Where the mountain and field breezes gather,
Whispering and singing in clusters closely by my ear,
I stumble upon a quiet, weathered cabin
And watch a kitten savoring a sweet afternoon nap.
Like a singing goddess of the grass,
To the sweet, gentle rhythm of the wind,
I, too, try to summon sleep for a moment, just like you.
But before I know it, curiosity sparks within me,
And I peek through the narrow cracks to steal a glance at the cat.
Oh? You had already read my mind, staring right back at me.
Not backing down, I try once more.
As if borrowing the secret of a kitten's pink paw-pad dreams,
Like a predator stealthily closing in on its prey,
Carefully, just like you, I peer through the right side to catch you off guard.
Oh? You were already locked onto me, watching me yet again.
“GG (Good Game, I lose).”
Like a cat popping its head through a tiny cardboard box hole,
Flashing a playful, teasing smile,
I, too, declare my defeat,
Proudly sticking my face out with a bright, surrendered grin.
Then, the cat stretches leisurely, letting out a long, slow yawn,
And tosses a casual remark right at me:
“Dull animal!”
The trees looked chocolate against the marshmallow snow
My eyes were downcast my mood was low
It seemed I was in a game of whack a mole
clobbered whenever I popped out of a hole.
The snow was hard packed, the sky was dark blue
I felt old despair though it all seemed new
Strong sun in the sky, cool air in my face
But memories followed like a dog on the chase.
(chorus)
Dark blue light, shine through the seam
Between the man I am and the man I've been
Live day by day, step by step
Harsh to remember, but mustn't forget
I took the side trail to Wilson Park
A sycamore tree stood with spotted bark
Its massive twisting arms were bare
It almost glowed against the air.
Above soared a lost sea gull
Outside was sharp, inside I was dull
My past hung on like an undead corpse
Couldn't tell it to leave, tell it to divorce.
Can't find a resounding excuse, just pieces
Can't explain to my nephews and nieces
Can't drag a reputation out of the mire
And burn it in a purifying fire.
Does it matter where I was framed?
Scavengers divebombing on the shamed?
Some lies were told, but facts remained
Much damage done, much honor stained
Goodbye youth and your charm.
I much prefer my hard-earned wisdom.
Rather do without the menopause.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
Sometimes I'm a gemstone
But I'm mostly just a pebble
I try to be a good person
But too often I'm a rebel
Sometimes I am colourful
An opal bright and shiny
Sometimes just a dull rock
From the bottom of the briney
Sometimes I am broken
And you see the diamond inside
Sometimes a fragile shell
Washed up with the tide
A shabby opaque stone, rough, dull and grey,
Hidden behind the veils, out of the way,
No sparkle bright, nor any fancy shine ,
But a rugged rock of an olden time.
With patience, diligence and loving hand,
A craftsman with skill, carves across the land
And comes out with a villege beauty so dear,
A shining diamond for all to cheer.
Short days
Dim Rays
Late dawn
Grey morn
Chill start
Cold heart
Earth white
Soft light
Dull sky
Blue eyes
White grace
On face
Road clear
No fear
Wind wild
Shoes styled
Lace tied
Inside
Ice glide
Free ride
Air bites
Outside
Night creep
Sweet sleep
Your
Dull Knife
Cuts
old Memories
like a lobotomy
I've drank
you before
Your song
plays in my head
like a stones skipping
across my face
My teeth
rattle
Like wind chimes
in cold air
There nothing
Left to say
But
I love you
Unlike a Spurgeon, I by dull words unfold
The limits of my Sarah's love for me,
But I realize that the rot and stink and mold
Are all within my mind, beneath my See.
There is no other person who can love
For me. It is my duty and my joy.
It is the Truth that True Love is made of
It is the difference of man from a boy.
I am no counter of the counterfeits
That weigh love by the dram of sweet words said,
But rather, I am one who from above
Receives the gifts whereby he bakes his bread.
Into the practical and humble things
I'll pour my Constancy and give love wings.
there’s something dreary
about a terrasse drenched in rain
can’t help but take it personally
like a missed invitation
to an afternoon drink with friends
or a cancelled party
a dull hush lacks warmth
too early or too late
no one at the rendez-vous
no welcoming sunshine
stood up by the host
a final rinse
the rain lets up
the earth on pause
before the sun breaks through
and sets everything on cue
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
comets dust debris
no atmosphere crater face~
makes for a dull m
o o
n
show us your brightside
spare us farsided blackness~
thyne kind o
r
b i t
r
e
s s
Bleak, Bitter ! Now dragging dull days.
Too long Past and too short Future
At present, in senile decay.
Does not matter, rue or rapture.
No dynamism., life stagnant,
Bleak, Bitter ! Now dragging dull days.
Forgotten when progress was vibrant.
All around dark, no shiny rays.
Life has no charm, lustre and glaze
Nothing to expect , nothing to gain.
Bleak, Bitter ! Now dragging dull days
Only spending time in vain.
Awaiting for last bell to ring
Yet for rest of life, wish to pray
Dynamism again to bring !
Bleak, Bitter ! Now dragging dull days.
my neighbour was a simple woman
quiet and modest in all ways
she led the kind of life
that most would never envy
from nine to five she'd pay her dues
but then on weekends would come to life
she'd get dolled up and put on heels
and turn into a real live beauty queen
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Does it matter what you do
or matter what you say?
Does anything mean anything
when you live Groundhog Day?
Is there a way to please the Gods
so that they’ll let you go?
Or maybe there’s no point at all.
Perhaps it’s just a show.
But what else can you do
if you find you’re stuck in this scene.
You have to just keep going
and hope you will find the thing
that they are wanting you to learn.
You have to find a way
to end the drama, check the box…
and escape Groundhog Day.
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