If it's a harbor at the end of the beach
then just say my name in a whisper
like a boat going back and forth
within its sturdy walls
And if it's a house
then the door is cracked
even though it's battered by the wind
There's no hot tea there
let alone the lonely flower of eternity
only soft eyes that feel different
No, not because everything has faded
but simply because it's over
this body still exists amidst the dusty walls
and you just need to speak
And if everything is gone
conveyed in the coldness of your low voice
then never close that door
let the dust continue to seep in between the cracks
and everything will fade
but not all the stories
that you whispered in the dim emptiness
Make room for Him - the God of miracles,
He is a wonder, mighty in power.
Our God is multifaceted, with many Names,
Lord, Saviour, Healer, Baptizer, and Deliverer.
Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley,
He is who He declares - I AM, the Lord.
This season, He is moving with certainty,
On our behalf, His Hand wields Heaven’s sword.
When we whisper His Name, His Spirit will rise,
Stirring our souls, commissioning us anew.
His favour shields us with angelic eyes,
Unlocking our senses - sight and hearing too.
He moves in ways mysterious and rare,
With lightning, thunder - miracles everywhere.
Beneath flashing string of neon lights
Lining the top of wall and ceiling
Of my room with a window of town sights,
I dance to trance music so freeing.
Beneath me on a table a glowing candle,
As I gently twirl around my room,
I begin to grab something to handle,
Loudly singing while holding my broom.
Beneath me on a shelf is a speaker
Loudly broadcasting trance radio.
I dance until I feel so much weaker,
While I imagine every party scenario.
Beneath me is a carpeted floor,
In which I dance barefoot,
Music blaring through the door,
As I fall and spill all of the ash tray's soot.
Too large to avoid everyone knows it's here
not wishing to collide they won't stand too near
nor broach the subject they keep it under wraps
Mum's the word keep it under your hat
they all walk 'round it talk around it
they're not blind so what gives
it's unkind to animals and who wants to live
with an elephant in the room
too large to evade it's something they ignore
not wanting to impede but can't close the door
a line they won't cross they'll avoid it at all costs
just sit there and stare
even sweep it under the rug with a broom
but with lumps and bumps that big
how long can they keep on pretending it's not there
the elephant in the room
room with a view
eiffel tower in background
~ wiles and whiskers
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
The Laundry Room
Aprons folded flat, tablecloths left lying on their back,
Black patent baby shoes piled in a stack
Against the tower of towels needed for a bath.
Dusty duvets rolled out of use
Toilet mats, underwear , socks all loose.
An ironing board, stands full of abuse
The sadness I feel is so profuse.
i found myself in the pink room
i found i was weird
i didn’t care what anyone thought of me
but i also figured im sensitive, too sensitive
i was loud
i made friends in every room
i was the light
i was the sun
the white room dimmed me
it made me rude
my mind was turned against me
i had to get out of my body
get back to the pink room
so i tried
and tried
it never worked
the pink room disappeared with my dad
i was stuck in the white room
i keep trying to paint over the walls
different shades of every color
but nothing works
i’m not the same.
So little Room — I occupied —
When Breath — withdrew from Me —
The House — enlarged — to wilderness —
And left — Infinity —
The Chair — appeared too vast — for One —
The Bed — a vacant Sea —
The Mirror — kept a hollow Face —
Where once — I used to be —
The Garden — could not find my step —
The Sparrow — ceased — to call —
The Window — bore a foreign Sun —
And Shadows — claimed the Wall —
So small a Claim — upon the Earth —
I scarcely seemed — to own —
Yet Absence — proves — how large a Space —
Is missing — when I'm gone —
No variation in this dark tomb
Spinning in orbit of loss and the need for needing
Grey spirits begging for my healing
Grey spirits crawling along the ceiling
Madness is my adaptation
Lost in the essence of essential reverence
Lost spinning for a need of your presence
Chased by the haunting past and present
Here I come to loom
No variation in this broken tomb
Here in my room
When He comes in the room, Heaven starts to move,
He is right there with you; His presence will soothe.
Let Him surprise you - He knows what to do,
Unfolding His purpose, His plans just for you.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, liberty reigns,
Breaking all shackles, releasing all chains.
Exalt Him, for He longs to be
All that we hope for - our true I AM.
There is a new oil, rising from the deep,
Stirring the ground from its ancient sleep.
They that wait on the Lord, their strength will renew,
They will soar like eagles in skies of blue.
Signs and wonders will follow belief,
Bringing the broken hearts sweet relief.
Be the vessel He is shaping with grace,
And carry His healing to every place.
Enter every door that opportunity brings,
Create new paths, let your spirit take wings.
When you can see it, you surely can be
Bold and victorious, joyful and free.
For rent:
a room with three
rowdy, reckless roommates
who revel in raving it up.
Curtains they've ripped and carpets they've ruined
Worn sofa and rancid kitchen
all greatly reduced with
a garage too
for rent.
ROLLING WITH THE Rs Poetry Contest
Nette Onclaud
8/5/25
Special
Tenant wanted
Suitable applicant
Is responsible and behaves
Check marks to bookworms over butterflies
No drama, visitors, or noise
Nice-sized room is furnished
Landlord's hamlet
Special
a hush swept through the room
like a draft sliding under an old door
slowly it made its presence known
until our awareness was undeniable
our minds were frozen in a different state and time
a time of being and knowing
For: ROLLING WITH THE Rs Poetry Contest Sponsor: Nette Onclaud August 4, 2025
*****
Room rent
is beyond me,
trees do not grow money
it is said, sadly Leprechaun's
will not share their gold with us common folk
and the pirate's are not talking,
but I found their treasure
map; trade for just
room rent.
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