in response to contest prompt: In 25 words or fewer describe how difficult it is to write a response/poem in 25 words or fewer.
…it’s like stuffing a circus into a teacup
NaPoWriMo NaPoWriMo Day3 Echo Shorts Response Poem
Looking down from the edge of the world,
I hear screams and a cry for help;
Wanting to reassure a tormented soul, I replied with a soothing tone,
An ache in my heart as I embrace it's suffering;
You found peace and comfort in yourself,
Leaving me behind, I fade away with a sigh;
I am always with you even if you do not see me,
I am always here for you even if you do not hear me.
response poem to Moon and the Sky
a waif with tangled hair of blue
stared into the sky despondent
covered in paint of a squeamish hue
she yelled and squeaked at the goddess
danced a tantrum sort of jig, stuck out her tongue
and bit it
I want some joy the child demanded
in a voice both petulant and pained
the astronauts landed
and brought back some rocks
but I know
there is more that remained.
each night you sit and stare at me
I never know the reason
on a silver swing hung over the sea
in all weather and all seasons
but now I have had enough of you
peeking down upon me,
I’m going to find a lawyer and sue
for lots and lots of money.
Response Poem To Lost Youth
Young yet dead inside
hardened like steel
through fire
no dreamy eyes
love’s first surprise
dead
with camellias on the grave
walk the streets a curse
cursing god
praying to him
from a mouth of hate
believing
as a last straw
connected to the child
before bedtime prayers were
please hide me from
and “him” became damnation.
New Year, Past Years
Dawn, looking as blush as twilight,
Where the silhouette of trees still lingers
And envelopes me—
Transporting me to my world of yesterday.
I can still hear my children’s laughter;
Watch them play and dance
To their sweet singing tunes.
How quiet the morning is now
That they are grown and gone.
As I look out toward the grey sea
And Diamond Head
I can see their faces in the rising sun.
© Connie Marcum Wong
January 2, 2010
Response Poem:
As More Years Pass
There is more beauty in my life now
Than I could have ever imagined.
When our last child left home
And our voices seemed to echo
Through our silent empty rooms
I felt the sadness of a mother's
Longing to be loved and needed.
As my son blessed me with his son
And my daughter with her daughter,
Our home was once again filled
With children's happy laughter and
With my contented laughter too.
I help my daughter raise her daughter
Who reminds me every blessed day
As more and more years have passed
That I have saved the best for last!
© Connie Marcum Wong
September 29, 2015
Contest: A response to your first poem
Sponsor: Silent One
Dear Depressed, you’re the cuckoo who flew
From the cuckoo’s nest. Go get a clue!
You are too hot to trot
For a guy who has got
Not a semblance of interest in you.
He won’t call you back? Here’s the buzz:
He does NOT pick his phone up because
well, for one thing, you see,
you act more desperately
than a crack head who wants a fix does!
And that woman who answers his phone,
and she tells you to leave them alone -
It’s his sister, you say??
You are queen for the day.
Go sit on the idiot throne!
You’ve got kids from different guys.
Better think before spreading your thighs.
You feel nauseous and sick?
Well, I think that some dick
has got you again with his lies.
I would offer advice, but I can’t,
for all I can do now is rant!
Just be thankful you’ll get
A more sizeable check
from the welfare. . . . Love, Agony Aunt.
A response poem to the letter written to
Agony Aunt (see the contest pages)
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