Category: NaPoWriMo

NaPoWriMo Day 28

On By WinstonIn Dark / Gothic, Discrimation, Macabre, NaPoWriMo, Poetry, Uncategorized, Values1 Comment

Because of the last two night shifts and having to work tomorrow at 0600, I haven’t slept since about 1430 yesterday. This has some strange effects upon my little brain. For starters, I had absolutely no idea what to write about today, only the determination to not miss a post this close to the end of the month. So I just started putting words on the page and trusted it to write itself. Enjoy!

WELCOME TO YOUNGWICH PLOT

“You are a witch and so must burn!”

The magistrate declared.

So terrified, the young girl sobbed,

And in her heart despaired.

“All these good folk have seen you dance,

With devils in the night.”

“And when you spoke to Widow Blythe,

She fell down dead of fright.”

“You’ve cursed a babe and blighted crops,

Done Satan’s own dark deeds.”

“You’ve done all this and so much more,

To suit your evil needs.”

“When you have died, your grave shall be,

Unhallowed, unmarked plot.”

“With iron chains and salted earth,

To bind you to the spot!”

“Now speak the truth, or not at all,

Repent now, do not lie!”

“Confess to us your evil ways,

Confess before you die!”

Her fate confirmed, she stands up straight,

“The truth is what you seek?”

“Then harken to my words and learn,

About your future bleak.”

“The spells I weave, no devils need,

All nature is my loom.”

“It’s true that with some herbs I mix,

I fly upon a broom.”

“I’ve done my best to help this town,

Through famine, drought and plague.”

“And many a good Christian has,
Sought my help with the ague.”

“But then one day an old man tried,

To have his way with me.”

“So I did as my Mother taught,

Displaced him with my knee.”

“Then Sunday next, that man stood up,

And lied of me to you.”

“He is a man and I am not,

So his words must be true.”

“He swore he’d seen me dancing with,

Three devils in the night.”

“But did not say why he was there,

So late to see that sight.”

“What was it that he hoped to see,

When peeping in that pane?”

“Was he possessed of some dark urge,

From which he’d not refrain?”

“But you don’t want to hear this truth,

I see this plain as day.”

“There’s just one thing before I stop,

It’s this that I will say.”

“By powers of the earth and air,

And of the waters deep.”

“From now until your lives are spent,

You’ll know no restful sleep.”

“Each time you close your eyes to rest,

Wherever, you may be.”

“My tortured face all wreathed in flame,

Is all that you shall see.”

“Your stock shall flee across the land,

To seek their wild way.”

“Your lands shall bear no crops for you,

“Now heed these words I say.”

“Now none of this must needs to pass,

Surcease my freedom buys.”

“But if I burn, this curse shall last,

‘Til each one present dies!”

They burned the witch so legend says,

Her every word came true.

Those who slew her soon rued the day,

Too late there’s naught to do.

So now you know the reason for,

The name our town has got.

I welcome one and welcome all,

Welcome to Youngwich Plot.

Cheers Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 27

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, writer`s block2 Comments

So… here I am almost at the end of the month and I get tagged to work a couple of overnight shifts. I’m normally a Monday to Friday 0600-1400 worker, so the change is wreaking havoc with my brain. This of course made it problematic to focus on writing. Naturally, that problem became the focus of tonight’s poem. Enjoy!

NOTHING DEEP IN HERE

Come words, come rhymes, I summon verse,

I wish it worked that way.

Then I would not stare blankly at,

This page and sigh each day.

The juices of creation flow,

At some lost muse’s whim.

The odds of pulling off this feat,

Are looking mighty slim.

But I keep typing, keep the hope,

That I may yet prevail.

Though truthfully I more suspect.

Spectacularly fail.

Now rhyme by rhyme and word by word,

I slowly closer creep.

To finishing this verse I write,

To once more joyous leap.

As I tie off this poem now,

With just three left to go.

At tunnel’s end there is a light,

Please God just let words flow.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 26

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Global Issues, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Politics, Society, Values, Warfare1 Comment

I know that the sentiments in today’s poem probably won’t be popular with some people. That’s okay. I’m kinda used to people disagreeing with me. They have that right. Just don’t think that outrage is going to change the truth of my words here.

I would also like to point out that this is nothing to do with the fine people who wear the uniform in harms way. This is about the ones who send them out to bleed, break and die for no reason.

OUR ENDLESS WAR

Now sound the trumpet, beat the drum,

Cry war throughout the land.

The time has come to teach our foes,

The end is close at hand.

They do not think or act like us,

Barbarians or worse.

If they will not be more like us,

Their name shall be a curse.

If they would try, then they could be,

Just like us here at home.

But they refuse the gifts we bring,

So our troops we let roam.

To do with bullets and with bombs,

What words and cash can’t do.

Those who cling to their culture now,

Defiance they shall rue.

We preach of freedom only if,

They become just like me.

But if they won’t, then rubble mounds,

Will their whole nation be.

So woe betide the people who,

Their lives choose to defend.

We’ll murder, bomb and burn their lands,

In wars that never end.

Our cause is just, this is a fact,

Because we have said so.

But when the slaughter finally ends,

Was it? We’ll never know.

The ones we kill are gone it’s true,

But those we leave behind.

No counselling or help they get,

For broken, tortured mind.

They’ll wallow in the blood we’ve spilt,

From cradle to the grave.

When all you’ve known is blood and death,

To strike back is not brave.

The only lesson we have taught,

With all that we have done.

If you don’t like how someone lives,

Life’s cheap. Kill everyone.

We’ve proven that, you can’t force change,

There must be something more.

A way of peace and of respect,

Not endless, bloody war.

Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 25

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Self Awareness, Uncategorized2 Comments

I’m posting this a little later in the day than usual. I spent my morning at the Heart Institute getting some tests done. Many of the other people there are in far worse shape than be so it served as a “Memento Mori”. It started me thinking about my eventual end, and this is what came out of it. Enjoy!

A SPARK TO MARK MY PLACE

Sometimes when I’m reminded of,

My own mortality.

I realize I’ll one day face,

The utter end of me.

I wonder where the time has gone,

Just where the years all went.

I’ve lived my life like anyone,

But was my time well spent?

Should I regret the things undone,

The chances that I’ve missed,

Or bow my head and thank the fates,

For each time I’ve been kissed?

And of the lives that I have touched,

Which ones will shed a tear?

And which will share a laugh about,

Some mem’ry they hold dear?

Why do I ask? It matters not.

When I no longer live.

As I wink out, will I believe,

I gave all I could give?

There’s more that I could do not doubt,

Before I leave this place.

Not something grand, some little thing,

To ripple through my race.

Perhaps this verse could be that thing,

That in a thousand years,

Someone may find and read these words,

Find themselves moved to tears.

But maybe not, I cannot know,

Just hope to leave a mark.

And pray some tiny spark remains,

When my own light goes dark.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 24

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Poetry, Self Awareness2 Comments

In my experience, each of us carries things with us that we keep locked away from those around us. If we are truly blessed, we will find someone with whom we can share almost anything…. but there’s still that one secret corner that even we don’t want to look into. Today’s poem is about that corner. Enjoy.

HIDE NO MORE

To speak the truth that’s in my heart,

To this I do aspire.

That what I write should burn without,

Reflect my inner fire.

That those who read should somehow glimpse,

The real me inside.

That words could peel off the mask,

Myself no longer hide.

For everyone of us is masked,

Lest those who judge us say.

“Behold the freak, the misfit there!”

From us then turn away.

Yes deep inside our secret hearts,

Each has some secret thing.

And each of us is sure that it,

An end to us would bring.

And so we lock that thing away,

We pray no one will ask.

And day by day that fear becomes,

Our old familiar mask.

But we cannot of these things speak,

No more could I mine write.

But when alone might whisper soft,

Deep in the darkest night.

Admit to you if no one else,

That thing within your heart.

That simple act, that honesty,

At least it is a start.

I do not care just what it is,

Behind the mask you wear.

If you accept and own your truth,

A lighter load you’ll bear.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 22

On By WinstonIn Enlightenment, Global Issues, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Personal Responsibility, Poetry, Society, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

We often hear about the greed of the super rich. But the fact is, it’s most of us as well. We all see the poverty in our own communities and around the world, but so few step up to do anything about it. Instead of waiting for the rich to throw money at these problems or the government to fix them, it’s up to each of us. Today’s poem is about the low-level greed and despair that hold us back from a better world. Enjoy.

 

WE CAN BE THE CHANGE

Today I have enough to eat,

A roof over my head.

I turn a tap and water’s there,

I have a warm, safe bed.

 

Sometimes there’s things that I may want,

I’m sad I cannot get.

But then I try to realize,

They are not needs I bet.

 

So many live without enough,

To eat or even drink.

How spoiled am I to stress about,

Stuff I don’t need, I think.

 

It is the blessing and the curse,

Of where I live I guess.

We have so much, but want much more,

It makes our world a mess.

 

Why’s it so hard to understand,

There’s others need it more.

The money that I spend on whims,

Could truly help the poor.

 

Instead of doing all we can,

To help those most in need.

We drop our coin, to buy that thing,

And never think it’s greed.

 

No, greed’s a thing for CEOs,

Not folks like you and me.

The truth is we are just as bad,

On smaller scale you see.

 

We want to keep all that we make,

The same as rich folk do.

And get upset when strangers ask,

For cash from me and you.

 

We don’t want to be told the truth,

Reminded of the fact.

That we are just like all the rest,

Who know but will not act.

 

We get so overwhelmed when we,

Think of the problem’s scale.

But don’t forget that plankton feed,

The mighty baleen whale.

 

No runner ever starts the race,

Right at the finish line.

It’s all the steps that come between,

To victory incline.

 

So think on this, the smallest step,

We take is something more.

And even baby steps move us,

From where we were before.

 

Before you buy that shiny thing,

That just now caught your eye.

Give just a bit, it’s not that hard.

To help someone, just try.

 

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 21

On By WinstonIn Environment, Loving Life, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Nature, Personal, Poetry2 Comments

I’m not sure why, but I seem to be on a bit of a nature kick this month. Maybe it’s because every time I turn around another piece of it’s been cut down, dug up or plowed over. Whatever the reason, I hope you enjoy todays poem 🙂

SEE THE BEAUTY

“Good morning!” Says the sun to me,

As I bask in it’s light.

When day is done and time for sleep,

The moon tells me “Goodnight.”

Throughout the day the world speaks,

To those who wish to hear.

“Enjoy the wonders all around,

And hold all nature dear.”

We love majestic views and such,

High peaks or ocean shore.

But nature’s beauty’s all around,

We’re missing so much more.

The light that sparkles from the wings,

Of a small dragon fly.

A swallow’s endless grace as it,

Goes swooping through the sky.

The patterns of the insects on,

The surface of a pond.

These and ten million more are there,

But we just look beyond.

Now take a look and really see,

What’s right in front of you.

ALL nature is quite beautiful,

And now you see it’s true.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 20

On By WinstonIn Global Issues, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Personal Responsibility, Poetry, Science, Society, Technology, UncategorizedLeave a comment

My grandmother lived to be one hundred and four years old. She grew up in London, England in the late 1800s before moving to the prairies in Saskatchewan, Canada. She went from living in the bright center of the British Empire to living in a sod shack. The last time I saw her, she was talking about all the wonders she had seen over her lifetime. From steam engines to moon landings and from telegraphs to television. The pace of progress is even quicker now. Who knows what wonders we will see…

TOMORROW’S WONDERS

I travel ever on and on,

Through this strange place called life.

And lose myself in daily rounds,

Of sadness, joy or strife.

 

But every now and then I wake,

And look around in awe.

At miracles I see each day,

And then forget I saw.

 

A medicine that saves a life,

Last year was surely lost.

But we don’t see the miracle,

Just grumble at the cost.

 

A car that stops before it hits,

A person in the street.

Don’t care about the life it spared,

Just think, “That’s kinda neat!”

 

A human habitat in space,

Now orbits overhead.

Where scientists experiment,

While I I’m asleep in bed.

 

The pace of progress does not sleep,

It forges ever on.

As long as questions still get asked,

‘Til the last human’s gone.

 

Think back to when you were a child,

Now see the massive change.

Now see tomorrow and the next,

How beautiful and strange.

 

I know that it’s not guaranteed,

This future that I see.

But giving it a fighting chance,

Is down to you and me.

 

Try to consume a little less,

Give back a little more.

If we all do a little bit.

We’ll reach that golden shore.

 

So look around with open eyes,

At what we can achieve.

Now every one of us must build,

That future we believe.

 

Cheers, Winston

 

NaPoWriMo Day 19

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, my blessed life, NaPoWriMo, Poetry, springLeave a comment

It’s Easter. For a lot of people, myself included, that means a long weekend. As often happens, it’s raining. Here in the capital of Canada, that is often the case. It’s spring and spring means rain. I don’t mind much because it’s actually my favourite time of the year.

WELCOME SPRING

I look outside at overcast,

And steady, falling rain.

And stop and think, it’s not so bad,

‘Cause spring is here again.

If April showers bring May flowers,

Then they should be here soon.

The beauty only grow each day,

Right through the end of June.

Then summer’s here with hotter days,

It is a different thing.

Of all the seasons of the year,

My favourite one is spring.

To watch the world wake up once more,

From it’s long winter sleep.

Watch barren trees begin to green,

As sap does upward creep.

Returning birds with joyous sound,

Greet every new days dawn.

And every day new wonders brings,

As spring comes slowly on.

So keep the summer’s blist’ring heat,

The autumn’s winding down.

And blinding sun on winter’s snow,

Just makes me squint and frown.

No give me spring, new life, rebirth,

Now babies, blooms and bees.

My heart is filled with joy each year,

When spring it finally sees.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day 18

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Science, Technology, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The future is coming faster than we think. One day, not too long from now, we will be looking to colonize distant worlds. First within our own system and then someday… beyond.

INTO THE DARK

With thunder louder than the storm,

Light brighter than the dawn.

A mighty ship, heroic crew,

Far from this earth they’ve gone.

They join up with the mothership,

This one will be their home.

Will keep them safe, and warm and fed,

As through the dark they roam.

There’s worlds out there that beckon them,

There’s colonies to found.

With room to grow and cities build,

And riches in the ground.

Don’t ask why they would take this chance,

The answer changes not.

There’s sights no one has ever seen,

And things no one has got.

They are the first to live out there,

That’s why they want to go.

To be the first, do something new,

Know things no one can know.

So up they go beyond the sky,

Where it is always black.

They know the odds, that most of them,

Are never coming back.

But that is how it always is,

How it has always been.

The first to go have often stayed,

Now rest in graves unseen.

Now watch them soar beyond our world,

To their brave words now hark.

They take the future of our kind,

With them into the dark.

Cheers, Winston