Day 14 Report

For today’s prompt, write a report poem. I know, I know: Writing a report sounds about as far away from poetry as flying is to a penguin, but many poems report on a moment or an instance or a scene. In your poem (or poems) today, report on something big and...

Report

I’m telling the truth when I say
that he’s lying
and she’s lying
and they are lying
all the women are lying
all of them
the committee is lying
the bureau is lying the press
… well …

sad

and they want her to lie and
they want him to lie and they hired
them to lie
– they paid them a lot, folks –
and they are lying
in front of a camera
they even lie about their lying like liars do
and it gets spun
crisis actors are at every scene
it’s all rigged, folks

all you need to believe
is that nothing can be believed
you’re sea-tossed, a bit nauseous
sorting the fake from the false from the suspicious
water from air
gulping it in
of course, you’re nauseous, choking,
sea-tossed, compass-spun

– don’t you need a north star?

They confront me
to confront me is to lie and if what is
said is tough is a question is true
maybe
it is a lie

that’s the truth
Perfection needs no judgment.
Power needs no permission.
What you really want is a strong man.
When I look in the mirror, I see gold.
Always have
I am my own man
I am telling the truth when I
say I am faithful, I am a Christian,
I care

It is clear how much I care.

For whom is also clear.

I am the only star in the sky.

PAD 8 - family

For today’s prompt, write a family poem. Good, bad, big, small, adopted, imaginary, nonexistent–everyone has to deal with family (even if that involves running from it or chasing it down). I have a feeling today’s prompt is going to stir up some really good poems.

I wasn't even quite with them exactly
I was in a room above, leaning out a window,
looking down on the slate patio
where she was, when she was - sister
and she was, as ever - mother
both standing, talking
and I was there - leaning out, above - little sister
yet it wasn't until he opened the door
and walked near them
and stood, talking - brother
with us
all of us there

the four legs of the table
the four corners of the earth

a power there manifest
in that single moment
so I could witness the constellation
and remember
the perfect truth of it

water
fire
air
earth

family

PAD7 - senses

For today’s prompt, write a senses poem. That is, write a poem that uses one or more of your senses. Smell, taste, touch, sound, sight, or even a sixth sense. Focus in on one of them or try to incorporate them all.

*****

Begin by not moving
Because moving is a hive
 - all senses in play, and the room and the air and your youth (when was that?) and your day yesterday and intention to and failure to and a joy, - what?

no
stop

close your eyes.
.attend.

there is a new, not new really, ringing in the ears
like you are underwater
you can hear the dolphins calling out in the shallows of Nova Scotia

there is that

there is the bright light of the screen
filling your awareness when you close your eyes
like the platonic idea of screen
the zeitgeist of the illuminations made possible by the digital age
there within your mind

why am I up so early

in that brightness
I see nothing,
I hear the highest pitch wavelength
illuminated
and then feel my fingers
on the keyboard

what is that temperature below them?
it is perfection

the keys feel like a lover's skin
but not enough to make my mind wander

how ready I am

for inspiration
for an idea

It is five-thirty in the morning
I am here
open open
and I still have no sense
what my novel should be about

PAD 6 - chocolat

For today’s prompt, write a family poem. Good, bad, big, small, adopted, imaginary, nonexistent–everyone has to deal with family (even if that involves running from it or chasing it down). I have a feeling today’s prompt is going to stir up some really good poems.

My favorite food fact

- that I find important to continue to check - 

is that chocolate

melts

at 98.6 degrees

I knew we had the perfect relationship

That there is no point in looking further

I put you in my mouth 

and we both melt

together

on the spot

well. I looked it up and it's not quite true

and I can't find the Chocolate University in South America somewhere

that a good-looking friend of a friend, Pierre the Chocolatier - 

graduated from with facts like that (and 

just one or two pounds) under his belt.

No matter.

I know what I want and why.

I put you in my mouth 

and we both melt

together

I can't help but close my eyes