life on the other side
Eleven years since you went home
we still hear those free spirited melodies
you sang echoing through our minds
with our eyes closed
as we dream of meeting you
by the river of life
on the other side
First, they sent the dogs
And it became a dog’s toilet,
So, we moved to more remote areas.
Then they burnt the restaurant
So, we carried our own water and fruit
To the fringes of the liveable sands.
So as not to dry out like desert dates
We became slimmer and saved money.
Then they closed the parking lot
So, we walked miles on foot
We got fitter and saw more of nature.
What we saw became more beautiful
With each countering passage
For those of us who persevered.
Now there is hardly a soul left,
But those who are, are strong and fit.
Dune flowers are blooming again
Without the constant threat of trampling feet
And everywhere you can hear the rhythm of the sea,
White waves breaking and reforming refrains
Without the cries and shrieks of spoiled children
Or the barking of undisciplined domestic beasts.
We felt how beautiful everything is
Sub-human, man absent from God’s creation.
And even his attempts of countering and ruin
Were turned into creative and regenerative forces
Within us now greater love’s awareness courses.
Laughter is from God
Breakthroughs are from God
The Kingdom of God will find a WAY
The Government of Heaven brings a breakthrough.
Kingdom Laughter is an essential part of life
The Kingdom of God opens NEW DOORS
The Government of Heaven allows its policies to be displayed on earth!
The Citizens of Heaven will laugh in 2026
The Kingdom of God brings Breakthroughs
“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” Psalm 145:7
Kingdom Laughter will see the slaughter of a closed door
The Government of Heaven will make darkness light and
crooked things straight—Isaiah 42:12, 16
Laughter is from God
Breakthroughs are from God
The Kingdom of God will find a WAY
The Government of Heaven brings a breakthrough.
Believe in Jesus Christ.
Mark Frank
Copyright 2026
some people hide a tornado inside their heart
strong emotions whizzing a hundred miles an hour
turmoil flowing in angry, disappointed, big feelings
these people sometimes build a fence around themselves
using their arms, and an angry frowning face
trusting no one, choosing to hurt alone
proving no one cares
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