I treasure a calm environment.
I’ve worked hard to create this peace.
Not going to let you ruin it.
Get your act together then we’ll talk.
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
Under a lot of pressure.
Perform or else that's it for you.
The competition is most fierce.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2025
The phrase that keeps repeating
And it never was at all fleeting
Do you measure up they said
This was to him a phrase of dread
For the others would just snicker
And each time it changed in measure
Is what he would take away
Trying hard to want to stay
So each day there was no relaxation
And even when he won there was no elation
For the tasks would be set again
And do you measure up, was not a friend.
© Paul Warren Poetry
As I grew up, we marked the wall.
We marked each inch as I grew tall.
I grew so much...I was so proud,
you could easily spot me in a crowd.
I always had the nicest bike...the nicest clothes...
the nicest home.
As high school came...I stared in track...
I got straight A's...I did not lack.
In college I spent four years at Yale...
I never bought things that were on sale.
My mate...they were the finest too...
we even had a child or two.
As they grew up, I worked long hours...
I had great wealth...and held great power.
It wasn't enough...I wanted more...
my kid's stopped running for the door.
I spent more time at work than home...
my mate I hear began to roam.
When all was said and done...I lost.
I never stopped to weigh the cost.
I lost what mattered most to me...
this wasn't how it was suppose to be.
P.R.Deremer
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