The round table spins,
all is a roulette wheel,
now I am the favored Knight.
Yesterday I was the least,
children made sport of me,
scrawny curs snapped at my heels.
The King's favor is fickle.
The Queen shades her eyes,
her demure down cast mien
a façade, a veil beneath which
simmers a flame we both have ignited.
Today I ride ahead of the throng,
my banner tall and straight.
Tomorrow is uncertain
the table will turn again,
for what can be, may not happen,
and what may happen never be,
better to let the world spin on,
for even kings and queens know
that any gambit is just another
uncertain gamble.
This gamming table
goes around,
and just where your feet
touch firm ground
or slip
none may predict.
Wanna taste your sweet hot toddy
While you baste my manicotti
Your accolades are well deserved
Now ring that bell cuz dinner's served
If I died in my sleep tonight,
upon reflection ~
I'd only have one true regret.
Though I tried to make
the most of my time on earth,
of course I've fallen short.
And for that I would be sorry.
I should have done more,
I should have been more,
I should have loved more.
Gifts squandered, time frittered,
thinking of all I could have done,
the many dreams left on the table
because I thought someday I'd have time.
Death is sudden with no do-overs
but really, we do know one day it's coming ~
time should never be taken for granted,
death is not supposed to be a true surprise.
AP: 1st place 2025, Honorable Mention 2025
We sit and share blood the colour of wine
that ripples in glass on table which stretches
stretches stretches oceans between us. You’re
there but afar and I’m here but foreign. I wonder
what question you’ll ask me; what magnolia reply
I’d gouge out of the thinning air. Your hand flinches.
They sat at a table, weathered and wide,
Under cottonwood branches, side by side.
The July sun filtered through leaves like lace,
Softening time, and softening space.
Years had passed—some sharp, some kind—
Each carried stories, heavy with time.
But here they were, two hearts grown old,
Still warm, still curious, still untold.
She smiled at him through lines of grace,
Brushing hair from her wind-swept face.
“Tell me,” she said, with a quiet sigh,
“Why did we break up? Please tell me why.”
He blinked, then chuckled, slow and low,
“I honestly… don’t even know.
Maybe fear, or maybe pride,
Or just the ache of growing wide.”
He spoke of work, of quiet nights,
She spoke of love, of wrongs and rights.
But in the hush between each thought,
A closeness bloomed they never sought.
“Coffee dates sometime?” she asked at last,
Letting the moment not rush past.
“Maybe supper too,” he said, eyes bright,
“Some evening when the stars feel right.”
And nothing more was planned that day,
Except to let the past give way.
To something small, and sweet, and true—
A second chance beneath the blue.
Scott W.
red linen table cloths with white lace overlays
sprinkles of confetti shaped like snowflakes
evergreen plaid napkins rolled into a Santa napkin holder
Holly berry china, only brought out one time each year
Santa Claus cups and Rudolph candles
Every part of the table is yelling “Christmas!”
red and green Jello cubes
rice Krispie treats shaped like Frosty the snowman
Everyone wants to sit with us at the kids’ table
sitting on the dinner table
where instead of food, he was served cold
silence turned into words that hurt
sitting on the dinner table
he was served disappointment from others
who questioned his existence
sitting on the dinner table
his father made a loud thump on the table
spewed out his hate he always keep close
The premise goes everyone knows
before entering the premises
while still outside yet on the mat
it's no gentleman who forgets
to doff his cap or remove his hat
if dining out or at a private party
for a particular person
it's impolite at most
to sip slurp or slink a drink
before the toast to a hospitable host
and when beside the table laden
confronted by the salsa bowl
biting then re-dipping chips
the most unmannerly of all
is he (or she) who double-dips
Garage door opener
Ice cream carton
Pencil, erasers, pencil sharpener
Magazines
Tv remote
Gummie pills
Magic markers
Towel
Black sock
Gray sandal
Sketch pad
Twinkie wrapper
Snickers bar
Kleenexes
Washrag
Comb
Tape measure
Scissors
Toenail clippers
Green hoodie
Small table inside my front door
I flick the eyeball.
Dad scolds, “Don’t play with your food.”
Donner Party brunch.
i come to mobilize my thoughts
with pen in hand
i wait for inspiration
and it seldoms disappoints
it's time well spent
i leave renewed
and happy at my core
AP: 2nd place 2025
Draggletailed drippy dreary Doris Mable did not fit in
With her uppity, snobby, snooty, pompous pampered kin
The kids said Aunt Doris Mable, you can sit at our table
They had knowledge of a babe, a manger, and a stable
On a table for two
I see an open love letter
Besides that lay three roses
Two champagne glasses standing
Besides a bottle of champagne
Around them are scattered round chocolates
I hear a romantic song softly played
That throbbed my heart as I listen
The light atop the table adds romance
It was special to see in every eyes
It's solemn, waiting a pair to occupy
Not far from where I sit two people came
One in tuxedo, one in fashionable dress
Oh I see, I smile to see a pair smiling
As they seat that prepared ovedue table
Was meant for two romantic love birds
I giggle as I sip my champagne looking at them
Oh what a night to celebrate Valentines!
old table
sitting across from one another
words spoke what their eyes already knew
and the thoughts in her mind so freely poured
like cascading water in a pool of pure blue
they talked and laughed about yesterday
as if yesterday had a name of its own
and made plans to last beyond forever
yet they knew forever would soon be gone
painted with entanglements and gloomy shades
the old table was now tilted with a shadow of gray
bearing initials carved in the wooden top
to remind them of the joys of yesterday
now sitting across from one another
words they have spoken were already known
as long lost memories too soon forgotten
were here today then so quickly gone
tolbert
her eyes
.
her eyes stole me away
the look
distant
engaging
darting
but always blue
.
sometimes
i wondered what they had seen
how such beauty could
see pain
suffering
shed tears
.
i looked
she looked
we saw the future
two glances dancing
a collision course across a table for two
while our eyes
made us one
tolbert
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