Yellow is the boundary of the stride,
A paper-thin cleft between the end and the beginning.
Time catches its breath within that tiny seam,
And we weigh our choices once again—
“Shall I press on, or shall I stay?”
The moment my foot takes the green light,
A palanquin charges forward, compressing time itself in its speed.
“How dare you! Make way for the Magistrate!”
That glare is no simple threat.
Our hesitation is a quiet ritual, testing both choice and chance.
Green is the opening of a promise.
Yet within that promise seeps a hidden gaze and a silent rule.
We read it, judge it, and take our step.
Can we truly step forward, trusting this green hue alone?
As swift palanquins rush by without end,
Our judgment is constantly put on trial.
A traffic light is never merely a set of colors.
It is the invisible shadow of order,
The ultimate symbol of the norms we belong to.
And the traffic light asks:
“Do you truly trust me?”
She’s stuck somewhere.
She doesn’t know where.
A hooded man came,
With a smell that seemed familiar.
He smiled crookedly.
She just nodded.
Then there… where it all started.
Days, months, and years passed...
Then there…
The green light stopped.
The red light appeared.
That’s it…
The signal they are waiting for.
Before, it was two five one five.
Now, it’s one five left.
I’ve got nothing done today.
I’ll get nothing done tomorrow.
That is to say, not the normal.
Still, much was accomplished.
A gift dropped off. A photo moment.
A long talk with an emergent friend.
Cardio and Tai Chi; time outside,
where traffic is finally moving,
that is to say, streets with cars
and Queen of Hearts is open.
All in all, an uncommon day,
but productive and stupendous.
There is much to check off.
Tomorrow’s another offbeat day.
Fisherman serene by the lake.
Sunday in December.
Others sit grid locked going shopping
Sometimes he's like a traffic light:
Red, stopping me in my track,
Yellow, 'cause he always has my back,
Green, 'cause he knows my plight.
The windshield wipers automatically slow down when the rain gives way to a fine drizzle. As per habit, I open the car window as I come to a rolling stop at these traffic lights. Cheap perfume assails my senses. Red refracts on the wet road.
long legs
and callipygian
sheathed in red leather
her body was firm
to the touch
exhilarating
uncharted territory
my wife’s tears
the price
I was willing to pay
Alone lost in a crowd
bold silence overpowers the roar of traffic
~ the world perseveres without hesitation
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 1st place 2025
A highly trafficked public toilet:
Leftover excrement,
tissues of tears.
Hiding from an ex,
or meeting a perfect stranger.
Throwing up nerves of steel,
collecting hand sanitizer.
Making it just one more hour,
writing initials all over the stall.
The last moment of the night,
looking at the next event flyer
under the hand dryer smiling.
Phone numbers,
hearts, and bragging rights.
This venue has changed names,
the bathroom stayed the same.
Oh the stories it would tell.
I'm stuck in this rush hour traffic
when all i want to do is get home quick
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
The Traffic Moves On, So Do I
I
Stuck on the road full of a heavy traffic
Inch by inch , no movements are automatic
Drivers do rant, shouting their personal tactic
Someone says “hey, go ahead.. damn pathetic”
II
That loud voices echoed in my ears
Recognize voices who caused my unstoppable tears
The pain of betrayal that brings back my fears
And carry the burden throughout the years
III
Red lights are blinking, some are high and low
Telling them to stop, so everyone should know
That love is like a road full of unintentional flow
Like the way you let me stay seated on an isolated row
IV
I cried for days, more than 3 times in a day
Asking what I did wrong, begging you to stay
No words cannot save, you fully walk away
Then life suddenly turns dim like a vanishing sun ray
V
But as the car moves forward, I suddenly comes back to reality
I cannot control things with freaking instability
Letting us go, gives you clarity
But letting you go gives me serenity
When driving the car
approaching a traffic light
it has often been seen
both day and night
what does green mean
here's the plan
for better or worse
drive as fast as you can
then red and amber
if you will
put the foot down
even faster still
and when it turns red
don't dare to dwell
or stop dead
but now go like a bat out of hell
We drive on the left
park in the driveway
and walk on the pavement
over here in the good old U.K.
They drive on the right
and on the parkway
also the pavement
over there in the U.S. of A.
It could be confusing to motorist
and pedestrian alike,
so where should we go
when riding a bike?
When you're in a rush almost every light is red
Part of the problem is not wanting to get out of bed
Fooling around and doing everything at last minute
Rush hour isn't rushing when your out there in it
Some things feels as if it requires too much time
Stopping on a dime isn't happening at stop signs
The normal speed limit all of a sudden is too slow
Most times you're patient but this time you got to go
Each minute of the hour becomes so precious to you
When rushing you want everyone to share your view
You're wondering how did this start in the first place
A seemingly well paced morning that turned into a race
The rising sun cheers all to start the day with liveliness.
Carrots and pumpkins feed all to feel the day with abundant energy.
Marigolds in the vase welcome all to face the day with passion and assertiveness.
Butterflies in the garden wish all to make their day dynamic and exuberant.
Traffic cones on the road alert all to deal with the day with security and sensuality.
Life is like a traffic light
One may go, one may stop
To avoid life destruction
If all are going find touble
If all full stop life is dull
Traffic light makes you wiser
You can stop, look and listen
The intersection is busy all the time
For peace people follow the law
The light proceed which way it goes
Decide which path you follow
Happiness is a give and take process.
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