The distinguished guests
raised their crystal goblets
toast the host's lavish,
midnight banquet.
A sudden, violent chill swept
the parlor as the grandfather
clock shrieked thirteen times.
The exquisite roast on the
tarnished platters abruptly
mutated into writhing,
maggot- infested human
limbs.
Horrified screams died in
their throats as the dining
room doors slammed shut
and vanished into the drywall.
They turned to flee, only to
realize they were chewing on
their own severed tongues.
When yesterday’s song forfeited rhythm
And past surrendered to dreams undone,
Spontaneous clamor of poignant echoes
Shattered her image in saddened mirror
Disillusioned by her heart’s revelation.
Merely clinging to clutches of hope
In tomorrow’s beats yesteryears roared
Willing to patronize fixation of love,
Though it was just an optical illusion
In lovelorn expanse of parched desert.
In intrigue of his chivalry she implored
When his seasons evoked spring blossoms
And horizons charmed sunny summers—
Until she realized how spurious glitter
Sparkles from the heart of faux gemstones.
Dismayed, she exits at portal to nowhere
Forced to navigate in sea of despair
When he parted for a new destination.
Expansive is the realm of her new world
Where mixed emotions anxiously ponder,
Yearning tangible results from intangible future
Holding fate accountable to promises of yore.
January 28, 2020
Placed 2nd: Eight word challenge 1, 2020 poetry contest
Sponsor: John Hamilton
Required words are used in following order:
spontaneous, revelation, patronize, fixation,
intrigue, portal, navigate, tangible
HM: Strand choice 12 contest by Brian Strand
I am tied to royalty
the way oceans
are fastened to
moon fluctuations
the way our skin
absorbs sun's radiation
with mathematical
efficiency
producing Nubian
improvisations
from translucent tans
and honey hued browns
to shades of ink
that rivaled midnight
when we opened our eyes
the earth contained starlight
tied to royalty
we made ivory crowns
fashionable
and kings requisitioned
vines for chains
If the moon's pull
causes oceans to move
towards her
My desire must've danced
with my design
before our skin collected
freedom's anthem
Beauty made in abstentia
baptized by indigo
vision, piercing
One hundred years in
our language
started to fade
A cerebral infraction occurred
on the grandest scale
unimaginable
we suffered
word extinction
man muted, forced fed
profits, I wonder
if we'd ever know truth
that didn't involve
"In God We Trust?"
My tongue wants to
form words, my mind
cannot name
Royalty, money laundered loyalty
Wordsmith
Lived life without considering its worthiness,
deceived by the glamor of vain riches,
followed desire where the road ended..and what did I find?
Faces with hilarious laughter and hearts that were unkind.
Lived life without considering its worthiness,
deceived by the glamor of vain riches,
followed desire where the road ended..and what did I find?
Faces with hilarious laughter and hearts that were unkind.
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