Around the Bend - NaPoWriMo 2022 - 1. Week One

Around the Bend – NaPoWriMo 2022

Week One

#1

Snow-capped shoots bend earthward

Until the sun frees them from their shackles

And they spring forth.

Prompt: Spring into poetry

#2

As I held a warm hand, now going cold,

I realized that the past was irrelevant.

The only thing that existed was the now,

The moment of seeing life with utter clarity.

And realization that time is meaningless.

Prompt: Eyes: Looking, Seeing Prompt Let your poem talk about our eyes and their functions of looking and seeing — perhaps also about the “seeing” of understanding.

#3

Joker

I saw a scared kitten, drawing blood as it was shoved into a cage and taken to a strange new home.

I saw it run when I approached and jump if I dared to move.

I saw a black and white yin/yang as it slept next to me on the couch.

I saw it chase crumpled up bits of paper and plastic balls with bells inside.

I saw it perched by the side door, waiting for me to come home.

I saw wide, yellow eyes staring defiantly at the vacuum cleaner.

I saw plump sides moving in and out with contented purrs.

I saw the travesty of empty food bowls and disapproving looks.

I saw slow blinks and butt-wiggles, tail tip curled and held high.

I saw the tragedy of full bowls of food.

I saw the ravages of disease.

I see the rainbow bridge waiting to take him home.

Prompt: What Did You See? Begin every line or short stanza with “I Saw” or something similar. List what was seen.

#4

Around the Bend

Follow me

Down the well-manicured gravel road

With green grass and buttercups to either side.

Follow me

As the road curves into fresh macadam

With brightly-painted white and yellow lines,

Tires humming with pleasure at the lack of potholes.

Follow me

When the ‘sharp turn ahead’ sign appears

And the road vanishes into the ebony wall of storm clouds.

Follow me

And take my hand

As we round the next bend

To see what awaits.

PT Prompt #36 – Poetry

Borrow a line from your favorite song and write a poem about it.

#5

Hope is a forsythia bud shaking off powdery snow

to peer through ice with bright yellow eyes.

Prompt: Hope Prompt Write a poem about Hope. What is it? Does it save and inspire us? Naysayers say it only placates?

#6

“She needs a name,” my aunt said,

Handing me a little ball of brown, white, and black fur.

It wiggled and whined and licked my face.

“The shelter said she’s a collie/German shepherd mix.”

“Molasses,” I replied, since the color fit.

The ultimate decision was “Frosty”.

She was my dog, even though she belonged to my aunt and uncle.

Frosty only liked three people, including me.

We went on walks, exploring the neighborhood.

I taught her how to shake paws and jump over things.

She was feisty and sweet,

and all wiggles and barks whenever I came to visit.

I was in college when I got the call.

It was time to say good-bye.

My aunt thought I would hate her for making the tough decision,

but I could never entertain such a thought.

We had to do the right thing,

And let go.

Prompt: Another Dog Prompt Write about a dog you’ve loved, or one with whom you have had a significant encounter.

#7

I lay shrouded in fuzzy blankets,

With a black and white furball curled into my side,

Purring.

My computer perches on my stomach,

As I type letters to form words to form poems.

It’s blissfully silent.

The neighbors must be gone for the day.

Sunlight slowly disappears as encroaching storm clouds

Consume it,

Digesting sunbeams

To expel as rain.

Prompt: A Moment in Time: Write a moment, a poem of one single moment, that stands like a picture in your mind. Or start with this moment, this present now, and take a picture with words to preserve it.

Thank you for reading and taking this journey with me.  For those who may not know, Joker is my cat who's shared my life for the past twelve years.  He is terminally ill, and I'm going through the excruciating process of deciding when to make the kindest decision for him.  So a lot of my poems this month will be related to me processing my grief and sharing memories of the good times.  I may not be able to finish the month this year, but I will do my best, and post whatever I am able to write.  A huge thank you to Aditus for his support and encouragement.  I couldn't do this without you, Wolfie.