OctPoWriMo 14 - A Butterfly

Who am I?

What is true?

I am a butterfly.

Learning to fly,

I will break through.

Who am I?

I reach for the sky,

Expand my view,

I am a butterfly.

I know why

I never knew

Who am I.

A worm was I,

But then I grew:

I am a butterfly.

I say goodbye

To that worldview.

Who am I?

I am a butterfly.

Image by Couleur from Pixabay

 

OctPoWriMo 19 - The Whole Rainbow

Prompt: Purple
Form: Villanelle

The Whole Rainbow

I used to like purple the best
But now I love the whole rainbow:
Each part of me therein expressed.

As a child, I was obsessed;
I guess some things you just outgrow.
I used to like purple the best.

The prism in me manifest
Can through my life the spectrum show
Each part of me therein expressed.

It’s not a battle nor a test
To bring me to where I can glow.
I used to like purple the best.

And though I have not yet confessed
Every part of me, you know
Each part of me herein expressed.

No longer is my heart compressed;
Now I am free to learn and grow.
I used to like purple the best;
Each part of me herein expressed.

OctPoWriMo 29 - You Take My Breath Away

Today's prompt is breathtaking, and the suggested form is the villanelle.

You Take My Breath Away

When I bow my head to pray
Your love and grace engulf me,
And You take my breath away.

I know it sounds a bit cliché:
Your peace rolls o’er me like the sea
When I bow my head to pray.

You don’t expect me to betray
Who I am. You make me free
When You take my breath away.

Your joy is not just for someday;
I’m not on earth to just sightsee,
So I bow my head to pray.

I am called to find a way
To show Your love to all around me,
And how You take my breath away.

You love me; I am okay.
If only everyone could see;
When they bow their heads to pray
You would take their breath away.

OctPoWriMo 14 - Screaming at a Wall

Today's prompt is shameful, and the suggested form is the Villanelle. I love this form and the prompt really resonated with me today. Lately, I have been feeling a lot of frustration over the shameful behaviour of someone whom some of my friends still blindly support. I have gotten into a lot of arguments on Facebook over the last few weeks.

Screaming at a Wall

Sometimes it feels like might makes right
And I am screaming at a wall—
Still I rage against the coming night.

Their arguments all seem so trite,
Caught up in their leader’s thrall:
Sometimes it feels like might makes right.

I kick, I shout, I punch, I bite;
This has devolved into a brawl.
Still I rage against the coming night

He’s not able to be contrite:
A swaggering neanderthal.
Sometimes it feels like might makes right.

I no longer am polite
To their unmitigated gall.
Still I rage against the coming night

I will not give up the fight;
Pride will surely make him fall.
Sometimes it feels like might makes right;
Still I rage against the coming night.

OctPoWriMo 6 - Blazing Light

Today's prompt is about freedom and courage. What would I do if I were brave? I took longer than usual to think about this one, finally settling on the villanelle form and using two of my favourite songs—Rachel Platten's Fight Song and Sarah Bareilles' Brave—as inspiration.

Blazing Light

I am filled with blazing light,
Igniting words like tidal waves;
I will stand my ground and fight.

Banish fear, take back the night:
Do not tell me to behave;
I am filled with blazing light.

I speak, I sing, I shout, I write—
I’ll be silent in my grave.
I will stand my ground and fight.

This is no time to be polite;
I find the strength and I am brave.
I am filled with blazing light.

If I dare, I might incite
A flood of others, rushing waves.
I will stand my ground and fight.

We demand the wrongs made right,
The slaves are freed, the children saved.
I am filled with blazing light;
I will stand my ground and fight.

OctPoWriMo 28 - For the Light

Today's prompt is hunger. I'm putting together a book of poems about vampires and other creatures of the night, so that's been on my mind.

For the Light

Now I hunger for the light;

As darkness gathers all around me

Here I stand in deepest night.

Once, this all was my delight;

Once, I thought that I was free.

Now I hunger for the light.

I remember day so bright

I sheltered ‘neath the rowan tree.

Now, here I stand in deepest night.

Sky of blue and clouds of white

Nevermore my eyes shall see;

And now I hunger for the light.

Only shadows in my sight

And the moon glows oh so faintly

While here I stand in deepest night.

I chose the night, became the fright;

Before me all shall flee...

And yet, I hunger for the light

As here I stand in deepest night.

OctPoWriMo 16 - Break My Heart

Today's prompt asks for a villanelle about words we wish we'd said or "the last word." I took it in a slightly different direction.

Break My Heart

Just like well-aimed darts,
Sticks and stones may break my bones,
But words can break my heart.

Think before you start
To speak. The words you speak, you throw
Just like well-aimed darts.

Words can be great art,
Words can cause my soul to grow,
And words can break my heart.

And yet, there is a part
Of great art that should be thrown
Just like well-aimed darts.

And if I come apart
At the seams because of woe,
It’s words that break my heart.

Whether they are art,
Or seeds of malice sown,
Just like well-aimed darts,
Those words can break my heart.

OctPoWriMo 29 - Parts of My Soul

Today's prompt asks "Who are you really?" If someone were to ask your friends and family, who would they say you are? Would they be right?

I decided to write a villanelle as it seemed to fit.

Parts of My Soul
Who am I really deep down inside?
If you asked my friends, what would they say?
Are there parts of my soul that I’ve tried to hide?

When strangers inquire, at times I have lied:
“I’m doing fine. I’m really okay.”
But who am I really deep down inside?

My surface is calm or rough, yet wide,
And beneath it can be bright or grey.
Are there parts of my soul that I’ve tried to hide?

Ask my family--ask my husband besides--
I may be quiet, but I know how to play.
Who am I really deep down inside?

When nervous, I’ve laughed; when happy, I’ve cried;
When something goes right, I shout: “Yay!”
Are there parts of my soul that I’ve tried to hide?

I am a gemstone with multiple sides;
I know how to sin and I know how to pray,
But who am I really deep down inside?
Are there parts of my soul that I’ve tried to hide?