Rough white water dreams in a river rush,
the journey can toss you and get bumpy.
Thrown off course forced to pivot suddenly,
that is fate’s way of asking you to push.
Now that you’re up with a kick in the tush,
your path can be seen even more clearly.
Rough white water,
adrenaline causes hot cheeks to flush.
You’ve got a vision of what’s meant to be
and the desire to pursue it fiercely.
Execution brings a call to ambush
rough white water.
A diamond in the rough
Both feet in depth to help it up
But no matter how much I scrubbed
I couldn't wash off the mud
Though my teary eyes could see its bright form
It's wrapped in mud so I gave it up
It’s rough.
Except cold eels, which are slimy.
An open door is restless.
The breeze is nothing.
Like confetti but they’re bone shards.
Everything is mold.
No energy.
Just bruised ribs.
And a little dandelion over a grave.
It was able to grow because the grounds keeper disappeared.
Dispersed.
He’s someone’s confetti.
It’s rough.
camel's back like a rough mountain terrain
I had heard of such historical place,
never realizing that someday,
I would really go there.
I was curious
but cautious and calculating,
feeling very safe and secure.
That is, until my curious mine
Arrested and got the best of me.
I was on the beaten paths,
But turned off the main road
When I saw a sign pointing to
What I would call, a curious place.
I then headed west to satisfy
My curiosity gene, and within
minutes, I was driving through
The little California town called
"Rough and Ready".
She got her name from a gold mining
Company. She even became a Republic,
But rejoined The USA after three months.
I told you 'she had an interesting history'.
Now I really have no concerns
if you think I may be nuts
If I finally owned a business
I would call it Rough as Guts
I'm happy with my own standards
someone else's perfection it's not my go
For years a fear to experiment
when self esteem was low
Confidence on the rise since mid thirties
as an owner builder several houses I have built
There maybe a wall or two that leans a little bit
So What! The Leaning Tower of Pisa I have no self guilt
Playing musical instruments started in mid fifties
eight in all I finally learnt to play a joyous journey had begun
When I play guitar and sing I may fluff a chord or two
So What ! Audience and me together are having lots of fun
Just recently began some illustrations for my poems
as an extra to provide some humorous cheer
I'm certainly no Picasso, Van Gogh or Toulouse Lautrec
So What !My drawings make some people laugh and I've not cut off an ear
We all have so much untapped talent
because of fear we often never try
Me. I'll keep on seeking mind expansion
until the day I finally die
A drip of wine
a sweet moonshine
her dance like rum
her kiss like heart beating drums
wondering in
finding sin
she blush
I lush
her smooth touch
Pulse pulling urge into desire
leaning down for her kiss
heart beats fast
sweet Mist
Clouds are heading our way.
Together we'll face what comes at us.
Our resolve is our strength.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
clear wrinkles of time
stories etched on feeble hands~
life's soft, silent chime
grey hair slowly fall
a journey hard, well- travelled~
canvas on the wall
distant laughter gleams
echoes of a vibrant past~
memoirs flow like streams
Sunlight dulls the eyes
wisdom surfs in the brain~
gazing at the sky
breath is slow and rough
strings of pains begin to sting~
the journey's end is tough.
Ok, I’m hearing it
it’s rough out there in the real world
There’s even been some influencer backlash
These days, if someone starts talking about world crisis
I wave them off, “I’m emotionally booked.”
Like everyone else, I’m just coping,
economizing by reusing letters, recycling plots
and clipping martini coupons.
I refuse to ration kisses
blush at the thought
things aren’t THAT bad.
Around here (we call it 6th Ave)
things seem normal. The household staff
perform their daily chores with leisurely courtesy.
Grandmère gave them a 10% bump
because prices are crazy.
Did it help? I don’t know.
I don’t know them all that well.
.
.
Songs for this:
Insanity (The Sanest Thing You've Got) by The Nines
I’m Still Standing” — Elton John
Batten down the hatches!
Bar the doors!
For the storm looms above
boiling hot with natures wrath.
Stand tall men! Do not waiver!
Or run like the cowards you are
leaving me to tarry through the storm
wrecked by waves and rain
till I'm nothing but
splintered battered wood.
‘ Life is a game and you are to compete, making yourself fit to survive , ‘ Poet
Life is rough
Take as a challenge.
Path of life
is thorny.
You are sure to put in strife
Normal happenstance.
Life is tough
on daily struggle.
Road not smooth -
Trouble runs -
Rare chance to win and also,
fair chances to lose.
Pathless wood
You are to traverse
Make your way :
Lone fighter !
Ignite your soul to brighten
your dull darkened days.
Morning opens over the hills of Port-au-Prince
Light climbs slowly above restless streets
A woman sweeps dust from her small doorway
Children laugh while chasing a worn football
Life here shows both scars and quiet courage
Sometimes the city feels rough and tired
Yet the sea breathes calm near Labadee shores
Friends walk safely through gardens at dusk
Love grows in simple talks beneath warm trees
Take time to visit the peaceful corners
Hold the hands of people who matter most
Care for your body and soften your thoughts
Even on hard days try to keep a smile
Because today is the moment we truly have
And beauty lives even inside struggle
Some get many stakes,
Many watch for fun,
Others support with passion rerun
I just wish to write about all these...
Some love,
Many play with hearts,
Others manage in marriage to laugh,
I just want to be in love with Jesus.
Some pray,
Many rain praises,
Others studied His way,
I just want to have Your grace.
Some tell the truth,
Many fake the lies,
Others follow like Ruth,
I just want to join an allies.
Some cry,
Many smile,
Others frown,
I just want to live a life of my own...
Some look,
Many observe,
Others brook,
I just want to write as I perceive...
Some vote,
Many rule,
Others steal,
I just wish to never keep mute™
Mind blows,
Heart crush,
Emotion flows,
I just wish feelings could make me blush.
Roses are red,
It stands for love's tide,
Valentine died for one,
I just wish it will reach my turn...
Morning is for hope,
Afternoon may grope,
Evening should not elope,
Coz night will determine how well you've managed your scope
Was it something I said?
Or do you always wake up grumpy?
I'm hoping this coffee will put a smile on your face.
Maybe even make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
I only want what's best for you ~
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
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