I hate growing up
I hate decisions
They're scarier than the monsters
I used to fear when young
they grow with you; they increase
they haunt you
and worse, there is a right or wrong
consequences, mistakes that could ruin your whole future
guess growing up isn't about a driver's license
it's responsibility, like it's something you have learned
it's caring about others even if it means being in silence
it looks so easy on TV, like it's just another step on the stairs
maybe I watched the wrong movies,
it's more like jumping off a plane and hoping you would survive,
in the sea with the salty water till whenever
So would I go back if I could?
YES, without a doubt, a thought
maybe it was better making faces with clay
maybe it was easier spending the day on a swing, and getting a slight headache
and even then someone was there to nurse you
Yes, life is not easy, and it has never been fair
"With great Power comes great Responsibility"
What is power? What is a responsibility?
I ask these questions daily.
Is power a synonym? For Rich or Witch?
Or is a whole nother thing which we cant just seem to itch?
If people with powers have responsibilities why don't they serve them?
when they come across people of the less they just kick and ignore them.
"- great responsibilty " is true I must say that
But how come the people with POWER have to have that?
Trusted people, who are loyal and kind. but because they have a different skin just makes then "one of you're kind!"
The kind should have the power not the rich or poor.
its the LAND OF THE FREE so why can't we do more!
The people with power abuse it greatly, so is that why everywhere is a danger lately?
Im young and responsible but I have no power.
But the old man with money has a pool, workers, and loads of POWER!
If great power gives you great responsibilities,
how come the people with power cause nothing but great hostilities
"With great power comes great responsibilty" was what a very wise man once said.
Maybe the rich need to get that in there f----ing head.
Kudos Erin, I salute your gumption, in sifting for the realitys of some intended
Data centres; projected in positive themed
And Proposed assumptions, Millions will be impacted and the environmental hit.! its
Set to make nonsense, of initiatives over 60 Years morhped into laws, with much fanfare and
Moral cheer' grafting into the syncronicity
And awareness of almost everywhere.?From villages through to citys.' Now the
Rug is being pulled, though threadbare
And fraying bad.' With realisation that we've
All been had.? Its simple enough i think you'll find, you can see the change to real sustainability, yet in this you need to find; take
Part and be aware' or as its known you'll
Become the most un-believable square.!!!
You are a guest on this planet
AP: 1st place 2026
They expect too much from me,
Yet I can’t afford what they need.
My dad believes I will make him proud,
But he doesn’t know the battles inside me—
The war between courage and confidence.
I once thought the most painful thing
Was watching a son fail in life,
Yet he still holds faith
That one day I will rise.
But I don’t know what I should do.
Everyone wins in their passion or profession,
While I walk among them
With shyness and guilt,
Not knowing who I am becoming.
My mother says, “One day, it will be your day.”
But their expectations create dissipation,
And that dissipation leads me into hesitation.
They expect too much from me,
Yet I can’t afford what they need.
My dad believes I will make him proud,
But he doesn’t know the battles inside me—
The war between courage and confidence.
I once thought the most painful thing
Was watching a son fail in life,
Yet he still holds faith
That one day I will rise.
But I don’t know what I should do.
Everyone wins in their passion or profession,
While I walk among them
With shyness and guilt,
Not knowing who I am becoming.
My mother says, “One day, it will be your day.”
But their expectations create dissipation,
And that dissipation leads me into hesitation.
Think twice and drink responsibly.
All choices lead down a certain path.
Be prepared for their consequences.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 1st place 2026
HOW DARE ME MAKE IT SOMEONE'S (RESPONSIBILITY) TO MAKE ME SMILE, BE HAPPY, OR FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF.
SELF-LOVE SHOULD DO THAT ALL BY ITSELF.
Once at home,
Sharing yellow/green guavas,
Grown on tested soil
Across waters,
I stood vulnerable,
Yet observed...
Such extension caused salivation.
And as I entreat
With gel of such,
Strangers,
Familiar pallets,
Some said, "Cheers!"
I at once
Was held accountable -
So, I returned
To pruning and prayed.
My muse's thumb grew greener.
*
Almal moet hul hol self af vas, met hul uie hande.
[ Translation : Everyone must wipe their own buttocks, with their own hands. -// Afrikaaps is an Idiomatic Language. The monoku basically means : one has to take responsibility for one’s own problems. This translation here is a direct English translation, which does not translate the meaning. ]
Lies, words, truth —
three pillars of trust.
One used at the wrong time
can make the whole thing tremble.
So we invent a fourth pillar:
impeachment.
Not for law,
but for a heart
that trusted you with the structure.
But a building can’t stand on two pillars.
It only shakes —
harming the one who broke it
and the one still trying to hold it up.
Parents have a sacred responsibility.
Children need to be surrounded by harmony.
Adults, get your priorities straight.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
His tired smile felt genuinely warm
It's the daily norm since he was born
Life is an endless loop of closed doors
Searching for hope among endless pores
Born into seaside harbor
Felt the wave of endless labor
Shouldering pain and liability
Sailing for honest security
Touching the mild ocean breeze
Smiled tiredly along freezing sneeze
Homecoming after relentless work
Grabs and sighs at dinner fork
Looking upon paled door
Grabbles within open pores
Shut the lights hoping for relief
Dreaming upon hopeless beliefs
A continuous cycle day and night
A tired smile without light
Lame excuses don't cut it.
Takes more than flowers to impress me.
Man up ~ say you're sorry.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
So I’m forced to take responsibility
For the actions of leaders I never trusted
And if I lack this absurd ability
You’d claim that I am maladjusted
But where were your morals when I suffered
What is your share of responsibility
For my troubles, why didn’t you offer
Your very supportive reliability?
Please don’t worry about to react
We both know the answer, don’t we
You may victimize me just like that
Then accuse me for playing a victim’s ennui
It’s an old tribal song, to shift the blame
To the poor, sending them to fight
I’m responsible for different songs to play
And I do, when the time is right.
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