OctPoWriMo 26 - I Am Done For

Today's prompt is abandonment. When I started writing, it just kind of came out a Petrarchan sonnet for some reason. Since I have never been abandoned, I used the theme in a tongue in cheek way. This sonnet is dedicated to my husband, Mark. The quote in line two is Dido, and the one in line 5 is from Dante.

I Am Done For

I swear that I will never leave, my dear;
There will be no white flag above my door;
I will be in love forevermore;
I vow that I will never disappear.
“All hope abandon ye who enter here.”
Each time I look at you, I am done for;
All other men (and women) I ignore.
I love you—just in case that isn’t clear.
I plan to sleep beside you when we’re old
And, probably, I’ll steal the covers still.
You know that you don’t really feel the cold
And I already often do get chilled.
Wrap me in your arms, tightly ahold;
Of you I never will get all my fill.

OctPoWriMo 25 - Red

Today's prompt is red, and the suggested form is the Harrisham. I didn't feel like doing much with it today, so I just listed all the things I could think of that are red, and fit it into the form.

Red

Roses and blood and kisses and fire
Saying “I love you” for the first time
Great anger or passion and scorching desire
The partner to green at Christmastime

OctPoWriMo 24 - Magic is Real

Today's prompt is fantastical, and the suggested form is the Lento. I love fantasy and magic and all the trappings, and I thought about writing a short verse tale of elves and wizards, but my muse wasn't cooperating today. Instead, I wrote about the magic in all of us.

Magic is Real

Imagine that magic is real;
Within each of us it is found:
Beginning with marvelous joy
Wherein love can always abound.

Do you see the fantastic way
You have the power for good?
Few understand their own strength;
True now you know that you could.

Photo by Morgan Dragonwillow

OctPoWriMo 23 - Be Free

Today's prompt isn't up yet, but back in September, they gave us all of them, and it was "undoubtedly." I chose to write a decuain today.

Be Free

He took a step into the raging sea
Where wind and waves were crashing all around.
His best Friend had said, “Come and follow Me.”
He didn’t think ‘fore he was climbing down.
Then fear appeared and told him he would drown,
And Jesus caught him up and said, “Why doubt?”
They walked upon the sea as on dry ground.
Fear will always say, “Do not come out,”
But He will hold your hand and help you see
That if you follow Him, you will be free.

OctPoWriMo 22 - A Woman Scorned

Today's prompt is dangerous, and the suggested form is the trolaan. While thinking about this prompt, I remembered the famous (mis)quote, "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

A Woman Scorned

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned." - William Congreve

There is no danger
Like the ire
Of seething anger:
Passionate fire.

How did it end
Up like this?
First intended
Just a kiss.

Once together
They assumed
They’d be forever;
Now he’s doomed.

No more pity.
No more joy.
Never guilty.
Never coy.

OctPoWriMo 21 - In My Nature

Today's prompt is nature, and the suggested form is the terzanelle. As I often do, I went a bit off the rails; instead of talking about trees and water and whatnot, I talked about my nature. This led me into a topic that has been on my mind and heart a lot lately, and I kinda got a bit angry. 

Disclaimer: I am a Christian, but I feel like I have to call out some of my fellow Christians for the hateful things they sometimes say and do.

In My Nature

It’s not in my nature to hate anyone.
Love is love and love will win.
Why can’t we all just live in the sun?
Condemned to hell for mortal sin:
Can’t you see how you push them away?
Huddled together, looking within,
In your ivory towers you watch and pray,
Hiding away from the world outside,
Avoiding the cooties you see on the “gays.”
Don’t you remember for whom Jesus died?
Not only you and your churchgoing friends;
God loves us all; you don’t get to decide.
You probably think that I’m wrong to defend
Those who are “sinners” in your eyes.
Don’t fool yourself: I know you pretend
That you’re better than everyone you despise.
Brothers and sisters, I know those are lies.
“Love the sinner,” and yet you shun.
I’m so tired of hatred; I am so done.

OctPoWriMo 20 - Stark and Severe

The prompt today is white, and the suggested form is the tetractys. When we in the West think of white, we usually think of purity and innocence, brides and christening gowns. But white is also snow and ice and emptiness. The empty page can be possibilities or writers' block. White can be a negative colour too.

Stark and Severe

Cold
And clear
Deathly pale
Stark and severe
White is not always only positive