OctPoWriMo 13 - I Was Caged

I didn’t know I was caged,

Bound by tradition and fear.

For years inside I stayed,

Unaware I was queer.

Bound by tradition and fear,

I trusted they were right,

Unaware I was queer,

I thought the dark was light.

I trusted they were right:

It was all I knew.

I thought the dark was light;

I thought the sham was true.

It was all I knew;

I couldn’t see to see;

I thought the sham was true

Until I’d broken free.

I couldn’t see to see;

I didn’t know I was caged.

Until I’d broken free

For years inside I stayed.

 

OctPoWriMo 28 - I Will Never Yield

Prompt: Mending the Broken Places
Form: Pantoum

Image by Enrique Meseguer from Pixabay

I Will Never Yield

I was born with wings
But I must learn to fly.
No one pulls my strings;
I will reach the sky.

I must learn to fly,
And I know I’ll prevail.
I will reach the sky:
My wings are not so frail.

I know that I’ll prevail;
I will throw off these chains.
My wings are not so frail,
And I will rise again.

I will throw off these chains:
I’m broken but I’m healed,
And I will rise again,
And I will never yield.

I’m broken but I’m healed,
And no one pulls my strings,
And I will never yield,
For I was born with wings.

OctPoWriMo 18 - Easier to Pretend

Today's prompt is Everyone Went on Eating, as in what if you made a huge announcement and no one cared? I really liked the pantoum when I wrote a couple earlier this month, so I did another one.

Easier to Pretend

If I were to tell my family and friends
Who am I really, deep down inside,
I wonder would they simply pretend
I had said nothing? Would they brush me aside?

Who am I really, deep down inside?
Few truly know me; to all the rest
I have said nothing. Would they brush me aside?
Pass off as a jest my truth so expressed?

Few truly know me; to all the rest
If I were to trust you, would you then condemn?
Pass off as a jest my truth so expressed?
Look at my heart and soul with contempt?

If I were to trust you, would you then condemn?
I am afraid my loved ones might
Look at my heart and soul with contempt
See who I am as transgression, as spite.

I’m also afraid my loved ones might
Find it easier to simply pretend,
Though they see who I am as transgression, as spite.
If I were to tell my family and friends.

OctPoWriMo 13 - Meant to be Creative

Today's prompt is Art in the Wayward Mind, but I believe that everyone is creative.

Meant to be Creative

We were made to be artistic
We are meant to be creative
It is only realistic
That we will all be innovative

We are meant to be creative
Not only with what we call “art”
And we will all be innovative
Take a chance what’s in your heart

Not only with what we call “art”
Sports and science, even math
Take a chance what’s in your heart
Take a step upon your path

Sports and science, even math
Painting, music, singing, dance
Take a step upon your path
If you love it, take a chance

Painting, music, singing, dance
Anything your heart desires
If you love it, take a chance
Find a way to light your fire

Anything your heart desires
It is only realistic
Find a way to light your fire
We were made to be artistic

OctPoWriMo 11 - The World's Heartbeat

Today, I wrote a pantoum. I can't remember if I've ever written one before.

The World's Heartbeat

I tilt my head and breathe the air;
I smile as breezes kiss my face
And play like fingers in my hair;
This summer wind, a warm embrace.

I smile as breezes kiss my face;
The earth so cool beneath my feet;
This summer wind, a warm embrace:
I nearly feel the world’s heartbeat.

The earth so cool beneath my feet,
And flowers dancing ‘round my knees;
I nearly feel the world’s heartbeat
And, for a time, I am at ease.

The flowers dancing ‘round my knees,
They play like fingers in my hair,
And, for a time, I am at ease;
I tilt my head and breathe the air.