NaPoWriMo Day 24

I have spent the past few days dealing with an especially difficult individual. And by difficult, I mean stupid and spectacularly irritating. Today, things came to a head and most of the day was spent dealing with the fruits of their stupidity. Situations like that always leave me tense and “cranky”. What better way to exorcise those demons than through verse. Enjoy!

My Angry Rant

There are some people in this life,

You wish you’d never met,

To not suspect that they exist,

That would be better yet.

That is the kind of day I’ve had,

Just one more in a line,

And all for someone who believes,

That their screw-ups are mine.

There is a project they would do,

That needs my cash to work,

But from the start, no please or thanks,

They’ve been a total jerk.

And now my stress is through the roof,

I’m shaking as I write,

With no outlet for all this rage,

For there’s no one to fight.

Oh sure I could go hunt them down,

Indulge my base desire,

But they’re not worth, fifteen to life,

From accidental fire.

I sit here now and write these lines,

An outlet from the strain,

To seek some equilibrium ,

For my stress raddled brain.

The writing works I am more calm,

Much more so than before,

That is the time to be most scared,

It’s time to find the door.

There always is some other way,

To get what’s needed done,

And ruining somebody’s year,

Sometimes can be such fun.

They think they know a thing or two,

‘Bout how to be an ass,

Well hold my beer, and block your ears,

This part won’t have much class.

When I am done if nothing else,

They will learn something new,

Don’t screw with people ‘cause you think,

They’re somehow less than you.

For if you do, all that you prove,

You are the lesser one,

You aren’t some awesome alpha beast,

You’re scum when all is done.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 9

Again today, I allowed my mind to wander off and write this without too much direction from me.  Sometimes it surprises me with what it comes up with.  Enjoy!

Something To Think About

As I sit down to write this verse,

My mind goes wand`ring free,

Then it returns, comes back at last,

It seems to say to me…

Closely attend and listen well,

To wisdom I did glean,

For we are blessed more than we know,

You`ll see just what I mean.

You sit here and you write these lines,

No real cares it`s true,

You are well fed, and housed and clothed,

No one is threatening you.

Sure you`ve some problems, don`t we all,

But none existential,

You may not have all that you want,

But more than essential.

I don`t say this to put you down,

Or make you feel small,

I`d only hope you`d understand,

To some, you have it all.

A spouse, a kid, a house, a dog,

And so much more than that,

You`ve never faced a winter yet,

Without a decent hat.

You`ve always had enough to eat,

Though maybe not ideal,

I know except sometimes by choice,

You`ve never missed a meal.

Sure you`ve been bullied, beaten up,

Bad actors seen your share,

You`ve never held a friend who`s shot,

Begged God in des`prate prayer.

We live in an oasis here,

So sheltered we`ve gone blind,

To so much in the world around,

It overwhelms the mind.

As my mind talked, I promised I`d,

Take some time every day,

To focus on how blessed I am,

In every single way.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo Day 4

I am not gay or transgender, but I have very dear friends in both of those communities. When I see them being dismissed, or outright attacked, it makes me very cross. So yeah… I guess I’m “Woke”. Enjoy!

Woke

I’m told I am a “woke half-wit”,

For showing some respect,

And kindness where it’s needed most,

No more than I’d expect.

Now “woke” is yelled by some who feel,

Their freedom under threat,

The freedom to bully and mock,

Is such a loss I bet.

I have some friends are transgender,

And some friends who are gay,

I have to say, none have tried to,

Change me in any way.

The “gay agenda” is a myth,

As most sane people know,

But some don’t understand just fear,

Down rabbit holes they go.

They find someone who shares their fear,

Hang on their every word,

The echo chamber grows so loud,

No other voice is heard.

So am I woke? I guess I am,

And that’s okay with me,

If that means to see who you are,

And then just let you be.

Unless you choose from ignorance,

To strike some thoughtless blow,

Dismiss, diminish who they are,

Then guess where you can go.

Cheers,

NaPoWriMo 2022 Day 17

This is for every LGBTQ+ friend, family member, acquaintance or total stranger out there. I see you. I support you. You deserve to live your life and love who you choose as who you are. Stay strong. You deserve happiness and don’t let anyone tell you different!

Free to Love, Free to Live

Not free to love, not free to live,

Their life as who they are.

Well just because the law has changed,

Don’t think we’ve come so far.

There’s still so many ways someone,

Can run somebody down.

Suck every fleck of joy from life,

Then laugh to watch them drown.

If you do not conform to what,

They claim is God’s own way.

They’ll name and shame and try to blame,

Claim it’s their right to say.

How many people have to live,

Their whole life as a lie?

How many more so wracked with shame,

That they would sooner die?

The “Gay Agenda” is a myth,

There’s no such thing my dear.

The sole agenda’s age-old lies,

And vague, unfounded fear.

Not free to love, not free to live,

I swear this is not right.

And though it’s not about me still,

I will support this fight.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 9

At some point all of us have been on the receiving end of someone’s uniformed judgement of us. For that matter, we’ve probably all done it at some point. Making snap judgements of what’s dangerous is a survival skill. But not one we really need any more. Let’s all try to read the book… not just look at the cover.

IGNORE THE JUDGES

No one can see what’s in your heart,

Though they act like they do.

And what it is they think they see,

Decides how they treat you.

 

They may decide you’re awesome and,

Treat you the very best.

Or maybe find you average and,

Lump you with all the rest.

 

Sometimes they will decide you are,

The villain of the piece.

Then there’s no effort they won’t make,

Your suff’ring to increase.

 

But all of this is based on them,

It’s nothing that you’ve done.

For some it is an error true,

But some do it for fun.

 

Remember this, they are not you,

You’re not just what they see.

Know who you are, be true to you,

And keep your spirit free.

 

No one can see inside your heart,

My friend except for you.

So look inside, be your best self,

In all you say and do.

 

Cheers, Winston

NAPOWRIMO Day 23

Clerks Are People Too

I want you all to understand,
Next time you’re in a store.
That just because we don’t yell back,
You don’t need to yell more.

You are displeased this much I get,
Care less with every shout.
The more you rage the less I hear,
Just what you’re on about.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great,
You’ve brought your issue here.
We’re sales here not tech support,
How can I make this clear?

You think that if you yell at us,
We’ll give all you demand.
But even if I could I won’t,
That you don’t understand.

So if you come into my store,
Want any help from me.
Your anger and your attitude,
You’d best leave home you see.

Cheers, Winston

NAPOWRIMO Day 14

The Immigrants Lament

Don’t stop, don’t stay, just move along,
There’s no place for you here.
Though we all came from somewhere else,
You’re different so we fear.

Your ways are not like how we live,
We will not change for you.
Though we changed those were here before,
When we got here it’s true.

So we will tell you how to live,
Don’t think that you are free.
To build the lives you want to build,
That’s not how this will be.

So stay at home do not come here,
Unless you’re just like us.
Don’t talk of rights for they’re all ours,
No use to cause a fuss.

The choice is yours to stay or come,
But know before you start.
There’s some folks here so bigoted,
It’s like to break your heart.

So if you come then come with strength,
Enough to withstand hate.
And build your life and live your dream,
And make your future great.

Cheers, Winston

NAPOWRIMO Day 7.

Celebrate! Ignore The Hate!

No flowers, cake or dress for you,
‘Cause this book says you’re bad.
Some think that that’s how things should be,
And that is very sad.

They blame a God, a book, a faith,
For their hard-hearted state,
They talk a lot about Gods love,
But then they act from hate,

It seems your wedding was so wrong,
You’ve broken marriage now.
A love so strong, a love so true,
Has threatened theirs somehow.

So let them rant and let them fuss,
Don’t ever let them win.
For what you have is precious, rare,
Could never be a sin.

Cheers, Winston.

Persona Poetry Challenge Day Sixty-Seven

Had some really obnoxious people in the store lately.  One in particular was especially rude to my co-worker Mike.  Mike is one of the most genuinely sweet people I know, so to be treated this way far no reason really upset him.

Mike…. this one’s for you.

Don’t Back Down

Some people think that being rude,
Will get them what they seek.
So cruelty is their go to,
Most every time they speak.

They’re only happy with themselves,
When they are being mean.
They are so insecure they fear,
If nice they won’t be seen.

They only think about themselves,
Don’t care who else they hurt.
The only way to mask their fear,
Is treat someone like dirt.

It’s almost sad to understand,
Just why they are this way.
But almost doesn’t justify,
The vile things things say.

They choose to hurt and to abuse,
They choose who they will be.
And my choice is to stand my ground,
No longer bullied be.

Cheers, Winston

Personal Poetry Challenge Day Forty -Nine

Self acceptance and self worth are really important to me.  That’s why they are recurring themes in my writing.  I was bullied when I was young and it took me a long time to find those things for myself.  If my words can help just one person to find their own sense of self worth…. I couldn’t ask for any better reward.

Love Poem For Yourself

There’s beauty in this would of ours,
It’s what makes life worthwhile.
It’s in the bloom of every rose,
And every childs smile.

It’s in the eye of he who looks,
Not all will feel the same.
If someone judges how you look,
It’s them who should feel shame.

You must be true to who you are,
And what you feel inside.
You’ll lose yourself by thinking that,
Your truth you have to hide.

No one can tell you who you are,
Or who you have to be.
You are the one to make that choice,
So look inside and see.

Some may not like may not agree,
With choices that you make.
But they’ve no right to make you change,
Or freedom from you take.

There’s beauty in this world of ours,
It’s there in who you are.
So to yourself you must be true,
Head high you are a star.

Cheers, Winston