rising
in slow
circles of
morning glow,
the spiral lifts
from the pond’s quiet
mirror, turning toward
the leaf’s bright
edge— a soft
curl of new
day learning
how to
breathe light
into the
waking world
a thought strikes a match
nothing much, a little flame
moths alter their course
someone whispers, what if this—
the curtain catches the light
a balloon inflates
sky requires another sun
string loosens, goes slack
already counting the stars
on the backs of envelopes
morning finds the chairs
still facing yesterday's stage
confetti in shoes
someone refolds promises
along familiar creases
after all, a spade
fits superbly well in hand
soil under the nails
the gate can't bend or unhinge
rain dons handle with slippers
no trumpets today
the kettle attends to rain
a chipped cup, still warm
someone has darned the elbow
of the coat we nearly threw
spiral of first light~
pond breath lifting toward the leaf
as morning begins
a spiral rises where the pond meets dawn,
its tender curve ascending toward the leaf;
the forest breathes as new creation’s drawn.
Light scatters softly on the waking lawn,
confetti cast in moments bright and brief;
a spiral rises where the pond meets dawn.
the dewy emerald margin, newly born,
receives the arc with quiet, trembling grief;
the forest breathes as new creation’s drawn.
in fluid dance, the fern’s first shape is sworn,
its curling vow a testament of belief;
a spiral rises where the pond meets dawn.
the forest floor, by shimmering light adorned,
holds sacred space for nature’s turning motif;
the forest breathes as new creation’s drawn.
so the day begins, its promise worn
in curves that rise beyond all earthly grief~
a spiral rises where the pond meets dawn;
the forest breathes as new creation’s drawn.
What do you do
when you’re riddled with riddles,
swallowed whole
right down the middle?
Music blares,
but it’s not me.
’Twas a toot or two
from a fiddle.
What do you do
when your riddles get riddled?
When you’re all alone
and you fiddle your diddle.
Nothing comes out
but a little
piddle.
Compulsively arranged
and out of control,
thought after thought
has swallowed me whole.
Riddled with feelings,
I pick at my mind,
looking for answers
that no one can find.
Can you connect the dots?
I’m trying to justify
whatever still rots.
Riddled with riddles,
discarded
like an afterthought.
Something’s not right here.
Something became
a knot.
I am on a spiral staircase high up in the air.
With no idea where it is going, but the staircase must end somewhere.
So I started down the spiral staircase, going around and around.
Walking forever downward, but never getting closer to the ground.
As I walk down this spiral staircase, my heart begins to race.
With urgency to get down this spiral staircase, I have to pick up my pace.
Walking forever, going around and around.
Daylight is fading into darkness, and I cannot hear any sound
It seemed I had walked for hours down this spiral stair.
Forever walking around and around but not getting anywhere.
This walk down the spiral staircase has got my mind confused.
But I keep walking downwards what have I got to lose?
I have walked for hours, and the end is now in sight.
Where am I what will I find my chest is getting tight
I HAVE FINSHED WALKING DOWN THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE AND I am broken hearted
Because at the end of the spiral staircase, I am right back where I started.
Spiral: Poem from Notes
Floating, floating, round and round.
Spiral, circle, hit the ground.
In my head or on our bed?
‘It’ll be fine.’ That’s what you said.
I still spiral even now.
My head can’t come down from
Clouds.
Launch attack, prepare missile.
Storm clouds break, but only drizzle.
It hits the rotting violets, roses.
Fake a smile, put on my best poses.
They’re about as real as that fresh mug of tea.
Scalding, burning, just let it be.
Kings and queens and jokers leer.
As I try them on, I shed a tear.
For the costumes aren’t really me.
I wonder if
There’s poison in your tea.
Circle, spiral, even now.
Launch me, chain me, throw me
Away.
But now you’re back and here to stay.
While you’re dancing with my fae.
People still
Trust yours over mine.
For my dull truths, they’d pay a dime.
And you’d just use it for your bliss.
You’d just tell me of your new miss.
So I wonder if you
Can still taste it too.
The smell rotting and so foul.
Death creeps up for you too, my dear.
It’s hiding, waiting, just behind your left ear.
He sat alone as outcast.
Cut himself off all family and friends.
Dark thoughts circling above him.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2026
One joyful footstep
loosens procrastination
morning air tastes sweet
the mind keeps that light aglow
long after the walk has passed
Pleasure leaves a trace
on shoes waiting by the door
soft invitations
before thought can intervene
habit heeds motion's call
Inner loops turning—
unconscious desires take root
deep beneath reason
each fond spark of exercise
trains the nerves to yearn return
Laughter after strain
widens the spirit's landscape
breath steadies the mind
small victories slowly build
through patience and resilience
Outer loops rising
gather strength from calm delight
builds hope through movement
each glad act enlarges life
as wellness echoes health back
No harsh discipline—
only the pull of feelings
gently repeated
what once needed force and will
becomes enlightened desire
ant phenomenon
obsessive circle exhausts
their sad death spiral
Dream forms spiral, though we are still,
tranquil in witness mode,
so in time ego sheds its will
and sings to God an ode.
Sans our thoughts, who are we,
save the Self, which we see,
luminous are carefree?
Thoughts go viral ~
Dream forms spiral
spiral
swirled, kinked
looping, curving, rotating
staircase, coils, arrow, ruler
pointing, aiming, training
precise, unbent
straight
She whispered truths she never meant,
each vow a crack in her intent;
the stories tangled, tightening fast,
till even she lost where they went.
Her mirror showed a face downcast,
a haunted look she couldn't mask;
the lies grew teeth she couldn't still,
and every breath became a task.
She felt the world tilt sharp and chill,
her careful web began to spill;
the threads she spun now pulled her down,
a prisoner to her own will.
Yet in the wreckage she had sown,
a fragile truth began to grow;
from shattered words she learned at last,
the cost of lies she used to own.
First I took right, very smooth
Love by majority
Then I took left, very dark
Only the brave and strong strive here
Because you got to be the light
So you can shine while striving
Then I took time to observe
I saw my past behind and the future ahead
Then I choose to remain present
Because I can't go to the past
I can't forcefully manifest the future either.
Things in the past
Steadily stealing my attention
Causing distractions
Disrupting my focus towards the future
But I'm so dynamic
Saying to myself always
I didn't come this far
To settle for the least but the best.
Many times I move correctly
Sometimes wrongly
My mindset my redeemer
Whenever I move wrongly
My instinct always revives me
That's why I always trust my guts
Making adjustments as soon as possible
Always responsible for my mistakes
Not find who to blame or make lame.
I spiral downward, down I go
Without ever hitting the bottom
I live in freefall, I’ll die there too
Tangible things, I grasp for them
The view is bleak, it’s just a fog
Above and below me. side to side
Is that my hand before my face
Or the hand of another helping soul?
Sometimes I land upon solid ground
But aware that I’m still moving
This false place holder, this fake safety zone
Is also spiralling down in the void
Whilst others seem able to fool their minds
And say that everything is okay
My brain won’t have it and punishes me
For trying those same blinkers on
I still smile at things, it isn’t all gloom
I still have times of joy in my world
But ever aware, I am wasting my life
I see my time spiralling down ahead of me
I spiral downward, down, down I go
I never got the hang of this life
But I know how to float, at least for a while
Hang on till there’s no reason anymore
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